Is anyone else besides for me in favor of signing Tim Thomas to a $4-$5 million contract for 1 or 2 years and buying out Bryz? Clears up a little cap space, and gives Mason a mentor he can actually learn something from.
- JAKEw1234

i would do it. why not.

Is anyone else besides for me in favor of signing Tim Thomas to a $4-$5 million contract for 1 or 2 years and buying out Bryz? Clears up a little cap space, and gives Mason a mentor he can actually learn something from.
- JAKEw1234

I'm out.

And Mason isn't learning anything from Thomas fwiw. Thomas notoriously ostracized Rask when they brought him in. There was no love lost between those team mates.

Is anyone else besides for me in favor of signing Tim Thomas to a $4-$5 million contract for 1 or 2 years and buying out Bryz? Clears up a little cap space, and gives Mason a mentor he can actually learn something from.
- JAKEw1234

What is his desire to play the game? I don't know if any of us can answer that. Definitely not more then a 1 year deal. Too risky. If I was going to buyout Bryzgalov, I would bring in a veteran who is content to being a backup, and see what Mason can do. If Mason falters, then the veteran is there. Don't know if Thomas would be interested in that. I think more then anything, Mason just needs to play.

I'm out.

And Mason isn't learning anything from Thomas fwiw. Thomas notoriously ostracized Rask when they brought him in. There was no love lost between those team mates.
- mayorofangrytown

I was thinking along the same lines. Don't quite see Thomas as the mentoring type.

Is anyone else besides for me in favor of signing Tim Thomas to a $4-$5 million contract for 1 or 2 years and buying out Bryz? Clears up a little cap space, and gives Mason a mentor he can actually learn something from.
- JAKEw1234

I doubt Thomas' ability to "mentor" anyone. He showed a big streak of selfishness while with Boston and became a big distraction to the team the season following their Cup win.

Several players on the team noted that his extra-curricular activities became an issue and distraction. He's a tremendous goalie, when focused, but I question how focused he'd be.

It's also been reported that he ignored Rask

With all the injuries to Philly's D and Gus excelling (I agree with posters that are hesitant to get too excited on a short window of success) it is very hard to know what the team will do. Stay with the current group and hope for better health and or trade a forward to upgrade? Hard call.

Here are two trades I have been thinking about (as if anyone cares):

PHI: Edler and Kesler (apparently on the trade block for youth)
VAN: Simmonds (or Schenn) and Coburn, 3rd rounder

PHI: Nino Niederretier (wants out of NY and MAY do well with a change in scenery)
NYI: Danny Briere, 4th rounder (yes, I was joking the other day about a 1st)

Both have little chance of happening but both could be positive for all parties.

BTW: anyone suggesting VAN would trade for Read hasn't been paying attention to Mike Gillis. He wants BIGGER and Younger.

Is anyone else besides for me in favor of signing Tim Thomas to a $4-$5 million contract for 1 or 2 years and buying out Bryz? Clears up a little cap space, and gives Mason a mentor he can actually learn something from.
- JAKEw1234

Wait, so you're suggesting you would be willing to pay Thomas upward of 5M on a two year deal?

With all the injuries to Philly's D and Gus excelling (I agree with posters that are hesitant to get too excited on a short window of success) it is very hard to know what the team will do. Stay with the current group and hope for better health and or trade a forward to upgrade? Hard call.

Here are two trades I have been thinking about (as if anyone cares):

PHI: Edler and Kesler (apparently on the trade block for youth)
VAN: Simmonds (or Schenn) and Coburn, 3rd rounder

PHI: Nino Niederretier (wants out of NY and MAY do well with a change in scenery)
NYI: Danny Briere, 4th rounder (yes, I was joking the other day about a 1st)

Both have little chance of happening but both could be positive for all parties.

BTW: anyone suggesting VAN would trade for Read hasn't been paying attention to Mike Gillis. He wants BIGGER and Younger.
- coffee junkie

Given Kesler's recent injury history, I'm hesitant to trade for him. I'd also have little desire to include Coburn in a trade right now, given the injury questions surrounding Meszaros and Grossmann, not to mention Gustafsson himself.

I still don't see Briere agreeing to waive his NMC to go anywhere.

With all the injuries to Philly's D and Gus excelling (I agree with posters that are hesitant to get too excited on a short window of success) it is very hard to know what the team will do. Stay with the current group and hope for better health and or trade a forward to upgrade? Hard call.

Here are two trades I have been thinking about (as if anyone cares):

PHI: Edler and Kesler (apparently on the trade block for youth)
VAN: Simmonds (or Schenn) and Coburn, 3rd rounder

PHI: Nino Niederretier (wants out of NY and MAY do well with a change in scenery)
NYI: Danny Briere, 4th rounder (yes, I was joking the other day about a 1st)

Both have little chance of happening but both could be positive for all parties.

BTW: anyone suggesting VAN would trade for Read hasn't been paying attention to Mike Gillis. He wants BIGGER and Younger.
- coffee junkie

I would make both trades. But honestly don't see either Vancouver or the Isles making them.
Briere would have to be traded or bought out to have the Cap space, to make the Vancouver deal.

With all the injuries to Philly's D and Gus excelling (I agree with posters that are hesitant to get too excited on a short window of success) it is very hard to know what the team will do. Stay with the current group and hope for better health and or trade a forward to upgrade? Hard call.

Here are two trades I have been thinking about (as if anyone cares):

PHI: Edler and Kesler (apparently on the trade block for youth)
VAN: Simmonds (or Schenn) and Coburn, 3rd rounder

PHI: Nino Niederretier (wants out of NY and MAY do well with a change in scenery)
NYI: Danny Briere, 4th rounder (yes, I was joking the other day about a 1st)

Both have little chance of happening but both could be positive for all parties.

BTW: anyone suggesting VAN would trade for Read hasn't been paying attention to Mike Gillis. He wants BIGGER and Younger.
- coffee junkie

Canucks are in salary cap hell just like the Flyers will need to make a move or two just to get under the cap. They still have to re-sign some players too so I dont think they would take both Coburn and Simmonds. If they are trading Edler I believe they will be looking for somone or players on a ELC or much lower contract. IF they were willing to make that trade though I would be all for it.

Is anyone else besides for me in favor of signing Tim Thomas to a $4-$5 million contract for 1 or 2 years and buying out Bryz? Clears up a little cap space, and gives Mason a mentor he can actually learn something from.
- JAKEw1234

I have doubts we'll see Tim Thomas in the NHL again, let alone next season. Even if he wants back, teams are going to be wary of handing a contract to a guy who literally left a top contender with his dead cap space for a year. Maybe I'm wrong and somebody takes the gamble, but I don't see it.

Given Kesler's recent injury history, I'm hesitant to trade for him. I'd also have little desire to include Coburn in a trade right now, given the injury questions surrounding Meszaros and Grossmann, not to mention Gustafsson himself.

I still don't see Briere agreeing to waive his NMC to go anywhere.
- Jsaquella

I agree about Coburn. I would hate to give him up. The injury issues on D is sticky. No real trade value for Mezzy or else he wold be the person I would try to trade. I just think if you add a D you need to shed one otherwise you have a a lot fo cap space and contracts back there.

I hear you on Briere, I'm holding out hope. I think he might want to do the Flyers a solid and save some face even though he doesn't need to. I don't think he would be giving up much $$ honestly. I can't see a team giving him a great new contract. That actually is an interesting question. How much would he be giving up, figuring in a reasonable new contract?

With all the injuries to Philly's D and Gus excelling (I agree with posters that are hesitant to get too excited on a short window of success) it is very hard to know what the team will do. Stay with the current group and hope for better health and or trade a forward to upgrade? Hard call.

Here are two trades I have been thinking about (as if anyone cares):

PHI: Edler and Kesler (apparently on the trade block for youth)
VAN: Simmonds (or Schenn) and Coburn, 3rd rounder

PHI: Nino Niederretier (wants out of NY and MAY do well with a change in scenery)
NYI: Danny Briere, 4th rounder (yes, I was joking the other day about a 1st)

Both have little chance of happening but both could be positive for all parties.

BTW: anyone suggesting VAN would trade for Read hasn't been paying attention to Mike Gillis. He wants BIGGER and Younger.
- coffee junkie

Oh boy another center. Kesler is good and all, but I think in order to grow a young player to be able to fill team responsibilities you have to give them as much experience as possible with those responsibilities. Sean Couturier, if developed right, will grow into a Kesler-esque player. Maybe not with the offensive touch of Toews, but a solid-defensively forward. Maybe eventually even a Selke candidate. I don't see it helping him reach any of those goals by having Kesler fill up more valuable minutes Coots could be playing, in a role Coots should be playing, and I really don't like the prospect of dismantling our youth core for mid-aged players. Edler is fine, but I don't think Kesler is the right fit for this team, anyways.

Canucks are in salary cap hell just like the Flyers will need to make a move or two just to get under the cap. They still have to re-sign some players too so I dont think they would take both Coburn and Simmonds. If they are trading Edler I believe they will be looking for somone or players on a ELC or much lower contract. IF they were willing to make that trade though I would be all for it.
- flyerfan28

You don't think Luongo is gone no matter what? That is also a net cap savings of nearly 2M.

Oh boy another center. Kesler is good and all, but I think in order to grow a young player to be able to fill team responsibilities you have to give them as much experience as possible with those responsibilities. Sean Couturier, if developed right, will grow into a Kesler-esque player. Maybe not with the offensive touch of Toews, but a solid-defensively forward. Maybe eventually even a Selke candidate. I don't see it helping him reach any of those goals by having Kesler fill up more valuable minutes Coots could be playing, in a role Coots should be playing, and I really don't like the prospect of dismantling our youth core for mid-aged players. Edler is fine, but I don't think Kesler is the right fit for this team, anyways.
- JAKEw1234

Fair enough, this would be a win now type of trade. I do disagree that Kesler isn't a right fit for this team. He is a great fit for any team IMHO. I am also stating as loud as possible that I would NOT play Coots as the #2 next year (hopefully in a few years if he can earn it) as you have suggested several times. I think that is a big mistake.

I'm out.

And Mason isn't learning anything from Thomas fwiw. Thomas notoriously ostracized Rask when they brought him in. There was no love lost between those team mates.
- mayorofangrytown

i would do a 1 year deal. i don't know that mason needs mentoring from a teammate. he can get that from reese. that's what he's for.

I agree about Coburn. I would hate to give him up. The injury issues on D is sticky. No real trade value for Mezzy or else he wold be the person I would try to trade. I just think if you add a D you need to shed one otherwise you have a a lot fo cap space and contracts back there.

I hear you on Briere, I'm holding out hope. I think he might want to do the Flyers a solid and save some face even though he doesn't need to. I don't think he would be giving up much $$ honestly. I can't see a team giving him a great new contract. That actually is an interesting question. How much would he be giving up, figuring in a reasonable new contract?
- coffee junkie

I think if you can trade Meszaros, the actual asset return from the other team isn't going to be a lot, because of the injury issue. But the 4M in Cap space will be the real gain. I don't think it will be easy to deal him. But with only having one year left, it's not a big risk. And I think they'd find a taker. All predicated on adding someone like Edler of course. Or they'll need Meszaros.

Oh boy another center. Kesler is good and all, but I think in order to grow a young player to be able to fill team responsibilities you have to give them as much experience as possible with those responsibilities. Sean Couturier, if developed right, will grow into a Kesler-esque player. Maybe not with the offensive touch of Toews, but a solid-defensively forward. Maybe eventually even a Selke candidate. I don't see it helping him reach any of those goals by having Kesler fill up more valuable minutes Coots could be playing, in a role Coots should be playing, and I really don't like the prospect of dismantling our youth core for mid-aged players. Edler is fine, but I don't think Kesler is the right fit for this team, anyways.
- JAKEw1234

Couturier would get all the ice time he needs as a 3rd line Center. And would still see key ice time on the PP. Kesler is 28. The real target is Edler. If a prospective deal to get Edler needs to be a multi player deal to appease Vancouver. I try and make it happen.

I think if you can trade Meszaros, the actual asset return from the other team isn't going to be a lot, because of the injury issue. But the 4M in Cap space will be the real gain. I don't think it will be easy to deal him. But with only having one year left, it's not a big risk. And I think they'd find a taker. All predicated on adding someone like Edler of course. Or they'll need Meszaros.
- MJL

And then you are pretty much giving Mezzy away. I'm not opposed if it makes sense in the cap picture. It's just an unfortunate situation.

Tim Thomas
- JAKEw1234

Yikes. Old and out of the game for a year. No thanks.

You don't think Luongo is gone no matter what? That is also a net cap savings of nearly 2M.
- coffee junkie

Oh I do just saying not sure they would want to take on two more long term contracts at 4.5mil per, also they still need to sign additional players to field a team. I agree Lou is gone either way, GM said he didnt see him being on the team.

Oh I do just saying not sure they would want to take on two more long term contracts at 4.5mil per, also they still need to sign additional players to field a team. I agree Lou is gone either way, GM said he didnt see him being on the team.
- flyerfan28

It's a good question that and I don't know exactly what Gillis will do. I do think Lou will be out and they will have some significant cap relief from it. I just hope they have to buy him out.....

And then you are pretty much giving Mezzy away. I'm not opposed if it makes sense in the cap picture. It's just an unfortunate situation.
- coffee junkie

It might be pretty much giving him away. But the Cap might make that necessary.

Yikes. Old and out of the game for a year. No thanks.
- Scoob

Not to mention all of the other reasons to hate him.

Keep that circus far away from Philly.


If people want a mentor for Mason I'd bring Boosh back as an assistant goalies coach. Let's stay away from over 35yr old contracts if we can.

I believe they were, at least part of the time.
- Jsaquella

I could be wrong but I kinda remember Phillips and Atrain being the shutdown pair.