I'm no AMac hater and I can see the point you're trying to make Bill, but I think with all things considered it wouldn't make any sense to waste a protection slot on AMac. He's not a bad defenseman, but he's well overpaid for what he provides and talk of veteran leadership is a stretch as I don't see him providing anymore leadership than a player like Gudas provides. (I don't have access to the locker room, though, so perhaps I'm mistaken there)

With his contract being back heavy as well it makes him very difficult to move unless we retain salary, which is less than ideal. I don't have a list of free agent Dmen in front of me, but I don't think it would be difficult to get someone on a 3yr deal at $4M+ per that could eat up 19-20 minutes. This is all hypothetical because it's unlikely Vegas would take AMac even if he is unprotected, but if they did take him it would certainly be in the Flyers best interest long term when they actually feel they can compete for a Cup. This is assuming we don't hand out another AMac type contract, though.

Hextall flat out telling MDZ and Schultz that they would not get an offer was pretty shocking to me. That indicates that one of Hagg, Morin or Sanheim is already deemed ready most likely. Since most teams would go with the player they know over plugging in someone that isn't a known upgrade over who they have.

So the question is who is the lucky prospect or two?
- dragonoffrost

I think Hagg and Morin's roster spots are already penciled in. Unless they struggle in preaseason, I believe both will be on the roster. My guess is the D looks something like:

AMac-Provorov
Hagg-Gudas
Morin-Ghost
Manning

However, if Hagg shows he can play the right side and Gudas plays well, I can see it morphing into:

Provorov-Gudas
AMac-Hagg
Morin-Ghost
Manning

Either way, it should be an upgrade over last year and the forward core should be significantly better with the likely additions of the #2 pick, Lindblom and a more mature TK. Considering they finished with 88 points while getting very inconsistent goaltending last year, I don't think finishing with 95-100 points is an unreasonable expectation if they get solid and more consistent goaltending and stay reasonably healthy.

Also, Hexy flat out told MDZ he isn't getting an offer. Could it change? Maybe but unlikely.
- bmeltzer

I'm not an AMac fan but I think MDZ was injured too often to sign and count on. He also had some really bad games along the way. I don't recall AMac out hurt very much. A least he is a warrior for the team. He is what he is, wouldn't hear as much complaining if he made 2.5 mil. Flyers have cap space and it only gets better soon. His cap really isn't a problem now.

I'm not an AMac fan but I think MDZ was injured too often to sign and count on. He also had some really bad games along the way. I don't recall AMac out hurt very much. A least he is a warrior for the team. He is what he is, wouldn't hear as much complaining if he made 2.5 mil. Flyers have cap space and it only gets better soon. His cap really isn't a problem now.
- jaws1955

Agree 100%. He is overpaid and overexposed playing on the top pairing. Can't do much about the contract, but I'm hoping that Gudas replaces him on the top pair with Provorov.

Took a quick look at dmen and focused in on Karl Alzner. What do you guys think he's going to get on the FA market?

I'm not an AMac fan but I think MDZ was injured too often to sign and count on. He also had some really bad games along the way. I don't recall AMac out hurt very much. A least he is a warrior for the team. He is what he is, wouldn't hear as much complaining if he made 2.5 mil. Flyers have cap space and it only gets better soon. His cap really isn't a problem now.
- jaws1955

Amac is not a terrible player. He's a fairly good in-zone defender. He can play 5v5 and on the PK, but he does have his troubles defending on the rush, and he's average with the puck. He does have his flaws, but part of that is his usage. If he was seeing less minutes and lower QOC, the flaws wouldn't stick out as much.

Took a quick look at dmen and focused in on Karl Alzner. What do you guys think he's going to get on the FA market?
- EducatedOpinion

Too much term for the Flyers to be a player I'm thinking he gets 5-6 years.

Took a quick look at dmen and focused in on Karl Alzner. What do you guys think he's going to get on the FA market?
- EducatedOpinion

More money and years than the Flyers should give him.

Too much term for the Flyers to be a player I'm thinking he gets 5-6 years.
- dragonoffrost

Yes and at LEAST AMac dollars as well.

Too much term for the Flyers to be a player I'm thinking he gets 5-6 years.
- dragonoffrost

Figured the term would be up but wasn't sure about the dollars. Don't see him as a $5M+ defender myself, but I'm no GM.

Yes and at LEAST AMac dollars as well.
- jaws1955

Money to me isn't a problem for the next couple seasons. It's the term that blocks a prospect within 3 years or so.

Calvin De Haan

Calvin De Haan
- YuenglingJagr

TJ Brennan

With all the draft picks available to Hextall this year, I just wonder if he would acquire a younger, back-up goalie via trade. I know I've gotten caught up thinking a bridge goal tender will be a vet. Why? Trading for a guy like Raanta or Grubauer and sign them to a two year deal accomplishes the same thing as getting a vet like Miller or Elliot. There are certainly no guarantees Sandstrom or Hart will pan out in the NHL. Kind of like Steve Mason acquired from Columbus.

Going to be a very interesting summer for Hexy.
- ravishingone

I've said it time and time again I'd love to go after grubauer. I'd settle for Raanta pickard. What's the worst thing that happens they turn into a legit top goaltender and we get to have the penguins and Tampa problem? That's a problem I'd love to have. Young defense was hard to find we had to build that within. Goaltenders you see go for a 2nd rounder who are legit 1s or potential 1s. Go get one.

I've said it time and time again I'd love to go after grubauer. I'd settle for Raanta pickard. What's the worst thing that happens they turn into a legit top goaltender and we get to have the penguins and Tampa problem? That's a problem I'd love to have. Young defense was hard to find we had to build that within. Goaltenders you see go for a 2nd rounder who are legit 1s or potential 1s. Go get one.
- Tfaehner

I am a big Pickard fan. I think Avs keep him though. I think it will be a smaller goaltender signing though

I like Brendan Smith out of all the UFA defensemen. Will be higher priced.

I think Del Zotto will be a good value, though I understand why they want to move on.

It isn't worth protecting AMac, but I won't be surprised at all if they do. I do think they could find someone that can play with Provorov for a while without spending too much, but I certainly think the best option is a trade.

What I am saying is that Rob Scuderi should be a Flyer any day now

What I am saying is that Rob Scuderi should be a Flyer any day now
- YuenglingJagr

Ok Homer Simmer down

Everything going ok at home bill?....re: protecting amac

Good day for this article to drop:

http://www.broadstreethoc...16-17-philadelphia-flyers

Good day for this article to drop:

http://www.broadstreethoc...16-17-philadelphia-flyers
- Mononoke

Charlie has to have an alt on here

Agree 100%. He is overpaid and overexposed playing on the top pairing. Can't do much about the contract, but I'm hoping that Gudas replaces him on the top pair with Provorov.
- BiggE

In my view I think they need Gudas and his physical presence on a different pairing. I take the risk of exposing MacDonald. I just don't see how that is something that they can't work around if he was taken. Odds are exposing MacDonald and protecting Manning allows them to keep both.

In my view I think they need Gudas and his physical presence on a different pairing. I take the risk of exposing MacDonald. I just don't see how that is something that they can't work around if he was taken. Odds are exposing MacDonald and protecting Manning allows them to keep both.
- MJL

I don't think either guy would get taken, to be honest. All signs point to losing a forward.

I don't think either guy would get taken, to be honest. All signs point to losing a forward.
- bmeltzer

yes, this...both would be wasting a protection slot

Here is the flaw with the "if MacDonald is taken in the draft, get a comparable vet as a UFA" line of thinking as I think the Flyers may view it: Sign another vet and you are looking at a similar, possibly a bit lower but not dramatically so, cap hit but for more years in term than the three MacD has remaining. Doing that in order to protect Manning doesn't make much sense.
- bmeltzer

I would look into trading a forward we aren't protecting and trying to get back a defenseman that you could protect and play over manning and leave MacDonald unprotected.

Not sure of a name but that is something I would look into. He would have to be someone who can play maybe a 4/5/6 role in case MacDonald is taken by Vegas