Bill Meltzer: Musings: Projecting the Expansion Draft, Alumni Golf Attendees

Understand what your saying about MacDonald Vs. Manning, but with that salary and term remaining I'm pretty sure it would be wishful thinking that Macdonald would require protection. I also hope they protect Laughton. I guess we will see. I also thought Weal played decent, but I wouldn't go out of my way to over pay him.
I think the few days leading up to the submitting deadline could be a lot of fun. The Flyers could be in a great spot to make a deal.

http://thehockeywriters.c...-the-philadelphia-flyers/

Good read, we really need to dress the best lineup next year with our log jam of forwards.

My guesses are as follows:

re the D:
They protect Manning and expose AMac. First off, it's doubtful that Vegas takes AMac, but if they do, and the Flyers want to add a vet Dman to replace him, they can likely add one in free agency for less money and very possibly less term.

re the forwards:
I think Hexy will be leery of overpaying Weal. That being said, I think they leave him exposed and protect Laughton. As a former 1st round pick, he still has some value and he may end up being a solid 4th line C and PKer too. The guy they lose would then likely be Raffl. Cousins and Leier have yet to establish themselves as NHL regulars and both players have significant flaws in their game. Weise has too much term on his deal left and Read is fading fast and I doubt they'd have much interest in him. While I can see a contender maybe having some interest in Bellemare, I don't see an expansion team taking him. Raffl is a solid player that can play all over the lineup for Vegas and contribute on special teams if needed. He is the logical guy for them to take.

re the goalies:
Since Mason is all but gone, and there isn't a whole lot of quality in FA, they will probably protect Neuvirth and expose Stolarz. With Sandstrom and Hart in the wings and Lyon in the AHL, there is little risk of both exposing him and for losing him. Vegas can find better goalies to take.

edit: more on Weal- I think Hexy will let him go to free agency after making him an offer that he is comfortable with. If someone wants to pay him more, they'll let him walk, if not they re-sign him. I really think Hextall won't want to commit more than 2 years at 1 million per for a guy who is still basically unproven as an NHL regular.

I honestly don't see why AMac needs to be protected. I seriously doubt Vegas picks him. SO it may be better to take the small chance, protect Manning, and then you still have both players next season. And really, If AMac is taken, you free up a ton of cap space to go out and find a mid priced vet to fill in for a year or two, and still save on cap space.

I honestly don't see why AMac needs to be protected. I seriously doubt Vegas picks him. SO it may be better to take the small chance, protect Manning, and then you still have both players next season. And really, If AMac is taken, you free up a ton of cap space to go out and find a mid priced vet to fill in for a year or two, and still save on cap space.
- MBFlyerfan

There are very few goalie prospects available in the ED who will be waiver exempt in 17-18, so not protecting Stolarz would be a huge mistake. Vegas have to take at least three goalies, and they can take more than that, but will only have two on their opening night roster. So being able to put one of those three (or more) goalie picks on their AHL team would be very appealing. Unless Vegas are going to pass up a young Columbus forward like Karlsson or Anderson to take Korpisalo, Stolarz would be the best waiver exempt goalie prospect available to them.

Neuvirth is an overpaid backup/1B who could be easily replaced in free agency. The only legitimate reason for signing him when they did was so the Flyers knew they would have a goalie to expose.

There are very few goalie prospects available in the ED who will be waiver exempt in 17-18, so not protecting Stolarz would be a huge mistake. Vegas have to take at least three goalies, and they can take more than that, but will only have two on their opening night roster. So being able to put one of those three (or more) goalie picks on their AHL team would be very appealing. Unless Vegas are going to pass up a young Columbus forward like Karlsson or Anderson to take Korpisalo, Stolarz would be the best waiver exempt goalie prospect available to them.

Neuvirth is an overpaid backup/1B who could be easily replaced in free agency. The only legitimate reason for signing him when they did was so the Flyers knew they would have a goalie to expose.
- Feanor

I've seen Stolarz a lot at the AHL level, and he just doesn't impress me that much. At best, IMO, he'll be an NHL backup. Right now, I'd rather have Neuvirth.

edit: however, I wouldn't lose sleep over losing either of them.

I've seen Stolarz a lot at the AHL level, and he just doesn't impress me that much. At best, IMO, he'll be an NHL backup. Right now, I'd rather have Neuvirth.
- BiggE

What did you think of Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford when they were 23 year olds in the AHL?

Neuvirth isn't a better goalie than Mason or Elliot or Johnson or Bernier or Miller who are all free agents. Risking losing a young goalie with upside who has been developing in the organization for five years over a career backup/1B who just had a really poor season is horrendous asset management.

agree with MBFlyerfan and Bigge regarding Amac. I would not protect him

What did you think of Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford when they were 23 year olds in the AHL?

Neuvirth isn't a better goalie than Mason or Elliot or Johnson or Bernier or Miller who are all free agents. Risking losing a young goalie with upside who has been developing in the organization for five years over a career backup/1B who just had a really poor season is horrendous asset management.
- Feanor

I agree with you

Understand what your saying about MacDonald Vs. Manning, but with that salary and term remaining I'm pretty sure it would be wishful thinking that Macdonald would require protection. I also hope they protect Laughton. I guess we will see. I also thought Weal played decent, but I wouldn't go out of my way to over pay him.
I think the few days leading up to the submitting deadline could be a lot of fun. The Flyers could be in a great spot to make a deal.
- landros 2

I agree, I would protect Manning and leave MacDonald exposed. I doubt he gets picked and if he does, then there is some good things about that.

What did you think of Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford when they were 23 year olds in the AHL?

Neuvirth isn't a better goalie than Mason or Elliot or Johnson or Bernier or Miller who are all free agents. Risking losing a young goalie with upside who has been developing in the organization for five years over a career backup/1B who just had a really poor season is horrendous asset management.
- Feanor

Fair enough. Like I said, I wouldn't lose any sleep over either of them. Also, there is no guarantee that any of the guys you mentioned want to sign here, especially the 2 I would really want. Miller wants to stay out west from everything I've read or heard and Mason seems to want to be anywhere else but here. As much as Neuvirth struggled last year, I'd rather have him over Bernier and I see Elliot and Johnson as pretty much the same as Neuvirth. From a strict asset management position, you are correct, I just don't see that much in Stolarz.

What did you think of Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford when they were 23 year olds in the AHL?

Neuvirth isn't a better goalie than Mason or Elliot or Johnson or Bernier or Miller who are all free agents. Risking losing a young goalie with upside who has been developing in the organization for five years over a career backup/1B who just had a really poor season is horrendous asset management.
- Feanor

I agree with you
- nastyflyergirl

As do I. I doubt they take Neuvirth. And to be honest there is a bigger chance they take Stolarz than Neuvirth.

Raffl or Laughton will be the one who goes. I am pretty sure of that.

AMac is going nowhere.

Protect Giroux, Voracek, Filppula, Schenn, Couturier, Simmonds, Weal, Ghost, Gudas, Manning, Stolarz

As do I. I doubt they take Neuvirth. And to be honest there is a bigger chance they take Stolarz than Neuvirth.

Much bigger. For their two NHL goalies they can take Raanta, Pickard and Grubauer and then trade one of them (maybe to the Flyers). They're all better options than Neuvirth.

If they want a goalie prospect in the ED who can play on their AHL team, the pickings are very slim. Malcom Subban wouldn't get thru waivers.

I honestly don't see why AMac needs to be protected. I seriously doubt Vegas picks him. SO it may be better to take the small chance, protect Manning, and then you still have both players next season. And really, If AMac is taken, you free up a ton of cap space to go out and find a mid priced vet to fill in for a year or two, and still save on cap space.
- MBFlyerfan

Where are you going to find a solid top-4 d-man who is, if anything, slightly overpaid?

If we don't keep AMac, who on this team is going to fill his role of backing in and conceding the blueline on a consistent basis?

It just had to be Kunitz from Crosby didn't it. Ugh.

Much bigger. For their two NHL goalies they can take Raanta, Pickard and Grubauer and then trade one of them (maybe to the Flyers). They're all better options than Neuvirth.

If they want a goalie prospect in the ED who can play on their AHL team, the pickings are very slim. Malcom Subban wouldn't get thru waivers.
- Feanor

This is how I feel. There is next to no chance they take Neuvirth. I think he was sign in part so that he could be exposed.

What did you think of Jimmy Howard and Corey Crawford when they were 23 year olds in the AHL?

Neuvirth isn't a better goalie than Mason or Elliot or Johnson or Bernier or Miller who are all free agents. Risking losing a young goalie with upside who has been developing in the organization for five years over a career backup/1B who just had a really poor season is horrendous asset management.
- Feanor

I see Ryan Miller for two years as a great fit, really hope we can get this done (Assuming he'd come to the east coast). In my opinion Bernier is garbage, want nothing to do with him. Would have no issue with Howard or Elliot.

Agree with what others have said that Mac might as well be exposed. If he does get taken they can use his money to go after a fill in vet. If Del Zotto is still on the market hell, maybe bring him back.


On the topic of meeting players from yesterday, weird coincidence that today my facebook memory app had the picture that Talbot's girlfriend took of us after they ate dinner with us. Definitely a great guy!

Where are you going to find a solid top-4 d-man who is, if anything, slightly overpaid?

If we don't keep AMac, who on this team is going to fill his role of backing in and conceding the blueline on a consistent basis?
- jmatchett383

Another ED prediction.

http://thehockeywriters.c...-expansion-draft-outlook/

Protected List

Claude Giroux
Valtteri Filppula
Wayne Simmonds
Jake Voracek
Brayden Schenn
Sean Couturier
Michael Raffl

Shayne Gostisbehere
Radko Gudas
Brandon Manning

Anthony Stolarz

Weise
Bellemare
Read
Cousins
Leier
Laughton
Raffl

Manning
Brennan
AMac

Neuvirth

Another ED prediction.

http://thehockeywriters.c...-expansion-draft-outlook/
- Feanor

Raffl is a waste of a protected spot.