That ship has sailed.
- MJL

Possibly, but there are still multiple teams over the cap with roster spots to fill and possibly not enough to LTIR to become compliant without moving someone. That said, other teams are better positioned to become dance partners with teams that are stuck.

Worst case scenario: I’ve got a feeling they’re going to trade for Kane to try and save face from this mess. Chicago will gladly take a year of JVR to unload Kane.

We get better
Chicago gets worse
There go our hopes of picking top 3.
- hereticpride

What part do peeps not get Kane has a NMC.

The Phillies in the 80s were a train wreck of epic proportions. We squandered and gave away incredible talent (George Bell, Willie Hernandez, Ryne Sandberg, Julio Franco, to name a few) during that period for nothing in most cases and, in one case (Von Hayes), a true bum. Cliff's achievement is that he has made his incompetence into a real discussion point with that "leadership."
- iamscore2day

At least the Phillies won a WS and went to another in the 80s. This team may not have a winning record for a decade or so

Possibly, but there are still multiple teams over the cap with roster spots to fill and possibly not enough to LTIR to become compliant without moving someone. That said, other teams are better positioned to become dance partners with teams that are stuck.
- GeorgeBailey

Nah, every team over the cap already has a plan put into place.

Look him up - it actually looks like a decent get for Torts. Sounds like he’s got a decent offensive brain while having some experience. I can’t say I hate this move.. am I aloud to say that here?
- Joe Nardone

Rocky used to play for the local ahl team the flames. He was a total crazy goon but a decent guy who I’ve met many times when he played here. When he retired, he took coaching seriously and I’ve heard great things about him as he’s moved through the ranks. This might be the best pickup we’ve had this year.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Make No Big Moves in Free Agency
- bmeltzer

Our only hope is to talk the Russians into a prisoner exchange : Fletcher for Fedotov

This franchise is f’ed while this guy is making decisions.

This should be a PR disaster for the front office. Somehow I think status quo will take place. OMG, the whole thing smells of incompetence at the highest level. Not sure where Danny B is in his probationary period of learning the GM duties, but it couldn’t be worse, could it? Maybe Bill could shed some light on his progress to this point.
I’m sorry but Chuck would not make it to 5pm today. Gotta save face somehow.
- Laceemup88

Briere is in the what NOT to do in GMing phase.

Some fans couldn't understand how Vegas can move a player with one year left and the Flyers couldn't. First of all there is the obvious that Pacioretty is a ton better than JVR. Secondly, there is mutual benefit there. Vegas needs to clear cap and Carolina needed another scoring forward that fits into their cap strategy. With the Flyers, they were the only one needing something. The price is high to bail them out.
- MJL

If JVR were as effective as Pacioretty, we wouldn't even be looking to trade him.

I have never read one of Bill's columns that was so negative. Agree with him completely. I wonder how the Flyers are going to react?
- NYHippo

Trade him, 2023 1st, 2024 1st (Fla), and a 2023 3rd for Ryan Wilson of the Pens blog?

Briere is in the what NOT to do in GMing phase.
- bird_dog_pa

I’m shocked that 48 has not been given the GM job yet w Fletch moving upstairs. Shocked.

I don’t really see the relevance of the comparisons.

Also I get letting Lindholm walk. No issue w it. Ina vacuum it makes sense, but man the perception looks like shyt with the simultaneous - ridiculous contract givin to goonpking guy. Fletcher has 0 pr skills and it showed.
- Joe Nardone

So Cliff just has a PR problem. Not sure I get that take. I think it is just hard to defend idiocy.

I’m shocked that 48 has not been given the GM job yet w Fletch moving upstairs. Shocked.
- Joe Nardone

He's still learning, watching how Master Chuck handles business.

Hope he's taking notes.

So Toronto can dump 2 years left of Peter Mrazek ($4 mill per), along with the 25th pick for the 38th pick. Not much of a move there.

JVR has cap hit of $7 mill, base salary of $5 mill ($1 mill bonus likely already paid out)

I find it hard to believe they had to give a first to get rid of him there.

If JVR were as effective as Pacioretty, we wouldn't even be looking to trade him.
- Tomahawk

Def those players are in two diff stratospheres.

Still though, he’s a pt a game player and they got him for 0. That’s the kind of move you can make when you manage your assets wisely.

Even the Burns add. Carolina won the day for me.

What part do peeps not get Kane has a NMC.
- hello it's me 2050

From what I’ve read he wants out and not many teams can take that contract. He’s not in a position to be picky

I’m shocked that 48 has not been given the GM job yet w Fletch moving upstairs. Shocked.
- Joe Nardone

You gotta give it time for the ink to dry on the diploma first. Can't have it run while in the frame in his new office after Chuck gets kicked upstairs.

So Toronto can dump 2 years left of Peter Mrazek ($4 mill per), along with the 25th pick for the 38th pick. Not much of a move there.

JVR has cap hit of $7 mill, base salary of $5 mill ($1 mill bonus likely already paid out)

I find it hard to believe they had to give a first to get rid of him there.
- Ottawa Fan

Because that is what teams WANTED. If I am taking 7million to help YOU, then you need to pay. What would be the reason otherwise to take on 7 million of JVR.

Our only hope is to talk the Russians into a prisoner exchange : Fletcher for Fedotov

This franchise is f’ed while this guy is making decisions.
- Hosher12

Russian military or goaltending for the Flyers. Either way Fedotov is (frank)ed.

Because that is what teams WANTED. If I am taking 7million to help YOU, then you need to pay. What would be the reason otherwise to take on 7 million of JVR.
- J35Bacher

It's because the GM is just terrible at his job. It's $4 mill real dollars, that should have been easy for a team worried about the floor like Coyotes or Chicago. How did Toronto get someone to take Mrazek for moving down just 10 slots

Sports writers in general have to have close relationships with players, coaches, managers and the team in general. Some are either paid directly or indirectly. There are limits on how negative writers can be without negatively affecting their access to the team.

I am in no way talking about Bill in this next comment. But, just notice how many Philly sports writers are being openly negative about the Flyers management at the moment. I am at the very least suspicious that they have been given a green light by someone higher up than the GM to write these sort of stories. I don't discount the possibility of something going on behind the scenes.
- MRK66

Very little discourse from the media that is owned by the same company as the team:

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/flyers

It really is incredible Fletcher brought back Braun, Seeler, and Connauton. I typed and still cannot believe it.
- Trox88

Yea, not exactly Howe, Desjardins and Pronger

When then do you get sucked out the window into the abyss?
- hockeylover

the sooner the better

Worst case scenario: I’ve got a feeling they’re going to trade for Kane to try and save face from this mess. Chicago will gladly take a year of JVR to unload Kane.

We get better
Chicago gets worse
There go our hopes of picking top 3.
- hereticpride

Dont sweat it..Kane will not waive to come here...

Def those players are in two diff stratospheres.

Still though, he’s a pt a game player and they got him for 0. That’s the kind of move you can make when you manage your assets wisely.

Even the Burns add. Carolina won the day for me.
- Joe Nardone

Definitely. There's a reason why teams like Carolina are good in the cap era, and a team like the Flyers still haven't figured basic poop out.

If JVR were as effective as Pacioretty, we wouldn't even be looking to trade him.
- Tomahawk

Obviously but you get my point. You have to have something another team truly wants to move out cap without paying a top price.