Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Monday Quick Hits on Larsson, Boucher and More

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Monday Quick Hits on Larsson, Boucher and More
- bmeltzer

Bill, did you accidentally publish this early?

Bill, did you accidentally publish this early?
- jak521

Yes.... still working on it.

Bill, is Manning one of the 48 contracts?

The team's lone remaining restricted free agent at this point is defenseman Brandon Manning.
- bmeltzer

What happened to Wellwood?

What happened to Wellwood?
- Tomahawk

I thought he already signed his tender.

I thought he already signed his tender.
- mayorofangrytown

If he hasn't, he's going to. He'd be a fool not to. He has zero leverage.

Bill, is Manning one of the 48 contracts?
- PhillySportsGuy

He received a qualifying offer, so yes, he is.

Not gonna lie, as a Devils fan seeing a Flyers bog with "Quick Hits on Larsson, Boucher" in the title confused me a bit

He received a qualifying offer, so yes, he is.
- MJL

So assuming Stolarz slides and Laughton stays, the Flyers have 3 contract slots to work with?

Not gonna lie, as a Devils fan seeing a Flyers bog with "Quick Hits on Larsson, Boucher" in the title confused me a bit
- MannySilvers

How has your Larsson progressed? Do you guys still feel the same way about him you did 2 years ago?

Just throwing this out there to hear some legitimate responses but, what about a trade for Phaneuf? We probably have the assets (one or more defenseman need to be moved and possibly Read)? His style would maybe bring a little more stability to the Flyer's questionable D.

Just throwing this out there to hear some legitimate responses but, what about a trade for Phaneuf? We probably have the assets (one or more defenseman need to be moved and possibly Read)? His style would maybe bring a little more stability to the Flyer's questionable D.
- dmleip

His style would bring less stability, IMO.

He is a very agressive guy.. Big hitter, big shot, but with his high reward comes even bigger risks. He is constantly sacrificing position for body contact (see games 7 of playoffs), and when it doesnt go his way.. the results are ugly.

Just throwing this out there to hear some legitimate responses but, what about a trade for Phaneuf? We probably have the assets (one or more defenseman need to be moved and possibly Read)? His style would maybe bring a little more stability to the Flyer's questionable D.
- dmleip

Nope. They have several slow physical defenseman already. Streit has a booming shot for the PP. He doesn't offer this team much more than they already have.

The Flyers would be in the market for young, smooth skating defenseman with offensive abilities.

So assuming Stolarz slides and Laughton stays, the Flyers have 3 contract slots to work with?
- PhillySportsGuy

Once the RFA's are taken care of, they'll be at 50-contracts, with 2 being slide eligible. If you assume Laughton stays, that leaves them with only one slot to work with.

- Don'tForgetTocchet

If that shootout had been played 10 times the Flyers would have lost 9 of them.

His style would bring less stability, IMO.

He is a very agressive guy.. Big hitter, big shot, but with his high reward comes even bigger risks. He is constantly sacrificing position for body contact (see games 7 of playoffs), and when it doesnt go his way.. the results are ugly.
- jak521

The instances where Dion runs around and gets caught are a lot like Matt Carle's turnovers... they do happen, but not to the degree of frequency that most fans would have you believe. He's generally a pretty good defender.

Once the RFA's are taken care of, they'll be at 50-contracts, with 2 being slide eligible. If you assume Laughton stays, that leaves them with only one slot to work with.
- Tomahawk

If that's the case, it makes even more sense to move Mez for a pick. That way they can sign Gagne and remain under the cap without using Pronger's LTIR. Then they will have one more open slot in case they want to make a move at the deadline.

Just throwing this out there to hear some legitimate responses but, what about a trade for Phaneuf? We probably have the assets (one or more defenseman need to be moved and possibly Read)? His style would maybe bring a little more stability to the Flyer's questionable D.
- dmleip

Maybe at the trade deadline... they don't have the cap-space to pull it off right now.

Just throwing this out there to hear some legitimate responses but, what about a trade for Phaneuf? We probably have the assets (one or more defenseman need to be moved and possibly Read)? His style would maybe bring a little more stability to the Flyer's questionable D.
- dmleip

It would cost too much, and he's not a real #1 defenseman. The Flyers are better off getting thru this season, then looking at what's available in summer 2014 once they know for sure if Kimmo is done.

The instances where Dion runs around and gets caught are a lot like Matt Carle's turnovers... they do happen, but not to the degree of frequency that most fans would have you believe. He's generally a pretty good defender.
- Tomahawk

I don't think he would make much of an impact on the team. Plus he's a short term acquisition and it would take some decent players to get him. I would rather have Read and Coburn than Phaneuf.

If that's the case, it makes even more sense to move Mez for a pick. That way they can sign Gagne and remain under the cap without using Pronger's LTIR. Then they will have one more open slot in case they want to make a move at the deadline.
- PhillySportsGuy

If Mez could have been moved for a pick, he'd be gone already. There was already zero interest in salary dump trades for comparable guys in comparable situations (Kuba, Colaiacovo, Gilbert) and their teams had to CBO them instead.

The instances where Dion runs around and gets caught are a lot like Matt Carle's turnovers... they do happen, but not to the degree of frequency that most fans would have you believe. He's generally a pretty good defender.
- Tomahawk

Did you watch him in the Playoffs? Im not saying he is a terrible player.. actually, he is a very good, very rare, d-man. He is not elite, but he is above average, and to have the ability to be a 40+ point d-man, and play the physical game he plays... its something else.

However, he does routinely put himself out of position.

If Mez could have been moved for a pick, he'd be gone already. There was already zero interest in salary dump trades for comparable guys in comparable situations (Kuba, Colaiacovo, Gilbert) and their teams had to CBO them instead.
- Tomahawk

If Mez plays in pre-season and shows he's healthy they may have some takers.