Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: MacDonald Buyout, Fletcher Offers Updates, and More

Pro hockey is a business, and it will be a business decision on the player's side.

Players want to win as well. When will the Flyers be a contender? It's not just about the money.

The money will be there on july first for him elsewhere anyway.

They give Hayes 6.5 or 7 million, they just should have brought Holmgren back because that contract would be Holmgren stupidity

Feels like he just wanted the flexibility that if Hayes doesn't sign, and other players start signing that may force teams to look to move a piece to make room.....that we have the space to stay in the game.

Look if Hayes really is in play for Boston then it makes Charlie Coyle potentially in play as they aren't carrying Patrice, Kreji, Hayes and Coyle. Coyle's one year salary is like $3.2MM. That smells like the exact space they just made.

My feeling on the goaltenders is Elliot is the better goalie and is their preference, but will he accept the reduced role and money? His ever increasing injury history suggests he should but will his starting goalie ego allow it? If so, i think he signs for 2-3 years at around 2.6 mil. If not, do we sign Talbot who has been really bad the last two years or look elsewhere? If it’s Talbot, it’s should be 2 years at 2mil tops.

Hayes wants term and money, the Flyers want one or the other: Longer contract lower money or shorter contract higher money...probably the latter is their preference. He probably walks and that’s ok.

If Hayes wants 6.5m+ or 5+ years on a contract then just let him sign elsewhere. The loss of a 5th rounder sucks, but it's better than over-over paying a UFA and having a bad situation down the road *cough* AMac.

Players want to win as well. When will the Flyers be a contender? It's not just about the money.

The money will be there on july first for him elsewhere anyway.
- deadpoulet

Yes, players want to win. But they don't only look at who was winning the most recent season or two. How do you think the Flyers got Briere, Timonen and Hartnell aboard after having the worst record in the NHL in 2006-07?

Yes, players want to win. But they don't only look at who was winning the most recent season or two. How do you think the Flyers got Briere, Timonen and Hartnell aboard after having the worst record in the NHL in 2006-07?
- bmeltzer

Then you agree that going in the right direction is a factor as well?Not saying the Flyers are not going in the right direction but you said that it was all about the money.

If this was true Tavares does not sign with the Leafs last summer and would have stayed with the Isles.

Then you agree that going in the right direction is a factor as well?Not saying the Flyers are not going in the right direction but you said that it was all about the money.

If this was true Tavares does not sign with the Leafs last summer and would have stayed with the Isles.
- deadpoulet

Yes, it is a factor. But "they'll spend to win" is a huge factor in why players consider some places more attractive destinations than others.

If I'm over paying for someone it needs to be a difference maker like panarin. I just dont do it for hayes. Higher than 6 let him go. And even 6 is high. And I'm on the record as liking hayes. Just feel like we could always acquire someone via trade if ufa doesnt work out. Could still sign someone like stralman. Trade hagg and a pick for a center.

Then you agree that going in the right direction is a factor as well?Not saying the Flyers are not going in the right direction but you said that it was all about the money.

He didn't say it was all about the money, he said all other things being equal, money will be the deciding factor...

Hayes at over 6 is stupid. 50 point career year isn’t worth it. Not to mention he is soft.

Fletcher should be doing everything to land Panarin. Only game changer available. Who cares if he is a winger.

The max deals I'd be willing to give to Hayes:

3 years, 20 million, 6.667 million aav
4 years, 25 million, 6.250 million aav
5 years, 29.5 million, 5.9 million aav

I'd also be willing to give him a limited in NTC and front load and make the deal lockout proof as much as the current rules allow.

If none of the above get a deal done, let him walk.

Some of the biggest mistakes are made on July 1rst. I like Hayes at 6.5 or there about for 5 years. It sounds like a bad deal, but the market is changing and the cap is rising....if Skinner is worth 9 million a year then Hayes is probably 6.5. I’d be fine signing him but hope Fletcher continues to make changes that are long, long over due.....yesterday’s buyout was a good start.

My feeling on the goaltenders is Elliot is the better goalie and is their preference, but will he accept the reduced role and money? His ever increasing injury history suggests he should but will his starting goalie ego allow it? If so, i think he signs for 2-3 years at around 2.6 mil. If not, do we sign Talbot who has been really bad the last two years or look elsewhere? If it’s Talbot, it’s should be 2 years at 2mil tops.
- darkerens

I'm very curious as to how this might play out. I really like elliott, but injuries play a huge part. If he can't stay healthy when called upon it'll be a mess again. Also, he seems to need to play quite a bit to keep his game sharp and that won't happen with hart here. I'm kind of surprised about why they seem to be moving on from talbot. Maybe he wants to start somewhere. I dunno.

My feeling on the goaltenders is Elliot is the better goalie and is their preference, but will he accept the reduced role and money? His ever increasing injury history suggests he should but will his starting goalie ego allow it? If so, i think he signs for 2-3 years at around 2.6 mil. If not, do we sign Talbot who has been really bad the last two years or look elsewhere? If it’s Talbot, it’s should be 2 years at 2mil tops.
- darkerens

I don’t think the Flyers should bring back Elliot....he hasn’t been reliable at all. Those injury issues appear to be snow balling. The Flyers have simply not won with Elliot....I don’t see that changing. I’m sure the Flyers have offered a low offer to Talbot, but he may feel there is something else out there with a bit more $.

I'd rather they just waived AMac and kept him as a call up option.

I'm very curious as to how this might play out. I really like elliott, but injuries play a huge part. If he can't stay healthy when called upon it'll be a mess again. Also, he seems to need to play quite a bit to keep his game sharp and that won't happen with hart here. I'm kind of surprised about why they seem to be moving on from talbot. Maybe he wants to start somewhere. I dunno.
- Hextall271

I thought about Talbot wanting to see if a starting role was out there, but after the disaster last year, I think the best he can hope for is a team that lacks goalie depth where by he could have a chance down the line to get the starting gig. He’s going to have to earn that back.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: MacDonald Buyout, Fletcher Offers Updates, and More
- bmeltzer

If it's $6.5-7M x 7 we can pretty much guarantee that Hayes won't be able to see the end of that contract, whichever teams gives it to him.

Some of the biggest mistakes are made on July 1rst. I like Hayes at 6.5 or there about for 5 years. It sounds like a bad deal, but the market is changing and the cap is rising....if Skinner is worth 9 million a year then Hayes is probably 6.5. I’d be fine signing him but hope Fletcher continues to make changes that are long, long over due.....yesterday’s buyout was a good start.
- landros 2

Skinner is one the top goal-scorers of the recent past. Goals are worth $$$.

Hayes at over 6 is stupid. 50 point career year isn’t worth it. Not to mention he is soft.

Fletcher should be doing everything to land Panarin. Only game changer available. Who cares if he is a winger.
- acd513

I think money aside selling Panarin on the team is going to be a tough sell. Where is he going to play in the lineup? On most teams he's undoubtedly the 1LW. That not happening here unless G is willing to move back to Center. Then you're breaking up G and Coots...

I suppose you could try G at 1RW but I don't think he's nearly as effective on that side of the ice.

The max deals I'd be willing to give to Hayes:

3 years, 20 million, 6.667 million aav
4 years, 25 million, 6.250 million aav
5 years, 29.5 million, 5.9 million aav

I'd also be willing to give him a limited in NTC and front load and make the deal lockout proof as much as the current rules allow.

If none of the above get a deal done, let him walk.
- BiggE

His agent will then laugh his ass off at you when those deals are proposed. None are realistic for what the market is going to bear at this point.

As far as a goalie offer Curtis Mac on Carolina 2 years 2.5 per.

Talbot is playing hardball imo as maybe he has other options.

Bring back stolarz!!

I don’t think the Flyers should bring back Elliot....he hasn’t been reliable at all. Those injury issues appear to be snow balling. The Flyers have simply not won with Elliot....I don’t see that changing. I’m sure the Flyers have offered a low offer to Talbot, but he may feel there is something else out there with a bit more $.

I agree...to a point. Elliott has been reliable, when healthy. The problem is that he has been struggling to stay healthy. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I think the Elliott era is over.

My prediction is that Talbot either signs a 1-year "prove-it" contract for $2m or less, or else goes elsewhere and learns that the market will not bear what HE thinks he is worth.