No need to worry about it b/c the season won't start on time anyways. I dont see hockey until December at best.
- stveshdy

ugh
well my wife would be very happy

ugh
well my wife would be very happy
- Marc D

Is your wife Gary Bettman?

ugh
well my wife would be very happy
- Marc D

I'm a big football fan so I'll survive until the owners and players can agree.

Is your wife Gary Bettman?
- feelingkettle

. _ .

I'm a big football fan so I'll survive until the owners and players can agree.
- stveshdy

iggles?

. _ .
- Marc D

(ô _ ô)

The fact that he's currently a lock to make the team next season based purely on contract considerations and not merit is evidence enough that the 2nd-year was a mistake on the Flyers part. Nobody is arguing that Lilja failed to meet the limited expectations set upon him prior to this past season, so there's no reason to erect a straw man around that point. If he were on a one-year deal, there would be nothing to complain about. Problem is, they forked over a 2nd-year for no apparent reason other than to get him signed, when patience would have not only afforded them a better player, but better value for dollar and more roster flexibility. And this summer, we're possibly talking about losing MAB in a numbers crunch, or being up against the contract limit again, all because Lilja's 35+ is an immovable object.
- Tomahawk

I don't think they gave him a second year to get him signed, I think they did it because they wanted a veteran sixth/seventh defenseman on hand for two years (or rather, did not want to hit the market for one again this offseason). Call his low salary preventative, but I don't think his contract's ever threatened their ability to do anything. Lilja's exactly what the Flyers wanted for exactly how long they wanted, and at a price they very much liked.

I short, Lilja hasn't prevented anything. His salary is nearly nonexistent, and they're not in a crisis with the contract limit.

iggles?
- Marc D

Yup. Have season tickets.

iggles?
- Marc D

LETS GO EAGLES!

The fact that he's currently a lock to make the team next season based purely on contract considerations and not merit is evidence enough that the 2nd-year was a mistake on the Flyers part. Nobody is arguing that Lilja failed to meet the limited expectations set upon him prior to this past season, so there's no reason to erect a straw man around that point. If he were on a one-year deal, there would be nothing to complain about. Problem is, they forked over a 2nd-year for no apparent reason other than to get him signed, when patience would have not only afforded them a better player, but better value for dollar and more roster flexibility. And this summer, we're possibly talking about losing MAB in a numbers crunch, or being up against the contract limit again, all because Lilja's 35+ is an immovable object.
- Tomahawk

That is your opinion that he is a lock to make the team based on contract considerations and not on merit. I couldn't disagree more with that. He will be on the team because he is perfect for the role he is going to be in. Just as he was last year. And your making an assumption that they forked over a 2nd year just to get him signed. And it's a false assumption in my opinion. They signed him to a 2 year deal because they wanted him for 2 years. A premise you refuse to consider, simply based on your own disdain for the move from day 1. And I'll again ask you which better player if they had exercised patience could they have gooten. To fill the same part time role, with the same Cap hit in the general area of 700K?

who would be the remaining defenseman? Timmo and Coburn on the two units? I heard Schenn has a hard shot (but not accurate).
- leon neon

I've heard Schenn's issue is a slow release. Defending players easily pokecheck the puck away when he attempts a slapshot. I've not seen much of Luke, though, so take it with a grain of salt.

I don't think they gave him a second year to get him signed, I think they did it because they wanted a veteran sixth/seventh defenseman on hand for two years (or rather, did not want to hit the market for one again this offseason). Call his low salary preventative, but I don't think his contract's ever threatened their ability to do anything. Lilja's exactly what the Flyers wanted for exactly how long they wanted, and at a price they very much liked.

I short, Lilja hasn't prevented anything. His salary is nearly nonexistent, and they're not in a crisis with the contract limit.
- BulliesPhan87

Exactly, well said!

That is your opinion that he is a lock to make the team based on contract considerations and not on merit. I couldn't disagree more with that. He will be on the team because he is perfect for the role he is going to be in. Just as he was last year. And your making an assumption that they forked over a 2nd year just to get him signed. And it's a false assumption in my opinion. They signed him to a 2 year deal because they wanted him for 2 years. A premise you refuse to consider, simply based on your own disdain for the move from day 1. And I'll again ask you which better player if they had exercised patience could they have gooten. To fill the same part time role, with the same Cap hit in the general area of 700K? More false assumptions on your part.

You had this one wrong from day 1, and still do.
- MJL

jody shelley would have been a better fit for the role at 700k

season starts on time, book it
- Crimsoninja

I'd like to believe that but right now it's not 100% to me.

Seems like the normal course of action.
- bradleyc4

Yeah not sure how it's work for Couturier with his age & number of games played last season while on a ELC.

jody shelley would have been a better fit for the role at 700k
- 2Real

We got sixteen more games out of Lilja, so I'd say Shelley is obviously the superior popcorn jockey.

Exactly, well said!
- MJL

Personally, I was satisfied with his performance. He brought some physical play and was able to step in without an adjustment period. If we're going to rely on Bourdon and Gustafsson to play for the big club, I definitely want somebody like Lilja who can step in when the young guys need a timeout.

We got sixteen more games out of Lilja, so I'd say Shelley is obviously the superior popcorn jockey.
- BulliesPhan87

I don't see how Shelley makes the team this year. Who knows though.

@TGfireandice:The average NHL ticket price has increased 39% since 2004 when Gary Bettman promised fans a salary cap would lower ticket prices.
- stveshdy

And now the Flyers prices are top 5 or higher in the league after just raising them again.

I don't see how Shelley makes the team this year. Who knows though.
- stveshdy

Based on the past two years, I'd expect Shelley to stay on the roster even if he's not playing. If they have an immediate need for cap space they'll waive him, but I don't see them sending him down to bank the cap salary.

I just hope they don't offer him another contract (not even a one year affair) after this season. I just don't like using space on a rarely used enforcer.

Im looking for a decent hocky pro shop in the yardley area if anybody knows of one PM me pls.

Thx

jody shelley would have been a better fit for the role at 700k
- 2Real

Hard to argue with that.

The only thing is at the time there was a somewhat irrational bidding war for enforcers with the Rangers giving Derek Boogard 6.5M for 4 years.

I guess the Flyers wanted Shelley and the price went up a bit with the Boogard contract.

Yeah not sure how it's work for Couturier with his age & number of games played last season while on a ELC.
- ob18

Couturier turns 20 before the end of the calendar year, and is waiver exempt until he reaches 160 games played (regular + postseason) -- so he can play there, if need be.

Based on the past two years, I'd expect Shelley to stay on the roster even if he's not playing. If they have an immediate need for cap space they'll waive him, but I don't see them sending him down to bank the cap salary.

I just hope they don't offer him another contract (not even a one year affair) after this season. I just don't like using space on a rarely used enforcer.
- BulliesPhan87

I don't bc I think they have better players that can earn a roster spot. I rather have Sestito make the club over Shelley or Holmstrom.

Personally, I was satisfied with his performance. He brought some physical play and was able to step in without an adjustment period. If we're going to rely on Bourdon and Gustafsson to play for the big club, I definitely want somebody like Lilja who can step in when the young guys need a timeout.
- BulliesPhan87

I agree you need someone like that, but heres my question. You said earlier that you thought they were giving him two years so they didnt have to hit the market and get someone for that role this off season. But isnt that exactly what they did when they signed Gervais?

I dont get giving those guys 2 years deals..