Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Quick Hits

Last, first, whatever.

Good morning chaps.

Bill, great as always.

Is this weekend J-bo time? Dominos?

Cannot believe the stuff Bettman is throwing down, unreal!
Our situation is unlike any other league Big $ owner vs Small $ owner vs Player.

with the framework already in place from last time this wasn't supposed to happen, yet things are looking as hopeless as before. And now it's Bettman that is looking like the villain & rightfully so.

Unreal!

Last, first, whatever.

Good morning chaps.

Bill, great as always.

Is this weekend J-bo time? Dominos?
- Daman

If it's J-Bo time, I hope it's for another team. If Bouwmeester made $5 million, he'd be overpaid relative to what he's delivered to Calgary but I'd say it would worth the Flyers' while to pursue a trade given their blueline situation. But at $6.68 M? No way, no how do I want to see the Flyers take on that contract for two seasons and have to give up something like Read and a first-round pick to do it.

Hi Bill,

Thanks for getting us through a dull sports summer!!

I was disappointed to hear about Clapperton. I think the Flyers are a little SHORT-sighted in this decision. Wouldn't hurt to give him a tryout, would it?

Cannot believe the stuff Bettman is throwing down, unreal!
Our situation is unlike any other league Big $ owner vs Small $ owner vs Player.

with the framework already in place from last time this wasn't supposed to happen, yet things are looking as hopeless as before. And now it's Bettman that is looking like the villain & rightfully so.

Unreal!
- puckhead17

It's not anywhere near as bad as last time. There is always ominous rhetoric and hardline stances in these sorts of negotiations. I would not be shocked if there is a lockout but I WOULD be shocked if it's a lengthy one this time.

For one thing, the owners are NOT nearly as united front this time around (as you note above) except for their agreement that they want a larger slice of the larger revenue pie. I do expect the cap floor to drop fairly significantly and the revenue sharing to be sliced more in the owners' favor when all is said and done. I really don't think the cap ceiling is growing to drop THAT much, though, and you may even see some sort of luxury tax system implemented if the ceiling does drop significantly.

Hi Bill,

Thanks for getting us through a dull sports summer!!

I was disappointed to hear about Clapperton. I think the Flyers are a little SHORT-sighted in this decision. Wouldn't hurt to give him a tryout, would it?
- TheGreat28

I agree. No harm in taking a look against higher-grade competition. An invite isn't a contract. Oh well. It probably won't be a big deal in the long run. I don't think Clapperton is going to be an impact NHLer but I do think he has pro potential... and from there, you never know if a guy might put in some time in the NHL.

Cannot believe the stuff Bettman is throwing down, unreal!
Our situation is unlike any other league Big $ owner vs Small $ owner vs Player.

with the framework already in place from last time this wasn't supposed to happen, yet things are looking as hopeless as before. And now it's Bettman that is looking like the villain & rightfully so.

Unreal!
- puckhead17

Actually, and I can't believe I'm going to say this, I agree with his position at this point. I think in order to save hockey, he has to save the owners from themselves. Personally, I feel the drastic cut in salaries was put in there as a point on which the owner's are willing to concede. Their real issues are length of contract, signing bonuses, length of ELD, years to UFA status.

The only way Bettman can fix any of this is through the CBA. And of course Fehr is willing to play out this season under the old CBA - he knows there the changes that will come will likely be less favorable to the players. Why not delay it a year? There was no way Bettman was going to allow that.

I agree. No harm in taking a look against higher-grade competition. An invite isn't a contract. Oh well. It probably won't be a big deal in the long run. I don't think Clapperton is going to be an impact NHLer but I do think he has pro potential... and from there, you never know if a guy might put in some time in the NHL.
- bmeltzer

I think with players like that it's boom or bust. They have to turn into near all-stars or at least 1st line players (st.louis, briere, gerbe) to actually make it because they're clearly not going to play a 3rd line role. Considering that most of the prospects in the Flyers system are of the low-ceiling variety, I would rather they take a risk now and then on a high-ceiling, low probably player.

EDIT: Kudos tho to the team for taking a chance on Ghost.

It's not anywhere near as bad as last time. There is always ominous rhetoric and hardline stances in these sorts of negotiations. I would not be shocked if there is a lockout but I WOULD be shocked if it's a lengthy one this time.

For one thing, the owners are NOT nearly as united front this time around (as you note above) except for their agreement that they want a larger slice of the larger revenue pie. I do expect the cap floor to drop fairly significantly and the revenue sharing to be sliced more in the owners' favor when all is said and done. I really don't think the cap ceiling is growing to drop THAT much, though, and you may even see some sort of luxury tax system implemented if the ceiling does drop significantly.
- bmeltzer

I agree they want a bigger piece of the pie, but feel they'll concede somewhat on the percentage, maybe to the deal the NBA got (50-51%). But you are dead on about the floor. The percentage just sets the upper and lower limits; the real average total dollars each team pays out will likely trend towards the lower limit, especially once you take out the high-spending outliers.

The key is keep parity while allowing a majority to spend closer to the floor. I think if you but a stranglehold on these outrageous contracts and give teams control of their talent for an extra couple of years, you do achieve that end.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

I cant wait to hear this...

"Rabble rabble rabble...Chris Clapperton!...rabblerabble.... Tomas Hyka....rabblerabbleflabberschlopz...MVP!!!... rabbleschlablekurnelglotz... LA KINGS?!?! LA (frank)ING KINGS?!?!"

If it's J-Bo time, I hope it's for another team. If Bouwmeester made $5 million, he'd be overpaid relative to what he's delivered to Calgary but I'd say it would worth the Flyers' while to pursue a trade given their blueline situation. But at $6.68 M? No way, no how do I want to see the Flyers take on that contract for two seasons and have to give up something like Read and a first-round pick to do it.
- bmeltzer

Regardless of his salary and the players going the other way... Where does Bouwmeester fit on the depth chart?

With the injury players removed... I assume the depth chart (over-all talent) is... You think Bouwmeester is a 2, 3, or 4?

1. Timmo
2. Coburn
3. Grossmann
4. Schenn
5. Gervais
6. Lilja
7. MAB
8. Gust

Regardless of his salary and the players going the other way... Where does Bouwmeester fit on the depth chart?

With the injury players removed... I assume the depth chart (over-all talent) is... You think Bouwmeester is a 2, 3, or 4?

1. Timmo
2. Coburn
3. Grossmann
4. Schenn
5. Gervais
6. Lilja
7. MAB
8. Gust
- leon neon

I think our starting six will be...

Timonen(1)-Schenn(4)
Coburn(2)-Grossmann(3)
MaB(6)-Gusty(5)

But I also wouldnt mind

Timonen-Grossmann
Coburn-Schenn
Gusty-MaB

I think our starting six will be...

Timonen(1)-Schenn(4)
Coburn(2)-Grossmann(3)
MaB(6)-Gusty(5)

But I also wouldnt mind

Timonen-Grossmann
Coburn-Schenn
Gusty-MaB
- jak521

They're going to be mixing and matching a lot based on game situations. But as far as regular pairings to start games, I don't see them pairing the 2 kids together.

They're going to be mixing and matching a lot based on game situations. But as far as regular pairings to start games, I don't see them pairing the 2 kids together.
- MJL

I thought about that.. I think (especially with the way Lava works) that there really wont be set pairs, but that those two will see time together.. I also wouldnt mind seeing maybe Gusty with Coburn... and now that I think of it this wouldnt bother me too much either..

Timonen-Schenn
Coburn-Gusty
Grossmann-MaB

I think our starting six will be...

Timonen(1)-Schenn(4)
Coburn(2)-Grossmann(3)
MaB(6)-Gusty(5)

But I also wouldnt mind

Timonen-Grossmann
Coburn-Schenn
Gusty-MaB
- jak521

I really, really want Schenn paired with Timonen during 5-on-5 play. Outside of that, it doesn't matter. Gervais is in the mix, too.

I thought about that.. I think (especially with the way Lava works) that there really wont be set pairs, but that those two will see time together.. I also wouldnt mind seeing maybe Gusty with Coburn... and now that I think of it this wouldnt bother me too much either..

Timonen-Schenn
Coburn-Gusty
Grossmann-MaB
- jak521

And the more I think about it, the top two pairings you had make perfect sense. Coburn and Grossmann were effective. Schenn with Timonen makes sense. And I also see Gervais in the top 6 mix. I just don't like MAB and Gustafsson together.

I think our starting six will be...

Timonen(1)-Schenn(4)
Coburn(2)-Grossmann(3)
MaB(6)-Gusty(5)

But I also wouldnt mind

Timonen-Grossmann
Coburn-Schenn
Gusty-MaB
- jak521

Bruno Gervais I believe will be in the lineup. Just my guess.

I think our starting six will be...

Timonen(1)-Schenn(4)
Coburn(2)-Grossmann(3)
MaB(6)-Gusty(5)

But I also wouldnt mind

Timonen-Grossmann
Coburn-Schenn
Gusty-MaB
- jak521

I agree with others, who feel that Gervais is pretty much a lock for the top 6.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Surprised about Clapperton. He really looked to be one of the guys who was close to the level of Cousins & Laughton at the scrimmage I was at.

Not that standing out at a camp of rookies means NHL success. He just showed good hands and played with a chip on his shoulder.

I cant wait to hear this...

"Rabble rabble rabble...Chris Clapperton!...rabblerabble.... Tomas Hyka....rabblerabbleflabberschlopz...MVP!!!... rabbleschlablekurnelglotz... LA KINGS?!?! LA (frank)ING KINGS?!?!"
- jak521

I agree with others, who feel that Gervais is pretty much a lock for the top 6.
- Jsaquella

I agreed. They didn't pick him up to sit on the bench. He bumps Gust (whether we like it or not) back to the AHL. Gust contract flexibility - waiver free movement - makes him the odd man out. Unless we suck, or there's another injury.

But, I don't agree with Grossmann-Schenn or Timmo-Coburn... At least not to start the season. Grossmann-Coburn played very well together in the playoffs - I don't think Lavy will split them up to start. We know that Timmo-Coburn works, they can always fall back on that, and that might be the pairing for the PP.

And the more I think about it, the top two pairings you had make perfect sense. Coburn and Grossmann were effective. Schenn with Timonen makes sense. And I also see Gervais in the top 6 mix. I just don't like MAB and Gustafsson together.
- MJL

I was just kinda looking at what pairings would be most effective..

You gotta figure the top two lines are gonna getting majority of the minutes.. Timonen is our top 2 way d-man... putting him with Schenn can do wonders for Schenn, while adding a physical element to that unit.

Coburn and Grossmann were fantastic in the playoffs... until Grossmann got hurt.. and then they were still pretty good.

I think the 3rd pair can be very interesting..

Gusty is obviously more of a speed and smarts guy. Im hoping he can parlay some of his offensive AHL success into NHL success. If he can do that.. pairing him with a more defensive and physical Bourdon could make for a pretty solid young bottom pair.

Gervais is a mystery to me.. I havent really seen him play all that much, he wasnt a steady fixture on his team over the past few seasons (didnt play in 61 games the past two years), so just based on that, I have the other two getting the nod as of now.

I agree with others, who feel that Gervais is pretty much a lock for the top 6.
- Jsaquella

I know he will be battleing for a top 6 spot.. and is likely ahead of Lilja.. but I just dont know enough or have seen enough of him to say as of right now..

I find it troubling that he only was able to suit up for 50 games last season for the Lightning.. and 53 games the year before for the Islanders...

I thought about that.. I think (especially with the way Lava works) that there really wont be set pairs, but that those two will see time together.. I also wouldnt mind seeing maybe Gusty with Coburn... and now that I think of it this wouldnt bother me too much either..

Timonen-Schenn
Coburn-Gusty
Grossmann-MaB
- jak521

Since Coburn is more mobile that Grossman, and Gusty more mobile that MAB, what about flipping them?

Timonen - Schenn
Coburn - MAB
Grossmann - Gusty