Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: NHL Schedule; Injury Updates; Hartnell vs JVR; Roundup

Yeahhhhhhhhh budyy. First. Hockey me.

i know that the lockout is still not over, and this could implode. but man is it refreshing to actually talk about the FLYERS and the status of players and the like!

it will be curious to see how this team would gel together after all being apart on different teams and in different continents for 2 months. but i guess every NHL team has the same problem

Encouraging news all around (other than about G which gets me a little nervous). DROP THE PUCK.

Bill,

you've been terrific!


question- is amnesty really possible and if so, which flyer contract would the team look at opting out of?

However, I suspect this will become a major topic of conversation (and much hand-wringing) among Flyers fans if he's not declared ready to play ahead of the start of a camp in Voorhees.
- bmeltzer

I'd guess there'd be much conversation and hand-wringing in the front office, too. As well there should be.

Can someone explain what the amnesty discussion is about, please?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: NHL Schedule; Injury Updates; Hartnell vs JVR; Roundup
- bmeltzer

Bill, your increased optimism is giving me hope, thank you!

Bill, your increased optimism is giving me hope, thank you!
- jtb3rd

Bill, your increased optimism is giving me hope, thank you!
- jtb3rd

True. Ek was optimistic every single day and it was a little hard to believe/getting old . . . . .

Bill,

you've been terrific!


question- is amnesty really possible and if so, which flyer contract would the team look at opting out of?
- isaiah520

It apparently has come in discussions the last couple days, so it is possible.

I don't think they'd use amnesty on Bryzgalov. The only other goalie with NHL experience in the system is Michael Leighton (does anyone want him as the starter?) and there are not many goalies available who would be equivalent to or an upgrade on Bryzgalov at a significantly cheaper cost.

With Pronger, it depends on whether the over-35 rules and/or LTIR rules change as relates to the salary cap. In my opinion, older players who suffer legitimate career-ending injuries -- and post-concussion syndrome has zero to do with a players' age -- should be allowed to retire without cap penalty and without the charade of multiple seasons on LTIR to avoid their cap hit on the in-season salary cap.

Danny Briere is a remote possibility, based solely on the fact his cap hit (under the now-expired CBA) will be $6.5 million for two more seasons beyond the current campaign, is already 35 years old and has had some injury issues last season and in previous semi-recent seasons. But I think his still-formidable playoff scoring value and the immense off-ice respect he commands would prevent that right now.

Can someone explain what the amnesty discussion is about, please?
- Scoob

According to some reports, the issue has been raised as a possibility among the multitude of topics the players and owners have been discussing this week.

Bill, your increased optimism is giving me hope, thank you!
- jtb3rd

Well, it's still cautious optimism. There are still some pretty big hurdles to be cleared in the NHL/NHLPA negotiations. What gives me hope is that when things have gotten tense -- and apparently, they hit a pretty emotional snag yesterday -- they've taken a quick break, regrouped and gone back at it.

Today, it appears that Don Fehr and Gary Bettman will be fully involved, leading the talks for the respective sides. So I suspect there are still bumps in the road to come. Even so, I think both sides realize they each NEED a deal to get done and will now negotiate continuously until one is done.

Until it's truly done, there's always a chance things could implode. Things are still quite fragile. But I think the momentum is FINALLY rolling toward a resolution. May not be today. May not even be tomorrow. But I do think there will be a done deal by this time next week.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: NHL Schedule; Injury Updates; Hartnell vs JVR; Roundup
- bmeltzer

Thank the stars that this mess may finally be coming to an end.

In the expectation that this is resolved, the part that worries me about the team is our D without Pronger. I am happy with our Forwards and goaltending, but I don't think we can contend for a cup without another stud back there on D. Timo can only do so much.. Damn you Nashville!

Thank the stars that this mess may finally be coming to an end.

In the expectation that this is resolved, the part that worries me about the team is our D without Pronger. I am happy with our Forwards and goaltending, but I don't think we can contend for a cup without another stud back there on D. Timo can only do so much.. Damn you Nashville!
- Hextall271

Just wont be excited until they drop the puck.

I was hoping there was some beef between Hartnell and JVR, unfortunately no.

Seriously though I was wondering, Flyers fans, why does half of your team have jerry curls? Honestly though, there seems to be a large amount of them in Philly compared to other teams.

As part of the ongoing effort to raise money for relief efforts from Hurricane Sandy, Flyers forward Scott Hartnell and former Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk are taking part in a Power of 2 online head-to-head competition.

This has been kind of amusing to watch Hartnell and JVR needle each other over twitter with this charity. Great idea by these guys.

Well, it's still cautious optimism. There are still some pretty big hurdles to be cleared in the NHL/NHLPA negotiations. What gives me hope is that when things have gotten tense -- and apparently, they hit a pretty emotional snag yesterday -- they've taken a quick break, regrouped and gone back at it.

Today, it appears that Don Fehr and Gary Bettman will be fully involved, leading the talks for the respective sides. So I suspect there are still bumps in the road to come. Even so, I think both sides realize they each NEED a deal to get done and will now negotiate continuously until one is done.

Until it's truly done, there's always a chance things could implode. Things are still quite fragile. But I think the momentum is FINALLY rolling toward a resolution. May not be today. May not even be tomorrow. But I do think there will be a done deal by this time next week.
- bmeltzer

I hope Fehr and Bettman realize that they need to participate in the solution at this point. It doesn't look good for either guy that the most progress observed (at least through the media) has been made when they were excluded from conversations.

According to some reports, the issue has been raised as a possibility among the multitude of topics the players and owners have been discussing this week.
- bmeltzer

And amnesty allows them to buy out a contract outright without penalty and release the player?

And amnesty allows them to buy out a contract outright without penalty and release the player?
- Scoob

That's how LeClair and Amonte (I think it was both of them) disappeared after the last lockout and allowed the Flyers to get under the new salary cap.

And amnesty allows them to buy out a contract outright without penalty and release the player?
- Scoob

Correct. But allegedly the players would want a full-value or close-to-full buyout (even if it is spread over a number of years) to agree to the amnesty concept. That notion put an end to the amnesty talk when it came up before.

Correct. But allegedly the players would want a full-value or close-to-full buyout (even if it is spread over a number of years) to agree to the amnesty concept. That notion put an end to the amnesty talk when it came up before.
- bmeltzer

Thanks.

I can see why the players would want as close to full-value as possible. I can also see why owners would want something less than that.

Edit: In any case does the player have to agree to being bought out?

That's how LeClair and Amonte (I think it was both of them) disappeared after the last lockout and allowed the Flyers to get under the new salary cap.
- eayost

Yes, both players.

cpfss

It apparently has come in discussions the last couple days, so it is possible.

I don't think they'd use amnesty on Bryzgalov. The only other goalie with NHL experience in the system is Michael Leighton (does anyone want him as the starter?) and there are not many goalies available who would be equivalent to or an upgrade on Bryzgalov at a significantly cheaper cost.

With Pronger, it depends on whether the over-35 rules and/or LTIR rules change as relates to the salary cap. In my opinion, older players who suffer legitimate career-ending injuries -- and post-concussion syndrome has zero to do with a players' age -- should be allowed to retire without cap penalty and without the charade of multiple seasons on LTIR to avoid their cap hit on the in-season salary cap.

Danny Briere is a remote possibility, based solely on the fact his cap hit (under the now-expired CBA) will be $6.5 million for two more seasons beyond the current campaign, is already 35 years old and has had some injury issues last season and in previous semi-recent seasons. But I think his still-formidable playoff scoring value and the immense off-ice respect he commands would prevent that right now.
- bmeltzer

thanks Bill