Why would he do that from a financial standpoint? He can be bought out by the Flyers, collect his $ and then sign on w/another team as a UFA and get paid by them too.
- flyguy12

Exactly.

Not to mention, fresh off another bitter lockout, I don't think players are really going to be looking to do ownership/management any favors.

Since Richards and Carter were traded before the new CBA, their contracts do not affect the Flyers at all.

The only deal the Flyers face cap recapture on is Bryzgalov's.
- Jsaquella

Huh, wonder if this will be the nail in the coffin after the 2014 season on whether or not to buy him out. Cuz if he's bought out this would no longer apply.

True, but while watching that draft live, I was puzzled that they did not take him since he was a defenseman and was not expceted to last that long.

Now, if you factor in last year, sure I was happy. You have to keep in mind that I'm still upset that we picked Mike Ricci instead of Jagr!!
- NJFlyer42

To be honest, Couturier wasn't expected to last as long as he did.

Yes?
Countless number of players have went through rough sophomore seasons--- its not uncommon at all. Drew Doughty went through one, same with Carey Price and i could go on all day if i wanted to.
They havent managed him well this year. I really, really hope they didnt ruin him. I dont like the way they've been playing him.
- FLYERSROCK!

Hey, I agree with you. I actually think the Flyers do a good job drafting, but a lousy job developing their players. They're always in too much of a hurry to get them on the NHL roster, and when the player hits a bump, they unload him. Teams like NJ and Nashville do it right and allow their players to mature in the minors and junior.

Huh, wonder if this will be the nail in the coffin after the 2014 season on whether or not to buy him out. Cuz if he's bought out this would no longer apply.
- FlyersGrace

Exactly. If the Flyers wait one year, they will reduce the annual payout and number of years they will have to pay him, as well.

You may be thinking of a proposal that was kicked around about the trading of long-term contracts. They were thinking about, if a player is signed to a contract greater than 5 years, is traded, and then retires before the contract expired, that the team that ORIGINALLY signed the contract would be hit with that additional cap hit until the contract expired (say, if Richards or Carter retired tomorrow, the Flyers would have to carry their cap hits until the contracts expired). Otherwise, buyouts wouldn't make any sense.
- jmatchett

Not exactly. They'd only have to carry the advantage portion that has yet to be repaid.

Teams receiving a “cap advantage” from long-term contracts — defined as seven years or more for contracts signed prior to the January 2013 CBA — will be penalized in the event the player retires or “defects” from the NHL before the contract expires. A team receives a “cap advantage” when the player’s actual salary exceeds his cap hit in a given year.

Following retirement/defection, the “advantage” will be “recaptured” and charged against the club’s cap in equal amounts each year until the contract expires. This penalty applies to any team that received a cap advantage from the contract — ie. a traded contract — except in the event that the trade occurred prior to the new CBA coming into place in January 2013.

Teams do not receive a credit for seasons with negative cap benefit (where cap hit exceeds salary), the league confirmed to CapGeek.com.

Please note, contracts that fall under the "over-35" rule do not qualify for cap benefit recapture, the NHL has confirmed.

To be honest, Couturier wasn't expected to last as long as he did.
- Jsaquella

Right, but given the young forwards on the Flyers roster at the time (Richards, Carter, G, etc.), I was surprised they picked a forward considering they were pretty equally regarded as prospects.

To be honest, Couturier wasn't expected to last as long as he did.
- Jsaquella

Hamilton was climbing the rankings while Couturier was dropping like a stone, though. Central Scouting had Hamilton ranked above Couturier in the final go.

I'm sure some scouts from the teams that chose to pass on him are feeling somewhat vindicated now that he's struggling mightily to produce offense at the NHL level... that was the overarching concern about him pre-draft.

Next year the Flyers have almost 15 million dollars committed to Timonen, Coburn, and Meszaros. Is changing the coach going to make these players perform better?
Maybe, but there isn't a guarantee of that. Right now these guys are literally playing like spare parts.

Right, but given the young forwards on the Flyers roster at the time (Richards, Carter, G, etc.), I was surprised they picked a forward considering they were pretty equally regarded as prospects.
- NJFlyer42

I could be remembering incorrectly but I thought we traded Richards and Carter before we choose Coots. So Homer knew he'd have space in the middle. In fact the #1 pick we used for Coots was part of the Carter deal, right? I'm a bit rusty...

Right, but given the young forwards on the Flyers roster at the time (Richards, Carter, G, etc.), I was surprised they picked a forward considering they were pretty equally regarded as prospects.
- NJFlyer42

Richards and Carter were gone when they chose Couturier. The pick they used on him was acquired for Carter.

Hamilton was climbing the rankings while Couturier was dropping like a stone, though. Central Scouting had Hamilton ranked above Couturier in the final go.

I'm sure some scouts from the teams that chose to pass on him are feeling somewhat vindicated now that he's struggling mightily to produce offense at the NHL level... that was the overarching concern about him pre-draft.
- Tomahawk

He's hit a bit of a rookie wall. I would have understood drafting him, but I was and am happy with the Couturier pick.

I do not like how he's being used or handled right now.

Next year the Flyers have almost 15 million dollars committed to Timonen, Coburn, and Meszaros. Is changing the coach going to make these players perform better?
Maybe, but there isn't a guarantee of that. Right now these guys are literally playing like spare parts.
- PLindbergh31

Ugh you are right... I hadn't thought about it but I wouldn't be shocked to see Coburn or Mez go in a deal either in the next week or during the summer. Although Timonen's contract is only for 1 yr. And if Coburn or Mez played to the level we know they can then I'd be ok with their cap hits. That's always the rub isn't it? Are you playing to your cap hit? And why I think Bryz haters exist...

Hamilton was climbing the rankings while Couturier was dropping like a stone, though. Central Scouting had Hamilton ranked above Couturier in the final go.

I'm sure some scouts from the teams that chose to pass on him are feeling somewhat vindicated now that he's struggling mightily to produce offense at the NHL level... that was the overarching concern about him pre-draft.
- Tomahawk

His skating concerns me somewhat. He showed last year he has intelligence long beyond his age, not to mention very responsible defensively. The lack of offense this year is most likely due to playing with below average wingers, as well as losing confidence.

His regression has been one of the most disheartening things to see in a season full of them.

Ugh you are right... I hadn't thought about it but I wouldn't be shocked to see Coburn or Mez go in a deal either in the next week or during the summer. Although Timonen's contract is only for 1 yr. And if Coburn or Mez played to the level we know they can then I'd be ok with their cap hits. That's always the rub isn't it? Are you playing to your cap hit? And why I think Bryz haters exist...
- FlyersGrace

If Coburn and Meszaros get traded the return will likely disappoint nearly everyone. Coburn really looks clueless out there, and I highly doubt a GM is going to give up anything of significance for Meszaros solely because of his injury woes.

I could be remembering incorrectly but I thought we traded Richards and Carter before we choose Coots. So Homer knew he'd have space in the middle. In fact the #1 pick we used for Coots was part of the Carter deal, right? I'm a bit rusty...
- FlyersGrace

Oops. You are 100% right!

Capital City Bullies, represent!
- BulliesPhan87

You get the last laugh today. If I laugh it could mess with my stitches.

My wife just brought in my prescriptions. 5 of them and only 1 looks fun.

I do not like how he's being used or handled right now.
- Jsaquella

The onus is on him to improve on faceoffs, limit the critical turnovers at his own blueline, and hang on to the puck with more authority if he wants a bigger role at ES.

Lavi's not making his life any easier, but it's a hole that Couturier dug himself into, and he has to dig himself out.

His skating concerns me somewhat. He showed last year he has intelligence long beyond his age, not to mention very responsible defensively. The lack of offense this year is most likely due to playing with below average wingers, as well as losing confidence.

His regression has been one of the most disheartening things to see in a season full of them.
- PLindbergh31

Regarding Couturier, I would not deal him unless you're getting a steal in return.

Having said that, one thing I would like to visibly see from him is playing with passion. You can see it in his eyes and the way he plays the game when he plays against Malkin. Every player has ups and downs regarding their involvement in a game, but I haven't seen much fire from him this year - that might be natural given the team's circumstances, but he's a key cog. I'd like to see more consistency. I am hopeful that we see that as he matures.

If Coburn and Meszaros get traded the return will likely disappoint nearly everyone. Coburn really looks clueless out there, and I highly doubt a GM is going to give up anything of significance for Meszaros solely because of his injury woes.
- PLindbergh31

Well, a team just gave up at least a 2nd and a 3rd rounder for Douglas Murray, who looks like a broken down VW Microbus.

The problem in moving out Coburn or Meszaros isn't the return, it's the cost to replace them. The Flyers already need at least one top 4 defenseman. If one of these two are moved they need others.

I'm not convinced a coaching change and new roles wouldn't do wonders for both of them-although Meszaros' injury history is becoming alarming, to say the least.

Well, a team just gave up at least a 2nd and a 3rd rounder for Douglas Murray, who looks like a broken down VW Microbus.

The problem in moving out Coburn or Meszaros isn't the return, it's the cost to replace them. The Flyers already need at least one top 4 defenseman. If one of these two are moved they need others.

I'm not convinced a coaching change and new roles wouldn't do wonders for both of them-although Meszaros' injury history is becoming alarming, to say the least.
- Jsaquella

The cost to replace what they are currently providing would be league minimum.

The onus is on him to improve on faceoffs, limit the critical turnovers at his own blueline, and hang on to the puck with more authority if he wants a bigger role at ES.

Lavi's not making his life any easier, but it's a hole that Couturier dug himself into, and he has to dig himself out.
- Tomahawk

Agreed, but who does he turn to for help? His teammates and the coaching staff.

Regarding Couturier, I would not deal him unless you're getting a steal in return.

Having said that, one thing I would like to visibly see from him is playing with passion. You can see it in his eyes and the way he plays the game when he plays against Malkin. Every player has ups and downs regarding their involvement in a game, but I haven't seen much fire from him this year - that might be natural given the team's circumstances, but he's a key cog. I'd like to see more consistency. I am hopeful that we see that as he matures.
- wilsonecho91

I hear you. When I evaluate his play I have to start taking into consideration he's 20 years old. He's not old enough to go out and get a beer. (Legally) He was so good last year I expected slight regression.

Well, a team just gave up at least a 2nd and a 3rd rounder for Douglas Murray, who looks like a broken down VW Microbus.
- Jsaquella

The microbus has an expiring contract, though, which bolsters his value as a rental with the cap coming down next season.

A team taking Coburn would have to really want him for the long haul, and that would weed out quite a few potential suitors.

At the end of the day, unless NHL-ready defensemen are coming back the other way, they can't afford to trade either one of Coburn or Mez and hope to improve next year.

Well, a team just gave up at least a 2nd and a 3rd rounder for Douglas Murray, who looks like a broken down VW Microbus.

The problem in moving out Coburn or Meszaros isn't the return, it's the cost to replace them. The Flyers already need at least one top 4 defenseman. If one of these two are moved they need others.

I'm not convinced a coaching change and new roles wouldn't do wonders for both of them-although Meszaros' injury history is becoming alarming, to say the least.
- Jsaquella

Thankfully the recent history is a freak accident during the offseason and a food hit from a Ranger (forget who that was). So I don't think it's a case of sudden deterioration.