Part of the need there is the artificial dropping of the cap. Amazingly enough, they still calculate the cap the same way and if revenue grows like it was prior to the last lockout, the cap will rise fairly quickly.

Let's face it, as long as Snider's not six feet under and driving the car, they're going to spend to and above the cap.

I just wish they'd stop being so reactive.
- Jsaquella

That's the problem... even if the cap goes up, they'd still manage to spend more than they're supposed to, and have to live with the consequences.

And yeah, they need to learn to stick to a 5-year plan or something.

I agree. ... On one hand, I love the fact that I live in a hockey market where they ownership truly does try to win and pumps in as much as they can to make it happen and I dont think anyone can take that away from Snider, but I wish they would formulate a plan and stick to it even if you have to take a little step back before you take a big step forward
- nonpoint22

Hard to accept taking a step back when you're 80 years old

- Young reclamation (McBain),
- CBO/salary-shared trade/salary-dumped player from another team (Liles, Ballard),
- prospect for prospect/youth for youth trade (Rundblad, Erixon, Stone, Blum).

The goal would have been to replace some of what we lost in Carle, while saving some cap space to bring in the true #1, two-way, Pronger replacement when he becomes available in the future (Phaneuf, Letang, Bouwmeester).

It's all kind of moot now, though. Whatever space would have opened up with Kimmo's retirement has now gone straight to a 36-year old Streit.
- Tomahawk

homer boxed himself in, not signing carle. one of the positives for me is if this finally closes the door on bryz. can only afford risking so much dead money for multiple yrs. i hate unnecessarily dealing w/ mistakes. his are starting to pile up.

If/when a true #1 defenseman becomes available (Bouwmeester??? really???) the Flyers will make whatever moves are necessary to acquire him. And yes, that includes trading guys named Couturier, Schenn, Simmonds, etc.
- jmatchett383

I weep for the future...

I just want a true competition. I don't want them to bring in a guy who "expects" to be the starter regardless of competition. But I have no problem if he expects to be the starter if he earns it.
- MBFlyerfan

If Bryz is bought out, I'm not sure any goaltender young or veteran is going to be anointed the #1 goalie position. Maybe Bobby Lu, but at 34 I don't think that is even a given.

That's the problem... even if the cap goes up, they'd still manage to spend more than they're supposed to, and have to live with the consequences.

And yeah, they need to learn to stick to a 5-year plan or something.
- Tomahawk

Yes, they do...but I can't say I hate the aggressiveness and desire to win. Just wish they took a breath every so often and said, "Wait, how's this gonna work in 3 years?"

If you look at the teams in the Finals what is there make-up. Each team has drafted well with higher picks, even though Kane should be playing somewhere else , each have one big name free agent, chara and hossa, and most of Chicago's roster is made up of guys they cultivated in the system and Boston is more made on mid level guys with grit they acquired from other teams, both goalies are from there team farm system, I think its time to finally just rebuild and let this team develop but i have a feeling that is not going to happen

My main concern with Mason is the work ethic. He's said all the right things, but rumor has it, he didn't always put in the time and effort in Columbus. Of course, communication seemed to be a major issue with Mason & the Jackets coaches, and he certainly worked well with Jeff Reese.

In fact, Reese is the biggest reason I'm excited to see what Mason can do.
- Jsaquella

Hopefully he has learned his lesson and will re-dedicate himself.

Yes, they do...but I can't say I hate the aggressiveness and desire to win. Just wish they took a breath every so often and said, "Wait, how's this gonna work in 3 years?"
- Jsaquella

Yep, my impression is that, in their minds, "three years from now" doesn't exist. And when "three years from now", becomes "now", then they will take care of it.

Hard to accept taking a step back when you're 80 years old
- Jsaquella

Touche....but a spry 80

Yes, they do...but I can't say I hate the aggressiveness and desire to win. Just wish they took a breath every so often and said, "Wait, how's this gonna work in 3 years?"
- Jsaquella

Hopefully he has learned his lesson and will re-dedicate himself.
- MJL

brassard was guilty of not putting the work in in columbus and was often seen as a slacker that only had flashes of brilliance when he felt like it, but that's changed now that he's gotten to NY.

i think the same could be said of voracek. it might be a culture thing in columbus.

I agree. ... On one hand, I love the fact that I live in a hockey market where they ownership truly does try to win and pumps in as much as they can to make it happen and I dont think anyone can take that away from Snider, but I wish they would formulate a plan and stick to it even if you have to take a little step back before you take a big step forward
- nonpoint22

I think they already did that when they traded Richards and Carter. They took a major step back, hoping to take a big step forward. And every indication so far is that they plan on sticking to that plan. But refusing to trade Schenn or Couturier for Weber, or another defenseman.

Yep, my impression is that, in their minds, "three years from now" doesn't exist. And when "three years from now", becomes "now", then they will take care of it.
- MBFlyerfan

That's the other the thing, the Flyers will admit a mistake and spend what it takes to fix it.

If/when a true #1 defenseman becomes available (Bouwmeester??? really???) the Flyers will make whatever moves are necessary to acquire him. And yes, that includes trading guys named Couturier, Schenn, Simmonds, etc.
- jmatchett383

Exactly, they've proven that.

Hopefully he has learned his lesson and will re-dedicate himself.
- MJL

It'd be nice. Even if they add Bernier, it'd be great to have two young goalies playing well.

I weep for the future...
- Tomahawk

I understand your stance but if its the right defenceman its worth it....this team would be totally different with a healthy Pronger...I know this comes up and its coulda woulda shoulda, but with Pronger there is one huge hole that would have to be filled

homer boxed himself in, not signing carle. one of the positives for me is if this finally closes the door on bryz. can only afford risking so much dead money for multiple yrs. i hate unnecessarily dealing w/ mistakes. his are starting to pile up.
- isaiah520

I don't know how they're starting to pile up. Holmgren tried to do other things, and they didn't work out. I don't see all these mistakes piling up.

someone mind telling Pinoccio Tim that each team gets TWO compliancy buyouts?

Liles or Ballard would have been awful choices.
- MJL

they've yet to play a game in a flyers uniform and you're already drawing conclusions. how about giving them a chance?


sound familiar?

brassard was guilty of not putting the work in in columbus and was often seen as a slacker that only had flashes of brilliance when he felt like it, but that's changed now that he's gotten to NY.

i think the same could be said of voracek. it might be a culture thing in columbus.
- rangerdanger94

Maybe. I thought the Gaborik trade was a good one for the Rags.

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Schenn-Simmonds
McGinn-Couturier-Talbot
Rosehill-Laughton-Rinaldo

Timonen-Coburn
Streit-Schenn
Grossman-Gustafsson

Mason
UFA

This is what we have left assuming Briere, Bryzgalov and Meszaros move on. We need more. Also I would definitely place Coburn and Timonen back together. Coburn just had a down year and he's only has looked like a true shut down guy next to Timonen. Then Schenn is coming off a solid season that might work well with Streit's puck moving...

they've yet to play a game in a flyers uniform and you're already drawing conclusions. how about giving them a chance?


sound familiar?
- isaiah520

I'd give them a chance once they got in a Flyers uniform, like I would with any player the Flyers acquire. If you'd like, I'd be glad to debate you and discuss why I think they're awful choices.

someone mind telling Pinoccio Tim that each team gets TWO compliancy buyouts?
- FLYERSROCK!

He's aware. He's saying that the Flyers will try to make a trade before nuking Bryz

I think they already did that when they traded Richards and Carter. They took a major step back, hoping to take a big step forward. And every indication so far is that they plan on sticking to that plan. But refusing to trade Schenn or Couturier for Weber, or another defenseman.
- MJL

Lets see if they stick to that plan this off season after missing the playoffs