One thing is certain, we are going to have at least 1 D man hurt at all times. That said I'd keep Mez as my #7 to start the year. Rotate him in every few games to keep the rust off and sit my most injured (or Timmonen) occaisonally. Problem is he's a large cap hit for a #7.
- FlyersGrace

I'm leery of trading a defenseman away due to injuries also. I'm not in favor though of that sort of rotation. And it's hard to keep a player with a 4M cap hit as the 7th defenseman. I'm okay with trading a defenseman if a replacement is brought in.

I dont need a young defenseman right now. I would be fine with Ference for 2-3 years.

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Nishuchkin-Schenn-Simmonds
Gagne-Couturier-Talbot
Raffl-Laughton-Rinaldo

Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann-Streit
Gustefsson-Ference

Mason
Bernier
- youarewrong

That's some hardcore assuming that Nishuchkin's ready for top-6 minutes and Raffl's NHL ready.

If he fits under the cap, then yes, keep him. If not, then so long, thanks for the memories, we'll enjoy the 6th rounder.

Have we resigned Leighton v4.0 yet? I hear he's a good guy who knows the team.
- jmatchett383

These be fightin words!

I was impressed with what I saw out of Zadorov. Hard to tell if he has NHL caliber offense.
- mayorofangrytown

Probably more of Jay McKee type of player, but we'll see. Also, he's probably years away from contributing at this level.

These be fightin words!
- FlyersGrace

Come on, you know it's gonna happen.

Matt Read, 27 years old, 121 NHL games, 35 goals, 36 assists for 71 career points and he's a $4 million dollar player? I like Read, and think he's good, and I know he kills penalties and is a sound player, but that seems a bit much to me. I think between $2 and $3 million per is fair.

But, you know, who the hell am I?

Matt Read, 27 years old, 121 NHL games, 35 goals, 36 assists for 71 career points and he's a $4 million dollar player? I like Read, and think he's good, and I know he kills penalties and is a sound player, but that seems a bit much to me. I think between $2 and $3 million per is fair.

But, you know, who the hell am I?
- wolfhounds

What about 3 years $10M?

Matt Read, 27 years old, 121 NHL games, 35 goals, 36 assists for 71 career points and he's a $4 million dollar player? I like Read, and think he's good, and I know he kills penalties and is a sound player, but that seems a bit much to me. I think between $2 and $3 million per is fair.
- wolfhounds

Solid two-way forward who can play on the PK and score at more than 0.50 PPG? Yeah, they go for more in the $3.5-$4 million range in UFA.

Honestly, I don't think that means anything. Streit has only played 491 NHL games to this point. That's not a lot of mileage. I think the odds of him playing another four years, are pretty high. Now whether he remains effective and continues to play at a high level for all 4 years, is a different discussion.
- MJL

I agree with this. Streit wasn't drafted until age 26. That is 8 years older than the usual draftee. There is much less wear & tear on his body at this point.

That's some hardcore assuming that Nishuchkin's ready for top-6 minutes and Raffl's NHL ready.
- jmatchett383

I think anyone in the top 5 are ready for top 6 minutes. The second line needs something dynamic on it. And you can replace Raffl with anyone of Rosehill, McGinn, Straka (and move Talbot down), Fitzgerald, Holmstrom, Cousins, ect. ect. ect.

Damn Streit

What about 3 years $10M?
- jmatchett383

You just had to call me on the whole $2 to $3 million thing, huh?

If he keeps producing at his current average, that's probably reasonable. The contract takes him to 30 and then everything is re-evaluated.

I have to same issues with the wingers on my team. Outlet passes are nearly impossible when the wingers are behind the opposing defenseman and im deep in my own zone.
- Stinkfitz

Yes, but if you are looking to run a Hall of Fame defenceman out of town, forcing him to be traded away to Detroit where he will earn two more Stanley Cup rings, and forever be the answer to the trivia question: "who won the most Stanley Cup rings in the 1990s?" it's a highly effective way to do it.

Trust me on this one.

I dont need a young defenseman right now. I would be fine with Ference for 2-3 years.

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Nishuchkin-Schenn-Simmonds
Gagne-Couturier-Talbot
Raffl-Laughton-Rinaldo

Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann-Streit
Gustefsson-Ference

Mason
Bernier
- youarewrong

how did nicushkin sneak in there?

Solid two-way forward who can play on the PK and score at more than 0.50 PPG? Yeah, they go for more in the $3.5-$4 million range in UFA.
- bradleyc4

I guess I just question the sample size. And I'm not saying he's isn't due a raise, he obviously is, I just don't think he should be at the top of the scale for what we believe are comparable players.

Probably more of Jay McKee type of player, but we'll see. Also, he's probably years away from contributing at this level.
- bradleyc4

I'm assuming any Defenseman in this draft not named Seth Jones is at least two years away.

Any interest in Tony Hand?

how did nicushkin sneak in there?
- PhillaBully

Note the lack of Coburn and anyone who would be selected at #11.

I dont need a young defenseman right now. I would be fine with Ference for 2-3 years.

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Nishuchkin-Schenn-Simmonds
Gagne-Couturier-Talbot
Raffl-Laughton-Rinaldo

Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann-Streit
Gustefsson-Ference

Mason
Bernier
- youarewrong

Have to take into account that Carolina is pretty tight to the cap. Not sure if they can take on coburns salary without moving significant salary.

Note the lack of Coburn and anyone who would be selected at #11.
- jmatchett383

I dont think coburn can move you up 6 spots...Im assuming you are proposing a trade with CAR?

I dont think coburn can move you up 6 spots...Im assuming you are proposing a trade with CAR?
- PhillaBully

I'm not. The proposed trade centered around Coburn +11 for 5.

Solid two-way forward who can play on the PK and score at more than 0.50 PPG? Yeah, they go for more in the $3.5-$4 million range in UFA.
- bradleyc4

You (not you) wanna know how valuable Read is? Just look at the ice time he got during the World Championships. Nuffsaid

That's some hardcore assuming that Nishuchkin's ready for top-6 minutes and Raffl's NHL ready.
- jmatchett383

Nichushkin's ready. He's been playing in the KHL, and actually said that he ASSUMES he will be playing on the top line of whatever team drafts him
Now I don't know about that, but he is the type of player that starts in the NHL from year 1.

He'll likely start the season in the AHL as the first injury call-up.
Actually, given the Flyers injury history, he WON'T start the season in the AHL.
- jmatchett383

Sigh... you might be right.

My roster:

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Michael Ryder ($3.500m)
Simon Gagne ($2.500m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Matt Read ($0.900m)
Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m) / Scott Laughton ($1.107m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m)
Tye McGinn ($0.775m) / Jay Rosehill ($0.675m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Mark Streit ($5.250m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Erik Gustafsson ($1.000m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Chris Pronger ($4.941m) / Bruno Gervais ($0.825m)
Marc-Andre Bourdon ($0.613m) /
GOALTENDERS
Ray Emery ($1.500m)
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)
Buyout: Danny Briere ($0.000m)
Buyout: Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $66,495,595; BONUSES: $2,800,000
CAP SPACE (25-man roster): $604,405

I still think Emery might get more than $1.5 million though.