What is your opinion of Mantha?
- ravishingone

Like him but he's got a ways to go before stepping foot in the NHL. If the Flyers were to be picking the 15 to 20 range I'd take a more serious look at him but not at #11.

Defense is the likely pick in my opinion.

Without the salary cap in place, they could have:
- Resigned your boy Carle
- Resigned Jagr
- Given an even more insane offer to Weber ($11M/year kind of deal)

Those 3 moves (even 2 of them) could have had a large positive impact on the team this season.
- jmatchett383

My boy Carle!

Here's the deal. They didn't lose Carle because of the Cap. They made a choice there. Same with Jagr.

The Flyers made UFA offers of over 100M to Suter and Parise. They made a mammoth offer to Weber. The Cap wasn't a problem. It didn't stop them from trying to do what they wanted to do.

That year and money is a big difference.

We should know that here.

A player that's going to be 36, you try to sign to minimal years as possible imo.
- stveshdy

And if you can't, move on to plan B. Tunnel-vision is always going to result in less than ideal outcomes.

Like him but he's got a ways to go before stepping foot in the NHL.
- ob18

Aren't most prospects like that not ready? Outside of the top 4 prospects possibly, how many other prospects are NHL ready? I'm asking because I really don't know.

My boy Carle!

Here's the deal. They didn't lose Carle because of the Cap. They made a choice there. Same with Jagr.

The Flyers made UFA offers of over 100M to Suter and Parise. They made a mammoth offer to Weber. The Cap wasn't a problem. It didn't stop them from trying to do what they wanted to do.
- MJL

I completely agree. The Flyers valued those other players more. They would find a way to make it work when adding such talent.

Aren't most prospects like that not ready? Outside of the top 4 prospects possibly, how many other prospects are NHL ready? I'm asking because I really don't know.
- ravishingone

Power forwards and goalies take forever and a day to develop.

Are you seriously arguing that Macnow...GLEN Macnow, has a clue about hockey?
- MBFlyerfan

i would say if he sites a source as saying something, i would believe it. nothing to do w/ hockey acumen, which i question.

Do you honestly believe he is worth that contract?

Forget what the market demands b/c you don't have to pay it. The Flyers could go in another direction all together.
- stveshdy

They could've gone in another direction. They chose not to. We'll see how it works out.

And if you can't, move on to plan B. Tunnel-vision is always going to result in less than ideal outcomes.
- Tomahawk

Without question. I think Holmgren does a nice job but he needs to be called out when the move its a wise decision. He isn't perfect.

They could've gone in another direction. They chose not to. We'll see how it works out.
- MJL

Yes we will. I personally don't like the signing. Just my opinion.

Aren't most prospects like that not ready? Outside of the top 4 prospects possibly, how many other prospects are NHL ready? I'm asking because I really don't know.
- ravishingone

I'd think some outside the top 4 have a shot to be in the NHL right away. Also it's not in the Flyers nature to be all that patient with picks so factor that into any possible selection.

i would say if he sites a source as saying something, i would believe it. nothing to do w/ hockey acumen, which i question.
- isaiah520

It's about credibility. He has a track record of being full of it.

I'd think some outside the top 4 have a shot to be in the NHL right away. Also it's not in the Flyers nature to be all that patient with picks so factor that into any possible selection.
- ob18

If I recall, you have Nurse behind Jones in your d-men rankings. It will be interesting to see what direction the Flyers go if Ristolainen, Nurse, Pullock, or Zadarov are on the board. I would figure at least two of these prospects will be on the board at #11.

That year and money is a big difference.

We should know that here.

A player that's going to be 36, you try to sign to minimal years as possible imo.

I'll go back to being positive now.
- stveshdy

Oh I agree hate the length too but he was somewhat of a value/asset to the Islanders if they offered a fairly good deal.

If I recall, you have Nurse behind Jones in your d-men rankings. It will be interesting to see what direction the Flyers go if Ristolainen, Nurse, Pullock, or Zadarov are on the board. I would figure at least two of these prospects will be on the board at #11.
- ravishingone

I would think it will be down to one of Ristolainen, Zadarov, or Pulock.

Oh I agree hate the length too but he was somewhat of a value/asset to the Islanders if they offered a fairly good deal.
- flyerfan28

Not sure what they offered. Might have been rumored but doesn't mean it is true. Anyways, we all have our thoughts on the signing of Streit.

Yes we will. I personally don't like the signing. Just my opinion.
- stveshdy

Can't say I'm head over heels about it, but I'm willing to see how it works out.

Oh I agree hate the length too but he was somewhat of a value/asset to the Islanders if they offered a fairly good deal.
- flyerfan28

The Isles did offer a decent sized deal, it's not as if they ignored him and jut cut ties because he sucked. They reportedly offered 3 years at near $5mm per.

Can't say I'm head over heels about it, but I'm willing to see how it works out.
- MJL

Good or Bad the Flyers are going to be stuck with him.

I would think it will be down to one of Ristolainen, Zadarov, or Pulock.
- ob18

What's the scuttlebutt on Zadarov, does he have untapped offensive skills because of the way London used him this year? Or is he strictly a mobile, big defensive d-man?

What's the scuttlebutt on Zadarov, does he have untapped offensive skills because of the way London used him this year? Or is he strictly a mobile, big defensive d-man?
- ravishingone

This best describes him.

http://thehockeyguys.net/...op-5-defenseman-rankings/

In regards to Bill's blog question to us all, here are my thoughts at this point...

Buyout Bryz as soon as we can. Enough with this circus.

Re-sign Giroux for 8 years 7.5 per as soon as we are able to.

Wait and see how Couturier and BSchenn do this season, to decide on their next contracts. Unless either knocks our socks off in progression this year, they will both be in line for modest raises. Buys us time before they hit their prime and need big deals.

Re-sign Gagne for 2 years, 2 mil per.

Sign Scuderi for 4 years at slightly above market value.

KEEP the #11 pick, draft BPA, likely to be Pulock, Risto, or Zadorov. Let the kid develop.

Give Gus a full-time gig on the 3rd pairing, he needs the playing time to develop and build his confidence. No need to Sbisa him. Be patient with him.

Dump Meszaros for a draft pick next weekend.

I'm going to hear the negatives on this, but trade Read, Coburn, 2nd for Ryan and Hiller. Read and Hiller are 1 year away from UFA, so they are a wash. Ryan is a top line winger, Read is a versatile top 9 forward on the cheap for this coming season only. Scuderi replaces Coburn on the 2nd pairing with Streit. Hiller plays tandem with Mason, whichever goalie plays better gets the #1 job going forward.

That is all.

In regards to Bill's blog question to us all, here are my thoughts at this point...

Buyout Bryz as soon as we can. Enough with this circus.

Re-sign Giroux for 8 years 7.5 per as soon as we are able to.

Wait and see how Couturier and BSchenn do this season, to decide on their next contracts. Unless either knocks our socks off in progression this year, they will both be in line for modest raises. Buys us time before they hit their prime and need big deals.

Re-sign Gagne for 2 years, 2 mil per.

Sign Scuderi for 4 years at slightly above market value.

KEEP the #11 pick, draft BPA, likely to be Pulock, Risto, or Zadorov. Let the kid develop.

Give Gus a full-time gig on the 3rd pairing, he needs the playing time to develop and build his confidence. No need to Sbisa him. Be patient with him.

Dump Meszaros for a draft pick next weekend.

I'm going to hear the negatives on this, but trade Read, Coburn, 2nd for Ryan and Hiller. Read and Hiller are 1 year away from UFA, so they are a wash. Ryan is a top line winger, Read is a versatile top 9 forward on the cheap for this coming season only. Scuderi replaces Coburn on the 2nd pairing with Streit. Hiller plays tandem with Mason, whichever goalie plays better gets the #1 job going forward.

That is all.
- Rocktane

Not against your ideas at all. Not sure I want Scuderi not b/c he isn't good just bc your adding another older defenseman (34 yrd old, be 35 in Dec).

In regards to Bill's blog question to us all, here are my thoughts at this point...

Buyout Bryz as soon as we can. Enough with this circus.

Re-sign Giroux for 8 years 7.5 per as soon as we are able to.

Wait and see how Couturier and BSchenn do this season, to decide on their next contracts. Unless either knocks our socks off in progression this year, they will both be in line for modest raises. Buys us time before they hit their prime and need big deals.

Re-sign Gagne for 2 years, 2 mil per.

Sign Scuderi for 4 years at slightly above market value.

KEEP the #11 pick, draft BPA, likely to be Pulock, Risto, or Zadorov. Let the kid develop.

Give Gus a full-time gig on the 3rd pairing, he needs the playing time to develop and build his confidence. No need to Sbisa him. Be patient with him.

Dump Meszaros for a draft pick next weekend.

I'm going to hear the negatives on this, but trade Read, Coburn, 2nd for Ryan and Hiller. Read and Hiller are 1 year away from UFA, so they are a wash. Ryan is a top line winger, Read is a versatile top 9 forward on the cheap for this coming season only. Scuderi replaces Coburn on the 2nd pairing with Streit. Hiller plays tandem with Mason, whichever goalie plays better gets the #1 job going forward.

That is all.
- Rocktane

I like your plan, think we'd have to add to get hiller and ryan. i would look to trade up to 5 is nichuskin in on the board then. also, i would kick tires on PMB, dupuis and clarkson

Not against your ideas at all. Not sure I want Scuderi not b/c he isn't good just bc your adding another older defenseman (34 yrd old, be 35 in Dec).
- stveshdy

Any word on how many years he's looking for?