It's a good chunk of cheese for another center, too.
- BulliesPhan87

I do agree. However, he does make the team better.

I honestly don't know if Schenn and Couturier are ready for that next step still. They have shown flashes but have to do it on a consistent basis.

FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)

Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Vincent Lecavalier ($5.000m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)

Simon Gagne ($2.000m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Matt Read ($0.900m)

Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Tye McGinn ($0.775m)

Jason Akeson ($0.900m) / Scott Laughton ($1.107m) / Jay Rosehill ($0.675m)

DEFENSEMEN
Braydon Coburn ($4.500m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)

Andrew Ference ($3.000m) / Mark Streit ($5.250m)

Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m) / Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m)

Bruno Gervais ($0.825m) /
Marc-Andre Bourdon ($0.613m) /

GOALTENDERS
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
Tim Thomas ($2.500m)
CAP SPACE (25-man roster): $622,906

FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)

Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Vincent Lecavalier ($5.000m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)

Simon Gagne ($2.000m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Matt Read ($0.900m)

Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Tye McGinn ($0.775m)

Jason Akeson ($0.900m) / Scott Laughton ($1.107m) / Jay Rosehill ($0.675m)

DEFENSEMEN
Braydon Coburn ($4.500m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)

Andrew Ference ($3.000m) / Mark Streit ($5.250m)

Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m) / Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m)

Bruno Gervais ($0.825m) /
Marc-Andre Bourdon ($0.613m) /

GOALTENDERS
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
Tim Thomas ($2.500m)
CAP SPACE (25-man roster): $622,906
- Jimmygrazz

With that lineup, Akeson is in the minors. Possibly Gervais also.

FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)

Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Vincent Lecavalier ($5.000m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)

Simon Gagne ($2.000m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Matt Read ($0.900m)

Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Tye McGinn ($0.775m)

Jason Akeson ($0.900m) / Scott Laughton ($1.107m) / Jay Rosehill ($0.675m)

DEFENSEMEN
Braydon Coburn ($4.500m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)

Andrew Ference ($3.000m) / Mark Streit ($5.250m)

Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m) / Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m)

Bruno Gervais ($0.825m) /
Marc-Andre Bourdon ($0.613m) /

GOALTENDERS
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
Tim Thomas ($2.500m)
CAP SPACE (25-man roster): $622,906
- Jimmygrazz

And...

National Hockey League teams are not allowed to waive/demote injured players down to the American Hockey League which means Philly will have to carry Wellwood and his $594,000 salary (assuming he accepts the qualifying offer) on their NHL roster and salary cap number until he's medically cleared.

With that lineup, Akeson is in the minors. Possibly Gervais also.
- MJL

Make room for Gus. Don't care either way if Gagne is back.

Make room for Gus. Don't care either way if Gagne is back.
- stveshdy

Thanks for pointing that out. Gustafsson is pretty much a lock for making the team.

Ouch more than I expected, but not out of the question for me.

I'd sign him to that.
- Flyersgod

Oh, man. I keep going back and forth on this.

Man. Five years...man. If he'd just do three, done deal. But five...wow. I'm glad I don't have to make that call.

What we're dealing with is that Ed Snider's 80 years old. He can see his mortality, which is understandable. He wants to win right now.

I don't know that he's thinking about Sean Couturier at 25 years old, like most of us are. I think he's wanting to know one thing: If not 2013-14, are you POSITIVE that Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier will be ready to win in 2014-15?

And I don't think Paul Holmgren can honestly answer that question with a resounding "yes."

It's likely Kimmo Timonen's last year. I think Mark Streit is a good addition, but time waits for no man.

My point is this: It could be argued that the Flyers could flip this thing around and contend next season. It could be done, if you sign Lecavalier and move Sean Couturier in a big deal.

If you sign Lecavalier...it could be done. You'd have a two-year window, maybe three, with next year likely being your best shot.

Again, glad it's not my call to make.

I think that Emery and Mason would be the 1A/1B type thing. Same with Thomas. I think Emery would be cheaper, and is younger, so I'd prefer him at the moment. If he can't be brought in, I'd definitely inquire about Thomas.
- jmatchett383

Emery would be my 1st choice as well
2nd-sign Thomas to a 1 yr deal
3rd-trade for Halak

And...
- wolfhounds

i'd trade grossman and give that role to Gus.

National Hockey League teams are not allowed to waive/demote injured players down to the American Hockey League which means Philly will have to carry Wellwood and his $594,000 salary (assuming he accepts the qualifying offer) on their NHL roster and salary cap number until he's medically cleared.

I'm surprised they qualified him given this situation.

Vinny looking for 5 years $25M
- stveshdy

He's under 35 (turned 33 in April) so I could live with that, heck by the 5th year of his deal the cap could easily be close to 80 million.
He brings a dimension the Flyers do lack, a huge presence up the middle with good skills and smarts and he's a leader on and off the ice.

I think Thomas might be the best pick here. I don't want to trade assetts for Halak, unless you are getting him for a 2nd rounder. If Schneider who is signes for a long time only gets a first, Halak who only has a year left should only get a 2nd.

Emery I would think will be looking for multiple years. I would bet he is looking for at least a 3 year deal. Thomas is perfect because he will likely want that 1 year deal, which will leave the Flyers the perfect time to see what they have in Mason, and decide who will be available in UFA next off-season.

Oh, man. I keep going back and forth on this.

Man. Five years...man. If he'd just do three, done deal. But five...wow. I'm glad I don't have to make that call.

What we're dealing with is that Ed Snider's 80 years old. He can see his mortality, which is understandable. He wants to win right now.

I don't know that he's thinking about Sean Couturier at 25 years old, like most of us are. I think he's wanting to know one thing: If not 2013-14, are you POSITIVE that Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier will be ready to win in 2014-15?

And I don't think Paul Holmgren can honestly answer that question with a resounding "yes."

It's likely Kimmo Timonen's last year. I think Mark Streit is a good addition, but time waits for no man.

My point is this: It could be argued that the Flyers could flip this thing around and contend next season. It could be done, if you sign Lecavalier and move Sean Couturier in a big deal.

If you sign Lecavalier...it could be done. You'd have a two-year window, maybe three, with next year likely being your best shot.

Again, glad it's not my call to make.
- AllInForFlyers

Wonder if he wants a full NMC/NTC.

Morning, Bill.

Do you ever sleep? Or is it a newborn that keeps you up at night?
- missingmike

Bill had been staying at my place, helping take care of our newborn Joseph William Meltzer Flyskippy. Their hours of activity and sleep coincide, so it's been a symbiotic relationship.

/sarcasm

That's kinda my issue. Centers are:
1. Giroux
2. Schenn
3. Couturier
4. Laughton
5. Talbot

I know most people like Talbot at wing, so he can be removed. Some people have advocated moving Schenn the the 2nd line wing, so replace him with Vinny. But that means that one of Laughton/Couturier has to also move to wing, or Laughton plays the 4th line C role for Vinny's duration.
- jmatchett383

If they sign Vinnie, I'd go with:
Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Vinnie-Read
Talbot-Couturier-Simmonds
McGinn or Rosehill-Laughton-Rinaldo

Gives you a good balance of size and speed on each line and a nice mix of offense and 2 way play on the 2nd and 3rd lines.

He's under 35 (turned 33 in April) so I could live with that, heck by the 5th year of his deal the cap could easily be close to 80 million.
He brings a dimension the Flyers do lack, a huge presence up the middle with good skills and smarts and he's a leader on and off the ice.
- BiggE

My only concern is his health. Seems to be injured a lot.

I think Thomas might be the best pick here. I don't want to trade assetts for Halak, unless you are getting him for a 2nd rounder. If Schneider who is signes for a long time only gets a first, Halak who only has a year left should only get a 2nd.

Emery I would think will be looking for multiple years. I would bet he is looking for at least a 3 year deal. Thomas is perfect because he will likely want that 1 year deal, which will leave the Flyers the perfect time to see what they have in Mason, and decide who will be available in UFA next off-season.
- youarewrong

Thomas or Nabokov is what I expect. Think Emery resigns with the Hawks.

Wonder if he wants a full NMC/NTC.
- stveshdy

You'd have to assume he would -- with so many teams after him, someone is going to give him one.

Doesn't have to be the Flyers, obviously. But he's likely going to get one, wherever he goes.

You'd have to assume he would -- with so many teams after him, someone is going to give him one.

Doesn't have to be the Flyers, obviously. But he's likely going to get one, wherever he goes.
- AllInForFlyers

yeah. nmc's are pretty much the norm nowadays

Bill had been staying at my place, helping take care of our newborn Joseph William Meltzer-Flyskippy. Their hours of activity and sleep coincide, so it's been a symbiotic relationship.

/sarcasm
- Flyskippy

Fix'd

yeah. nmc's are pretty much the norm nowadays
- moylander

Funny thing is most players waive them when a team wants to trade them.

Oh, man. I keep going back and forth on this.

Man. Five years...man. If he'd just do three, done deal. But five...wow. I'm glad I don't have to make that call.

What we're dealing with is that Ed Snider's 80 years old. He can see his mortality, which is understandable. He wants to win right now.

I don't know that he's thinking about Sean Couturier at 25 years old, like most of us are. I think he's wanting to know one thing: If not 2013-14, are you POSITIVE that Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier will be ready to win in 2014-15?

And I don't think Paul Holmgren can honestly answer that question with a resounding "yes."

It's likely Kimmo Timonen's last year. I think Mark Streit is a good addition, but time waits for no man.

My point is this: It could be argued that the Flyers could flip this thing around and contend next season. It could be done, if you sign Lecavalier and move Sean Couturier in a big deal.

If you sign Lecavalier...it could be done. You'd have a two-year window, maybe three, with next year likely being your best shot.

Again, glad it's not my call to make.
- AllInForFlyers

I think either way Lecavalier adds size and a skill set the Flyers dont have at Center right now. I would add him no-doubt. After the less then spectatcular draft, we still have a need to replace Timonen next season, and I think moves have to be made this season. Whether its Phaneuf or (gulp) Byfuglien or Pietrangelo, I think they will make a deal. We will be a team to compete next year, unless homer once again misses while swinging for the fences.

Hey Bill, if Alex Edler is indeed available, as many have reported, is there any good reason why the Flyers shouldn't make a big push to get him?

Any idea if Jonathon Blum was qualified?

Oh, man. I keep going back and forth on this.

Man. Five years...man. If he'd just do three, done deal. But five...wow. I'm glad I don't have to make that call.

What we're dealing with is that Ed Snider's 80 years old. He can see his mortality, which is understandable. He wants to win right now.

I don't know that he's thinking about Sean Couturier at 25 years old, like most of us are. I think he's wanting to know one thing: If not 2013-14, are you POSITIVE that Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier will be ready to win in 2014-15?

And I don't think Paul Holmgren can honestly answer that question with a resounding "yes."

It's likely Kimmo Timonen's last year. I think Mark Streit is a good addition, but time waits for no man.

My point is this: It could be argued that the Flyers could flip this thing around and contend next season. It could be done, if you sign Lecavalier and move Sean Couturier in a big deal.

If you sign Lecavalier...it could be done. You'd have a two-year window, maybe three, with next year likely being your best shot.

Again, glad it's not my call to make.
- AllInForFlyers

I agree it is a tough decision but if you sign Vinny then one of Couturier or Schenn could be moved for a young defenseman.