I don;t mind if they're under the contract limit. That can really handcuff a team.
- Jsaquella

A minor move can always be made to clear a slot. One of the biggest reasons why the Flyers only have a few slots open is because they spend money on players such as undrafted Free Agents. In an effort to try and uncover undrafted talent. I like that about the Flyers. And hope they continue to do so.

I don;t mind if they're under the contract limit. That can really handcuff a team.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, tough for Pittsburgh to add Morrow, Iginla, Murray and Jokinen at the deadline w/o banked cap space AND a slew of open contract slots... ditto Chicago w/ Handzus, Boston w/ Jagr and Redden, go on down the line.

Being at 50-contracts isn't the end of the world, but it makes life much harder.

Sign Simon Gagne right now!!!

Yeah, tough for Pittsburgh to add Morrow, Iginla, Murray and Jokinen at the deadline w/o banked cap space AND a slew of open contract slots... ditto Chicago w/ Handzus, Boston w/ Jagr and Redden, go on down the line.

Being at 50-contracts isn't the end of the world, but it makes life much harder.
- Tomahawk

Do you envision the Flyers as a team that will be looking to make those kinds of moves at the trade deadline? Aren't you an advocate of the Flyers keeping their draft picks and young assets? Seems like a contradiction here. You want to have the best of both Worlds.
You cannot ignore the position that the team is in. Would you rather the Flyers have the open contract slots, so they can trade a first round pick, and a couple of solid prospects for an aging Iginla. Only to see him walk at the end of the Season? Or would you rather the Flyers use those contracts slots to identify and sign young players to add to the prospect pool?
I've read time and again, criticisms from you that the Flyers wasted draft picks and assets to try and win now. And that they lack patience. Seems as though regardless of what the Flyers do, you have a criticism for it. That seems to be the trend here.
Draft the wrong people, sign bad contracts. Make bad trades. Waste contract slots. Bad cap management. And on and on, and on.

Heading into a Season when you're a team that you think is a contender, you leave some contract slots open. For trades later in the Season.
When you are a team that is a developing young team, you use those contract slots to acquire young talent. And having open contract slots is a waste.

I look at crappy teams that have 5-6-7 contract slots open. Why? Because they're cheap!

How does the redistribution of that pick work?

Limbo contest with the GM's?
- flyer_nutter

Pens get it

A minor move can always be made to clear a slot. One of the biggest reasons why the Flyers only have a few slots open is because they spend money on players such as undrafted Free Agents. In an effort to try and uncover undrafted talent. I like that about the Flyers. And hope they continue to do so.
- MJL

I hope they continue to do so, to a degree.

They pissed away at least one 2nd round pick in the past to lose a contract (When they traded Stefan Legein to LA), and that's a wasted asset.

Pens get it
- Just5

The Pens have won 3 playoff rounds in the past 4 years. If they get it, then obviously "it" isn't worth a pisshole drilled in a snowbank

maybe kathryn tappen can give her clown makeup a rest now.
- hammarby31

She wears makeup?

Any chance Hagg gets invited to training camp or are they going to just leave him in Sweden?

Yeah. So glad the Flyers didn't have Larionov.
- bodiva88

It's a different landscape from 20 years ago. Khl is proving to be a threat. I'd have no problem supplementing a lineup with them. But Russians as building blocks? Forget it

Any chance Hagg gets invited to training camp or are they going to just leave him in Sweden?
- ravishingone

He's playing in Sweden next year for sure.

He's playing in Sweden next year for sure.
- Jsaquella

He's supposed to be playing in the top Swedish elite league this year correct?

It's a different landscape from 20 years ago. Khl is proving to be a threat. I'd have no problem supplementing a lineup with them. But Russians as building blocks? Forget it
- Just5

A big part of it is the Escrow and cap, combined with taxes.

The rules there are fast and loose and a guy like Kovalchuk can go there, get $10mm or more a year, without seeing 10% of it go into escrow, have a Russian oil tycoon find him tax shelters and other devices so he keeps the bulk of his cash and he'll be revered as a hero for playing at home.

He's supposed to be playing in the top Swedish elite league this year correct?
- ravishingone

Yes. He spent time playing there this year, too...next year he is supposed to be full time.

You want to have the best of both Worlds.
- MJL

So... hoping that your favorite team is able to work within a long-term budget, spend wisely, build patiently and steer clear of avoidable pitfalls is unreasonable now? Good to know.

A big part of it is the Escrow and cap, combined with taxes.

The rules there are fast and loose and a guy like Kovalchuk can go there, get $10mm or more a year, without seeing 10% of it go into escrow, have a Russian oil tycoon find him tax shelters and other devices so he keeps the bulk of his cash and he'll be revered as a hero for playing at home.
- Jsaquella

in time, my guess is that this will be viewed as a collaborative effort by kovy and the devils.

A big part of it is the Escrow and cap, combined with taxes.

The rules there are fast and loose and a guy like Kovalchuk can go there, get $10mm or more a year, without seeing 10% of it go into escrow, have a Russian oil tycoon find him tax shelters and other devices so he keeps the bulk of his cash and he'll be revered as a hero for playing at home.
- Jsaquella

It makes me wonder if Ovie makes the switch eventually. He makes very good money, but tax free is pretty enticing, and as you mentioned he would be viewed as a hero as opposed to an underachiever for the Craps.

He's playing in Sweden next year for sure.
- Jsaquella

He has said he wants 2 more years in Sweden

I keep seeing US and Canadian media saying that Kovalchuk is actually doing the Devils a solid.

Stuff like "The financially strapped team doesn't have to pay him now" and in the long run it's a good thing...I don't see it.

They lose their best offensive player, they missed out on the cream of a weak FA crop, they lose their most marketable player and they already have attendance troubles.

Also, over the past several years, they have had several guys leave to "go back home". Kovalchuk, Rafalski, Parise...it's not an attractive scenario

He has said he wants 2 more years in Sweden
- ob18

Preettty sure we're playing him on our 1st pair next year

I keep seeing US and Canadian media saying that Kovalchuk is actually doing the Devils a solid.

Stuff like "The financially strapped team doesn't have to pay him now" and in the long run it's a good thing...I don't see it.

They lose their best offensive player, they missed out on the cream of a weak FA crop, they lose their most marketable player and they already have attendance troubles.

Also, over the past several years, they have had several guys leave to "go back home". Kovalchuk, Rafalski, Parise...it's not an attractive scenario
- Jsaquella

While I think (and hope) they survive in NJ, the way things have lined up for them these past few years continues to signal the beginning of the end for the team imo.

He has said he wants 2 more years in Sweden
- ob18

Yeah, I've heard that, but I know that next year is a certainty

in time, my guess is that this will be viewed as a collaborative effort by kovy and the devils.
- isaiah520

It's possible, but I don;t see why the Devils would do it. Sure, you don't have to pay the contract out, but you also will lose ticket sales, will miss the playoffs and have to replace the player.

Yeah, I've heard that, but I know that next year is a certainty
- Jsaquella

I had asked if they'd try to steer him towards juniors but was told that wasn't even being considered.

I had asked if they'd try to steer him towards juniors but was told that wasn't even being considered.
- ob18

Yeah, if he's going to play in the elite leagues, no sense in playing juniors.