Keep in mind that the Devils have also lost David Clarkson and replaced him with Michael Ryder. To me this shows signs of desperation and weakness. They're safe in net with Cory Schneider and it all starts there, then you build out. However losing Ilya Kovalchuk and David Clarkson are huge losses up front.
- dingo8urbaby

And Parise. And a 1st, which is looking to be a pretty high pick just based off their roster.

Once they lose Uncle Daddy I'm sure Larsson and Henrique will really fill the seats.
- hereticpride

"Uncle Daddy", there's an odd relative.

18 GWG in 6 games, seems legit
- JAKEw1234

If ever a player could have one GWG count as three against a team, it's that guy against the Flyers.

I can totally see it: Flyers up 2-0 with 20 seconds left, Elias scores, and Mike Emrick screaming "GOAL! ELIAS WITH THE RARE THREE-GOAL GOAL, AND THE DEVILS LEAD 3-2!"

Yea this puts them behind the 8-ball for the short term . Really messed up thing is would they have been able to retain Parise if they knew kvie would pull this?
- JoeRussomanno

Jason Arnott, Bobby Holik, Scott Gomez, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski, Brian Gionta, David Clarkson, Ilya Kovalchuck, Zach Parise, Paul Martin. Who outside of Scott Stevens and Martin Brodeur is happy enough to stay put?

The Kostitsyn "arrangement" stinks. The Blackhawks did the same thing with Cristobal Huet, and he wanted to stay in the NHL. They told him if he didn't go, he was going to the minors. Those should absolutely count against the cap.

You know, I had been wondering what the Devils were doing this offseason, because at first blush, they had signed one too many LW, if they were thinking Stefan Matteau was a player.

Now it makes sense -- something kinda reeks about this whole deal, but at the same time, the Devils are losing their first-rounder and Kovalchuk's leaving $77 million on the table...guess it's a victimless crime, really.

But my opinion: If I were a GM, I simply couldn't recommend drafting a Russian player, in good conscience. I respect the skill, the ability, of any good player, and I have nothing against them as people.

But what has been asked of them is far different, and far more difficult, than the average person wants to acknowledge. They are well-compensated, surely. But at the same time, they are leaving their home country to go to a place where few speak their language, share their customs. When they do learn the language, they get to hear people like Mike Milbury and Don Cherry kill them for being Russian and not caring every time they lose in the playoffs.

It's tough. I don't know how well I'd do if I had to go work tomorrow in a country where I didn't speak the language but was expected to perform at a high level every day, despite that.
- AllInForFlyers

Milbury and Cherry are xenophobes and discriminatory, imo.

Jason Arnott, Bobby Holik, Scott Gomez, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski, Brian Gionta, David Clarkson, Ilya Kovalchuck, Paul Martin. Who outside of Scott Stevens and Martin Brodeur is happy enough to stay put?
- dingo8urbaby

Not Parise. I noticed you forgot him

If ever a player could have one GWG count as three against a team, it's that guy against the Flyers.

I can totally see it: Flyers up 2-0 with 20 seconds left, Elias scores, and Mike Emrick screaming "GOAL! ELIAS WITH THE RARE THREE-GOAL GOAL, AND THE DEVILS LEAD 3-2!"
- AllInForFlyers

Jason Arnott, Bobby Holik, Scott Gomez, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski, Brian Gionta, David Clarkson, Ilya Kovalchuck, Paul Martin. Who outside of Scott Stevens and Martin Brodeur is happy enough to stay put?
- dingo8urbaby

Zubrus I guess.

Milbury and Cherry are xenophobes and discriminatory, imo.
- JAKEw1234

Absolutely -- they are awful, awful people when it comes to that. It's so blatant, it's sickening.

Not Parise. I noticed you forgot him
- JAKEw1234

Even furthers the point.

Keep in mind that the Devils have also lost David Clarkson and replaced him with Michael Ryder. To me this shows signs of desperation and weakness. They're safe in net with Cory Schneider and it all starts there, then you build out. However losing Ilya Kovalchuk and David Clarkson are huge losses up front.
- dingo8urbaby

I know everyone loves them some Cory Schneider, but are we all sure he's gonna be a 1 for 1 replacement for Marty Brodeur? Marty is an all-timer.

I know everyone loves them some Cory Schneider, but are we all sure he's gonna be a 1 for 1 replacement for Marty Brodeur? Marty is an all-timer.
- johndewar

I think Schneider now is better than Brodeur now, if that's what you mean. Schneider now vs Marty in his prime doesn't compare, but when Marty retires next year I think they'll have a better goalie today left on the roster.

What is the date every team needs to be under the cap?

Ilya Kovalchuk.

I know everyone loves them some Cory Schneider, but are we all sure he's gonna be a 1 for 1 replacement for Marty Brodeur? Marty is an all-timer.
- johndewar

Nobody is a 1-for-1 for Brodeur. But I'm confident that Schneider will be better than either goalie that Philly has.

- JAKEw1234

I just expect it now, man. I'm like a whipped puppy when it comes to that guy. I fully expect every single game that the Flyers need to win against them will be a loss, with Brodeur and Elias driving in the shiv.

It's unreal how those two have brutalized the Flyers -- Brodeur looked done like dinner in 2010, when the Flyers busted them up. He looked absolutely and completely done.

I couldn't believe that was the same guy who beat the Flyers in 2012. A 40-year-old freaking goalie who looked completely done TWO SEASONS before comes back and somehow beats you two years later?

Only that guy, that franchise, against us. Only them. Two of their three Cups absolutely should've been ours, in 1995 and 2000.

late to the party i know, but jesus christ kovy.

I've asked this several times and apologize if I missed the answer. What defines, "the beginning of the season"? Training camp, pre-season games or regular season games?
- jstross

It would help to give the correct answer if I know why you were asking the question.

late to the party i know, but jesus christ kovy.
- stayinthefnnet

Already signed a new deal in the KHL.

Already signed a new deal in the KHL.
- stveshdy

is that a joke or serious?

What is the date every team needs to be under the cap?
- jstross

By the end of training Camp. Teams have to be Cap compliant.

It would help to give the correct answer if I know why you were asking the question.
- MJL

At what point do the Flyers need to get under the 64+ so they can sign Gagne or another player. Basically, what is the date they need to trade Mez by to be cap complaint without using LTIR.

By the last day of training Camp.
- MJL

Ok, thanks. That's huge. If Mez can demonstrate that he's healthy I believe teams will value him as an asset on a 1 year deal.

At what point do the Flyers need to get under the 64+ so they can sign Gagne or another player. Basically, what is the date they need to trade Mez by to be cap complaint without using LTIR.
- jstross

They can sign Gagne right now if they can meet his asking price.

Nobody is a 1-for-1 for Brodeur. But I'm confident that Schneider will be better than either goalie that Philly has.
- Scoob

The thing I like about our tandem is I have a strong feeling that the whole will equal greater than the sum of it's parts.