Edmonton has a pretty good and deep defensive prospects pool. I'd be nice to grab Oscar Klefbom or Darnell Nurse... Probably who Homer wants. But, I wouldn't be upset if it was a pick and either; Martin Marincin, David Musil, or Martin Gernat.
- leon neon

The Flyers would be insane to trade Coburn for a prospect, where the genesis of the move is to create Cap space. I have faith that they know better.

Think about what that would do the mix of the defense, along with the injury concerns with Grossmann and Meszaros.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Cleary's Knees, Talbot's Role, Raffl's Ticket to AHL
- bmeltzer

Let back track here and say I hated Max Talbot before he got here. I hated him more then anyone on the penguins and he was in my top five in the league before coming here. When you wear a Flyers jersey, I have no problem being wrong. Zero! So those who feel they needed to rub in that I was wrong, enjoy. It means nothing to me.

With this said I love Max Talbot now. My first choice was signing Gagne. My second choice was putting one of Laughton or McGinn on the third line. My third choice was to give Talbot a try because he is a hard worker, still decently young and has potential to reach 20. Would I bet the farm Talbot will reach 20, no, but we already had him and I believe the opportunity should have been there if we had no other option. Now if all of this fell through, I wanted Brenden Morrow. Did Morrow looked gassed last season? It depends on when you watched him. I saw him play a few times and no, he didn't look gas all season long. This isn't to signing Morrow wouldn't be a gamble. It would be.

As for Cleary, I feel a few things that I listed yesterday could wrong. I wont say I could easily be proven wrong but I could be proven wrong. I could grow to enjoy watching him play. I just have very little faith Cleary will be the same player he was last May, that we all might be hoping by the time he's 38. I as a fan have serious concerns, regardless of what the cap ceiling is today or what it will be in three years from now. Matt Read needs a raise. Sean Couturier might need one in two seasons. What is Ray Emery and Steve Mason gonna do this season. Right now. I think some still want that number one puck moving defenseman who will cost a pretty Penny. Giroux's deal kicks in next season.

I don't even wanna think about trading Max Talbot in favour of Dan Cleary. I'm Sorry.

happy bday, sir
thanks for all the blogging
- Crimsoninja

Appreciate it! Thank you!!!

just found out that you share a bday with Paul Heyman
not bad
- Crimsoninja

Didn't know that!

Bill, we all chipped in and hired a girl to sing "Happy Birthday"
- isaiah520

Awesome

Appreciate it! Thank you!!!
- bmeltzer

Happy Birthday. Thank you for taking it easy on me with all my harsh feedback whenever it comes

I don't know how much this affects my feelings toward signing Cleary, but could someone clear this up for me? A number of people (including Bill) have noted that it will be an under 35 contract so "if he were to suffer a career-ending injury -- knee or otherwise -- he could retire without cap penalty or a need to place him on long-term injured reserve for entire seasons." However, why would he retire when he can still collect a paycheck and be LITRed? For example, Marc Savard suffered his career ending injury while on an under 35 contract, but he puts Boston in the same situation that Pronger does to Philly. It seems to me that the over 35 rule only matters if they decide to retire while still healthy (like Kovy) or if the team decides to buy out the player (like Bartulis). What am I missing?

Coburn isn't gong anywhere unless someone makes a sizable over payment. They'll be right at the cap after shuffling the deck. Then they'll use Pronger's $4.9, sign Cleary and have $4.9-Cleary's salary. So they'll still have about $2.5 million to play with.

The Flyers would be insane to trade Coburn for a prospect, where the genesis of the move is to create Cap space. I have faith that they know better.

Think about what that would do the mix of the defense, along with the injury concerns with Grossmann and Meszaros.
- MJL

They were actively trying to trade him at the draft and for a period after. Now what they were shooting for...? I thought at the time they were trying to pair him with our first to move up.

His name is popping up on the radio and on the web as camp opens. Why? I have no idea. I'm sure cap space and return have a lot to do with it.

Maybe they can move Mezaros once he shows up in some preseason games. What they can get for him... a distant pick maybe?

While I do not think the Flyers will win the Stanley Cup I think they have a chance at least. I like that Holmgren did not trade any of the young guys and still added players that fit needs.

All GM's should have an eye towards the Cup. If the goalies get hot and they get the right match ups anything is possible. I think that is why the Flyers spend to the cap every year and make any move they deem necessary to win. You never know so why not add the players that you think give you the best chance to win now as long as you do not give up any of the future?

All that being said this is a big year for Brayden Schenn. To me has to prove he is a top six forward this year. If not, he is probably removed from the Flyers long term plans.
- mickel25

I agree a 100% on your view of Brayden Schenn. He hasn't really impressed me yet and he seems to hold on to the puck to long at times. He needs to have a big year...

Giving up on him, or counting on him less in the long term vision of the team, is the same thing. It would depend on how he plays. If he's getting a lot of scoring chances, and is driving the net, and playing a hard physical game. As well as improving his play away from the puck. If that produces 18 goals, I would not be disappointed.

In terms of NHL experience, he's basically in his 2nd NHL Season. Both the team and the fans should show some patience.
- MJL

You can't keep giving him top six minutes if he is not producing and expect to win in this league.

I don't know how much this affects my feelings toward signing Cleary, but could someone clear this up for me? A number of people (including Bill) have noted that it will be an under 35 contract so "if he were to suffer a career-ending injury -- knee or otherwise -- he could retire without cap penalty or a need to place him on long-term injured reserve for entire seasons." However, why would he retire when he can still collect a paycheck and be LITRed? For example, Marc Savard suffered his career ending injury while on an under 35 contract, but he puts Boston in the same situation that Pronger does to Philly. It seems to me that the over 35 rule only matters if they decide to retire while still healthy (like Kovy) or if the team decides to buy out the player (like Bartulis). What am I missing?
- Adam1

He wouldn't retire. Your not missing anything. And if he suffered a career ending injury, he would be on the same deal as Pronger is now.

They were actively trying to trade him at the draft and for a period after. Now what they were shooting for...? I thought at the time they were trying to pair him with our first to move up.

His name is popping up on the radio and on the web as camp opens. Why? I have no idea. I'm sure cap space and return have a lot to do with it.

Maybe they can move Mezaros once he shows up in some preseason games. What they can get for him... a distant pick maybe?
- mayorofangrytown

I think that needs to be clarified. I don't know for a fact that they were actively trying to trade him. My take on it was that Edmonton was interested in Coburn. So who approached who? Certainly the Flyers would listen to what they had to say.

And if you'll notice, a lot of those places where player's names are popping up, is approaching it as if the Flyers have to trade a player to become Cap compliant for the Season. They do not. So there's lots of speculation floating around. And as it is in most cases, probably very little of it based in fact.

You can't keep giving him top six minutes if he is not producing and expect to win in this league.
- tk71

Certainly, a player who is struggling is going to have his minutes reduced. I didn't state anything to the contrary there. Having a player's minutes played adjusted on a game by game basis by the Coaching staff, is far different then an Organization giving up on a player.

All the Flyers pretty much have to do is play a paper shell game, and use LTIR. Only downside is they won't bank any Cap space, and if Schenn or Couturier explode. Risk of Cap penalties towards next Season.
- MJL

The cap will go up 10 mil next year

He wouldn't retire. Your not missing anything. And if he suffered a career ending injury, he would be on the same deal as Pronger is now.
- MJL

Thanks

The cap will go up 10 mil next year
- tk71

Nobody, including you, knows how much the Cap is going to go up next Season.

Let back track here and say I hated Max Talbot before he got here. I hated him more then anyone on the penguins and he was in my top five in the league before coming here. When you wear a Flyers jersey, I have no problem being wrong. Zero! So those who feel they needed to rub in that I was wrong, enjoy. It means nothing to me.

With this said I love Max Talbot now. My first choice was signing Gagne. My second choice was putting one of Laughton or McGinn on the third line. My third choice was to give Talbot a try because he is a hard worker, still decently young and has potential to reach 20. Would I bet the farm Talbot will reach 20, no, but we already had him and I believe the opportunity should have been there if we had no other option. Now if all of this fell through, I wanted Brenden Morrow. Did Morrow looked gassed last season? It depends on when you watched him. I saw him play a few times and no, he didn't look gas all season long. This isn't to signing Morrow wouldn't be a gamble. It would be.

As for Cleary, I feel a few things that I listed yesterday could wrong. I wont say I could easily be proven wrong but I could be proven wrong. I could grow to enjoy watching him play. I just have very little faith Cleary will be the same player he was last May, that we all might be hoping by the time he's 38. I as a fan have serious concerns, regardless of what the cap ceiling is today or what it will be in three years from now. Matt Read needs a raise. Sean Couturier might need one in two seasons. What is Ray Emery and Steve Mason gonna do this season. Right now. I think some still want that number one puck moving defenseman who will cost a pretty Penny. Giroux's deal kicks in next season.

I don't even wanna think about trading Max Talbot in favour of Dan Cleary. I'm Sorry.
- dingo8urbaby

I think the trading of Talbot is the cost to unload Mez

Pitkanen out for the entire season. Get Meszaros a one way ticket to Raleigh.

Nobody, including you, knows how much the Cap is going to go up next Season.
- MJL

True but you can speculate and I'm sure Paul has professionals giving advice on what they can expect it to be next year. Based on last years revenue and with the growth of this years revenue. I'm sure they have a good idea of what to expect with a 50/50 split.

Nobody, including you, knows how much the Cap is going to go up next Season.
- MJL

I do because i can see into the future... the cap is going to rise 9.67 mill. Book it.

True but you can speculate and I'm sure Paul has professionals giving advice on what they can expect it to be next year. Based on last years revenue and with the growth of this years revenue. I'm sure they have a good idea of what to expect with a 50/50 split.
- tk71

They have the same speculation that everyone has. None of it is factual. Regardless, what does that have to do with the post that you quoted?

I hope Mez comes out both guns blazing and puts all you guys to shame.

I'm willing to see what he has when healthy. He has a ton to prove. We know it, he knows it, his coach, gm and the other players know it.
But I'm willing to give him the opportunity to fight for his spot this season. If we trade him I'd be fine with it at the trade deadline or (gods forbid ) he actually ends his current contract with us at the end of the season.

happy birthday Bill! hope it's a good one. Thanks for doing this day in day out.

I hope Mez comes out both guns blazing and puts all you guys to shame.

I'm willing to see what he has when healthy. He has a ton to prove. We know it, he knows it, his coach, gm and the other players know it.
But I'm willing to give him the opportunity to fight for his spot this season. If we trade him I'd be fine with it at the trade deadline or (gods forbid ) he actually ends his current contract with us at the end of the season.
- FlyersGrace

Comes out, gets hit breaks a leg, gets concussion is un tradeable for the rest of the year