Well, not the worst ever…


- PhillySportsGuy

Holy poop...click on the actual picture for the URL next time before linking it... Longest string of gibberish ever... Totally ruined what I was going to say about Daisy Dukes and true love, and it was going to be really good!

I don't think so. He's 26th in GAA, 21st in save% and 6th in wins. I know those stats are more of a product of team play, but there are other goalies who have been very good all season long.

I'm thinking guys like Bishop and Rask will get much more consideration.

I'm still very happy with Mason's play though.
- PhillySportsGuy

a goalie's stats are heavily dependant on the team in front of him mason can't be overlooked

I think Jbo was making over $6M when he became available via trade. I think he signed an extension with St. Louis, which lowered his cap hit.

If MacDonald wants over $5M, I think the team has to take a hard look at Niskanen. He's similar to MacDonald, but provides a little more offense.
- PhillySportsGuy

St Louis seems to get very fair deals done with their players.

I could root for them in the play offs once the Flyers are out. Having Steve Ott and Max Lapierre makes it a lot more difficult though.

I think Amac has really helped balance the equation on D for this team.
He can make a good first pass and is really good positionally (shows up in all his blocked shots). He has a decent shot from the blue line. I am really hoping they can get something done in the 4.25-4.5M range with him. There are plenty of teams starving for defense (including his last team) who may pony up and pay him 5M. Not sure what will happen, but am interested in reading Bill's take. (May have to wait for the upcoming blog).

Holy poop...click on the actual picture for the URL next time before linking it... Longest string of gibberish ever... Totally ruined what I was going to say about Daisy Dukes and true love, and it was going to be really good!
- wolfhounds

who is she anyway?

a goalie's stats are heavily dependant on the team in front of him mason can't be overlooked
- 2Real

I know but those are the things considered when the Vezina is awarded. Frankly, I don't see how you could put Mason ahead of Rask, Bishop or Price.

who is she anyway?
- Marc D

Kaley Cuoco from Big Bang Theory

St Louis seems to get very fair deals done with their players.

I could root for them in the play offs once the Flyers are out. Having Steve Ott and Max Lapierre makes it a lot more difficult though.

I think Amac has really helped balance the equation on D for this team.
He can make a good first pass and is really good positionally (shows up in all his blocked shots). He has a decent shot from the blue line. I am really hoping they can get something done in the 4.25-4.5M range with him. There are plenty of teams starving for defense (including his last team) who may pony up and pay him 5M. Not sure what will happen, but am interested in reading Bill's take. (May have to wait for the upcoming blog).
- Marc D

I agree. I would like to retain him and I wouldn't even bat an eye if they overpaid a bit. I just think they need to consider all options if MacDonald is going to ask for top pairing money. If Niskanen is only $1M more then it might be better to just sign him.

I agree. I would like to retain him and I wouldn't even bat an eye if they overpaid a bit. I just think they need to consider all options if MacDonald is going to ask for top pairing money. If Niskanen is only $1M more then it might be better to just sign him.
- PhillySportsGuy

let's not overlook the fact that niskanen might be a one hit wonder.

I'd rather sign AMac for 1 mil less than Niskanen for 1 mil more even if he has that slight edge, but AMac been steady as she goes for a poopty Islander team for a few years now.

Kaley Cuoco from Big Bang Theory
- PhillySportsGuy

is that a good show?
I never watch these sitcoms

let's not overlook the fact that niskanen might be a one hit wonder.

I'd rather sign AMac for 1 mil less than Niskanen for 1 mil more even if he has that slight edge, but AMac been steady as she goes for a poopty Islander team for a few years now.
- Giroux_Is_God

Niskanen is having his best ever season, but I think he's the better player. He's been paired with Maata all season and has played great. Maata is great, but he's still a rookie.

I just feel Niskanen does many of the same things MacDonald does, but he can also run the point on the PP and provide more points.

is that a good show?
I never watch these sitcoms
- Marc D

Its critically acclaimed. People seem to either love it or hate it. My 30 year old sister hates the show and my 60+ year old parents love the show.

I'm one of the few who is indifferent about the show. I don't really care if they go on for 5 more years or if they cancel it tomorrow.

is that a good show?
I never watch these sitcoms
- Marc D

inb4 people that think it's hilarious and people who think it's stupid adamantly stand their respective grounds and argue with each other.

It's one of those shows.... some people think it's great, and others think it sucks. You love it, you hate it, or you just don't give a poop.

I'm the last one

Niskanen is having his best ever season, but I think he's the better player. He's been paired with Maata all season and has played great. Maata is great, but he's still a rookie.

I just feel Niskanen does many of the same things MacDonald does, but he can also run the point on the PP and provide more points.
- PhillySportsGuy

Niskanen may be better than McDonald, but that doesnt mean he'll have the same effect. Schenn was a trainwreck at times this year but it seems like he and McDonald have good chemistry. I like that pairing and wouldn't want to change it... Also per ek the flyers and McDonald are working on a 4 or 5yr extension

So Raffl is signed now up to when he will become a UFA. I'm thinking his agent was OK with a two yr deal taking him to UFA because if he keeps playing well he could command more money.

Bill, I am looking forward to your take on Macdonald's next deal. He is going to be UFA. The Flyers are using him on what could be considered the third pair on D and second PP. IMO he was not suited for top pair minutes he was getting on the Island. He is probably somewhere in between, 2nd pair guy who does a lot of the little things well.
I hope they reach a reasonable deal with him. Letting him walk away sets the team back. Much like what happened with Matt Carle. But what is reasonable for a player like him?

I remember when there was some discussion about J Bo and you weren't in favor of him because IIRC, the value was not there. J Bo does everything pretty well, but maybe is not a true number one guy. His deal is for 5.4M/yr. How would you feel if the Flyers have to pay AMac over $5 per season? Is that fair value for a very good but not a true top pair guy who is UFA?
- Marc D

Bouwmeester's Cap hit is 6.68M a year, not 5.4 a year.

Edit: Didn't realize he signed an extension.

Niskanen may be better than McDonald, but that doesnt mean he'll have the same effect. Schenn was a trainwreck at times this year but it seems like he and McDonald have good chemistry. I like that pairing and wouldn't want to change it... Also per ek the flyers and McDonald are working on a 4 or 5yr extension
- fecondo

I was just about to say this. Good post.

Niskanen may be better than McDonald, but that doesnt mean he'll have the same effect. Schenn was a trainwreck at times this year but it seems like he and McDonald have good chemistry. I like that pairing and wouldn't want to change it... Also per ek the flyers and McDonald are working on a 4 or 5yr extension
- fecondo

I fully expect them to sign MacDonald. I want them to sign him. I just think Niskanen is a better player. I'm not overly excited about the idea of getting into a bidding war over Niskanen though. I just don't think they should VASTLY overpay MacDonald without taking a look at Niskanen in FA. If MacDonald is signing for fair market value or a little more, then you take it and ask where to sign.

Bouwmeester's Cap hit is 6.68M a year, not 5.4 a year.
- MJL

Becomes 5.4 next season. They extended him.

I was just about to say this. Good post.
- Giroux_Is_God

x2.....not sure if it's just timing or what but since andy mac has been playing here the whole defensive unit seems more 'trustworthy' w/ the puck

not impressed by wiggins at all he's no where near nba ready

x2.....not sure if it's just timing or what but since andy mac has been playing here the whole defensive unit seems more 'trustworthy' w/ the puck
- hogweed

Its allowed them to use all three pairings equally. Before Amac, they had to spot Schenn-Mez against certain opponents and in non-defensive zone situations.

is that a good show?
I never watch these sitcoms
- Marc D

are you a nerd?

not impressed by wiggins at all he's no where near nba ready
- 2Real

He's very raw. He averaged 30 ppg over the last 4 games in his conference tournament. You can see the natural skill. He's just not ready to lead a team through the NCAA tournament.

he's no where near nba ready
- 2Real

so he'll fit right in, then

so he'll fit right in, then
- Hesh_

He'll eventually be NBA ready. Thats more than you can say for the rest of the Sixers.

you need superstars and luck in the NBA. I'm for drafting the highest talent level despite present day readiness/impact and hope they pan out. Its not like the 76ers are going to contend next year.