Can't wait until the first time something goes wrong that costs us a game, and everyone on here goes, "If we had kept Timonen, that wouldn't have happened." The dude's lost a step, but is still the best defenseman on the roster, and remains the best odd-man-rush defender I've ever seen.

And they will be hit hit a $4.5m cap penalty to start next season.

http://www.bostonglobe.co...BJcBnxjfb2e2XP/story.html
- Feanor

Seems like Chiarelli's already budgeted for that eventuality... they have all their important players locked up (save for Iginla) and still have $5-7M in space, along with Savard's LTIR money to spend. They have a number of NHL-ready kids in the minors who can step in right away for cheap.

It was pretty genius to defer most of Iginla's $ to next season, and have $4.5M more to spend in a artificially lowered cap year.

I think you can teach defensive responsibility.

There may be some growing pains with Akeson but I think he has earned a shot and at least SOME rope when it comes to getting an NHL roster spot.

I thought he showed that he could play a responsible game, and he did so under the highest pressure possible in the NHL playoffs.

He just has to show he can do it consistently, but in one way or another, that is a complaint we hear about many young players on this current roster.

Even though he took that penalty in game one, it wasn't a stupid penalty, it was an impact penalty. He was trying to make a play and it was bad luck his stick got up as it did.
- MBFlyerfan

You can teach the idea of defensive responsibility, but some players can't grasp it or simply won't adhere to it. Berube preached a defensive style of play, yet we saw countless players cherry picking, having huge D-to-F gaps, and not backchecking. You can implement whatever teaching you want, but it's on the players to grasp and execute.

Not saying anything specific about Akeson, who should be given full marks for playing reasonably well. Just in general.

Uncle Lou will match to spite the Flyers. Anyway Larson isnt worth the stigma that comes with offersheeting a guy.
- PhillaBully

You can't just match it to spite them. Also with new owners you don't know where they want to alocate money. They just signed Jagr for a good amount and will need to fill other holes. And don't give me the stigma crap. It is in the rules so they are doing nothing wrong. Close that practice if you don't like it. But if it is there I am glad the Flyers do whatever they can to try and get this city a stanely cup instead of not doing because of what people may think of it.

Seems like Chiarelli's already budgeted for that eventuality... they have all their important players locked up (save for Iginla) and still have $5-7M in space, along with Savard's LTIR money to spend. They have a number of NHL-ready kids in the minors who can step in right away for cheap.

It was pretty genius to defer most of Iginla's $ to next season, and have $4.5M more to spend in a artificially lowered cap year.
- Tomahawk

To answer someone's question: Yes, it was worth it. (even if they don't win the Cup)

Seems like Chiarelli's already budgeted for that eventuality... they have all their important players locked up (save for Iginla) and still have $5-7M in space, along with Savard's LTIR money to spend. They have a number of NHL-ready kids in the minors who can step in right away for cheap.

It was pretty genius to defer most of Iginla's $ to next season, and have $4.5M more to spend in a artificially lowered cap year.
- Tomahawk

Krug's gonna get a healthy raise on his ELC, same with Reilly Smith. They'll probably have Svedberg or Subban as the backup, but they're both slight increases on Johnson. Like every team, they'll have some tough decision to make.

Krug's gonna get a healthy raise on his ELC, same with Reilly Smith. They'll probably have Svedberg or Subban as the backup, but they're both slight increases on Johnson. Like every team, they'll have some tough decision to make.
- jmatchett383

We have seen how playoff performance inflate a players cost. Look what Leino did and then what he got. Smith is having a good playoffs so he will want money. And I agree with the Krug assesment

You can't just match it to spite them. Also with new owners you don't know where they want to alocate money. They just signed Jagr for a good amount and will need to fill other holes. And don't give me the stigma crap. It is in the rules so they are doing nothing wrong. Close that practice if you don't like it. But if it is there I am glad the Flyers do whatever they can to try and get this city a stanely cup instead of not doing because of what people may think of it.
- J35Bacher

getting rid of a young defenseman with potential doesnt create other holes?

You can't just match it to spite them. Also with new owners you don't know where they want to alocate money. They just signed Jagr for a good amount and will need to fill other holes. And don't give me the stigma crap. It is in the rules so they are doing nothing wrong. Close that practice if you don't like it. But if it is there I am glad the Flyers do whatever they can to try and get this city a stanely cup instead of not doing because of what people may think of it.
- J35Bacher

The Devils won't let their former 4th overall pick from 3 years ago walk away, much less to a division rival, unless it's stupid money on a young, yet unproven player. Also, just because you submit an OS, the player is not obligated to sign it, so there's no guarantee he'd sign it unless, again, it's a stupid overpayment....or at least an overpayment to some extent.

Offer sheets are (generally) a way to get good, star players who are having trouble resigning with a team, not as general leverage during free agency. Plus, keep in mind that, while a team has that 7-day match window, that OS $$ is counted against your available spending, meaning you are unable to use that $$ to sign other free agents. Matt Carle and Jaromir Jagr being 2 prime examples.

Edit: What has Larsson accomplished in 3 seasons that make him so attractive? He's looking more and more like Thomas Hickey (maybe not even) every day.

Krug's gonna get a healthy raise on his ELC, same with Reilly Smith. They'll probably have Svedberg or Subban as the backup, but they're both slight increases on Johnson. Like every team, they'll have some tough decision to make.
- jmatchett383

Thing about their salary structure is, there's not a single undesirable contract in the bunch... they wouldn't have much trouble moving, say, Boychuk out and replace him permanently with Miller. Even given tough choices, Chiarelli still has a lot of the flexibility because he doesn't tie his own hands very often.

Bill, just a heads up, CapGeek has Akeson with 1 season or 60-games remaining before he loses waiver-exempt status:

http://www.capgeek.com/wa..._games_radio=1&Calculate=


As for the player, I think he's in the same boat as guys like Clarke MacArthur or Rich Peverley... guys who were written off as career AHL stars, who would have to score to stay in the NHL, but eventually showed that they were more than just offensive specialists once they were given a chance at more responsibility.

- Tomahawk

I wonder if Holmgren ever considered going after MacArthur who signed a fairly cheap deal in Ottawa and had a great season. Probably not giving his center obsession.

Seems like Chiarelli's already budgeted for that eventuality... they have all their important players locked up (save for Iginla) and still have $5-7M in space, along with Savard's LTIR money to spend. They have a number of NHL-ready kids in the minors who can step in right away for cheap.

It was pretty genius to defer most of Iginla's $ to next season, and have $4.5M more to spend in a artificially lowered cap year.
- Tomahawk

Wow with that 4.5mil penalty the flyers could send a sizeable offer sheet to torey krug (like 3-4mil) and completely screw over the bruins. They might not be able to match something like that lol.

Thing about their salary structure is, there's not a single undesirable contract in the bunch... they wouldn't have much trouble moving, say, Boychuk out and replace him permanently with Miller. Even given tough choices, Chiarelli still has a lot of the flexibility because he doesn't tie his own hands very often.
- Tomahawk

Oh, absolutely, it's a well-run organization with respect to the cap. I'm just saying they'll have a few tough choices to make due to how well a few young players have played. They're the kind of hard decisions to love having to make, though.

Wow with that 4.5mil penalty the flyers could send a sizeable offer sheet to torey krug (like 3-4mil) and completely screw over the bruins. They might not be able to match something like that lol.
- FlyersSteve118

The Bruins would have 7 days to move other assets around if they wanted to match (or even if they didn't, they'd wait till the 11th hour to decline). That's assuming signs the offer sheet. But it's not a terrible idea. But like Tomahawk said, they'd most likely make a move or 2 to free up the space.

Again, while you're waiting for the Bruins to decide, that's $3-$4M that you can't allocate elsewhere.

Oh, absolutely, it's a well-run organization with respect to the cap. I'm just saying they'll have a few tough choices to make due to how well a few young players have played. They're the kind of hard decisions to love having to make, though.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, sure beats the wonderful either/or's that Homer puts himself in.

The Devils won't let their former 4th overall pick from 3 years ago walk away, much less to a division rival, unless it's stupid money on a young, yet unproven player. Also, just because you submit an OS, the player is not obligated to sign it, so there's no guarantee he'd sign it unless, again, it's a stupid overpayment....or at least an overpayment to some extent.

Offer sheets are (generally) a way to get good, star players who are having trouble resigning with a team, not as general leverage during free agency. Plus, keep in mind that, while a team has that 7-day match window, that OS $$ is counted against your available spending, meaning you are unable to use that $$ to sign other free agents. Matt Carle and Jaromir Jagr being 2 prime examples.

Edit: What has Larsson accomplished in 3 seasons that make him so attractive? He's looking more and more like Thomas Hickey (maybe not even) every day.
- jmatchett383

The offer sheet is a tool. Clarke had the forsight to try and get kessler before he becamse star. Vancuver matched. It wasn't for rediculous money.

To answer someone's question: Yes, it was worth it. (even if they don't win the Cup)
- bradleyc4

Agreed. That money is well worth the incredibly exciting season they've provided their fans with.

I wonder if Holmgren ever considered going after MacArthur who signed a fairly cheap deal in Ottawa and had a great season. Probably not giving his center obsession.
- Feanor

Probably not. They usually shoot for more obvious targets.

Yeah, sure beats the wonderful either/or's that Homer puts himself in.
- Tomahawk

We can either (a) keep our $4M Meszaros with the jello shoulder in the lineup over our top young offensive defenseman, (b) play several natural centers out of their natural positions, (c) sign Jay Rosehill to a 2-year extension, or (d) sign Andrew MacDonald for $5M/5 years.

See, Homer doesn't have those decisions to make. He gets to do it all.

The Bruins would have 7 days to move other assets around if they wanted to match (or even if they didn't, they'd wait till the 11th hour to decline). That's assuming signs the offer sheet. But it's not a terrible idea. But like Tomahawk said, they'd most likely make a move or 2 to free up the space.

Again, while you're waiting for the Bruins to decide, that's $3-$4M that you can't allocate elsewhere.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, but it would completely cripple their ability to resign Iginla or a couple of their other RFAs. I know they would probably match it, but it would just screw with them so bad it would be worth it, especially if krug isn't signed until a decent bit into the off season. And maybe wait for them to sign a few of their other RFAs and try to put them a little over budget.

The offer sheet is a tool. Clarke had the forsight to try and get kessler before he becamse star. Vancuver matched. It wasn't for rediculous money.
- J35Bacher

Exactly. That's my point.

The Bruins would have 7 days to move other assets around if they wanted to match (or even if they didn't, they'd wait till the 11th hour to decline). That's assuming signs the offer sheet. But it's not a terrible idea. But like Tomahawk said, they'd most likely make a move or 2 to free up the space.

Again, while you're waiting for the Bruins to decide, that's $3-$4M that you can't allocate elsewhere.
- jmatchett383

See Krug doesn't make sense when you have the same player in your system like Ghostisbeire. Yes they have 7 days but if your offering it to someone like larsson for say 3.2 million where you only give up a 2nd round pick you can still work without worrying. In the offseaon yuo get the 10% overage and will get the LTIR from pronger. So its room to work.

Wow with that 4.5mil penalty the flyers could send a sizeable offer sheet to torey krug (like 3-4mil) and completely screw over the bruins. They might not be able to match something like that lol.
- FlyersSteve118

If either Smith or Krug want too much, I don't think Chiarelli would be scared to cut bait, like he did w/ Kessel.

We can either (a) keep our $4M Meszaros with the jello shoulder in the lineup over our top young offensive defenseman, (b) play several natural centers out of their natural positions, (c) sign Jay Rosehill to a 2-year extension, or (d) sign Andrew MacDonald for $5M/5 years.

See, Homer doesn't have those decisions to make. He gets to do it all.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, but it would completely cripple their ability to resign Iginla or a couple of their other RFAs. I know they would probably match it, but it would just screw with them so bad it would be worth it, especially if krug isn't signed until a decent bit into the off season. And maybe wait for them to sign a few of their other RFAs and try to put them a little over budget.
- FlyersSteve118

I think Krug will be one of their top priorities. I'm not even sure he makes it to RFA. As for the crippling, again, they'd have 7 days to make whatever moves they felt necessary, where as the Flyers would not.

Once again, this assumes Krug would sign the OS, which is far from a given. I'm not saying don't do it, just saying it's not as easy as just sending a piece of paper to a guy.