Re the Flyers 14-15 D:
FWIW, this is what I would suggest:
Re-sign Timonen, hopefully for no more than 4.5 million
Move Grossmann for pick/s to get some cap room
Let Gus, Lauridsen, Alt and a cheap UFA depth dman compete for the 6th and 7th spots
Let Hagg and Ghost play big minutes at the AHL level and Morin return to Junior

Finally, if VL can be moved as well, try to add another solid top 9 winger via FA
- BiggE

I would pass on Timonen. He's a warrior, but his best days are far behind him. What's the purpose of giving him another one year deal? Barring something pretty surprising this summer, this team isn't a Cup contender as currently constructed.

Moving Grossmann is much easier said than done. He's got a decent sized cap hit for what he provides, and he's going under the knife again.

The good news is it was only his 6th year in the League. Still the learning curve/developmental stage.
- PLindbergh31

I detect sarcasm. He's what 24? Yes, sometimes it takes longer for some players. Especially defenseman.

Not even going to poke at Niskanen?
- FlyersSteve118

I really like him, but with the cap going up, some GM is going to offer him 7 years and nearly 50 million $$. He's just not worth that IMO

Hey, everyone. Good article and great thread. I've been giving this a lot of thought. I don't think people realize how big of a challenge the Flyers are going to have with the cap again next season.

I believe one of B.Schenn or Vinny will be gone, and you likely see both Laughton and Ghost on the squad - even it that means 4th line center and 6th D-Man. This would also require shedding a Grossmann for cap relief as they transition (one hopes) to a more youthful, faster, more skilled backline.

And this assumes Kimmo doesn't return. Cap challenges.
- cmr.266

I dont see how trading VL/Schenn and Grossmann along with not re-signing Timonen creates cap problems. Those moves would give the team cap room. Laughton and Ghost will be about $1M each.

This is another instance of where fancy stats has created a false culture. Every play has to be looked at individually, to see if a defenseman made the right read, or had the support to stand up and challenge. And some defenseman are aggressive, and like to come up and challenge physically, and some like to contain and keep players to the outside. Both can be effective. But ever since zone entries have been kept, it's one of the new fads. As if the defenseman on the side of the ice that the puck came into the zone on, is the only player on the ice responsible for an opposition's successful zone entry carrying the puck. He's playing in a vaccuum I guess, and it's one on one hockey all the time. Comical.
- MJL

He is a good conservative dman. I just think he could make the jump to the next level by making a few aggressive plays here and there.

I really like him, but with the cap going up, some GM is going to offer him 7 years and nearly 50 million $$. He's just not worth that IMO
- BiggE

I know

I like your other stuff though.

I detect sarcasm. He's what 24? Yes, sometimes it takes longer for some players. Especially defenseman.
- MJL

At this rate he should hit his prime around 47.

I would pass on Timonen. He's a warrior, but his best days are far behind him. What's the purpose of giving him another one year deal? Barring something pretty surprising this summer, this team isn't a Cup contender as currently constructed.

Moving Grossmann is much easier said than done. He's got a decent sized cap hit for what he provides, and he's going under the knife again.
- PLindbergh31

3.5 mil isnt that big a cap hit for a guy who can play on the 2nd pair and kill penalties

If they can move Vinny and Grossmann they can open up around 15mil in cap space next season. Which is what I am pretty sure is going to happen.
- FlyersSteve118

I think that is Plan A, but they'd have to get VL to waive NMC AND find a taker while either eating salary or taking back a limited return.

Though I think there is an alternate chance if someone like Keith Yandle becomes available, at which point you can pretty much kiss B. Schenn goodbye and phase Kimmo out of your plans (if he doesn't retrire). Though that's the only way you let Schenn go.

If both are somehow traded, then you need to find at least a stop gap at center.

I would pass on Timonen. He's a warrior, but his best days are far behind him. What's the purpose of giving him another one year deal? Barring something pretty surprising this summer, this team isn't a Cup contender as currently constructed.

Moving Grossmann is much easier said than done. He's got a decent sized cap hit for what he provides, and he's going under the knife again.
- PLindbergh31

The purpose of bringing Timonen back for another year, is making the team better, if there isn't a better option. Should they not try to make the team better because they aren't a Cup contender on paper?
And moving Grossmann if they wanted to, would not be a problem.

I dont see how trading VL/Schenn and Grossmann along with not re-signing Timonen creates cap problems. Those moves would give the team cap room. Laughton and Ghost will be about $1M each.
- PhillySportsGuy

It doesn't, but they aren't making the playoffs with that squad. Timonen would need to be replaced.

He is a good conservative dman. I just think he could make the jump to the next level by making a few aggressive plays here and there.
- FlyersSteve118

There's room for improvement. But he's a solid all around 2nd pair defenseman. And he's going to be a good player for this team going forward.

3.5 mil isnt that big a cap hit for a guy who can play on the 2nd pair and kill penalties
- BiggE

Then why trade him?

Yes, he absolutely said that, with this statement right here

"That line was still the Flyers' 2nd-best at driving play, and most of it was due to Akeson being a very strong possession player throughout the series, while not being much of a liability on defense."
- MJL

you are correct - i missed the "most of it" part and recalled the first part of the sentence "that line".

It's not apples and oranges in terms of fans penciling a player in, based on a small sample of game. As was done with Lauridsen.
- MJL

it is apples and oranges when you consider the context of the position, age, available slots, as well as the circumstances under which the player was called up the year before, and what is the team's situation at the end of camp taking trades, picks and signings into account. i understand the comparison you're making, and I'm saying it's not black and white.

He absolutely should be given an opportunity, based on his performance in the playoffs. He has earned that at least. I'm just questioning whether he can do it long term. And I think any talk of Akeson driving play, is overstating it.
- MJL

i think it's clear he will be given an opportunity and we're all questioning his long-term production. he's simply never had the chance yet and we'll never know unless he gets one.

as far as driving play, you obviously don't think he does that. i think the concept of driving play is open to interpretation. i don't necessarily have an opinion about it - all i know is the puck seems to follow him and find him, he creates scoring chances, and has shown an ability to finish. for example - the goal he created by kicking the puck to the point when he was tied up along the far boards - is that driving play? i don't know, and i don't care. he created the opportunity for that goal to happen with awareness, effort, and skill. the team needs as much of that as it can get.

At this rate he should hit his prime around 47.
- PLindbergh31

While JVR is tearing it up! Wonder if he watched any of the playoff games?

While JVR is tearing it up! Wonder if he watched any of the playoff games?
- MJL

Flyers made playoffs, Leafs didn't = Holmgren wins!

it is apples and oranges when you consider the context of the position, age, available slots, as well as the circumstances under which the player was called up the year before, and what is the team's situation at the end of camp taking trades, picks and signings into account. i understand the comparison you're making, and I'm saying it's not black and white.


- hammarby31

You can look at it from a different angle, and it's not comparable. From the standpoint of what I was referring to, it's a similar situation.

i think it's clear he will be given an opportunity and we're all questioning his long-term production. he's simply never had the chance yet and we'll never know unless he gets one.

as far as driving play, you obviously don't think he does that. i think the concept of driving play is open to interpretation. i don't necessarily have an opinion about it - all i know is the puck seems to follow him and find him, he creates scoring chances, and has shown an ability to finish. for example - the goal he created by kicking the puck to the point when he was tied up along the far boards - is that driving play? i don't know, and i don't care. he created the opportunity for that goal to happen with awareness, effort, and skill. the team needs as much of that as it can get.
- hammarby31

I think he clearly has a knack for being around the puck. And I think he showed that he has the skills to make plays with the puck at the NHL level. And he should be given a legitimate opportunity to win a job in camp. I just think that the patience of a Coach with that kind of player is going to be thin, if he doesn't produce well enough offensively.

Re the Flyers 14-15 D:
FWIW, this is what I would suggest:
Re-sign Timonen, hopefully for no more than 4.5 million
Move Grossmann for pick/s to get some cap room
Let Gus, Lauridsen, Alt and a cheap UFA depth dman compete for the 6th and 7th spots
Let Hagg and Ghost play big minutes at the AHL level and Morin return to Junior

Finally, if VL can be moved as well, try to add another solid top 9 winger via FA
- BiggE

this x 1,000.

Then why trade him?
- PLindbergh31

cause they already would have a bigger cap hit at each of the other 5 top D spots and I think either Gus, Alt or Lauridsen could fill the 6th dman role at a better price. They would still have Timo/Coburn and AMac/Schenn for PK

Instead of bringing Timonen back, how bout Holmgren does something creative and land Niskanen? Hell I would even settle for Anton Stralman. He's be an upgrade. Stralman is better than MacDonald.

Then why trade him?
- PLindbergh31

He isn't a good fit for the current mix this team has. It would be different if this was NHL 14.

I detect sarcasm. He's what 24? Yes, sometimes it takes longer for some players. Especially defenseman.
- MJL

What? Sarcasm and disdain from Plindbergh31..That is hard to believe.

Instead of bringing Timonen back, how bout Holmgren does something creative and land Niskanen? Hell I would even settle for Anton Stralman. He's be an upgrade. Stralman is better than MacDonald.
- PLindbergh31

I'd be down with Stralman, but I'd have him replacing Grossmann not Kimmo.

Instead of bringing Timonen back, how bout Holmgren does something creative and land Niskanen? Hell I would even settle for Anton Stralman. He's be an upgrade. Stralman is better than MacDonald.
- PLindbergh31

Just curious
would you rather have
Niskanen 7 years 7 million cap hit
Stralman 6 years 5 million cap hit
or
Timonen 1 year, 4.5 million cap hit

I'd prefer Timonen in that scenario

I'd be down with Stralman, but I'd have him replacing Grossmann not Kimmo.
- jmatchett383

What type of contract do you see Stralman getting?