Sometimes I tie the Flyers cap problems directly to Vinny's contract, but the reality is that it is not that simple.

I think there are several factors

#1- The "win now" philosophy that trades 1st and 2nd round picks for proven players. While you guarantee NHL talent, you also have to pay them more than an entry level deal. These add up.

#2- Failure to draft well, particularly on defense. Scott Cullen put together a team based on the team that originally drafted them http://www.tsn.ca/fantasy_news/feature/?id=121382 and the only team that drafted worse than the Flyers on defense were the Edmonton Oilers. This means you have to pay to get defensemen. This is why the they are paying almost 24 million for the current top 6 defensemen. The good news is that they finally have prospects who will help in this area (maybe in a year or two).

#3- Chris Pronger's contract. I know that during the season it's not that big of a deal, but right now it presents some problems. This is not on management, but it would be smart if management wasn't as free spending on free agents while Pronger's contract is still on the books.

#4-Too many mid-level players on higher contracts- Vinny, MacDonald, Streit, Grossman, and Luke Schenn. I don't think any ONE of these contracts are necessarily horrible, but all of them TOGETHER create the problem.

#5- Rosehill's contract- It's only 675,000, but why does he even have a contract. Was it really necessary?

I think these reasons together explain the problem they are in, which is why it is not a simple fix. Even unloading the contracts may require trading more picks which will facilitate the problem even more down the road, unless there is a change in philosophy.
- ManCity

I agree with some of this and disagree with other parts of it. With the Pronger injury, the Flyers had to go out and add some players to make up for the loss of Pronger. If Pronger was still playing, would they have traded for Grossmann or signed Streit?
Rosehill's contract is not an issue. They can waive him and demote him to remove him from the Cap if they choose to.

Au-be, Kay-be
- Jsaquella

winner winner chicken dinner

Things are getting saucy in Buzzland... and I love it! I think the Flyers should make a push to get Erhoff. With Erhoff getting bought out it def makes UFA a bit more interesting and it make the VL that much more frustrating

winner winner chicken dinner
- -davies-

Glorious fried chicken dinner.. nom nom

FWIW, I don't hate MacDonald. I hate his contract & the haste at which the Flyers signed him to it. Guys like Ehrhoff become available and then you have no room to go after them.

Yes, MacDonald was fairly solid after coming over. But he was far from great. Don't like the term 4/5? Fine he's a middle of the road defenseman who can play on a second pair or anchor a third pair. He's got decent mobility, is ok with the puck and a solid defender. He could be better in the neutral zone, but he's still a NHL player.

But a guy like Ehrhoff is a top pair guy. Being able to add him would really solidify the defense and really allow time for the kids to develop.
- Jsaquella

In my opinion, this criticism is baseless. Unfortunately the Flyers don't have the benefit of waiting until after the fact in hindsight, after a considerable amount of time has past, of knowing things such as Ehrhoff becoming available. That's the perspective that this criticism comes from. I don't believe that the Flyers have a crystal ball to foresee the future. But I could be wrong. And there was no haste in signing MacDonald. They identified a player then wanted, traded for him, and signed him to a market deal.
We also need to look at a little history. A few years back the Flyers went after a couple of free agents, while a solid defenseman of their own, walked. The Flyers missed out on the free agents, and they were criticized for it, and losing Carle.
In order to look at it from the proper perspective, need to recall what the upcoming UFA landscape looked like. It certainly didn't include Ehrhoff.
Another problem is the insistence that MAcDonald is a middle of the road defenseman. Not sure exactly what that is, but he continues to be underrated as a player in my view. He is more then okay with the puck. He has a strong ability to handle the puck in traffic and under pressure, and make a strong outlet pass to start the transition. And he upgrades the Flyers puck movement from the back end. He's more then "just an NHL player." He's a solid top 4 all around defenseman. And a quality signing by the Flyers.

Preds might not tender a qualifying offer to Michael Del Zotto

Preds might not tender a qualifying offer to Michael Del Zotto
- Jsaquella

What the...

In my opinion, this criticism is baseless. Unfortunately the Flyers don't have the benefit and waiting until after the fact in hindsight, after a considerable amount of time has past, of knowing things such as Ehrhoff becoming available. That's the perspective that this criticism comes from. I don't believe that the Flyers have a crystal ball to foresee the future. But I could be wrong. And there was no haste in signing MacDonald. They identified a player then wanted, traded for him, and signed him to a market deal.
We also need to look at a little history. A few years back the Flyers went after a couple of free agents, while a solid defenseman of their own, walked. The Flyers missed out on the free agents, and they were criticized for it, and losing Carle.
In order to look at it from the proper perspective, need to recall what the upcoming UFA landscape looked like. It certainly didn't include Ehrhoff.
Another problem is the insistence that MAcDonald is a middle of the road defenseman. Not sure exactly what that is, but he continues to be underrated as a player in my view. He is more then okay with the puck. He has a strong ability to handle the puck in traffic and under pressure, and make a strong outlet pass to start the transition. And he upgrades the Flyers puck movement from the back end. He's more then "just an NHL player." He's a solid top 4 all around defenseman. And a quality signing by the Flyers.
- MJL

That's super. Didn't like the contract when it was signed, so no, it's not in hindsight. As far as your other opinions, now that capgeek exists for CBA questions, I have less use for you than an empty yogurt cup.

In my opinion, this criticism is baseless. Unfortunately the Flyers don't have the benefit and waiting until after the fact in hindsight, after a considerable amount of time has past, of knowing things such as Ehrhoff becoming available. That's the perspective that this criticism comes from. I don't believe that the Flyers have a crystal ball to foresee the future. But I could be wrong. And there was no haste in signing MacDonald. They identified a player then wanted, traded for him, and signed him to a market deal.
We also need to look at a little history. A few years back the Flyers went after a couple of free agents, while a solid defenseman of their own, walked. The Flyers missed out on the free agents, and they were criticized for it, and losing Carle.
In order to look at it from the proper perspective, need to recall what the upcoming UFA landscape looked like. It certainly didn't include Ehrhoff.
Another problem is the insistence that MAcDonald is a middle of the road defenseman. Not sure exactly what that is, but he continues to be underrated as a player in my view. He is more then okay with the puck. He has a strong ability to handle the puck in traffic and under pressure, and make a strong outlet pass to start the transition. And he upgrades the Flyers puck movement from the back end. He's more then "just an NHL player." He's a solid top 4 all around defenseman. And a quality signing by the Flyers.
- MJL

Definitely agree about MacDonald! I think he is solid!

In my opinion, this criticism is baseless. Unfortunately the Flyers don't have the benefit and waiting until after the fact in hindsight, after a considerable amount of time has past, of knowing things such as Ehrhoff becoming available. That's the perspective that this criticism comes from. I don't believe that the Flyers have a crystal ball to foresee the future. But I could be wrong. And there was no haste in signing MacDonald. They identified a player then wanted, traded for him, and signed him to a market deal.
We also need to look at a little history. A few years back the Flyers went after a couple of free agents, while a solid defenseman of their own, walked. The Flyers missed out on the free agents, and they were criticized for it, and losing Carle.
In order to look at it from the proper perspective, need to recall what the upcoming UFA landscape looked like. It certainly didn't include Ehrhoff.
Another problem is the insistence that MAcDonald is a middle of the road defenseman. Not sure exactly what that is, but he continues to be underrated as a player in my view. He is more then okay with the puck. He has a strong ability to handle the puck in traffic and under pressure, and make a strong outlet pass to start the transition. And he upgrades the Flyers puck movement from the back end. He's more then "just an NHL player." He's a solid top 4 all around defenseman. And a quality signing by the Flyers.
- MJL

I agree with MJL. I don't get the hate on the AMac contract. AMac was real solid for us after the trade and Berube kept giving him more minutes as time past, showing that Berube really likes what he brings.

As for those thinking we overpaid for him, just wait until you see the contracts handed out to Dmen during UFA. AMac's will look like a good deal by next month.

What the...
- Tomahawk

Josh Cooper just tweeted it. Poile says they're exploring a trade, but could end up not tendering him

That's super. Didn't like the contract when it was signed, so no, it's not in hindsight. As far as your other opinions, now that capgeek exists for CBA questions, I have less use for you than an empty yogurt cup.
- Jsaquella

Did you take the feelings of yogurt cups under consideration before posting this prejudiced comment?

They don't have $6mm to offer unless they trade somebody
- Jsaquella

Not necessarily true. Crunching the numbers it depends on if the Flyers give Gustafsson a QO. If they don't, they have 6M of off season cap space to offer.

Josh Cooper just tweeted it. Poile says they're exploring a trade, but could end up not tendering him
- Jsaquella

That's a little puzzling ...

Josh Cooper just tweeted it. Poile says they're exploring a trade, but could end up not tendering him
- Jsaquella

wow, to think about the chatter when Subban, Carlson, and Del Zotto were RFAs to sign bridge contracts or not. How things have changed.

Josh Cooper just tweeted it. Poile says they're exploring a trade, but could end up not tendering him
- Jsaquella

He must really be pissing them off in negotiations... Poile's probably on his last nerve already, after the Spezza thing.

It'd depend on what assets the others cost. Ehrhoff is a UFA. Sign him to a 4 year deal and you buy time for the kids to develop and keep B. Schenn, Couturier, Simmonds & Coburn. If you go after Byfuglien, Phaneuf or Bogosian you're trading at least some of those guys
- Jsaquella

Ehrhoff was just bought out of a deal in which he had 7 years left on it. He is now a top defenseman on the UFA market. I think he could get more then 4 years.

In my opinion, this criticism is baseless. Unfortunately the Flyers don't have the benefit and waiting until after the fact in hindsight, after a considerable amount of time has past, of knowing things such as Ehrhoff becoming available. That's the perspective that this criticism comes from. I don't believe that the Flyers have a crystal ball to foresee the future. But I could be wrong. And there was no haste in signing MacDonald. They identified a player then wanted, traded for him, and signed him to a market deal.
We also need to look at a little history. A few years back the Flyers went after a couple of free agents, while a solid defenseman of their own, walked. The Flyers missed out on the free agents, and they were criticized for it, and losing Carle.
In order to look at it from the proper perspective, need to recall what the upcoming UFA landscape looked like. It certainly didn't include Ehrhoff.
Another problem is the insistence that MAcDonald is a middle of the road defenseman. Not sure exactly what that is, but he continues to be underrated as a player in my view. He is more then okay with the puck. He has a strong ability to handle the puck in traffic and under pressure, and make a strong outlet pass to start the transition. And he upgrades the Flyers puck movement from the back end. He's more then "just an NHL player." He's a solid top 4 all around defenseman. And a quality signing by the Flyers.
- MJL

I agree the Flyers cannot see into the future but they act quickly. Maybe too quickly. MacDonald might be a bad example because he instantly improved Luke Schenn's game. However Timonen might have been signed too soon without waiting to hear who might be bought out. Streit in my mind isn't a first pair guy but assets were moved to get his rights and become our top puck movingand point producing defenseman on the team. I'm still on the fence when it comes to Streit. Even to Hartnell deal tells me Flyers management jumped the gun. Without that trade, Umburger's contract might not exist right now. Knowing this might be the case rubs me the wrong way.

That's super. Didn't like the contract when it was signed, so no, it's not in hindsight. As far as your other opinions, now that capgeek exists for CBA questions, I have less use for you than an empty yogurt cup.
- Jsaquella

Sure it's in hindsight when they're criticized for not "waiting" for something they had no idea would happen. Which is Ehrhoff being bought out. It's a baseless criticism in my opinion.
And as far as not needing me, I addressed that in another reply on your comment that the Flyers don't have 6M to spend on a free agent.

wow, to think about the chatter when Subban, Carlson, and Del Zotto were RFAs to sign bridge contracts or not. How things have changed.
- ravishingone

MDZ had that one good season, and then really seemed to slip. Never got comfortable in Nashville, now, he's unwanted

Not necessarily true. Crunching the numbers it depends on if the Flyers give Gustafsson a QO. If they don't, they have 6M of off season cap space to offer.
- MJL

Are you just using the 10% overage allowed ?

In my opinion, this criticism is baseless. Unfortunately the Flyers don't have the benefit of waiting until after the fact in hindsight, after a considerable amount of time has past, of knowing things such as Ehrhoff becoming available. That's the perspective that this criticism comes from. I don't believe that the Flyers have a crystal ball to foresee the future. But I could be wrong. And there was no haste in signing MacDonald. They identified a player then wanted, traded for him, and signed him to a market deal.
We also need to look at a little history. A few years back the Flyers went after a couple of free agents, while a solid defenseman of their own, walked. The Flyers missed out on the free agents, and they were criticized for it, and losing Carle.
In order to look at it from the proper perspective, need to recall what the upcoming UFA landscape looked like. It certainly didn't include Ehrhoff.
Another problem is the insistence that MAcDonald is a middle of the road defenseman. Not sure exactly what that is, but he continues to be underrated as a player in my view. He is more then okay with the puck. He has a strong ability to handle the puck in traffic and under pressure, and make a strong outlet pass to start the transition. And he upgrades the Flyers puck movement from the back end. He's more then "just an NHL player." He's a solid top 4 all around defenseman. And a quality signing by the Flyers.
- MJL

I agree with this. Its amazing all the AMac hate today.

Are you just using the 10% overage allowed ?
- Steelmanpa

I calculated the Flyers off season cap picture using the rules of the CBA for off season cap accounting. (which capgeek does not do) There are some things that aren't known such as who the Flyers will give a Q offer to. Personally, I would not qualify Gustafsson.

Definitely agree about MacDonald! I think he is solid!
- Cable2k

Agreed, good 2nd pair guy, works well with Schenn. The problem with the Flyers defensively isnt the D so much, all 6 are solid, capable NHL dmen. The problems often stem from the forwards. When the forwards backcheck diligently and keep the gaps short, the Flyers D looks fine. When they don't the D struggles.

Would it be nice to have a Suter/Weber top pair? Sure, but how far did Nashville ever go with those two? If the forwards buy into and properly execute Berube's system, the D will be fine.

Anthony Petrielli ‏@APetrielli 4m

Commenter on MLHS says Philly Sports Radio 94WIP says Philly has 3 offers for Lecalvier: Upshall from FLA, Gleason from TOR, picks from DAL.