I wouldn't have even given Ott $2M over 2 years
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree. I wanted nothing to do with Ott.

- Pixote Andolini

Love it.

I already miss Hartnell though

I agree. I wanted nothing to do with Ott.
- jstross

They must feel confident they can move some salary because Ott at $2M would have put them right up against it. It would leave them with very little wiggle room.

I do know because I know the salary cap numbers. That is about all he had to offer. That's my point. Based on that, I don't think we can assume that he was playing hard ball, and that's all he was willing to offer.
- MJL

Nobody has any idea what conditions, promises, assurances...Hextall made/said to Ott. He could've said $2 million is all I have or $2 million is as high as I go. It's assumptions all around. Just glad, regardless of reason that was the top/final offer.

They must feel confident they can move some salary because Ott at $2M would have put them right up against it. It would leave them with very little wiggle room.
- PhillySportsGuy

Probably would be using option 2 for placing Pronger on LTIR, if they couldn't move Lecvalier in that scenario. All I know is where are the guys who told me the Flyers don't have the cap space to sign anyone. Already spent 2.25M on free agents, and now rumored to have made an offer to Ott. Where did all this money come from?

They must feel confident they can move some salary because Ott at $2M would have put them right up against it. It would leave them with very little wiggle room.
- PhillySportsGuy

Hextall already had another $2.25 million at least, in hand with the offers he could've accepted for VL. Patience is something we're not used to in Flyerville, but we just have to accept it at this point.

Nice to have GM that knows what the price is and at least so far won't over pay.
- jstross

Probably would be using option 2 for placing Pronger on LTIR, if they couldn't move Lecvalier in that scenario. All I know is where are the guys who told me the Flyers don't have the cap space to sign anyone. Already spent 2.25M on free agents, and now rumored to have made an offer to Ott. Where did all this money come from?

- MJL

I think many of us were hoping they wouldn't have to use Pronger's LTIR to start the season. As you know, there are benefits to not dipping into that right away.

Hextall already had another $2.25 million at least, in hand with the offers he could've accepted for VL. Patience is something we're not used to in Flyerville, but we just have to accept it at this point.
- jstross

My concern is that he doesn't find a good enough offer for VL and just keeps him. I don't think he will help the Flyers next season. He's just not going to work with Berube's system.

Second act as owner start gaining support from rest of ownership for a soft cap with a luxury tax system for next CBA. Allows greater spending for large market team while giving more revenue sharing to small market teams.

Second act as owner start gaining support from rest of ownership for a soft cap with a luxury tax system for next CBA. Allows greater spending for large market team while giving more revenue sharing to small market teams.
- ravishingone

Good luck convincing the poor teams to do that

I think many of us were hoping they wouldn't have to use Pronger's LTIR to start the season. As you know, there are benefits to not dipping into that right away.
- PhillySportsGuy

They would have more LTIR cap space to work with if they place him on LTIR on the first day of the season, versus coming out of training camp. But they may not have a choice.

We're still a lot more physical than most teams. Umberger brings some toughness, plus when Hartnell was on an oh-so-often cold streak, he wasn't much help physically.
- JAKEw1234

I don't see the toughness Umburger brings.

My concern is that he doesn't find a good enough offer for VL and just keeps him. I don't think he will help the Flyers next season. He's just not going to work with Berube's system.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm fine with keeping him. If he's healthy, he'll do just fine. And if he has a good season, that ups his trade value in the future. Don't see why you're not willing to give the player any kind of chance.

Good luck convincing the poor teams to do that
- PhillySportsGuy

Well the poor teams would benefit from it.

Good luck convincing the poor teams to do that
- PhillySportsGuy

Why? It looks like the system is working for baseball (ie Athletics). Anything it gives small market teams more cash flow.

Why? It looks like the system is working for baseball (ie Athletics). Anything it gives small market teams more cash flow.
- ravishingone

Small market teams would feel there is an unfair advantage

I'm fine with keeping him. If he's healthy, he'll do just fine. And if he has a good season, that ups his trade value in the future. Don't see why you're not willing to give the player any kind of chance.
- MJL

We'll see

My concern is that he doesn't find a good enough offer for VL and just keeps him. I don't think he will help the Flyers next season. He's just not going to work with Berube's system.
- PhillySportsGuy

Definitely a concern, but the reported offers to date leave no other option. A good coach needs to be able to adapt to the situation at hand. The off season is actually very interesting.

We'll see
- PhillySportsGuy

Berube will have to do a better job utilizing him and designing a role if he is indeed on the team. If he's going to be at center, he's going to need wings that compliment him. I think Simmonds is not an especially good fit for him. Not sure Umberger or Schenn are either.

Berube will have to do a better job utilizing him and designing a role if he is indeed on the team. If he's going to be at center, he's going to need wings that compliment him. I think Simmonds is not an especially good fit for him. Not sure Umberger or Schenn are either.
- Jsaquella

Much better said than my "... a coach needs to adapt..."

Berube will have to do a better job utilizing him and designing a role if he is indeed on the team. If he's going to be at center, he's going to need wings that compliment him. I think Simmonds is not an especially good fit for him. Not sure Umberger or Schenn are either.
- Jsaquella

Read and Raffl with VL. Bellemare and Umberger with Couts. Maybe.

I don't see the toughness Umburger brings.
- SuperSchennBros

To be fair, Hartnell toned down the physical side of his game a lot lately as well.

I think this is a well thought out and objective summary of Holmgren as a GM. I think drafting is definitely a key to long term success. And Holmgren did that for the most part. Just didn't draft well with defenseman. I personally don't have a problem with some of the moves that he made to trade for UFA rights. For example with MacDonald. Based on the success rate of 2nd and 3rd round picks, if a team identifies a player that is a future free agent, and it will make the team better, I think that's a good move. And I really think the NHL salary market is misunderstood by many. I think the MacDonald deal is market value for a UFA. And it's quite possible it could've cost more if other teams were involved in a bidding war for a player.
- MJL

It's quite possible AMac would have cost more, but my guess is that contract would have gotten him to the Flyers without trading. I see it as a pick for a tryout on how he fits with the team, which is okay if thought about like that. That to me is better than trading for Streit's rights before FA. Not having their own 2nd and 3rd round picks for 2015 is a bit of a bummer.

I'll give you a counter argument... Bryz. IMO he completely negotiated against himself because I sincerely doubt any other team would have made an offer close to that. After Snider called the goalie situation out in public, it definitely tied his hands (I really blame Snider for this). Between that and trading for his rights, Bryz's agent had Homer by the cojones and the rest is history.

- Pixote Andolini

1) I remember this vividly, as does everyone posting here. The first 2 rounds of the playoffs correspond directly hell week (the week before finals week, consisting of studying/essays/anything else) and finals week. I was supposed to be studying, but (frank) that- I can take a 3 hour break. I was streaming this game on my laptop in a classroom me and my friends were in. I was screaming so much. I was so (frank)ing pissed at Crosby, but at the same time, seeing he and the rest of the Penguins act like frauds made my soul warm to the touch. That series, the Flyers really exposed the Penguins not only at the game of hockey, but they exposed them between the ears.

2) (frank) you James Neal, you (frank)in cocksuckin mother(frank)in chickenpoop (frank)er