Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Voracek, Alumni and More

Thank God that didn't draft Voracek in 07. Probably would have traded him straight up for Luke Schenn.

Just another chapter to add to the disappointment that was landing JVR. But at least we didn't make the trade then and ended up getting Coots with Jake.

My comment was made to be as a joke. But yeah, I'm happy with what became of the Carter deal.

Curious as to everyone's thoughts on the remaining free agents. Anyone you'd like to see the Flyers invite to camp, and if so, why?

I don't see how it could hurt. Of the forwards, I find Fleischmann, Cole, Bergenheim, and Booth as cheap options at left wing. Fleischmann is especially intriguing.

I personally would also invite either Ehrhoff or Franson to camp as well if they remain unsigned. If Franson plays well, we might be able to get him on a fairly cheap deal for 2 years. This would obviously require a trade, but I'm interested in him if he'll take a 2 year deal. It would be further stability and him, Streit, Schultz and MDZ would all be up at once.

Fleischmann for sure. Had him targeted for awhile. Not sure what they plan on doing with gagner on board

Curious as to everyone's thoughts on the remaining free agents. Anyone you'd like to see the Flyers invite to camp, and if so, why?

I don't see how it could hurt. Of the forwards, I find Fleischmann, Cole, Bergenheim, and Booth as cheap options at left wing. Fleischmann is especially intriguing.

I personally would also invite either Ehrhoff or Franson to camp as well if they remain unsigned. If Franson plays well, we might be able to get him on a fairly cheap deal for 2 years. This would obviously require a trade, but I'm interested in him if he'll take a 2 year deal. It would be further stability and him, Streit, Schultz and MDZ would all be up at once.
- mochoson

Hexy is good at bargain shopping

Bergenheim in a bottom 6 role. Although idk who you take out I wish I could take out both Vinny and umberger and replace with bergenheim gagner

Agreed. Hexy has lots of options going into the season. If he sees someone he likes and thinks there's a fit, he'll make it work.

Bergenheim in a bottom 6 role. Although idk who you take out I wish I could take out both Vinny and umberger and replace with bergenheim gagner
- Tfaehner

I'd dump both of them and replace them with Laughton and Fleischman. I'd also trade Schenn for a pick and sign Franson to at most a 2 year deal. I'd give Ehrhoff a 1 year, but he's probably out of the price range.

I personally prefer 14 forwards and 7D, but I'm fine with 8D if the extras are Gudas and Manning.

Sure, there are some remaining bargains out there that could help, but they already have 8 dmen and 13 forwards on one way deals and Laughton seems pretty close, if not ready, for prime time. Add that to 2 goaltenders and you are at the 23 man limit.

Unless moves are made, and lets face it, the guys we most want to move (Umberger, Vinny etc...) aren't going anywhere cause no one wants em, who are you moving to make room?

I'd dump both of them and replace them with Laughton and Fleischman. I'd also trade Schenn for a pick and sign Franson to at most a 2 year deal. I'd give Ehrhoff a 1 year, but he's probably out of the price range.

I personally prefer 14 forwards and 7D, but I'm fine with 8D if the extras are Gudas and Manning.
- mochoson

How are you removing Vinny and Umberger? Umberger at least, you could waive and send down. That would free up 925,000. Vinny though, has a full NTC/NMC, unless someone is willing to deal for him (and if someone was, he'd already be gone), he ain't going anywhere.

Our roster looks pretty well rounded out tbh. I'm not sure we see any invites.

Sure, there are some remaining bargains out there that could help, but they already have 8 dmen and 13 forwards on one way deals and Laughton seems pretty close, if not ready, for prime time. Add that to 2 goaltenders and you are at the 23 man limit.

Unless moves are made, and lets face it, the guys we most want to move (Umberger, Vinny etc...) aren't going anywhere cause no one wants em, who are you moving to make room?
- BiggE

That's a good point. Too much dead weight and a team that's going to be building. Not much room/need for invites. I still think they should've bought out vinny unless they somehow know for sure he'll retire next summer. I have to believe this is the case

That's a good point. Too much dead weight and a team that's going to be building. Not much room/need for invites
- Just5

Not much room, but I disagree on need. I think there's guys out there that can help this team under the right scenario.

Not much room, but I disagree on need. I think there's guys out there that can help this team under the right scenario.
- mochoson

No question there are guys out there that can help. Hell a wet seal is about as useful as having vinny on the roster. It just appears they are very conscience of avoiding dead cap space. That appears to trump everything else including incremental roster improvement

Not much room, but I disagree on need. I think there's guys out there that can help this team under the right scenario.
- mochoson

Well yeah.. we didnt make playoffs last year and are a boardline team again this coming season, of course there are needs.. Unfortunantly, the only things that can help our current situation is time or bending over backwards in hopes a team will take any bad contracts off our hands

In regards to Vinny retiring. It got me thinking, I remember seeing it reported that it was pretty well known that he never intended to play the final year of his contract.

With him playing sparingly last year, and likely more of the same coming this year, I could see him not retiring out of spite. What benefit does he get from walking away from the final year on his deal?

About the only way VLC or Umberger get moved is if a bottom feeder team suffers a major injury and needs to reach cap floor

In regards to Vinny retiring. It got me thinking, I remember seeing it reported that it was pretty well known that he never intended to play the final year of his contract.

With him playing sparingly last year, and likely more of the same coming this year, I could see him not retiring out of spite. What benefit does he get from walking away from the final year on his deal?
- Fryman4

Peace of mind? In all seriousness, Vinny seems like a stand up guy and he's a former super star who is reluctant to face the reality that he is a spare part player at this point in his career. He has a shot and still solid hands but his skating ability is just awful and he's never been the most heady player off the puck. This experience has no doubt been agonizing, but he kept his cool until making his Berube comments at the season's close. He doesn't seem the spiteful sort though, I genuinely believe he still thinks more is in the tank, and even if he refused to terminate, the Flyers signed him to that contract -- it's their burden not his. But there is a lot of work to be put in to be even a scratch NHL player. If he thinks last season was tough and unfair, this season has the chance to be even worse. If he could've gotten a guaranteed contract though, it's very likely he would've terminated if playing meant more than $$. It also seems like trade options are slim to none. After this season, my prediction is he gets bought out; he wouldn't have the chance to be spiteful even if he wanted to.

Peace of mind? In all seriousness, Vinny seems like a stand up guy and he's a former super star who is reluctant to face the reality that he is a spare part player at this point in his career. He has a shot and still solid hands but his skating ability is just awful and he's never been the most heady player off the puck. This experience has no doubt been agonizing, but he kept his cool until making his Berube comments at the season's close. He doesn't seem the spiteful sort though, I genuinely believe he still thinks more is in the tank, and even if he refused to terminate, the Flyers signed him to that contract -- it's their burden not his. But there is a lot of work to be put in to be even a scratch NHL player. If he thinks last season was tough and unfair, this season has the chance to be even worse. If he could've gotten a guaranteed contract though, it's very likely he would've terminated if playing meant more than $$. It also seems like trade options are slim to none. After this season, my prediction is he gets bought out; he wouldn't have the chance to be spiteful even if he wanted to.
- Mononoke

I would've pulled the plug on him this summer. If they buy him out next summer it was the wrong move. They could use the cap space to get another nhl player in here that you could possible trade at the deadline. Vinny would have only been on the cap another year at 880k if he were bought out this summer I believe

I don't necessarily disagree with everyone, but moves can be made between now and opening night. Last year the Islanders acquired their top d pairing just before the season started in two separate trades.

There are lots of teams with to many bodies and even more with simply no cap space. I expect GMs to get creative as we approach crunch time. Again, lots of good unsigned talent still out there.

I expect a flurry of minor moves within the next 4-5 weeks across the league. Whether the Flyers can make anymore moves will be interesting to see.

I would've pulled the plug on him this summer. If they buy him out next summer it was the wrong move. They could use the cap space to get another nhl player in here that you could possible trade at the deadline. Vinny would have only been on the cap another year at 880k if he were bought out this summer I believe
- Just5

Incorrect. Buyouts are 2/3 of money owed over twice the length of remaining years. He'd be on our cap for 6 years if we bought him out this summer.

Incorrect. Buyouts are 2/3 of money owed over twice the length of remaining years. He'd be on our cap for 6 years if we bought him out this summer.
- mochoson

Right and he'd be on the cap for 4 years when bought out next summer right? Not to mention taking up a roster spot this year at 4.5 of what is in essence, dead cap space

5 years as opposed to 6 if cut next summer

This is pretty interesting.. Jagr will likely play in this league from 52 til hes 67

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...ld-legends-hockey-league/