I'd be very surprised if they took a UFA-to-be goalie.
- jmatchett383

he might not be UFA-to-be

Is there a limit on the number of goalies they can select? If so then I'd say he's safe. If they just want to take the best available player from each team I think he and Laughton would be the targets.
- mayorofangrytown

It kind of depends on who else they are picking from other teams. They will want a good mix of vets with some term and younger players with upside.

he might not be UFA-to-be
- YuenglingJagr

I don't think they'll have the cap to resign both him and Mason, and I doubt that they'd leave whichever one was signed unprotected (may be an undocumented stipulation of the extension).

he might not be UFA-to-be
- YuenglingJagr

Who gets resigned?

Mason plays well in beginning of the season but falters near end and Neuvirth is playoff goalie or Neuvirth who is struggling now but plays well at the end and in playoffs and wins a round.

The goalie situation will be something to watch in philly. I would assume Sandstrom might come over next season. You have Lyon and Stolarz. One of Neuvirth and Mason will be resigned. And now you have Carter Hart who people think is a future NHL goalie.
- J35Bacher

I think Sandstrom will stay in Sweden a while longer. He's in a good situation in Brynas.

Who gets resigned?

Mason plays well in beginning of the season but falters near end and Neuvirth is playoff goalie or Neuvirth who is struggling now but plays well at the end and in playoffs and wins a round.
- J35Bacher

I think Mason has the edge because he's shown he can carry the load before. I think Neuvirth would have to be hands-down better this year.

Other goalies that will be avaiable...Varly/Pickard, Subban, Hellebyuck/Hutchinson, Lehtonen/Niemi, Domingue, Bernier, Greiss/Halak, Grubauer, Howard/Mrazek

and you have the obvious Bishop and Fleury situations

I think Mason has the edge because he's shown he can carry the load before. I think Neuvirth would have to be hands-down better this year.
- jmatchett383

I like Neuvirth but I am starting to feel that way.

I think if Mason is going to be resigned than that would make me want to move Del Zotto at the TDL. I don't see both Mason and Del Zotto getting long term deals in the 5-6million range.

It kind of depends on who else they are picking from other teams. They will want a good mix of vets with some term and younger players with upside.
- Feanor

Vegas would most likely have Varlamov, Howard, Niemi/Lehtonen, Hutchinson to choose from.

Doubt they pick Stolarz

question regarding expansion, do you HAVE to expose a goalie? what I mean is both Flyer goalies are UFAs and they have Stolarz. Now I am sure they will extend one of the goalies before free agency but if they didn't and protected Stolarz that would not leave a goalie exposed who isn't a UFA

I don't think they'll have the cap to resign both him and Mason, and I doubt that they'd leave whichever one was signed unprotected (may be an undocumented stipulation of the extension).
- jmatchett383

They have to protect someone that is signed and they have to expose someone who is signed.

Doesn't take an insider like Eklund to guess that Mason will be signed and protected while Stolarz will be signed and exposed, but there are plenty of moving parts around the NHL that at this point I am just pointing out that he is probably the most attractive player that won't be protected

Other goalies that will be avaiable...Varly/Pickard, Subban, Hellebyuck/Hutchinson, Lehtonen/Niemi, Domingue, Bernier, Greiss/Halak, Grubauer, Howard/Mrazek

and you have the obvious Bishop and Fleury situations
- YuenglingJagr

yeah those guys too

Other goalies that will be avaiable...Varly/Pickard, Subban, Hellebyuck/Hutchinson, Lehtonen/Niemi, Domingue, Bernier, Greiss/Halak, Grubauer, Howard/Mrazek

and you have the obvious Bishop and Fleury situations
- YuenglingJagr

I would want a young vet and than 2 younger higher upside guys.

Varlamov
Grubauer
Hellebyuck/SUbban

Something like that.

I like Neuvirth but I am starting to feel that way.

I think if Mason is going to be resigned than that would make me want to move Del Zotto at the TDL. I don't see both Mason and Del Zotto getting long term deals in the 5-6million range.
- J35Bacher

I just want to put this out there: Sometimes you lose players due to free agency. However, keeping those players can help you during the season. Just because you may lose MDZ to UFA after the year, playing him gives you the best chance of making the playoffs/winning in the playoffs.

question regarding expansion, do you HAVE to expose a goalie? what I mean is both Flyer goalies are UFAs and they have Stolarz. Now I am sure they will extend one of the goalies before free agency but if they didn't and protected Stolarz that would not leave a goalie exposed who isn't a UFA
- nastyflyergirl

The Flyers must protect only one goaltender, with either scenario ( 7F/3D or 8 F/D)

They have to protect someone that is signed and they have to expose someone who is signed.

Doesn't take an insider like Eklund to guess that Mason will be signed and protected while Stolarz will be signed and exposed, but there are plenty of moving parts around the NHL that at this point I am just pointing out that he is probably the most attractive player that won't be protected
- YuenglingJagr

So...what happens if they don't resign one of Mason/Neuvirth? I don't think the NHL can mandate that they sign a specific player.

I just want to put this out there: Sometimes you lose players due to free agency. However, keeping those players can help you during the season. Just because you may lose MDZ to UFA after the year, playing him gives you the best chance of making the playoffs/winning in the playoffs.
- jmatchett383

I understand that. That is why it would have to be close to the TDL and be depending on the Flyers standings. Also if Manning is playing well it makes it possibly easier to move Del Zotto.

Vegas would most likely have Varlamov, Howard, Niemi/Lehtonen, Hutchinson to choose from.

Doubt they pick Stolarz
- Streit2ThePoint

If i were Vegas I would look to take 2 NHL goalies and 1 prospect. they will be selecting 30 players so you have to figure they will take a few prospects along the way. I have no idea what other goalie prospects will be exposed. haven't looked at the list.

as far as the Flyers, depending on what I select from other teams, if I am looking at choosing one of Read, Weise, AMAC, Laughton/Cousins I think I would go Laughton or Cousins assuming one will be protected and one exposed.

I would want a young vet and than 2 younger higher upside guys.

Varlamov
Grubauer
Hellebyuck/SUbban

Something like that.
- J35Bacher

Hellebyuck will probably get protected but it is almost a certainty that subban is exposed...all depends where guys move to

Vegas would most likely have Varlamov, Howard, Niemi/Lehtonen, Hutchinson to choose from.

Doubt they pick Stolarz
- Streit2ThePoint

They might if they want their pipeline stocked early

I just want to put this out there: Sometimes you lose players due to free agency. However, keeping those players can help you during the season. Just because you may lose MDZ to UFA after the year, playing him gives you the best chance of making the playoffs/winning in the playoffs.
- jmatchett383

Like the Bruins and Eriksson last year

On a serious note, I do agree. However, with the addition of Provorov, Manning elevating his game (so far) and a midseason call up of Morin (possibly) moving MDZ may be more manageable while still competing in or for playoffs. I'd like to resign MDZ but his command potential scares me off sorta.

So...what happens if they don't resign one of Mason/Neuvirth? I don't think the NHL can mandate that they sign a specific player.
- jmatchett383

the NHL can mandate that they have a player under contract that is exposed and a player under contract that they protect....who it is is up to the team

I would want a young vet and than 2 younger higher upside guys.

Varlamov
Grubauer
Hellebyuck/SUbban

Something like that.
- J35Bacher

I think they will pick 2 vets and 2 younger guys

I understand that. That is why it would have to be close to the TDL and be depending on the Flyers standings. Also if Manning is playing well it makes it possibly easier to move Del Zotto.
- J35Bacher

If the Flyers are in the playoff race, I'd keep MDZ and deal with it after the season.

It's like the Penguins fans who wanted to jettison Niskanen at the TDL a few years back. Yes, you're most likely going to lose him. But, he gives your team the best shot at winning, and shows that management believes in you. If you always want to get rid of pending UFAs, you will likely never win because you will not be putting your best players out there.

Do I think the Flyers can win the Cup this year? No. Do I think it's important for them to make the playoffs? Yes. And keeping MDZ gives them the best chance to do that.

Now if someone offers you a 1st round pick or a top prospect for him, I'd listen.

the NHL can mandate that they have a player under contract that is exposed and a player under contract that they protect....who it is is up to the team
- YuenglingJagr

Won't both Mason and Neuvirth both be under contract since it is still part of the 2016/2017 season? I know the exposed player has to be under contract for next season, not sure about the protected players.