We should talk about re-signing MDZ to a cheap 1 year deal, if he's open to it, speaking of rehabbing. And I cannot imagine for the life of me anyone will sign him to more. The upside is just too large, now that he seems to be finding his game again, and he had 2 quality years here while rehabbing before. He provides another veteran presence, and if he keeps playing so well, that's an asset that can be maximized next deadline and another prospect called up. Or he helps the team through the year and moves on. It's just the definition of no risk, high reward.

Just think:

Provorov-Gudas
MDZ-Ghost
Morin-Sanheim......or whatever combo. But that would require Hakstol to not play MacDonald, and he's his new favorite and we can look forward to 3 more years of Provorov-MacDonald, so all this is probably empty talk
- Mononoke

Wasn't MDZ with Ghost a pretty decent pair last year?

I'm gonna go with no. I know he had a great game last night, but let's not be Eagles fans and be swayed between "SUPER BOWL" after a win and "TEAR IT UP" after a loss.
- jmatchett383

I actually think MacDonald has been fine.

Also we have to start getting some of these prospects into the lineup. Not sure I want to commit money and a roster spot to Del Zotto.

Already have:
Gudas
MacDonald
Provorov
Gostisbehere

Probable:
Morin

Possibly:
Sanheim
Myers
Manning

Just not sure I see a need for del zotto

I'm gonna go with no. I know he had a great game last night, but let's not be Eagles fans and be swayed between "SUPER BOWL" after a win and "TEAR IT UP" after a loss.
- jmatchett383

He's had a handful of good games in a row. And he had 2 years of good games in a row prior. I think the latter is the more appropriate sample size, especially in what has been a year of injuries and confidence shaking.

Contingent on if he finishes the year strong, you're telling me you wouldn't re-sign him to a 1 year, $2-3 mil deal? We still have an expansion slot. That's zero risk whatsoever and a depth veteran just in case a prospect doesn't win a role outright. With the upside he plays top 4 quality again.....potentially to be traded for maybe a 2nd at the deadline or used down the stretch before going elsewhere. It's exactly the type of deal that a crafty GM would do because it's all reward, no risk.

The only way I'd see him coming back is if he wants to sign a make-good deal. Flyers would get a bridge to the prospects and Mason would get an opportunity to rehab his value after a down season.

I just don't know why he'd come back here for that type of deal. The organization and coaching staff hasn't really ever fully embraced him as the starter, and the team in front of him is bad and likely going to break in a bunch of young Dmen next year.

Seems like Dallas would be the ideal place if he wanted a 1-year rehab type deal.
- PhillySportsGuy

they would have to move out Lehtonen or Niemi. both have one more yr left

He's had a handful of good games in a row. And he had 2 years of good games in a row prior. I think the latter is the more appropriate sample size, especially in what has been a year of injuries and confidence shaking.

Contingent on if he finishes the year strong, you're telling me you wouldn't re-sign him to a 1 year, $2-3 mil deal? We still have an expansion slot. That's zero risk whatsoever and a depth veteran just in case a prospect doesn't win a role outright. With the upside he plays top 4 quality again.....potentially to be traded for maybe a 2nd at the deadline or used down the stretch before going elsewhere. It's exactly the type of deal that a crafty GM would do because it's all reward, no risk.
- Mononoke

I think you can you find a cheaper substitute if need in FA if you wanted. If I sign someone to a cheap 1 year deal I would like him to have a cap hit I can bury or close to it.

Greg Carey resigned! Future is bright boys!
- arichardson22

Great signing. he has played well for the Phantoms and is a part of why the team has becoming a winning atmosphere which is a plus

I think you can you find a cheaper substitute if need in FA if you wanted. If I sign someone to a cheap 1 year deal I would like him to have a cap hit I can bury or close to it.
- J35Bacher

Nick Schultz makes $2.25 million.......you're not finding anyone but Brandon Manning types for less. I just can't grasp this logic. Like at all. 1 year for $1 mil and under is OK with no upside and for a probable tweener player, a defenseman Boyd Gordon, but $2-3 mil is too much for a player with upside exceeding that value? Flyers aren't going to be a team right at the cap anyway. Good luck finding a cheaper player for 1 year who isn't complete crap with the upside of mostly crap. It's like the Medvedev contract with a more known quantity.....you take that chance every time because there's no downside, only upside.

The only question I'd have is if he'd actually want to go elsewhere, either because of a grudge or contract reasons, if there's a suitor, like say Vegas.

Nick Schultz makes $2.25 million.......you're not finding anyone but Brandon Manning types for less. I just can't grasp this logic. Like at all. 1 year for $1 mil and under is OK with no upside and for a probable tweener player, a defenseman Boyd Gordon, but $2-3 mil is too much for a player with upside exceeding that value? Flyers aren't going to be a team right at the cap anyway. Good luck finding a cheaper player for 1 year who isn't complete crap. It's like the Medvedev contract with a more known quantity.....you take that chance every time because there's no downside, only upside.
- Mononoke

You have your opinions I have mine.

I just don't see a need for him and think you can find suitable replacement. Could even be a trade at the draft or in the offseason. And if it's Manning another year? Has del zotto been head and shoulders better?

We should talk about re-signing MDZ to a cheap 1 year deal, if he's open to it, speaking of rehabbing. And I cannot imagine for the life of me anyone will sign him to more. The upside is just too large, now that he seems to be finding his game again, and he had 2 quality years here while rehabbing before. He provides another veteran presence, and if he keeps playing so well, that's an asset that can be maximized next deadline and another prospect called up. Or he helps the team through the year and moves on. It's just the definition of no risk, high reward.

Just think:

Provorov-Gudas
MDZ-Ghost
Morin-Sanheim......or whatever combo. But that would require Hakstol to not play MacDonald, and he's his new favorite and we can look forward to 3 more years of Provorov-MacDonald, so all this is probably empty talk
- Mononoke

tbh Id rather find a right handed plug...but I am not against the team bringing him back on the cheap (said from day 1 - "fair" deal). Seems to get along with eveyrone and they will miss his music. Just would rather have the more important players on the left side

You have your opinions I have mine.

I just don't see a need for him and think you can find suitable replacement. Could even be a trade at the draft or in the offseason. And if it's Manning another year? Has del zotto been head and shoulders better?
- J35Bacher

Is this before or after we trade Giroux for a late 1st and cap dump?

Sorry, I had no idea what you were actually asking.

You can spend all day there if you want, but realistically, about 4-5 hours will be more than enough time to see everything. If you just want to see some of the more interesting exhibits, take a seat in the Forum dressing room, see all of the major awards (keep in mind, it's not the Presentation Cup), and play the interactive games, I'd say 3 hours. Add time for some of the more off-the-wall stuff (Team Australia jerseys were a featured exhibit when I went there in November). Also, since it's the Leafs' centennial, they put some stuff (like the Mark Howe and Bill Barber exhibits) away so they could fill out their TML room.
- jmatchett383

ty...always appreciate team australia history

Is this before or after we trade Giroux for a late 1st and cap dump?
- Mononoke

Not sure what that has to do with resigning Del Zotto.

But I would explore trading Giroux this offseason. I think it is an issue that has to be looked at.

The additions of Valtteri Filppula via trade, the post-injury return of Konecny to the Flyers lineup and the recent call-up of Weal from the AHL appears at least in the short term to have bolstered the depth, balance and skill level of the Flyers' forward corps.

And if the rumblings are true that G is finally getting back into form after his surgery last summer, then that would add even more strength to the forward corps. (Truth in advertising - I hardly see any of the Flyers games live, just highlights... so if I'm the last one in the world to find about about G, this may be why.)

Now, why it is G was playing the whole season so far while still recovering from the surgery is a whole other question (shaking my head).

I agree with you.

I was just commenting this guy talks about how he is an elite goalie and he expects to be paid like one, but he can't even go four straight games.
- LindsayCarson

did he not play nearly 25 games in a row early in the season after Neuvirth went down? he did fairly well during that run. just like he dragged the team on his back down the stretch last year that got them into the playoffs. i think he ran out of gas then.

he's capable of playing well for long stretches, imo, but he's had a down year overall. if he can stay consistent they have a chance because the games generally tighten and are lower scoring when it gets down to the wire. that said, last night's 6 goal outburst, especially at ES, are not particularly encouraging. they played buffalo. sometimes, everything just goes in. would love to be wrong. i hope they can turn it on and get in.

Wow. Tebow homers on the first pitch he sees.
- PLindbergh31

he did that last year too, iirc.

As long as the club stays away from Bishop I am good.

Minus the mental drama, that has Bryzgalov 2.0 written all over it. Injury history as well.
- flyer_nutter

i'm with ya' peanuts. no interest in bishop.

Might be a bit awkward at first but I think that would ultimately go fine.
- bmeltzer

awkward because of reese i assume...so awkward for whom? are you hinting that his departure was at least due in part to their relationship?

I agree Weal reminds me of Sheary of last year a little, small sample size but he does. The speed is so obvious. Finally we have some players who push a D back with their speed.
- wcorvette

thank god he has wheels, or, um, weals, because this team is so (frank)ing slow.

they would have to move out Lehtonen or Niemi. both have one more yr left
- nastyflyergirl

they'd probably prefer to be rid of both.

Not sure what that has to do with resigning Del Zotto.

But I would explore trading Giroux this offseason. I think it is an issue that has to be looked at.
- J35Bacher

agree.

tbh Id rather find a right handed plug...but I am not against the team bringing him back on the cheap (said from day 1 - "fair" deal). Seems to get along with eveyrone and they will miss his music. Just would rather have the more important players on the left side
- YuenglingJagr

The Flyers want to use Sanheim and Ghost at RD apparently at the moment, or at least they've made no effort to have them play LD, Ghost especially, when the opportunity presented. And they have 1 current LD for next year on the roster: Provorov. 1 year doesn't block anyone. You figure Morin gets a spot. That's 2. So the other one is: MacDonald or Manning. If Gudas/Ghost/Sanheim is the right side next year, that's actually full. And Myers won't be up, I reckon. Hextall is very cautious, so having some vets around on the cheap isn't a bad thing for him with Streit/Schultz leaving. What seems likely is they love them some MacDonald so accommodate him somewhere, so it's irrelevant.

People keep talking about mysterious RD or whoever, and I'm not sure who that is. Yes, if they have a similar cost and ability/upside, fine. But even then, you're talking about giving up some solid assets, if you're talking about an expansion deal. But why sign a plug for a similar cost? What good does that do, even if they're RH? That's no risk/no reward, possibly a detriment. Call me crazy, but I'd rather explore signing a Gagner/Grabner type on the cheap than a Boyd Gordon. I guess I'm just confused how anyone would not see the upside and cost effectiveness of a cheap 1 year deal, if -- forget reality -- hypothetically the option presented. If MDZ is this year's version, then no harm. If he's last year's....

awkward because of reese i assume...so awkward for whom? are you hinting that his departure was at least due in part to their relationship?
- hammarby31

Yes, I'd like more on this, as well.

Wasn't the prevailing narrative that a combination of Berube and Hextall scared off Reese?

Is this before or after we trade Giroux for a late 1st and cap dump?
- Mononoke

you notice how many times they mentioned confidence during the broadcast last night?

I love how luck is mythical witchcraft, but confidence explains everything.

Yes, I'd like more on this, as well.

Wasn't the prevailing narrative that a combination of Berube and Hextall scared off Reese?
- johndewar

i don't know if there was a prevailing narrative. i just wish there wasn't any secrecy.

The Flyers want to use Sanheim and Ghost at RD apparently at the moment, or at least they've made no effort to have them play LD, Ghost especially, when the opportunity presented. And they have 1 current LD for next year on the roster: Provorov. 1 year doesn't block anyone. You figure Morin gets a spot. That's 2. So the other one is: MacDonald or Manning. If Gudas/Ghost/Sanheim is the right side next year, that's actually full. And Myers won't be up, I reckon. Hextall is very cautious, so having some vets around on the cheap isn't a bad thing for him with Streit/Schultz leaving. What seems likely is they love them some MacDonald so accommodate him somewhere, so it's irrelevant.

People keep talking about mysterious RD or whoever, and I'm not sure who that is. Yes, if they have a similar cost and ability/upside, fine. But even then, you're talking about giving up some solid assets, if you're talking about an expansion deal. But why sign a plug for a similar cost? What good does that do, even if they're RH? That's no risk/no reward, possibly a detriment. Call me crazy, but I'd rather explore signing a Gagner/Grabner type on the cheap than a Boyd Gordon. I guess I'm just confused how anyone would not see the upside and cost effectiveness of a cheap 1 year deal, if -- forget reality -- hypothetically the option presented. If MDZ is this year's version, then no harm. If he's last year's....
- Mononoke

Well I did say Davidson. I know it is not a legitimate scenario, but I really meant the RD thing in like an all things equal scenario. Bill has mentioned, you have mentioned, I have seen previously these guys playing LD and doing well. I am hopeful that they are just trying to get them to play RD under the assumption they'd be able to switch back. I don't see it as a long term banishment to the right side.

Preaching to the choir about skilled upside deals