Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Free Agency Eve, Dev Camp,

Joel Armia, Steve Mason and a 7th in 2019 and 4th in 2020 to Montreal for Simon Bourque.

Man has Mason's stock fallen

Bill even though JT didnt have the flyers on his list, do you get any sense at all that Ronald reached out to him?

Remember the days when every free agent wanted to come to Philly? I member.

Bill even though JT didnt have the flyers on his list, do you get any sense at all that Ronald reached out to him?

Remember the days when every free agent wanted to come to Philly? I member.
- rinaldo

I have the sense that they inquired as due diligence, got a lukewarm response, and realized very quickly that they weren't going to be in the running so they focused elsewhere.

No wonder ROR has not been traded! That package is ridiculous

Joel Armia, Steve Mason and a 7th in 2019 and 4th in 2020 to Montreal for Simon Bourque.

Man has Mason's stock fallen
- nastyflyergirl

He was unhappy in Winnipeg as a backup. Also had two concussions last season. Will be interesting to see how it goes in Montreal.

He was unhappy in Winnipeg as a backup. Also had two concussions last season. Will be interesting to see how it goes in Montreal.
- bmeltzer

He will be lucky to get 10-15 starts in Montreal behind Price barring an injury, might not be happy there either

I now have a reason to listen to July 1rst NHL radio....I think the Flyers might add a piece or two.

Did Winnipeg retain salary? Seems like a lot of cap dedicated for goalies by the Habs.

He was unhappy in Winnipeg as a backup. Also had two concussions last season. Will be interesting to see how it goes in Montreal.
- bmeltzer

If Price is healthy I’m pretty sure it will be a back up position again....thing is when healthy Mason had spurts where he played like a # 1....but man when things went off the rails, he looked terrible.....with so many great goalies and only 31 starting jobs, you can’t be as inconsistent as Mason and expect to be the “guy” for a team.

Curious about Ivan Fedotov. obviously Sandstrom and Hart have gotten all the hype. know Tomek's story. Heard updates on Ustimenko. really don't know anything about Fedotov.

Stastny is off the market? No-one else that interests me for a 3C addition via FA.

I have the sense that they inquired as due diligence, got a lukewarm response, and realized very quickly that they weren't going to be in the running so they focused elsewhere.
- bmeltzer

No Metro teams in the mix makes is seem as tho Tavaras has some loyalty to the Isles. Philly will be a destination place again once the Flyers turn the corner and become a true contender. personally if Tavaras doesn't re-sign with the Isles I hope he goes to Dallas or SJ

He was unhappy in Winnipeg as a backup. Also had two concussions last season. Will be interesting to see how it goes in Montreal.
- bmeltzer

isn't he just going to be a backup in Montreal? I mean i can't see him getting more playing time there unless Price is hurt. Of course with his recent injury history.......

I like Mason. Liked him here. Harder to root for him now in Montreal

He will be lucky to get 10-15 starts in Montreal behind Price barring an injury, might not be happy there either
- Daceroni

He'll be flipped or bought out. Not playing in Montreal this year.

I'll take him anyday in Dallas to backup Bishop.

Post

Joel Armia, Steve Mason and a 7th in 2019 and 4th in 2020 to Montreal for Simon Bourque.

Man has Mason's stock fallen
- nastyflyergirl

It's fallen even further, rumor is the Habs are going to buy him out.

I have the sense that they inquired as due diligence, got a lukewarm response, and realized very quickly that they weren't going to be in the running so they focused elsewhere.
- bmeltzer

Thanks

It's fallen even further, rumor is the Habs are going to buy him out.
- BiggE

interesting

Curious about Ivan Fedotov. obviously Sandstrom and Hart have gotten all the hype. know Tomek's story. Heard updates on Ustimenko. really don't know anything about Fedotov.
- nastyflyergirl

Same here as is he a legit prospect

Thoughts on the Flyers re free agency:

I really don't see a lot of big moves, nor do I see them adding a center like Bozak or Nash. Here is what I think they will do:

sign a good 4th line center who can kill penalties, my guess is Nick Shore. I think Vecchione and perhaps Laughton, if he's not playing wing, battle it out for the 3C spot and they can move Shore into that spot when trying to lock down a lead late in the game.

I think they go after one veteran scoring winger who they can get on a 2 year deal. Could be Vanek (age 34), or perhaps Rick Nash (age 34). Either would be a short term upgrade on LW and they may even be able to significantly overspend, as they are way below the cap, and get one of them on a high price one year deal which would be even better.

Finally, I think with Morin injured and out for at least half the upcoming season, they will sign a veteran journeyman D who can hold down the 7th spot if Myers is sent to LHV to start the season.

I also think, if all 5 pro goalies are healthy, either Lyon or Stolarz could be moved just prior to the start, or very early in the season.

That will likely be it and I think the opening night roster will be something like:

FORWARDS
Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
Vanek or Nash-Patrick-Voracek
Lindblom-Vecchs or Laughton-Simmonds
Laughton, Raffl or Lehtera-Shore-Raffl or Aube-Kuble
if Vecchs isn't in the starting lineup he will be in LHV, same for Aube-Kubel
Weal will be a spare and at least one, if not both, of Leier and Weise will be waived

DEFENSE
Provy-Ghost
Sanheim-AMac
Hagg-Gudas or Myers
spare: Gudas or a journeyman signed via FA
Myers will be in LHV if not on the opening night starting roster

GOAL
Elliott
Neuvirth

Hart, unless he just completely blows away the other 4 in camp (which is possible, but unlikely), will be in LHV and will probably get at least 50 starts. Lyon and/or Stolarz will battle it out for the backup spot until one is moved or someone (probably Neuvy) gets injured.

Lol at that asking price ROR. That is absurd. I bet they weren't going to eat money either.

I'm hoping we don't sign Bozak. Riley Nash? Eh. I wouldn't rule out a trade for a youngish guy who they can plug into the bottom six to play some center and kill penalties.

Poor Mason. He made it all too clear he wanted to be the go to starter here even when his numbers didn't justify it. Now he's backing up a workhorse goalie. I'm sure he is thrilled.

Thoughts on the Flyers re free agency:

I really don't see a lot of big moves, nor do I see them adding a center like Bozak or Nash. Here is what I think they will do:

sign a good 4th line center who can kill penalties, my guess is Nick Shore. I think Vecchione and perhaps Laughton, if he's not playing wing, battle it out for the 3C spot and they can move Shore into that spot when trying to lock down a lead late in the game.

I think they go after one veteran scoring winger who they can get on a 2 year deal. Could be Vanek (age 34), or perhaps Rick Nash (age 34). Either would be a short term upgrade on LW and they may even be able to significantly overspend, as they are way below the cap, and get one of them on a high price one year deal which would be even better.

Finally, I think with Morin injured and out for at least half the upcoming season, they will sign a veteran journeyman D who can hold down the 7th spot if Myers is sent to LHV to start the season.

I also think, if all 5 pro goalies are healthy, either Lyon or Stolarz could be moved just prior to the start, or very early in the season.

That will likely be it and I think the opening night roster will be something like:

FORWARDS
Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
Vanek or Nash-Patrick-Voracek
Lindblom-Vecchs or Laughton-Simmonds
Laughton, Raffl or Lehtera-Shore-Raffl or Aube-Kuble
if Vecchs isn't in the starting lineup he will be in LHV, same for Aube-Kubel
Weal will be a spare and at least one, if not both, of Leier and Weise will be waived

DEFENSE
Provy-Ghost
Sanheim-AMac
Hagg-Gudas or Myers
spare: Gudas or a journeyman signed via FA
Myers will be in LHV if not on the opening night starting roster

GOAL
Elliott
Neuvirth

Hart, unless he just completely blows away the other 4 in camp (which is possible, but unlikely), will be in LHV and will probably get at least 50 starts. Lyon and/or Stolarz will battle it out for the backup spot until one is moved or someone (probably Neuvy) gets injured.
- BiggE

No interest in Rick Nash. Vanek is interesting. All 7 of his goals with CBJ were on the PP.

Mason had two concussions last season??? How-come goalies get so many concussions? Pucks on the helmet?

Lol at that asking price ROR. That is absurd. I bet they weren't going to eat money either.

I'm hoping we don't sign Bozak. Riley Nash? Eh. I wouldn't rule out a trade for a youngish guy who they can plug into the bottom six to play some center and kill penalties.

Poor Mason. He made it all too clear he wanted to be the go to starter here even when his numbers didn't justify it. Now he's backing up a workhorse goalie. I'm sure he is thrilled.
- hereticpride

Mason's Flyers career save percentage was .918, while the league average was .915. He didn't have a stellar team D in front of him.