if you can trade him and retain, go ahead. short of that he is an acceptable 8th D and you can still bury him in the AHL
- wcorvette

It would have to bring back something worth while in a trade. Even retaining salary I don't see him bringing much back. I think he is more valuable as insurance against injury. Bury him in the A and keep him for emergencies. We would have to retain half to move him. You get over a million in relief to send him down. Plus if he gets recalled and waived again someone may claim him later in the season which leaves no dead cap space.

I was so pissed with this team that i hardly watched in Nov and Dec. I have enjoyed the run and hope they win out. If nothing more than to screw some teams in front of them. Winning begets winning. We all knew the chances were slim at best. They went from dead last in Dec to getting within sniffing distance of the playoffs.
Here's hoping we see a couple more GOOD young players on the roster next year. I'm hoping Fletcher can pry a couple of guys away from college.
Speaking of young guys, Mattew Strome could be interesting on the Phantoms next year. Not sure where his skating is now, but how in the hell does he have two older brothers with NHL skating and he skates like that. Maybe a bit lazy? Didn't take his training seriously?
Perplexing to say the least.
- jaws1955

About Strome, I think some kids just have a more natural knack for skating. Then, if they are competive, they try to compensate with what they are good at doing. It’s normal to focus on your strengths. It’s not about being lazy. I’m sure it is something he now has to be very deliberate in his work to improve his skating. Meaning, I think he is seriously trying to improve but it might take time. He has a lot of upside.

About Strome, I think some kids just have a more natural knack for skating. Then, if they are competive, they try to compensate with what they are good at doing. It’s normal to focus on your strengths. It’s not about being lazy. I’m sure it is something he now has to be very deliberate in his work to improve his skating. Meaning, I think he is seriously trying to improve but it might take time. He has a lot of upside.
- NC Flyers Fan

I may be wrong but I recall him not being in very good shape early after the draft. Some kids take longer to figure it out. Yeah, most people like to work on things they are good at. I hope he gets his skating up to say Lindblom levels. Matthew may have the best hockey IQ in the family. He just has to be able to get there

Plenty of runway left
- corduroy

It would have to bring back something worth while in a trade. Even retaining salary I don't see him bringing much back. I think he is more valuable as insurance against injury. Bury him in the A and keep him for emergencies. We would have to retain half to move him. You get over a million in relief to send him down. Plus if he gets recalled and waived again someone may claim him later in the season which leaves no dead cap space.
- jaws1955

yeah, I am ok either way. The cap is fine but if you can get a pick and let him actually play elsewhere, do it. I think that would be respectful to AMAC

It would have to bring back something worth while in a trade. Even retaining salary I don't see him bringing much back. I think he is more valuable as insurance against injury. Bury him in the A and keep him for emergencies. We would have to retain half to move him. You get over a million in relief to send him down. Plus if he gets recalled and waived again someone may claim him later in the season which leaves no dead cap space.
- jaws1955

If you think you can find an acceptable replacement/upgrade in UFA for less than $2.5M, you'd end up saving money by trading him at 50% retained.

Speaking of which...


OMG FOLIN HAD A SECONDARY ASSIST LAST NIGHT STUPID FLYERS TRADE ROFL!

So we can tell about Hart in a 5-6 game trial. Myers has had about 6-7 games and has made the team, but if Morin gets in the last 9, we just don't have the time to evaluate him? Really?

Bill,

I know junior players get 9 game tryouts without burning eligibility. Can Frost be called up for the final 9 games to see what he has? I kind of remember this happening with Giroux when he broke in. I could be wrong.

Can we get a rundown of players that might be ready to make the transition next season to the Flyers? Im thinking:

Frost-C/W just out of juniors
Farabee -LW still in college, but who knows
Voroboyov -C/W has had a shot... but if some more skilled guys arent ready he is a good depth guy
Morin-D Injuries and better depth keep us from seeing what he has.
Rubtsov -C/W Injuries kept him out this year, but you never know.
Kase -RW He would add some needed speed.
Freidman -D I mean, it would be hard for him to crack, but I would say he is ready for a 5/6 position on another team.
Aube-Kubel -RW I think as the more skilled guys from Juniors come up, he will get left behind.
Ratcliffe-LW Fresh from juniors, if Frost has a shot Ratcliffe has a small shot.

So we can tell about Hart in a 5-6 game trial. Myers has had about 6-7 games and has made the team, but if Morin gets in the last 9, we just don't have the time to evaluate him? Really?
- youarewrong

The main difference is that both Hart and Meyers played all year in the A. I still want him to play. Would like to see a rotation of the 7 D that figure to be here next year.

So we can tell about Hart in a 5-6 game trial. Myers has had about 6-7 games and has made the team, but if Morin gets in the last 9, we just don't have the time to evaluate him? Really?
- youarewrong

I'm having a hard time understanding this thought process. Morin has had major injury issues and not played much hockey in the last two seasons. Do you think putting him into NHL action now against players who have been playing all season would be a fair and reasonable evaluation of the player?

Getting Morin into some game action may be good for him and his mental state. The real evaluation of Morin will take place in September and October after having a training camp and pre season.

Bill,

I know junior players get 9 game tryouts without burning eligibility. Can Frost be called up for the final 9 games to see what he has? I kind of remember this happening with Giroux when he broke in. I could be wrong.
- youarewrong

He can be signed to a ATO to play for the Phantoms after his junior season is done.

I just don't see any reason to carry a dead cap hit 2 seasons from now when we could just take the ~$1M savings and bury him in the AHL next year.

And players will sign with 1) whoever pays them the most, 2) Who gives them the longest term, and/or 3) who gives them the best chance to be successful. I don't think playing a guy in the AHL in the last year of a 6-year contract will make players not want to play here. Even after the trades you listed, players still wanted to come back, including JvR himself.
- jmatchett383

It speaks volumes when a classy guy like Vinny doesn’t thank the Flyers in his retirement speak. Right or wrong, Vinny wanted to play in the nhl and we did everything we could not to allow it. Why would Mac be OK with the same treatment for an entire season? Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and JvR himself committed to the Flyers with an extension, just to be traded that summer. JvR only came back because G and Jake made it happen. Scott Hartnell wasn’t happy about his exit either. Sure Hartnell comes back to visit but he voiced his displeasure towards Berube at the time.

I worry about wanting certain players, putting the best offer out there but an agent weighs the pros and cons to his client of playing in a place and one of those cons is how we’ve treated players late in their contracts.

Edit, I could be wrong but I don’t think the organization wants another year of Mac anymore than we do.

yeah, I am ok either way. The cap is fine but if you can get a pick and let him actually play elsewhere, do it. I think that would be respectful to AMAC
- wcorvette

Either way works. If they move him, fine. As far as respectful, he can play where ever he wants but he will get 5 million worth of respect. I don't think the Flyers owe him a place to play with another team if they have to pay half his salary. If something of value comes back while retaining salary I'm good. If we have to eat 2.5 and get a 6th round pick, I ship him to the A.

Agreed. But I think it's more about Morin and getting him on the ice for some games more than any sort of evaluation. He hasn't played in what, a year+ for a total of 19 games since start of 17/18 season? Get him out there with his teammates to play some real games and that should give him a little extra off-season motivation instead of the rehab/practice rut he's been stuck in.

At this point, I see no reason not to do it.
- wolfhounds

Definitely agree about just getting him on ice.

Either way works. If they move him, fine. As far as respectful, he can play where ever he wants but he will get 5 million worth of respect. I don't think the Flyers owe him a place to play with another team if they have to pay half his salary. If something of value comes back while retaining salary I'm good. If we have to eat 2.5 and get a 6th round pick, I ship him to the A.
- jaws1955

The only thing the Flyers owe MacDonald is his salary. If they don't have him in their plans for next year then if they can find a team for him great, if not, send him down to the AHL. They don't owe MacDonald anything more than that.

so are Varone and Knight available to play in the AHL playoffs? If so, they should add a good bit to the LHV
- wcorvette

I never thought there were two fourth liners more useless than Bellemare and Vandevelde...I was wrong.

If you think you can find an acceptable replacement/upgrade in UFA for less than $2.5M, you'd end up saving money by trading him at 50% retained.

Speaking of which...


OMG FOLIN HAD A SECONDARY ASSIST LAST NIGHT STUPID FLYERS TRADE ROFL!
- jmatchett383

Work with me here. If we trade him and retain 2.5 and get a replacement of equal skill (Not Folin) for say 1.25, isn't that about the same cap savings as shipping him to the A. I don't care about real dollars spent. So it comes down to the return value in the trade. Is that worth more than A Mac around for emergencies. My hope is a 6 man home grown rotation along with Gudas. In this scenario Mac doesn't play for the big club again.

So we can tell about Hart in a 5-6 game trial. Myers has had about 6-7 games and has made the team, but if Morin gets in the last 9, we just don't have the time to evaluate him? Really?
- youarewrong

Assuming he gets 9.

I am a huge TK fan and love what he brings each night. But, I do see why he is on the bench late in games and why he is currently getting 3rd line time. Several times last night (and other tight checking games) he makes ill-advised passes which lead to turnovers. There was a time or two last night where he could have cleared the zone, or dumped the puck deep, but tried to skate with it instead of making a "safer" play. He is learning but I do understand where he is in line-up.

The only thing the Flyers owe MacDonald is his salary. If they don't have him in their plans for next year then if they can find a team for him great, if not, send him down to the AHL. They don't owe MacDonald anything more than that.
- MJL

Exactly. He is a well paid pro. If they find a taker and get some VALUE back trade him. No value, no trade.

Edit: I'm concerned with getting good value if we gave to retain salary. If the whole contract goes then even a low draft pick is ok.

Bill,

I know junior players get 9 game tryouts without burning eligibility. Can Frost be called up for the final 9 games to see what he has? I kind of remember this happening with Giroux when he broke in. I could be wrong.
- youarewrong

Giroux was called up as an emergency recall. Frost can't come up on an ATO until his CHL season has ended.

Work with me here. If we trade him and retain 2.5 and get a replacement of equal skill (Not Folin) for say 1.25, isn't that about the same cap savings as shipping him to the A. I don't care about real dollars spent. So it comes down to the return value in the trade. Is that worth more than A Mac around for emergencies. My hope is a 6 man home grown rotation along with Gudas. In this scenario Mac doesn't play for the big club again.
- jaws1955

I'm in favor of keeping him as the #8 buried in the AHL, personally. And yes, if you can do what you suggested (which I doubt) then yeah, the cap dollars works out. What value is worth it? A 4th?

Exactly. He is a well paid pro. If they find a taker and get some VALUE back trade him. No value, no trade.

Edit: I'm concerned with getting good value if we gave to retain salary. If the whole contract goes then even a low draft pick is ok.
- jaws1955

The Flyers should get more value for retaining salary in a deal. However if they need that 2.5M to do something else to make the team better than I wouldn't worry about the return.

I'm in favor of keeping him as the #8 buried in the AHL, personally. And yes, if you can do what you suggested (which I doubt) then yeah, the cap dollars works out. What value is worth it? A 4th?
- jmatchett383

I think the right team will give a 4th with salary retained. I don't support just giving AMAC away, but if you can make a trade that works for both sides, do it.