If I'm correct, Richards' contract will end when he's in his mid thirties. Briz is 31 years old and signed for nine years??? That's just crazy. And yes, $5 million for an "unproven" goalie is overpaying. I saw him multiple times per year. He thrives in a quiet, no pressure environment, and even then, choked when it mattered most. I can only imagine the pressure he will have as a Flyer in a real hockey town. Sorry man, but he's overrated and overpaid.
- RedwingsAreKHL

I wanted Vokoun

If Richie can stay healthy, you'll love him.
- bodiva88

Absolutely they will.

I'll miss Richie, but I'm excited about the talent that we've already added. And to think that we could add Dougie or Landeskog tomorrow has me salivating.

I'd really like to add Cole via FA too. He's the "character" guy this team could use. Imagine him on a line with Simmonds and Schenn.

Bill was there a reason you left Defenseman Ryan Murphy out of the mix for the Flyers pick. I was hoping the flyers would take a good look at him at #8 if he was available.

I'd say he's one of the riskier picks in the top 10. But I also think he has one of the highest ceilings in the draft.
- Baxter27

I think Murphy is too small for the Flyers' liking picking that high. Definitely has huge upside as an offensive defenseman.

If I'm correct, Richards' contract will end when he's in his mid thirties. Briz is 31 years old and signed for nine years??? That's just crazy. And yes, $5 million for an "unproven" goalie is overpaying. I saw him multiple times per year. He thrives in a quiet, no pressure environment, and even then, choked when it mattered most. I can only imagine the pressure he will have as a Flyer in a real hockey town. Sorry man, but he's overrated and overpaid.
- RedwingsAreKHL

My point is neither of these contracts are signed to the value the player will be when they are over. Will Richards still be worth 5.7 when his contract is at its end? Probably not. Will Byrz be? Probably not.

I don't think carrying a team into the playoffs two years in a row and then losing to the Red Wings is choking. Also, I wouldn't call a former Vezina nominee unproven.

This is Mike Richards!


- rayc16

ugh

Man oh man. I was out of the office all day and I just saw these trades.
Should be pretty interesting to watch the new Philadelphia next season.

I think that this works out pretty well for all parties involved. I really like voracek too... he is pretty fun to watch.

My point is neither of these contracts are signed to the value the player will be when they are over. Will Richards still be worth 5.7 when his contract is at its end? Probably not. Will Byrz be? Probably not.

I don't think carrying a team into the playoffs two years in a row and then losing to the Red Wings is choking. Also, I wouldn't call a former Vezina nominee unproven.
- feelingkettle

Then I guess Luongo is a proven commodity as well

What do you mean when his mind is focused on hockey? Does he take shifts/games off?
- RedwingsAreKHL

He made too many bad decisions on the ice last year. More than we've ever witnessed in prior years. His intensity seemed to drop also.

There were many alleged off ice issues as well. Lines of communication with the coach seemingly broke down, issues with the media, his ability to effectively captain the team was questioned, an uneasy locker room...

Then I guess Luongo is a proven commodity as well
- RedwingsAreKHL

I'm pretty sure unproven means you don't know what you're getting with that goalie. And I'm pretty sure most people know what they are getting with Luongo. Either he can be great, or not so great. Unproven would be more appropriate to someone like Bobrovsky.

Great article, Bill!

I think Murphy is too small for the Flyers' liking picking that high. Definitely has huge upside as an offensive defenseman.
- bmeltzer

Understandable, his size is certainly a concern.

I could be a little bias, watching him play in Kitchener has won me over. I see him as a a potential steal in the draft, even that early.

Richards should have fun partying in LA, maybe he will hook up with a Kardashian and lookout when Columbus comes to town

I think Murphy is too small for the Flyers' liking picking that high. Definitely has huge upside as an offensive defenseman.
- bmeltzer

If Hamilton's gone by pick #8, they could always trade down and target guys like Biggs, Oleksiak, or Morrow a few picks farther down.

But speaking of small guys, somebody's going to get a real gamer in Grimaldi.

Im stunned, shocked and astonished. At this point, Im angry that they didnt get Moore, Johnson or another 1st rounder from the Blue Jackets. As for Richie, good value coming back but it hinges on Schenn reaching his potential and that wont be next year. The strength of this team has been its depth down the middle. As it stands, this team isnt as good as last year, IMO......There's a lot more to said about the cultural change and the view of management, but I want to see what happens later today before I commet further.

Shagga likes axes

If Hamilton's gone by pick #8, they could always trade down and target guys like Biggs, Oleksiak, or Morrow a few picks farther down.

But speaking of small guys, somebody's going to get a real gamer in Grimaldi.
- Tomahawk

i go to school with Oleksiak... mobile for his size- real shut down potential

Richards should have fun partying in LA, maybe he will hook up with a Kardashian and lookout when Columbus comes to town
- vejim

might miss a game or two with STD like symptoms from all the LA pornstars

My biggest concern about the Richards and Carter deals is the match up issues it may cause up the middle.

Not only will this be a major challenge for Giroux. I see a major void which I hope does not fall on Schenn to immediatly step into.

For example, matching up against a healthy Penguins squad just became that much more difficult.

Rob Bordson, we hardly knew ya.

might miss a game or two with STD like symptoms from all the LA pornstars
- bleedorangenblack

he had these symptoms after the Costa Rica trip

Good ish bill

This is Mike Richards!


- rayc16

Dude im gonna cry.

I agree on Voracek, the could still turn out to be better than most think. Schenn was developed properly by the Kings so he should end up being a solid top 6 center for you guys. I don't see a ton of upside in Simmonds, I think he'll be a second/third line winger for you guys.


I still can't believe you guys traded both of them though, surely it was possible to keep at least one of them.

My biggest concern about the Richards and Carter deals is the match up issues it may cause up the middle.

Not only will this be a major challenge for Giroux. I see a major void which I hope does not fall on Schenn to immediatly step into.

For example, matching up against a healthy Penguins squad just became that much more difficult.
- Baxter27

Not to mention faceoffs... talk about compounding a problem.

If they can use that 8th-pick and grab a guy like Courturier, who might drop a few spots, and is comparative to a Jared Staal, they could really mitigate the loss of Carter in the future.

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR

FORWARDS
Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Steven Stamkos ($7.500m) / James Van Riemsdyk ($1.654m)
Scott Hartnell ($4.200m) / Daniel Briere ($6.500m) / Jakub Voracek ($1.390m)
Andreas Nodl ($0.930m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Wayne Simmonds ($0.960m)
Zac Rinaldo ($0.544m) / Blair Betts ($0.700m) / Darroll Powe ($0.792m)

DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen ($6.333m) / Chris Pronger ($4.921m)
Andrej Meszaros ($4.000m) / Matt Carle ($3.437m)
Braydon Coburn ($3.200m) / Oskars Bartulis ($0.600m)

GOALTENDERS
Ilya Bryzgalov ($5.666m) / Sergei Bobrovsky ($1.750m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $61,940,372; BONUSES: $3,815,000
CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $2,359,627

the Flyers were in such a funk from the second half of the season and barely beat the Sabres and were swept by the Bruins. The Sabres players were making fun of the Flyers not being tough. I think management had to make these changes.