Yup.... right now, it looks something like this:

JVR - Giroux - Voracek
Hartnell - Briere -
- bmeltzer[Leino]
Simmonds - Schenn -Versteeg
[Nodl/ Powe] - Betts - Shelley [Carcillo]

That is more or less what I posted in my capgeek roster. I had added Hall, left Shelley and Carcillo off, and had about $1.4mm left to play with.

They have a lot of options left right now.

I remember going to a game this year, the Flyers played the Maples leafs.

The next day I was on this site B!tching and moaning about how the Flyers didn't show up to play the game.

And if you look at the season as a whole there were plenty of nights were the same could of and was said.

I think that management saw that this team was not playing up to its potential and that this wasn't the only season in-which this was an issue.

I don't know what was going on behind closed doors, but what happened yesterday wasn't done to clear cap space. Anyone who believes that, well, I have some land I would like to sell ya.

I still think the Flyers could have gotten alot more for Carter then they did.

Carchidi took a shot, so did Sam Donnellon in his column today. That the media seemingly was correct about a few thing going on behind the scenes doesn't mean anything as far as them being professionals.

Some, like me, believed that there were issues, but that the statements made by Holmgren, Laviolette and other players meant they were fixable or less of a deal than had been painted by the media-which certainly had an ax to grind, as evidenced by what they tweeted or wrote in their columns yesterday and today.

I think that the issues hinted at by the media were a factor. I think getting a kid like Brayden Schenn was a factor. I think ending the "flip the switch" mentality was a factor.

I also look at the tweets and what has been written by hockey writers that I like and trust and the consensus is pretty much in line with what I felt-they deals the Flyers made got them a very fair return. I saw at least two or three that feel the Flyers not only got value, but set themselves up as a serious contender for several years and are actually a better team today than they were just 24 hours ago.

Not sure I agree with that, but I posted a capgeek roster of my own last night, and I saw a good team on it, with plenty of room to make tweaks.
- Jsaquella

I'm with you. I think the Flyers with a few tweaks are poised to be 100 point team once again.

I just wish the media would stick to writing about hockey instead of bringing the "TMZ" angle to the table.

If anyone is interested, Richards will be on Preston and Steve 93.3 FM around 10 am this morning...should be interesting to hear from him.

yo Butts! Where you at? I want to hear your perspective.

I'm with you. I think the Flyers with a few tweaks are poised to be 100 point team once again.

I just wish the media would stick to writing about hockey instead of bringing the "TMZ" angle to the table.
- PLindbergh31

I do as well. Focus on the hockey part of things. Maybe there were issues with the partying. The way the media reported them did nothing but excerbate them. These are guys in their 20's. They're going to go out and knock back some beers and hook up with the willing females.

Hell, Bobby Ryan tweeted yesterday that "Vegas won" and he could hardly move after Perry's Hart trophy party.

The bottom line is, there was too much inconsistency on the ice and the Flyers aren't going to b cool with that anymore.

yo Butts! Where you at? I want to hear your perspective.



- ggunky

I'll give you mine...shocked, excited, unsure, slightly disappointed, relieved, impressed, hopeful.


Did I leave anything out?

yo Butts! Where you at? I want to hear your perspective.



- ggunky

Butsy tweeted "Wow" earlier today. Think he might still be in shock. He was pretty upset at losing both Carter and Richards

hopefully the Achilles heel of the lackadaisical attitude has finally been eradicated.

In my opinion, the Flyers aren't in nearly as bad shape as people are making them out to be. The haul for Richards and Carter actually isn't that bad. I'd possibly go so far as to say that both deals even out, and Philly could even win if Schenn turns into the stud that some foresee. I think three large issues are at hands:

1) Richards and Carter are big, household hockey names. Voracek, Simmonds, and even Schenn (to someone who really doesn't follow prospects) are not. Philly is trading two stars for Western Conference question marks in the minds of many more casual fans. I think. In reality, Schenn is believed to be one of the top (if not the top) prospects not in the NHL. Voracek is 21-year-old with a high pedigree (7th overall) who has put up very respectable numbers for his age and team. He has definite top-6 upside, maybe first line. Simmonds is a useful if not great player. Plus, they should be able to add a very good player at #8 this year, and possibly with their 2nd and 3rd round picks as well.

2) People don't like the Bryzgalov contract because it's either too long and/or too much money. In reality, the cap hit for Bryz is fine. The overall money is a little steep, but who gives a poop about overall money besides the guy writing the paychecks? The only issue is the duration of the cap hit. It's very reasonable for the next 5 years, but how about the four after that? Questionable, at best. By then, his real dollars are so much lower that they might be able to pawn him off to a team trying to reach the ceiling, or he could retire before the contract ends (e.g., after 7 seasons). Or, he could possibly be playing well, or he could be Redden/Huet/Souray'd. I think worrying about that now isn't really worth it because so much can change. One thing is clear in my mind: they're better in goal today than they were yesterday. And they should be better in goal for the next few years.

3) They got younger at forward (and Carter and Richards weren't exactly old) while their defensive keys (Pronger and Timonen) are aging. Their forward corps are awfully young now -- Giroux, JVR, Schenn, Voracek, and Simmonds should all be top-9 players who are 1988 birthdays or younger. Their forward corps now looks more like it's ready to compete the year after next rather than right now.

Talent wise, I don't think Philly got fleeced. I'm not sure their move matches with a philosophy to win now, though. IF, and that's a big IF, Pronger and Timonen can play well in 12-13 and 13-14 seasons, Schenn develops as expected, and Bryzgalov doesn't see some ridiculous decline, I think Philly will be a dangerous team in another year. I think Philly's still a legit playoff team in the East this upcoming year and they're being written off just a little bit too early. All that being said, I think Philly would also be a legit playoff team in the East if they hadn't made any of these moves. I think the on ice improvement of having Bryz is being underrated, though, lost in concerns over his contract. For next year, and the next few after that, he should be a huge upgrade.

Butsy tweeted "Wow" earlier today. Think he might still be in shock. He was pretty upset at losing both Carter and Richards
- Jsaquella

I can only imagine how B-rad is feeling today. He was one of the ones on here who was staunchly against tearing the team apart for a goalie....

Versteeg is a 20 goal a year guy, like clockwork. He's a solid PK guy and can certainly play on the PP. He's got good speed and he can play all 3 forward positions. He's a good player.

Too many people ignore what he did before landing in Phialdelphia with a sports hernia.
- Jsaquella

he's also a hi risk plyr who needs to work on the finer details of the game if he is to live up to the compensation we gave for him. right now the flyers have a strong need for a 3rd line center w/ physical presence and maybe a #4-5 dman. I'd have no prob if steeg was flipped to fill one of these needs.

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...
- 77rams

These are the type of issues that always come up when a Season doesn't turn out as hoped. If the Flyers had made a nice long playoff run, none of this wouuld be talked about. He had a slightly sub par year on the ice, and his injury affected him. The rest is BS in my opinion. And I believe that Richards accomplishments in his future years will bear that out.

I do as well. Focus on the hockey part of things. Maybe there were issues with the partying. The way the media reported them did nothing but excerbate them. These are guys in their 20's. They're going to go out and knock back some beers and hook up with the willing females.

Hell, Bobby Ryan tweeted yesterday that "Vegas won" and he could hardly move after Perry's Hart trophy party.

The bottom line is, there was too much inconsistency on the ice and the Flyers aren't going to b cool with that anymore.
- Jsaquella

AMEN!

I want to see a 60 minute effort every night.

I was sick to my stomach yesterday after hearing of both guys being traded.

I still don't know how I feel, but I do know that more times then I ever thought I would, I found myself not watching this team last year because the lack of effort.

So as much as it pains me to see the cornerstones leave, I have to realize that the same product I saw was the same product that the Organization saw.

I'm tired of reading about the the sky is falling, I can't believe we traded Richards/Carter.

#1 The Flyers have a number one goalie
#2 The Flyers defense is still intact
#3 More money will be coming off the cap when they waive Leighton/Walker etc...
#4 The Flyers might be small down the middle but have more size which they have lacked the last couple of years on the wings.
#5 The have gotten younger, which is a good thing.
#6 There are too many reports out there that locker room chemistry was an issue so some type of change needed to be done.

Now, will they make a "RUN" next year? You never know, but I see a better team overall versus the same old inconsistent team.

In my opinion, the Flyers aren't in nearly as bad shape as people are making them out to be. The haul for Richards and Carter actually isn't that bad. I'd possibly go so far as to say that both deals even out, and Philly could even win if Schenn turns into the stud that some foresee. I think three large issues are at hands:

1) Richards and Carter are big, household hockey names. Voracek, Simmonds, and even Schenn (to someone who really doesn't follow prospects) are not. Philly is trading two stars for Western Conference question marks in the minds of many more casual fans. I think. In reality, Schenn is believed to be one of the top (if not the top) prospects not in the NHL. Voracek is 21-year-old with a high pedigree (7th overall) who has put up very respectable numbers for his age and team. He has definite top-6 upside, maybe first line. Simmonds is a useful if not great player. Plus, they should be able to add a very good player at #8 this year, and possibly with their 2nd and 3rd round picks as well.

2) People don't like the Bryzgalov contract because it's either too long and/or too much money. In reality, the cap hit for Bryz is fine. The overall money is a little steep, but who gives a poop about overall money besides the guy writing the paychecks? The only issue is the duration of the cap hit. It's very reasonable for the next 5 years, but how about the four after that? Questionable, at best. By then, his real dollars are so much lower that they might be able to pawn him off to a team trying to reach the ceiling, or he could retire before the contract ends (e.g., after 7 seasons). Or, he could possibly be playing well, or he could be Redden/Huet/Souray'd. I think worrying about that now isn't really worth it because so much can change. One thing is clear in my mind: they're better in goal today than they were yesterday. And they should be better in goal for the next few years.

3) They got younger at forward (and Carter and Richards weren't exactly old) while their defensive keys (Pronger and Timonen) are aging. Their forward corps are awfully young now -- Giroux, JVR, Schenn, Voracek, and Simmonds should all be top-9 players who are 1988 birthdays or younger. Their forward corps now looks more like it's ready to compete the year after next rather than right now.

Talent wise, I don't think Philly got fleeced. I'm not sure their move matches with a philosophy to win now, though. IF, and that's a big IF, Pronger and Timonen can play well in 12-13 and 13-14 seasons, Schenn develops as expected, and Bryzgalov doesn't see some ridiculous decline, I think Philly will be a dangerous team in another year. I think Philly's still a legit playoff team in the East this upcoming year and they're being written off just a little bit too early. All that being said, I think Philly would also be a legit playoff team in the East if they hadn't made any of these moves. I think the on ice improvement of having Bryz is being underrated, though, lost in concerns over his contract. For next year, and the next few after that, he should be a huge upgrade.
- PLindbergh31

but remember because of the household names the sky is falling...the end of the world is near.

I think i did the crip version

Plus, i know winning is everything but really the trades were made to HELP each team not to WIN the trade.

All the trades met the needs of what the Flyers needed. Regardless of who was dealt.

As a Flyers fan I can never complain that the team I root for doesn't try to improve each and every year.

Wow. I'm still a little in shock this morning, although I don't feel nauseous anymore.

So many thoughts but one thing that sticks out to me is I think the Flyers were in a bind with the Richards captaincy situation. I think their feeling may have been that he wasn't the captain they thought he might be. In most situations that is remedied by giving it too someone else but here in Philly, with the likes of Pronger standing on the sidelines and Richards visible moodiness I don't think that would have worked here.

If you take the C from Richards can you honestly see him responding as Desjarden did years ago and coming out with a better, more relaxed attitude and effort?

I'm saying this as a fan that owns 2 jerseys that both say Richards on them.

Plus, i know winning is everything but really the trades were made to HELP each team not to WIN the trade.

All the trades met the needs of what the Flyers needed. Regardless of who was dealt.

As a Flyers fan I can never complain that that team I root for doesn't try to improve each and every year.
- phi1671

Amen to that. They have tried with this core for 6 years. They fell short. Nothing wrong with shaking things up.

Thank you, Bill, for making sense of the whirlwind that blew through yesterday.

I think we're all missing a key point in all of this...

The Flyers get bigger at the forward position.

Plus, i know winning is everything but really the trades were made to HELP each team not to WIN the trade.

All the trades met the needs of what the Flyers needed. Regardless of who was dealt.

As a Flyers fan I can never complain that that team I root for doesn't try to improve each and every year.
- phi1671

Amen to that

EDIT: Leight

Great blog Bill. Is there any chance the NHL challenges the structure of the Bryz contract?

After watching the NHL network bit on Landeskog, I'm developing a man crush. One of the things I really like about the deals yesterday is that the team got much grittier and tougher to play against. Landeskog would add to that mantra. Unfortunatley, they would need to deal another top 9 guy off the current roster and the 8th pick to move up to #3 and more than likely this becomes more of a rebuild.

I remember going to a game this year, the Flyers played the Maples leafs.

The next day I was on this site B!tching and moaning about how the Flyers didn't show up to play the game.

And if you look at the season as a whole there were plenty of nights were the same could of and was said.

I think that management saw that this team was not playing up to its potential and that this wasn't the only season in-which this was an issue.

I don't know what was going on behind closed doors, but what happened yesterday wasn't done to clear cap space. Anyone who believes that, well, I have some land I would like to sell ya.

I still think the Flyers could have gotten alot more for Carter then they did.
- ggunky

that's my biggest issue

that's my biggest issue
- isaiah520

I think if they could have gotten more for Carter then they would have. I'm fine with the deal. Now I'm way more excited for the draft.