I don't think he would come that cheaply. Even so, I think most realistic people think this is a transition year. The hot start may have expedited some aspirations, but this team is a ways away.
- PLindbergh31

Adding a guy like Gill is simply hedging your bets in case you get a "Perfect Storm" like 2010.

If Gill or another solid veteran can be had cheaply, it's better than finding yourself in game seven of the ECF having to rely on MAB to play 19 minutes.

But, yeah, if ti comes down to overpaying for a rental, I;d rather stand pat. That's why I mention Gill more than Grossman. Grossman's definitely a more capable player, but the cost for him is certain to be more.

If not, then so be it. I wouldn't overpay for a rental, but I would like to see them try to get some help back there.

Maybe even a guy like Sarich, who's dying to get out of Calgary.
- bradleyc4

I agree. I would prefer a solid 4th/5th dman that wouldn't be a rental. Who that guy is I have no clue.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 2/15/12
- bmeltzer

boy oh boy i hope everybody read this blog and took some notes

Agreed. And there is no way the Jackets aren't looking for a big return for him. Flyers would have to give up quite a bit of salary to even fit Nash.
- PLindbergh31

Yes, his salary cap hit is alot for the Flyers to take on.

I just don't see Nash as a fit in Phlly.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't love him on the Flyers, but to make it work would be a net negative, in my opinion.

conspicuous by his absence in bill's analysis is lilja...dead on.
- isaiah520

What's dead on? He's a 36 year old defenseman brought in for depth. Bill didn't mention much about Gustafsson and MAB other then they played well at times and struggled at times. Does that mean they suck also? Lilja has done what he was brough here to do. Let's not read things that aren't there.

Admittedly they would be an improvement. But what's the price? That is the key question. Schenn won't come cheaply obviously.
- PLindbergh31

A case like Schenn you have to weigh the assets you're giving up against the long term potential of the guy you'd be getting. Given how well the Flyers have generally produced and drafted forwards, it might be worth it to trade a young forward to get a good young defenseman who has experience and can grow with the core of young forwards rather than keep the full stable of young forwards

Adding a guy like Gill is simply hedging your bets in case you get a "Perfect Storm" like 2010.

If Gill or another solid veteran can be had cheaply, it's better than finding yourself in game seven of the ECF having to rely on MAB to play 19 minutes.

But, yeah, if ti comes down to overpaying for a rental, I;d rather stand pat. That's why I mention Gill more than Grossman. Grossman's definitely a more capable player, but the cost for him is certain to be more.
- Jsaquella

Kyle Quincey. Thats who the Flyers should target. Colorado may be willing to part with him and he will be a RFA at the end of the year. I dont know how much he would cost but he would be an upgrade over what we currently have.

Agreed. And there is no way the Jackets aren't looking for a big return for him. Flyers would have to give up quite a bit of salary to even fit Nash.
- PLindbergh31

That's why I'm skeptical that a Nash deal gets done by the deadline.

The teams that most recently moved big names at the deadline -- Kovalchuk, Hossa, Thornton -- all ended up getting hosed.

Adding a guy like Gill is simply hedging your bets in case you get a "Perfect Storm" like 2010.

If Gill or another solid veteran can be had cheaply, it's better than finding yourself in game seven of the ECF having to rely on MAB to play 19 minutes.

But, yeah, if ti comes down to overpaying for a rental, I;d rather stand pat. That's why I mention Gill more than Grossman. Grossman's definitely a more capable player, but the cost for him is certain to be more.
- Jsaquella

If Gill is available for a 4th or a marginal prospect, I'm fine with it. But with the premium on d-men, and the fact there doesn't appear to be many sellers at this point, as crazy as it sounds I could see a bidding war for Gill. He doesn't put the Flyers over the hump, and Holmgren should avoid trying to top other offers for him is what my point was.

That's why I'm skeptical that a Nash deal gets done by the deadline.

The teams that most recently moved big names at the deadline -- Kovalchuk, Hossa, Thornton -- all ended up getting hosed.
- bradleyc4

Nash will end up in LA or NY. No worries the Flyers are not going to dismantle their team to add that cap hit. Im sure Homer likes Nash but realistically they need more than a forward at that price.

Kyle Quincey. Thats who the Flyers should target. Colorado may be willing to part with him and he will be a RFA at the end of the year. I dont know how much he would cost but he would be an upgrade over what we currently have.
- stveshdy

He's a good target, assuming he doesn't want the moon and stars in his new contract.

The converse, guys like Schenn and Jack Johnson, are already signed to fairly cap friendly deals with good length.

I see a lot of potential in Coburn, Mez and Carle too. But, it seems like they've been given plenty of time. How long will it take for them to reach their potential? Maybe this is the best you can expect from them?
- Dkos

Maybe so, then you have 3 solid defenseman. Where if you add another player to the mix in free agency or by trade. Along with playing better as a team defensively, along with better goaltending. As well as trying to draft and develop some young defenseman. Then you have a nice defensive core to your team.

So IMO Nash is either moving to Toronto or LA. In both deals, the assumption is that either Jack Johnson or Luke Schenn would be in the deal. If Columbus is trading both Carter and Nash, they are going to need a lot of offense to replace them, and I think offense and goaltending are thier number 1 need.

If La's package includes Bernier and Johnson, Nash isnt getting much or any offense in return. If I were the Flyers I would Try to get Johnson from Columbus for JVR... Not sure how the package would work out, which team would have to add to the deal...

If Toronto's package is including Schenn and Kadri, plus maybe Kulemin, then Columbus is going to need goaltending. Maybe the Flyers could offer Bobrovsky and MAB or Gus for Schenn.

that's the bottom line, son.

If Gill is available for a 4th or a marginal prospect, I'm fine with it. But with the premium on d-men, and the fact there doesn't appear to be many sellers at this point, as crazy as it sounds I could see a bidding war for Gill. He doesn't put the Flyers over the hump, and Holmgren should avoid trying to top other offers for him is what my point was.
- PLindbergh31

I agree wholeheartedly. As I said in my first post, cost trumps all for me in the case of a rental. Is there that much difference between Gill and a guy like Scott Hannan? If I have to send a 2nd for Gill and can get Hannan for a 4th, I'm going with Hannan.

He's a good target, assuming he doesn't want the moon and stars in his new contract.

The converse, guys like Schenn and Jack Johnson, are already signed to fairly cap friendly deals with good length.
- Jsaquella

He's a RFA already making over $3 million/season. You have to offer him at least $3.3 to retain his rights for next season. You're basically waving goodbye to Carle by acquiring Quincy, IMO.

He's a good target, assuming he doesn't want the moon and stars in his new contract.

The converse, guys like Schenn and Jack Johnson, are already signed to fairly cap friendly deals with good length.
- Jsaquella

The latest rumor I read said Johnson, Jack would be part of the deal to acquire Nash.

I like Johnson and Schenn but the asking price will determine the outcome. Quincey on the other hand can be had and I dont think the asking price will be ludacris, imo.

bill, re: coburn, i wonder if he should get more minutes. he's typically played his best hockey for the flyers in the playoffs playing a ton of minutes. i also wouldn't mind if he got a look or two on the powerplay. good way to keep him in the game. while he's not always great at getting shots through but has a big one-timer and when he did see consistent PP time from 07-09, he had 8ppg and 18 ppa.
- OrangeBlack27

speaking of guys who should get more ice time...I'm wondering why Mez doesn't seem to get much PP time. He seems to have a pretty heavy point-shot and is pretty hungry to get involved offensively. Coburn has the tools to be soo good. I wish he'd just take charge.

A case like Schenn you have to weigh the assets you're giving up against the long term potential of the guy you'd be getting. Given how well the Flyers have generally produced and drafted forwards, it might be worth it to trade a young forward to get a good young defenseman who has experience and can grow with the core of young forwards rather than keep the full stable of young forwards
- Jsaquella

I would be willing to give up Voracek and a # 2 for Schenn. Not sure if that is even in the ballpark. JVR isn't getting traded at this deadline. His value is at an all-time low, and he's having an injury plagued season.

He's a RFA already making over $3 million/season. You have to offer him at least $3.3 to retain his rights for next season. You're basically waving goodbye to Carle by acquiring Quincy, IMO.
- bradleyc4

That would be the most likely scenerio. The Flyers still have the option to not resign Quincey.

I would be willing to give up Voracek and a # 2 for Schenn. Not sure if that is even in the ballpark. JVR isn't getting traded at this deadline. His value is at an all-time low, and he's having an injury plagued season.
- PLindbergh31

The key to JvR is how much a guy like Burke covets him. I'm loathe to trade JvR, because I think his ceiling is high. I really do think he could be a consistent 35-40 goal scorer in time, and that's not something you toss away easily.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 2/15/12
- bmeltzer

Now I'm depressed.

He's a RFA already making over $3 million/season. You have to offer him at least $3.3 to retain his rights for next season. You're basically waving goodbye to Carle by acquiring Quincy, IMO.
- bradleyc4

Very likely. But that might be the case if they added Jack Johnson, too.


Not sayign JJ is a target, but for the sake of argument.

That's why I'm skeptical that a Nash deal gets done by the deadline.

The teams that most recently moved big names at the deadline -- Kovalchuk, Hossa, Thornton -- all ended up getting hosed.
- bradleyc4

I think the Kings make the most sense. Bernier to Columbus as part of the package makes all the sense in the world. The Kings are starving for offense.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 2/15/12
- bmeltzer

Owning the Simple Jacks since HB began. Great blog Bill.