Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Carle, Timonen, Nashville FAs

Great blog. Thinking about it from a Nashville perspective there is some logic in signing Suter and trading Weber this year. They do not have much control over the Suter situation and cannot demand much from other teams for negotiating rights. But, if they put Weber up for auction, the bids will be substantial.

My guess is you would have as many as eight or more teams that would be able to make substantial offers. Hard to imagine anyone being able to outbid Pittsburgh if they finally decide to try and unsort their glut of centers. But, the Flyers are so good at working out these kind of deals my guess is Holmgren would figure out a way to get it done.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Carle, Timonen, Nashville FAs
- bmeltzer

The one advantage the Flyers have in acquiring either Suter or Weber is the ability to sign these players to long term contracts with NMC. Some teams may be scared of by those long-term contracts. I'll try not to be negative but I hope Homer has another plan because he may not end up with either defenseman.

The one advantage the Flyers have in acquiring either Suter or Weber is the ability to sign these players to long term contracts with NMC. Some teams may be scared of by those long-term contracts. I'll try not to be negative but I hope Homer has another plan because he may not end up with either defenseman.
- stveshdy

I think the alternative plan may be to push hard to sign Zach Parise as a UFA and then trade from among other forwards to improve the blueline depth.

None of this is based on anything but my own conjecture. But we all know how the Flyers operate -- they think big, act bold, and let the chips fall where they may.

First and foremost, great blog Bill, as always. Thanks

Item a) I wouldn't trade Schenn or Read in a deal for Weber. But that's just me.

Item b) I was taken fully by surprise in reading about the Flyers' interest in Parise. That would be awesome

Interesting blog. Gotta feeling Lou wouldn't be trading Parise's rights to the Flyers before July 1st. Out of the three players, I believe Parise is the most possible of the three. I think Suter will be paid north of $7 million. I think he will be a bit over paid because his market will be similiar to Brian Campbell when he was a UFA. There is no way the Preds will lose both Suter and Weber in the same offseason.

If Parise is the target, then as much as this pains me, you have to figure JVR would be the main piece to be traded.

I think the alternative plan may be to push hard to sign Zach Parise as a UFA and then trade from among other forwards to improve the blueline depth.

None of this is based on anything but my own conjecture. But we all know how the Flyers operate -- they think big, act bold, and let the chips fall where they may.
- bmeltzer

Bill, Parise would be a great Flyer and certainly add to a renewed rivalry. Obviously, the Flyers would front load the contract, do you believe if the contract is somewhere around $6 million/yr, will be enough to get the deal done?

pretty sure weber and suter said they did not want to stay in nashville unless both stay and add some o.

im hoping if one goes they both go, and both end up in philly, we have the pieces to get it done and with the cap going up another 5 mill or so and timmos 6 mil coming off next season, i feel good that it could get done.

First and foremost, great blog Bill, as always. Thanks

Item a) I wouldn't trade Schenn or Read in a deal for Weber. But that's just me.

Item b) I was taken fully by surprise in reading about the Flyers' interest in Parise. That would be awesome
- Giroux_Is_God

Bill is speculating that the Flyers would have interest in Parise. Not that he knows for a fact that he does.

And you'd be crazy not to trade Schenn or Read in a deal for Weber. Both are very good players. But Weber is franchise dominating physical defenseman. Players like Read and Schenn are infinitely easier to obtain than a player like Weber is.

I think the alternative plan may be to push hard to sign Zach Parise as a UFA and then trade from among other forwards to improve the blueline depth.

None of this is based on anything but my own conjecture. But we all know how the Flyers operate -- they think big, act bold, and let the chips fall where they may.
- bmeltzer

I totally agree. Thats not a bad fall back option. Adding Parise allows them to move a player for a good defenseman. I didnt think of it that way but it makes sense.

pretty sure weber and suter said they did not want to stay in nashville unless both stay and add some o.

im hoping if one goes they both go, and both end up in philly, we have the pieces to get it done and with the cap going up another 5 mill or so and timmos 6 mil coming off next season, i feel good that it could get done.
- mydoglicks

I don't see how they could get them both. That's a pipe dream.

regardless of whom the flyers pursue on d, I think the main trade bait would be JVR, though I think most teams might be more interested in schenn.

Bill, Parise would be a great Flyer and certainly add to a renewed rivalry. Obviously, the Flyers would front load the contract, do you believe if the contract is somewhere around $6 million/yr, will be enough to get the deal done?
- ravishingone

Not even close. Lamerillo is obliged to offer Parise Kovalchuck matching dollars. I assume LA, the Leafs and Minnesota will offer a similar payday.

Not even close. Lamerillo is obliged to offer Parise Kovalchuck matching dollars. I assume LA, the Leafs and Minnesota will offer a similar payday.
- spatso

Obviously by the poster mentioning front loading the deal, he is referencing Cap hit with the 6M figure. What is Kovalchuk's Cap hit?

Bill is speculating that the Flyers would have interest in Parise. Not that he knows for a fact that he does.

And you'd be crazy not to trade Schenn or Read in a deal for Weber. Both are very good players. But Weber is franchise dominating physical defenseman. Players like Read and Schenn are infinitely easier to obtain than a player like Weber is.
- MJL

if only this would be the price...

My guess is the cap hit on Parise under the new CBA will be north of $8m.

Not even close. Lamerillo is obliged to offer Parise Kovalchuck matching dollars. I assume LA, the Leafs and Minnesota will offer a similar payday.
- spatso

It depends, the Flyers have never been afraid to front load contract to the max in the first year and subseqent years afterward. Additionally, if Parise is indeed happy living on the East Coast, certainly NJ and Philly have natural geographical advantages other clubs don't. Please don't underestimate the power of the female authority in the household to determine next location if contracts are very similiar in money paid and years.

Bill is speculating that the Flyers would have interest in Parise. Not that he knows for a fact that he does.

And you'd be crazy not to trade Schenn or Read in a deal for Weber. Both are very good players. But Weber is franchise dominating physical defenseman. Players like Read and Schenn are infinitely easier to obtain than a player like Weber is.
- MJL

Schenn and Read are very good players but Weber is the truth. I wouldn't even think twice about dealing either for him.

Obviously by the poster mentioning front loading the deal, he is referencing Cap hit with the 6M figure. What is Kovalchuk's Cap hit?
- MJL

Around 6.5 but it cost them a first round pick as a penalty. It cannot be duplicated. $8m. is more reasonable for Parise.

My guess is the cap hit on Parise under the new CBA will be north of $8m.
- spatso

How do you figure that?

I think the Flyers should really go after Suter hard. He is the only d-man on the market that qualifies as a #1 guy. Even if it is a 1A. After Timonen's contract expires next year, Suter's cap hit would essentially replace Kimmo's. Putting all the eggs in the Weber basket is definitely risky, and if the Flyers aren't successful in landing him, they would be left without a top guy barring a trade.

We have seen this current d-core the last two years without Pronger in the playoffs and it wasn't exactly stellar. Bringing back the same group isn't the best of ideas imo.

My guess is the cap hit on Parise under the new CBA will be north of $8m.
- spatso

IMO, I doubt it.

Around 6.5 but it cost them a first round pick as a penalty. It cannot be duplicated. $8m. is more reasonable for Parise.
- spatso

Yes a deal that is front loaded with low years on the back end that lowers Parise's Cap hit to in the 6M range can be duplicated. There are numerous examples of existing deals that prove that it can be duplicated. All they have to do is abide by the new rules in place.

My guess is the cap hit on Parise under the new CBA will be north of $8m.
- spatso

I don't see the Flyers being players for Parise. Sure he's a great player, but the Flyers needs are more on the backend. I think with this run the Devils are on now, he will stay in NJ. With Detroit, and Minnesota being the other possibilities.

My guess is the cap hit on Parise under the new CBA will be north of $8m.
- spatso

And signing Parise as a UFA on JUly 1, the deal won't be under the new CBA. It will be signed under the existing CBA and the current rules,