So if they sign Garrison for $4M per year (cap hit wise) do you still intend on keeping Carle?
- stveshdy

I would be plenty happy going into next year with this (flip Garrison for Wideman if needed):

Note: I traded JVR and Bob to move up in the draft and take the best player possible (hopefully a D man).

FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.200m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / J Jagr ($3.000m)
Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Danny Briere ($6.500m) / Jakub Voracek ($3.250m)
Wayne Simmonds ($1.750m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Matt Read ($0.900m)
Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Dominic Moore ($1.100m) / Eric Wellwood ($0.580m)
Zac Rinaldo ($0.544m)
DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen ($6.333m) / Dennis Wideman ($5.000m)
Braydon Coburn ($4.500m) / Matt Carle ($4.500m)
Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m) / Andrej Meszaros ($4.000m)
Andreas Lilja ($0.738m)
GOALTENDERS
Ilya Bryzgalov ($5.667m)
Martin Biron ($1.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $70,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $67,046,944; BONUSES: $2,705,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $3,253,056

It has been clear all along that the flyers wont make a major d signing or trade. That is why Parise should be the target. But they wont get him either.

That is why it is smart to keep your powder dry. When this happens, many of the sheep will be confused. But it is appropriate.

It has been clear all along that the flyers wont make a major d signing or trade. That is why Parise should be the target. But they wont get him either.
- Daman

cool man...

cool man...
- eshake

Not cool shaker boy, but reality

It has been clear all along that the flyers wont make a major d signing or trade. That is why Parise should be the target. But they wont get him either.

That is why it is smart to keep your powder dry. When this happens, many of the sheep will be confused. But it is appropriate.
- Daman

Says who?

The Flyers priority is defense right now. Suter being out of the equation doesn't change that.

Says who?

The Flyers priority is defense right now. Suter being out of the equation doesn't change that.
- LordStanley88

Suter's agent is saying that there is no list. So I guess that leaves the door open for any team. Crazy rumors.

Boy, I wish this blog could be printed in every major newspaper, and be read every half hour for the rest of the off season on every sports radio channel, CSN, and any other place where they discuss hockey as if they know something about the sport.

Boy, I wish this blog could be printed in every major newspaper, and be read every half hour for the rest of the off season on every sports radio channel, CSN, and any other place where they discuss hockey as if they know something about the sport.
- MBFlyerfan

As if those outlets know anything about hockey...

Boy, I wish this blog could be printed in every major newspaper, and be read every half hour for the rest of the off season on every sports radio channel, CSN, and any other place where they discuss hockey as if they know something about the sport.
- MBFlyerfan

As if those outlets know anything about hockey...

Boy, I wish this blog could be printed in every major newspaper, and be read every half hour for the rest of the off season on every sports radio channel, CSN, and any other place where they discuss hockey as if they know something about the sport.
- MBFlyerfan

Says who?

The Flyers priority is defense right now. Suter being out of the equation doesn't change that.
- LordStanley88

Defense has always been the priority. Look at the salaries allocated and the trades made. It isn't complicated.

3 important offseason tasks the flyers face, IMO, other than signings and trades are:

1. Bryzgalov focusing on having a much more consistent season
2. JVR rehabbing and being ready for camp and to make an impact
3. Laviolette figuring out how to get his team to strengthen its team defense

What happens to Shelley next year? Does he get waived at this point or do they keep him on the roster as a healthy scratch again?

What happens to Shelley next year? Does he get waived at this point or do they keep him on the roster as a healthy scratch again?
- funmaster18

he gets moved to both the second line and second PP unit.

Bill, This might be the single-best article I ever read on not just the Flyers but the sport of Hockey, bless you!

Can we expect Simmonds to improve next year offensively and defensively? While his defensive game could use some work, was last year close to Simmonds top potential? Seems like he has a nose for the net if he can simplify his game a bit. The second half of the year he seemed to be forcing a lot of chances.

What happens to Shelley next year? Does he get waived at this point or do they keep him on the roster as a healthy scratch again?
- funmaster18

I assume he stays on the roster unless they need the cap space or he is beaten out by his competition.

3 important offseason tasks the flyers face, IMO, other than signings and trades are:

1. Bryzgalov focusing on having a much more consistent season
2. JVR rehabbing and being ready for camp and to make an impact
3. Laviolette figuring out how to get his team to strengthen its team defense
- funmaster18

Good list, imo

Can we expect Simmonds to improve next year offensively and defensively? While his defensive game could use some work, was last year close to Simmonds top potential? Seems like he has a nose for the net if he can simplify his game a bit. The second half of the year he seemed to be forcing a lot of chances.
- funmaster18

I think that should be the plan of action for this team in general, hoping and allowing them to get better. Good assembly of young talent and the sky is the limit. I don't see the need to go out and get this guy or that guy as if our lives depended on it. Be nice to add a marquee player but we have some already.

Good list, imo
- BulliesPhan87

yes it is and shows that sometimes you don't need to go out and get new players rather have those currently on your roster improve which I think they can and should.

Bill you said it's important for teams to balance each role for defensman to have a good group of defenders. I can see why Carle is critized here, and to me it is because he really doesn't excel at any role, and is only above average in his passing. This team is missing its scoring from the point, and if Carle isn't going to be the physical shut down defenseman, then people feel like he should be more of a scoring threat.

I like to think of Carle like a Jack of all trades, but a Master of none. To me he should be on the second pairing, not the top pairing. He is definately a valuable d-man, and is very valuable in the right role. I would compair him to a poor man's Timonen.
- RooNosHockey

Carle is much better then above average in his passing. He is a very good outlet passer and mover of the puck. As well as supplying consistent offense from the back end. And what Carle definitely excels at is Even Strength play. Carle is a #2 D man who can be paired with a legitimate #1 defenseman. Or play on a 2nd pairing.

Can we expect Simmonds to improve next year offensively and defensively? While his defensive game could use some work, was last year close to Simmonds top potential? Seems like he has a nose for the net if he can simplify his game a bit. The second half of the year he seemed to be forcing a lot of chances.
- funmaster18

He did well in front of the net. Not a's much in the corners. Appears lanky and puck gets lost in his skates. Should get stronger and better. A very very good third liner IMO. Not yet a true second liner.

I assume he stays on the roster unless they need the cap space or he is beaten out by his competition.
- stveshdy

I feel it's clear there are better options, so I'd see it as the yet he'd get sent down, but I feel the flyers like him and want to do right by him and carry him on the roster as long as possible without hurting the team do he can remain with the big club. Just my feeling, otherwise I think he'd been waived by now.

Good list, imo
- BulliesPhan87

Thank you sir

It has been clear all along that the flyers wont make a major d signing or trade. That is why Parise should be the target. But they wont get him either.

That is why it is smart to keep your powder dry. When this happens, many of the sheep will be confused. But it is appropriate.
- Daman

Why has it been clear all along that the Flyers won't make a major D signing ot trade?