So far the depth has taken a hit no way around it. If the normal occurrence of injuries takes place, the depth isn't there at this point to withstand it.
- PLindbergh31

If that happens he will have an opportunity to upgrade during the season. They lost Carle who's a solid player but I'm not going to act like its the end of the world. He's one player it's apart of the game and teams adjust, we may not look good on paper but that doesnt win game playing on the ice as a team does.

Guys you all need to relax,

Carle @ 5.5 seems reasonable this year but next year we will complain how the "Carle" contract has handcuffed us. while carle is not easily replaceable this year, id rather have a ton of room to go after Enstrom and weber next year. Flyers should be patient this year. Personally this year is just a stepping stone to next year when they will go all out.

Defense is good....Get someone to capitalise on giroux's passes and you have a very good team and call it a day.
- Philly1980

Would anyone be opposed to signing semin. I know the risk but this guy is talented I think he better then parise he would look nice next to g
- griouxmvp2012

A more talented Nik Zherdev. Doesn't bring it most nights. Pass on the lazy Russian.

It could be an issue. No question. But top to bottom, the defense isn't that bad.
- Jsaquella

Top to bottom, they're at least as deep as they were at the beginning of last year. I'm sure the post-deadline depth in 2013 will be just as strong, if not stronger than what we had this past playoffs.

Honestly I rather see them let the kids grow together and just fill in a few gaps for this up coming season. the free agency crop (granted a lot can change with guys re-signing during the season) looks so much better next year. just a few names that are interesting:

Iginla
Elias
Perry
Getzlaf
Lupul
Horton
Roy
Zajac
Enstrom
Clarkson
Burrows
Stewart
Weber
- nastyflyergirl

most of these guys are going to re-up or get moved at the TDL...can't make plans based on such fluid circumstances.

Would anyone be opposed to signing semin. I know the risk but this guy is talented I think he better then parise he would look nice next to g
- griouxmvp2012

I wouldn't want him for a nickel

If that happens he will have an opportunity to upgrade during the season. They lost Carle who's a solid player but I'm not going to act like its the end of the world. He's one player it's apart of the game and teams adjust, we may not look good on paper but that doesnt win game playing on the ice as a team does.
- stveshdy

Agree. The only move I disagree with so far is Leighton, and in the grand scheme of things it's not that big a deal, provided Bryzgalov stays healthy.

And Pronger and Walker ate up 90% of the 10% exemption by themselves.

Bottom line, they didn't have the tagging space to re-sign Carle prior to the Wideman deal, which seemed to be the impetus for Carle's desire to test the market.
- Jsaquella

I think seeing the Wideman deal certainly told Carle what he could command. I'm surprised he didn't get more. I think TB got a very good deal.

Would anyone be opposed to signing semin. I know the risk but this guy is talented I think he better then parise he would look nice next to g
- griouxmvp2012

depends on what his cap hit is and the number of years....

depends on what his cap hit is and the number of years....
- Philly1980

Some team desperate for offense will give him 5+ per season at least. I'm hoping it's the Rags or Devils.

Top to bottom, they're at least as deep as they were at the beginning of last year. I'm sure the post-deadline depth in 2013 will be just as strong, if not stronger than what we had this past playoffs.
- Tomahawk

The biggest concern I have is injuries. Two guys coming off back surgery is worrisome. Coburn, Grossmann and Schenn provide 3 solid stay at home types. Gustafsson or Gervais can be solid third pair puck movers. Lilja and MAB can be solid third pair depth.

But if Timonen or Meszaros get hurt....that's potential trouble

I think seeing the Wideman deal certainly told Carle what he could command. I'm surprised he didn't get more. I think TB got a very good deal.
- MJL

I don't mind the cap hit as much as the length.

I would have been willing to go to $5.5mm, but 6 years is too long IMO, at that number

A more talented Nik Zherdev. Doesn't bring it most nights. Pass on the lazy Russian.
- PLindbergh31

True but he really not tht bad he's got the 4th highest +/- over the last 3 years

Some team desperate for offense will give him 5+ per season at least. I'm hoping it's the Rags or Devils.
- PLindbergh31

Torts: (frank)ing Semin (frank)ing Russian lay down and block the shot next time!

Semin:

I don't mind the cap hit as much as the length.

I would have been willing to go to $5.5mm, but 6 years is too long IMO, at that number
- Jsaquella

4 @ 5.5 would have been the most.

The biggest concern I have is injuries. Two guys coming off back surgery is worrisome. Coburn, Grossmann and Schenn provide 3 solid stay at home types. Gustafsson or Gervais can be solid third pair puck movers. Lilja and MAB can be solid third pair depth.

But if Timonen or Meszaros get hurt....that's potential trouble
- Jsaquella

Expecting Timonen to play a full season at his age, coming of an assortment of injuries is very unrealistic imo.

True but he really not tht bad he's got the 4th highest +/- over the last 3 years
- griouxmvp2012

At best, +/- is a flawed stat. Semin is soft, doesn't play hard every night and has a rep as being uncooperative and moody. No, thanks.

Torts: (frank)ing Semin (frank)ing Russian lay down and block the shot next time!

Semin:
- Philly1980

Semin would be in Hartford for the Holidays if he signs with the Rags. They know he isn't a Tortorella type player and doesn't fit in his system. I would be surprised if they signed Semin.

They have to replace Gaborik's offense somewhere though. I think when Columbus' price comes down, Nash will be in NY.

If that happens he will have an opportunity to upgrade during the season. They lost Carle who's a solid player but I'm not going to act like its the end of the world. He's one player it's apart of the game and teams adjust, we may not look good on paper but that doesnt win game playing on the ice as a team does.
- stveshdy

the prob is that we get into these discussions during the season and we are told that certain moves are best made during the summer. well, here we are and I don't like going into the season w/ so many questions planning to address obvious needs on the fly. maybe knowing you'll need a scoring winger at the TDL - fine. but beyond that, now is the time to build your team.

Expecting Timonen to play a full season at his age, coming of an assortment of injuries is very unrealistic imo.
- PLindbergh31

prepare now...

The biggest concern I have is injuries. Two guys coming off back surgery is worrisome. Coburn, Grossmann and Schenn provide 3 solid stay at home types. Gustafsson or Gervais can be solid third pair puck movers. Lilja and MAB can be solid third pair depth.

But if Timonen or Meszaros get hurt....that's potential trouble
- Jsaquella

Injuries are always a concern, but the prognosis on both guys justify some level of optimism I would think. If somebody in the top-5 were to go down, you deal with it then. Better that then burning all of your cap space before the season even starts trying to preempt potential issues and then having no choice but to force kids into the lineup like this past season.

quick question guys....

If we cant get Ryan at a reasonable price would you start Briere on Giroux's Wing

Hartnell-G-Briere
Simmonds-Schenn-Voracek
Read-Coots-wellwood
??? - Talbot- ???

Timmo -Schenn
Mezz - Gross
Coburn-MAB

Not too shabby

I don't mind the cap hit as much as the length.

I would have been willing to go to $5.5mm, but 6 years is too long IMO, at that number
- Jsaquella

I see that. But looking at the crazy deals for both money and term given out to Parise and Suter. A 6 year deal isn't so bad for a quality player. The insanity is far less in that deal if you know what I'm trying to say.

It's interesting to me how most people are seeming this offseason either a failure or an unsuccessful one. It baffles me.

First off, we DIDN'T overpay for ANYONE. When's the last time that happened?? Everyone here knows that if the Flyers had signed one of Suter or Parise to a 13/98 contract we would be irate. For all the times people itchbay and moan about this team spending too much money and mismanaging the cap and salaries, I find it fascinating that people are grilling Homer for not spending money or overpaying someone

Secondly, we still have this young and talented core. I've been preaching about it since the end of the season. This team is going to be fun to watch as they gain experience. All we have to do is just that- watch them play together. Not blow everything up for Nash, Ryan, etc.

Finally, I offer a question open to all, including Bill: Who was available within the FA pool this year that was a clear stop gap for the holes in this team? Did anyone provide exceptional puck moving skills on the blue line? Is there anyone that could have been deemed the number one defensman for this team? Were there wingers with tremendous two way talent to sign to a contract less than 98 million dollars?

Since I answer no to these questions, I see free agency as a time that Homer could not have made this team better enough to go hard after anyone. I think its the right move to stand pat. That being said, Doan at a 3 year deal would definitely be nice.[/img]

the prob is that we get into these discussions during the season and we are told that certain moves are best made during the summer. well, here we are and I don't like going into the season w/ so many questions planning to address obvious needs on the fly. maybe knowing you'll need a scoring winger at the TDL - fine. but beyond that, now is the time to build your team.
- isaiah520

They waited until the summer because they simply didn't have the cap room to add anyone of value.

If they manage to hold on to some cap space, in-season deals tend to be a lot more equitable than the attempted fleecings that are done over the summer when there are multitudes of buyers with ample cap space to bid against.