Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Briere Condolences, Hartnell, Giroux, Niitty, Travel

Thoughts and condolences to Danny Briere and his family. It's not easy losing your mom, and 60 is way too early.

It's no secret I hate the Flyers, but I sincerely am sad to hear about Briere's mother. 60 is far too young. I hope He and his family can find some peace and move on with their lives.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Briere Condolences, Hartnell, Giroux, Niitty, Travel
- bmeltzer

With last season's success, I would call it a decent hometown discount. But it is also a pretty long term considering his age. It sounds like a win/win for both sides. Although, prior to last season's success I don't think anyone would have thOught Hartnell would have garnered that kind of money. If memory serves correctly the first 10 or so games of last season were extremely subpar and many were calling for his head. That has been the case numerous times during his time in Philly as he has proven to be streaky. And it probably didn't hurt to be playing with G and Jags last year. But, all in all, his durability has been great. And he always shows grit and isn't afraid to play with an edge. And for some reason guys with red hair seem to do well in the O & B.

As always, nice blog Bill.

My condolences go out to Danny and his entire family as well. It's never easy losing a loved one.


As far as Hartnell goes, I think it was a good move - as of now (health-depending). You know what you're getting with him. There's no surprises and he is what he is.... a hard-nosed power forward who can chip in some offense on the right line. I'm glad he agreed to the money he did as well, especially with all of the young UFA/RFA's coming up within the next two years.

Unfortunately, I think we'll be seeing some of those young guys depart from the organization in trades before the time comes. Giroux is a must, obviously... Schenn and Couturier are definite consideration, assuming they continue to improve in progress.. Read will be under the microscope this season to see if he can repeat, and the rest of the young guys will be judged on continued performance. But assuming they all continue to improve (which probably wont happen at a fast enough pace), it will be very hard to re-sign all of them, even at a minor increase in pay. (obviously it's going to depend on other moves as well, and the CBA, to see how much cap space is going to be left to work with in the future)

I think Homer is going to have some difficult choices to make in the next two seasons. Hopefully he makes the right ones...

Nice read Bill...

It's sad to hear about Danny's Mom...

Thoughts and condolences to Briere and his family.

Your Sabres family sends it's most sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to you and your family, Danny.

Forever a Buffalo Sabre.

Pelle.



Favorite goalie as a kid growing up.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Briere Condolences, Hartnell, Giroux, Niitty, Travel
- bmeltzer

Hartnell also indicated that the 6th year was added mainly to keep the can hit reasonable. Hopefully, Hartnell can hold up like Shane Doan and field offers for $7.5mm at age 37

Hartnell also indicated that the 6th year was added mainly to keep the can hit reasonable. Hopefully, Hartnell can hold up like Shane Doan and field offers for $7.5mm at age 37
- Jsaquella

I dont look at Hartnell in the same light as a guy like Doan or Morrow (more specifically the latter)... Hartnell isnt nearly as reckless and doesnt play with the kamikaze style that Morrow displays. The fact that he has only missed 3 games over the past 5 seasons speaks to that as well.

With that being said, I think he can, and will, continue to bring his usual, 25+ goals 25+ assists.. while maintaining his physical presence well into and likely through this contract..

As of right now:
Giroux,Voracek,Hartnell, Read, Couts, Schenn, Talbot and Danny B are ALL signed to play through (at least) two more seasons here. Thats pretty fantastic.

Hell to go even further... on defense:

Coburn, Grossmann, Schenn, MaB, Meszy, and Gervais are as well...

Fantastic to think about...

Truly saddened to hear the news about Danny B's mother.. The fact that she was so young and the tragedy happening in such a sudden fashion only makes worse. Thoughts and prayers go out to Danny and his family in such a trying time.

I dont look at Hartnell in the same light as a guy like Doan or Morrow (more specifically the latter)... Hartnell isnt nearly as reckless and doesnt play with the kamikaze style that Morrow displays. The fact that he has only missed 3 games over the past 5 seasons speaks to that as well.

With that being said, I think he can, and will, continue to bring his usual, 25+ goals 25+ assists.. while maintaining his physical presence well into and likely through this contract..

As of right now:
Giroux,Voracek,Hartnell, Read, Couts, Schenn, Talbot and Danny B are ALL signed to play through (at least) two more seasons here. Thats pretty fantastic.

Hell to go even further... on defense:


Coburn, Grossmann, Schenn, MaB, Meszy, and Gervais are as well...

Fantastic to think about...
- jak521

i like the signing....who knows what hes price might have been if he had gone into free agency...happ hartsy took a hometown discount. I think hes a team first guy who can and will hover around the thirty goal mark....not bad homer, not bad at all.

Condolonces to danny and his family...it seems every offseason is rough for the gguy....

I dont look at Hartnell in the same light as a guy like Doan or Morrow (more specifically the latter)... Hartnell isnt nearly as reckless and doesnt play with the kamikaze style that Morrow displays. The fact that he has only missed 3 games over the past 5 seasons speaks to that as well.

With that being said, I think he can, and will, continue to bring his usual, 25+ goals 25+ assists.. while maintaining his physical presence well into and likely through this contract..

As of right now:
Giroux,Voracek,Hartnell, Read, Couts, Schenn, Talbot and Danny B are ALL signed to play through (at least) two more seasons here. Thats pretty fantastic.

Hell to go even further... on defense:

Coburn, Grossmann, Schenn, MaB, Meszy, and Gervais are as well...

Fantastic to think about...
- jak521

It is nice to have a good, mostly young, core locked up. I agree with Bill that the focus on FA's next summer will be to lock up G, Couts and Schenn to extensions, especially given the dearth of good FA defensemen.

Always sad to hear of someone so young and full of life passing on. Yes, I'd like to think of 60 as young.

Ecstatic about the Hartnell extension. He'll make an impact on this roster for at least 4 of those 6 years. I firmly believe this because he took a totally different approach to his conditioning under the advice of Jagr and it paid dividends. While Jagr is not a banger type he sure takes his share of punishment and look how he's been able to weather the storm of aging. Hell Knuble was able to be a daily contributor into his late 40's. And for that cap-hit, that deal is a bargain for the Flyers.

Always sad to hear of someone so young and full of life passing on. Yes, I'd like to think of 60 as young.

Ecstatic about the Hartnell extension. He'll make an impact on this roster for at least 4 of those 6 years. I firmly believe this because he took a totally different approach to his conditioning under the advice of Jagr and it paid dividends. While Jagr is not a banger type he sure takes his share of punishment and look how he's been able to weather the storm of aging. Hell Knuble was able to be a daily contributor into his late 40's. And for that cap-hit, that deal is a bargain for the Flyers.
- JoeRussomanno

Who the hell does he think he is, Chris Chelios?

Always sad to hear of someone so young and full of life passing on. Yes, I'd like to think of 60 as young.

Ecstatic about the Hartnell extension. He'll make an impact on this roster for at least 4 of those 6 years. I firmly believe this because he took a totally different approach to his conditioning under the advice of Jagr and it paid dividends. While Jagr is not a banger type he sure takes his share of punishment and look how he's been able to weather the storm of aging. Hell Knuble was able to be a daily contributor into his late 40's. And for that cap-hit, that deal is a bargain for the Flyers.
- JoeRussomanno

You mean 30s, I think. Unless he falsified his birth certificate to play Little League and it stuck.

You mean 30s, I think. Unless he falsified his birth certificate to play Little League and it stuck.
- tangent_man

yea typo on my part

Who the hell does he think he is, Chris Chelios?
- jak521

typo

Thoughts and condolences to Briere and his family.
- Flyers_1488

x2

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Briere Condolences, Hartnell, Giroux, Niitty, Travel
- bmeltzer

I got text messages last night from my brother-in-law (whos a Rangers fan) killing the Flyers and the GM for this contract with Hartnell.

Stating its too long, NMC, and hes overrated.

Let me also not leave out his bashing of Bryzgalov and the defensive core.

I guess when you win one year (division not a cup) out of the last ten you become a dynasty now.



Ranger fans.

I got text messages last night from my brother-in-law (whos a Rangers fan) killing the Flyers and the GM for this contract with Hartnell.

Stating its too long, NMC, and hes overrated.

Let me also not leave out his bashing of Bryzgalov and the defensive core.

I guess when you win one year (division not a cup) out of the last ten you become a dynasty now.



Ranger fans.
- stveshdy

Got a couple of Rangers fans on my hockey team and hear the same crap at every game. i have a felling their D isnt going to be as good as they were last year.

As far as the Hartnell contract goes i like it. Should pot 25-30 goals on average a yr thru the life of the contract.

Got a couple of Rangers fans on my hockey team and hear the same crap at every game. i have a felling their D isnt going to be as good as they were last year.

As far as the Hartnell contract goes i like it. Should pot 25-30 goals on average a yr thru the life of the contract.
- Stinkfitz

I think their defense will be as good if they remain as healthy as last year. That's a mighty 'if', though.

Got a couple of Rangers fans on my hockey team and hear the same crap at every game. i have a felling their D isnt going to be as good as they were last year.

As far as the Hartnell contract goes i like it. Should pot 25-30 goals on average a yr thru the life of the contract.
- Stinkfitz

I'm tired of hearing about Lundqvist. Thats all he talks about. My only response is what has he won? Seriously. He is an elite goalie (probably) the best in the league but he hasnt even made it to the Finals yet in his career. Now is that all on him? Probably not but he hasnt got them there either.