Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: RFAs, Swiss Sleepers

FIRST.....Go after Shattenkirk

If they offer sheet anyone it would have to be Pietrangelo for me. A stupid contract + the loss of our next 4-5 1st rounders is only justifiable if we get a young, franchise defenseman. Losing 4-5 1st rounders doesn't hurt so much when the player we're acquiring is only 23.

FIRST.....Go after Shattenkirk
- drs3375

and then when they match... offer sheet pietrangelo!! eff the rest of the NHL lol

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: RFAs, Swiss Sleepers
- bmeltzer

Offer sheets cause timing issues, as well. They tie up a team's ability to do business for a full week and the best case scenario is that you get a player at a higher salary than his old team was willing to pay and you lose picks.

I'd be very hesitant to trade multiple first rounders for Shattenkirk if he was signed to a fair market deal(say at Keith Yandle money), I'd hate to pay him more than that and lost multiple first rounders.

I would really really hate to see the Flyers overpay a defenseman AND remain in salary cap Hell where they've been pretty much since the cap was implemented AND forfeit a half-decade's worth of 1st rounders, all for one guy who is demonstrably not the greatest defenseman to ever lace up a pair of skates.

Jones or bust

Jones or bust
- Philly1980

The night of the draft, and for the next several nights it is probably in your best interest that you stay away from sharp objects.

I would really really hate to see the Flyers overpay a defenseman AND remain in salary cap Hell where they've been pretty much since the cap was implemented AND forfeit a half-decade's worth of 1st rounders, all for one guy who is demonstrably not the greatest defenseman to ever lace up a pair of skates.
- Doc_Sarcasm

The Flyers will be in salary cap "Hell" as long as there is a cap, regardless of who they sign. They will always be a team, at least as long as Snider's driving the train, that spends up to the cap.

Bill, as unlikely it may be couldn't a team offer sheet Pietrangelo to the absulute max contract with all the bells and whistles, knowing full well that STL will match only to offersheet Shattenkirk after they match on Pietrangelo to really put them in a bind?

I'm not condoning it but it is a possibility, right?

Nikolai Zherdev is having his KHL contract terminated. First line winger problem solved.

Nikolai Zherdev is having his KHL contract terminated. First line winger problem solved.
- Jsaquella

The Flyers will be in salary cap "Hell" as long as there is a cap, regardless of who they sign. They will always be a team, at least as long as Snider's driving the train, that spends up to the cap.
- Jsaquella

That's what I don't get. Why any flyers fan would try to envision a season where we had flexible cap space is beyond me. It's not mistakes that lead the flyers to the cap ceiling, it's their philosophy.

That's what I don't get. Why any flyers fan would try to envision a season where we had flexible cap space is beyond me. It's not mistakes that lead the flyers to the cap ceiling, it's their philosophy.
- funmaster18

It's both blessing and curse

That's what I don't get. Why any flyers fan would try to envision a season where we had flexible cap space is beyond me. It's not mistakes that lead the flyers to the cap ceiling, it's their philosophy.
- funmaster18

It was also their philosophy to change head coaches every year once upon a time.

It's both blessing and curse
- Jsaquella

It keeps it interesting and always gives you a chance every year, but it can be damn frustrating at times. I expect them to do better this year than last season even if they don't make any changes. I'm wondering how short of leash Lavi is on.

Speaking of coaches, I wonder what they will do in Pitt with Bylsma. He's had a lot of talent and has struggled lately in the playoffs. Sure they made it to the conference finals this year and are still alive, but I did not expect them to be in a 3-0 hole at this point.

It was also their philosophy to change head coaches every year once upon a time.
- Doc_Sarcasm

I don't think we will ever say once upon a time about their spending up to the cap as long as the current ownership is in place.

Is it just me or is it hard to watch the playoffs at this point? 4 teams that have recently won the cup and have some type of history with the Flyers. I know I definitely don't want to see Pitt win, but it's tough having a rooting interest at this point.

It keeps it interesting and always gives you a chance every year, but it can be damn frustrating at times. I expect them to do better this year than last season even if they don't make any changes. I'm wondering how short of leash Lavi is on.

Speaking of coaches, I wonder what they will do in Pitt with Bylsma. He's had a lot of talent and has struggled lately in the playoffs. Sure they made it to the conference finals this year and are still alive, but I did not expect them to be in a 3-0 hole at this point.
- funmaster18

The Penguins have won 3 playoff rounds in the past 4 years, despite having names like Crosby, Malkin, Staal and Letang on the roster. If they get swept this year, I'd find it hard to keep Bylsma or at the very least keep him without a very short leash.

To compound the issue, since they won the Cup, the only teams they have beaten in the playoffs are Ottawa and the Islanders. Hardly impressive.

Is it just me or is it hard to watch the playoffs at this point? 4 teams that have recently won the cup and have some type of history with the Flyers. I know I definitely don't want to see Pitt win, but it's tough having a rooting interest at this point.
- funmaster18

I haven't had a rooting interest and have enjoyed the games. I simply root for compelling play now.

The Penguins have won 3 playoff rounds in the past 4 years, despite having names like Crosby, Malkin, Staal and Letang on the roster. If they get swept this year, I'd find it hard to keep Bylsma or at the very least keep him without a very short leash.

To compound the issue, since they won the Cup, the only teams they have beaten in the playoffs are Ottawa and the Islanders. Hardly impressive.
- Jsaquella

It's hard to believe that record.

Bill, this is fantastic. The pride you take in your work is evident in literally every sentence. We appreciate it!


If you were Homer... what would your top priority be this offseason?

Getting a top pairing d-man through trade? Move up in the draft? There really are so many different possibilities that I cant even begin to imagine.

I haven't had a rooting interest and have enjoyed the games. I simply root for compelling play now.
- Jsaquella

Well you are getting a lot of compelling play, that's for sure. I was really hoping for a team like San Jose or Ottawa to get through. Not a huge Ottawa fan, but was pulling for Alfredsson.

Still, the games have definitely been exciting.

Bill, as unlikely it may be couldn't a team offer sheet Pietrangelo to the absulute max contract with all the bells and whistles, knowing full well that STL will match only to offersheet Shattenkirk after they match on Pietrangelo to really put them in a bind?

I'm not condoning it but it is a possibility, right?
- hereticpride

Sign Pietrangelo to a $17mil contract? Anythings possible, but the GM who does that would probably be fired soon after.

The Penguins have won 3 playoff rounds in the past 4 years, despite having names like Crosby, Malkin, Staal and Letang on the roster. If they get swept this year, I'd find it hard to keep Bylsma or at the very least keep him without a very short leash.

To compound the issue, since they won the Cup, the only teams they have beaten in the playoffs are Ottawa and the Islanders. Hardly impressive.
- Jsaquella

Blame Shero.