Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bryzgalov, Hartnell, Wellwood

For instance, if Tim Thomas opts to return to the NHL next season, couldn't you see the Flyers jettisoning Bryzgalov and bringing in Thomas on a one-year contract?

C'mon Bill....there's NO WAY they'd.....

*remembers that summer day when they signed Jaromir Jagr out of nowhere*

Oh yeah. Never mind.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bryzgalov, Hartnell, Wellwood
- bmeltzer

Per the usual, well said.

Fair or not, Bryzgalov's contract has to be included when evaluating his value to this team. If they're willing to eat the money (due to a buyout), the Flyers can easily find a guy on the cheap who "isn't part of the problem, but also not really part of the solution." At $5.7 million per season, that is simply not good enough.

It's time to offload the Bryz and Briere contracts and create some temporary cap flexibility for this team to improve in other ways.

I know many are tired of the revolving door in front of the net, but it's obvious that Bryzgalov is not the answer.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bryzgalov, Hartnell, Wellwood
- bmeltzer

Question about Wellwood:
I don't know if this ever happens with the NHL, but I know in baseball there are minor league teams who sign players individually that are separate from MLB contracts (in other words, he is only signed to the minor league team, not the MLB team). I think I've read that some ECHL players are the same. Would it be possible for the Phantoms to do the same as a show of good faith and hopefully he'd rejoin them at the end of next season/start of 14/15 in a playing capacity due to that good faith?

Question about Wellwood:
I don't know if this ever happens with the NHL, but I know in baseball there are minor league teams who sign players individually that are separate from MLB contracts (in other words, he is only signed to the minor league team, not the MLB team). I think I've read that some ECHL players are the same. Would it be possible for the Phantoms to do the same as a show of good faith and hopefully he'd rejoin them at the end of next season/start of 14/15 in a playing capacity due to that good faith?
- jmatchett383

Yes, there are straight-up minor league contracts. If Wellwood does not receive a qualifying offer and becomes a UFA, he may have to go that route if/when he returns in the latter stages of next season. He needs to show he's fully recovered and his speed has been regained.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bryzgalov, Hartnell, Wellwood
- bmeltzer

It's going to be an interesting off season. A lot depends on the CBOs and how they are(or if they are) used.

Despite the player personnel issues, I still worry that they will keep Laviolette. If he stays and they can not get the kid of players to make his system work, they will be facing major issues in December.

Also, a thought on Briere:

This may be hindered by the fact that the cap goes down, but would it be wiser to perhaps use a non-amnesty buyout on him? This is my understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong):

Briere is owed $5M total for the next 2 years. If the Flyers buy him out, their cap hit is 2/3 of that salary ($3.33M) spread over double the remaining term (4 years) for a cap hit of $0.833M for 4 years. Even though it's essentially dead space, if those numbers are right, would it be worth it to keep those 2 amnesty buyouts handy and just do a normal buyout of Briere?

Last year, it was said of Bryzgalov that he is at his best when he gets a lot of work and knows he's going to play matter what. Along with salary cap savings, the "Bryz thrives on a very heavy workload" rationale got used frequently after the Flyers traded Sergei Bobrovsky to Columbus and downgraded their backup goaltending with the re-signing of Michael Leighton (who got into all of one game).

After another inconsistent season, the rationale has changed. Now it's said by some that Bryzgalov got overworked this season. The corresponding line that gets uttered is that the acquisition of former Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason from Columbus is that having competition for the starting job can push Bryzgalov to stay better focused.

During some of the busiest stretches of the current season, Bryzgalov may indeed have been a little tired when he was playing three games in four days or four games in six. On the whole, though, I don't think fatigue has been a major issue. In a normal schedule, teams would be at midseason after a comparable number of games played.

Of all the Flyers on-ice problems this year, I put goaltending beneath inadequate team defense, inconsistent offense and subpar five-on-five performance. I'd put goaltending letdowns ahead of injuries and an exceptionally tough early schedule.

That's a harsher review of Bryzgalov and his time in Philly than many on this board are prepared to accept. There's always an excuse for Bryz and it's never that he's not an elite goalie.

The key part for me is that he's not a bad goalie but he's not the game changing elite goalie that his contract dictates he be.

I agree with pretty much everything there including noticing the conflicting changing rationales.

Yes, there are straight-up minor league contracts. If Wellwood does not receive a qualifying offer and becomes a UFA, he may have to go that route if/when he returns in the latter stages of next season. He needs to show he's fully recovered and his speed has been regained.
- bmeltzer

What really sucks for Wellwood is that his speed is so integral to his game. Without that blazing speed, he's not going to be a regular NHLer.

I think, when healthy, Scott Hartnell is someone I want on this team.

He's been a part of three of the best lines the Flyers have had in the past 5 years and I think he's going to be fine next year.

Also, guys like Hartnell are coveted around the league.

Big, gritty power forwards who can pot 30+ goals a season are not easy to come by and many teams are in search of one for their top 6.

I think you'll see a much-improved 19 next season as he heals up over the summer, and makes a dynamic top line with Giroux and Voracek.

There's no way you buy out Hartnell.

Also, a thought on Briere:

This may be hindered by the fact that the cap goes down, but would it be wiser to perhaps use a non-amnesty buyout on him? This is my understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong):

Briere is owed $5M total for the next 2 years. If the Flyers buy him out, their cap hit is 2/3 of that salary ($3.33M) spread over double the remaining term (4 years) for a cap hit of $0.833M for 4 years. Even though it's essentially dead space, if those numbers are right, would it be worth it to keep those 2 amnesty buyouts handy and just do a normal buyout of Briere?
- jmatchett383

If they do a non-compliance buy out on Briere, his cap hit for each of the next two seasons would be $4.33mm and then $5.33mm

http://capgeek.com/buyout...3&buyout_m=06&buyout_d=15

Also, a thought on Briere:

This may be hindered by the fact that the cap goes down, but would it be wiser to perhaps use a non-amnesty buyout on him? This is my understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong):

Briere is owed $5M total for the next 2 years. If the Flyers buy him out, their cap hit is 2/3 of that salary ($3.33M) spread over double the remaining term (4 years) for a cap hit of $0.833M for 4 years. Even though it's essentially dead space, if those numbers are right, would it be worth it to keep those 2 amnesty buyouts handy and just do a normal buyout of Briere?
- jmatchett383

Only if you have another contract in specific you intend to amnesty. I'd probably just amnesty Briere and Bryz and get it over with.

I think Briere could be marketable for a team for the next two years considering his contract however his refusal to accept a trade has forced the Flyers to consider buying him out. It is unfortunate however it's business and I will not feel sorry for him if he gets bought out and signs with another team next year. Having said all that he was a great player for us and really no regrets in that sense.

Also, a thought on Briere:

This may be hindered by the fact that the cap goes down, but would it be wiser to perhaps use a non-amnesty buyout on him? This is my understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong):

Briere is owed $5M total for the next 2 years. If the Flyers buy him out, their cap hit is 2/3 of that salary ($3.33M) spread over double the remaining term (4 years) for a cap hit of $0.833M for 4 years. Even though it's essentially dead space, if those numbers are right, would it be worth it to keep those 2 amnesty buyouts handy and just do a normal buyout of Briere?
- jmatchett383

The cap hit figures in.

With a regular buyout, he counts for $4.3 million on the cap next season, $5.3 the following season, then 2 seasons of $0.83.

The cap hit figures in.

With a regular buyout, he counts for $4.3 million on the cap next season, $5.3 the following season, then 2 seasons of $0.83.
- bradleyc4

The $4.3m dead cap hit next season is enough to dissuade me. Might as well take the extra two million cap hit and play him.

I think, when healthy, Scott Hartnell is someone I want on this team.

He's been a part of three of the best lines the Flyers have had in the past 5 years and I think he's going to be fine next year.
- johndewar

Hartnell started the year after a one week camp, wasn't in game shape and then got hurt in game 3. He returned before he was fully healed and let's face it, isn't a great skater at his best.

I expect Hartnell to return to his 25-30 goal form and be a pest.

I think Briere could be marketable for a team for the next two years considering his contract however his refusal to accept a trade has forced the Flyers to consider buying him out. It is unfortunate however it's business and I will not feel sorry for him if he gets bought out and signs with another team next year. Having said all that he was a great player for us and really no regrets in that sense.
- Daceroni

His NMC is an issue. He can reject a trade.

Plus, without a buyout, he could probably land even more total dollars with the buyout + new contract from another team (which his agent would also want).

The $4.3m dead cap hit next season is enough to dissuade me. Might as well take the extra two million cap hit and play him.
- BulliesPhan87

Exactly. It's either amnesty or keep him.

I just don't see how he fits. He's not a very good winger, and his value diminishes further (mostly because of the defense and faceoffs) when playing pivot.

It's time to move on.

The cap hit figures in.

With a regular buyout, he counts for $4.3 million on the cap next season, $5.3 the following season, then 2 seasons of $0.83.
- bradleyc4

Okay, I wasn't sure of that. In the case yes, it has to be amnesty or trade.

Exactly. It's either amnesty or keep him.

I just don't see how he fits. He's not a very good winger, and his value diminishes further (mostly because of the defense and faceoffs) when playing pivot.

It's time to move on.
- bradleyc4

Hate to say it, but I agree. He's been great for us, but there is such thing as loyalty to a fault. There's just not space on this roster for a defensively poor veteran who more or less needs to play center.

Hate to say it, but I agree. He's been great for us, but there is such thing as loyalty to a fault. There's just not space on this roster for a defensively poor veteran who more or less needs to play center.
- BulliesPhan87

The realities of the cap, combined with team needs dictate the situation. It sucks. I like Briere, but he's not a good fit financially or hockey wise any longer.

I feel really, really bad for Wellwood. I'll keep rooting for him... And we'll see what the Flyers do.

I just want this season to be over, know where we are going to draft, and give the guys some time to heal so we can get back and kick some butt, next season!

Speaking of? When is the draft lotto and actual draft day?

I feel really, really bad for Wellwood. I'll keep rooting for him... And we'll see what the Flyers do.

I just want this season to be over, know where we are going to draft, and give the guys some time to heal so we can get back and kick some butt, next season!

Speaking of? When is the draft lotto and actual draft day?
- FlyersGrace

Lottery is one week from today. Draft is June 30th

The realities of the cap, combined with team needs dictate the situation. It sucks. I like Briere, but he's not a good fit financially or hockey wise any longer.
- Jsaquella

Pretty much my sentiment. Thanks for your service, Danny, but this is business. Also, thanks for not being Drury or Gomez.