Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Memorial Cup Final, Trial on the Isle, Marsh

Happy Draft Month Everyone!

http://www.pattisonave.com/flyers-5v5-goals-for/

The video in this article illustrates the flyers major problem. Puck movement from the back end. MDZ has the puck on a breakout attempt and circles back to pass it to the other d. At this time Giroux is dropping low in the zone in the center of the ice to receive a breakout pass. The other d gets the puck and there is a play to be made to get the puck to giroux. It would be a backhand saucer pass. I think this is grossman but not sure. He doesn't make the play for whatever reason, holds onto the puck and dishes it back to MDZ to start all over again. This type of play is routine for playoff teams

In your defense, that spinach salad from Chammps is pretty good.

In your defense, that spinach salad from Chammps is pretty good.
- johndewar

It actually is pretty good.

exercise for the day was limited to a backyard Nerf football catch with my son, Benjamin.

Bill.... That's a great name for your son

What about using a 6th or 7th on that 20 year old Oshawa goalie?

Bill,

In the previous blog we were talking about hextall and upgrading the d. Cody Franson was a name we were talking about as a player kind of like Del Zotto who struggled in Nasville and would the Flyers look at him the same way they did Del Zotto and try for a short prove it deal. Now Franson might not work but is there any RFA's that might not get a QO or any players that you think the Flyers could bargin shop with?

Thanks for your time.

Marsh is hard to recognize without his famous helmet.

I don't see how they can do anything with the defense, including signing MDZ till they get rid of at least one of LSchenn or Grossmann. These are the eight guys they already have ordered by cap hit (MDZ's is projected). That's too many guys and too much money to go into a season with, especially considering Manning would have to be in the AHL.

MacDonald (5) - Streit (5.25)
Grossmann (3.5) - LSchenn (3.6)
Del Zotto (3.5) - Medvedev (3)
Schultz (2.25) - Gudas (0.992)

from last Blob

It's technically not legal but I'm sure his agent would put out feelers to see what the interest would be
- PhillySportsGuy

if the Flyers give permission to his agent to seek a trade, I'm sure this would cover "potential" contract talks. Granted, it would be under the guise of a trade, but I cant see what the team(s) and agent would be violating, but we are talking about the NHL

Bill,

In the previous blog we were talking about hextall and upgrading the d. Cody Franson was a name we were talking about as a player kind of like Del Zotto who struggled in Nasville and would the Flyers look at him the same way they did Del Zotto and try for a short prove it deal. Now Franson might not work but is there any RFA's that might not get a QO or any players that you think the Flyers could bargin shop with?

Thanks for your time.
- J35Bacher

There's not anyone with MDZ's level of previous NHL success that's unlikely to get a QO as a RFA.

http://www.generalfanager...on=D&team=all&RFA=1&UFA=1

Marsh is hard to recognize without his famous helmet.
- Jsaquella

Exactly. Although Brad is minus that mop of hair nowadays.

If I am correct, as long as the Flyers qualify MDZ with the 10% raise offer, any RFA contract means the team gets a pic in compensation depending on the amount of the offer. Which will most likely, if it were to happen, be enough that it did indeed require a pick in compensation.

If the Flyers offer him 3m I don't see many teams coming in trying to beat that deal. And if they do, take the pick.

Cap Hit of offer sheet Draft Pick Compensation
$1,110,249 or below None
Over $1,110,249 to $1,682,194 Third-round pick
Over $1,682,194 to $3,364,391 Second-round pick
Over $3,364,391 to $5,046,585 First-round and third-round pick
Over $5,046,585 to $6,728,781 First-round, second-round and third-round pick
Over $6,728,781 to $8,410,976 Two first-round picks, second-round pick, third-round pick
Over $8,410,976 Four first-round picks

Bill,

In the previous blog we were talking about hextall and upgrading the d. Cody Franson was a name we were talking about as a player kind of like Del Zotto who struggled in Nasville and would the Flyers look at him the same way they did Del Zotto and try for a short prove it deal. Now Franson might not work but is there any RFA's that might not get a QO or any players that you think the Flyers could bargin shop with?

Thanks for your time.
- J35Bacher

It is rare for an RFA who can help a team to NOT get a qualifying offer. MDZ's case last year was an unusual one.

Every year, there are a few bargain UFAs who end up having a good year. Schultz was one last year.

Overall, though, teams horde defensemen and very few decent ones make it to UFA come July 1 unless their current team has cap issues or they are simply too far apart on money.

So the short answer is that there really won't be anyone attainable out there this summer who could make a significant difference. Just need to keep developing the prospects, hope one or two become impact guys in a few years and make some smart small moves in the meantime.

It is rare for an RFA who can help a team to NOT get a qualifying offer. MDZ's case last year was an unusual one.

Every year, there are a few bargain UFAs who end up having a good year. Schultz was one last year.

Overall, though, teams horde defensemen and very few decent ones make it to UFA come July 1 unless their current team has cap issues or they are simply too far apart on money.

So the short answer is that there really won't be anyone attainable out there this summer who could make a significant difference. Just need to keep developing the prospects, hope one or two become impact guys in a few years and make some smart small moves in the meantime.
- bmeltzer

What about forwards? I thought St.Louis could be an option on one year deal as I don't think he is going back to Rangers. Also if it was a one year deal maybe you move him at TDL if needed for more picks. Just think he could be nice option on either Giroux or Couturier's wing. But is there anyone else that might interest you?

http://thehockeywriters.c...could-cruise-with-crouse/

looks like i'm right again

Or let's simply avoid overpaying for guys who are expensive, but marginal upgrades, and have a solid plan that will make the team stronger and not create more cap issues because the team has 5 number 4 defensemen making $5mm a year
- Jsaquella

franson is more than a marginal upgrade over the 26 points in two years or full season in two years from amac

So you'd prefer to keep overpaying for second-pair UFA defenseman that actually try to develop player from within? You think that's a better method to success based on the teams that have won Cups in the past 5-7 years?
- jmatchett383

that's not what im saying either... i dont see how moving out amac who has a very bland skill set and adding a ufa like franson immediately translates to trading prospects.

What about forwards? I thought St.Louis could be an option on one year deal as I don't think he is going back to Rangers. Also if it was a one year deal maybe you move him at TDL if needed for more picks. Just think he could be nice option on either Giroux or Couturier's wing. But is there anyone else that might interest you?
- J35Bacher

Isn't MSL a RW? The only LWs that are an option that I see are Booth and Cole.

that's not what im saying either... i dont see how moving out amac who has a very bland skill set and adding a ufa like franson immediately translates to trading prospects.
- JoeRussomanno

You think the Flyers would find a taker for that albatross without taking some other burden back?

Yes, if you're simply replacing a long-term UFA with a long-term UFA for less money, then I'm not opposed. But I think AMac is here to stay, so at that point, you're just adding to the pile.

Now, if they could move all 3 of Grossmann/Schenn/AMac, I'd be more open to it. But I'm just not a big fan of Jeff Finger Cody Franson.

Isn't MSL a RW? The only LWs that are an option that I see are Booth and Cole.
- jmatchett383

and are either of them better than Raffl or a healthy Read?

franson is more than a marginal upgrade over the 26 points in two years or full season in two years from amac
- JoeRussomanno

So where is AMac going?

and are either of them better than Raffl or a healthy Read?
- nails

Read didn't have much success in his (short) stint with those 2. But no, I think Raffl is a better fit than both of them.

and are either of them better than Raffl or a healthy Read?
- nails

At this point probably not. Raffl scored 19 goals to St. Louis 21, and will probably score more, and provide better two way play if they stick him on that top line and leave him there.