:: 2014-2015 Cap Central ::

[awaz]

Gus hasn't gotten the full opportunity though, you can't really say he doesn't deserve it when he hasn't gotten the chance - guys like Nick Grossmann and Luke Schenn had their struggles during the season and they still didn't put Gus in - when Gus played he played well - his plus minus was as good as anyone else on the team and he played way less games(maybe it goes up or down, but it tells me when he did play he played well) - and he would be the type of guy that you need on the blueline that can give you more mobility and speed - he hasn't gotten a full opportunity and needs it - and you can't have all of those high priced d-men either, someone needs to be moved at some point - I think you could move Braydon Coburn, get good value in return and let Gus take over, because he does have some similarities as far as speed, mobility and maybe a little better offensive ability - need to give him a chance at some point, just like the forwards have been given a chance - can't give someone a chance and then not give another player a chance

The backup does matter because if you get in the playoffs, you need someone who can step in and not be the reason why the team loses - you need a goalie the team has more confidence in - the team says they have confidence in Ray Emery but it doesn't show on the ice, they play more timid with him in net and he's simply not as good as Steve Mason

i couldn't disagree more with the bold. if gus replaced coburn this past season, the flyers would not have made the playoffs. i feel 100% confident in that. you don't replace your biggest minute eating, defensive defensemen, with a small, mobile, offensive defensemen. flyers would be ruined if they replaced coburn with gustafsson. absolutely ruined.

gus has played 100 NHL games (including playoffs), so to say he hasn't gotten a chance is a little extreme. he's got 26 points in those 100 games. coburn has played 647 NHL games with 180 points. .26 PPG from gus, .28 PPG from coburn, and coburn is at least 4 times the defender gus is.

sure if you give gus more of a shot, maybe he gets in a rythm and improves, but do you really want that to be what youre relying on to have a good season? i think everyone is in desperate need for that stud offensive dman that we see teams like the habs, kings, and blues with because they're exciting. but gus isn't that guy. in 100 games he hasn't shown he can be that guy. if you really think he could be that guy, don't you think lavy or berube would've used him more? they didnt/dont trust him defensively, so he doesn't play. i want the offensive dman too, believe me, i do, but i think we have to be patient and wait for ghost, not push gus in to a role he's not capable of playing. he's a 6/7 dman to me.

 

[awaz]

Gus hasn't gotten the full opportunity though, you can't really say he doesn't deserve it when he hasn't gotten the chance - guys like Nick Grossmann and Luke Schenn had their struggles during the season and they still didn't put Gus in - when Gus played he played well - his plus minus was as good as anyone else on the team and he played way less games(maybe it goes up or down, but it tells me when he did play he played well) - and he would be the type of guy that you need on the blueline that can give you more mobility and speed - he hasn't gotten a full opportunity and needs it - and you can't have all of those high priced d-men either, someone needs to be moved at some point - I think you could move Braydon Coburn, get good value in return and let Gus take over, because he does have some similarities as far as speed, mobility and maybe a little better offensive ability - need to give him a chance at some point, just like the forwards have been given a chance - can't give someone a chance and then not give another player a chance

The backup does matter because if you get in the playoffs, you need someone who can step in and not be the reason why the team loses - you need a goalie the team has more confidence in - the team says they have confidence in Ray Emery but it doesn't show on the ice, they play more timid with him in net and he's simply not as good as Steve Mason

then, on the backup goalie front, i didn't mean to say i don't care 100%. i want a reliable guy (aka not heeter, yet) that has played some games, and has at least been a team's acting starter. i want someone with experience to be able to cover for mase, just like you said. but those are really a dime a dozen. greiss, stalock, emery, elliot, clemmensen.. that's all i can think off of the top of my head but i'm pretty sure there were a few more. as to which one of those guys, i don't care, that's what i mean.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Hmm, if the Flyers have no confidence in Cal Heeter, then it would probably be best to trade him. He's 25 years old and will be 26 in November (same age as Mason). If he hasn't reached the level of being a capable backup then I don't see what his purpose with the team actually is. Just keep him as an AHL goalie? All that will do is take away experience from Anthony Stolarz. Just doesn't seem that Heeter has any place on the team if he can't be relied upon to be a backup.

 

[awaz]

Hmm, if the Flyers have no confidence in Cal Heeter, then it would probably be best to trade him. He's 25 years old and will be 26 in November (same age as Mason). If he hasn't reached the level of being a capable backup then I don't see what his purpose with the team actually is. Just keep him as an AHL goalie? All that will do is take away experience from Anthony Stolarz. Just doesn't seem that Heeter has any place on the team if he can't be relied upon to be a backup.

personally i don't think he really does either. i think he'll split time with stolarz in the AHL this year. he was signed as a potential project and because the flyers needed minor league goalies, so it's not really a bad thing if he's not NHL material, there's still use for him. the AHL needs players too!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

personally i don't think he really does either. i think he'll split time with stolarz in the AHL this year. he was signed as a potential project and because the flyers needed minor league goalies, so it's not really a bad thing if he's not NHL material, there's still use for him. the AHL needs players too!

I agree, have him split time with Stolarz in the AHL until Stolarz is ready to be a full time starter. Seems like a good plan. It's too bad Heeter can't be relied upon to be a backup at this juncture of his career, would make things a lot easier for the Flyers next season.

What do you think they should do to fill out the backup role? Re-sign Ray Emery or go after someone else via trade or free agency?

 

[awaz]

I agree, have him split time with Stolarz in the AHL until Stolarz is ready to be a full time starter. Seems like a good plan. It's too bad Heeter can't be relied upon to be a backup at this juncture of his career, would make things a lot easier for the Flyers next season.

What do you think they should do to fill out the backup role? Re-sign Ray Emery or go after someone else via trade or free agency?

Elliot
Vokoun
Emery
Giguere
Gustavsson
Clemmensen
Greiss
Stalock
Montoya
Peters

any of those guys that are available around 1 -1.5 mil, i'd be fine with. doesn't really matter to me amongst those, but if i had my pick it would be elliot or stalock (but i don't think either of them will actually make it to free agency)

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Elliot
Vokoun
Emery
Giguere
Gustavsson
Clemmensen
Greiss
Stalock
Montoya
Peters

any of those guys that are available around 1 -1.5 mil, i'd be fine with. doesn't really matter to me amongst those, but if i had my pick it would be elliot or stalock (but i don't think either of them will actually make it to free agency)

That's actually a pretty good list. Maybe finding the backup won't be a problem after all. Way better options than Heeter & Emery out there.

 

[Cobiemonster]

Elliot
Vokoun
Emery
Giguere
Gustavsson
Clemmensen
Greiss
Stalock
Montoya
Peters

any of those guys that are available around 1 -1.5 mil, i'd be fine with. doesn't really matter to me amongst those, but if i had my pick it would be elliot or stalock (but i don't think either of them will actually make it to free agency)

Giggy's retiring so you can take him off the list - I would go after Al Montoya

 

[awaz]

Giggy's retiring so you can take him off the list - I would go after Al Montoya

ah, didn't know that. damn east coast bias

 

[JBM73]

HockeyBuzz.com - Bill Meltzer - Meltzer's Musings: Hextall's View on Analytics and Roster Building

 

[awaz]

HockeyBuzz.com - Bill Meltzer - Meltzer's Musings: Hextall's View on Analytics and Roster Building

For obvious reasons, Hextall will probably never divulge his true feelings about the trade that sent Richards to Los Angeles in exchange for Schenn (then considered LA's top forward prospect) and Wayne Simmonds. Although Richards struggled this season in LA, he was a major part of the reason why the Kings won the Stanley Cup in 2011-12 and still has on-ice value beyond his statistics.

that's real interesting. i hadn't thought about that. i wonder what hexy thinks of schenn and i wonder what he thinks about that trade in general.

 

[lasgop8]

that's real interesting. i hadn't thought about that. i wonder what hexy thinks of schenn and i wonder what he thinks about that trade in general.

Its pretty simple why the Kings won the cup with Richards and Carter and we didn't. In LA they were second line players and in Philly they were our top line. LA just had more talent and had Quick between the pipes.

 

[JBM73]

Bill Meltzer on the Flyers back-up goalie situation:

In a non-cap world, the Flyers would probably bring Emery back in a heartbeat to maintain the continuity of his strong partnership with Mason. Unfortunately, the Flyers are going to be tight to the cap (as usual) in 2014-15. With Mason having signed a three-year contract extension that takes his salary from $1.5 million to $4.1 million, the Flyers may need to reduce the amount they spend on their backup goaltender.

Ideally, I think Philly would like to stay under $1 million for its backup to Mason. However, there are no internal candidates now. Cal Heeter isn't ready to be pressed into NHL service, nor is 20-year-old Anthony Stolarz. As such, the Flyers options are either to re-sign Emery, trade for a backup or sign one of the other unrestricted free agent goaltenders on the market this summer.

Let's be honest: Emery is unlikely to find a full-time starting spot anywhere in the NHL anymore. However, on another one-year deal, he may or may not still be a candidate for a 1A/1B arrangement on a club that lacks a clear-cut starter. That would keep his salary in about the same $1.65 million range he received from the Flyers this season.

If there are no such offers for Emery, his price tag may drop to a range where there may still be a fit with the Flyers. Alternatively, the team may opt to go for a somewhat younger backup candidate.

The best strategy here from a Flyers perspective is to patient. They know Mason will be their number one goaltender for the foreseeable future if he stays healthy. However, they also need a proven backup of at least Emery's caliber in the event of an injury similar to the late-season concussion that forced Mason to miss the start of the playoffs. There are some pretty good options on the market this summer, which makes it a good buyer's market to teams that are patient and wait for the prices to drop.

 

[lasgop8]

Bill Meltzer on the Flyers back-up goalie situation:

In a non-cap world, the Flyers would probably bring Emery back in a heartbeat to maintain the continuity of his strong partnership with Mason. Unfortunately, the Flyers are going to be tight to the cap (as usual) in 2014-15. With Mason having signed a three-year contract extension that takes his salary from $1.5 million to $4.1 million, the Flyers may need to reduce the amount they spend on their backup goaltender.

Ideally, I think Philly would like to stay under $1 million for its backup to Mason. However, there are no internal candidates now. Cal Heeter isn't ready to be pressed into NHL service, nor is 20-year-old Anthony Stolarz. As such, the Flyers options are either to re-sign Emery, trade for a backup or sign one of the other unrestricted free agent goaltenders on the market this summer.

Let's be honest: Emery is unlikely to find a full-time starting spot anywhere in the NHL anymore. However, on another one-year deal, he may or may not still be a candidate for a 1A/1B arrangement on a club that lacks a clear-cut starter. That would keep his salary in about the same $1.65 million range he received from the Flyers this season.

If there are no such offers for Emery, his price tag may drop to a range where there may still be a fit with the Flyers. Alternatively, the team may opt to go for a somewhat younger backup candidate.

The best strategy here from a Flyers perspective is to patient. They know Mason will be their number one goaltender for the foreseeable future if he stays healthy. However, they also need a proven backup of at least Emery's caliber in the event of an injury similar to the late-season concussion that forced Mason to miss the start of the playoffs. There are some pretty good options on the market this summer, which makes it a good buyer's market to teams that are patient and wait for the prices to drop.

I like Emery and all he did for us this year especially getting us to be a closer team with his mugging of Washington's net minder but I would like someone who could play 7 or 8 games in a row should something happen to Mason. Emery's wouldn't be able to play a long stretch. With that being said if I knew Mason would never get hurt I would love Emery back.

 

[Cobiemonster]

Bill Meltzer on the Flyers back-up goalie situation:

In a non-cap world, the Flyers would probably bring Emery back in a heartbeat to maintain the continuity of his strong partnership with Mason. Unfortunately, the Flyers are going to be tight to the cap (as usual) in 2014-15. With Mason having signed a three-year contract extension that takes his salary from $1.5 million to $4.1 million, the Flyers may need to reduce the amount they spend on their backup goaltender.

Ideally, I think Philly would like to stay under $1 million for its backup to Mason. However, there are no internal candidates now. Cal Heeter isn't ready to be pressed into NHL service, nor is 20-year-old Anthony Stolarz. As such, the Flyers options are either to re-sign Emery, trade for a backup or sign one of the other unrestricted free agent goaltenders on the market this summer.

Let's be honest: Emery is unlikely to find a full-time starting spot anywhere in the NHL anymore. However, on another one-year deal, he may or may not still be a candidate for a 1A/1B arrangement on a club that lacks a clear-cut starter. That would keep his salary in about the same $1.65 million range he received from the Flyers this season.

If there are no such offers for Emery, his price tag may drop to a range where there may still be a fit with the Flyers. Alternatively, the team may opt to go for a somewhat younger backup candidate.

The best strategy here from a Flyers perspective is to patient. They know Mason will be their number one goaltender for the foreseeable future if he stays healthy. However, they also need a proven backup of at least Emery's caliber in the event of an injury similar to the late-season concussion that forced Mason to miss the start of the playoffs. There are some pretty good options on the market this summer, which makes it a good buyer's market to teams that are patient and wait for the prices to drop.

He's right about all of that but I honestly don't think it's a matter of cap space, I just think they simply need a better backup

 

[awaz]

As a matter of fact, Emery chronically received much less goal support than Mason did over the course of the season. With Emery in goal, the Flyers averaged just 1.93 goals per 60 minutes of play. With Mason, they scored 3.03 goals per game.

Most of that massive goal support difference was due to sheer happenstance. That's just how it played out this given season.

talent-wise, emery was a fine backup goalie. at a salary around 1 mil, i'd gladly take him back.

 

[JBM73]

On Hartnell:

HockeyBuzz.com - Bill Meltzer - Meltzer's Musings: Hartnell Assessment

 

[lasgop8]

On Hartnell:

HockeyBuzz.com - Bill Meltzer - Meltzer's Musings: Hartnell Assessment

How great would it be if Hartnell reverted back to his 37 goal per year player.

 

[Cobiemonster]

How great would it be if Hartnell reverted back to his 37 goal per year player.

It'll never happen again, and he probably won't hit 30 again either - 25 is more reasonable, but if they can move him for a speedier player I'd do it

 

[awaz]

if they move hartnell, it's gotta be a hockey move IMO. i'm not in love with him, even less so his contract, but he's a bankable 20-25 goals and a staple on the top PP unit. you can't move him for draft picks just to clear space IMO. i think they're missing a top 6 forward already, if you move hartnell, your missing two top 6 forwards.