Post by zzeke on Feb 24, 2013 23:23:56 GMT -5
Our Flyers are a mediocre team. Certain key elements required of a top NHL team are missing. And, the NHL Cap is significantly lowered for next season. Is it time to reshape this team?
There are only 28 games remaining in this short season – only 2 months. Are we happy to try to squeeze into the playoffs - or - are we more happy to see our team positioned for a top Draft pick? (not using the T-word here)
Fedotenko
Knuble
Shelley
Walker
Foster
Lilja
Leighton
Boucher
Of course, not all of these are on the current roster.
Potential lost due to Amnesty Buy-Out – 2 players (8.25 M of Cap Space):
Briere
Talbot
Based on this above, the Flyers Cap Space has been recalculated.
Homer will have a full defence group of 7 - Timonen, Schenn (RH), Coburn, Grossmann, Meszaros, Gustafsson, Gervais (RH).
Adding a new RH young defenceman would be ideal - but very difficult. Of course, a top Draft pick could yield a great young defenceman such as Seth Jones (RH) to be groomed for the future after Timonen is done.
He will need:
- two top-9 wingers (after Voracek, Simmonds, Hartnell, Read)
- a 4th line center (after Giroux, Schenn, Couturier)
- a 4th line winger
- a #2 goaltender
Homer will have 14 M in Cap Space (after Pronger is placed on LTIR) to reach the new lower NHL Cap of 62.3 M. Assuming Homer uses approx 3 M for a 4th line center, a 4th line winger, and a #2 goaltender he will then have 11 M to get two top-9 wingers. This is key. Two big veteran forwards who score and provide experienced leadership for this young group of forwards.
Because of this unusual off-season, with the new lower NHL Cap, and with 'all teams' doing Amnesty Buy-Outs, there will be a great opportunity to get some quality “not too old” players. We will anxiously wait to see who becomes available.
Homer will be in great shape with his Cap space. But, some other teams with high team Caps, who are driving for the Cup now, will be caught this off-season with having to Amnesty Buy-Out some quality players (yet to be identified).
In addition, some quality “not too old” regular UFAs will be available such as:
Penner (LA) - LW, age 29, 6'-4", 242, great in the crease
Getzlaf (Ana) - C, age 27, 6'-4", 221, leader
Perry (Ana) - RW, age 27, 6'-3", 212, elite scorer
White (Det) - D, age 29, 5'-10", 191, RH, puck-moving
Smid (Edm) - D, age 27, 6'-3", 210, LH, shut-down
MacArthur (Tor) - LW, age 28, 6'-0", 191, 20+ goal scorer, speed, gritty
(Take note - no mention of Bryzgalov and goaltending. His Cap Space is not needed for the other changes, and it will be difficult to get a higher quality goalie, IMO.)
Yes, it hurts to watch our team lose. But, “falling in standings points” has a silver lining – a great Draft year with a top-3 Draft pick.
And a “one-of-a-kind” off-season of quality UFAs from the Amnesty Buy-Outs from teams in big Cap trouble.
Homer can turn this team quickly and decisively. This will be a fun summer.
Agree? Comments?
There are only 28 games remaining in this short season – only 2 months. Are we happy to try to squeeze into the playoffs - or - are we more happy to see our team positioned for a top Draft pick? (not using the T-word here)
This is an excellent Draft year with high quality Draft prospects with star potential.
Should we be hoping Homer and his staff will be in a position to get a top-3 Draft pick, maybe even defenceman Seth Jones?
Perhaps we all agree that this team/organization needs some “re-tooling” – both with draftees and quality veterans. Homer can re-shape this team in one off-season – this unique off-season. It is unique because of the new CBA's lower Cap and the 'one-time-only' two Amnesty Buy-Outs without a Cap Hit penalty.
When we look carefully at our team's forwards, only a few key high-quality veteran players are needed to round-out this young group of forwards.
The big picture:
Lost as UFAs after this season – 8 players (9.15 M of Cap Space):
Fedotenko
Knuble
Shelley
Walker
Foster
Lilja
Leighton
Boucher
Of course, not all of these are on the current roster.
Potential lost due to Amnesty Buy-Out – 2 players (8.25 M of Cap Space):
Briere
Talbot
Based on this above, the Flyers Cap Space has been recalculated.
Homer will have a full defence group of 7 - Timonen, Schenn (RH), Coburn, Grossmann, Meszaros, Gustafsson, Gervais (RH).
Adding a new RH young defenceman would be ideal - but very difficult. Of course, a top Draft pick could yield a great young defenceman such as Seth Jones (RH) to be groomed for the future after Timonen is done.
He will need:
- two top-9 wingers (after Voracek, Simmonds, Hartnell, Read)
- a 4th line center (after Giroux, Schenn, Couturier)
- a 4th line winger
- a #2 goaltender
Homer will have 14 M in Cap Space (after Pronger is placed on LTIR) to reach the new lower NHL Cap of 62.3 M. Assuming Homer uses approx 3 M for a 4th line center, a 4th line winger, and a #2 goaltender he will then have 11 M to get two top-9 wingers. This is key. Two big veteran forwards who score and provide experienced leadership for this young group of forwards.
Because of this unusual off-season, with the new lower NHL Cap, and with 'all teams' doing Amnesty Buy-Outs, there will be a great opportunity to get some quality “not too old” players. We will anxiously wait to see who becomes available.
Homer will be in great shape with his Cap space. But, some other teams with high team Caps, who are driving for the Cup now, will be caught this off-season with having to Amnesty Buy-Out some quality players (yet to be identified).
In addition, some quality “not too old” regular UFAs will be available such as:
Penner (LA) - LW, age 29, 6'-4", 242, great in the crease
Getzlaf (Ana) - C, age 27, 6'-4", 221, leader
Perry (Ana) - RW, age 27, 6'-3", 212, elite scorer
White (Det) - D, age 29, 5'-10", 191, RH, puck-moving
Smid (Edm) - D, age 27, 6'-3", 210, LH, shut-down
MacArthur (Tor) - LW, age 28, 6'-0", 191, 20+ goal scorer, speed, gritty
(Take note - no mention of Bryzgalov and goaltending. His Cap Space is not needed for the other changes, and it will be difficult to get a higher quality goalie, IMO.)
Yes, it hurts to watch our team lose. But, “falling in standings points” has a silver lining – a great Draft year with a top-3 Draft pick.
And a “one-of-a-kind” off-season of quality UFAs from the Amnesty Buy-Outs from teams in big Cap trouble.
Homer can turn this team quickly and decisively. This will be a fun summer.
Agree? Comments?