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CBA Explained: the cap; 35-plus contracts; free agency; re-entry waivers; LTIR; NHL Entry Draft

While I believe I’ve covered most of the major changes in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in CBA Explained throughout this season, there are a few other points I wanted to touch on. Some of them are unchanged from the previous CBA, but are worth pointing out. They are all critical details in understanding how the league and its teams function. Wherever possible, I will link to my old CBA 101 articles for more detailed explanations of some of the old CBA’s stipulations that remain in place. From the CBA Summary of terms: The salary cap The 2013-2014 cap …

rostersheets

Point/Counterpoint: To match or not to match?

Welcome to another edition of Point/Counterpoint, where a pair of Flyers Faithful scribes square off, debating an issue with their own unique style and flair. This week, Nick D and Bob H “discuss” whether or not the Flyers should sign their big name future restricted free agents. At the end of the 2013-14 season, the Philadelphia Flyers have a couple big restricted free agents due for new deals. Those RFAs are Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux, and Brayden Schenn. Assuming that the rules of the current CBA change, but still allow for offer sheets, and that the salary cap floors and ceilings will …

Thanks to SI.com

Weber report reminiscent of Gratton deal

The Flyers had just fleeced the Tampa Bay Lightning in their quest to return to glory mere weeks after being bounced from the Stanley Cup Finals by the Detroit Red Wings in a shocking four-game sweep. It took nearly an entire Summer to do it, but in the madness that was the Offer Sheet scramble of the 1997 offseason, Bob Clarke had apparently just increased his chances to return to the title round ten-fold. He acquired the services of Group II restricted free agent and hulking center Chris Gratton from the Bolts on August 20, but not by the traditional …

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Five Questions: Parise and/or Suter?

Flyers Faithful is pleased to have Adam Kimelman of NHL.com, Marc Siciliano of Kukla’s Corner, Dan MacNeal of Crimespree Hockey, James Minger of Flyers-Philia, and Flyers Faithful’s own Kevin Christmann participate in the current iteration of Five Questions. This is the fifth of a five-part series focusing on Free Agency that will run all week. Do you see the Flyers as major players for one or both of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter? (note: our participants’ answers were captured prior to the JVR trade.) Adam Kimelman: I think with the Flyers’ biggest need being on defense, I think they will be major players for Suter. If they lose out on him, I think they …

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Five Questions: Will the Flyers re-sign Jaromir Jagr?

Flyers Faithful is pleased to have Adam Kimelman of NHL.com, Marc Siciliano of Kukla’s Corner, Dan MacNeal of Crimespree Hockey, James Minger of Flyers-Philia, and Flyers Faithful’s own Kevin Christmann participate in the current iteration of Five Questions. This is the third of a five part series focusing on Free Agency that will run all week. There is speculation that Jaromir Jagr will re-sign with the Flyers for an additional year. Do you think he will re-sign? If not the Flyers, who else could be in the running for Jagr? Adam Kimelman: I think Jagr will look around, but eventually I think he comes back to Philadelphia for the chance to play with Claude …

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Five Questions: Will the Flyers trade for the rights to any free agents?

Flyers Faithful is pleased to have Adam Kimelman of NHL.com, Marc Siciliano of Kukla’s Corner, Dan MacNeal of Crimespree Hockey, James Minger of Flyers-Philia, and Flyers Faithful’s own Kevin Christmann participate in the current iteration of Five Questions. This is the second of a five-part series focusing on Free Agency that will run all week. With there already being several trades throughout the league for an impending free agent’s rights, and it being a common occurrence since the lockout, do you expect we will continue to see that? Do you see the Flyers as considering that option as they have in the past? If so, for whom? Adam Kimelman: I don’t see it happening …

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With Free Agency approaching, let’s discuss Holmgren Economics

It’s rare in today’s sports world, and especially in the world of the Philadelphia Flyers, for the general population to agree on something. Let’s face it, more often than not the topic at hand tends to be polarizing. People rarely sit in the middle with indifference. You have your lovers, and you have your haters. Whether you’re discussing Matt Carle, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, a goaltending carousel, or if a particular trade rumor would be beneficial, there’s usually a clear divide among the masses. Paul Holmgren is no exception in this regard. I’ll preface this article by saying if you …

Fun with Numbers

This is late, but we felt it should be covered… Multiple sources, stemming from an original post from TSN of Canada’s Gord Miller, are saying that the contract the Flyers gave Max Talbot on Friday circumvents the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Talbot was in line to make the following over the life of his five-year deal: $2.5 million, $2.25 million, $2.25 million, $1 million and $1 million. However, Article 50.7 of the CBA says that a player cannot have their salary decrease from one season to the next by more than half the amount of the first two year’s salaries.  The …

Talbot conference-call transcript

Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers Q: On coming to Philadelphia “It’s a great team and that was definitely a big part of my decision.  I wanted to go to a team that had a chance to win a championship this year, and maybe more than one, because you look at the youth and the moves they made lately with the new goalie and everything.  I’m really excited to join the Flyers.” Q: You’ve played so many huge games against the Flyers – what’s your impression of coming to Philadelphia? “It’s obviously going to be really challenging.  It’s such a big …

F-Day News

The Flyers got in on the madness quite early after the noon start of free-agent frenzy, locking up Braydon Coburn on a two-year extension and reportedly bringing Michal Handzus back. More to come as the day progresses…