[Rex]

All stats from nhlnumbers.com

Unrestricted Free Agents:
(C) Jim Dowd
(C) Vaclav Prospal
(R) Jesse Boulerice
(D) Jason Smith
(D) Jaroslav Modry
(D) Rory Fitzpatrick

Group IV Unrestricted Free Agent:
(L) Riley Cote

Restricted Free Agents:
(C) Jeff Carter
(C) R.J. Umberger
(C) Patrick Thoreson
(R) Stefan Ruzicka
(C) Ryan Potulny
(D) Randy Jones
(D) Nate Guinen

[MikeyB99]

Unrestricted Free Agents:
(C) Jim Dowd - Gone
(C) Vaclav Prospal Gone
(R) Jesse Boulerice Gone
(D) Jason Smith Gone
(D) Jaroslav Modry Gone
(D) Rory Fitzpatrick Gone

Group IV Unrestricted Free Agent:
(L) Riley Cote Staying

Restricted Free Agents:
(C) Jeff Carter Re-Sign
(C) R.J. Umberger Re-Sign
(C) Patrick Thoreson Re-Sign for cheap
(R) Stefan Ruzicka Ship out in trade
(C) Ryan Potulny Phantoms
(D) Randy Jones Re-Sign
(D) Nate Guinen Phantoms

[BLT10]

Don't want to see Dowd, Prospal, Modry, or Hatcher back next year.


Dealing with Carts and Umby will be interesting. Maybe Umby for a D-man might be the right move. He was awesome for us, so that will be a hard decision.

We need to pick up a good d-man.

[Jlg-28]

it will be interresting to see how the offseaso goes,

i say bring back umby and carter, modry should be let go, kapi could retire and who knows how gags will the concussions he had this year.

[Hyperfried]

I agree with just about everything Mikey said... Though there's a slight chance we re-sign Smith or Dowd. More likely Dowd; he's more of a hard-working guy, Philly class. As much as I like Smith's spirit, he just doesn't fit in with the new game.

The questions now rise: What are our needs, and how do we address them? Also, who might be traded, rather than just released in this case...

[Rex]

Anyone know of any prospects having a chance to make the club other then Giroux?

[Rex]

Originally Posted by Hyperfried

I agree with just about everything Mikey said... Though there's a slight chance we re-sign Smith or Dowd. More likely Dowd; he's more of a hard-working guy, Philly class. As much as I like Smith's spirit, he just doesn't fit in with the new game.

The questions now rise: What are our needs, and how do we address them? Also, who might be traded, rather than just released in this case...

Let Dowd walk, and have Thore play that 4th line center.

[MikeyB99]

Originally Posted by Rex

Anyone know of any prospects having a chance to make the club other then Giroux?

I dont think so, just because were so deep.. if Giroux wasn't so dominate in Jr's this season, we prop wouldn't have any rookies up next year, due to our team depth.. Giroux has been so good thats he's pretty much earned an nhl spot, even if that means getting rid of a full time player. I love the way Umberger played this season, and in the playoffs, but as far as trade bait... If it came down to him and Carter, we have to sign Carter, and trade Umby for a Defender. Then I'd split up Timo, and Coburn since its pointless to waste 2 puck movers on 1 line, while we got other lines completely lacking in that area.. Next year I'd like to see.

Timonen (Trade: Stay at home defender)
Coburn, Parent
Jones, Kukk/Stay at home defender

That case scenario you have 1 puck mover, and 1 stay at home defender on each shift.

Or we can deal for a Puck mover, and either deal Jones, or use Coburn on Timo's line as more of the Stay at home type.. What ever the case may be, its starts back on the blue line.. All these good young forwards, and deep offensive lines we have, are basically pointless if we dont have the defenders to get the puck up to them.

[Rex]

So you're saying Big Hatch retires?

[Skeeter]

If you are looking for a stay at home defensemen that won't break the bank. Aaron Ward is UFA and just ask Carolina how much it hurt to see him leave after they won the cup (haven't been back to the playoffs since then). A few friends of mine that are Canes fans talk all the time about the lose of him and how much he meant to the team. He might be a little old now though at 34. Last year he made 2.75, I don't think he will command a lot on the market.

Overall, I think we need a little more speed on the backline. It looked to me that our d was playing in cement most of the time. I have been watching the Memorial Cup and Giroux has looked very good. I think it would be difficult to not have him in a Flyers sweater next season.

[Hyperfried]

Does Parent really have what it takes to be 2nd-line defense? We'll have to see how he is in practice next season, I guess.

As for available UFA defensemen... I think 30 or under is a must for us - we need someone mobile. J.M. Liles or Brian Campbell would be great to get, plus there's also Michel Roszival or Paul Mara. Trade is always possible, of course, as well. Ruczika might get us someone good.

[MikeyB99]

I honestly think once Hatcher, and Smith are gone... that blue line will look a whole hell of a lot faster... everyone of the 5 remaining guys have good speed. Timo, Coburn, Jones, Parent, Kukks.. they can all skate well... We need 1 more good defenseman to complement them.. and hopefully Stevens will give his ass clown system another look, and say "Hey, I got defenseman that can control a game with their puck movement, maybe we should start being the aggressive team, as opposed to always being the passive team"

[Drew]

From that list above, I would concentrate all efforts on Umberger, Carter, and Jones.

Umby has really turned into the power forward we've all expected him to be. Carter's offensive side is finally starting to come about. Jones has really developed nicely into a solid two-way defenseman this season, and had some real bright moments in the playoffs.

With Giroux coming into camp, there's no doubt he'll see a roster spot. The kid is a gem - reminds me a lot of a young Gags. I don't see Kapanen coming back - he has expressed retirement. Which in turn, we should fill with Thorosen's similar style play. Keep in mind, we'll hopefully see a healthy Gags next season.

Our defense is in need of a big overhaul. I'm with Bowers - ship out the elder banging dmen for some puck movers. Liles? Campbell?

Timonen (Trade: Stay at home defender)
Coburn, Parent
Jones, Kukk/Stay at home defender

[Chris]

Modry, Kapanen, Dowd will be gone thanks to retirement or just not being re-signed.

Hatcher could be gone, I personally don't want to see him back, he had some bright moments here, but it's time to turn over the reigns.

Parent is a future top defenseman in this league. He's got the size, speed, and tactical skills it takes. He's lacking a little confidence and experience at this point, but he's got so much time to get better it's almost scary.

I'd bring Smith back if he agreed to a major pay-cut, which he expressed as a possibility earlier in the year. He's not going to be our most polished, but I absolutely love the intensity he plays with.

Not sure if Giroux will be on the team next year, he'll probably spend a good part of the year in the minors, but he'll get some time up. I'm really excited about seeing him develop as well.

I've grown to like Jones more than I have in the past, but he's just not somebody I thoroughly trust. I might be setting the bar too high, but I would label him as expendable. If he we can re-sign him at a good price, go for it, but don't go overboard.

It's going to be interesting to see how Holmgren handles Carter/Umberger. I'm not so sure we're going to be able to handle bringing both of these guys back. I'm afraid they're both going to be asking for some hefty raises, and we might have to let one walk at some point.

If we had to choose, I'd go Carter after much deliberation. I'd hate to lose either of them, especially if they sign elsewhere in the division.

[Metalpuck]

You guys better be joking about trading Kimmo....

[Ryan20]

I think they mean pair a D-man, who is acquired by trade, with Kimmo.

[Rex]

Would Nashville take Umberger for Shea Weber?