Grossmann signing a shrewd move
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Grossmann signing a shrewd move
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Give Flyers GM Paul Holmgren credit for striking quickly and signing bruising defenseman Nick Grossmann to a multi-year deal on Friday, a move that could impact whether they re-sign Matt Carle in the off-season.
Carle can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Carle is a much better offensive player than Grossmann, but with Chris Pronger’s career possibly over, the Flyers need a crease clearer.
Grossmann fits that description perfectly, which is why the Flyers signed him to a four-year deal worth a reported $14 million.
It’s no coincidence that goalie Ilya Bryzgalov’s revival _ he was named the NHL’s player of the month in March _ started at around the same time the Flyers acquired Grossmann.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Grossmann, who had been a prospective free agent, has missed the last two games with a knee injury, but he is expected to return to the lineup at the start of next week’s playoffs.
Grossmann, 27, was acquired from Dallas on Feb. 16 for a second-round draft pick this year and a third-rounder in 2013. In 22 games with the Flyers, he has six assists and is plus-5.
Including his time in Dallas, Grossmann has 164 hits and 152 blocked shots this season. Those numbers would rank third and second, respectively, on the Flyers.
Carle leads the Flyers with 158 blocks, and Scott Hartnell tops the club with 184 hits, followed by Zac Rinaldo with 170.
Grossmann had a $1.625 cap hit this season, and he received a raise that pays him $3.5 million per year.
Carle, 27, who has struggled recently, has a $3.4 million cap hit. He is a valuable part of the Flyers, but they may not be able to fit him under the cap if they re-sign Jaromir Jagr, Jakub Voracek and Marc-Andre Bourdon. (From here, it seems unlikely the Flyers will be able to make a pitch for UFA Ryan Suter, who will likely remain in Nashville.)
By signing, Grossmann, the Flyers may bypass on signing UFAs Carle and Pavel Kubina. If they don’t resign them _ and Pronger doesn’t return _ here is how the top six may look next season:
- Braydon Coburn and Grossmann.
- Kimmo Timonen and Andrej Meszaros.
- Bourdon and Erik Gustafsson.
(Brandon Manning and Andreas Lilja also figure to battle for spots on the third pairing.)
* * *
It looks like the Penguins plan to get physical Saturday against the visiting Flyers. Pittsburgh recalled enforcer Steve MacIntyre from the minors just in time for the grude match.
MacIntyre, 31, has appeared in 11 NHL games this season. The 6-5, 250-pound forward has appeared in 89 career NHL games with Edmonton, Florida and Pittsburgh, notching four points and 161 penalty minutes.
Keep an eye on him and the Flyers' Jody Shelley in Saturday's 4 p.m. matchup.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
If Pronger sits on IR, they could go after Suter or Weber, Nash will prob have trouble keeping both.— Sidewinder7- Problem is Pronger would have to go on LTIR which can't be done until day one of the regular season. So prongers cap number hurts what they can do during free agency. Its a shame that most likely he won't be able to be amnesty claused if the new CBA allows it because of his injury. His money really hurts off-season moves. — PhillyFran75
- Excellent signing. Timonen is also getting long in the tooth.— brio
- "Carle, 27, who has struggled recently"... really? Just recently? How about as soon as Pronger was out and we could all see Carle's individual talent minus Chris Pronger, the "eraser" to all Carle's miscues.— eburd983
- Carle NEEDS to go. Buff's only goal last night was classic Carle - take the man out of the crease, dont play stick work with Leino - take him out with a cross check..hockey 101. Let him go, let him go, let him go.— Phlyers Phan
- Carle should not be resigned. They have enough prospects to fill the gap. A 4 mill hit to the cap is not worth it. Kubina doesn't want to be here so he will not be resigned.— Bucks Dave
- The 3rd pairing is still too weak. Only one of those guys should start.— flyers2thecup
- Agree with alot of these comments. Grossman was critical pickup and a solid extension. Carle is not worth that cap hit, but Flyers will need to pick up another veteran to battle for that 3rd pairing - flyers2thecup is right. Like Bourdon and Gustafsson but don't think I want to rely on them all year together as my everyday 3rd pair.— pfes
- good deal, bad timing...Grossman got his deal = less motivation to impress in the playoffs. Carle knows he will not get a deal from the flyers = will play cautiously in the playoffs— kadhia
- This is hockey kadhia, not baseball football or basketball. The % of players only playing with contracts in mine is much lower in this sport.— Sidewinder7
- The wimpie Penguins had to call up their top minor league goon on Friday night for the last game of the season against the Flyers. Wimps and cry babies!— Dish
- I'm willing to let Carle go. I enjoyed having him on this team... but ever since Chris has gone down... it seems almost every time I see some bad defensively play, Matt Carle is involved. He's going to want too much... and he's not worth it. He's a 3rd line D at best.— Johnnygunnz
- You can tell those that haven't watched hockey for very long are the ones that want Matt Carle gone. Young puck moving defenseman are at a premium in this league and cannot be had for less than 4.5 to 5 million a year. The next tier up is Suter, which will cost 6 to 7 million a year.— Trashcan_Man
- Yeah puck moving guys are more valuable. Problem is Carle hurts the team in too many other places. For such a great puck mover he leads the team in turn-overs every year, he can't defend in front of the netto save his life because he tries to stick defend too much and he shys away from contact. We have plenty of puck movers on the team it not worth giving carle 5 mill when they can go get another 5 mill D amn without all the flaws. — PhillyFran75
- Agreed Trashcan, well said!— camtheman
