Parise, Suter holding Flyers hostage
Left winger Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter, the prized players in this year’s free-agent market, are taking their sweet time before selecting their teams.
Parise, Suter holding Flyers hostage
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Left winger Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter, the prized players in this year’s free-agent market, are taking their sweet time before selecting their teams.
As a result, numerous teams are being held hostage, including the Flyers.
“We’re just focused on the two free agents,” said one Flyers executive when asked if the team had made any headway in trade talks for Anaheim’s Bobby Ryan or Columbus’ Rick Nash.
Parise had said he expected to make a decision sometime Monday, but at about 5 p.m. he announced he needed more time to discuss the situation with his family. He may announce his choice on Tuesday.
Suter is also still mulling over his options.
The Flyers have reportedly made 12-year deals to both players for more than $80 million each.
Like the other teams in the free-agent sweepstakes, the Flyers are playing a waiting game and trying to be patient.
They "truly don't know" where they stand with the free agents, said one source close to the situation.
Parise told reporters he needed to feel more comfortable before making his choice.
"It's such a long-term, important decision, you have to make sure you look at everything," he said.
Suter’s decision is also holding up Matt Carle’s selection. Carle’s agent does not want his client to sign until Suter makes his pick. After Suter makes his choice, Carle figures to move up the ranks on some teams’ wish lists.
On Twitter, fans were getting impatient.
Tweeted mindofbrian: open heart surgery is done faster than #Parise picking a team. #thisguysisntGretzky.
Tweeted adameagle13: someone tell parise and suter to hurry up. Checking twitter every 2 mins is making me an unproductive employee #parisewatch
Parise's agent issued a statement saying the LW wants to step back and review options with his fiance and his family.
Doan Watch. If the Flyers don’t land Parise, they may make a pitch for Phoenix’s Shane Doan, a dependable 6-foot-1, 228-pound right winger who scored 22 goals last season.
Doan, who will turn 36 just before the season, will not sign until July 9, by which time it should be known if the Coyotes will stay in Phoenix. His first choice is to sign with Phoenix and spend his 17th season with the team.
Doan has scored at least 20 goals in 11 of the last 12 seasons.
The Flyers are still in the hunt for Jaromir Jagr; the 40-year-old RW is reportedly seeking $4 million per season after making $3.3 million last year.
* * *
Here is how the Flyers may look next season and the gaps they are trying to fill:
Line 1: Hartnell-Giroux-XXXXX.
Line 2: Read-Briere-Simmonds.
Line 3: Talbot-Couturier-Voracek.
Line 4: Rinaldo-B.Schenn-Wellwood
DEFENSE
Coburn-Grossman.
Timonen-Meszaros.
L. Schenn-XXXXXXXX.
GOALIES
Bryzgalov-Leighton.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
This upcoming year just doesn't look good. Stop with these 10-12 year contracts. It blew up in our face with Bryz. Enough of that, go with yound talent, put out an exciting team and see what happens. We'll never win with Bryz and Leighton anyway so why give away the farm?— neddyflanders- I'm reading these threads about people complaining about long term contracts. these contracts are the only way to sign big name players to lucrative contracts in the current NHL cap structure. simply because the NHL doesn't pull in the same kind of revenue as the NFL for example, so the teams have to spread out the money over time it also makes them easier to trade after a few years if they so desire. personally the only player i would really like to see them get is suter. I also find it funny how so many of the posters on this board complain about the flyers not devoting enough to developing talent from within. but now you want to get involved in trades for players like nash or bobby ryan. bottom line is the teams that have one the cup in recent years are those that have allowed their core players to develop together for few years. The last team that actually bought their cup in recent history was messier's rangers. that will never happen again, with the cap in place neither will you see dynasties like the isles or the oilers.— mos19delta
- Are you kidding flyers2thecup? Bobby Ryan is the real deal. Unfortunately JVR was the centerpiece to a deal for Ryan or Nash so forget about those two. Also, Laughton was a bad pick and no one wants an unproven overreach for one of the best scorers in the league. As for the 12 year contracts, those will be addressed in the next CBA. That is why this is the last year you'll see any contracts of that length.— NYFlyersFan
- Prima donnas.— ANDY-IS-FAT
- we need a goalie who can stop the weakest puck shots,,bryz and leighton..aren t professional grade,,,no other free agents are willing to play for those bad goalies,,— hardball
- These two need to pick a place to play already. Free agency has been slowed bc of these 2.— the sichee-ation
- Say goodbye and good luck to Suter and Parise, re-sign Carle for Dennis Wideman numbers, bring back Jagr for another year at his asking price, and enjoy the summer vacation.— schultz08
- I want neither of them for that money. The worst thing would be for them to accept the Flyers offer.
I would rather have Bobby Ryan this year or Getzlaff or Weber next year for that money. We have Kimo and Hartnell's contracts expiring next year I would rather use Kimo's 6 million on Weber or Getzlaff, true superstars. Suter and Parise are good players but not worth that superstar money— blackknight - Semin, Carle, Jagr.— bffly
- Don't matter we're going not going anywhere with Clarkie and company— attila
- won't break my heart if neither signs with flyers. Next year FA class is stronger.— Tripod691
- Doan, Jagr, Carle= no crazy long term deals lie we did with Ilya and already regret.
Why is Rinaldo even on the 4th line? Guy is occasional player at best— connorjr - Flyers haven't gotten the word that they are in a capped league now. As in the NBA, one thing that will kill an organization to the point of no recovery are long term contracts. Flyers are throwing around 10 to 12 year contracts like frisbees! Poor organizational management and I really don't care WHO the players are; these Homer deal will drive this organization into the ground given time.— JBinPA
- Hey Homer remember that 10 year Bryz signing; that was the first organization killer! Now you can make it 3 times as bad! Build a team; stop trying to buy one; can't be done in a capped league.— JBinPA
- I love these posters that think Anaheim is going to give us Bobby Ryan for nothing. Ryan (or Nash) will cost us B. Schenn, Coots, plus draft picks. That's why Holmer is trying to overpay for Parise. If they don't sign Parise, they are better off staying put with B. Schenn and Coots, rather than Bobby Ryan or Nash. Next year, B. Schenn and even Coots may outscore both of those guys.— Phront_Runner
