Parise to Pens would be Flyers' worst nightmare
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Parise to Pens would be Flyers' worst nightmare
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
For the Flyers, the bad news coming out of Pittsburgh on Thursday was that superstar Sidney Crosby had signed a 12-year, $104.4 million extension, a cap hit of $8.7 million _ the same as this season.
It’s bad news because Crosby, arguably the NHL’s best player when healthy, probably could have gotten a shorter deal....which would have caused a higher cap hit per season.
By stretching out the contract, the Penguins have plenty of cap space for some moves, and it appears they will not be outbid for the best free agent on the free-agent market, Devils left winger Zach Parise.
You know, the guy the Flyers (and many others) covet.
Crosby and Parise have been close friends for several years. Crosby even shared a suite with Parise’s family at the Stanley Cup Finals.
If you connect the dots, it seems a good bet that they will be on the same line together next season.
The Pens have $15 million in cap space _ and will probably clear more room by dealing defenseman Paul Martin. The defensive-challenged Penguins would also like to sign free-agent defenseman Ryan Suter.
The free-agent frenzy starts at noon on Sunday. After Parise, the list of free-agent wingers includes Alexander Semin, an expensive one-dimensional player; Shane Doan; P.A. Parenteau; and Jaromir Jagr.
Stay tuned.
* * *
Now that defenseman Dennis Wideman has signed a five-year deal with Calgary with an anuual cap hit of $5.25, Matt Carle's price probably has gone up. The Flyers have insisted all along they expect to sign him.
We shall see.
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As expected, the cap for next season will rise to $70.2 million, up from $64.3 million. This will help spend-to-the-limit teams like the Flyers. And, remember, teams can exceed the cap by 10 percent in the summer.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
Glad they kept the crybaby. I think his teammates have had enough of this juvenile whinner. They will regret this long term contract. Now Zack, that's a different story. Wish we had this guy.— dogman5- That's the difference between contenders & pretenders.— Dean Winchester
- Parise to pens- Really? thats scares you? a dumb article. Staal more dangerous vs us then parise on a team full of babies. Not worries one bit... Parise will be in Minnesota anyway.— fman727
- Doesnt bother me at all. Keep trading defensemen Pittsburgh. Flyers scored at will on those suckers last year. Suter isnt going to Pittsburgh.— FABER
- Those knucklhead Penguins. Don't they know signing superstars in their mid-30's with their best years far behind them to 6 and 7 year contracts is the road to the Stanley Cup? I can't wait to find out which player's jersey will sit next to the Roenick, Hatcher, Forsberg and Pronger jerseys in my closet.— AreaMan
- What fool is going to trade for Martin? Please..
I am not sure if we should overpay for Carle . If this is teh case and he wants over 5M I rather overpay for Suter. I have no idea why Flames gave Wideman such contract. Now Flames are paying 12M a year for very soft Bouwmeester and Wideman.
Parise to Pittsburgh is a bad news for Philadelphia Flyers and the rest of Atlantic division. Hopefully Devils are going to resign him.
— Nitroglycerin - Forget Parise - the last thing I want is Cindy's "close friend" on our team.— shadesofdeath
- As long as Parise doesn't sign with the Penqueens, I don't care where he goes.— SplendedSplinter9
- Sam do some research for god sakes....the contract is front loaded for crosby so he will be getting more then 8.7 a year the first 5 or so years...— wahoos32
- Carle doesnt hit and is a turnover machine.he plays SOFT!— sammydelphia
- I agree with fman 27..personally I would rather have Staal..he was tougher..more intimidating and could score goals..Parise for Staal is a wash...we dont need to focus on Parise or Ryan we need 2 stud D men and above all pray for a way out of the Bryz contract...Thats what will prevent us from moving on to better things the next 5 years. We have no shot with moonman in net..NO SHOT— flyers1000
- Oh No, Sam, what are we gonna do! This the worst news I've heard since, well, since last time you wrote a Flyers' article. Here is an idea for you; try not to be so impressed with your self and so overly amused by your own questions on DNL. BTW, Carle is harder to watch than you are.— dvldvl2001
- If the Penguins sign Parise, the Flyers pretty much have to trade for Bobby Ryan to keep up...This current roster is not going to get it done vs the Pens or Rangers
— astroqueen0 
Comment removed.- PensOwnU- LOL apparently you are a little late to the game. Before the lockout the 2 Pennsylvania teams were NOT consider rivals. At least on the eastern side of the state they weren't. And it took until after the lockout to finally beat the Flyers in the Playoffs. Short memory?— siriusfan
