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.
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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.
I can't believe the Pens were stupid enough to saddle themselves with a 12 YEAR contract with Sid. He's a great player, but does have a significant injury risk. Not that I wish it on him, but they could be in the same spot the Flyers are with Pronger, but could be on the hook for a decade.
Seeing the Pens get the top two free agents would make me very unhappy.— akh- Don't think Parise will sign with any team in the Atlantic division— loud01
- Got to admit that Crosby looked lost after Malkin accidently hit in in game 4 or 5. Malkin's body check was not even vicious. Yet, still Crosby was shaken up.. Did not look himself, did not participate in WC. Huge concern.— Nitroglycerin
- It all sounds great but the pens just locked themselves into a 12 year deal with aguy who has not been able to stay on the ice becasue of concussions. It is insane that the NHL allows contracts of this legnth. It will all get straightened out in the next CB.— UncleStosh
- At times Carle would drive me nuts with the giveaways and mental mistakes. If they sign him he will be overpaid do to the free agency. Its a tough call he does log a ton of minutes and has an offensive upside. If they do sign another defenseman who can log his type of minutes and not kill your cap I would say let him walk..— NJflyerfan
- Someone needs to inform Parise that the Penguins are in Pittsburgh. Going from Newark to Pittsburgh is like...going from New Jersey to another part of New Jersey that is even worse. (Also, Parise needs to be informed that Pittsburghers eat babies and quote Glenn Beck.)
— pillsbury - Man... how I despise everything Philadelphia... not too sure why since the teams never win...I got it... I know why now... it's the fans are such A-holes... LET'S GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!— soulchild2
- I love all of the Penguins trolls, guess it is a slow day in the trailer park?— cote32
- Let the Penguins have Parise. I mean, who cares? Let them tie up all their cap room on one player. It's just a matter of time until Crosby has another concussion and has to hang 'em up. I'm not hating on the guy; just stating a fact. It'll probably happen this year. The Devils had Parise this year and a stifling defense and great goaltending and still didn't win the Cup. I didn't know that Parise was the second coming of Guy Lafleur and Rocket Richard. Pittsburgh has bad goaltending just like the Flyers and Parise won't do anything about that.
— TexColorado - Pittsburgh guy here. Sorry we have the two best players in the world. Sorry we are going to sign the two best free agents available. Sorry our owner is the best NHL player ever. Sorry he is backed by a partner with a net worth in the billions. Sorry we have unbelievable defenseman coming through the system. Sorry we are going to win a Lord Stanley and a Lombardi before yinz do. You guys have awesome steaks. I prefer one with provolone. Sorry our city is so ugly. Peace aht Philly! http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Pittsburgh_WEO_Night_1.jpg— Yinzertahn
- the fan from NY, you are miserable. DO I dislike Crosby? Sure. As a person? No. He is GOOD for hockey and your comment is a disgrace and part of the reason that Philly has a bad name. There are a ton of good, passionate Philly fans but its the ones like you that wish for another HUMAN BEING to be hurt, is what cripples our reputations as fans. Thanks, maroon.— silrock27
- I really don't understand the hype over Parise. Yeah, he's good but who cares where he goes unless it's Philly. Frankly, he's never scared me. Good luck wherever he goes b/c he seems like a class-act.— Cali7
- PLEASE do not resign Carle. He sucks at defense and gets bullied around the net. We need bigger guys who can actually push guys off the puck, or at least have a longer reach.— theeman1
- pensownyou you live in one of the most pathetic useless city on earth. If your pathetic city was hit by an atomic bomb, all it would do is help the world. Any body who drops dead in your city including you is just a monumental triumph for environmental cleanup. When you do drop dead I plan to send letters to your street urchin family saying it made the world a better place.— rich729
- Matt Carle???? WHY!!??— coastflyer
