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.
* * *
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.
Comments (63)
Unless the file card on the player reads as "Gretzky, Wayne" I think the Flyers should pass on any of the players mentioned as being possibly Philly-bound. That's why I hope these guys do sign elsewhere if only because it will send yet another signal that although the Flyers offer a planet full of cash, they don't offer the opportunity of winning the Stanley Cup. Who want's to play for an owner who is a blowhard and the #1 cancer (read: obstacle) of the franchise? Consider this: They spent with reckless abandon before the Salary Cap and couldn't win that elusive Cup #3, and now have to try to win it with restriction. Their track record with talent doesn't instill confidence here. I'm just hoping that I live long enough to see them get it right for once since 1974-75.— Atomic Fury
Hey Flyers knowwhat there doing.......38 years without a cup, how can you argue?— primo- The Pens have set the bar for Malkins contract. Could Malkin ask the Pens for more than Crosby has signed for?— sox12st
- Matt Carle???? WHY!!??— coastflyer
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 - I love all of the Penguins trolls, guess it is a slow day in the trailer park?— cote32
- 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
- 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 - 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
- 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
- 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
- Don't think Parise will sign with any team in the Atlantic division— loud01
- 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 - americanitis has a man crush on Carle. That can be the only way that he really thinks Carle is that good. I would rather have Kerry Huffman.— Sasquatch
- Matt Carle doesn't suck, and in fact turned the puck over only 55 times all season. 5 of those led to a goal. 1 of those was a game winner. Giroux also had 5 turnovers that led to a goal, but nobody's calling for him to be traded or saying he sucks. Also, here's a list of some dmen who had more turnovers than Matt Carle last year: Yandle (75), Chara (68), Wideman (68), Doughty (65), & Girardi (61). Do all of these dmen suck worse than Carle?
You Carle haters are morons who don't actually know anything about hockey or defense. Period. If he agrees to stay for $5 million a year, it's the defenseman steal of free agency hands down. And on top of it, there isn't another dman available who is better at Carle's price. Not one. - If the Flyers go after Weber look for a suspension to come down from the league for that playoff hit on Zetterberg. If not for that, then the league will find something else.— siriusfan
- I kind of agree that Parise to the Penguins wouldn't be as huge as this alarmist seems to think. Parise will probably get (minimum) 7 mil, Suter will want the same minimum and can definitely get more (esp. if Matt Carle is "worth" 5 mil), which means that the Pens will have about half of their cap space tied up in four players (Parise: 7+ mil, Suter: 7+ mil, Crosby: 8.7 mil, Malkin: 8.7 mil=about 35 mil or so). Fleury makes 5 mil a year as well. So unless those four guys are each going to play 40 minutes a game, I'm not terribly worried about it.— MaC130
- PUCK FITTURGH!The Pens are one good Crosby hit away from sitting next to Pronger. Parise would simply be a replacement for Crybaby Crosby.— Fahmunda Mahbalsaq
- I hope they give parise a huge contract too! They hafta sign Fleury and Malkin too by next season! Spending doesn't make a team better. If any other legitimate cup team had fleury, malkin, staal, and crosby they wooda won more than one cup, don't you think? They and Washington had the most talent of any team this year. Hope they don't wake up any time soon, or the rest of us in the East will be in trouble!— Pocono Phlyer
- The Flyer don't need Parise. The pens do, as once Luke or Brayden Schenn cream the $100 million dollar baby he is done again for good. At least they will have Parise their to try and prop up that future bankrupt franchise.— wgagne12
- Crosby....WORTH EVERY PENNY!
No doubt Shero has a few more big moves....stay tuned!— Sidney Crosby 
Comment removed.- Uh Staal was the Pens best all around forward and he is gone. I hope they get Parise and tie up $7mil per year on a winger who isn't even a top 25 player in the league.— sla6yer
- Please please please let Carle walk. He is a turnover machine.— staup640
- If the Flyers really really want Parise, it is doable. Penguins will never pay any player more than Crosby or Malkin. That sets a cap. Though it would be nice to get Parise, I would rather have a couple of defenseman. I'd overpay for Suter. I'd like to see the Flyers make a deal for Shea Weber. If I could do that, I'd let Carle walk— Flyers_Fan
- penguins and flyers both need to upgrade defense and goaltending to be viable contenders...kings showed winning the cup is about tough play, defensemen who can hit and move the puck well, plus a stud goalie...luke schenn a good start, re-signing carle a must, but flyers going nowhere unless they get better goaltending...— vegasphllyfan
- I agree that a stud goalie is important, but keep in mind that Quick was available for the right price last summer, which kind of makes you think that they viewed him as expendable. Hindsight is 20/20, and there were just as many people who thought Bernier was Quick's equal or better goalie (including the Kings front office, since they were listening to offers). — MaC130
- I know Crosby will sell form merchandise but what is the over under on when the Pens will file for Bankruptcy for a 3rd time? His doctor is dumb and he is damaged. No way he even plays half those years of his contract.— siriusfan
- 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
- Comment removed.
- 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 - 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
- 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
- Carle doesnt hit and is a turnover machine.he plays SOFT!— sammydelphia
- 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
- As long as Parise doesn't sign with the Penqueens, I don't care where he goes.— SplendedSplinter9
- Forget Parise - the last thing I want is Cindy's "close friend" on our team.— shadesofdeath
- 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 - 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
- Doesnt bother me at all. Keep trading defensemen Pittsburgh. Flyers scored at will on those suckers last year. Suter isnt going to Pittsburgh.— FABER
- 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
- That's the difference between contenders & pretenders.— Dean Winchester
- 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
- They should drug test the Calgary GM. No way is Wideman worth $5 million a year.— schultz08
- Who is J.P. Parenteau? There is a P.A. Parenteau that most recently played for the Islanders but no J.P. Hello Mr. Editor?— Jerded
- Parise to the Pens is a lock. Game on. 37 years and counting.— shawnmac
- I still think Minnesota will be a player for Parise. I thought Parise didn't want to play for a rival in same division as Devils?— BobbyD
- Comment removed.
- Let Carle leave. There is no reason to resign him. He sucks and giving him a raise won't change that.— Matt Mac Isaac
- This is what happens when you sign a goalie with mental instability for too many years. Time to bring in some NON EX FLYERS to run this front office.— Pete60
- Like we need any more reasons to detest the Penqueens. But that's okay, someone this season will ring Crosby's head into the boards in a legal check, that will have the tears flowing down his cheeks, and the fickle weaklings who call themselves fans.... until they lose again. Pitts burgh. The name says it all.— PhillyboyinNYC
- I'm a Flyers fan but am embarrassed by this post. Why can't we give grudging credit to a great player? I think the quality of the hockey is better when the best players are healthy and playing. I don't want to win a cup because the the other teams players are hurt.
Holmgren better get a big free agent this week or the Pens will be a handful. When they pick up Parise he will make the Pens more disiplined, so Flyers will have to earn what they get. Let's hope they are up to it. 37 years is too long.— NHLfan - NHLfan, I agree. I'm not comfortable talking smack with Pittsburgh fans about anything but baseball. It is a dump of a city, by the way. I have to spend time there regularly on business, and I can't wait to leave.
— 1980 - Phillyboy, your stay in NYC has not helped in the common sense department. If you knock the Pen's, a team that has won a Stanley Cup recently, then what does that say about the Flyers? As far as football goes, we ALL know the truth. Six Superbowls to NONE. Use your NYC instinct to answer this: What will happen first? The Steelers win ten Superbowls or the Eagles win one? Vegas says 3-1 that The Steelers win TEN first! Don't be a hater. Embrace the Black and Gold. It will help you taste......Victory. — StevenG
- Comment removed.
- You sir, confirm some very negative stereotypes about Philadelphia fans. Is that he best you can do? — PensOwnU
- Comment removed.
- sign suter and let Carle walk!! PLEASE!!!— sawgrass
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Broad Street Bull is the Inquirer's blog covering the Philadelphia Flyers and the National Hockey League.
Reach Sam at scarchidi@phillynews.com.
Sam Carchidi
Inquirer Staff Writer
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