Timonen, Flyers sign pact
UPDATE: The Flyers announced before Thursday's game that they had signed Timonen.
Timonen, Flyers sign pact
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
UPDATE: The Flyers announced before Thursday's game that they had signed Timonen.
The Flyers will sign veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen to a one-year, $6 million extension in the next few days, a league source confirmed Wednesday night.
Timonen, who will turn 38 next month, would have been eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July. He has a $6.3 million cap hit this season.
The signing is somewhat surprising because it would mean the Flyers have already committed about $62.1 million on just 19 players --including the injured Chris Pronger -- toward next year's $64.3 million cap.
Excluding Pronger, they will have about $23 milion committed to seven defensemen for 2013-14.
They will also have an option of using an amnesty buyout on up to two players.
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
Comments (74)
UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH hahahahahahahahahhahhah. AHHHHHHH AHHHHHH AH RAAAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Flyers suck!!!! UGHHHHHHHHH FLYERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!! UGHHHHHHHHHH. RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!!!- Your schtick was funny a few years ago when you started but now it's just getting lame. We all hate the OG guy, that's for sure, but you're just sinking to his level.
- You're right I am sinking to his level. That's the point. Besides it still makes me laugh. All of this is the moderators fault and not mine so you should be mad at them.
- Lol— Grazman
- This Homer being sober and rational. Good signing.
— olneyboy - I actually do not agree with the signing. The wear and tear is beginning to show on Timonen. He is noticeably slower and has coughed up the puck a bit this season.
I think on the open market, a 37 year old #2-#3 defenseman probably wouldn't carry more than a one or two year deal at 4 million. I think this is a case of the Flyers being loyal...to a fault.— sobjoe24 - aaaaaaaaa"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH hahahahahahahahahhahhah. AHHHHHHH AHHHHHH AH RAAAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Flyers suck!!!! UGHHHHHHHHH FLYERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!! UGHHHHHHHHHH. RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!!!
— 38 Year-Old Philly.com LOSER"
You've got that loser act of yours down to the point that people realize it's not an act. Can't you get together with some of your friends to run a car engine in an enclosed space, maybe consider it a science experiment?— Claudio Vernight - Trust me, I know that I'm a loser. It's definitely not an act. You guys are my only friends and unfortunately I can't afford a car to suffocate myself with in a garage.
Go Pens!! Go Rangers!!! Go Devils!!! Hockey sucks and basketball is a real sport!! Rocky sucks!! Cheesesteak sucks!! Keep paying your money to see a team that loses every year!! Flyers suck!! Everything that I can think of that Philly likes SUCKS!!!
Love,
The one and only 5 year troll know as 38 Year-Old Philly.com LOSER - First: This isn't rocket science. With this signing, one of Daniel Briere, Andrej Meszaros or Ilya Bryzgalov definitely isn't going to be on the Flyers next year. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it's two of those three and only a slight bit surprised if all three are gone.
Second: I think Kimmo Timonen has been really good for the Flyers, and to be honest, I think he is helping Luke Schenn play a steadier game than he did in Toronto. But that being said, I just don't think he's a $6 million player anymore. That...wow. I at least would've waited until the end of the season -- that deal was always going to be there.— FlyerBacker88 - FlyerBacker88
Definitely a questionable signing and commitment to a clearly aging vet.
Back to apples vs. oranges...
How about some details on these 'facts' and 'principles' you previously hinted about with regard to Flyers and KINGS Defense being in your words "EXACTLY" built the same?
Flyers current roster of D-men are big, not very agile at all, one guy under 6'2". Four guys 6'4" and taller. None were groomed by the Flyers but rather acquired, NONE of them push the puck and jump into the play, aside from Timo, who's day's of streaking up the ice are long gone. NONE have above avg speed and ability to effectively wheel it behind the net and QB a strong rush when regrouping and on the breakout.
So, by comparison, LAK's D have all been home grown and groomed in Manchester except for Doughty, Mitchell and Greene. Maybe one or 2 are taller than 6"2". Doughty was drafted high to compliment Jack Johnson who also could skate like the wind and jump up into the play, consistently. They ONLY unloaded Johnson for Carter because they HAD to get scoring. Martinez and Voynov were very similar in their offensive mindset. FACT! Martinez and Voynov are smaller, faster and jump into the play consistently....Greene and Mitchell, yea, fair to compare them to our Flyers' big fellas to them but that's where any and all similarity ends. They're essentially done now anyway to injury and Drewiske and Muzzin are their smaller, faster replacements.. Simply true.— Visby00 - 4 words- Thirty Eight Years Old— Mike Boryla
- Have to agree with sobjoe and FlyerBacker. Love Timo, but this seems steep. OTOH, maybe this is a Dawkins thing in reverse. I really think if Eagles had kept Dawkins, Allen and Jarrett might have been players that developed and who they could now count on. Maybe Timo's presence, in the absence of Pronger, will have beneficial effects on Gervais, Gustaffson, and Bourdon if he ever recovers. With all the changes, a little veteran stability and leadership goes a long way. But despite paying him a top #2 or #3 salary, they need to spot him more so he doesn't wear out. He might be more valuable if the Flyers limited his ice time a little more, hard as that is to do with the surrounding core of lead foots and youth.— adamklee
- Good signing. 1 year for an aging but still effective player makes sense. Flyers can't lose Timonen and Carle. This buys time for Erik Gustafsson to develop.
- Can't lose Carle, seriously??? — Handsome B. Wonderful
- I love Kimmo but 6 mil for a 38-39 yr old d man who has been showing signs of wearing down for a couple years now? 3-4 mil a year is a good signing, but 6 mil is overpayment. I think it's safe to say Briere has become the most likely candidate for an amnesty buyout now.— Fly Guy
- The $6 million is not simply based on Timonen's projected output for next season, as he is clearly in decline although still a steady and smart defenseman. Rather, I believe part of the seemingly excessive amount is a way of saying "thanks" to Kimmo for being an excellent team player and positive influence for so many years. As next season will likely be Timonen's final season before retirement, it's a classy move by Homer, though it may end up putting him in a bind salary cap wise.— scribbles
- Length (one year) is right, but 6m a little too steep. Should have been more like 4 - 5m— Ernie D
- I like Timonen and I think he still our best d-men but I was hoping for some home discount. 6M is a bit much.— Nitroglycerin
- Agree with most posters. $6 million is too much. Carchidi is probably hearing it from Kimmo's agent. I bet it will be less than that.— mikeyhigs
- I can't believe they're extending Timmonen. I liked Timmonen all along; thought he was a real good player, but he's too old now. I don't get it.— dundermifflin
- What... don't... you... get???
He is our best d-men, without him we are lost. The price of puck moving d-men does not go down. Timonen would be the best available UFA d-men next year. Freaking Wideman and Carle got 5.5M a year.— Nitroglycerin - dont make sense, good solid player but long season really wears him down our future is youth.— bigtom blew3
Why can't any Philly team make a well thought out signing. It seems like they all hire these over the hill players for big money. None of them ever pan out. Oh well. I am use to it now.— pritter
I think it's time for Holmgren to go. We have no defense, no scoring, we are old and the team is constantly up against the cap.- This is the best thing to happen to the Flyers this season. Hopefully the Flyers will retool to give Timo a shot at the Cup next year. Worth every penny.— snipesmorris
- In the context of next year, as in who is NOT going to be here, from a payroll perspective I do not think it hurts the Flyers much. Also they are also probably thinking about Matt Carle and how much he got on the open market (which I am sure surprised the Flyers). So maybe this is insurance in case other D men get injured or more scarce at the end of this season. In the end, 6 MM is peanuts for Snyder, really.— Poppys
- The cap figures here got me thinking...and this may be a dumb idea, but would it be possible to "buyout" Bryzgalov and then resign him to a league minimum? This way he would basically get his money, but the Flyers could significantly reduce his cap hit. There'd obviously need to be buy in from all parties, but I wonder if it's feasible?— Hextall_27
- maybe they are still thinking of Weber..hoping the Preds will trade or buy him out in the summer. Timmo and Weber will back together as a great pairing. I just think their biggest need in to replace Pronger.— CanadianFlyer
- This is simply the Flyers holding onto a valuable veteran leader to continue the development of the other D men. Kimmo is a step slower but let's be honest he still plays more soundly than a lot of the other D men plus experience-wise he can help the Schenn's and Gustafsson's adjust more easily and give them a pointer or 10. Factor in Pronger is done and the Flyers need Timmo's presence more than ever until they can another veteran through free agency after the season and have Timmo transition the D leadership reigns over. As for the 6mil, I am sure there's some pro-rated amounts in there and other adjustments we do not know about which will make the total lower and come on the guy has been solid for the Flyers since they day they signed him. Remember what happened to the Eagles D when Dawkins left? They literally were not the same and that first season without Dawk the talent wasn't that different.— Hockey Head
- Kimmo hasn't lost a step; in fact, he's one of the few defenseman that performs consistently. Blocked shots, digging the puck from the corner...Timmo does it all. He's worth every cent of that contract extension.— dogman5
- Nitro: He is WAY TOO SLOW. He gets beat to the puck everytime. And if it turns into a breakaway, that's an automatic goal because Bryz can't stop a breakaway. I know, Bryz has been really good this year, but he's still very weak when it comes to breakaways/shoot outs.— dundermifflin
- I think its a mistake commiting that much money to an old injury prone defenseman. As much of a class guy with an All Star career he is 6 m against a reduced cap next year is crazy....There isnt a team in the league that would pay him that much next year he is not close to one of the top 5 D men around. Why not offer him 3m for 1 yr with a guaranteed 5yr job in the Flyers front office at say 1m per year after he retires?? You just cant commit that kind of money when you know their will be all sorts of free agents and players cut next yr with buyouts...also why do it now when you can do it over the summer??not a smart move Homer...— flyers1000
- Yes, damn those "old injury prone defensemen." Games played starting with last year and going backwards: 76, 82, 82, 77, 80, 80, 79, 77, 72, 82, 82. And I don't think he has missed any playoff games.
I believe he has missed 13 total games as a Flyer over 5 seasons. Makes me wish all our guys were "old injury prone" players. - Can they amnesty Pronger?— element_104
- He gets 6 from the Flyers or he gets 6 from another club this summer. Losing him is not an option at this time based on what else could be available this summer. It's really that simple. My hope is that Gustafsson can develop into a Carle-like player soon. Even IF that happens, once Timonen retires, the top pairing is lacking. It surprises me that the media supports a trade that would allow young players and picks to leave for a player like Iginla, Ryan, Weiss, Perry or Getzlaf. If I were to make a trade, it would be to land land All-Star Keith Yandle. Otherwise, our concern about the blueline continues for years.— Richie Captain
- Any chance this contract is not just an extension, but perhaps moving some money from this year to next to free up cap space to make a move this year? Not sure if that's even possible in the NHL, but then the 6M would make more sense.— nyphillyguy
- This signing would be a good move. Timonen is still a bonafide defenseman in the NHL in his late thirties. He can move the puck well, is an excellent skater and PP quarterback, his positional play is great, he is a great teammate and a leader who brings experience to the young and upcoming blueliners. It is of the greatest importance that it's a one-year contract, I don't think it is that important whether it's 5 or 6 million. It's something of a symbolic act on the part of Homer if Timonen stays at his 6 million level.— flyerdommo
- 6 Million? Well, call it a home town bonus, I suppose. I like the dude quite a bit though, and aging or not he's still one of our best D-Men. That's probably sad too, but I can't think of all those implications just this second.— WestonF01
- Timmo has been solid ever since we got him, for him being that old he's still 1 of our top D men.. good signing, better to sign some1 like that, than start grabing for straws on some bums! I cant complain on this 1.. Atleast they didnt give Pronger an extention...........— trimski1
I've always liked Kimmo, but FlyerBacker88 is right that he's not a $6 million player any more. They could have signed him for less since no other team would have given him 6 mil. Lavi will have to rest him during the season because he was really beaten and worn down at the end of las year.- The most boring man in the world posts under his original moniker. Obsessed with a blog and a minor league sport. — FlyersLosersFor38Years
- The most boring troll in the world posts under his 15th alias. Obsessed with a team and sport he pretends to hate but secretly loves.
- When was the last time the Flyers won the Stanley Cup? — FlyersLosersFor38Years
- — FLYERS LOSERS FOR 36 YEARS Posted8:02 AM, 03/07/2011
Doesn’t matter. NO CHAMPIONSHIP AGAIN THIS YEAR.
— FLYERS LOSERS FOR 37 YEARS Posted 7:07 AM, 10/07/2011
Won’t mean anything when they lose again this spring.
— FlyersLosersFor38Years Posted 9:54 Am, 07/25/2012
Flyers stink. They stunk in the playoffs and they will again this season.
YADA...YADA...YADA
- — FlyersLosersFor38Years Posted 1:38 PM, 07/11/2012
Face it. Flyers stink and it’s a minor league sport.
— FlyersLosersFor38Years Posted 1:59 PM, 10/17/2012
Hockey is a minor league sport.
POLLY WANT A CRACKER?
- And what makes YOU so interesting? You've been posting the same garbage on this site for years now because you clearly suffer from low self esteem and feel better about yourself by pointing out the Flyers haven't won the cup in 38 years. Get some professional help.
- Ken, I think it was a loyalty thing, signing him for $6 mil. I like him and if they can rest him I think that would be a good thing.
BTW, you might appreciate my new mask design. It's almost finished.
http://www.rjsmith.com/Hockey/Images/IMG_7722.jpg
http://www.rjsmith.com/Hockey/Images/IMG_7724.jpg
http://www.rjsmith.com/Hockey/Images/IMG_7725.jpg
I hope you don't mind we used your avatar :-)
The back plate (not shown) has Bob Clarke with that toothless grin holding the Cup.
— backhand - agree with most here....still solid enough to warrant another year (maybe?) but 6 mill seems very steep considering how he's looked recently-no knock because thats what happens when you're 38, but he looks very slow, routinely gets beat to pucks, etc--I actually thought he might retire after this year....alot of money for only decent play and a veteran presence.— btbenz
- The guy is 3rd on the team in points, tied for the team lead in assists and /-, has missed only a handful of games while a Flyer, had his best point production per game as a Flyer just last year ("but he is old and injury prone!", blah blah blah), plays every situation against top players on the opposition, and is a warrior and leader. Shame to see so many clueless posts.
- And i neglected to add that he plays more minutes per game than any other player on the team. You play more minutes, you should get more money.
- You are right the guy is a trooper and doesnt miss games but cant argue that he has had injuries the last few years that have slowed him down and have hindered his effectiveness. A true Hall Of Famer...a true leader...a great clubhouse presence...just not worth 6 million dollars at this point in his career. No other team would pay him that and just cant afford to have 10% of teams salary on a 38 year old defensemen... — flyers1000
- I just flat out disagree with you. You say injuries slowed him down, but he was an all-star last year, had (as noted above) his highest point per game output as a Flyer last year, and played major minutes in all situations. Yes, he had an injury, but unlike others who cry about it and sit out, he played through it and still excelled. He has contributed admirably this year, especially considering he has a new D partner and they are just now ending pre-season mode.
Your biggest mistake so far has not been underestimating Bryz, it is underestimating Timo. - snipes, there is no convincing Flyers1000 of anything. Logic is replaced by constant negativity in his posts.
Thank God I'm not living his life.
— backhand - "Your biggest mistake so far has not been underestimating Bryz, it is underestimating Timo."
No, his biggest mistake was getting into a battle of wits with you, because he's unarmed.
— backhand - snipes, forgot to add that we are flying back to Philly and will be in section 123 row 5 for the Saturday afternoon game with Carolina. Stop by after warmups. I'll have my Giroux WC jersey, my wife will be wearing Danny Brier's away jersey (Hartnell is hurt).
— backhand - Thanks Homey.
- 38 Philly.com Loser - Talk to the hand, that's right your right hand, the one you can't keep out of your trousers.— TrollXterminator
- Obviously, hockey acumen is not a forte of most here... The guy is your #1 D man and 2nd best player on the entire team, STILL plays against all the top lines, PP QB, PK monster shot blocker, HIGH pain tolerance, low maintenance, outstanding puck mover, accurate shooter, very good leader. Being older or slower doesn't mean a thing when you're smart and know how to play the game (angles, positioning, reading, etc.) You think Nick Lidstrom was ever fast? Pronger? Hatcher? Bourque? The list goes on... Duds— Lucky Luciano
- What a bunch of clowns. So you guys are going to bash the team for paying their best veteran player that sets a great example for the younger guys with his tremendous work ethic and playing the game with class? Actually, after reading some of the opinions flying around these blogs it's not so shocking.— TrollXterminator
- The waay Kimmo has been going I thought he already retired. I would have used his cap space to bring in a younger upgrade. I know Chelios, Lidstrom, and Bourque all played into their forties, but they didn't show signs of slowing down as Kimmo already has. Six million is elite defenseman level, which I think has passed him by.— Matt Mac Isaac
- dundermifflin, it's not about speed or size when it comes to Timonen. Positional play, blocking shots and leading this D is what TImonen is all about. I am not going to write Timonen off after 10 regular season games. That’s ridicules.
He’s had back surgery, decent amount of free time and it will take some time for him to get going. He made All Star games last year for a reason. Looks like it might be one year deal. I am ok with it. It’s not like next year UFA agency has 5 Bobby Orrs and 3 Prongers available.
It would be nice to get some kind of home discount and sign Tony Lydman or grab Smid. I have a feeling a lot of teams will lock their upcoming UFA d-men.— Nitroglycerin - What about Giroux? We are giving 6 million to a 39 yearold almost done defenseman? Cmon man!— Fabulous
- Cannot amnesty buy out a player on LTIR. Must be fit/healthy able to play for eligibility for that. It is a shame the idiot NHL cannot put in place proper rules for players over 35 that have a career ending injury and not penalize the team. But they also are carrying/supporting a team losing 30 mill in PHX for how many years now, a year so there isnt much hope for anything rational there. Yessireee a team that cannot support itself in PHX makes all the difference in a national TV package, DUHHHHHHHHHH— Steelmanpa
- The real problem with signing the older player is that he is an injury away from retiring. Young players get injured, then come back. If Timo gets any kind of injury, he is done.— glroark
- Kimmo has been very good so far this year. Good signing, low risk. Should help the other D-Men mature, just as keeping Dawk would've helped our safeties.— Argh27
-
A good signing, he looks night and day from last year (better). For the Kings/Flyers defenseman comparison I would have to disagree, Timmo jumps into the play smartly; Coburn leads just about every rush; and Gervais has spent alot of time in the offensive zone around the net as well. Now, I can't exactly say I always agree with that, but hey that's hockey.— MackB#17 - -snipemorris....we can agree to disagree thats what makes forums work like this..I love Kimmo..love what he has " done" for the Flyers...a true Hall of Famer..leader /quality person....I dont undersetimate what he has done just not worth 6m and 10% of teams salary at age 38-39
and as far as BRYZ goes time will tell if I along with most underestimated what he could do...He showed last year for 1 month that he was an all star and 5 months that he was a stiff so with just 9 games so far lets see what happens though he looks like a completely different player and I give him his props— flyers1000 - Ok, I guess I'm living in a parallel universe. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Kimmo. That said, he was overmatched, a step behind, and running on fumes in last years playoffs. But what is mind blowing is that everyone justifying this signing is saying that the Flyers best defenseman is 38 years old and in the twilight of his career. That's a problem in what is exponentially becoming a young man's sport.— Mike Boryla
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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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