Timonen intrigued by Nashville defensemen
(UPDATED with Suter's comments on Friday)
Timonen intrigued by Nashville defensemen
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
(UPDATED with Suter's comments on Friday)
GATINEAU, Quebec _ It’s a longshot, but it’s no secret that the Flyers would love to acquire one of Nashville’s all-star defensemen, Shea Weber or Ryan Suter, before the Feb. 27 trade deadline.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen, a former Predator, said after Thursday’s all-star draft. “If we can get any of those two guys, perfect…..To be honest, if they want to win in Nashville, they have to keep those two guys.”
Weber, who carries a $7.5 million cap hit this season, can become a restricted free agent after the season, while Suter ($3.5 million cap hit) can become an unrestricted free agent.
The Flyers would want assurances that they could sign Suter for the future; they do not want a rent-a-player. They could fit Suter under the cap for the rest of this season, but if they would have to get rid of some salary if they wanted him long-term.
In Sunday’s All-Star Game in Ottawa, Timonen will be on Team Chara with Suter, while Weber will play for Team Alfredsson.
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During Friday's Media Day at all-star weekend, Suter said that if everything was equal, he would like to remain with Nashville.
Sutter hinted he will not sign during the season _ opening the possibility of a deal _ but said he hopes he isn’t traded.
“Nashville is a great place to live and raise a family,” he said.
Asked if he would like to play for the Flyers if he becomes a free agent, Suter said, “I don’t think about where I want to be. I focus on being a good player on our team. The time will come for all that, and now is not the time. Our team is doing very good right now, and hopefully we can go and get that piece we might need for the playoffs.”
Suter said his agent and the Preds have “talked ideas” but haven't been negotiating during the season. Nor does he expect any until after the season.
“Being in Nashville, which is not a huge hockey market, there is really no pressure on me (to resign),” he said. “I’m just trying to help our team win and trying to be a good teammate and leader. We’re trying not to make it a distraction.”
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
Dustin Byfuglien can fill the role on defense.— Romus
Who would the Flyers have to give up to get Suter, Weber, or Gleason? The first two are certainly not going to go cheaply. Nashville would probably want Matt Read and Sean Couturier and I'm not certain that's a good deal.
Trading Bryz is out of the question. After his dismal performance this year, who would want him?
Hoping for a long Flyers win streak after the break with some wins over the Rangers to get back the conference lead.— backhand- I wonder if Kimmo would be so enthused if he was part of the trade package. Pronger(when healthy)is the best "D" man in the league. When you think of Webber&Suter remember the hype around Bryzo last season!!!!— quigly46
- I don't know where to start on this thread.
quigly46 just said that Chris Pronger is the best D man in the league when healthy. That is laughable. Pronger was the best defenseman in the NHL a long time ago. He is no longer even close. He helps the team, but he isn't even the best defenseman on the team (Kimmo Timonen).
backhand: you are extremely over rating Matt Read. He is having a great season, and looks like a good player, but he would be moved in a heartbeat for an impact defenseman. He is 25 years old, and played half a season in the NHL. He is putting up solid numbers on a high scoring team, but I doubt he could be the go-to guy in the NHL. I am not criticizing him as a player, just saying you may be valuing him a little high because of the crest on his chest. If they could move Schenn for Suter or Weber (Weber will not be moved at all, IMO) do it. His 3 million dollar cap hit for what he adds to the team is not worth it. Let him be a star in a town where no one cares. The Flyers need another NHL calibre defenseman, but he doesn't have to be a 20 minute a night guy. He just needs to be serviceable.— Hexy4GM - All you people taling about Bryz better wake up. 'Bob' is playing WAY better, is younger, and they'd better sign him to an over-valued short-term deal to keep him or he will haunt us, mark these words. And if you know anything about Lavvy, he will put Bob in net in the playoffs in a HEARBEAT if Bryz keeps sucking like he does. DO NOT let Bob get away. Too much talent and he's starting to prove it.— PhilCali
- Sure Weber is what everyone wants, but keep in mind.. He's missed games this year with a concussion.— dedhed
- Preds, who are having a good season, would be extremely foolish to part with either player if it is at all unavoidable.
Agree that a Gleason is much more likely to wear a Flyers uni this season.— FishFryFrank - Obviously meant to say "at all avoidable" not "unavoidable."— FishFryFrank
- I take Weber over anyone. If that meant we traded one of our rookie defenseman, a forward and two draft pick. i do it. Have him and Pronger next season would be magical. Even if Pronger is done. Weber is definitely the ideal guy for the team. He plays physical, drops the gloves once a while and is a two way defenseman. Can't beat a player like him— Flyers_70
- Don't expect anything soon. They'll play the kids another few weeks to see if they continue to develop. Unless another team postures, of course. I like the team now, though. Young guys might actually help more down the stretch as we sorta faded at the end last season.— vafan
- If Bourdon and Gustafsson continue their solid play, Homer will go for a solid rental #3-#6 defenseman, probably the aforementioned Gleason. Trading for either Weber or Suter would mean a blockbuster deal with several players involved. I don't think it would be smart to risk the chemistry of this roster once more shortly before the playoffs. Other than going for Gleason, there is a fair chance Bryz will pick it up and improve his numbers now.— flyerdommo
- @ MichaelZoe...The Flyers shouldn't waste a #1 pick on a goalie. They'd never play him. If things don't work out with Bryz,(and they were able to move him), They would still go out and get "the best available" F/A out there. Don't get me wrong...I love Bobs and feel he should have been given another year to prove he's worthy of being their #1 goalie. The Flyers should have gotten an experienced back-up (on the cheap)instead of the $51 Million Man.It seems to me that the Flyers just never seem to do the right thing.— 50_buick
- Let's face it... Bryz will only get better when The Wizzard gives him a brain. He's a loon and has lost it. True, it would help to have that big, porch clearing D man, but that's not happening any time soon. Bobs is playing best and should be our #1.— 50_buick
- suter announcing that he will not sign before the deadline is a huge blow to the Preds GM....he lost most of his leverage. Poile knows he is not coming back, so the price went considerably down for Suter. The only exception might be the competition that drives his price up. With that being said, Schenn and Bourdon should get it done. Or Schenn and a draft pick. We use three mill from Schenn's deal and another 2-3 mill to sign Suter long term. 6 year, 36 million.— dave1walsh
- Do not make big trade. Save picks.— Nitroglycerin
