By: Steve Johnson
Continued from part 1
Defensemen
Kimmo Timonen ($6.33 million cap hit, 1 year left, UFA in 13-14)
Chris Pronger ($4.9 million cap hit, 5 years left, UFA in 17-18)
Andrej Meszaros ($4 million cap hit, 2 years left, UFA in 14-15)
Pavel Kubina (Unrestricted Free Agent this year)
Matt Carle (Unrestricted Free Agent this year)
Braydon Coburn ($4.5 million cap hit, 4 years left, UFA in 16-17)
Nicklas Grossmann ($3.5 million cap hit, 4 years left, UFA in 16-17)
Marc-Andre Bourdon (Restricted Free Agent this year)
Andreas Lilja ($737,500, 1 year left, UFA in 13-14)
Erik Gustafsson ($900,000, 1 year left, RFA in 13-14)
Breakdown:
Kimmo Timonen once again had a great year and will be back again for the Flyers. He was however breaking down toward the end of the year, and seemed tired. He will be turning 38 next year and who knows how many years him and...
Chris Pronger have left. Pronger barely played this year after head injuries, and some say he will never play again. Losing one of the best defense men this game has ever seen will be huge, especially since they have counted on him for the next 5 years. I don't think he'll be back, and that's not good. Flyers need to get younger at this position.
Andrej Meszaros had back surgery mid way through the year and was out close to 8 weeks. He came back for the end of the Devils series and didn't look his self. He has 2 years left on his deal and takes a larger cap hit than you would want for someone you might not be able to count on.
Pavel Kubina was acquired at the trade deadline and wasn't the player he once was. This was a desperation move and it didn't work out. He won't be on the team and probably will have to retire.
Matt Carle isn't the same player without Pronger playing along side of him. He didn't have the year many expected, but what his normal self at around 40 points. Carle doesn't get hurt, and the Flyers would love to resign the 27 year old. It all depends if another team is willing to give him a big contract.
Braydon Coburn got a big contract extension mid way through the year and he deserved it. He's locked up through 2016 and really is one of the only defense men they can count on for the next couple of years with...
Nicklas Grossmann, who was also given a new contract and is also signed through 2016. He was acquired mid way through the season and you could instantly see the goaltenders playing better.
Marc-Andre Bourdon was called up early with the injuries the Flyers had and he played decent. He played in more than half the games and is still only 22. I would be surprised if they let him walk without getting a bid in for his services.
Andreas Lilja, like a couple of the guys mentioned before is getting old and showing it. He's got 1 more year left on his deal, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Flyers somehow get out of this.
Erik Gustafsson was being called up and down all year with the injuries the Flyers suffered. I thought he played well in the playoffs and think he could earn himself a contract next year if he continues to improve. He's still only 23 years old and is a restricted free agent after next year.
Goalies
Ilya Bryzgalov ($5.66 million cap hit, 8 years left, UFA in 2020)
Sergei Bobvrovsky ($1.75 million cap hit, 1 year left, RFA in 13-14
Breakdown:
Ilya Bryzgalov had more one liners than saves this year. After signing that huge contact, the Flyers didn't get what they expected and they admitted that in the past week. Bryz needs to play better, and needs to get his head into it. I expect him to bounce back, after he settles in the city and learns from his mistakes. He played better toward the end of the season before his foot injury. It seemed like the injury or the pressure got to him in Pittsburgh but then played better in New Jersey. In order to move on the Flyers need him and not...
Sergei Bobvrosky who is nothing more than a 2nd goalie in the NHL. The Flyers didn't get what they expected out of him and he will be counted on for a backup role if he is resigned after next year.
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