Could Jay Bouwmeester be a Philadelphia Flyer next week?

by Travis Hughes on Jun 19, 2009 6:43 AM EDT in Rumors

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren spoke to the media for about a half hour on Wednesday night, and while making remarks about everything from the draft to the goaltender situation to James van Riemsdyk's prospects of making the team this season, the most intriguing bits of information came on the Jay Bouwmeester front. The all-star, soon-to-be-free-agent defenseman has put the Flyers on his radar, and Holmgren made it clear that the feelings are mutual.

It's become rather clear that Bouwmeester does not want to re-sign with the Florida Panthers, so it's possible that they could be enticed to trade his rights away before July 1, when the free agency period begins. That way, they would get an asset for a player that is just going to walk away in a few weeks regardless. The same situation occured in 2001 when the Flyers traded for the rights to Jeremy Roenick in order to sign him before he hit the open free agent market. It also happened more recently in 2007 when the team did the same thing to get exclusive negotiating rights with Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell. In each of those situations, the players were signed before July 1, when they would've been available to the open market.

Florida, however, does not currently have a general manager. That brings up some uncertainty in the process.

"We're not sure how Florida is dealing," Holmgren said. But when asked if the club will trade Bouwmeester before July 1, he said "there's a good chance of that happening" and that he expects the trade market at the draft to be "very active."

So do the Flyers have a chance to acquire the rights to Bouwmeester before July 1? It might be their only hope of signing the strong, young defenseman, considering how close they are to the salary cap. A trade of a current roster player and perhaps a draft pick for the rights to Bouwmeester could potentially get the team under the cap enough to sign him. But of course, there is definite risk in trading for a player that will be a free agent in just a few short weeks, just in case you don't finalize a deal.

There are at least five other teams interested in Bouwmeester's services come July 1, though, and exclusive negotiating rights to him would give the Flyers a definite upper hand. Without that extra window, the orange and black could lose out in the sweepstakes due to their lack of excessive salary cap space. They currently sit $4 million-plus under the cap, but Bouwmeester made almost $5 million a season in his last contract. It's believed that he could earn up to seven-plus years at $8 million in the deal he receives this coming summer.

If Holmgren's inclinations are correct, though, Bouwmeester could be traded away from Florida next week, and Philadelphia could be his destination. Whether or not they keep him long-term is a bigger story.

Some highlights from the rest of Holmgren's press conference:

The Flyers aren't putting Martin Biron out of the picture just yet. They are still talking to the goaltender but as Holmgren said, "the window is closing."
Mike Knuble and Andrew Alberts are expected to be free agents come July 1, but the team is looking to sign each of them before that date comes.
Holmgren doesn't expect James van Riemsdyk to make the Flyers out of training camp this fall, but he did qualify that by saying anything can happen. After all, he expected Claude Giroux to make the team out of camp and that didn't happen.
Besides Biron, Holmgren mentioned the names of Antero Niittymaki and Robert Esche as goalies on his radar. He also mentioned "other free agents" that will be available without naming names. The free-agent market includes guys like Scott Clemmensen and Craig Anderson, two guys that won't command a ton of money and have proven in the past year to be capable NHL starters.
Finally, the general manager said that it's unlikely the Flyers will take a goalie with the 21st pick in next weekend's NHL draft in Montreal (which Broad Street Hockey will be reporting live from, remember!).

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I have officially made my decision regarding Bouwmeester. For awhile I have been holding out hope that in October Jay Bouwmeester would be wearing the #4 jersey for the Flyers. He would be a dream come true for this team and I don’t see anyone else that has more potential of putting this over the top then JBO.

With that said, I think it would be a poor decision for the Flyers to blow the bank and sign him. I think that Shagg is right in what he posted over in the Offseason fan shot:

And as I’ve said many times before, JBow needs to be forgotten. Seriously. The guy is going to get paid more than Brian Campbell. Eight years for $56.8 million. So Kimmo, Danny, and JBow would all be making more than $6 million, and Carter, Richards, and Gagne making more than $5 million. Not to mention Carle, Hartnell, and Lupul’s $11.75 million combined, nor paying Coburn (UFA next year). There’s $33 million of a roughly $55 million cap in 6 players, $45 million in 9 players.

The Flyers just can’t afford JBO. Unlike Campbell, JBO probably deserves an eight years/$56.8 million contract. Sadly, there is just not way we can do that without ruining the core of players we have now, which is an important aspect to remember. If we blow the bank for JBO now, we have to ditch players and that can take away from our scoring depth and players of the future. Also, its not like our defense is hopeless as it is. Kimmo, Coburn, Parent, Carle, Sbisa are a solid group.

And, remember, this is coming from someone who is all about defense. I still think the Flyers have a lot of retooling to do on the blueline, and while JBO would undoubtedly be the answer, there is too much at stake.

Its a shame that winning doesn’t hold as much weight as money. If JBo were to come to Philly he would actually make the playoffs (something he has never done) year in and year out and have a legit chance at winning the Cup as opposed to teams like Edmonton who have the money but won’t be anywhere near playoff contention in April. Then again, look how that turned out for Marian Hossa.

by Mitchell Green on Jun 19, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

No one’s going to be wearing a #4 jersey in Philly.

Bouwmeester is doable for Philly if it’s a front loaded and very long term deal. He could still get paid, but the average for the cap hit could be 5 or 6 mil. However we’d also need to move one of the guys you mentioned making a ton already. Everyone says Briere but I don’t think it’s happening.

by SJPhillyVT on Jun 19, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh yea duh . . .

Barry Ashbee. My bad.

Its doable, yea. I am just saying I don’t think the Flyers should do it. There are plenty other defensemen the Flyers could target that won’t hit us so hard in cap space.

by Mitchell Green on Jun 19, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

i keep reading that Lupul and a 1st will land bouwmeester.

that would free up the space to sign him plus another mill. in cap to make moves during the season. if this was the solution i would take it.

by JpH89 on Jun 19, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

its ashame

you cant throw randy jones and his contract into that deal…useless and makes too much money.

Atleast with regards to Coburn next year, Rathje’s contract finally comes off the books after this year, freeing up 3.5mil I think, as well as Jones’s, making it easier to sign Coburn long term. And I’m comfortable with Kimmo, Coburn, Parent, Carle, and Sbisa.

The other problem with JBo is Mike Knuble, who needs to be resigned (for our power play and for the fact that if we don’t sign him, the Rangers WILL sign him). Then do they take a run at Scott Clemmensen or Craig Anderson? I hope so, I’d prefer either of them over Esche any day of the week.

With all these issues, unless you get a taker for Briere and his monster contract, I don’t see how you can get JBo (even with trading Lupul) and do everything else you want to do (Knuble, Alberts, a good backup goalie, start planning to resign Coburn and Parent after this season since their contracts expire), and still leave yourself flexibility against the cap to go throughout the season, which killed us last year. I would love JBo on our blueline just as much as the next guy, but Homer is going to have to pull some major strings to make it happen while not handcuffing us against the cap. Hopefully he makes the right decisions. LETS GO FLYERS

"That collision, I didn't feel nothing, because he was pretty much defenseless. It was like running through a cardboard box. Seriously. Cardboard box" -Sheldon Brown after lighting up Reggie Bush

by Beast of the East on Jun 19, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

sorry for the double post

maybe they sign JBo to a contract, don’t resign Alberts, let Parent and Jones walk next year, resign Coburn…would leave you with JBo, Kimmo, Coburn, Carle, Sbisa, then bank on a young guy to fill in the 6th (I think resigning Alberts would cost too much if you did this?)….this would I guess also have to include a Lupul trade

just thinking of possible ways they could do it. You would lose Jones’s contract, Lupul’s contract, you wouldn’t lost much in Parent’s contract but you wouldn’t have to resign him, or you could trade him for a pick. You lose Rathje’s 3.5 off the books as well.

"That collision, I didn't feel nothing, because he was pretty much defenseless. It was like running through a cardboard box. Seriously. Cardboard box" -Sheldon Brown after lighting up Reggie Bush

by Beast of the East on Jun 19, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

why would you want to let parent walk, he’s our only shut down defenseman, i would rather let alberts(aka mr. out of position, i do like him but he pisses me off sometimes) walk this year the parent next year. but to your first post, thats the dilemma, sign 2 above average players or sign the all-star, personally i would take JBO over knuble and alberts, only because knulbe is old and we have JVR who plays the same style hockey(in front of the net, john leclair like). but i do think that we need to do something to improve our D, even if its not JBO. Carel is terrible at defending, jones and alberts are average t best, and sbisa is still unproven. kimo, coburn, and parent our the only 3 suitable starters on the team, and thats not cup material.

by JpH89 on Jun 19, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I completely disagree about Carle. When he came over here, he was a guy who had a hell of a rookie (maybe sophomore?) season, but hasn’t shown the same offensive capabilities since. But instead, Carle was fantastic in his own zone for us, especially from the deadline on. Someone else said it on another post first, but he was most likely our best defensemen in the Pittsburgh series. He blocks a ton of shots and makes smart decisions with the puck. He may be out of position some times, but even Coburn was out of position more than Carle. The two of them together for a full season will be something to watch.

by Geoff Detweiler on Jun 19, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I definitely don’t want to let Parent walk, I was just thinking of ways that they would possibly work Bouwmeester into the cap long-term if they were to do it. Personally, I’m in agreement with you about needing to upgrade the D, and I also don’t feel it needs to be JBo. Who? Not sure really right now. I just think with what you’d be getting into financially with JBo, and with everything else the Flyers could/should do, I don’t feel it’s worth putting the team in that position.

You’re going to have to resign both Coburn and Parent after this year. Obviously you have Kimmo locked down for a good while. I think we all agree that Randy Jones is weak and clearly doesn’t deserve the 2.75 or whatever it is he makes, just don’t know who’d take him off of our hands. Matt Carle came on strong at the end of the year. This being said, he makes over 3 mil., almost/about half of what JBo would command, is he half the player that JBo is? (If you package him with Lupul and send them to Florida with a pick, then you could re-talk JBo, but even then, you’ll still financially pin yourself against the cap). Verdict is still out on Sbisa, can only hope he continues to progress and if he does, there’s no question he’ll be a solid 3 or 4 at some point.

All this being said, we don’t need JBo. Obviously he’d be great for our team, but he’d cause other problems due to the financial commitment he’s commanding. Who else is out there on the free agent market? I don’t know what’s out there honestly. I would send Lupul, Carle and a 1st to Florida for JBo. I would do that. But I don’t know how you’d front load the deal and not put yourself right back against the cap. That killed us last year. I just hope whatever happens that we don’t end up only $900,000 under the cap.

By the way, did they release the cap ceiling yet for this season?

"That collision, I didn't feel nothing, because he was pretty much defenseless. It was like running through a cardboard box. Seriously. Cardboard box" -Sheldon Brown after lighting up Reggie Bush

by Beast of the East on Jun 19, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

We agree in principal.

While Lupul and Carle would almost add up to what JBow would command, I am extremely hesitant to have so many long term, high priced contracts. I can’t imagine having Kimmo, Danny and JBow locked up for 5+ years at $6+ million per year, plus Richie and Carter at $5+ million for 5+ years, then trying to re-sign Coburn, with Gagne and Hartnell locked down, Giroux eventually demanding a huge pay day, as with JVR. That’s a lot of “core” guys demanding huge contracts. Mainly, that is what my fear is.

Personally, I’d prefer Mike Komisarek. But even then, I’m not entirely convinced our top 4 needs improvement. They need to improve, but we aren’t lacking a top 4 guy. It’s our third pairing, consistency, and mistakes. But no doubt a Mike Komisarek would go a long way to easing a lot of concerns.

Just thought of this: Since everyone knows Jones isn’t going anywhere, and they want to resign Alberts, where does Sbisa fit in? As a scratch again, or having Alberts be a scratch? Either way, something must be done, but only minor

by Geoff Detweiler on Jun 19, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

How does moving a 4.2 mil cap hit free up enough space to sign someone at 6 or 7 mil PLUS 1 mil more in space?

by SJPhillyVT on Jun 19, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

because we have 4 mill in cap already, which would be 8.2 in mill, then minus the 7 mill. that JBO will make, which would equal 1 mill. left over. its basic 3rd grade math.

by JpH89 on Jun 19, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Well being able to explain what you mean clearly would be basic 3rd grade English.

There’d still be at least 3 roster spots to fill with that 1 mil of cap space anyway.

by SJPhillyVT on Jun 19, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the quote flyersfrk.

My argument stays the same. Even if they trade Lupul, they are at the cap. Then who do you trade? You couldn’t resign Knuble, Alberts, or Marty. You wouldn’t be able to sign Esche (Good news?) or any backup goalie. You would still need capable wingers. Trading Lupul would simply be the first step to signing him.

Next, without Lupul and Knuble, not only do you lose two 25-goal scorers, but you have nobody to step in. We already are slotting Powe, Carcillo, Asham, and Ross in our lineup, until we sign somebody anyway. If we trade Lupul and therefore can’t resign Knuble, you have those four in your lineup plus two of: Riley Cote, Andreas Nodl, Patrick Maroon, or Just Out of College Still Can’t Go to a Bar – JVR. Yeah, we’d have a stud defense but absolutely nobody scary on our 3rd and 4th lines.

by Geoff Detweiler on Jun 19, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

I agree it’s probably not worth it to pin yourself that close to cap.

Depending on the progress of Sbisa, we wouldn’t need to resign Alberts if we were to get Bouwmeester/anyone. We’d have that FA, Kimo, Coburn, Parent, Carle and Sbisa as our 6. Also Jones is still around.

And we’d have enough scoring depth with Richards, Gagne, Carter, Hartnell, and Briere. Also Giroux who I have high hopes for.

The big problem would be filling out the rest of the roster as stated. If we could find someone to give Jones too and not resign Alberts, it’s possible, but probably not worth the risk, and giving yourself no cap space wiggle room.

by FredEx on Jun 19, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

How about THIS?

The Flyers trade Briere, the rights to Biron, and possibly a draft pick to Florida for Bouwmeester and Anderson. This would allow friends Briere and Biron to play together, and it would get us Bouwmeester and Anderson (duh).

Here’s how this would work. Take a look at Florida’s numbers at present. As you can see, they’ve got $18,602,000 to play with. Let’s say that Briere and Biron take up $11 million combined, leaving $7,602,000 for Florida. They spend that on Horton, Eminger, and two other guys who don’t command a lot of money. (Some of the older guys are likely gone; I am almost positive that Zednik will not be back.)

There you go. Problem solved.

Actually, probably not, but it was worth a shot.

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Jun 19, 2009 10:51 PM EDT reply actions

if this happened florid would be the most idiotic bunch of the NHL.

by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Jun 21, 2009 3:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Even more so than Atlanta?

Zing!!!

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Jun 21, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Briere has a no trade clause, and it would be kind of hard to convince him to go to a Bouwmeesterless Florida.

by SJPhillyVT on Jun 22, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I know...

… but a guy can dream, can’t he?

Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?

by mikefive on Jun 22, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

just for the recored...

Komiserak and Bergeron are the only other two d-men that i would give a big/long contract too that would immediately help out the team. i just dont know if one of them plus Lupul is as good as JBO with no Lupul.

by JpH89 on Jun 20, 2009 12:21 AM EDT reply actions