Contract negotiations aimed at re-signing Flyers forward Jeff Carter have taken an upswing after...

Contract negotiations aimed at re-signing Flyers forward Jeff Carter have taken an upswing after weeks of slow but determined negotiations.

"You know me, I don’t say much, but I will acknowledge that I’ve had some conversations with Paul and we’re making progress," agent Rick Curran told CSNPhilly.com on Wednesday.

"For the moment, that’s probably all I’m going to say. I don’t like to discuss negotiations."

The Flyers, who often re-negotiate in-season with key personnel, would like to have Carter re-signed before he becomes a restricted free agent on July 1.

-- CSN's Tim Panaccio

over 1 year ago Travis Hughes 50 comments 0 recs |

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But, but, but

How are we going to trade him if we resign him? /ducks

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by doubleh on Oct 27, 2010 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

Are they delusional? Or is this agent speak? If someone in this organization doesn’t see this guy as a round peg in a square hole puzzle. He is a star player, but just because he is a star player doesn’t mean he fits.

Just Call Me "M"!

by MJDII on Oct 27, 2010 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Awesome.

I fully expect his contract to be for about 8 years at a little less than twice market value fully loaded with a NTC/NMC.

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Oct 27, 2010 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

Guys come on, this one’s for chrislanci.

by phinally on Oct 27, 2010 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

Can they leave out the clause that pays him for every shot that hits the glass.

"All hail the Flyers" Jim Jackson.

by darkside3744 on Oct 27, 2010 6:22 PM EDT reply actions

Giroux first please! Then the rest can fall in.

by KyDi on Oct 27, 2010 6:30 PM EDT reply actions

If he keeps up this pace, they better sign him fast. Otherwise, it’s probably smart to wait for him, to see just how much he deserves.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 27, 2010 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Any deal we reach with him midseason will be an overpayment. I wonder what the over/under is on the number of times “40 goal scorer” is mentioned in these negotiations

by mantis toboggan on Oct 27, 2010 6:33 PM EDT reply actions

Jesus… Paul Holmgren really is an idiot.

Formerly... "You don't have to be sweet, to be good"

by Ed Van Chimp on Oct 27, 2010 7:13 PM EDT reply actions

Ahhhhhh..

So it was his agent who paid to have Carter be named a top 3 star all across the internet last night.

bread. butter. cheese. VICTORY!

by Prometheus74 on Oct 27, 2010 7:24 PM EDT reply actions

I’m going to try to give Homer the benefit of the doubt, here; it’s entirely possible that he’s already in negotiations with all of Giroux, Leino, and Carter, but the other two’s agents are keeping their mouths shut.

Realistically, if Homer was talking to Leino’s agent and Giroux’s agent and not talking to Carter’s agent, how do you think Carter would react? I wouldn’t be surprised if that scenario made Carter unhappy and thus affected his play, so Homer isn’t going to want to risk offending Carter like that, even if it’s just talking and he doesn’t get signed any time soon (or at all).

by DragonGirl0583 on Oct 27, 2010 7:28 PM EDT reply actions

Truth. It’s nothing to get upset about. Plus, I know homer has to understand the value of Giroux to this team.

by phinally on Oct 27, 2010 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Forget Carter sign Giroux and Leino. Get to players for the price of Carter.

by midwestflyers on Oct 27, 2010 7:41 PM EDT reply actions

Man, do I want to see what Homer’s going to do on this signing.

I say trade him for a winger that plays both ways and a pick.

by flyerboom_6 on Oct 27, 2010 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah then we could trade that winger for a 7th defenseman and a 4th rounder.

by tmurder on Oct 27, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Then cut that 7th defender and trade a top player and that 4th for another top line center, thus the Homer cycle is complete.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 27, 2010 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Carter isn’t going to get any comparable players in a trade. Wingers around his age with 30-40 goal potential aren’t going to get traded. Forget about it.

Do you really want picks and prospects in a trade for Carter. You don’t trade 25 year old guys for picks and prospects. This team can not be rebuilt around Pronger and Kimmo if it comes down to rebuilding than Pronger and Kimmo would be dealt 1st. The best the Flyers will get in terms of Prospects and Picks in if they let Carter walk on a RFA offer sheet. But if Ryan didn’t get an offer sheet or Marc Staal I don’t see that happening either.

So the realistic options are trading Carter for an aging former superstar winger who is coming to the end of his contract. We would then let that player walk and use the money for next years offseason. Unfortunately those contracts probably come with higher than a 5 million dollar cap hit. One name would be Partrick Elias or Ryan Symth do we really want that. I am not sure.

Another option is to swap another impending RFA for a team that needs a center over a winger. I don’t see Parise getting traded for Carter ever so this is a pipe dream.

Finally we can sign Carter at a favorable cap hit either long term Richards style. Or a short-term 3 year deal where he will reach UFA age at the end. Giving him the leverage for the big bucks for his next contract. We have the upper hand in these negotiations. Hopefully Homer won’t fuck it up. Carter at a 3-5 million hit is a very nice contract in my opinion.

by chrislanci on Oct 27, 2010 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

We have the upper hand in these negotiations. Hopefully Homer won’t fuck it up

These are two statements I can’t reconcile, especially one right after the other.

G, the second coming of Foppa.

by JerseyDriver on Oct 27, 2010 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I will not argue with the logic and I cannot say I disagree. In fact, the logical, emotionless part of me agrees b/c right now I know we won’t get equal value in any kind of trade.

Now comes my purely emotional take…..However, I’ve never been a Carter fan. I’m not a fan of his lack of two way play and he’s supposed to be a goal scorer, yet skates to either circle/dot and lets a wrist shot fly. He’s predictable and easy to defend just by keeping him outside in instances where he could try to make a move towards the center of the ice to get in on goal.

He’s young and can change, but I just feel like the kid has size and speed, but doesn’t use them to his advantage and I don’t like his lack of defensive effort. Again, this is not grounded in any advanced stats or payroll numbers, just my sentiment.

by flyerboom_6 on Oct 28, 2010 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions

To address your first bit. Two words: Phil. Kessel.

To address your last bit. Carter at 3 million you are delusional.

Simon Gagne may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home, but at the end of the day, he will always be a Philadelphia Flyer.

by PursuitOfLappyness on Oct 28, 2010 3:42 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Ding ding ding

Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Oct 28, 2010 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I think after Toronto lost the 2nd overall pick teams are hesitant to make that mistake again. Imagine if Buffalo didn’t match the Vanek offer sheet the would have had a couple of Edmonton’s top 5 picks as well.

3 million is delusional but 4 is not.

by chrislanci on Oct 28, 2010 9:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

What comparable RFA’s would dictate Carter getting $4mil? Excluding a for life contract that would do it’s best to circumvent the CBA without being investigated for it.

Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Oct 28, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

It would probably be cap circumvention but not to the extent of Kovy’s original deal. One could argue Bobby Ryan deserves more than Carter than 5 million, he was drafted higher and is younger. But based on what team has available to spend and that we have the upper hand Carter might be forced to take less that his comparable players.

by chrislanci on Oct 28, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Bobby Ryan’s deal was on point for a 3 year contract IMO.

Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Oct 28, 2010 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I do agree with the general idea of this in that Carter probably wouldn’t net a comparable value in a trade, and prospects/picks are beyond this team right now.(Though it did work for Boston.)

But Carter will not be signed for less than 6 years and probably 5-7 mil a year, which I think is a bit more than we can and should handle.

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Oct 28, 2010 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m fine with this if:

The price is right; and,
They start using Carter the right way.

They can do the second thing by parking his ass in front of the net on the power play and letting him score on rebounds and deflections. He’s big, strong, and has a quick release. And when he’s hungry for the puck, he often gets to it. It’s worth a shot.

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

by mikefive on Oct 27, 2010 11:05 PM EDT reply actions

I agree he needs to be front getting the dirty goals like he did in the preseason.

by chrislanci on Oct 28, 2010 9:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I’d rather sign Giroux and Leino then worry about Carter. Not that anything is wrong with starting Carter’s negotiations so soon. I hope Carter doesn’t cost us either of Giroux or Leino.

by tmurder on Oct 27, 2010 11:14 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I don’t want to lose Giroux. We’ve already seen that movie in Philly.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by doubleh on Oct 27, 2010 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Giroux and Carter are both safe, and looking at capgeek they should both fit. But Leino is the odd man out in this scenario.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 27, 2010 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

And it just so happens that Leino’s been one of the most consistently good players so far.

Simon Gagne may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home, but at the end of the day, he will always be a Philadelphia Flyer.

by PursuitOfLappyness on Oct 28, 2010 3:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I expect one of our 3 mill plus defenders to be gone next year too. so Im not loosing faith.

Flyers 10-11 season slogan: "Remember Emery?"

by JpH89 on Oct 28, 2010 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think this team can be successful without someone who shoots the puck like Jeff. A bunch of stick handle fancy east west guys isn’t a formula for success. Fun to watch but some has to finish besides Briere. Carter brings a lot of goals. That is the teams biggest problem scoring. Losing another 30 goal scorer is going to be hard. If Briere gets hurt which tends to happen I am not sure who will get the puck to the net.

by chrislanci on Oct 28, 2010 9:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Really? You previously argued that losing 25 goal scorers Knuble, Lupul, and Gagne wasn’t at all a big deal because they were replaced by JVR, Leino, and Zherdev.

Now, we can’t lose Jeff Carter because we have nobody to get the puck to the net?

Richards, Giroux, Briere, Leino, JVR, Zherdev, Hartnell…

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 28, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but I think he’s saying that your list plus Carter is a lot better than your list with someone of lesser value.

by phinally on Oct 28, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Unfortunately, everyone outside the HBL line has had to deal with constant line shuffling b/c of Carter not fitting anywhere in the line up…just something to think about.

Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Oct 28, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

No matter what the reason behind it, the shuffling of anyone not named Briere, Hartnell or Leino has messed with their productivity. That said, we need to find the lines that have the best chemistry, and this is the best time of the year to do that (as opposed to March, for instance). So I think we need to be patient with some inconsistency and lack of scoring until we find the right combinations.

Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!

by hintzy64 on Oct 28, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh I agree. This is just part of my general philosophy as to why those 2 other lines aren’t necessarily clicking yet.

Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Oct 28, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think he fits either, I was just trying to rationalize what chris was saying. And I understand it too because if the Flyers actually want to be a three-scoring-line team, then we can’t just keep moving forwards hoping that a gamble will fill the spot(leino, zherdev, jvr). Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t, but it’s hard for that to be a situation where everything works out, everytime

by phinally on Oct 28, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Obviously. But that list plus Gagne is a lot better than with someone of lesser value.

I’m just pointing out that Chris is perfectly fine with losing 25-30 goal scorers left and right, up until it’s Carter who is moved.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Oct 28, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I was not fine with Knuble. I can understand the Gagne thing because Zherdev, JVR and Leino and adding a D-Man. I understood Lupul because he was overpaid and it got us Pronger. But there is a point. If we moved Carter in the offseason for the same return and kept Gagne then moved Gagne I would not be okay with that either. We are out of forwards to move.

by chrislanci on Oct 28, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand your points, but read my post above. If we were to move Carter, most likely no one compensable would fill in. I’m not speaking for him right now either, but losing Upshall and Lupol are relatively easy to replace. Knuble, not at all…he should still be here. Gagne, possibly, but I would maybe(we’ll see) take an 82-game Zherdev over an unhealthy Gagne. But losing Carter, another player who puts up points(or should at least) would be tougher to swallow at this time due to past moves.

by phinally on Oct 28, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

phinally exactly

phinally an ally

by chrislanci on Oct 28, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

haha everyone’s an ally as a flyer’s fan. these are just discussions within our locker room

by phinally on Oct 28, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

IF Carter plays center, yes. If, however, the powers that be wish to get Giroux playing center, someone’s gotta go. It ain’t Richie. It won’t be Briere. I’m not even mentioning Betts here. So who’s that leave???
The real question is – can we leave Giroux at wing? If we can, then we have a pretty set lineup … for this season (more on that in a minute). You have JVR-Richards-Zherdev, Hartnell-Briere-Leino, Powe/Carcillo-Carter-Giroux, Shelley/Powe-Betts-Noodle. So be it – doesn’t sound bad at all!
Problem is, we can’t maintain that next season – it’s not what we call ‘sustainable’. Carter, Carcillo, Nodl, Powe, and Giroux are all RFAs next season, while Zherdev, Leino, O’Donnell and Boucher are UFAs. If they sign Carter, even at the $5 million a season he’s currently making (and you don’t think he wants a raise, you’re kidding yourself), that leaves basically NO MONEY to sign anyone else! So you let O’Donnell walk (which I’m not inclined to do, but it is early in the season to decide) and Bartulis finally gets his NHL spot – or Walker finally plays a minute for us. That saved $1.3 million. Carcillo doesn’t seem to have a role by the end of the season? Saves another $1 million. Add those two together with his current salary, and you MIGHT be able to sign Giroux if you beg enough ($3.1 million) but I doubt it. And then you’re broke again. No money AT ALL for Leino. NO money to resign Zherdev, or if you don’t like him, another winger. No money to keep Powe or Nodl either. So what do you suggest the club DO then???
The truth is, yes, there’s a 40-goal scorer in Carter. And he expects 40-goal kind of money. If the Flyers decide to follow the Pittsburgh route, and spend all their money on centers and d-men – so be it, but don’t come crying to me about how the wingers suck hind tit! Otherwise, if you want a more balanced team, you gotta let Carter or Giroux go. You choose.

Maybe it should read "reformedpenguinsfan" since I have retired my Lemeiux jersey ... and purchased an Orange and Black Pronger jersey.

by MaximumTalbot on Oct 28, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

One mathematical clarification – when I say ‘no money’ I mean no MORE money – assuming players will want a raise. Powe may stay for his itty-bitty salary, but don’t hold your breath. Same for any of the others.

BTW, does anyone feel like Homer just missed having Rathje on the roster, and that’s why he signed Walker????

Maybe it should read "reformedpenguinsfan" since I have retired my Lemeiux jersey ... and purchased an Orange and Black Pronger jersey.

by MaximumTalbot on Oct 28, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I completely agree and understand this. I was solely talking about this year though. Next year is a whole different story as you noted. Out of carter, giroux, leino, zherdev, o’donnel, carcillo, powe, and nodl; trust me Carter is at the bottom of my keeper list. One player can’t dictate such a large percentage of the lineup. So if he doesn’t take a pay cut, which he probably wouldnt, i’m fine with saying bye

by phinally on Oct 28, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

And I guess what I’m saying would mean Giroux at wing. I am on the frontlines fighting for Giroux to be center, but a stacked lineup with giroux being able to play wing is probably best for a cup run this year.

by phinally on Oct 28, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions