Once again, it's Thursday and it's been a slow week around here with five days between games for the Flyers. But we're about to change all that. It's time to reach into this week's mailbag.
What are the chances of Del Zotto re-signing in the coming offseason? – Chris F.
I said in my Wednesday column that it was too early to think about the playoffs. So I guess that makes it too soon to think about next offseason as well. But, if we were much more focused on the offseason, then Michael Del Zotto would certainly be an interesting topic.
Del Zotto has been the most valuable addition to the Flyers this season, proving to play a pivotal role on defense. In short, I think it's an obvious yes to try to re-sign the defenseman.
For one, the Flyers will need some veteran players on the blue line with the wave of young talent on the verge of coming to the NHL. That said, look at Shayne Gostisbehere's setback in development with an ACL injury, and now you have to wonder what the chances are for him to be a regular Flyer in 2015-16.
Having a player like Del Zotto makes sense because he is still relatively young. In addition, this was meant to have the same effect as the Luke Schenn trade – a new team and new surroundings could jumpstart a career. Schenn's been better this season, but I think we're all still waiting for his coming out party.
Del Zotto looks like the player that showed such great potential in his rookie season and the Flyers are now the beneficiary.
Let's say the rumors of the cap staying where it's at right now turns out to be true, which players are going to be the cap casualties? – T.J. O.
There are two players that come to mind when I think about the salary cap, especially if it does stay the same. The Flyers tried to unload both Scott Hartnell and Vincent Lecavalier during the past offseason. Give Ron Hextall a lot of credit for finding a taker for Hartnell, even if the return wasn't so great. I expect to see Lecavalier's name back on the block this offseason.
Additionally, I think Braydon Coburn could be a casualty if cap issues arise. The Flyers got Del Zotto for a cheap $1.3 million this season. I don't see his cap hit being higher than $2 million. Aside from Andrew MacDonald, I think any veterans left – Luke Schenn, Nick Schultz, Nick Grossmann – will be fairly minimal cap hits over Coburn's $4.5 million – identical to Lecavalier's cap hit.
And speaking of R.J. Umberger, the Flyers may try to part ways with him as well. I think the Flyers saw some offensive potential in Umberger as well as his two-way skills. The problem with Umberger is that for a $4.6 million cap hit, he's been slow and ineffective all season. If he doesn't turn his season around, he may be more vulnerable than Lecavalier, which is really saying something.
How are the Flyers preparing for teams like the NY Rangers, Detroit, Montreal, and Minnesota in their games with them coming up this month? – Jeff Q.
I like this question a lot. After watching the Flyers against the Oilers, Panthers and Avalanche this week, I think the primary aspect that the Flyers are working on for these teams is in the defensive zone.
There was a game against the Penguins last March where the Flyers barely allowed Pittsburgh to move the puck into the slot. You'll hear Craig Berube talk a lot about keeping the puck on the outside. Being able to succeed at that against these weaker teams is a way of practicing for the teams with more scoring ability and skill.
The Rangers and Wild will be tests for the Flyers, and it's important to remember the Flyers played two dominant periods against Montreal and already beat Detroit this season. The recent winning ways for this team might have a lot to do with poor teams, but the Flyers opened this stretch with wins against some prety dangerous teams. They know what it takes to win.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
