Rumor: Flyers will not bring back Michael Del Zotto or Nick Schultz

[caley]

It was always likely, but now it’s official — defensemen Michael Del Zotto and Nick Schultz won’t be back in Philadelphia next season.

Del Zotto was informed of the decision by Flyers GM Ron Hextall earlier this week. It marks the end of a three-year run with the Flyers, which included Del Zotto matching a career-high with 10 goals during the ’14-15 campaign.

Schultz, 34, knew of his fate earlier. Like Del Zotto, he’s spent the last three years in Philly and, also like Del Zotto, is being allowed to walk in free agency so the club can usher in its prized young defensemen.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2017/04/12/flyers-parting-ways-with-del-zotto-schultz/

I'm a little surprised at Del Zotto, he should have some offers elsewhere.

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[Flyerfan47]

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2017/04/12/flyers-parting-ways-with-del-zotto-schultz/

I'm a little surprised at Del Zotto, he should have some offers elsewhere.

Not only them but they should dump MacDonald too. There's plenty of bad contracts in the NHL, Maybe they can trade bad contracts with another team and hope it works out for both parties.

As of now, I can see the Flyers going into next year with hopes of Hagg and Morin being on the roster and signing a FA veteran defenseman.

 

[bossram]

I think MDZ is the buy-low candidate of the offseason. He obviously has some offensive potential.

Sign him cheap, put him in a sheltered, offensive role with PP time, watch him put up some points, and slowly "reform" him. The you can flip him at the TDL for an inflated return to a team that needs some mobility and puck-movement from the blueline.

 

[Jumptheshark]

flyers need to do some changes

 

[Tasteless Beaver]

MDZ would be a decent pickup for the Jets. Not ideal, but fills the LHD role and might come cheap.

 

[Cootsfanclub]

Very erratic seasons in Philadelphia, he was great offensively in his first season here, then great defensively in the second. This year was a mess, though.

Absolutely fine not bringing him back, but don't think he's a bad buy on a one or two season contract. Wouldn't be surprised if he had a Gagner season.

 

[Beef Invictus]

MDZ had one season of good ES production with us, and one season of good defense. He never manage to combine the two. This season was really disappointing.

He's a guy with the potential to bring value at a low price.


Edit: Yeah, what he^^^ said

 

[DatsyukToZetterberg]

I think MDZ is the buy-low candidate of the offseason. He obviously has some offensive potential.

Sign him cheap, put him in a sheltered, offensive role with PP time, watch him put up some points, and slowly "reform" him. The you can flip him at the TDL for an inflated return to a team that needs some mobility and puck-movement from the blueline.

Ideally he's someone that Detroit goes after. He should take the role of Kronwall as I suspect he'll be LTIR soon and the only LHD that would be ahead of him would be DeKeyser. Having MDZ on the 2nd pairing isn't awful and he'd act as a decent stop gap and should be able to bring back something similar to what Smith got us this year.

DeKeyser-Green
MDZ-Jensen
Ouellet-Ericsson
Russo

It's still an awful defence but it shows just how much of a help MDZ would be to the Wings defence.

 

[howkie]

3 pair LHD for the Jets if they can get Del Zotto for cheap, but dunno about Tinder and pr0n-stars in Winnepeg...

 

[Jumptheshark]

MDZ was hampered by injures and not being that physical. If you getting a lot of pts that can off set physical--MDZ was never that good in his own zone and that was the flyers need

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Yeah i could possibly see Detroit signing MDZ to a cheap short term contract, Holland did mention upgrading the D and MDZ could be a nice add.

 

[Appleyard]

MDZ was hampered by injures and not being that physical. If you getting a lot of pts that can off set physical--MDZ was never that good in his own zone and that was the flyers need

Tbf to him over his time in Philly he became pretty physical. Clocking 3 hits a game compared to the ~1.5 he had over career before joining them.

And in his 2nd year played darn well defensively. He also PKed really well.


First 2 years on the Flyers he played at ~#4 level. This year he was just really inconsistent and did not play that well until the end of the season.



He should land somewhere. He is pretty good offensively at 5v5 (not great on PP though) and not awful defensively these days. Can be a #4 when playing well.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Is Del Zotto's big problem limited/low hockey IQ/on-ice vision? He seems to have the physical tools to be a consistent top four guy in the NHL, but always seems to fall short.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Not only them but they should dump MacDonald too. There's plenty of bad contracts in the NHL, Maybe they can trade bad contracts with another team and hope it works out for both parties.

As of now, I can see the Flyers going into next year with hopes of Hagg and Morin being on the roster and signing a FA veteran defenseman.

These aren't bad contracts. These are expired contracts.

Del Zotto was bad with NYR. They traded him the Nashville for not much. He was so bad in Nash that they just let him walk as an RFA.

Nobody wanted him in FA. Philly was desperate for D but didn't sign him till Aug. 5. They signed him cheap, 1x1.3.

He gave them 1 good year and they extended him 2x3.875. He went right back into the dumpster so now they are done with him.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

MDZ would be a decent pickup for the Jets. Not ideal, but fills the LHD role and might come cheap.

Please no. Look at his history.

 

[Starat327]

These aren't bad contracts. These are expired contracts.

Del Zotto was bad with NYR. They traded him the Nashville for not much. He was so bad in Nash that they just let him walk as an RFA.

Nobody wanted him in FA. Philly was desperate for D but didn't sign him till Aug. 5. They signed him cheap, 1x1.3.

He gave them 1 good year and they extended him 2x3.875. He went right back into the dumpster so now they are done with him.

The 1st year of that second contract was by far his best year in Philly, but sure. Feel free to spew nonsense.

 

[Beef Invictus]

Is Del Zotto's big problem limited/low hockey IQ/on-ice vision? He seems to have the physical tools to be a consistent top four guy in the NHL, but always seems to fall short.

I think his biggest problem offensively is that he usually isn't much of a threat on the cycle or PP. His best moments come on the rush. He's not subtle. he doesn't trick anyone. If he looks like he's shooting, he's shooting. If he looks like he's passing to a guy, he is passing to that guy. He's predictable and easy to defend.

 

[tictactoe]

Flyers will promote either Morin, Hagg Myers or Sanheim. Flyers need to address scoring issues, special team issues like PK, coaching issues and general 5 on 5 problems.

 

[CanadienShark]

Why not MDZ? Seemed like a good fit. If we can move (or lose) Dillon or Martin, I'd inquire.

 

[LegionOfDoom91]

Why not MDZ? Seemed like a good fit. If we can move (or lose) Dillon or Martin, I'd inquire.

The Flyers have a lot of defense prospects at the pro level next year. If they brought Del Zotto back it would push everybody down a slot. Samuel Morin & Robert Hagg have multiple AHL seasons under their belts. Travis Sanheim is finishing his first year in the AHL. While Philippe Myers & Mark Friedman are going to be playing their first year of pro next year.

Del Zotto's coming off a poor season which makes the decision even easier to cut bait & start the youth movement. I think Del Zotto would be a good low cost move for another team though like he was when the Flyers first acquired him.

Schultz is pretty cooked at this point. I think he'll probably be forced in retirement.

 

[CanadienShark]

The Flyers have a lot of defense prospects at the pro level next year. If they brought Del Zotto back it would push everybody down a slot. Samuel Morin & Robert Hagg have multiple AHL seasons under their belts. Travis Sanheim is finishing his first year AHL. While Philippe Myers & Mark Friedman are going to be playing their first year of pro next year.

Del Zotto's coming off a poor season which makes the decision even easier to cut bait & start the youth movement. I think Del Zotto would be a good low cost move for another team though like he was when the Flyers first acquired him.

Fair enough. It's not like a player like him is rare, it just seems strange at first glance. The Flyers have an awfully exciting group of young d-men though.

 

[OilTastic]

at least we aren't going to see a bunch of "the Oilers should sign him" posts like we have in previous years when their defence sucked.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Del Zotto would be a good pick up for NJ to shore up their depth and add some offense on the back end.

Shero loves to buy low on these guys.

 

[SB84]

Always liked MDZ. Hope he lands on his feet in a good situation somewhere, kind of like Justin Schultz did with the Pens.

 

[YennoItFlames]

How do Philly fans think MDZ would play with Brodie on the 2nd pair? Brodie honestly plays better on the right side, and he's not physical himself, would MDZ be okay as a #4/5 dman on a top 3 heavy team?