I would personally rather see Recchi sign and end his career here in Philadelphia, if he would take a pay cut. If that can't happen, it would be nice to see him return to another place where he's played a good portion of his career in Pittsburgh.
You know what? If we can't sign him, I wouldn't mind seeing him play for Pittsburgh. Atleast he's still in our division and we'll see him 6 times a year, and he'll definitely be interviewed alot by the Flyers crew.
It would be good for Pittsburgh to have another Veteran leader besides Lemeiux.
I agree, if he can't end his days in Philly, let it be Pittsburgh. On a side note sorta, if we do loose him, please oh please don't replace him with a pricey UFA vet Clarke
Here's an update on Recchi from the Philadelphia Inquirer (Philly.com). It doesn't look good.
Flyers Notes | Recchi seems certain to be leaving the Flyers
By Tim Panaccio
Inquirer Staff Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. - Barring an unexpected development that would see the Flyers pare about $5 million off their payroll, it's a foregone conclusion that Mark Recchi won't return next season.
In all likelihood, the 36-year-old right wing, who will become an unrestricted free agent Thursday, will end up where he began in the NHL - with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"I have not talked to anybody else yet, and I can't until July 1," Recchi said yesterday. "I am going to see what's out there. I have to assume three or four clubs would be interested in me."
Recchi was a member of the Penguins when they won the 1991 Stanley Cup championship. They are one of the few teams that has ample salary room for him. They are rebuilding and are committed to just $10 million in contracts for 2004-05.
Sources in both the Flyers and Penguins organizations said this weekend that they expect he will get an offer from Pittsburgh.
One of the most congenial and professional players to wear the Flyers' orange and black, Recchi led the Flyers with 26 goals and 75 points last season. His presence in the dressing room on a club as young as the Penguins would be invaluable to coach Eddie Olczyk.
Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock said yesterday that general manager Bob Clarke knows how much Hitchcock values Recchi, but that the new NHL collective bargaining agreement that is on the way and the fact that the team is committed to $44.8 million in salaries next season leaves Clarke with some difficult decisions.
The Flyers can't afford to re-sign Recchi, given that they are carrying John LeClair ($9 million) and Tony Amonte ($5 million). Clarke has already said he wouldn't re-sign Recchi until the bargaining agreement is approved. Recchi said yesterday that he won't wait if a suitable offer is on the table.
"They've got money issues," he said. "What can you do? I think a lot of teams can still use me. I won't be making a decision until July, but I will be talking to people."
A longtime friend of both Penguins owner/star Mario Lemieux and GM Craig Patrick, Recchi is renovating his off-season home in Fox Chapel, a Pittsburgh suburb, where Patrick is a neighbor.
It would be sad to see Mark go. He's one of my favourite player in Philly. But the CBA is the CBA so, what we can do?? So if he has to go, I would be pleased to see him in the Steel City. They truly need another leader...
Right now, Clarke has no reason not to sign Recchi. There is no new CBA. If he wants him, he can sign him. There are no rules that say he has to stay under a cap. Its a self imposed cap he is supposedly working under.
The whole "I don't know what to offer him" is pure BS. He knew what to offer Primeau and Zhamnov, didn't he? Recchi is rumored to have offered to stay for half of last year's salary - the same amount he made last year as part of his deferrment - (sorry, no proof just word of mouth rumor) and that is plenty fair for the team's leading scorer and MVP.
Read this article. It puts Recchi's position and frame of mind in perspective:
Right now, Clarke has no reason not to sign Recchi. There is no new CBA. If he wants him, he can sign him. There are no rules that say he has to stay under a cap. Its a self imposed cap he is supposedly working under.
I'd like to keep Recchi as well, but just because there isn't a CBA, doesn't mean you ignore it.
As a team they have to make an educated guess as to what will happen, and work within a budget.
They still have to pay someone to fill his spot. How can you get someone that can score like Recchi for what he is willing to play for?
If they really were working for the new CBA, they would have signed Primeau for less than they did, or how about just wait to see what the new CBA would be before signing ANY unrestricted free agents?
Another $2.5 mil to their already high salary isn't going to make a bit of difference when the new CBA is finally under way. The players that make the big difference are the Amontes, LeClairs, and Roenicks. $23 million on 3 players.
