I don't think Read for Bernier will happen. Kings will want more. Also, Clowe is bascially a watered down version of Simmonds and Hartnell. I would rather stay away from him. The center depth (or lack thereof) may cause problems.
- NickTheKid87

Barring some cataclysmic trade + multiple CBO's that open up wide swaths of cap space, I wouldn't be worried that the Flyers would be in contention for any of the bigger name UFA's.

The only guys they can afford are reclamations or older players.

I attribute Crosby's play more to Boston being so good and the Penguins collective failure than injury. I really don't think the concussion thing is an issue. It's blown out of proportion because he's the face of the NHL. Does anyone hold their breath when Patrice Bergeron and Simon Gagne get hit? If he's not a superstar, his past injuries don't get the same amount of airtime.
- NickTheKid87

thats some ugly face

The 2011-12 Rangers were a meat-grinder to go up against... I don't really see how they can get back to playing that way with all the finesse guys they added to the lineup during the past 18-months, and with Staal being really iffy moving forward. I don't think they have enough talent to really play a skill/possession game, either. They're kind of caught in the middle, like the 2012-13 Flyers.
- Tomahawk

The 2011-12 Rangers overachieved, no doubt about it and I'd say the 2012-13 Rangers underachieved just as much. I think, with Tortorella gone, the offense will be able to breath and put up some goals. Add a few pieces here and there and the Rangers will be back on top. They still have Henrik Lundqvist, mind you.

Rushmore is for the 4 best players to ever play for the Flyers. As far as talent goes, I am not sure anyone can argue against Lindros being in the top 4. Lindros cannot compete in overall numbers due to his shortened career. That is why it is a discussion. Do you put possibly the most talented player to ever play for the Flyers or a HOF who was consistently good for a long period of time? Again, I would take Lindros.
- mickel25

Lindros is one of the best to have played the game. But if we're talking overall impact upon the Flyers franchise, the competition changes.

Barring some cataclysmic trade + multiple CBO's that open up wide swaths of cap space, I wouldn't be worried that the Flyers would be in contention for any of the bigger name UFA's.

The only guys they can afford are reclamations or older players.
- Tomahawk

That's a blessing in disguise because this FA class is terrible. There will be some gross overpayments.

thats some ugly face
- vejim

The other faces are Malkin and Ovechkin so pick your poison.

Chris Stewart is RFA ... he is a player I think would compliment this lineup. What would it take to get him ?

Barber was not the highest scoring LW in NHL history when he retired, unless you ignore Johnny Bucyk, Bobby Hull and Frank Mahovolich
- Jsaquella

I didn't look it up. I just remember when Luc Robitaille became the highest scoring LW in hockey he was passing Barber. That was in what? 2003?

But you're right, I don't know why I remember it that way.

I didn't look it up. I just remember when Luc Robitaille became the highest scoring LW in hockey he was passing Barber. That was in what? 2003?

But you're right, I don't know why I remember it that way.
- mayorofangrytown

Fumes from the electric Prius engine

I didn't look it up. I just remember when Luc Robitaille became the highest scoring LW in hockey he was passing Barber. That was in what? 2003?

But you're right, I don't know why I remember it that way.
- mayorofangrytown

Barber just did everything good including diving

I attribute Crosby's play more to Boston being so good and the Penguins collective failure than injury. I really don't think the concussion thing is an issue. It's blown out of proportion because he's the face of the NHL. Does anyone hold their breath when Patrice Bergeron and Simon Gagne get hit? If he's not a superstar, his past injuries don't get the same amount of airtime.
- NickTheKid87

Boston, as a team, played much better than Pittsburgh, no doubt about it. But Crosby, the "best player in the world", had zero points through 4 games. Who knows what the story is, but something is off there.

Yes, people absolutely hold their breath when Bergeron and Gagne get hit. That's the nature of having a history of concussions.

But he is a superstar, and therefore people are going to talk about him a lot. That, however, doesn't change the fact that concussions end careers.

Snider loves statues, maybe he will build a mini Mt Rushmore in the parking lot?
- vejim

He should get some of the old ones restored and out of mothballs first.

He probably has his own ready to go and awaiting his demise. It's by his pool in California.

The 2011-12 Rangers overachieved, no doubt about it and I'd say the 2012-13 Rangers underachieved just as much. I think, with Tortorella gone, the offense will be able to breath and put up some goals. Add a few pieces here and there and the Rangers will be back on top. They still have Henrik Lundqvist, mind you.
- NickTheKid87

2011-12 was an anomaly for sure -- I've never seen a team buckle down and play playoff-style hockey for the balance of an entire season. They were completely on another level of focus as most of their opponents. Credit to Torts, because on paper, they were carrying a lot of mediocre talent.

I think people just assumed that ridiculous level of play was going to be a given and Nash would just be a cherry on top.

Boston, as a team, played much better than Pittsburgh, no doubt about it. But Crosby, the "best player in the world", had zero points through 4 games. Who knows what the story is, but something is off there.

Yes, people absolutely hold their breath when Bergeron and Gagne get hit. That's the nature of having a history of concussions.

But he is a superstar, and therefore people are going to talk about him a lot. That, however, doesn't change the fact that concussions end careers.
- wolfhounds

and when a player is hated the hits get harder, Lindros knows about that

Fumes from the electric Prius engine
- Jsaquella

I've been drinking the tailpipe water with Vodka. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe I should just stop.

Briere buyout:

Ok so likely everyone is aware Flyers are buying out Briere, Briere even knows this by now. SO why doesn't the Flyers call in Danny and say, Danny we are going to buy you out (give him the whole thank you for being apart of this team blah blah) and politely ask him. listen, we are trying to improve this team moving forward would you waive your no trade clause and give us a list of teams your willing to go to and save us a buyout and allow us to get some asset(s) in return to help us. And you keep reminding him it doesn't matter if you say yes or no your ass is still being bought out , but you could help us moving forward.

Seriously tho why would this not be a possibility? His actual $$ owed is low for a team wanting a vet player and it wouldnt cost much to acquire him as the Flyers just want to rid that contract and save a buyout.

I've been drinking the tailpipe water with Vodka. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe I should just stop.
- mayorofangrytown

Glacier clean, baby

That's a blessing in disguise because this FA class is terrible. There will be some gross overpayments.
- NickTheKid87

The sudden 10% drop in the cap could change the landscape of who's available... CBO's, salary-dumps, guys on waivers coming out of camp... it wouldn't surprise me to see some real HQ players moving around this summer.

not interested in yandle or buff (please God No), id be happier standing pat then giving our youth for either of them, the only dmen i would trade our youth for is weber, pietranglo or oel, thats it.

i like the idea of having bernier and mason duel it out for a starting job and actually earn and want it and not have it handed to them, not sure if matt read is an overpayment.
- mydoglicks

*slow clap*

Briere buyout:

Ok so likely everyone is aware Flyers are buying out Briere, Briere even knows this by now. SO why doesn't the Flyers call in Danny and say, Danny we are going to buy you out (give him the whole thank you for being apart of this team blah blah) and politely ask him. listen, we are trying to improve this team moving forward would you waive your no trade clause and give us a list of teams your willing to go to and save us a buyout and allow us to get some asset(s) in return to help us. And you keep reminding him it doesn't matter if you say yes or no your ass is still being bought out , but you could help us moving forward.

Seriously tho why would this not be a possibility? His actual $$ owed is low for a team wanting a vet player and it wouldnt cost much to acquire him as the Flyers just want to rid that contract and save a buyout.
- Buzzo

Well, if Briere is bought out, he gets 2/3rds of the $5mm left on his deal, plus whatever another team is willing to sign him for. So financially it makes sens to take the CBO and a new contract and make more money

Boston, as a team, played much better than Pittsburgh, no doubt about it. But Crosby, the "best player in the world", had zero points through 4 games. Who knows what the story is, but something is off there.

Yes, people absolutely hold their breath when Bergeron and Gagne get hit. That's the nature of having a history of concussions.

But he is a superstar, and therefore people are going to talk about him a lot. That, however, doesn't change the fact that concussions end careers.
- wolfhounds

I'm arguing that concussions do and don't end some careers, I'm saying that Crosby's are blown out of proportion.

Crosby didn't play his best in 4 games, true, but even the best player in the world has bad games. He's been dominate all year, about time he had a bad stretch. It's not like Malkin was performing either and we're not making injury excuses for him. Boston figured out a way to shut both guys down. Kudos to them because that's no easy task.

Briere buyout:

Ok so likely everyone is aware Flyers are buying out Briere, Briere even knows this by now. SO why doesn't the Flyers call in Danny and say, Danny we are going to buy you out (give him the whole thank you for being apart of this team blah blah) and politely ask him. listen, we are trying to improve this team moving forward would you waive your no trade clause and give us a list of teams your willing to go to and save us a buyout and allow us to get some asset(s) in return to help us. And you keep reminding him it doesn't matter if you say yes or no your ass is still being bought out , but you could help us moving forward.

Seriously tho why would this not be a possibility? His actual $$ owed is low for a team wanting a vet player and it wouldnt cost much to acquire him as the Flyers just want to rid that contract and save a buyout.
- Buzzo

Because while all of us know and Briere knows the only team who would make that trade would be a team looking to get to the cap floor. Why give away an asset for something you could get for free on the market in a couple weeks. Not to mention Briere would be giving up money and his chance to hand pick his next team.

Briere buyout:

Ok so likely everyone is aware Flyers are buying out Briere, Briere even knows this by now. SO why doesn't the Flyers call in Danny and say, Danny we are going to buy you out (give him the whole thank you for being apart of this team blah blah) and politely ask him. listen, we are trying to improve this team moving forward would you waive your no trade clause and give us a list of teams your willing to go to and save us a buyout and allow us to get some asset(s) in return to help us. And you keep reminding him it doesn't matter if you say yes or no your ass is still being bought out , but you could help us moving forward.

Seriously tho why would this not be a possibility? His actual $$ owed is low for a team wanting a vet player and it wouldnt cost much to acquire him as the Flyers just want to rid that contract and save a buyout.
- Buzzo

After buyout, he's a UFA and can choose his destination, while also getting paid by the Flyers. While he'd like to stay put, that's not such a bad consolation.

Edit: Laught.

Glacier clean, baby
- Jsaquella

You know how I love to recycle.

2011-12 was an anomaly for sure -- I've never seen a team buckle down and play playoff-style hockey for the balance of an entire season. They were completely on another level of focus as most of their opponents. Credit to Torts, because on paper, they were carrying a lot of mediocre talent.

I think people just assumed that ridiculous level of play was going to be a given and Nash would just be a cherry on top.
- Tomahawk

They couldn't score so they got Nash but I don't think the lack of offense had to with personnel so much as the system.