One thing I have always said about LeCavalier is that he's often been a "grass is greener on the other side" type of player. If he played for the Flyers, people would focus on the flaws; namely that he's often seemed to be more of a go-with-the-flow type than a take-charge player who burns to be THE difference-maker. Sometimes he'll disappear and look totally unengaged for entire games. He was that way early in his career, hit a period where he was dominant and has slowly but steadily regressed back to being a good but not great player the majority of the time.
- bmeltzer

Your thoughts on Weiss?

There is a plethora of FA centers.... so many choices
We could sign Lapierre and have a new Lapi!

So, this group of players (with the top scoring forward and high-level goalie) can't win a Cup in 4-5 years, but this group of players (with the top scoring forward and high-level goalie) minus Couturier and adding a defenseman can? I don't agree at all.
- jmatchett383

I think Schenn, Couturier, and Laughton are too similiar as players versus what the team needs. Yes Couts game is more defensive and Schenns is more offensive, but I just dont see them on a championship team as this group. I think 1 will be moved for a young defenseman and 1 might move to wing.

he can fight middleweights and score 20 goals ?
- MrBigglesworth

He has power forward written all over him. Wonder what we can get for Hartnell? Bobby Ryan?

Duh. My bad.

Whichever of Meszaros/Grossmann is injured that day.
- jmatchett383

so basically a 4 million dollar 7th d-man.

One of the few things I liked about the CSN draft special was how Morganti lit up Panotch on everything he said....and when Panotch was like flyers should go after Horton..Morganti pretty much said "are you kidding me that would be a tremendous mistake..Versteeg 2.0" . I like Morganti's opinion and agree Horton is a product of a system and panotch knows nothing
- nonpoint22

I think theyre different players, but 6M for Horton is absurd

I think Schenn, Couturier, and Laughton are too similiar as players versus what the team needs. Yes Couts game is more defensive and Schenns is more offensive, but I just dont see them on a championship team as this group. I think 1 will be moved for a young defenseman and 1 might move to wing.
- youarewrong

What defenseman would you target where you don't have to give up much more than Schenn or Couturier? The only 2 I would move either for are Pietrangelo and Bogosian, and they'll cost you much more.

Really? I'm not sure about trading Syvret, I thought he was brimming with NHL potential.
- BulliesPhan87

We signed Steit. I thought he'd be the bridge to Syvret but I guess Marc Staal will have to hold it down for the Rangers until Syvret is NHL ready.

What defenseman would you target where you don't have to give up much more than Schenn or Couturier? The only 2 I would move either for are Pietrangelo and Bogosian, and they'll cost you much more.
- jmatchett383

OEL

so basically a 4 million dollar 7th d-man.
- jak521

If need be, yes. Sounds crazy, but you let the best players play. If Meszaros and Grossmann seems like they've both put their injuries behind them, then you may actually get some shred of value for one of them.

Wouldn't surprise me in the least if we signed Vinny and dealt BSchenn for a guy like Edler, or dare I say Ryan. I'd prefer to deal Coburn for Smid and a prospect or 2nd rounder, BSchenn for Edler, and wait for Ryan to hit UFA to sign him.

He is still a 6-4 220 near ppg center who is pretty good on draws.
- jak521

The Flyers already did this once w/ Primeau... '04 playoffs aside, big centers tend to decline very rapidly.

OEL
- jak521

Pretty sure that 6-year extension is a sign that they're not looking to move him for short of Fort Knox. Also, they wanted Couturier for Yandle.

Matt Read can't provide the kind of size, leadership, and faceoff skill that Vinny would.

He would also be the 2C here behind Giroux so his burden wouldn't change much.
- Feanor

LeCavalier has average competitiveness for an NHL player -- smack dab in the middle of the Alexandre Daigle to Bobby Clarke scale -- and very high skills to go with his size.

In terms of faceoffs, he is above-average but not overwhelmingly dominant -- he was 50.9 percent in 2008-09, 53.2 percent in 2009-10, 50.9 percent in 2010-11, 47.8 percent in 2011-12, and 54.4 percent in 2013.

I think theyre different players, but 6M for Horton is absurd
- PhillySportsGuy

Just to clarify...I agree there different types of players. I was in quoting Morganti speaking to the fact that both are products of a good team....eventhough Horton did play well in Florida but his numbers have decreased every year since 2006....so for 6mil I pass

We signed Steit. I thought he'd be the bridge to Syvret but I guess Marc Staal will have to hold it down for the Rangers until Syvret is NHL ready.
- mayorofangrytown

(this forum so needs a sarcasm font)

I think the Flyers are going to push very hard for Vinny.. they made it known that size up front is one thing they intend on addressing this offseason.
- jak521

Yup, $ will not be an issue. It never is. It will come down to Vinnys preference, just as it did with Suter/Parise.

Its reported he is seeking a less pressure atmosphere......for what thats worth.

#2 center behind G seems less pressure to me than being #1 in Toronto or perhaps MTL

Ok, so from the input I got here is my final roster . Leaves plenty of cap space and I think it would be a serious contender.

FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)

Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Vincent Lecavalier ($5.000m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)

Matt Read ($0.900m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Simon Gagne ($2.500m)

Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Tye McGinn ($0.775m)

Jay Rosehill ($0.675m) /

DEFENSEMEN
Braydon Coburn ($4.500m) / Mark Streit ($5.250m)

Andrew Ference ($3.000m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)

Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m) / Erik Gustafsson ($0.900m)

Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m) /

GOALTENDERS
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
Tim Thomas ($3.000m)

CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $2,007,073
- Jimmygrazz

I like it!

LeCavalier has average competitiveness for an NHL player -- smack dab in the middle of the Alexandre Daigle to Bobby Clarke scale -- and very high skills to go with his size.

In terms of faceoffs, he is above-average but not overwhelmingly dominant -- he was 50.9 percent in 2008-09, 53.2 percent in 2009-10, 50.9 percent in 2010-11, 47.8 percent in 2011-12, and 54.4 percent in 2013.
- bmeltzer

Bill not to try to get a preview of your blog tomorrow...would you be on board for Vinny coming to the fly guys ?

David Pagnotta ‏@TheFourthPeriod 49s
Sounds like the Blackhawks are close to a new deal with Ray Emery... http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/chi130702.html …

Another option likely closed.

Come on down!!!!! You are the next contestant on the goalie carousel.

No probalo, you should play it so we can muck up the boards with mindless off-topic chatter about it.
- BulliesPhan87

like I have free time now...!

The Flyers already did this once w/ Primeau... '04 playoffs aside, big centers tend to decline very rapidly.
- Tomahawk

Primeau declined with concussions.. otherwise he was still a 20-30 capable center who could win faceoffs.

LeCavalier has average competitiveness for an NHL player -- smack dab in the middle of the Alexandre Daigle to Bobby Clarke scale -- and very high skills to go with his size.

In terms of faceoffs, he is above-average but not overwhelmingly dominant -- he was 50.9 percent in 2008-09, 53.2 percent in 2009-10, 50.9 percent in 2010-11, 47.8 percent in 2011-12, and 54.4 percent in 2013.
- bmeltzer

Compared to Coots, Schenn, or Talbot at faceoffs Vinny would be a HUGE upgrade

I like it!
- flyersfan51

He has 6 million being used in LTIR. Thats a recipe for disaster come next offseason.

Bill not to try to get a preview of your blog tomorrow...would you be on board for Vinny coming to the fly guys ?
- nonpoint22

Not at the speculated five-year contract, $5M per price tag.

Tim Thomas does not help this franchise move forward, IMO.

You call in a guy like Thomas when you think you're close to winning a Cup and you're a veteran goaltender away from possibly winning it.

The Flyers are not close to winning a Cup and they shouldn't be entertaining the notion of bringing in Thomas, but we all know they are likely discussing it seriously.
- johndewar

How does it not help the franchise move forward? He's an insurance policy for Mason & time splitting starter for a year. They're not going to waste a year of Giroux prime to hope it works.