Vinny's big, but he's clearly lost a couple of steps since the turn of the decade... hence he's a shadow of his former self. Still a good player, but not worth whatever he's going to get paid. The Flyers definitely have more pressing needs to fill with the limited cap space available to them.
- Tomahawk

I couldn't disagree more. One of the things Homer has mentioned he wans to improve on is size up front. The lack of inexperienced and wins at the dot was glaringly obvious. How is this not an important are to improve on? We keep talking how the flyers need to improve the D. How? Why?? We have NHL defenseman. One of them needs to be divided of anything. In order to get a top number one bonafied defender, we have to be prepared to pay the price. I don't think we are willing and we probably shouldn't be willing to pay that price right now. The think goaltending is what it is. Hopefully Mason finds his game of five years ago. Get a decent back up cheaper then Bryzgalov and one that could do no worse then Bryzgalov. For me it isn't rocket science. I myself am more of an Iginla fan but I see the need for a guy like Lecavalier.

Yup, and according to most on here yesterday, the Flyers know more then the fans. So I'll employ Flyers logic.

Oh and he will be on an under 35 contract, so if he retires... no sweat.
- youarewrong

The argument was that the Flyers have a history of drafting very well in the first round, so we are inclined to trust them in that area.

They are also inclined to sign big name free agents for big money when they don't necessarily need to.

We didn't criticize the draft because they usually get it right. We criticize free agency because they often get things wrong.

This is a good way to say what I am thinking. I just dont want to wait 4-5 years for Schenn and Coutuier to develop while Giroux is at his prime and Voracek and Simmonds are on the verge of coming into thiers.
- youarewrong

If we have to wait 4 or 5 years for Couturier or Schenn, they they are huge busts.

I expect one to have a breakout year this year.

What's the buyout number on 5 years at 25 million? I think streit was said to be a 1.5 cap hit NOT factoring in the over 35 deal. Vinnys is not an over 35 deal, should be similar, no?

If we have to wait 4 or 5 years for Couturier or Schenn, they they are huge busts.

I expect one to have a breakout year this year.
- Jsaquella

I expect both to have break out years... Schenns to be much more significant.

EDIT: See that I didnt say hope, but expect. If they dont have bigger years this year, it might be wise to start thinking about a move.

CHI on verge of signing Emery

It's so sad it's funny.
- Scoob

I have a feeling Chicago is going to give him a chance to be the playoff starter next year, if he is better than Crawford in the regular season.

When will Gostisbehere be eligible to play on the Phantoms ?
- MrBigglesworth

when he adds another 20 lbs.

I think you are comparing to totally different players though...

Primeau's best season was 73 points (his first full year in Philly). Prior to that he had a few good years in Det., but in Caroline he had 51,52, 63,62 point seasons.. He had a good year, and then kinda came back to reality and 48 and 46 point seasons. Vinny is still near a ppg clip. Over the past five seasons his ppg marks are: .87, .85, .83, .76, .82... mean while he went from a 20 minute a game guy to a 17 minute a game guy (thanks to Stamkos).
- jak521

Sure, they are completely different kinds of players, but the point I was trying to make was that severe decline is inevitable and usually abrupt when it comes to big forwards in their 30's.

Unless Couturier or Schenn are traded, I think Laughton might spend another year in the juniors. Not that I like it.
- youarewrong

That is extremely doubtful. Unless he looks absolutely horrible in Camp. He's not going back to Juniors for a 4th Season.

I expect both to have break out years... Schenns to be much more significant.
- jak521

This is the year when we find out if Schenn can be an elite player or if Coots can be anything more than a 40 point shutdown center.

Sure, they are completely different kinds of players, but the point I was trying to make was that severe decline is inevitable and usually abrupt when it comes to big forwards in their 30's.
- Tomahawk

Its usually power forwards who decline rapidly. And the better ones are still the exception. Vinny is going to be an 1,000 point finesse forward. He is by no means a power forward type.

EDIT: And the reason they tend to rapidly decline is because of severe health changes. The toll it takes on your body to be a power forward is insane.

When will Gostisbehere be eligible to play on the Phantoms ?
- MrBigglesworth

I think he has elected for another year of College. Which to me means we will likely see Gostiebere, Hagg, and Morin coming out around the same time to the AHL.

That is extremely doubtful. Unless he looks absolutely horrible in Camp. He's not going back to Juniors for a 4th Season.
- MJL

Nothing to gain.

I think he has elected for another year of College. Which to me means we will likely see Gostiebere, Hagg, and Morin coming out around the same time to the AHL.
- youarewrong

I personally would like to see Ghost take the long route.. finish college, get a year in AHL, come up at around 23.

I have a feeling Chicago is going to give him a chance to be the playoff starter next year, if he is better than Crawford in the regular season.
- PhillySportsGuy

??

I think they'll make that determination when the time comes.

I think they're re-signing him because he was a huge part of their success last season.

And to frank the Flyers, of course.

I have a feeling Chicago is going to give him a chance to be the playoff starter next year, if he is better than Crawford in the regular season.
- PhillySportsGuy

Wait... didnt Crawford just win a cup, and play phenomenally?

This is the year when we find out if Schenn can be an elite player or if Coots can be anything more than a 40 point shutdown center.
- PhillySportsGuy

Schenn will never be elite. That's the wrong term. B schenn has a ceiling as a 1st line power forward winger type like Horton/d brown in my opinion. But I think both are more realistically 2nd liners

You're worried that the Flyers are too old?
- PhillySportsGuy

It's more that I believe in the concept of "windows to win." And some of those are more legitimate than others.

I do believe that the Flyers have a legitimate No. 1 line, a dangerous No. 1 line, with Giroux and Voracek, no matter who the LW is. They're just in their prime.

Wayne Simmonds is a prototypical power forward entering his prime, and he's exactly where he should be on the second line. Scott Hartnell can play on either the first or second line -- hopefully the first, and with 25-30 goals and 60 points this year.

I also think Maxime Talbot and Zac Rinaldo are legitimate fourth-line players for a championship-caliber team.

So what I'm really, truly saying is that, being honest, right now we have six players in our Top 12 forwards who are ready to compete at the level we saw from the Bruins and Blackhawks. I have a question or two about Matt Read in playoff hockey, but if anyone's a believer, that makes seven.

That's just not enough.

With Timonen likely retiring after this season and, as much as I'm a believer that Mark Streit is a good signing, there will be diminishing return on that asset. The defense, as constructed, is built to win now.

I don't think they're too old. It's more that their best players, the ones who give them the best chance of winning a Cup, are in their prime or are past it. When you have that, you can only wait so long.

Bringing Timonen back was a no-brainer. But at the same time, you're not paying a 38-year-old $6 million so you can finish sixth or seventh and get bounced in the first or second round, right?

You bring him back because he can still play, and he can help lead your younger players. But also, because maybe, just maybe, you need to try to win.

That is extremely doubtful. Unless he looks absolutely horrible in Camp. He's not going back to Juniors for a 4th Season.
- MJL

I think Laughton should play in juniors. Over the course of an 82 game schedule and only playing a 4th line, it would be quick and easy for Laughton to become ineffective as the weeks to months go by. He won't even gain the same role couturier did his rookie season. Laughton will get a much much lesser role. I also feel a lot of Laughton's success came from the increased responsibility when his star teammates and some of the more tougher opponents went to play for the worlds.

I think he has elected for another year of College. Which to me means we will likely see Gostiebere, Hagg, and Morin coming out around the same time to the AHL.
- youarewrong

It would be fun to see them all come up around the same time. It would also make the phantoms a very fun team to watch.

If we have to wait 4 or 5 years for Couturier or Schenn, they they are huge busts.

I expect one to have a breakout year this year.
- Jsaquella

planning for a team to win 4-5 years out is comical to me. It reminds me of the saying "if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans". Find me an NHL roster where more than 30% of the players from 5 seasons ago are still on the same roster. Too much can happen in 5 years (Injuries, Trades, Free Agency, Retirements, etc) to plan that way. I'm not saying ignore the future but the team is good enough now to compete - add pieces that can make it better.

btw Jsaq - this post is not directed at you.

Is Laughton playing in the AHL an option this season?

I think Laughton should play in juniors. Over the course of an 82 game schedule and only playing a 4th line, it would be quick and easy for Laughton to become ineffective as the weeks to months go by. He won't even gain the same role couturier did his rookie season. Laughton will get a much much lesser role. I also feel a lot of Laughton's success came from the increased responsibility when his star teammates and some of the more tougher opponents went to play for the worlds.
- dingo8urbaby

Trust me he will see plenty of time on the PK. He is ready for 4th line duty. He's just ready

I think Laughton should play in juniors. Over the course of an 82 game schedule and only playing a 4th line, it would be quick and easy for Laughton to become ineffective as the weeks to months go by. He won't even gain the same role couturier did his rookie season. Laughton will get a much much lesser role. I also feel a lot of Laughton's success came from the increased responsibility when his star teammates and some of the more tougher opponents went to play for the worlds.
- dingo8urbaby

Tell that to Richards.

The only way Laughton doesnt make the team out of camp is if he poop the bed. Playing on in JRs is incomparable to the NHL (even in a 4th line role).


Odds are, Laughton will not only make the team, but end up getting around 12 minutes a night.

Is Laughton playing in the AHL an option this season?
- BulliesPhan87

No. Either on the roster or in Juniors