You know who I hate? Frank Servalli... This dude is a bonafide idiot. He was ripping the Flyers yesterday about getting Lecavalier and now he is praising them the day afterwards. I ripped him a new one on twitter lol. My god. Fat a$$ with that cocky little attitude he has while chewing gum really gets under my skin.

But anyways, like I said last night Mez wont be worth more than a lower end draft pick if he was to be dealt with Coburn and Read. Im sure the Flyers already have a trade partner in mind.
- justahockeyguy2

You are a typical Leafs fan...did you even read the article?

It is very clearly laid out. We are fine for the cap, and with G, Schenn and Coots all being resigned.

Get you head out of your butt, thank you
- meduser

Uhh.. Orpik.. Uh.. I think he might actually be a Pens fan.

Aside from the cap ramifications, I'm more frustrated with the hockey implications.

They just freed up the logjam of centers by buying out Danny... now they put another declining vet in front of Schenn and Couturier. If Schenn and Couturier break out (as Richards and Carter did immediately after the Briere signing), this move will be frivolous at best. If they stagnate because there's not enough PP-time and offensive ES shifts to go around, this move could actually be harmful.

Vinny's still a good player, and for the next couple of seasons, he'll provide some good offensive support, but it doesn't strike me as a pivotal or prudent move. Opportunistic, yes, but not really smart.
- Tomahawk

Valid points. Vinny can also be moved to wing at some point. I think this move was made because Schenn and Couturier aren't ready for that next step. Still young players developing. They expected a lot out of Couturier offensively last year and he just wasn't ready. I'm fine with the move and if two/three years down the road those guys are ready, move Vinny to wing.

You are a typical Leafs fan...did you even read the article?

It is very clearly laid out. We are fine for the cap, and with G, Schenn and Coots all being resigned.

Get you head out of your butt, thank you
- meduser

Leafs fan?

Do you think there is any chance Vinny plays with G?
- PhillySportsGuy

Definitely on the PP... Vinny will provide a nice one-time threat from the right side (like Jagr did).

At ES, who knows.

We need to petition to get Bill on the TV explaining this blog cause again I to hear ridiculousness from Panotch....Bill your the best blog read out there keep it up man ...as far as the Lecavilier deal I love it...Now trade Mez in a salary dump like Bill intimated and sign a goalie problem solved....i still think there is a bigger move down the road...I dont know what but I feel the flyers are gonna push for a top end d man now that they could let a schenn or coots go....we will see

I like Yannick Weber, it depends on what he is willing to except money wise
- bigmookalookie

I agree. He is an option if they decide to move a defenseman or two.

Definitely on the PP... Vinny will provide a nice one-time threat from the right side (like Jagr did).

At ES, who knows.
- Tomahawk

Who does he replace on the top unit? They have a nice high low with Simmer and Hartsy

Uhh.. Orpik.. Uh.. I think he might actually be a Pens fan.
- jak521

If he were a leafs fan, then he would be a typical leafs fan, but since he's not.. he's just a typical troll.

Love the Lecavalier signing. Step 1 in what the team needs to do to win. Step 2 is sign Thomas or Nabakov. Step 3 is fix the defense.

By Fixing the defense I would like to see Coburn and Meszaros traded out and for them to add a guy like Edler by trading Couturier or Read.

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Gagne-Laughton-Read
Raffl/McGinn-Talbot-Rinaldo
Rosehill

Timonen-Schenn
Edler-Streit
Grossmann-Gustefsson
Bourdon

Mason
Thomas/Nabakov
- youarewrong

Sign me up

Don't care one way or another with Gagne.

Rather keep Coburn over Ference.

Mez will probably be traded.
- stveshdy

My heart would love to have Gagne back (same with Mesz), but my head understands the business side of things. I agree on Coburn/Ference. Ference is the "Ooh, shiny!" of the moment, apparently.

The problem the Flyers have with Laughton is...where does he fit 2-3 years from now? He can't stay 4th line center forever. The G-Vinnie-Couts rotation is not changing anytime soon. They've already moved one center to wing (Schenn), and the longer Laughton stays on the 4th line, the more his value diminishes.

That is likely a factor in many pundits thinking the Flyers might package multiple assets and make a big trade. Whether it is Schenn, Couturier, or Laughton is TBD, but packaging one of them with Coburn to get a younger defenseman back seems plausible.
- TheGreat28

I agree with you. Either Couturier or Laughton will likely be packaged for someone that can be a top line player when Timonen retires. Maybe Phaneuf, maybe Edler, maybe Yandle. Maybe we will go after Peitrangelo. Do you think Couturier, Read, and Coburn could get it done?

Aside from the cap ramifications, I'm more frustrated with the hockey implications.

They just freed up the logjam of centers by buying out Danny... now they put another declining vet in front of Schenn and Couturier. If Schenn and Couturier break out (as Richards and Carter did immediately after the Briere signing), this move will be frivolous at best. If they stagnate because there's not enough PP-time and offensive ES shifts to go around, this move could actually be harmful.

Vinny's still a good player, and for the next couple of seasons, he'll provide some good offensive support, but it doesn't strike me as a pivotal or prudent move. Opportunistic, yes, but not really smart.
- Tomahawk

I'm guessing the idea is that Vinny is the 2C for today (I presume taking some of the defensive zone starts off Giroux's hands), with Schenn/Couturier centering the third line. Then, once the tipping point arrives, when one of the young centers is really chomping at the bit, they'll flip Vinny down to 3C.

I'm not enamored with reinstating the logjam at C, either.

Sign me up

- nonpoint22

You're signing up for a trade of Coburn, Mez and Coots for only Edler in return?

You know who I hate? Frank Servalli... This dude is a bonafide idiot. He was ripping the Flyers yesterday about getting Lecavalier and now he is praising them the day afterwards. I ripped him a new one on twitter lol. My god. Fat a$$ with that cocky little attitude he has while chewing gum really gets under my skin.

But anyways, like I said last night Mez wont be worth more than a lower end draft pick if he was to be dealt with Coburn and Read. Im sure the Flyers already have a trade partner in mind.
- justahockeyguy2

Panotch and him both upset me as I have made very clear to you fine gentlemen... How do they still have a job when they dont even know they are talking about
....

Who does he replace on the top unit? They have a nice high low with Simmer and Hartsy
- PhillySportsGuy

Probably Hartsy... Simmer camps in front, Vinny hangs in the right circle.

Vinny can also play the point on the PP, so I'm sure we'll see a lot of different permutations throughout the season.

I'm guessing the idea is that Vinny is the 2C for today (I presume taking some of the defensive zone starts off Giroux's hands), with Schenn/Couturier centering the third line. Then, once the tipping point arrives, when one of the young centers is really chomping at the bit, they'll flip Vinny down to 3C.

I'm not enamored with reinstating the logjam at C, either.
- BulliesPhan87

The Flyers seem to think that any player that plays center can play the wing. They have tried this with Carter, Briere and schenn. Schenn played better at center than wing.

You're signing up for a trade of Coburn, Mez and Coots for only Edler in return?
- PhillySportsGuy

That's an overpayment. Have to get more back than Edler.

I wouldn't worry about Laughton until another two-three years down the road.
- stveshdy

It's not about Laughton per se...it's about asset management. At this point, the Vinnie signing signals one thing loud and clear, they are going for it now. As much as many of us wanted patience to let the younger core grow, that's likely not going to happen.

I don't think they'll blow it up, but I think they are considering what else can they do to give them a legitimate shot to win the Cup next year. And hopefully, set them up in future years too.

1. Overpay for someone like Pietrangelo. For example, Schenn + Coburn + Laughton + Cousins/high pick.

2. Get a speedier or more creative winger for 2nd line. I'm not as crazy about Simmonds and Schenn with Vinnie...I would like either Read and Schenn/Simmonds or a trade option.

3. Trade for a younger goalie option (Halak???)

Here is a trade I know you will all hate

Coburn + Schenn/Laughton for Magnus Paajarvi and Darnell Nurse. Edmonton probably doesn't trade him, but in some ways it makes sense for both teams.

On the upside... I can't wait until I die so the Flyers can finally win a Cup.

You're signing up for a trade of Coburn, Mez and Coots for only Edler in return?
- PhillySportsGuy

Mez is going to be a salary dump and thinking anything else is lunacy...I suppose you are right but who should they get....In a perfect world coburn, coots and a 1st for piertangelo would work but obviously AP is going nowhere so who should they target Weber contract is huge and I dont see who else fits

Probably Hartsy... Simmer camps in front, Vinny hangs in the right circle.

Vinny can also play the point on the PP, so I'm sure we'll see a lot of different permutations throughout the season.
- Tomahawk

I could see him replacing voracek. I wouldn't mind moving Voracek to the second unit and letting him control the play like Giroux does on the first unit.

The Flyers seem to think that any player that plays center can play the wing. They have tried this with Carter, Briere and schenn. Schenn played better at center than wing.
- PhillySportsGuy

Thank you!! I completely agree with you. Unfortunately we are probably in the minority.

At this rate the Flyers may need to change their name to the Philadelphia Centers next year!

No no, fair point. There is a line that gm's must ride when it comes to future projections and holmgren is the cowboy of the nhl when it comes to that. What I'm saying is hat this time he has overextended himself. Coburn is your 3rd stay at home dman? Well they are asking a lot for him then. No offence, Coburn is better Than schenn. By your point, if coburn is at the bottom of your depth chart, then why does he make 4.5 and why would another team take his contract?

My post was not terrible, it just disagrees with you. It can go both ways my friend...if he gets stuck (holmgren), then I can say I told you so...if he doesn't, then you can.
- jason.crnic

Because, like I was talking about earlier, no GM has the ability to see into the future. They assumed he would be able to continue to grow as a player, assume bigger roles and more responsibility, and unfortunately, that hasnt happened as projected. His offensive game has progressively digressed, and unless he is paired with a competent defender, he often becomes overwhelmed. I still think he is a heck of a player, but purely stay home... ill take both Schenn and Grossmann over him in a heartbeat.

EDIT: Also, take a look at my "projected" roster for next year. Flyers will be able to re-up all of Schenn, G, Couts, and Mason... and a forward, d-man, and goalie, and still be cap compliant

It's not about Laughton per se...it's about asset management. At this point, the Vinnie signing signals one thing loud and clear, they are going for it now. As much as many of us wanted patience to let the younger core grow, that's likely not going to happen.

I don't think they'll blow it up, but I think they are considering what else can they do to give them a legitimate shot to win the Cup next year. And hopefully, set them up in future years too.

1. Overpay for someone like Pietrangelo. For example, Schenn + Coburn + Laughton + Cousins/high pick.

2. Get a speedier or more creative winger for 2nd line. I'm not as crazy about Simmonds and Schenn with Vinnie...I would like either Read and Schenn/Simmonds or a trade option.

3. Trade for a younger goalie option (Halak???)

Here is a trade I know you will all hate

Coburn + Schenn/Laughton for Magnus Paajarvi and Darnell Nurse. Edmonton probably doesn't trade him, but in some ways it makes sense for both teams.
- TheGreat28

As long as Snider is alive the Flyers will continue to go for it every year. Vinny wont stop guys from developing.