As much as I would like to see Laughton play for the Flyers this season, I would rather just give him 1 more year in Juniors. We have enough Centers that if there is an injury, all we have to do is move Schenn or Talbot over to center. And I would rather not start a players ELC year playing a position he hasnt played much of in juniors at the highest level of the game. Its just asking too much IMO. 1 more year in Juniors. Play in the WC. Come back with another 10 pounds of muscle and play so well you push Couturier to wing...lol...

Gagne is not in camp, nor are they going to be signing him according to Holmgren
- BiggE

I'm not very happy at the way the Flyers handled this. They tell him to wait and see, and he does. Then they dont even give him a PTO so other teams can take a look at him... Not a good way to handle a guy that would have done anything to finish his career as a Flyer.

I'm not very happy at the way the Flyers handled this. They tell him to wait and see, and he does. Then they dont even give him a PTO so other teams can take a look at him... Not a good way to handle a guy that would have done anything to finish his career as a Flyer.
- youarewrong

None of us know what the Flyers told Gagne.

I couldn't disagree more. Adam Hall is a very strong on faceoffs, and is a very good PKer, along with bringing a solid checking game as a 4th line player. Every team needs a player like Adam Hall. Especially the Flyers, where Giroux was being overused in defensive situations. Due to being the only reliable faceoff option on the team.
- MJL

Have to agree with this. I like Hall. I like what he brings. Reminds me of Blair Betts without the shoulder issues.

Have to agree with this. I like Hall. I like what he brings. Reminds me of Blair Betts without the shoulder issues.
- youarewrong

Pretty good comparison, Hall is a bit better on faceoffs, while Betts was better on the pk.

As much as I would like to see Laughton play for the Flyers this season, I would rather just give him 1 more year in Juniors. We have enough Centers that if there is an injury, all we have to do is move Schenn or Talbot over to center. And I would rather not start a players ELC year playing a position he hasnt played much of in juniors at the highest level of the game. Its just asking too much IMO. 1 more year in Juniors. Play in the WC. Come back with another 10 pounds of muscle and play so well you push Couturier to wing...lol...
- youarewrong

He just put on 10 lbs of muscle. You want him looking like the hulk?

I'm just curious which prospect Homer traded away that went on to develop into a great player?

Go through the history of every NHL team over the last 15 years and you will find regretful trades.
- PhillySportsGuy

We traded Geordie Wudrick for Modry. Crippled this team.

None of us know what the Flyers told Gagne.
- MJL

Exactly, for all we know Gagne might not have wanted to sign a tryout deal or have been happy with what the Flyers may or may not have offered. Its all speculation.

He just put on 10 lbs of muscle. You want him looking like the hulk?
- PhillySportsGuy

Just don't get him angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.

I hope the Flyers don't bring the EL contract situation into the equation. It should have zero to do with whether Laughton makes the team or not, in my opinion.
- MJL

I don't think the EL should be the only thing to consider, but a culmination of everything. EL contract, No Center spot available. Not playing wing before and expecting him to play it at the highest levels. Fewer contract spots for other players. Higher cap hit then other options. And not available to be sent down to minors if he struggles.

I think all these factors have to be considered, along with how well he does on the ice in the pre-season.

None of us know what the Flyers told Gagne.
- MJL

They told him to pound sand, buzz off, get out, don't call us we'll call you, take a hike, etc.

Just don't get him angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.
- BiggE

He turns into Shea Weber?

Thanks Bill. Super pumped that we start preseason games Sunday!!

We traded Geordie Wudrick for Modry. Crippled this team.
- jmatchett383

I'll never understand how people think trading guys like Dennis Seidenberg have held the Flyers back from winning a cup. In reality, what's held the team back is consistent winning. It's difficult to get franchise players late in the draft. It's much easier to suck for a while and collect the top talent. It's a lot easier to replicate what the Pens and Hawks have done than what the Wings do.

Wow, Montreal is really trying to corner the market on small, soft, injury prone forwards
- BiggE

i think it's more of gagne looking for a home. and i don't consider Gagne to be small, or soft. injury prone, yes.

i'd hate to see him in a montreal sweater. with danny it's different, because he wasn't an original flyer pick. we got him 3rd hand. gagne is homegrown. bugs me.

Big fan of oats
- jmatchett383

I'm a big fan of Hall.

I don't think the EL should be the only thing to consider, but a culmination of everything. EL contract, No Center spot available. Not playing wing before and expecting him to play it at the highest levels. Fewer contract spots for other players. Higher cap hit then other options. And not available to be sent down to minors if he struggles.

I think all these factors have to be considered, along with how well he does on the ice in the pre-season.
- youarewrong

We will see what happens in the preseason, but I don't think Laughton will be any more ready next season than this season.

No matter how old you are or how strong you get, you can't completely prepare for the rigors of an NHL season. Eventually, you just have to jump in.

I don't think the EL should be the only thing to consider, but a culmination of everything. EL contract, No Center spot available. Not playing wing before and expecting him to play it at the highest levels. Fewer contract spots for other players. Higher cap hit then other options. And not available to be sent down to minors if he struggles.

I think all these factors have to be considered, along with how well he does on the ice in the pre-season.
- youarewrong

The only thing that should be considered concerning Laughton making the team, is what is best for the players development, and is he good enough to make the team, in my opinion. There easily could be a Center spot available. And there's no reason why he can't play the Wing. Many players have come out of Juniors and switched positions. Either permanently, or temporarily. Leire and Stolarz are definitely going back to Juniors, so the contract spot isn't much of an issue. If Laughton struggles, he can be sent to Juniors at anytime. Although it would still count as a year on his EL deal. if he makes the team, I would expect there to be struggles at times.

Agreed, much better than cream of wheat.
- johndewar

i've always thought Cream of Wheat could be used in flood situations instead of sand bags. that poop absorbs water and turns into cement inside of 5 minutes.

None of us know what the Flyers told Gagne.
- MJL

I would like to hear what Bill has to say on the situation. Gagne said he was willing to take a pay cut. It was rumored that Gagne was waiting for the Flyers to make an offer when they cleared space.

Bill, Do you know why the Flyers just completely dropped interest in Gagne? From previous blogs it seemed like he would at least get a tryout. Was this Gagne's doing after Cleary came in, or the Flyers just saying take a hike?

IMO a healthy Gagne is better then any of the other options we can throw out there.

I'm just curious which prospect Homer traded away that went on to develop into a great player?

Go through the history of every NHL team over the last 15 years and you will find regretful trades.
- PhillySportsGuy

logic. facts. pfft. no room for that here, sir.

I'll never understand how people think trading guys like Dennis Seidenberg have held the Flyers back from winning a cup. In reality, what's held the team back is consistent winning. It's difficult to get franchise players late in the draft. It's much easier to suck for a while and collect the top talent. It's a lot easier to replicate what the Pens and Hawks have done than what the Wings do.
- PhillySportsGuy

the hawks had to unload a big portion of their team after 2010. only took 3 seasons to put it back together and win another one, and they didn't exactly suck in between.

logic. facts. pfft. no room for that here, sir.
- hammarby31

JM Pelletier. The next Dominic Roussell

We will see what happens in the preseason, but I don't think Laughton will be any more ready next season than this season.

No matter how old you are or how strong you get, you can't completely prepare for the rigors of an NHL season. Eventually, you just have to jump in.
- PhillySportsGuy

True, but this year if he jumps in and cant swim, he might drown because there is no getting out of it other then being a scratch. Next year he will be AHL eligable and if he can't keep up can always be sent down for molding....

the hawks had to unload a big portion of their team after 2010. only took 3 seasons to put it back together and win another one, and they didn't exactly suck in between.
- hammarby31

Agreed. They were only left with a small collection of superstars and a top-flight goaltending prospect after that Cup win.