So glad this happened. One potential stupid move for the Flyers is now off the board.

Also, I saw Mirtle tweek that Vanek and Moulson are both 29 and have identical goals per game since 2009-10. Doesn't that makes the a pretty questionable move for the Isles? I suppose one could argue that Moulson benefited greatly from playing with Tavares, and really hadn't done much before playing with him, whereas Vanek is has scored well with a variety of linemates.

Still, I would think they'll have to spend a ton to keep him on Long Island after this season. And Mouslon would have definitely re-signed and seemed like he wanted to be there.

All in all, pretty much of a head scratcher for the Islanders imo.
- BringBack25

The Isles have to be figuring if Vanek can score at the same GPG rate as Moulson with the dreck in Buffalo, he'll be a 45-50 goal guy playing with Tavares, and that simply getting to play on a line with JT and Okposo might be enough to entice him to stay with the Isles.

If that happens, and Vanek signs a new deal in NY, it's a solid move for the Isles. Huge risk, though.

Moulson produced great with Tavares, and might be able to approach those numbers with another center, but his numbers in the small amount of time he's been on the ice without Tavares indicate that he's greatly helped by JT.

But the Sabres got 1st & 2nd rounders, plus a tradeable asset , for a guy they were going to lose as a UFA in ten months anyhow.

The Isles have to be figuring if Vanek can score at the same GPG rate as Moulson with the dreck in Buffalo, he'll be a 45-50 goal guy playing with Tavares, and that simply getting to play on a line with JT and Okposo might be enough to entice him to stay with the Isles.

If that happens, and Vanek signs a new deal in NY, it's a solid move for the Isles. Huge risk, though.

Moulson produced great with Tavares, and might be able to approach those numbers with another center, but his numbers in the small amount of time he's been on the ice without Tavares indicate that he's greatly helped by JT.

But the Sabres got 1st & 2nd rounders, plus a tradeable asset , for a guy they were going to lose as a UFA in ten months anyhow.
- Jsaquella

If they can resign Vanek at a decent deal then it works out for them, but as you said huge risk.

Hockey buffs can you compare Akeson's game to Raffl's?

I wonder if Garth Snow was watching Vincent Lecavalier last night and said, "Good Lord. THAT'S what elite scoring ability looks like on the wing, paired with a No. 1 center who you have to check. I gotta get myself one of those."

Still curious where Miller will end up. League-wide there isn't a huge demand for goalies right now and on top of that Miller is apparently not willing to go to quite a few places.

The Isles have to be figuring if Vanek can score at the same GPG rate as Moulson with the dreck in Buffalo, he'll be a 45-50 goal guy playing with Tavares, and that simply getting to play on a line with JT and Okposo might be enough to entice him to stay with the Isles.

If that happens, and Vanek signs a new deal in NY, it's a solid move for the Isles. Huge risk, though.

Moulson produced great with Tavares, and might be able to approach those numbers with another center, but his numbers in the small amount of time he's been on the ice without Tavares indicate that he's greatly helped by JT.

But the Sabres got 1st & 2nd rounders, plus a tradeable asset , for a guy they were going to lose as a UFA in ten months anyhow.
- Jsaquella

Yep, good deal for the Sabres. Hell of a risk for the Isles.

Hockey buffs can you compare Akeson's game to Raffl's?
- jstross

Sure -- Akeson's got the instincts of an NHL scorer, the vision. Maybe even has the hands to score goals...he can probably pass well enough off the wing to be a PA Parenteau type guy.

But he's smallish, not physical, doesn't skate well enough to create his own chances, and is not great defensively.

Raffl's a bit bigger, isn't afraid to get hit, skates better, and looks like, from the few games I've seen, he won't be bad defensively.

Can Raffl score? It's too soon to say, either way. But I can see why Raffl's here. I think that Akeson should get a shot somewhere, because he's been nothing but productive at Adirondack, but he probably won't get that shot here.

Hockey buffs can you compare Akeson's game to Raffl's?
- jstross

Here's what I've observed...

Akeson - small, so-so skater, great hands, very good offensive instincts, weak defensively. Kind of guy that has to play on a scoring line and score enough to offset the other holes in his game.

Raffl - good size, good skater, good hands, some offensive upside, solid defensively, can play on any line and not hurt the team.

That said, I've only seen Akeson play twice, and Raffl only a handful of times. So it's not like I have a ton of familiarity with either one.

The Isles have to be figuring if Vanek can score at the same GPG rate as Moulson with the dreck in Buffalo, he'll be a 45-50 goal guy playing with Tavares, and that simply getting to play on a line with JT and Okposo might be enough to entice him to stay with the Isles.

If that happens, and Vanek signs a new deal in NY, it's a solid move for the Isles. Huge risk, though.

Moulson produced great with Tavares, and might be able to approach those numbers with another center, but his numbers in the small amount of time he's been on the ice without Tavares indicate that he's greatly helped by JT.

But the Sabres got 1st & 2nd rounders, plus a tradeable asset , for a guy they were going to lose as a UFA in ten months anyhow.
- Jsaquella

Maybe snow will sell the moving into the new arena in Brooklyn and not only sign vanek but also get moulson back next year....hard to get superstars to sign with NYI but in the past snow has shown the ability to keep players that has come in and ended up staying past that one year...Nabokov coms to mind

The Flyers played their best game with Rosehill in the lineup. He's obviously the key.
- MJL

Post of the day

Thanks guys I appreciate the info on the Akeson/Raffl comparison.

Here's what I've observed...

Akeson - small, so-so skater, great hands, very good offensive instincts, weak defensively. Kind of guy that has to play on a scoring line and score enough to offset the other holes in his game.

Raffl - good size, good skater, good hands, some offensive upside, solid defensively, can play on any line and not hurt the team.

That said, I've only seen Akeson play twice, and Raffl only a handful of times. So it's not like I have a ton of familiarity with either one.
- BringBack25

That's what I've seen in a nutshell. Almost exact opposites. If you take the better parts of their games combined, you basically get Matt Read.

Here's what I've observed...

Akeson - small, so-so skater, great hands, very good offensive instincts, weak defensively. Kind of guy that has to play on a scoring line and score enough to offset the other holes in his game.

Raffl - good size, good skater, good hands, some offensive upside, solid defensively, can play on any line and not hurt the team.

That said, I've only seen Akeson play twice, and Raffl only a handful of times. So it's not like I have a ton of familiarity with either one.
- BringBack25

akeson isn't that good a skater. that hurts his ability as both a scorer and a defensive player

Maybe snow will sell the moving into the new arena in Brooklyn and not only sign vanek but also get moulson back next year....hard to get superstars to sign with NYI but in the past snow has shown the ability to keep players that has come in and ended up staying past that one year...Nabokov coms to mind
- huks99

It's possible that Vanek stays, sure. It's also possible that they get Moulson to re-sign this summer. Hell, getting to play with Tavares is a nice carrot all by itself.

I still like the trade for Buffalo a little better. They are rebuilding and if they can flip Moulson for another 1st or even a 2nd and a good prospect they're filling needs. The Isles have real needs on defense and in goal. They have a deep system so trading the picks isn't a huge issue. But, if I was them, I would have used the picks to get a goalie or defenseman, rather than a sniper.

It's possible that Vanek stays, sure. It's also possible that they get Moulson to re-sign this summer. Hell, getting to play with Tavares is a nice carrot all by itself.

I still like the trade for Buffalo a little better. They are rebuilding and if they can flip Moulson for another 1st or even a 2nd and a good prospect they're filling needs. The Isles have real needs on defense and in goal. They have a deep system so trading the picks isn't a huge issue. But, if I was them, I would have used the picks to get a goalie or defenseman, rather than a sniper.
- Jsaquella

Meszaros for a 4th?

Meszaros for a 4th?
- jmatchett383

I doubt they could give away Meszaros. He's got a significant cap hit and big salary. He's been injury prone and this year he's been buried, so nobody knows if he can even be effective anymore.

It's possible that Vanek stays, sure. It's also possible that they get Moulson to re-sign this summer. Hell, getting to play with Tavares is a nice carrot all by itself.

I still like the trade for Buffalo a little better. They are rebuilding and if they can flip Moulson for another 1st or even a 2nd and a good prospect they're filling needs. The Isles have real needs on defense and in goal. They have a deep system so trading the picks isn't a huge issue. But, if I was them, I would have used the picks to get a goalie or defenseman, rather than a sniper.
- Jsaquella

I like this move for both NYI and Buffalo.

Buffalo is rebuilding, they got a ton for Vanek (IMO), and frankly, Moulson will be easy to flip at the TDL to a contender. Always been a fan of Moulson's work.

As for NYI, they are announcing their presence as a contender in the division and the conference. Even if they don't re-sign him, they'll have cap space to do other things, but in the mean time, they'll energize their fan base and see if there's any chemistry between JT and Vanek.

It's possible that Vanek stays, sure. It's also possible that they get Moulson to re-sign this summer. Hell, getting to play with Tavares is a nice carrot all by itself.

I still like the trade for Buffalo a little better. They are rebuilding and if they can flip Moulson for another 1st or even a 2nd and a good prospect they're filling needs. The Isles have real needs on defense and in goal. They have a deep system so trading the picks isn't a huge issue. But, if I was them, I would have used the picks to get a goalie or defenseman, rather than a sniper.
- Jsaquella

Im just glad it put the Vanek to the Flyers talk to rest.. That was starting to really piss me off. Why cant we just talk about BOB RYAB

I like this move for both NYI and Buffalo.

Buffalo is rebuilding, they got a ton for Vanek (IMO), and frankly, Moulson will be easy to flip at the TDL to a contender. Always been a fan of Moulson's work.

As for NYI, they are announcing their presence as a contender in the division and the conference. Even if they don't re-sign him, they'll have cap space to do other things, but in the mean time, they'll energize their fan base and see if there's any chemistry between JT and Vanek.
- johndewar

It's a great deal for the Sabres, and could be a very solid one for the Isles. Key is getting Vanek to re-sign. He could easily be a 40 goal scorer or better with Tavares. Could be a very scary pair.

The picks, for the Isles, are not a huge concern. They have a lot of depth in the system. But if they fail to sign Vanek, they'll have traded a very valuable set of assets for nothing-and will still have holes on D and goalie

I like this move for both NYI and Buffalo.

Buffalo is rebuilding, they got a ton for Vanek (IMO), and frankly, Moulson will be easy to flip at the TDL to a contender. Always been a fan of Moulson's work.

As for NYI, they are announcing their presence as a contender in the division and the conference. Even if they don't re-sign him, they'll have cap space to do other things, but in the mean time, they'll energize their fan base and see if there's any chemistry between JT and Vanek.
- johndewar

If they dont resign him it was a disaster of a trade....

Trading Moulson for Vanek in itself really wasnt all that much of a great move. But adding a 1st and 2nd to the deal was reallly dumb...

Since 2009-

Vanek- 106 goals
Moulson-113 goals

If they dont resign him it was a disaster of a trade....

Trading Moulson for Vanek in itself really wasnt all that much of a great move. But adding a 1st and 2nd to the deal was reallly dumb...

Since 2009-

Vanek- 106 goals
Moulson-113 goals
- jak521

NYI has young talent on hand and, frankly, won't be picking from the front of the first round for the foreseeable future.

They are taking a shot. I like the move.

If they dont resign him it was a disaster of a trade....

Trading Moulson for Vanek in itself really wasnt all that much of a great move. But adding a 1st and 2nd to the deal was reallly dumb...

Since 2009-

Vanek- 106 goals
Moulson-113 goals
- jak521

The issue there is, how many goals does Moulson have if he's not playing with Tavares? He's played 90% of the time with JT and the small sample of when he hasn't is an indication that he relied heavily on Tavares.

It's still a good trade for Buffalo, because they got assets that will help them rebuild.

If they dont resign him it was a disaster of a trade....

Trading Moulson for Vanek in itself really wasnt all that much of a great move. But adding a 1st and 2nd to the deal was reallly dumb...

Since 2009-

Vanek- 106 goals
Moulson-113 goals
- jak521

Moulson's had that Tavares guy playing with him over that span. He was a good AHL player, but was never expected to be a top-line guy. I'm not saying he's bad, and I still think Buffalo got the better of the trade, but comparing the goals in a small portion of the comparison of both players. Moulson probably is a 20 goal scorer instead of 30 without JT. Vanek, on the other hand, has had a revolving door of under-achievers and also-rans for the better part of that time period, topping out with Pominville for a period.

The issue there is, how many goals does Moulson have if he's not playing with Tavares? He's played 90% of the time with JT and the small sample of when he hasn't is an indication that he relied heavily on Tavares.

It's still a good trade for Buffalo, because they got assets that will help them rebuild.
- Jsaquella

They said the same thing about PA Parenteau.. and he was a PPG guy for Colorado..

I think Buffalo made out like bandits.. and if they are able to resign Moulson (they had no shot with Vanek) they really gotta steal.

NYI has young talent on hand and, frankly, won't be picking from the front of the first round for the foreseeable future.

They are taking a shot. I like the move.
- johndewar

Its that exact thought process that has the Flyers in the shape they are in now..