About Coots:
http://www.nj.com/flyers/...ike_a_veteran_lately.html

Thought this was amusing: "Countless times Flyers’ announcers Jim Jackson and Gary Dornhoefer mentioned Couturier’s strong play before the Phoenix native was named the first star in a 2-1 win over the visiting Coyotes."
- mikel33

coyotes? dornhoefer? strange time warp

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 12/2/13 @ Minnesota
- bmeltzer

It would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad. I was at the Flyers/Wings game. One night before that game against the Phoenix Coyotes, Scott Hartnell and Vincent Lecavalier were injured. I will again be at Joe Louis arena and that situation looks to be happening all over again.

The exact same thing happened my first couple of tries at seeing Danny Briere. I'll have one other chance against the Blue Jackets this month to possibly Vinny but I'm shocked on how much of a fluke this has been. I am not expecting to see him Wednesday.

Jagr has been great and I really wanted him back here but I really don't doubt that he will start to run out of steam as the season progresses
- nastyflyergirl

I don't think he's missed a game since he left the Flyers.

I was ok not bringing him back.

About Coots:
http://www.nj.com/flyers/...ike_a_veteran_lately.html

Thought this was amusing: "Countless times Flyers’ announcers Jim Jackson and Gary Dornhoefer mentioned Couturier’s strong play before the Phoenix native was named the first star in a 2-1 win over the visiting Coyotes."
- mikel33

Dorny will be pleased to know that he's got his old job back.

Jagr has been great and I really wanted him back here but I really don't doubt that he will start to run out of steam as the season progresses
- nastyflyergirl

I wanted Jagr back also for a second season with the Flyers but not a third. This would be his third season since returning to the NHL. He's been good but I do believe the Flyers were expecting a breakout season from Jake Voracek and they got one. The Flyers were justified by allowing Jagr to go because he wanted more money. Jagr had a pretty good season with us but he did look heavy, old and couldn't stay healthy. Homer already roles the dice on being him back to the NHL to begin with, I don't blame them for being unwilling to role to dice again with the talent we have.

In my opinion Lecavalier has very Jagr hands. On the man advantage, I think the Flyers should be taking advantage of that.

I have admit that I am very disappointed with Voracek this season. All sizzle and no steak.

I don't think he's missed a game since he left the Flyers.

I was ok not bringing him back.
- PLindbergh31

I think he missed 3 last year

I have admit that I am very disappointed with Voracek this season. All sizzle and no steak.
- Schenn2shine

He has had a poor first quarter of the season and frankly, needs to get it together.

What trade?

And what do you think about free agent Dane Fox and his 31 goals so far this season? Can he be signed at any time, and why hasn't a team grabbed him?
- wolfhounds

There is no interest in Fox because of his age, the fact that not one team even opted to draft him, and the fact he is an over-ager in the OHL.

If he wasn't putting up those types of numbers it would be odd... The guy has 4 full season in the OHL and is mostly playing against young teenagers and kids. Had he have been anything special to draft, he'd be a team's property right now. If there was NHL promise, he'd have been signed by now. The fact he hasn't drawn interest from the league is sign in itself. But, gems are always lurking somewhere. If I'm the Flyers though, I don't touch him. From his stat-line, it looks like he's a band-aid and his career high before this season was only 19 goals....

He has had a poor first quarter of the season and frankly, needs to get it together.
- johndewar

I think he has all the makings to be the next Marian Hossa someday but the problem I have with him is, this is his sixth NHL season and he's only had one really impressive season, which was last season. One half year. To me that isn't good. He's either gotta plus himself into each game or he's gotta be the key piece to a trade that brings us a number one defenseman or a sniper.

I'm surprised none of the writers have discussed the rumor of Luuko stepping down because Jeff carter and Ed Snider slept with his wife
- PhillySportsGuy

.... or the alternate version that [insert Comcast exec name here] was so angry when he found out that he punched him out in the board room.

There is no interest in Fox because of his age, the fact that not one team even opted to draft him, and the fact he is an over-ager in the OHL.

If he wasn't putting up those types of numbers it would be odd... The guy has 4 full season in the OHL and is mostly playing against young teenagers and kids. Had he have been anything special to draft, he'd be a team's property right now. If there was NHL promise, he'd have been signed by now. The fact he hasn't drawn interest from the league is sign in itself. But, gems are always lurking somewhere. If I'm the Flyers though, I don't touch him. From his stat-line, it looks like he's a band-aid and his career high before this season was only 19 goals....
- Flyers_V88

NHL teams are looking into him but nobody knows what teams

My speculation on the Luukko move, based on my peripheral knowledge of the front office, is that it has Comcast written all over it. Snider is running the team (and the overall organ-EYE-zation) into the ground, and this is their way of minimizing his power base and marginalizing him. The FO has always been dysfunctional and operates like it is 1975. Comcast wants to modernize and maximize profits...not make wild moves to try to win another cup before a certain someone kicks the bucket. Not that Comcast is the most well-oiled machine internally either...

NHL teams are looking into him but nobody knows what teams
- ob18

So to clarify, the level of interest is so low, it's not even news on a mainstream level. More than anything, that adds more to my point. This guy is nothing special, and I'd EXPECT him to dominate at this level after 4 full season in the OHL....

My speculation on the Luukko move, based on my peripheral knowledge of the front office, is that it has Comcast written all over it. Snider is running the team (and the overall organ-EYE-zation) into the ground, and this is their way of minimizing his power base and marginalizing him. The FO has always been dysfunctional and operates like it is 1975. Comcast wants to modernize and maximize profits...not make wild moves to try to win another cup before a certain someone kicks the bucket. Not that Comcast is the most well-oiled machine internally either...
- Tartan69

...Or maybe Luukko genuinely wanted to move in a different direction with his life...

...Or maybe Luukko genuinely wanted to move in a different direction with his life...
- JAKEw1234

Highly doubtful based on his past history as a "dedicated company man". If he resigned and it wasn't a "resign or be fired" situation, then it was only because of a power move that failed. Something like him wanting confirmation that he'd be named chairman when Snider died and they said no. That's the only thing that would make sense.

So to clarify, the level of interest is so low, it's not even news on a mainstream level. More than anything, that adds more to my point. This guy is nothing special, and I'd EXPECT him to dominate at this level after 4 full season in the OHL....
- Flyers_V88

It'd still be a wise move for the team who signs him. His stats have seen marked improvement every year and he could be a good sleeper signing who is just slower to develop.

...Or maybe Luukko genuinely wanted to move in a different direction with his life...
- JAKEw1234

If experience has taught me anything, it's taught me that that phrase is never true of guys at Luukko's level.

Highly doubtful based on his past history as a "dedicated company man". If he resigned and it wasn't a "resign or be fired" situation, then it was only because of a power move that failed. Something like him wanting confirmation that he'd be named chairman when Snider died and they said no. That's the only thing that would make sense.
- Tartan69

I doubt they'd give him a definitive answer on who they'll hire for a position that isn't open yet and probably won't be open for several more years. I'd imagine they wouldn't give him a yes or no. Ed Snider described him as "entrepreneurial" and possibly wanting to start something of his own. Snider also said Luukko wants to spend more time with his family. There are lots of things that could explain this besides for a power or money-struggle conspiracy.

It'd still be a wise move for the team who signs him. His stats have seen marked improvement every year and he could be a good sleeper signing who is just slower to develop.
- JAKEw1234

Sure, why not I guess. To me though, I look at his amount of games played and his offensive output and to me, his numbers this year are the result of being over-aged, being healthy, and being used in top-line time.

If there is a bidding war, stay clear.

So the Wild mascot confuses me. He's not a real animal. He's a made up one?

- FlyersGrace

Manbearpig

Manbearpig
- SotaPopinski

No-one wants you here Al Gore.

I doubt they'd give him a definitive answer on who they'll hire for a position that isn't open yet and probably won't be open for several more years. I'd imagine they wouldn't give him a yes or no. Ed Snider described him as "entrepreneurial" and possibly wanting to start something of his own. Snider also said Luukko wants to spend more time with his family. There are lots of things that could explain this besides for a power or money-struggle conspiracy.
- JAKEw1234

Sure, but there are many flavors to that. Maybe he asked for more responsibility in the Comcast world but they rebuffed him. Either way he may have resigned because he saw a limited future ahead of him.

With that said, in the articles that I've read Snider seemed very surprised about the whole thing. It doesn't compute that this longtime company man would give zero warning to his longtime boss, friend, and mentor. I think a Comcast-forced exit is what is going on...and is probably less about Luukko staging a Pat Croce and more about Comcast asserting themselves.

If however he truly is quitting to do something different, then I wish him well. I just don't think that is what is going on though.

Also the fact that they named someone from the Comcast side as acting president instead of Tilger or even someone like John Page speaks volumes.

If experience has taught me anything, it's taught me that that phrase is never true of guys at Luukko's level.
- johndewar

Either Luuko has a better opportunity somewhere else or a rift developed between he and someone at the organization. From Snider's shock, it doesn't appear they were on the outs by any means.

He's been here so long and is pretty much guaranteed the top spot when Ed steps down. There had to be something more than the classic 'I want to spend more time with my family' or 'I want to look for different opportunities'

So to clarify, the level of interest is so low, it's not even news on a mainstream level. More than anything, that adds more to my point. This guy is nothing special, and I'd EXPECT him to dominate at this level after 4 full season in the OHL....
- Flyers_V88

Interest doesn't have to be mainstream, teams don't always want info leaked.

He's doing what he should right now & is a late bloomer. Does it mean anything nobody knows but I'd bet he'll be signed by an NHL team.