Let's compare apples to apples here. What was iginla's contract like at 33? The Flyers signed Lecavalier at 33, not 38. If they signed Lecavalier to a 5 year deal at 38, I'd have a problem with it. But they didn't. They signed him at 33. And let's not just conveniently forget that Iginla has 4.2M in performance bonuses attached to his one year deal.
- MJL

I still think Vinny can be a nice player. I just think he's out of position. The problem for him is that the Flyers have 3 centers better than him. At least they do this year.

It would be like Iginla signing at 33 then being asked to center the 2nd line.

Iginla signed his $35M deal fresh off a 50-goal, 98-point season at age 30/31 -- until this season, he never failed to score at a 30-goal pace.

Vinny's was freshly CBO'd, with steadily declining goal totals, in a steadily declining role in Tampa.

Iginla at age 33 was still a legitimate top-line player. So why does Vinny have job security until age 38/39, and Iggy's the one twisting in the wind come July 1?
- Tomahawk

i'm not their agents man...that's really all that is.

at 33 iginla was also making like $7.5mil so...

Also, in general, I'm kinda glad that we can currently discuss the merit of Vinny's contract and how it will affect them down the road as opposed to how awful the team is and how everyone must be traded immediately.

Iginla signed his $35M deal fresh off a 50-goal, 98-point season at age 30/31 -- until this season, he never failed to score at a 30-goal pace.

Vinny's was freshly CBO'd, with steadily declining goal totals, in a steadily declining role in Tampa.

Iginla at age 33 was still a legitimate top-line player. So why does Vinny have job security until age 38/39, and Iggy's the one twisting in the wind come July 1? Doesn't make sense to me.
- Tomahawk

Maybe it's strategic on the part of his agent to get an even better deal on July 1st, when the cap isn't artificially low anymore?

you do realize anyone who plays hockey has wear and tear, right?
- eshake

Oh man.

I just didn't like the 5 year signing.

You do realize, that 50% of the fans may, or may not be on board with what this team chooses to do?

I still think Vinny can be a nice player. I just think he's out of position. The problem for him is that the Flyers have 3 centers better than him. At least they do this year.

It would be like Iginla signing at 33 then being asked to center the 2nd line.
- PhillySportsGuy

That he is.

That he is.
- puckhead17

He can still contribute. I just don't think he's a fit with this current roster.

Iginla signed his $35M deal fresh off a 50-goal, 98-point season at age 30/31 -- until this season, he never failed to score at a 30-goal pace.

Vinny's was freshly CBO'd, with steadily declining goal totals, in a steadily declining role in Tampa.

Iginla at age 33 was still a legitimate top-line player. So why does Vinny have job security until age 38/39, and Iggy's the one twisting in the wind come July 1? Doesn't make sense to me.
- Tomahawk

Also, in general, I'm kinda glad that we can currently discuss the merit of Vinny's contract and how it will affect them down the road as opposed to how awful the team is and how everyone must be traded immediately.
- jmatchett383

Don't worry. March will bring the NHL and trade deadline. We can win without Kimmo

He can still contribute. I just don't think he's a fit with this current roster.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yes, I do agree, he also takes power play time away from a younger player on the 2nd unit as well.

Oh man.

I just didn't like the 5 year signing.

You do realize, that 50% of the fans may, or may not be on board with what this team chooses to do?
- puckhead17

Well, one option would be a buyout after 3 years. It would only be $2.5M for 2 years and the $1M for the next 2. With the cap expecting to skyrocket the next few years, that may be easily absorbable. Or, if a team needs some cap to make it to the floor, they could possibly trade him to that team, as he's only owned $3M the last 2 years at a cap hit of $4.5M each year.

But hopefully, he's a consistent 55-60 point player who helps us win.

Maybe it's strategic on the part of his agent to get an even better deal on July 1st, when the cap isn't artificially low anymore?
- johndewar

That's an interesting thought, and Iggy hand-picked Boston, too.

But what separates Chiarelli from Homer is he was able to take advantage of those circumstances to fill a need, whereas Homer was tossing prudence out the window in order to land a guy that wasn't helping their problems on the blueline.

Yes, I do agree, he also takes power play time away from a younger player on the 2nd unit as well.
- puckhead17

I actually think that's where he can help the most, on the PP. That second unit, without him while he was out, looked terrible. As much as I like him, I don't see Coots as an everyday PP player, and same for Downie.

Well, one option would be a buyout after 3 years. It would only be $2.5M for 2 years and the $1M for the next 2. With the cap expecting to skyrocket the next few years, that may be easily absorbable. Or, if a team needs some cap to make it to the floor, they could possibly trade him to that team, as he's only owned $3M the last 2 years at a cap hit of $4.5M each year.

But hopefully, he's a consistent 55-60 point player who helps us win.
- jmatchett383

I think he may go back to Tampa in a few seasons.
They were trying to get his salary down by trading him to Detroit, (having Detroit buy him out), and trading him back for a lower salary.

That's an interesting thought, and Iggy hand-picked Boston, too.

But what separates Chiarelli from Homer is he was able to take advantage of those circumstances to fill a need, whereas Homer was tossing prudence out the window in order to land a guy that wasn't helping their problems on the blueline.
- Tomahawk

True. However, a lot of people this past offseason (and some today) were thinking B Schenn was never going to blossom, and might be shipped off somewhere else by the end of this season. Vinny was a nice (yet expensive) insurance policy there.

Ugh, back in NJ from Key West, oh joy. And no NHL hockey for over 2 weeks.

Hopefully the Olympics can give me my hockey fix, guessing the games will be on at some weird times.

True. However, a lot of people this past offseason (and some today) were thinking B Schenn was never going to blossom, and might be shipped off somewhere else by the end of this season. Vinny was a nice (yet expensive) insurance policy there.
- jmatchett383

I do think Vinny was a hedge against BSchenn not developing.

Ugh, back in NJ from Key West, oh joy. And no NHL hockey for over 2 weeks.

Hopefully the Olympics can give me my hockey fix, guessing the games will be on at some weird times.


- BiggE

Just in time for a mid-week snowstorm, E.

Whats done is done, but I can't help but wonder why the team signed a center to play wing instead of a winger to play winger. I know they loved Vinny's talent, I think this team takes a leap of faith with too many free agents.
- PhillySportsGuy

They signed Vinny to be the 2C and moved Schenn to LW.

I think he may go back to Tampa in a few seasons.
They were trying to get his salary down by trading him to Detroit, (having Detroit buy him out), and trading him back for a lower salary.
- puckhead17

It was Toronto for a 1st, I think.

That's an interesting thought, and Iggy hand-picked Boston, too.

But what separates Chiarelli from Homer is he was able to take advantage of those circumstances to fill a need, whereas Homer was tossing prudence out the window in order to land a guy that wasn't helping their problems on the blueline.
- Tomahawk

I think the difference is that Chiarelli doesn't put himself in a position where he absolutely needs to sign someone. The Flyers always seem like they need guys

I actually think that's where he can help the most, on the PP. That second unit, without him while he was out, looked terrible. As much as I like him, I don't see Coots as an everyday PP player, and same for Downie.
- jmatchett383

I agree with Downie, but I love Coots on the 2nd unit, (even though he struggles at times), I think his, upside is tremendous.
He's still raw on the offensive side, but I will take the lumps for now.

Just in time for a mid-week snowstorm, E.
- johndewar

Oh man.

I just didn't like the 5 year signing.

You do realize, that 50% of the fans may, or may not be on board with what this team chooses to do?
- puckhead17

what does that have to do with anything? my points are counter to a specific point made by another poster. that's how message baords work. we are all aware people have different opinions and feelings. that doesn't take away the fact i will try to support mine against yours with points/facts/etc.

that's why we are all here? right?

They signed Vinny to be the 2C and moved Schenn to LW.
- Feanor

He hasn't played much center. They clearly didn't evaluate their team very well. I never wanted B Schenn to play wing. I wanted him at center. It was a frustrating signing