Also, it is well known that Uncle Lou is, in fact, a sorcerer.

I don't mean "a wizard at building hockey teams".

I mean, an actual practitioner of the dark arts.

It's the only way he could keep that franchise so good for so long on pocket lint and spare buttons.
- johndewar

He likes firing head coaches just before the playoffs.

He squeezed every player though. Former players said agents would avoid the Eagles because they knew Banner was such an bumhole with negotiations.

What Banner did to TO was pretty (frank)ed up too. TO handled it terribly, but Banner knew he had him by the balls so he negotiated a very favorable deal after TO threw a temper tantrum about not being traded to Philly. It ended up blowing up in his face because the deal only had TO making $3M for his second season.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm not saying Banner was great.

But he did make some pretty significant contributions that other teams have certainly copied.

The problem with Joe is, he couldn't "stay in his lane", so to speak.

He likes firing head coaches just before the playoffs.
- PhillySportsGuy

They're his sacrifices to the hockey gods.

He likes firing head coaches just before the playoffs.
- PhillySportsGuy

That worked for them once, didn't it?

I don't think ex-players should be considered for GM positions at all... it's time to break up the old boys' club. Sure, bring them in as assistants, or consultants, since they understand the culture and fabric of the game... but the guy making the top-level decisions should by versed in legalese, risk-management, negotiation, and have strong analytical skills.
- Tomahawk

Why can't an ex player be versed in all those categories?

They're his sacrifices to the hockey gods.
- Tomahawk

That worked for them once, didn't it?
- johndewar

I think it did one year. How could any coach take a job under him after an incident like that?

That simply gives the options that the Flyers had. Nothing there states that the Flyers threatened gagne with waivers.
- MJL

Personally, I don't take Dreger very seriously. I mean, he's a TSN anchorguy and he certainly hears things, but he seems like a very obvious mouthpiece to me. Whether for the owners during the lockout, or for Dave Nonis during contract negotiations, he just seems to speak favorably for certain interests.

The counterpoint to this is Joe Banner.

If you didn't play and are perceived to overstep your realm of expertise, you'll get shut out and no one will respect you, regardless of how smart you are (or how smart you think you are).
- johndewar

I'll give you another one (on a larger scale): Gary Bettman.

He's not a "hockey" guy, he's a suit guy. Someone who's actually played would probably care more for the integrity of the game, but probably would make the owners lose 1.3% of what Bettman's gotten them, so it would never happen.

http://www.csnphilly.com/...monen-retire-after-season

I'll give you another one (on a larger scale): Gary Bettman.

He's not a "hockey" guy, he's a suit guy. Someone who's actually played would probably care more for the integrity of the game, but probably would make the owners lose 1.3% of what Bettman's gotten them, so it would never happen.
- jmatchett383

Has there ever been an ex-player commissioner?

I dont understand
- PhillySportsGuy

The Organization was criticized for trading Gagne, due in part ot showing signs of decline.
On the other hand the organization is criticized for signing a declining Lecavalier.
There's a clear contradiction there.

Has there ever been an ex-player commissioner?
- Tomahawk

Bettmann's the only commissioner, but a number of former presidents were.

There is no telling what is going to happen in the offseason. We have the Draft here in Philly, and everyone already knows the odds of the Flyers making noise at, or just prior to the draft are already high, but it being in Philly only increases the odds IMO.

Now we have landed MacDonald and if we get him signed that is one question mark checked off, but IMO there is still a chance they make a move for another D-man at the Draft.

The reason I bring this up is because this could decide Lecavalier's time here in philly. IMO if the Flyers are going to make a move, and a big move, then either Schenn or Couturier may be involved. If this is the case then Vinny's spot is sealed. Second or 3rd line center. If Laughton is moved, or no moves are made I think the Flyers ask Vinny if he is going to be happy with 3rd line wing and PP time, as Center is being sealed for Schenn and Couts. If Vinny isnt happy with that, you trade him to where he wants to go for picks at the draft.

Either way its not a black eye for the team. Vinny as a 3rd line winger and PP specialist isnt horrible. And if he moves on, then you have given him his choice.

http://www.csnphilly.com/...monen-retire-after-season
- PhillySportsGuy

Damn you... all I saw was "monen-retire-after-season" and I thought it was an announcement... my heart skipped a beat.

The Organization was criticized for trading Gagne, due in part ot showing signs of decline.
On the other hand the organization is criticized for signing a declining Lecavalier.
There's a clear contradiction there.
- MJL

Different situations. Gagne was a fan favorite and had 1 year left on his deal. Vinny is a declining player who was signed for 5 years.

You, also, have to factor in position. The Flyers could have used another winger on that team. Thats why they signed construction man Zherdev. Flyers didn't really need another center when they signed Vinny.

The Organization was criticized for trading Gagne, due in part ot showing signs of decline.
On the other hand the organization is criticized for signing a declining Lecavalier.
There's a clear contradiction there.
- MJL

Still makes no sense.

Different situations. Gagne was a fan favorite and had 1 year left on his deal. Vinny is a declining player who was signed for 5 years.

You, also, have to factor in position. The Flyers could have used another winger on that team. Thats why they signed construction man Zherdev. Flyers didn't really need another center when they signed Vinny.
- PhillySportsGuy

i.e. "context"

Damn you... all I saw was "monen-retire-after-season" and I thought it was an announcement... my heart skipped a beat.
- Tomahawk

My bad. I really want him back for one more year. I feel that would really bridge the gap.

It seems he's changed his tune a bit. At the beginning of the year, it sounded set in stone that he would retire. Now, he's more at 50/50 I think.

i.e. "context"
- jmatchett383

lol

Damn you... all I saw was "monen-retire-after-season" and I thought it was an announcement... my heart skipped a beat.
- Tomahawk

me too, scared the crap outta me

http://www.csnphilly.com/...monen-retire-after-season
- PhillySportsGuy

From the article:

“It’s never easy to leave the game,” Timonen said. “But sometimes it gets to the point where you have to say, OK, that’s enough, and move on and do some other stuff in your life and focus on your family, because this job takes a lot of time away from your family. But winning the Stanley cup is the ultimate goal, and hopefully we can do it this year and move on.”

Maybe I'm taking it out of context (probably), but I read this as "I'm retiring".

There is no telling what is going to happen in the offseason. We have the Draft here in Philly, and everyone already knows the odds of the Flyers making noise at, or just prior to the draft are already high, but it being in Philly only increases the odds IMO.

Now we have landed MacDonald and if we get him signed that is one question mark checked off, but IMO there is still a chance they make a move for another D-man at the Draft.

The reason I bring this up is because this could decide Lecavalier's time here in philly. IMO if the Flyers are going to make a move, and a big move, then either Schenn or Couturier may be involved. If this is the case then Vinny's spot is sealed. Second or 3rd line center. If Laughton is moved, or no moves are made I think the Flyers ask Vinny if he is going to be happy with 3rd line wing and PP time, as Center is being sealed for Schenn and Couts. If Vinny isnt happy with that, you trade him to where he wants to go for picks at the draft.

Either way its not a black eye for the team. Vinny as a 3rd line winger and PP specialist isnt horrible. And if he moves on, then you have given him his choice.
- SchennBros

I think they sign Mac then take a shot at Niskanen. As usual, they will find some way to move the money around.

My bad. I really want him back for one more year. I feel that would really bridge the gap.

It seems he's changed his tune a bit. At the beginning of the year, it sounded set in stone that he would retire. Now, he's more at 50/50 I think.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, he's Finnish. Something must have been lost in translation. He thought retire meant to hunt trolls.

don't think lou lamerrillo ever played a sport. he was athletic director at providence college before taking over the devils. the one thing he is great at is squeezing the life out of a penny.
- devfan30

I think this is the perfect example of what happens when you stick a "Suit" in a GM's position. Yes the Devils have won... A lot. And yes he is great at pinching the penny. But you know what. What he never realized is sometimes its not just about winning, but about the WAY you win. Jersey has like ZERO fan-base. If they had more entertaining teams, with more entertaining players maybe they wouldn't be bankrupt, and IMO a prime team to be relocated.