There's a difference between being injured and not being able to play. Versus not being 100% and being able to play. And truthfully, I don't know how close to 100% he is. It may just be the position change that is affecting him now. And I agree that his current level of play is hurting the team.
- MJL

I think he's being impacted by the lack of Florida sunshine.

Whatever it may be, their defensive game has dropped off big time. It has been for a while, along with Mason giving up some weak goals, but they have been able to outscore they way into winning.

Need to re-group with defensive coverage. The continuous trips to the penalty box could also stop. For such a heavily penalized team, the Flyers aren't that intimidating physically/on the boards. No excuse for that, and it goes back pre-Berube.
- flyer_nutter

No question about that. If they could play the checking game that the devils played last night. They'd be a dangerous team.

People just want to find some way to include Vinny in the top 9, but he simply doesn't belong there.
- PhillySportsGuy

You do have to hope though.

5 more years, with a 4.5million cap hit. He needs to find a way to be more relevant to them winning games, instead of being a black hole. Injury or not, you really hope it happens.

I think he is here to stay, no team will touch that contract imo, and he has to waive first. I do to a degree understand playing him, to try and get him productive, with the above mentioned points in mind.

As (frank)ing poopty as it is.

Hall is a defensive specialist. He would be more the adequite in a shutdown role. The question is if he could do it with the increased minutes he would be asked to play. And Rinaldo is also as sound defensively as Downie is when he has his head screwed on straight.
- SchennBros

Hall? Defensive specialist? Do you have a clue about hockey? Rinaldo? Sound defensively? Stop.

I think he's being impacted by the lack of Florida sunshine.
- wilsonecho91

I've resorted to calling him Wheels. Fun name to yell out.

Lecavalier's numbers last year pro rated to an 82 game Season comes out to 21 goals and 67 points. He can still play. Injuries are a concern, for sure. But we don't need him to be the top line player he was in the past. I don't think B Schenn is a better Center right now then a healthy Lecavalier.
- MJL

then he must be hurt...because the lecavalier evryone see's is not playing as good as Schenn right now and he hasn't all year.

then he must be hurt...because the lecavalier is not playing as good as Schenn right now and he hasn't all year.
- landros 2

Schenn is averaging .55 pts a game. Lecavalier is averaging .50 pts a game. Not a big difference. And that's not everything. And I agree that Schenn looks a whole lot better. But I disagree about all year. Before the back injury, lecavalier was one of the teams top forwards and was scoring at a 33 goal pace.

You do have to hope though.

5 more years, with a 4.5million cap hit. He needs to find a way to be more relevant to them winning games, instead of being a black hole. Injury or not, you really hope it happens.
- flyer_nutter

Only four more years.... maybe Tampa will take him back for Malone who only has one year left at the same hit.

In the meantime the team would be better if him and Schenn swapped positions.

then he must be hurt...because the lecavalier evryone see's is not playing as good as Schenn right now and he hasn't all year.
- landros 2

If he is still hurt after a three week break from the Olympics than something is really really wrong.

I think it mostly has to do with his being out of position. Not be able to get acclimated to the winger position is really hurting him.

People just want to find some way to include Vinny in the top 9, but he simply doesn't belong there.
- PhillySportsGuy

Technically I said he would be on the 4th line, but I said the lines I gave the 2-4th lines could play about even minutes.

I would not mind seeing Downie and Lecavalier put on a line together to work out thier issues. And as Bill has noted, wherever Raffl goes, he sparks that line. I think both guys could refind thier games with Raffl. Downie working the boards, Raffl getting into socring areas and making nice passes and Lecavalier driving the net and setting the other guys up. Plus they wouldnt be bad defensively, and Read with Schenn and Simmonds adds a bit of passing and speed and defense to the second line.

Injuries and the switch of positions has to be taken into account. And he's not the only forward that is not a good defensive forward on the team. The Flyers didn't sign him to be a defensive center. Or for his checking ability.
- MJL

tru dat....thats the hole point...what is he doing then ??? he ain't scoring and he has, in your words, never been known for his defence....then why even play him....probably because what are the alternatives? can't imagine much worse.
But I stand by he either needs to sit and get healthy or simply play better and work harder....because he's been brutal.

Ahhhh hell, its fun sometimes, and Im out for the day.

bSchenn-Giroux-Voracek
Hartnell-LeCavalier-Simmonds
Raffl-Coots-Read
Rinaldo-Hall-Downie

Better than all the BS you fools post

Schenn is averaging .55 pts a game. Lecavalier is averaging .50 pts a game. Not a big difference. And that's not everything. And I agree that Schenn looks a whole lot better. But I disagree about all year. Before the back injury, lecavalier was one of the teams top forwards and was scoring at a 33 goal pace.
- MJL

Schenns a pup with his best years ahead of him...He's still learning the game.....Vinny ...not so much.

There's a difference between being injured and not being able to play. Versus not being 100% and being able to play. And truthfully, I don't know how close to 100% he is. It may just be the position change that is affecting him now. And I agree that his current level of play is hurting the team.
- MJL

Not sure how rational this guy is...

Lecavalier's numbers last year pro rated to an 82 game Season comes out to 21 goals and 67 points. He can still play.
- MJL

He was also seeing more ES and PP time last year, and the quality of his teammates were off-the-charts better than they've been here. Half his goals and 1/3 of his points came on the PP lined up with Marty and Stamkos.

Tampa thought that their chances of winning were better off w/ Val Filppula and Alex Killorn... that says a lot about how far Vinny has fallen.

Ahhhh hell, its fun sometimes, and Im out for the day.

bSchenn-Giroux-Voracek
Hartnell-LeCavalier-Simmonds
Raffl-Coots-Read
Rinaldo-Hall-Downie

Better than all the BS you fools post
- flyer_nutter

Sold!

People just want to find some way to include Vinny in the top 9, but he simply doesn't belong there.
- PhillySportsGuy

You are preaching to the choir. His level of play simply doesn't warrant it. As others suggest he's only playing on one of the top 3 lines due to reputation/politics/cap hit.

Technically I said he would be on the 4th line, but I said the lines I gave the 2-4th lines could play about even minutes.

I would not mind seeing Downie and Lecavalier put on a line together to work out thier issues. And as Bill has noted, wherever Raffl goes, he sparks that line. I think both guys could refind thier games with Raffl. Downie working the boards, Raffl getting into socring areas and making nice passes and Lecavalier driving the net and setting the other guys up. Plus they wouldnt be bad defensively, and Read with Schenn and Simmonds adds a bit of passing and speed and defense to the second line.
- SchennBros

I don't think that helps the team. Couts plays 20+ minutes on a lot of nights. He's already one of the best defensive forwards in hockey. He and Read are a great tandem together.

I don't think Vinny is immovable. Yes, they may need to pay part of his salary, but I believe he'd waive his NTC in order to go to a team where he can play center.

At this point, I would much rather have a 4th line guy like Malhotra signed for 5 years than Vinny.

If he is still hurt after a three week break from the Olympics than something is really really wrong.

I think it mostly has to do with his being out of position. Not be able to get acclimated to the winger position is really hurting him.
- FlyersSteve118

it's something....I don't really care at this point. it just can't continue.

You are preaching to the choir. His level of play simply doesn't warrant it. As others suggest he's only playing on one of the top 3 lines due to reputation/politics/cap hit.
- PLindbergh31

Lind, we usually agree, but the guy is signed for the next 4 years at a 4.5million cap hit.

You need to get him going. Blame management for the signing, but with him here, have to do everything to try and make it work.

I don't think Vinny is immovable.
- PhillySportsGuy

I keep telling myself that even Scott Gomez was moved... is it greedy to secretly wish for a McDonagh in return?

You are preaching to the choir. His level of play simply doesn't warrant it. As others suggest he's only playing on one of the top 3 lines due to reputation/politics/cap hit.
- PLindbergh31

I think thats the case, but I think theres outside hope he can turn things around with the right combination. Briere was like that. He looked out of place then found chemistry with random guys like Leino and Prospal.

I just don't see Vinny turning it around though. Briere was still getting points during those rough stretches. His lines were just a disaster defensively.

Ahhhh hell, its fun sometimes, and Im out for the day.

bSchenn-Giroux-Voracek
Hartnell-LeCavalier-Simmonds
Raffl-Coots-Read
Rinaldo-Hall-Downie

Better than all the BS you fools post
- flyer_nutter

Butt schenn is better at Center....

Hartnell-Schenn-Giroux
Simmonds-Lecavalier-Voracek
Downie-Couturier-Read
Raffl-Hall-Rinaldo

I keep telling myself that even Scott Gomez was moved... is it greedy to secretly wish for a McDonagh in return?
- Tomahawk

A little greedy, but there are still some bad GMs out there.

I keep telling myself that even Scott Gomez was moved... is it greedy to secretly wish for a McDonagh in return?
- Tomahawk

Well is Chicago can get Rundblad in division for a 2nd, then you would think you could have got Rundblad for Vinny straight up...