schenn's valuable when he's scoring goals 1 foot from the goal line. that's what he does best. when he's not doing that, well...i don't see "the little things" cliche that are so often important away from the puck...but that could entirely wrong.
- hammarby31

It's like the organization has decided that Brayden Schenn gets top 6 ice time, come hell or high water.

Which is the course of things, I guess, when you are trying to develop a player.

BSchenn just seems a little too invisible to me, as a top 6 player.

Same. We all know they will shift around during the game, but maybe Chief is letting Vinny know he needs to find another gear. Or he's hoping plugging Vinny into C will spark him, even if it's with Hall and Rinaldo. Raffl helps that line generate some offense, maybe Vinny can too?
- wolfhounds

Or another club in off season?

Schenn went 16 games this season without a goal at one point. It just happen to coincide with VLC being out with the back injury.

Im not saying they were directly related, but what I am saying is that Schenn was obviously playing center at that point and produced nothing. I think it is a fallacy to say that he plays much better at center. I agree with MJL that the best course would have been to put VLC back at center and move Schenn to wing. I think helping to improve VLC may also help Schenns game as well.
- MBFlyerfan

Schenn plays with Vinny A LOT. They even play on the same PP unit and neither plays on the PK. Somehow, Schenn is +1 and Vinny is -16. At some point, Schenn made up a +17 without being with Vinny.

Schenn went 16 games this season without a goal at one point. It just happen to coincide with VLC being out with the back injury.

Im not saying they were directly related, but what I am saying is that Schenn was obviously playing center at that point and produced nothing. I think it is a fallacy to say that he plays much better at center. I agree with MJL that the best course would have been to put VLC back at center and move Schenn to wing. I think helping to improve VLC may also help Schenns game as well.
- MBFlyerfan

That may be best for the short-term, but they have to quit jerking B. Schenn around between wing and center.

This move, which hopefully sticks, is the best for Schenn's development, which is of utmost importance. At least much more so than re-igniting VL's career.

And, not being an advanced stats geek (it's what killed baseball for me), my eyeballs say Vinny just doesn't fit anywhere right now. Maybe never would on this team. And thus beware of players not on your radar who approach you about signing. They weren't on your radar because you didn't need them.
- bodiva88

There was a need for a 2nd line center. Going into a season with Schenn as your second line center after a year that he didn't progress much and was off and on as a center his entire career was not a good idea. For all we know if Vinny didnt get bought out they would have targeted another 2nd line center.

I can't fault the signing because it was insurance against the possibility Schenn wasnt ready and depth if they decided to move Schenn or Couturier. And you can't forsee and injury like he had or the inablity to adapt well to wing.

Schenn also gets no PP time. And quite a few players have gone some serious stretches without a goal this season, and most of them were seeing regular PP shifts. I'm not sure there's any connection with VL.
- wolfhounds

And I said as much.

Lecavalier was beloved in TB. Obviously Yzerman had a good idea he was cooked, or he wouldn't have been a buyout.

His contract is going to be an albatross for the remaining term.
- PLindbergh31

i agree. but maybe with the cap going up, they'll buy him out anyway and eat the space after another year. or his broken back could mysteriously force him to LTIR for the remainder of the contract. he gets his money and the flyers use the cap space and replace him.

that's my job.
- hammarby31

my b

Or another club in off season?
- missingmike

If someone wants VL, and he's willing to go, I think the Flyers pull that trigger in a heartbeat.

It's like the organization has decided that Brayden Schenn gets top 6 ice time, come hell or high water.

Which is the course of things, I guess, when you are trying to develop a player.

BSchenn just seems a little too invisible to me, as a top 6 player.
- johndewar

i notice him when he's out there, but i see a lot of energy being expended that doesn't produce anything. don't get me wrong, i like schenn, and think he can become a better, more valuable player. he's still very young. patience.

my b
- BulliesPhan87

There was a need for a 2nd line center. Going into a season with Schenn as your second line center after a year that he didn't progress much and was off and on as a center his entire career was not a good idea. For all we know if Vinny didnt get bought out they would have targeted another 2nd line center.

I can't fault the signing because it was insurance against the possibility Schenn wasnt ready and depth if they decided to move Schenn or Couturier. And you can't forsee and injury like he had or the inablity to adapt well to wing.
- SchennBros

You can absolutely fault the team for signing that player to that contract.

I agree that there was a lack of confidence from management in both Schenn and Couturier coming into the season. But you didn't have to buy that big of an insurance policy (Lecavalier).

That may be best for the short-term, but they have to quit jerking B. Schenn around between wing and center.

This move, which hopefully sticks, is the best for Schenn's development, which is of utmost importance. At least much more so than re-igniting VL's career.
- bradleyc4

I agree they need to pick a position and stick with it, which they seem to have very adamantly done. I just don't agree. I think Schenn's skill set is much better suited to the wing, the Flyers disagree.

And I said as much.
- MBFlyerfan

Vinny missed 9 games. During that Stretch Schenn was +2 with 4 points. He didn't have a goal, but registered 17 shots on goal. He shoots at 12%. If he shot his usual 12%, he would have had 2 goals and totaled 6 points in those 9 games.

You can absolutely fault the team for signing that player to that contract.

I agree that there was a lack of confidence from management in both Schenn and Couturier coming into the season. But you didn't have to buy that big of an insurance policy (Lecavalier).
- bradleyc4

so of the big 3 offseason signings - emery, streit, bunny - have any of them been worth it?

i think emery's played well, but doesn't have the results, streit's been pretty good overall, better than i thought actually - and vinny's been a bust , but i'm blaming it on the injury. i really want him to succeed here.

so of the big 3 offseason signings - emery, streit, bunny - have any of them been worth it?

i think emery's played well, but doesn't have the results, streit's been pretty good overall, better than i thought actually - and vinny's been a bust , but i'm blaming it on the injury. i really want him to succeed here.
- hammarby31

What is the origin of "bunny"?

What is the origin of "bunny"?
- MBFlyerfan

In short, autocorrect.

What is the origin of "bunny"?
- MBFlyerfan

autocorrect from my iphone when i was posting one night early in the season. so i just keep calling him that.

That's simply not accurate. Lecavalier is constantly around the net offensively. Just take a look at the missed 3 post opportunity. It's simply false that Lecavalier is playing selfishly. There is plenty of room for criticism for Lecavalier, without just making stuff up.
Here's the deal as I see it with Lecavalier. He's looking much stronger on his skates in recent weeks. But what he's not showing is signs of being able to adapt or adjust to playing the left side. For whatever reason. So in the remaining time of the Season there's really 3 choices. Leave him on the left side on the 2nd line. Which clearly isn't working. Move him to Center, on either that line or another. I'd put Schenn at Wing, and Lecavalier at Center on that line. But it doesn't seem like Berube wants to do that. I love the job that Berube has done, but I think that is a mistake. I think that if they put Lecavalier back at Center on the 2nd line, the Flyers would again have a goal scoring threat there, and maximize Lecavalier.
- MJL

I still think he see's time on the second PP....something had to give....not sure Vinny playing 4th line center is the answer....but we'll see...might be a short experiment.

so of the big 3 offseason signings - emery, streit, bunny - have any of them been worth it?

i think emery's played well, but doesn't have the results, streit's been pretty good overall, better than i thought actually - and vinny's been a bust , but i'm blaming it on the injury. i really want him to succeed here.
- hammarby31

This team really need Streit, so yes, he's been "worth" it so far. That will trend downward dramatically each season as he gets older/worse.

Emery has been adequate, thankfully Mason has been healthy.

Lecavalier is a colossal bust.

That may be best for the short-term, but they have to quit jerking B. Schenn around between wing and center.

This move, which hopefully sticks, is the best for Schenn's development, which is of utmost importance. At least much more so than re-igniting VL's career.
- bradleyc4

I agree that Schenn's development is important.

I just hope the investment the team is making in this kid is worth it.

If someone wants VL, and he's willing to go, I think the Flyers pull that trigger in a heartbeat.
- wolfhounds

With Laughton coming up? You better believe it.

so of the big 3 offseason signings - emery, streit, bunny - have any of them been worth it?

i think emery's played well, but doesn't have the results, streit's been pretty good overall, better than i thought actually - and vinny's been a bust , but i'm blaming it on the injury. i really want him to succeed here.
- hammarby31

Injuries starting to catch up with Emery I think.

Streit, once he settled in, has been worth it. But will that continue for the length of the contract is the question.

I still have hope for Vinny, but the length of the contract isn't good, especially with a back injury. But as you said, it could be that back injury puts him on LTIR in one of the coming seasons.

You can absolutely fault the team for signing that player to that contract.

I agree that there was a lack of confidence from management in both Schenn and Couturier coming into the season. But you didn't have to buy that big of an insurance policy (Lecavalier).
- bradleyc4

Anything lesser would present the same issues as an inexperienced Schenn, no real 2nd line center. I still dont think the contract is out of line either.

I do believe that this situation will be resolved before the start of next season. Either one of Schenn or Couturier will be traded for a number 1 center, or Vinny will be traded. Now that you know Schenn is a capable 2nd line center, one or the other has to go.

autocorrect from my iphone when i was posting one night early in the season. so i just keep calling him that.
- hammarby31

Ok, that is awesome.