I'm not saying let him walk but deal him for pieces to build around Crosby.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

okay my apologies. your initial claim was directed at overpaying him via his contract. that i dont see a ton of merit in.

but dealing him, whether youd pull the trigger or not as a matter of preference, has logic in it.

We'll give you our #36 when the Flyers sign your #36 this summer to play 2nd line LW.

- ravishingone

He did make a great reaction save in the 3rd after the shot deflected off a loose stick lying in front of the crease iirc. He didn't have his stick either. He made a lot of good saves. He just doesn't look like Hasek when he does.
- rockychocbill

that's the stop i'm talking about. not much of a reaction. the puck went right into his body. he's an excellent positional goalie and makes virtually every save he should. i was pointing out the pens never really got any pure, grade a, scoring chances like those i described. i've already seen 3 breakaways in the chicago-wild game. nothing i hate more than watching a goalie make 35 saves while on the goal line and having the puck hit him. ok, well almost nothing.

You're realistic in your own mind. These are NHL players and it's up to the coaching staff to find a fit. Berube hasn't tried everything. When one thing wasn't working in thr playoffs, he went back to something old and used already.
- SuperSchennBros

Berube tried Lecavalier on every line, at center and on the wing. Where else was he supposed to try him? Should he have moved Giroux to wing? Put Vinny on defense? Berube juggled lines throughout the playoffs to try and spark the team.

Also, it wasn't just the playoffs, Lecavalier struggled for most of the season. The level of play for his teammates, in terms of possession, were far worse when playing with Lecavalier than without him. It's almost universal.

Toss in that Lecavalier was shielded more than just about anyone in the top 9 forwards, and it's a very troublesome set of data.

If you don't like the fancy stats, Lecavalier looked slow and out of place to the eye. He couldn't keep up to the pace in transition and was really only effective when used as a shooter when the team was cycling in the zone.

Saying he's a Flyer and that you're a Flyers fan is great. But I'm a fan that wants to see the team win, not defend poor play because the guy wears a Flyers jersey. I was very happy when Lecavalier signed here. But it was a really bad fit, and I just don't see it getting better with time.

it's absurd, really. the refs officiated without whistles. not blaming them. the pens pp sucked balls all series. i doubt it would have made any difference tonight, other than to keep the rangers from attacking.
- hammarby31

i wouldnt even want the powerplays. just enough to get the rangers to (frank)ing stop doing it on even strength wouldve been nice.

i hope they play boston and boston shows them whats up.

I take Malkin before Crosby, especially given the likely asking price for Sidney. Of course I take Stamkos over both any day, but that's just me.
- wolfhounds

Crosby is better. Crosby consistently puts up better numbers working with Less. Crosby gets Kunitz and Dupuis and Malkin gets Neal and Jokinen. Neal trumps both of Crosby's wingers IMO

- PhillySportsGuy

wait until you see how much (frank)ing money that dude made himself this postseason.

was already a useful player. now has the bryan bickell sydrome going.

i dont think you can afford him and niskanen

The thing about it, man, Jussi Jokinen put on his big-boy pants and came to work.

They got nothin' out of Crosby, Neal, Kunitz...nothing might be strong. They just didn't get enough to justify their salaries.

You just can't win like that. Beating them requires stellar goaltending and some tough centers who can generate scoring chances from the third and fourth lines. That is hard to find...but Boston has that.
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, Jokinen showed up. For the Flyers, outside of Giroux, the damage was done by Voracek and in one game by Simmonds.

wait until you see how much (frank)ing money that dude made himself this postseason.

was already a useful player. now has the bryan bickell sydrome going.

i dont think you can afford him and niskanen
- stayinthefnnet

Niskanen is going to go somewhere out west. Jokinen would be a perfect fit though.

Berube tried Lecavalier on every line, at center and on the wing. Where else was he supposed to try him? Should he have moved Giroux to wing? Put Vinny on defense? Berube juggled lines throughout the playoffs to try and spark the team.

Also, it wasn't just the playoffs, Lecavalier struggled for most of the season. The level of play for his teammates, in terms of possession, were far worse when playing with Lecavalier than without him. It's almost universal.

Toss in that Lecavalier was shielded more than just about anyone in the top 9 forwards, and it's a very troublesome set of data.

If you don't like the fancy stats, Lecavalier looked slow and out of place to the eye. He couldn't keep up to the pace in transition and was really only effective when used as a shooter when the team was cycling in the zone.

Saying he's a Flyer and that you're a Flyers fan is great. But I'm a fan that wants to see the team win, not defend poor play because the guy wears a Flyers jersey. I was very happy when Lecavalier signed here. But it was a really bad fit, and I just don't see it getting better with time.
- Jsaquella

Would be worth a try but Giroux is your best faceoff guy, not exactly someone you'd want to move to the wing. We knew going in Vinny was slow and he had to make his cycle game his threat. First couple of games he was after his back injury though he wasn't the same

Yeah, Jokinen showed up. For the Flyers, outside of Giroux, the damage was done by Voracek and in one game by Simmonds.
- Jsaquella

a whole lot of passengers on that bus.

wait until you see how much (frank)ing money that dude made himself this postseason.

was already a useful player. now has the bryan bickell sydrome going.

i dont think you can afford him and niskanen
- stayinthefnnet

I think Jussi has had a better career overall then Bickell. I think he gets between 3.5-4 million on a multi-year deal. I would like the Flyers to stay away from Niskanen, personally.

that's the stop i'm talking about. not much of a reaction. the puck went right into his body. he's an excellent positional goalie and makes virtually every save he should. i was pointing out the pens never really got any pure, grade a, scoring chances like those i described. i've already seen 3 breakaways in the chicago-wild game. nothing i hate more than watching a goalie make 35 saves while on the goal line and having the puck hit him. ok, well almost nothing.
- hammarby31

You're a goalie, so I'll defer to your judgement, but he's 4-1 in game 7's now. For sure he's helped by good team D, but he makes the critical saves when he needs to which is the main thing.

I think Jussi has had a better career overall then Bickell. I think he gets between 3.5-4 million on a multi-year deal. I would like the Flyers to stay away from Niskanen, personally.
- ravishingone

id give him 3.5 on a multi year in a heartbeat.

i wouldnt even want the powerplays. just enough to get the rangers to (frank)ing stop doing it on even strength wouldve been nice.

i hope they play boston and boston shows them whats up.
- stayinthefnnet

Well, if the Rangers' clutching and grabbing lead to penalties, they likely don't make it through the Flyers. And the Pens are still packing up their lockers, maybe a game or 2 earlier.

Would be worth a try but Giroux is your best faceoff guy, not exactly someone you'd want to move to the wing. We knew going in Vinny was slow and he had to make his cycle game his threat. First couple of games he was after his back injury though he wasn't the same
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

It's not really worth a try...Lecavalier was tried in many roles, with many different players, none of it worked. He simply doesn't fit with the skating style Berube wants to use.

You're a goalie, so I'll defer to your judgement, but he's 4-1 in game 7's now. For sure he's helped by good team D, but he makes the critical saves when he needs to which is the main thing.
- rockychocbill

i'm not criticizing him for not having to make breakaway saves. i'm saying he made the saves he should make and he played well. he's a virtual lock for only 1 goal against in game 7's. that's pretty damn good.

a whole lot of passengers on that bus.
- hammarby31

It's tough, because the Rangers have six defensemen who can skate. They're just so tough defensively, it just becomes painful trying to score. There's just no real weak links in their system.

id give him 3.5 on a multi year in a heartbeat.
- stayinthefnnet

Agreed, I would be surprised if he gets over $4 million. Jussi is the type of top 9 forward a Stanley Cup winning team needs. At 31, I think there is enough tread on the tire, he'll get at least a three year, probably four.

It's tough, because the Rangers have six defensemen who can skate. They're just so tough defensively, it just becomes painful trying to score. There's just no real weak links in their system.
- AllInForFlyers

not just that. the puck support their d get from the forwards is never ending. there's always a second or third player there to fight for pucks in board battles or when they're loose. one little disruption anywhere and the rangers get it back.

I think Jussi has had a better career overall then Bickell. I think he gets between 3.5-4 million on a multi-year deal. I would like the Flyers to stay away from Niskanen, personally.
- ravishingone

Agreed. Not sure how old Jussi is now but he's a great complimentary player. Liked him when he was with the Canes. He helped my fantasy team a bunch.

Niskanen took some dumb penalties in this series. I'm not a fan of him either.

he could help our poopty SO %. he could be worth it just for those 5-7 extra points.

Versteeg is such a little douche.

It's tough, because the Rangers have six defensemen who can skate. They're just so tough defensively, it just becomes painful trying to score. There's just no real weak links in their system.
- AllInForFlyers

Except Rick Nash is a mutt. The Rangers were just as close to losing both series as winning. Not take anything away on the team victory, but they haven't exactly been dominant, however just good enough. I'll be surprised if they win the Cup.

Bryz is tap dancing on Sharps skull