If they are patient and build through the draft, they are absolutely moving in the right direction and I have no problem taking a step backwards next year if it allows them to contend soon after. Plus the 2015 draft, by all reports, is supposed to be incredibly talented and deep, so if you have to take a step back 14-15 is the year to do it.

Considering that both Ghost and Morin will likely only be in their first full seasons in 15-16, I don't see them being a cup contender then. However by 16-17 and for the next few years, they have a very good chance to be one of the best teams in the league if they stay patient and draft well.
- BiggE

That's where I am with it -- they need to have a strong draft this year, I feel. If they do that, get a forward in the first few rounds who comes quickly...they could be right there in a couple of years.

I've waited a long time. I can wait a little longer for them to do this right -- hell, they've already started.

My top 5 priorities for the Flyers this offseason would be:
1. Re-sign B Schenn to a reasonable bridge contract
2. Move Vinnie without having to eat salary, even if you have to just
give him away.
3. Pick the best forward available at #17 in the draft
4. Don't sign any high priced UFA's
5. Try to add some more speed to the lineup
- BiggE

I still think upgrading the blue line is a must. Adding speed up front would be nice. I would try to get rid of Grossman . I know finding #1 Dman is no easy task, but Coburn is definitely not in that class. You could have put Timmo in that class or very close a few years ago. They have to get at least a top 4.

Omg. Carter. He outdid voracek and coots in the playoffs in one period
- Just5

Meh.

Yeah, a cap hit north of 5 million for a guy who, at least in LA, is going to be no more than a 4th line center/PK specialist is just ugly. Especially when the deal still has 6 years to run.
- BiggE

But if they keep making cup runs, who cares? The whole team is around the same age I believe.

But if they keep making cup runs, who cares? The whole team is around the same age I believe.
- Jimmygrazz

Pretty much... and they have no real cap-issues to speak of.

But if they keep making cup runs, who cares? The whole team is around the same age I believe.
- Jimmygrazz

Hey, I can't take that from them. Won't even try. In the last three seasons, they've won the Cup and/or made the Western Conference finals.

Absolutely, no one has to shed any tears for Mike Richards, that's for sure.

My top 5 priorities for the Flyers this offseason would be:
1. Re-sign B Schenn to a reasonable bridge contract
2. Move Vinnie without having to eat salary, even if you have to just
give him away.
3. Pick the best forward available at #17 in the draft
4. Don't sign any high priced UFA's
5. Try to add some more speed to the lineup
- BiggE

Here's the thing with Vinny.

The Flyers are not dealing from a position of strength. They need to: 1.) Find a team that thinks a big forward like Vinny is their final piece and that last year was an aberration/style problem and that Vinny will waive his NMC for or, 2.) They need Vinny to actually play close to old Vinny levels to make him attractive trade bait.

Otherwise, the Flyers are kind of stuck with him unless he waives his NMC to go somewhere for pennies on the dollar.

The Flyers' best play here is, really, for Vinny to be in their lineup and play well. If you and I see a player's decline, you can be damn sure people that do such things for a living see it too.

Here's the thing with Vinny.

The Flyers are not dealing from a position of strength. They need to: 1.) Find a team that thinks a big forward like Vinny is their final piece and that last year was an aberration/style problem and that Vinny will waive his NMC for or, 2.) They need Vinny to actually play close to old Vinny levels to make him attractive trade bait.

Otherwise, the Flyers are kind of stuck with him unless he waives his NMC to go somewhere for pennies on the dollar.

The Flyers' best play here is, really, for Vinny to be in their lineup and play well. If you and I see a player's decline, you can be damn sure people that do such things for a living see it too.
- johndewar

Every day that goes by, I tell myself at least once, very firmly, that he's going to be here. Because he just might be.

Pretty much... and they have no real cap-issues to speak of.
- Tomahawk

People say the Flyers got great value in those trades. Maybe regular season, but definitely not postseason. But it seems that all Snider cares about is winning in the regular season.

Every day that goes by, I tell myself at least once, very firmly, that he's going to be here. Because he just might be.
- AllInForFlyers

What other choice do they have?

No one is going to give you 4 prospects in a package for Vinny Lecavalier in 2014 the way the Habs did in 2009 for Scott Gomez.

[quote=3flyerkids]



I think they upgrade might come form someone like Ghostisbiere or Alt. i don't think there is really any solid FA out there other the Niskanen and he will cost some coin. Hextall might be ok with takeing the lumps of learing with Ghostisbiere or Alt. I think Alt is pretty close to ready as having a fullyear in AHL. PLus he is a good skater and 6'4'' with a solid outlet pass. Until we have a franchise dman we have to built it with solid dman who play their role.

People say the Flyers got great value in those trades. Maybe regular season, but definitely not postseason. But it seems that all Snider cares about is winning in the regular season.
- Jimmygrazz

Jeff Carter does not get to the postseason all by himself. The team around him is pretty damned good and Carter is a good complementary piece for THAT team.

It doesn't mean he'd do that here.

What other choice do they have?

No one is going to give you 4 prospects in a package for Vinny Lecavalier in 2014 the way the Habs did in 2009 for Scott Gomez.
- johndewar

I think Meszaros is the test case for it -- Lecavalier's not quite as brittle, but that's offset by how many years he has left on the deal.

The Flyers literally couldn't move an NHL defenseman (at least for an average-to-below team). That tells you something. Players in decline...they're tough to move. Period.

Pretty much... and they have no real cap-issues to speak of.
- Tomahawk

Kopitar is up in '16-'17. He'll want to get paid. Not saying he'll kill their cap, but if they like him, it'd behoove them to have some flexibility.

Jeff Carter does not get to the postseason all by himself. The team around him is pretty damned good and Carter is a good complementary piece for THAT team.

It doesn't mean he'd do that here.
- johndewar

Or maybe he would. You never know.

Here's the thing with Vinny.

The Flyers are not dealing from a position of strength. They need to: 1.) Find a team that thinks a big forward like Vinny is their final piece and that last year was an aberration/style problem and that Vinny will waive his NMC for or, 2.) They need Vinny to actually play close to old Vinny levels to make him attractive trade bait.

Otherwise, the Flyers are kind of stuck with him unless he waives his NMC to go somewhere for pennies on the dollar.

The Flyers' best play here is, really, for Vinny to be in their lineup and play well. If you and I see a player's decline, you can be damn sure people that do such things for a living see it too.
- johndewar

Vinny can absolutely be moved. One thing is the NMC. If he knows his minutes will be limited then he might jump at an oppurtunity to go to a team where he will be used more. Also a system like Lavy had and will use in Nashville is something he wants to play in. He did score 20 goals so he still has skill. Just the return on a trade won't be as big and probably a lot will depend on if money is retained. More money retained better return. That's why I think Nashiville makes great sense since they always need offense.

I think Meszaros is the test case for it -- Lecavalier's not quite as brittle, but that's offset by how many years he has left on the deal.

The Flyers literally couldn't move an NHL defenseman (at least for an average-to-below team). That tells you something. Players in decline...they're tough to move. Period.
- AllInForFlyers

Which is why Homer should have never signed him and just kept Briere. Players in decline are not happy that Homer is no longer calling the shots.

I think Meszaros is the test case for it -- Lecavalier's not quite as brittle, but that's offset by how many years he has left on the deal.

The Flyers literally couldn't move an NHL defenseman (at least for an average-to-below team). That tells you something. Players in decline...they're tough to move. Period.
- AllInForFlyers

In some ways, yes. Mez didn't have to deal with a position switch, the way Vinny has had to.

Vinny can absolutely be moved. One thing is the NMC. If he knows his minutes will be limited then he might jump at an oppurtunity to go to a team where he will be used more. Also a system like Lavy had and will use in Nashville is something he wants to play in. He did score 20 goals so he still has skill. Just the return on a trade won't be as big and probably a lot will depend on if money is retained. More money retained better return. That's why I think Nashiville makes great sense since they always need offense.
- J35Bacher

You are espousing the "pennies on the dollar" deal. Which I'm not in love with.

Or maybe he would. You never know.
- Jimmygrazz

I highly doubt it.

In some ways, yes. Mez didn't have to deal with a position switch, the way Vinny has had to.
- johndewar

Man, you have no idea how much I am hoping one team, just one, is sitting out there saying that.

We just need one freaking team out there to think, "the Flyers are idiots, they couldn't handle or support the player, but we can."

We just need one freaking team.

Man, you have no idea how much I am hoping one team, just one, is sitting out there saying that.
- AllInForFlyers

If Vinny gave the Flyers a couple month stretch of good output, it'd go further than the "just dump the MF'er" trade strategy.

Man, you have no idea how much I am hoping one team, just one, is sitting out there saying that.

We just need one freaking team out there to think, "the Flyers are idiots, they couldn't handle or support the player, but we can."

We just need one freaking team.
- AllInForFlyers

Chief alluded to the fact that Vinny came into camp out of shape. Maybe he comes into camp with a better attitude because he was benched in the playoffs for the first time in his career. Again, it's not the regular season I really care about. I want playoff production.

If Vinny gave the Flyers a couple month stretch of good output, it'd go further than the "just dump the MF'er" trade strategy.
- johndewar

But what do you want more. B.Schenn to play center and keep developig or playing vinny on the wing where he wasn't really useful or the 4th line. If the Flyers priority is to let Schenn keep developing and becoming more consistant then you want him playing center on an everday basis. That's why I move Vinny. Yes we aren't dealing from a position of strength but you can't have it both ways. Can't want the Flyers to let the kids grow and become more consistant but then still keep Vinny and make schenn move back and fourth from center and wing

But what do you want more. B.Schenn to play center and keep developig or playing vinny on the wing where he wasn't really useful or the 4th line. If the Flyers priority is to let Schenn keep developing and becoming more consistant then you want him playing center on an everday basis. That's why I move Vinny. Yes we aren't dealing from a position of strength but you can't have it both ways. Can't want the Flyers to let the kids grow and become more consistant but then still keep Vinny and make schenn move back and fourth from center and wing
- J35Bacher

Completely agree. Homer built this team with way too many centers. Someone has to go.

G
Schenn
Vinny
Cooter
Hall
Laughts