You generally need NHL contract to lure those kinds of guys... and the Flyers have had too many slots invested in UFAs/overagers over the years to make up for the lost picks from the Pronger trade, and all the 2nds/3rds they trade away.

Good news is, a lot of slots potentially opening up this summer, especially if guys like Brown, Flanagan, Hostetter, Eddy, Gus, Bourdon, etc don't get qualified.
- Tomahawk

Is grossman tradable?

Contract slots are a very valuable commodity. You only get 50. Rinaldo and Rosehill tying up two of them is a disgrace. Might as well sign a couple of bums off the corner of Pattison Avenue.
- PLindbergh31

Rinaldo is an experiment that's quickly failing. The Rosehill one, and the Newbury one, made no sense. I'd rather get a few more guys who can add some offense to the AHL, like Hamel or a guy like Matsumoto.

Is grossman tradable?
- Just5

Everyone on the team is.

Corey Perry is a pretty big bumhole too.
- PhillySportsGuy

Wouldn't displace anyone on that list, though.

Is grossman tradable?
- Just5

Sure, why wouldn't he be.
While he has his limitations, he is still a solid 2nd pair guy who is excellent on the PK and his cap hit of 3.5 million isn't really that big a hit these days.

Is grossman tradable?
- Just5

Tradeability scale:

Nik Grossmann >>>>>>>>> Vinny Lecavalier

Rinaldo is an experiment that's quickly failing. The Rosehill one, and the Newbury one, made no sense. I'd rather get a few more guys who can add some offense to the AHL, like Hamel or a guy like Matsumoto.
- jmatchett383

I'm hoping the Rinaldo on the PK experiment is revisited during camp.

According to Pierre Lebrun, Prust is getting a phone hearing. Looks he will be in the pressbox for one or two games. At least he should have Carcillo there to help him carry the popcorn and sodas.

Tradeability scale:

Nik Grossmann >>>>>>>>> Vinny Lecavalier
- Tomahawk

Absolutely

BTW, Brett Hextall is a UFA this year... what's the over/under that he ends up here?

Tradeability scale:

Nik Grossmann >>>>>>>>> Vinny Lecavalier
- Tomahawk

i still think viny is just as tradeable. there are teams out there starving for centers.

BTW, Brett Hextall is a UFA this year... what's the over/under that he ends up here?
- Tomahawk

I dont think hextall would do that. The stigma that it would bring with it wouldn't be worth it.

i still think viny is just as tradeable. there are teams out there starving for centers.
- PhillaBully

Whatever keeps you going man.

Rinaldo is an experiment that's quickly failing. The Rosehill one, and the Newbury one, made no sense. I'd rather get a few more guys who can add some offense to the AHL, like Hamel or a guy like Matsumoto.
- jmatchett383

Newbury is actually a productive AHL player. His role is differnt in the AHL then NHL.


Bill,

Any word on the Dennis Raussmanun guy? Will the Flyers be serious players for him. From things I read he is kind of a Raffl clone but bigger. Could be a nice 3rd line option instead of the FA out there.

i don't hate paul holmgren but i am really dismayed when people argue about whether he was a good gm. he clearly was not. when you see teams like chicago who are not only poised to go to their 3 third cup final in the last 4 years but also have a great farm system and an ahl team that is near the top of their league, (or LA, or boston) it is easy to see what kind of results a good gm brings. contrast that picture to the one repeatedly painted by almost everyone about the flyers near complete lack of nhl caliber talent in the system and add to that the fringe playoff team that the flyers have become and there is really no question about what kind of job homer did

Newbury is actually a productive AHL player. His role is differnt in the AHL then NHL.


Bill,

Any word on the Dennis Raussmanun guy? Will the Flyers be serious players for him. From things I read he is kind of a Raffl clone but bigger. Could be a nice 3rd line option instead of the FA out there.
- J35Bacher

I know he has a different role. But I just never liked him. Didn't Tye McGinn beat the snot out of him in McGinn's first-ever game, or at least early on?

i don't hate paul holmgren but i am really dismayed when people argue about whether he was a good gm. he clearly was not. when you see teams like chicago who are not only poised to go to their 3 third cup final in the last 4 years but also have a great farm system and an ahl team that is near the top of their league, (or LA, or boston) it is easy to see what kind of results a good gm brings. contrast that picture to the one repeatedly painted by almost everyone about the flyers near complete lack of nhl caliber talent in the system and add to that the fringe playoff team that the flyers have become and there is really no question about what kind of job homer did
- hogweed

If Boucher loses the shootout to Lundqvist, (which he would probably 90 times out of 100) Holmgren's tenure is basically a whole lot of nothing.

If Boucher loses the shootout to Lundqvist, (which he would probably 90 times out of 100) Holmgren's tenure is basically a whole lot of nothing.
- PLindbergh31

If I jump in the ocean and their is no water in the ocean then I won't get wet , that is about as valid as basing something off what might have happened vs what did.

The fact is, the Flyers did win that shootout and then had a great run to within 2 games of the cup as much as that annoys you.

I missed you guys! Was in San Francisco for the last week and had no hockey talk.

i don't hate paul holmgren but i am really dismayed when people argue about whether he was a good gm. he clearly was not. when you see teams like chicago who are not only poised to go to their 3 third cup final in the last 4 years but also have a great farm system and an ahl team that is near the top of their league, (or LA, or boston) it is easy to see what kind of results a good gm brings. contrast that picture to the one repeatedly painted by almost everyone about the flyers near complete lack of nhl caliber talent in the system and add to that the fringe playoff team that the flyers have become and there is really no question about what kind of job homer did
- hogweed

I dont think he was a bad GM....They got destroyed when pronger went down. If pronger were still playing it would be a different story. What would chicago, LA, Boston do without seabrook, keith, chara, doughty? you think this team would have made the playoffs with Richie and Carts here?

i don't hate paul holmgren but i am really dismayed when people argue about whether he was a good gm. he clearly was not. when you see teams like chicago who are not only poised to go to their 3 third cup final in the last 4 years but also have a great farm system and an ahl team that is near the top of their league, (or LA, or boston) it is easy to see what kind of results a good gm brings. contrast that picture to the one repeatedly painted by almost everyone about the flyers near complete lack of nhl caliber talent in the system and add to that the fringe playoff team that the flyers have become and there is really no question about what kind of job homer did
- hogweed

Paul Holmgren is the Michael Bay of GM's... can always count on him for a lot of fireworks... capable of indelible highs... also you get the occasional turd spectacle.

Average it all out and he's solidly middle of the road... IMO.

Paul Holmgren is the Michael Bay of GM's... can always count on him for a lot of fireworks... capable of indelible highs... also you get the occasional turd spectacle.

Average it all out and he's solidly middle of the road... IMO.
- Tomahawk

Good analogy, spot on

i don't hate paul holmgren but i am really dismayed when people argue about whether he was a good gm. he clearly was not. when you see teams like chicago who are not only poised to go to their 3 third cup final in the last 4 years but also have a great farm system and an ahl team that is near the top of their league, (or LA, or boston) it is easy to see what kind of results a good gm brings. contrast that picture to the one repeatedly painted by almost everyone about the flyers near complete lack of nhl caliber talent in the system and add to that the fringe playoff team that the flyers have become and there is really no question about what kind of job homer did
- hogweed

The blackhawks waited 47 seasons for a cup. There were times they were drawing no fans and until they got Toews and Kane then finally got over the hump. Maybe Hextall is our push over the hump. But Holmgren didn't leave the cupboard bare. He has young talent in Read, Schenn, Jake, Simmonds, Giroux, Couturier, Ghost, Haag, Morin, Laughton. Pronger was still playing at a high level when he got hurt. Tell me any franchise that wouldn't hurt when you lose a player like him. Yeah it sucks. i want a cup but its not like the blackhawks were dominating until they got the right mix. And hextall is no hire from within. he came from LA so i am hoping what was seen out there and new ideas that maybe he gives us the final push.

i don't hate paul holmgren but i am really dismayed when people argue about whether he was a good gm. he clearly was not. when you see teams like chicago who are not only poised to go to their 3 third cup final in the last 4 years but also have a great farm system and an ahl team that is near the top of their league, (or LA, or boston) it is easy to see what kind of results a good gm brings. contrast that picture to the one repeatedly painted by almost everyone about the flyers near complete lack of nhl caliber talent in the system and add to that the fringe playoff team that the flyers have become and there is really no question about what kind of job homer did
- hogweed

You're comparing him to the best in the business. No one is saying he was one of the top 5 GMs in the NHL.

It would be like saying "Mason isn't as good as CSP, Quick, Price or Rask, so he's not a good goalie"

If Boucher loses the shootout to Lundqvist, (which he would probably 90 times out of 100) Holmgren's tenure is basically a whole lot of nothing.
- PLindbergh31

Sooooo true. There was never a vision/ timeline for this team. Has anyone asked hextall what his expectations are for the team next year? Is it the good ole flyer boy "we expect to compete for the Stanley cup". I thought he said something about taking a step back


Anyway. Regarding grossman. I'd think teams like Edmonton/Florida would have interest in bringing a physical force on their blue line. I'd take their 2nd rounder please.

With Laviolette in the fold, do you think the following would fill some Nashville needs?

Couturier, Hartnell and Lecavelier for Seth Jones and 2014 2nd, 2015 2nd?

I would also explore Coburn's trade value again if we can keep Kimmo at under $4M. He may be able to restock the cupboard with a body and a pick or 2 picks, possibly someone's 2015 1st. I think that we have made our bed with Streit's and Mac's contracts. Having off-season surgery will put us in a weak position regarding Grossman's trade value. I think Schenn is a keeper (both Schenn's - Brayden needs to be challenged to step up to the next level during his contract negotiations).

Sign a fast, large forward to skate with Giroux. If you keep Jake on that line, I wouldn't care if he had Roberto Duran's hands. The purpose would be to create space on the ice, score from 3 feet out and not take stupid offensive zone penalties. I would explore the more interesting UFA's like Moulson, though.

Couturier is great and all, but I'd rather have a shot at a perennial Norris candidate over someone who most likely will peak at a Handzus level and that is not a knock on Handzus or Couturier. If Laughton can step in at 75%-80% of Couturier's defensive abilities, I'd be happy.

2014-15 pairs:
Kimmo/Jones
Mac/Grossman
Streit/Schenn

2015-16 pairs:
Ghost/Jones
Mac/Schenn
Streit/Morin