And I will be reduced to rooting for them come next Wednesday night. Actually I enjoy watching them play, they've built a hell of a team out there.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, me too.

The Rangers winning last night was nauseating. Far, far worse than the Pens winning in my book.

Yup. Hextall has a lot of work to do. The cupboard isn't bare by any means, but he's got a fair amount of holes to fill, and like you mention very little cap space to work with. I'm hoping he's got some creative ideas.
- PLindbergh31

Flyers have some potential moves that they can make to give them some good cap flexibility, and room to upgrade the team available.

Yeah, me too.

The Rangers winning last night was nauseating. Far, far worse than the Pens winning in my book.
- johndewar

Definitely. Main reason being I'm not surrounded by Pens fans. I don't really dislike the Pens as a whole. I don't like Crosby's antics, and Neal is a filthy player who I despise, other than that not much hate for them.

I think both Chicago and LA are much better teams than the Rags are, but I'm starting to get this team of destiny feel with them. Hope I'm wrong.

As much as I agree with you, it's gotta be pretty low on the priority list. So many pressing issues with this team... and so little cash.
- Tomahawk

This is where the Flyers need to do a better job drafting and developing players in the later rounds. I look at the LA team, and every player on that team is defensively responsible and plays within their system. They all check well. Why can't a player like McGinn become a good 4th line player, that can skate, check defensively, and get in on the forecheck? What good is it to develop McGinn as a scoring line power forward? He's likely never going to be more then a call up and a temporary fill in, at that role.

Bullpoop. They totally need a culture change.

/Mike Sielski
- johndewar

Yeah, (frank) the loyalty!


They should totally start treating their current and ex players like crap.

Flyers have some potential moves that they can make to give them some good cap flexibility, and room to upgrade the team available.
- MJL

Sure. When I mean little cap space, I was saying Hextall just can't go out and pluck high priced FA without other moves first.

Definitely. Main reason being I'm not surrounded by Pens fans. I don't really dislike the Pens as a whole. I don't like Crosby's antics, and Neal is a filthy player who I despise, other than that not much hate for them.

I think both Chicago and LA are much better teams than the Rags are, but I'm starting to get this team of destiny feel with them. Hope I'm wrong.
- PLindbergh31

Absolutely, 100%. It's why I couldn't understand the people rooting for NYR over Pittsburgh. Sure I don't like Crosby or Neal, but I'd rather them win than have 20+ Rangers, including Carcillo, win the Cup.

Sure. When I mean little cap space, I was saying Hextall just can't go out and pluck high priced FA without other moves first.
- PLindbergh31

Can and will.

I dont hold that against them. They have an outstanding reputation for being a class organization. I know they throw a lot of money around, but the players seem to want to be here too.

As much as we bemoan Snider, he has created a winning culture. Not a Cup culture, but a winning culture. Players want to play here because they know it's likely they'll be playing in the playoffs and the team will do anything necessary to win now. (That's more a fault than the loyalty imo)
- PhillySportsGuy

Snider has his faults, but I will always like and respect him for bringing NHL hockey to Philly and for putting winning before profits.

Sure. When I mean little cap space, I was saying Hextall just can't go out and pluck high priced FA without other moves first.
- PLindbergh31

I think the availability of the right players is going to be a bigger roadblock then cap space is.

Snider has his faults, but I will always like and respect him for bringing NHL hockey to Philly and for putting winning before profits.
- BiggE

Well said and I couldn't agree more.

I'm a fan of all 4 Philly sports teams and there have been FAR, FAR worse owners in this town than Ed Snider. I cringe when people complain about him, because time is running short with him and frankly, who is to say that the person that comes after him will be better?

This is where the Flyers need to do a better job drafting and developing players in the later rounds. I look at the LA team, and every player on that team is defensively responsible and plays within their system. They all check well. Why can't a player like McGinn become a good 4th line player, that can skate, check defensively, and get in on the forecheck? What good is it to develop McGinn as a scoring line power forward? He's likely never going to be more then a call up and a temporary fill in, at that role.
- MJL

Correct. That is why I want Laughton playing on the roster. I want a little more speed then Hall, even though Hall does his role well, and more skill. Plus we need to do a better job with Pro scouting. Look how well Dominic moore does and he is kind of a journey man. Maybe bring in a guy like Vern Fiddler on the cheap or check out other teams RFAs in the minors that maybe don't get a QO because they aren't developing like the team thinks they shoud.

Absolutely, 100%. It's why I couldn't understand the people rooting for NYR over Pittsburgh. Sure I don't like Crosby or Neal, but I'd rather them win than have 20+ Rangers, including Carcillo, win the Cup.
- jmatchett383

Exactly.

Correct. That is why I want Laughton playing on the roster. I want a little more speed then Hall, even though Hall does his role well, and more skill. Plus we need to do a better job with Pro scouting. Look how well Dominic moore does and he is kind of a journey man. Maybe bring in a guy like Vern Fiddler on the cheap or check out other teams RFAs in the minors that maybe don't get a QO because they aren't developing like the team thinks they shoud.
- J35Bacher

That's where the advantage of drafting those players comes into play. Neither Moore or Fiddler will come on the cheap. Moore has a 1M cap hit, and Fiddler had a 1.7M cap hit I beleive.

Good luck to you Eric, Class kid. Also, Good luck to you Ed Snider.

Can and will.
- jmatchett383

I'm hopeful Hextall can build something. And this is coming from the least optimistic guy when it comes to this team.

One really good thing is it seems the Flyers will enter the season with the goaltender situation in good shape for the first time in ages. Very encouraging what Mason showed last season.

I think the availability of the right players is going to be a bigger roadblock then cap space is.
- MJL

The UFA crop isn't a great one. I think Hextall will have to be creative with trades.

I'm hopeful Hextall can build something. And this is coming from the least optimistic guy when it comes to this team.

One really good thing is it seems the Flyers will enter the season with the goaltender situation in good shape for the first time in ages. Very encouraging what Mason showed last season.
- PLindbergh31

He already has a solid foundation to work with. The tweaking and final moves however are the toughest to accomplish. He has some holes that he needs to bring the team out of. The defense is going to be a tough task to get it where it needs to be.

That's where the advantage of drafting those players comes into play. Neither Moore or Fiddler will come on the cheap. Moore has a 1M cap hit, and Fiddler had a 1.7M cap hit I beleive.
- MJL

First order of business i think is trying to move Vinny and getting B.Schenn situation handled. But those names are my examples. I think better Pro scouting could help. Not every team will offer QO to RFA in their system if they don't think they are developing like they should. Maybe a new orginization can get more out of them.

Absolutely, 100%. It's why I couldn't understand the people rooting for NYR over Pittsburgh. Sure I don't like Crosby or Neal, but I'd rather them win than have 20+ Rangers, including Carcillo, win the Cup.
- jmatchett383

Disagree 100%. Pittsburgh also has scum like Malkin and Letang and the thought of them winning a second Cup is disgusting.

Disagree 100%. Pittsburgh also has scum like Malkin and Letang and the thought of them winning a second Cup is disgusting.
- Feanor

I don't like players on Pittsburgh. I don't like anything associated with the Rangers. It's an organizational hate as opposed to a player/players specific hate.

First order of business i think is trying to move Vinny and getting B.Schenn situation handled. But those names are my examples. I think better Pro scouting could help. Not every team will offer QO to RFA in their system if they don't think they are developing like they should. Maybe a new orginization can get more out of them.
- J35Bacher

Flyers need to look at every avenue, and use every method of acquiring player available to them. Which includes drafting and developing, UFA, RFA's, trades, undrafted free agents. All of it. And do it smartly.

He already has a solid foundation to work with. The tweaking and final moves however are the toughest to accomplish. He has some holes that he needs to bring the team out of. The defense is going to be a tough task to get it where it needs to be.
- MJL

Yup. I really don't want Timonen back esp at 6 million. Having Rinaldo and Rosehill under contract is handcuffing. Would much rather have two open contract slots and that 1.5 million to sign a useful 4th line player.

I don't like players on Pittsburgh. I don't like anything associated with the Rangers. It's an organizational hate as opposed to a player/players specific hate.
- jmatchett383

I can't wait to see the Rangers dismantled by LA or Chicago. I'm not fond of them as a team. Love LA and Chicago though.

Yup. I really don't want Timonen back esp at 6 million. Having Rinaldo and Rosehill under contract is handcuffing. Would much rather have two open contract slots and that 1.5 million to sign a useful 4th line player.
- PLindbergh31

Rinaldo and Rosehill under contract is not handcufing at all. Contract slots are not an issue. I want Timonen back, but not at 6M.