Ugh almost as bad as Ott

Give me a guy like Pouliot for 3rd line LW
- BiggE

I really wonder why Raffl does not get a look on that line with Read and Cooter. I mean he can skate, has size, defensively sound, decent passer. I know he has issue finishing, but his first year in the NHL. Lots of players had trouble adjusting and then went on to be some good scorers. Danny comes to mind. Different type of player, I know, but there is nothing that you can say that would have me believe he couldn't score 20 goals a season.

Maybe Setoguchi? Declined points this season, but only 27. Probably could get him for $3 million or less.
- ravishingone

Ideally, it'd be less than $2mm. Besides Gibbons and Moore, I'd consider Daniel Winnik, Ryan Carter or Colin Fraser

Pouliot played well, but he was prone to dumb penalties in the playoffs.
- Jsaquella

True, but throughout most of his career he has not been known for taking a lot of bad penalties

I'd be fine with Gibbons on the 4th line or even Malhotra who is basically a faster, slightly more skilled version of Hall and perhaps even better than Hall at faceoffs
- BiggE

poop yeah...forgot Manny was a UFA...I love him. Works hard, good defensively, good at the dot.

True, but throughout most of his career he has not been known for taking a lot of bad penalties
- BiggE

No, he hasn't...I don;t discount him, but I think he might get more cash than I'd be comfy with

I really wonder why Raffl does not get a look on that line with Read and Cooter. I mean he can skate, has size, defensively sound, decent passer. I know he has issue finishing, but his first year in the NHL. Lots of players had trouble adjusting and then went on to be some good scorers. Danny comes to mind. Different type of player, I know, but there is nothing that you can say that would have me believe he couldn't score 20 goals a season.
- Deasr1

Raffl reminds me of Derrick Smith, good wheels and works his tail off but hands of stone

Ideally, it'd be less than $2mm. Besides Gibbons and Moore, I'd consider Daniel Winnik, Ryan Carter or Colin Fraser
- Jsaquella

I really wish Jussi would get drunk and sign a 3 year deal for 8 mill to play with Cooter. But, the guys you listed are decent look ats. Would you maybe kick the tires with Heatley for a year?

All hail Hypno-toad.....
- Deasr1

No, he hasn't...I don;t discount him, but I think he might get more cash than I'd be comfy with
- Jsaquella

Quite possibly, long playoff runs have a way increasing a players value. I think some GM is going to vastly overpay Stralman for sure

Raffl reminds me of Derrick Smith, good wheels and works his tail off but hands of stone
- BiggE

He just might need just a little time. He is what, 25? Not exactly a youngin, but 25 and his first year is still a rookie.

I really wish Jussi would get drunk and sign a 3 year deal for 8 mill to play with Cooter. But, the guys you listed are decent look ats. Would you maybe kick the tires with Heatley for a year?
- Deasr1

No interest in Heatley, I want to add speed to the lineup

Quite possibly, long playoff runs have a way increasing a players value. I think some GM is going to vastly overpay Stralman for sure
- BiggE

Oh, no doubt in my mind about that. I could see Detroit or even Columbus taking a long look at him.

He just might need just a little time. He is what, 25? Not exactly a youngin, but 25 and his first year is still a rookie.
- Deasr1

Maybe, but guys usually either have good hands or they don't. Its not something you can necessarily learn

No interest in Heatley, I want to add speed to the lineup
- BiggE

Yeah, I hear ya. Well, once we trade both Schenns, Laughton, our fist this year and a third next year for Subban, you'll have your speed. He'll play both wing and defense.

Maybe, but guys usually either have good hands or they don't. Its not something you can necessarily learn
- BiggE

True, but he has hockey sense...maybe a little better positioning and he pots a few more. He had like 9 or 10 goals mostly on 4rth line duties.

Yeah, I hear ya. Well, once we trade both Schenns, Laughton, our fist this year and a third next year for Subban, you'll have your speed. He'll play both wing and defense.
- Deasr1

I think somewhere Art Ross Akeson fits into the top 9. He hasn't seemed out of place in the line-up and having another below $1 million cap hit is very beneficial. It could be pretty dull besides getting rid of Vinny for the forwards.

Hartnell-G-Voracek
Schenn-Raffl-Simmonds
Akeson-Coots-Read
Frenchie-Laughton-????

You just hope Schenn and Coots continue to trend upward and don't level off.

http://www.brokenbellphil...+%28Broken+Bell+Sports%29

I think somewhere Art Ross Akeson fits into the top 9. He hasn't seemed out of place in the line-up and having another below $1 million cap hit is very beneficial. It could be pretty dull besides getting rid of Vinny for the forwards.

Hartnell-G-Voracek
Schenn-Raffl-Simmonds
Akeson-Coots-Read
Frenchie-Laughton-????

You just hope Schenn and Coots continue to trend upward and don't level off.
- ravishingone

Maybe...he deserves a look at camp..however, he only played 6 games in playoffs. I admit played well other than the double minor. I'm not penciling him in, but I would watch him very closely.

http://www.latimes.com/sp...tract-20140620-story.html


So apparently Richards hasn't been training well in the offseason. Who'd have guessed?

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-kings-mike-richards-contract-20140620-story.html


So apparently Richards hasn't been training well in the offseason. Who'd have guessed?
- eayost

The next article is amazing.

Maybe...he deserves a look at camp..however, he only played 6 games in playoffs. I admit played well other than the double minor. I'm not penciling him in, but I would watch him very closely.
- Deasr1

Alderson is also a possibility. I would keep the spending to a minimum on the forwards this offseason, and shuffle the deck on the blueline more.

Finnish goalie Husso used draft snub as motivation

http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...m?id=722553&cmpid=nhl-twt

Kinda stunning that Ott's "leadership" didn't inspire the Blues to play better, just like it didn't inspire Buffalo out of last place. I'm totally amazed.

Tell us more about where Ott's "leadership" was so evident last season that he's capable of helping the Flyers. Or where his checking and defensive prowess were on display during his not-entirely-his-fault -38 campaign...but where his performance surpassed those of the wretched players who surrounded him all season.
- AllInForFlyers

This is just a repeat of your previous post. Sometimes good player are on bad teams. And sometimes good players on bad teams have bad stats such as a bad +/-. And Ott is well known as a leader in the League. But instead of matching the hyperbole above, I'll add what I think Ott could do for the Flyers. He's capable of taking key defensive zone draws because he's a decent faceoff guy. He can also play on the PK. Where I think that would help the Flyers is that Giroux could take less D zone draws, and maybe Couturier could also. So both can see more offensive zone or at least neutral zone starts. And I think it would also give the Flyers a player that can play more minutes if he's used in a 4th line role. And he can also play on the 3rd line. That in addition to some of the intangibles that Ott brings to a team such as toughness and leadership. He will stand up for his teammates.
But I have doubts that Ott will want to take a pay cut, or see a reduced role. He played almost 20 minutes a game for Buffalo. I don't think he would get nearly as much ice time with the Flyers. But there's no doubt that just looking at him as a player, he could help the Flyers. And I don't think a player like that is going to go into sharp decline. Because of the type of player he is.

Alderson is also a possibility. I would keep the spending to a minimum on the forwards this offseason, and shuffle the deck on the blueline more.
- ravishingone

I tend to agree. I just want to see Coots get a little more offensive help to get him going. And please..PLEASE let him one time. Canon kid.

Story out about Willie Desjardins shooting down the Pens offer because it was only for two years.

Really have to question the process there...They hire Rutherford and flat out say he's merely a stop gap...I can see why a coaching candidate would want more security than working for a guy who is a long term temp at best