What does waiting for them mean? It is foolish to wait 3-5 years for players to develop to the point where they can play a significant role on the team, as top defenseman. Because they may never get there. My point is that you can do both. You can try to win now smartly, and develop players for the future. That's what the best teams do. You don't put winning now on hold and pass up moves to make the team better now to wait for players. You also don't completely abandon the future, as the Flyers have been guilty of in the past. There is a middle ground. The Flyers are not, and should not put themselves in a 3-5 year holding pattern.
- MJL

Winning smartly? What does that even mean? I'd really like to know.

Would you please provide one example of a team that "wins smartly?"

MacDonald was hated by the Isles fan base. So if we're gonna use that excuse, let's remember that most Isles fans were ecstatic they traded MacDonald
- Jsaquella

Yes, everyone is hated.

http://www.wingingitinmot...is-kyle-quincey-the-worst

Raptor Jesus help us if it is
- PhillySportsGuy

Hextall's talk about getting quicker up front doesn't jive with signing Ott.

Winning smartly? What does that even mean? I'd really like to know.

Would you please provide one example of a team that "wins smartly?"
- AllInForFlyers

That applies to not just making moves, but making the right moves. If you're going to delve into the free agent market, make sure the player is a fit for how you want to play going forward. For example, Lecavalier might be able to bounce back and play better. But is he a fit on this team going forward, with how Berube wants to play, and are there the right players to play with him. Another example is the Hartnell trade. Hartnell is probably the better play when compared one to one with Umberger. But is Umberger a better fit for the team, and how they want to play? Time will tell. That's what I'm talking about. The Flyers shouldn't sit back and wait for players to develop, and not try to get better now. You can do both. But it has to be done smartly.

You watched Orpik on a team last year that was dysfunctional defensively. That exposes defenseman. Not sure that Orpik is going to a better situation in Washington in that regard. But he'll help them in certain roles and situations for sure. Can still play in defensive situations and on the PK. And they have a new Coach in Barry Trotz.
- MJL

the one thing i will say, is when paired with paul martin pre concussion, he looked pretty good. but paulmart made everyone he was paired with look better.

and the pens actually had large stretches during the regular season in which they were an extremely solid club defensively. (come on everyone knows they save their best (frank) two way hockey skates for the playoffs).

but he has lost pretty much all speed. even as far as getting players out of the crease. he struggles with his footwork in that regard as well. he still tries to go for the big hit, which every now and then, he will connect on. but more often than not, it just leads to him being out of position. thats a deadly combination when you consider he cant get back to cover any ground at all.

he will bring grit, a few hard hits, and definite leadership to the team. he will however offer 0 puck movement/offense, next to no positional awareness, and will struggle to clear the crease much more than you would think.

even if we concede that he will provide the grit and leadership, that is a HELL of a price to pay, for an astoundingly long term for a guy of his age. (who plays a style that is prone to breaking down early regardless. he isnt a kimmo timonen type guy based on smarts and positioning).

he is a warrior, and a team guy through and through. im glad he got a fat check to ride out, but its a laugher.

Hextall's talk about getting quicker up front doesn't jive with signing Ott.
- Feanor

Well... Devin Setoguchi can certainly skate fast. Hasn't done much else in recent years but he can certainly skate.

That applies to not just making moves, but making the right moves. If you're going to delve into the free agent market, make sure the player is a fit for how you want to play going forward. For example, Lecavalier might be able to bounce back and play better. But is he a fit on this team going forward, with how Berube wants to play, and are there the right players to play with him. Another example is the Hartnell trade. Hartnell is probably the better play when compared one to one with Umberger. But is Umberger a better fit for the team, and how they want to play? Time will tell. That's what I'm talking about. The Flyers shouldn't sit back and wait for players to develop, and not try to get better now. You can do both.
- MJL

Yeah. I'm just gonna save myself the agitation, let this non-answer stand on its own.

The key, folks, is not getting sucked in

Hexy just said it on media conference call. Also said team would like to add a veteran depth D as well.
- bmeltzer

i bet they would. i guess hall gill doesn't cut it.

FIXED.

Hextall probably spent majority of the day looking for someone to take VL's corpse, in the mean time players who could have helped this team signed with other teams.
- PLindbergh31

Um.....hello.......did you not hear the Holmer interview yesterday? He "likes our team" sheeeeeesh

Yeah. I'm just gonna save myself the agitation, let this non-answer stand on its own.

The key, folks, is not getting sucked in
- AllInForFlyers

Non answer?


It was a complete and intelligent answer. And it's how the best teams go about their business. Waiting would be foolish. Can't afford to wait while the primes of players like Giroux, Voracek, and Simmonds, flush down the drain.

Well... Devin Setoguchi can certainly skate fast. Hasn't done much else in recent years but he can certainly skate.
- bmeltzer

I would mind taking a chance on him if they can trade Vinny to make room. Maybe 1 year at $2 million. Hopefully he can play LW.

Yeah. I'm just gonna save myself the agitation, let this non-answer stand on its own.

The key, folks, is not getting sucked in
- AllInForFlyers

Hexy just said it on media conference call. Also said team would like to add a veteran depth D as well.
- bmeltzer

So when's the Blair Jones Presser?

Per bill on twitter

@billmeltzer: Hextall (on value of goalie relationship): "I have been on some teams where the goalies haven't gotten along, and it can divide the team."

I would mind taking a chance on him if they can trade Vinny to make room. Maybe 1 year at $2 million. Hopefully he can play LW.
- Feanor

I really think there's a chance that's what we see. The Flyers taking a one year chance without a lot of risk on a 2nd tier free agent forward.

Um.....hello.......did you not hear the Holmer interview yesterday? He "likes our team" sheeeeeesh
- Just5

He built it !!!!! What's he gonna say ?

Yeah. I'm just gonna save myself the agitation, let this non-answer stand on its own.

The key, folks, is not getting sucked in
- AllInForFlyers

Yep...you have to be like Pitfall Harry

I wonder what Hextall is looking for as a depth Dman....I doubt he means guys like Del Zotto or McBain.

I really think there's a chance that's what we see. The Flyers taking a one year chance without a lot of risk on a 2nd tier free agent forward.
- MJL

Sorry for another capgeek roster, but this one gets us under the cap although it relies on trading Vinny for a pick with no salary retained.

FORWARDS
Devin Setoguchi ($2.500m) / Claude Giroux ($8.275m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
R.J. Umberger ($4.600m) / Brayden Schenn ($2.500m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Matt Read ($3.625m) / Sean Couturier ($1.750m) / Jason Akeson ($0.715m)
Jay Rosehill ($0.675m) / Michael Raffl ($1.100m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m)
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Streit ($5.250m) / Andrew MacDonald ($5.000m)
Chris Pronger ($4.941m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Luke Schenn ($3.600m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Kimmo Timonen ($2.000m) /
GOALTENDERS
Steve Mason ($4.100m)
Ray Emery ($1.000m)
BONUS OVERAGE
$345,000
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $68,951,429; BONUSES: $1,500,000
CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $48,571

Hexy just said it on media conference call. Also said team would like to add a veteran depth D as well.
- bmeltzer

Keaton Ellerby

I wonder what Hextall is looking for as a depth Dman....I doubt he means guys like Del Zotto or McBain.
- Jsaquella

With two 35+ relied upon for most of the puck-moving, having a back-up like those guys you mentioned (add Diaz) might not be such a bad idea.

are you done lashing out at me because i inquired as to your thoughts about jussi jokinen
- stayinthefnnet

I was just clowning. I'm mad about Ehrhoff. The dream is to have a really good player sign with your team for much less money than he's worth

Hextall's talk about getting quicker up front doesn't jive with signing Ott.
- Feanor

Throw Ott in the pot

Your 2014-2015 Flyers!!
CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Jakub Voracek ($4.250m) / Claude Giroux ($8.275m) / Matt Read ($3.625m)
R.J. Umberger ($4.600m) / Brayden Schenn ($2.500m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare ($0.600m) / Vincent Lecavalier ($4.500m) / Scott Laughton ($0.863m)
Michael Raffl ($1.100m) / Sean Couturier ($1.750m) / Jason Akeson ($0.715m)
Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Andrew MacDonald ($5.000m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Mark Streit ($5.250m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Kimmo Timonen ($2.000m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Sheldon Brookbank ($1.250m) /
GOALTENDERS
Steve Mason ($4.100m)
Ray Emery ($1.000m)
BUYOUTS
Daniel Briere ($0.000m)
Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
LTIR
Chris Pronger ($4.941m)
BONUS OVERAGE
$345,000
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $68,048,333; BONUSES: $1,712,500
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $951,667

Um.....hello.......did you not hear the Holmer interview yesterday? He "likes our team" sheeeeeesh
- Just5

Remember the extra year given to Lilja?

I recall some arguing it was a "solid move" Hilarious.