also, now we are stuck with vl who the flyers publicly said was not sure how he fit on the team and would seek trade which was unsuccessfull,so how does everyone think his morale will be like playing for a team that does not want him?
- mydoglicks

Vinnie's a professional and from all reports I've ever heard or read, he's a class act as well. I don't think their will be any lack of effort on his part. Plus, he's smart enough to know that the best way to get himself moved somewhere more of his liking is to play well.

It's one cheap depth move. Hartnell for Umberger has a much bigger impact on the roster and could be suggested as a culture change.
- SuperSchennBros

could be, hartnell was a leader on this team, im happy for the move though his act got old.

Vinnie's a professional and from all reports I've ever heard or read, he's a class act as well. I don't think their will be any lack of effort on his part. Plus, he's smart enough to know that the best way to get himself moved somewhere more of his liking is to play well.
- BiggE

i hope your right, because he has had a rep of not showing up to all the games, imo i think he played fine last year and had no issue, but for the flyers to come out public on a mid-30's player with a injury history to play better and get into better shape is not a good sign.

Vinnie's a professional and from all reports I've ever heard or read, he's a class act as well. I don't think their will be any lack of effort on his part. Plus, he's smart enough to know that the best way to get himself moved somewhere more of his liking is to play well.
- BiggE

I envision Vinny to come to camp highly motivated and in the best shape he's been in years. I can't believe a player with his pedigree would accept the roles he was give last season (and perhaps deservedly so) and be satisfied.

If he's not 2nd line center after camp breaks, I'd be greatly disappointed.

could be, hartnell was a leader on this team, im happy for the move though his act got old.
- mydoglicks

Let's hope we can replace Hartnell from within or find a guy who can play up to Giroux's speed.

Let's hope we can replace Hartnell from within or find a guy who can play up to Giroux's speed.
- SuperSchennBros

I think it will be BSchenn, but I also won't be shocked if Bellemare is on the 1st line by the end of the season. He seems similar to Raffl, but with much more finishing ability.

is this worth it?
http://shop.nhl.com/Phila...ccelerator_Premier_Jersey

Trade Aube Kubel, he sucks
- Jsaquella

Sell low

slow day

Why do people put Vinny on the fourth line? down the stretch the guy under performed and got injured but there is no reason a guy that skilled if healthy deserves to be put there. I understand when he is injured not giving him back his stop until he earns it but all indications is that he is healthy to start. Why not put him with Simmer and Read/Raffl/Akeson/Umber and hope he regains his play before he got injuried and then lost all confidence in his game. If I member right, this team had a big issue most the season scoring, and with this defense crop we wont be winning too many 1-0 games.

Putting his price tag aside VLC is a asset on this team not a plug as some make him out to be.

Schenn-G-Voracek
Raffl/Akeson/Umberger-Vinny-Simmonds
Raffl/Akeson/Umberger-Couts-Read
With Rinaldo and PEB getting spot starts with a center lkie Raffl, Umberger, and even Couts if needed

Why do people put Vinny on the fourth line? down the stretch the guy under performed and got injured but there is no reason a guy that skilled if healthy deserves to be put there. I understand when he is injured not giving him back his stop until he earns it but all indications is that he is healthy to start. Why not put him with Simmer and Read/Raffl/Akeson/Umber and hope he regains his play before he got injuried and then lost all confidence in his game. If I member right, this team had a big issue most the season scoring, and with this defense crop we wont be winning too many 1-0 games.

Putting his price tag aside VLC is a asset on this team not a plug as some make him out to be.

Schenn-G-Voracek
Raffl/Akeson/Umberger-Vinny-Simmonds
Raffl/Akeson/Umberger-Couts-Read
With Rinaldo and PEB getting spot starts with a center lkie Raffl, Umberger, and even Couts if needed
- AGL_91

Outside of the twenty goals, Lecavalier played poorly for the majority of the season. He was a subpar two way guy, didn't play very well in terms of driving play and creating chances and is limited to one role.

They have to figure out a way to get effective play from him, or bury him in the line up.

Outside of the twenty goals, Lecavalier played poorly for the majority of the season. He was a subpar two way guy, didn't play very well in terms of driving play and creating chances and is limited to one role.

They have to figure out a way to get effective play from him, or bury him in the line up.
- Jsaquella

But who do they have to replace him before they bury him? I agree with bill improving coots offensive game but when it comes down to it they are guna play him the same way as last year against others first lines. I think rolling a line of let's say Akeson-vinny-simmer every 3rd of 4th shift will be a lot more effective then having vinny play with engery guys who can't score. I am not arguing that vinny is the player he use to be but he isn't a 4th line player on any team in the league

But who do they have to replace him before they bury him? I agree with bill improving coots offensive game but when it comes down to it they are guna play him the same way as last year against others first lines. I think rolling a line of let's say Akeson-vinny-simmer every 3rd of 4th shift will be a lot more effective then having vinny play with engery guys who can't score. I am not arguing that vinny is the player he use to be but he isn't a 4th line player on any team in the league
- AGL_91

I couldn't agree more. Vinny very well might be a one trick pony but there are a lot of those in the NHL. It would be ignorant to think otherwise.

Outside of the twenty goals, Lecavalier played poorly for the majority of the season. He was a subpar two way guy, didn't play very well in terms of driving play and creating chances and is limited to one role.

They have to figure out a way to get effective play from him, or bury him in the line up.
- Jsaquella

Vinny needs wingers who can carry the puck and get it to him where he likes it. The guys who fit the bill are Read, Raffl, Umberger, Akeson and perhaps Bellemare.

Simmonds, IMO, is not a good fit on a line with VLC

But who do they have to replace him before they bury him? I agree with bill improving coots offensive game but when it comes down to it they are guna play him the same way as last year against others first lines. I think rolling a line of let's say Akeson-vinny-simmer every 3rd of 4th shift will be a lot more effective then having vinny play with engery guys who can't score. I am not arguing that vinny is the player he use to be but he isn't a 4th line player on any team in the league
- AGL_91

Its not a question of skill set as much as a question of fit. The Flyers got the name without having a spot for him. That hasn't changed. Still, a top-9 center is the best place to put him, if its available.

Timander IIRC. Timander wasn't small, but everyone looks small next to Chara. What made it bs was that Timander had never had a fight in his entire career and had no idea what to do. It was fun though, to watch Patrick Sharp beat the crap out of Spezza.
- BiggE

Yeah we talked about this the other day. Timander showed a lot of courage against Chara in that clusterF of a game.

I heard Hexy on the radio the other day. He is optimistic but also realistic about the team. Beyond the obvious of not having a 25+ minute a night top #1 dman he said something I thought was very interesting.

Regarding forwards he said they could use another playmaker.

This hits the nail on the head for me.

After G and Jake, who is really a playmaker on the team?

Vinnie is a shooter, BSchenn is a work in progress but a playmaker he is not (yet).
Couts, I think I see this potential in him. He can slow down a play, draw players to him and make a real good pass. I think him and Read should stay together, the chemistry is there.

The problem is the rest of the guys have trouble holding the puck and making plays.

They have a good young forward core, but this is a weak spot.

Maybe Akeson can fill this role, not sure yet if he is a viable top 6 NHL forward, but have hopes.

Vinny needs wingers who can carry the puck and get it to him where he likes it. The guys who fit the bill are Read, Raffl, Umberger, Akeson and perhaps Bellemare.

Simmonds, IMO, is not a good fit on a line with VLC
- BiggE

Yeah I'm not a fan of Simmonds paired with Vinny. Voracek is the right type of playmaking winger to set VLC up but unless they remove him from Giroux's wing he may have to settle for Read to be that winger.

Yeah we talked about this the other day. Timander showed a lot of courage against Chara in that clusterF of a game.
- Pixote Andolini

The Sens and the Leafs were the Flyers' two nastiest rivals at that point. The Sens had knocked the Flyers out of the playoffs the previous two years and Havlat had brought some heat with some dirty stickwork on Recchi. Then you add in the Flyers running up the score and the fact it was the last meeting of that season and history was made.

But who do they have to replace him before they bury him? I agree with bill improving coots offensive game but when it comes down to it they are guna play him the same way as last year against others first lines. I think rolling a line of let's say Akeson-vinny-simmer every 3rd of 4th shift will be a lot more effective then having vinny play with engery guys who can't score. I am not arguing that vinny is the player he use to be but he isn't a 4th line player on any team in the league
- AGL_91

Couturier, Schenn, Read, Raffl....Couturier's carrying such a heavy defensive load it's amazing he scored almost 40 points.

They need to balance the lines, and Vinny with Simmonds was awful last season.

I'd go with this to start, before camp starts, since Berube seems dead set against splitting 28-93 & 24-14

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Raffl/Umberger-Lecavalier-Akeson/Raffl
Umberger/Raffl-Laughton-Bellemare/Rinaldo

I heard Hexy on the radio the other day. He is optimistic but also realistic about the team. Beyond the obvious of not having a 25+ minute a night top #1 dman he said something I thought was very interesting.

Regarding forwards he said they could use another playmaker.

This hits the nail on the head for me.

After G and Jake, who is really a playmaker on the team?

Vinnie is a shooter, BSchenn is a work in progress but a playmaker he is not (yet).
Couts, I think I see this potential in him. He can slow down a play, draw players to him and make a real good pass. I think him and Read should stay together, the chemistry is there.

The problem is the rest of the guys have trouble holding the puck and making plays.

They have a good young forward core, but this is a weak spot.

Maybe Akeson can fill this role, not sure yet if he is a viable top 6 NHL forward, but have hopes.
- Marc D

Hey marc I shot you a message

Hey marc I shot you a message
- Giroux_Is_God

stop being cryptic

stop being cryptic
- Crimsoninja

He's trying to score medical grade weed

He's trying to score medical grade weed
- Jsaquella

i should have known

Couturier, Schenn, Read, Raffl....Couturier's carrying such a heavy defensive load it's amazing he scored almost 40 points.

They need to balance the lines, and Vinny with Simmonds was awful last season.

I'd go with this to start, before camp starts, since Berube seems dead set against splitting 28-93 & 24-14

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Raffl/Umberger-Lecavalier-Akeson/Raffl
Umberger/Raffl-Laughton-Bellemare/Rinaldo
- Jsaquella

I am okay with these line ups as the problem I had is having VLC on the 4th line. Those lines u have there may work but in all reality couts and read are the 3rd line by description of being a shut down line.