Umberger brings a lot to the team. He is a good skater, he just needs to remember that. He is versatile as well. We can play him at any of the three forwards slots and in any situations. He just needs to remember how to play good.


** sound Flyers org. enough?
- jak521

True. If he won't split Vinnyburger....
- Jsaquella

Whenever moving Umberger is brought up, I wonder if the situation is being looked at clearly. This team currently has one legitimate top 9 LW in Brayden Schenn. They've been trying to move either Read or Simmonds to the left side, with mixed results. Neither player looks comfortable at LW. The other two LW are Umberger and Rinaldo. With the way Umberger is playing, they are both 4th line caliber players. Raffl out injured makes the problem worse. He's not moving Umberger because he doesn't have a lot of choice.

Most likely not going to happen. But it's not a bad idea. Voracek would be the ideal player to play with Lecavalier.
- MJL

I dont think thats the case though.

We should have enough offense to go around.

The underachievers could be one line.. that would be the opposite of the all eggs in one basket approach lol.

All healthy lineup (including Ryan White who is making strides)

Raffl-G-Voracek
Schenn-Couts-Simmonds
Umberger-Vinny-Read (eesshh)
Rinaldo-Pebbles-White/Velvet/Akeson
- jak521

Schenn and Simmonds never played well on the same line. Hexy and Chief have said as much.

See, I'm the opposite. I would only do it to jump start Vinnie to potentially boost his trade value. If you want to help out Couts, I'd move Schenn back to that line. I think when Raffl comes back they go in this direction.
- TheGreat28

I'm not willing to take the league's leading scorer and use him to boost Lecavalier's trade value. Any changes I'd make would be to provide better scoring depth and a stronger team.

Team wide, I think Voracek boosting Schenn or Couturier...or both is better than trying to get Lecavalier productive to boost his trade value.

If Lecavalier starts to perform better, and has his line creating more chances, then I'd consider it. Right now, I want Voracek on the ice more. With Vinny's limitations, that means having Jake line jump.

Schenn and Simmonds never played well on the same line. Hexy and Chief have said as much.
- TheGreat28

Both had career seasons last year while being consistent linemates.

I'm not willing to take the league's leading scorer and use him to boost Lecavalier's trade value. Any changes I'd make would be to provide better scoring depth and a stronger team.

Team wide, I think Voracek boosting Schenn or Couturier...or both is better than trying to get Lecavalier productive to boost his trade value.

If Lecavalier starts to perform better, and has his line creating more chances, then I'd consider it. Right now, I want Voracek on the ice more. With Vinny's limitations, that means having Jake line jump.
- Jsaquella

Boosting the value of Lecavalier is part of it, and good reason to make the move. The other is that line needs a playmaking winger that can carry the puck, is an offensive catalyst, and can get the puck to Lecavalier in good scoring position. With Lecavalier's shot and puck skills, that could be a pretty productive line. Voracek can also be double shifted.

I'm not willing to take the league's leading scorer and use him to boost Lecavalier's trade value. Any changes I'd make would be to provide better scoring depth and a stronger team.

Team wide, I think Voracek boosting Schenn or Couturier...or both is better than trying to get Lecavalier productive to boost his trade value.

If Lecavalier starts to perform better, and has his line creating more chances, then I'd consider it. Right now, I want Voracek on the ice more. With Vinny's limitations, that means having Jake line jump.
- Jsaquella

The way I see it... you dont take the NHL point leader, and go from the top line to the 3rd line. It doesnt make sense. You want him on the ice AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Would you be confident seeing Vinny get around 19-20 mintues a night?

I'm not willing to take the league's leading scorer and use him to boost Lecavalier's trade value. Any changes I'd make would be to provide better scoring depth and a stronger team.

Team wide, I think Voracek boosting Schenn or Couturier...or both is better than trying to get Lecavalier productive to boost his trade value.

If Lecavalier starts to perform better, and has his line creating more chances, then I'd consider it. Right now, I want Voracek on the ice more. With Vinny's limitations, that means having Jake line jump.
- Jsaquella

I hear you. I just think a little differently. To me, they have to trade one of Umberger or Vinnie. Vinnie is the more ideal one to go, and probably would have some trade value if he gets going a bit. And by value I'm talking about a used zamboni that leaks oil, ECHL enforcer, or an 8th round draft pick. But hey, at least he'd be off the roster.

Now personally, I think part of Vinnie's lack of performance is based on the linemates he's been saddled with. And Jake really has the skill set Vinnie needs. But as I said yesterday, I think it only happens after a long losing streak.

And Schenn - Couts - Read was an effective line. I'd try that before splitting up Jake and G.

- jak521

This talk of splitting them being a bad idea says that neither of them would do well if the other one wasn't there.


Ive wanted Voracek on VLC wing since the preseason. Voracek drives possession with or without Giroux (same goes for Giroux).

I think splitting them up is a good idea because I think they can still both do fine "on their own."

Schenn Giroux Simmonds
Raffl VLC Voracek
PEB Couturier Read
Rinaldo Umberger VDV Akeson Jones whoever the hell else.

Swap PEB and Raffl if you want.

The way I see it... you dont take the NHL point leader, and go from the top line to the 3rd line. It doesnt make sense. You want him on the ice AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Would you be confident seeing Vinny get around 19-20 mintues a night?
- jak521

Rather then respond with smileys, I'll offer an actual opinion. With Voracek on the line it wouldn't be a 3rd line. Lecavalier wouldn't be getting 19-20 minutes a night. They need a playmaking winger to play with Lecavalier. Lecavalier had his best success playing with a player like Martin St. Louis, who is a playmaking winger, that is an offensive catalyst. The player that best fits that kind of player is Voracek. Which makes him the ideal player that is currently on this team, to play with Lecavalier. That doesn't mean it's the best choice or best deployment of players for this team. But the best choice to maximize Lecavalier.

Both had career seasons last year while being consistent linemates.
- Jsaquella

I really don't remember it this way. The point stuck with me because I said that all last year, even early on, and I kinda felt a little vindicated when the comment was made in training camp.

Now I'm curious. What's the best site to look at line combinations and point totals? Simmonds had 24 of his 60 points on the PP. But I'd like to see actual point totals from when they were on the same line.

This talk of splitting them being a bad idea says that neither of them would do well if the other one wasn't there.


Ive wanted Voracek on VLC wing since the preseason. Voracek drives possession with or without Giroux (same goes for Giroux).

I think splitting them up is a good idea because I think they can still both do fine "on their own."

Schenn Giroux Simmonds
Raffl VLC Voracek
PEB Couturier Read
Rinaldo Umberger VDV Akeson Jones whoever the hell else.

Swap PEB and Raffl if you want.
- MBFlyerfan

If I'm right about Schenn and Simmonds not playing well, I'd flip Raffl and Schenn.Trying to look that up. Plus, it gets you a guy who can play close to the net on each line.

Raffl Giroux Simmonds
Schenn VLC Voracek
Umberger Couturier Read
Rinaldo PEB VDV/Akeson

Rather then respond with smileys, I'll offer an actual opinion. With Voracek on the line it wouldn't be a 3rd line. Lecavalier wouldn't be getting 19-20 minutes a night. They need a playmaking winger to play with Lecavalier. Lecavalier had his best success playing with a player like Martin St. Louis, who is a playmaking winger, that is an offensive catalyst. The player that best fits that kind of player is Voracek. Which makes him the ideal player that is currently on this team, to play with Lecavalier. That doesn't mean it's the best choice or best deployment of players for this team. But the best choice to maximize Lecavalier.
- MJL

I completely agree with you.

Apology accepted Peter. I waited 8 long years for that

If I'm right about Schenn and Simmonds not playing well, I'd flip Raffl and Schenn.Trying to look that up. Plus, it gets you a guy who can play close to the net on each line.

Raffl Giroux Simmonds
Schenn VLC Voracek
Umberger Couturier Read
Rinaldo PEB VDV/Akeson
- TheGreat28

That would also work. My thought process is that my "pairs" would be Giroux Simmer, VLC JV, and Coots Read.....Fit all other parts as best you can...

As exciting a combination as they were.. Eric Lindros and John Leclair are quickly gaining company in that dominant line category.

This combo of G and Voracek has been elite pretty much since they have been combined. G was a Hart finalist last season, and has actually statistically been better so far this season, but is being over-shadowed by Voracek. As of this blog they are #1 and #3 in point per game average this season. Voracek, at a ferocious scoring clip, is on pace for 136 points this season, and G not far behind at a 107 point pace.

I know some have wanted them split, but I dont know how you can mess with that..
- jak521

G and voracek remind me more of lindros and recchi early 90s years. Two superstars and not much else.

So now is the time to pull the trigger on a voracek deal much like the recchi deal.

Voracek for shattenkirk and Schwartz!!

the Flyers should consider trading Lecavalier or Umberger imo

the Flyers should consider trading Lecavalier or Umberger imo
- BulliesPhan87

Im glad someone finally had the guts to say this.

Im glad someone finally had the guts to say this.
- MBFlyerfan

Brilliant in its simplicity, really.

Vinny isn't even good enough to take hartnells spot on the top 5 vs 4 pp unit. That top pp can't even elevate his play to the point where his shot, his only good quality, is an assert there.

And jake is now going to be responsible for getting vinnys game going 5vs5?

If be willing to try it. Bc really this year is a wash anyway

I blog about 4 of my all time favorite players: Lindros, LeClair, Giroux and Forsberg! Good stuff, Bill.

On Giroux: I bet he had diarrhea.

Brilliant in its simplicity, really.
- tangent_man

I know. Its amazing it hasn't been done already.

the Flyers should consider trading Lecavalier or Umberger imo
- BulliesPhan87

Lecavalier for Briere
Umberger for Sestito, Sbisa