And both of these guys were players we targeted and we went out and got.
- jak521

The fact the Flyers used a BO on Briere, and Holmgren used the newly acquired cap space on a declining, aging player is mind boggling. Idiotic.

I think there is truth to this even though I know you are joking around.

Many of the old school coaches believe you would not be worth your salt as a coach if you didn't put your veterans first.

Pat Quinn was a great example of this. I heard them talking about him yesterday. It was during the playoffs when Pat was coaching Toronto vs I think Tampa. Toronto won game 1 with a lineup full of youngsters due to injuries. For game 2 the team doctor cleared 6 veteran players to all return at the same time. Quinn went with playing all 6 vets and Toronto struggled the next couple of games.

The coach being loyal to vets is a very strong and real thing. Even when the team is clearly suffering by playing them. It's very strange.
- Marc D

Is he being loyal, or is there just no other options? Why has Berube been loyal to VandeVelde? He's not even an NHL player.

As good as that would be, I'd prefer a trip to the playoffs.
- ob18

draft pick is cheaper for me.

As good as that would be, I'd prefer a trip to the playoffs.
- ob18

normally I would say that as well but if it means a first round exit I may actually lean towards a top 5 pick. I just think this team is a long ways away from being a cup contender and they desperately need young fast skilled players.

I don't want them to make the playoffs just to make the playoffs though, I want the Flyers to be a legit threat to win the cup. And they aren't. Sure, anything can happen once you get it, but still...
- wolfhounds

Yeah, you never get a good prospect unless it's a top-5 pick. Let's just pull a Sixers and throw 4-5 seasons.

The fact the Flyers used a BO on Briere, and Holmgren used the newly acquired cap space on a declining, aging player is mind boggling. Idiotic.
- PLindbergh31

should of kept

And both of these guys were players we targeted and we went out and got.
- jak521

Actually, Holmgren said Vinny came to them. They didn't have him on their radar and were really surprised at his interest in coming to the Flyers. Why that mattered is beyond me. But he wasn't a target. When I heard that I had all kinds of bad feelings. And they've turned out to be justified.

I don't understand his logic...he can't really be that blind and/or stupid can he?
- aantny88

Who do you think he should've put out there with Simmonds in the box?

Who do you think he should've put out there with Simmonds in the box?
- MJL

Laughton

Especially when offensive scoring has been the main problem..

(not saying Akeson is the solution either, but they need to get their forwards going offensively)
- WarriorHockey21

The Flyers are a top 10 offensive team in the League.

9 million per year tied up in these two. My god. I would have to look at the other rosters and cap hits, hard to imagine any team having a couple of sunk costs like these guys.
- PLindbergh31

Washington has Brooks Laich for $4.5m per through 16-17 although he's not nearly has bad as Umberger. They also have Orpik for $5.5m per through 18-19.

Richards in LA. Brown and Gaborik could also turn into trouble given the length of their deals.

Clarkson in Toronto of course and Phaneuf is headed that way.

Hemsky for the Stars and maybe Burrows for Vancouver.

Bouwmeester has been much better in St. Louis but still has a lot left on his deal. The increased prices for dmen make his deal more tolerable than in past years.

Stephen Weiss in Detroit and Ryane Clowe in NJ.

Hartnell will probably end up being a cap space eater later on for Columbus but they have trouble getting to the max anyway so it's not a huge issue.

Who do you think he should've put out there with Simmonds in the box?
- MJL

Chris Therien in his dress shoes may have been more effective.

I like to think that it was a gamble... If he got a goal maybe it would get him going. And now that he's seen it we won't be seeing it again...
I hope?

I was literally yelling at the TV when I saw this...Simmonds was in the box for the fight and Chief puts him on the top PP unit! WTF!

- aantny88

he was the obvious choice

You never know, we could be 8th seeded against the Penguins. We all know how that series could turn out. Mostly with Giroux outplaying Crosby, Cooters outplaying Frankenstein and Fluery falling to pieces.
- kcm57

or it could be different!

never know!

He is.

But I also see him a little of a niche player. Very good on PP and in front of net. I would prefer a more skilled winger to contribute more ES. Someone like Evander Kane. Plays a gritty style like Simmonds but I feel he has more skill.
- J35Bacher

Evander is a great talent. No doubt the could use a guy like him on the wing.
But the costs to get him are exorbitant. And Simmonds is already here on on a very fair contract.

I guess even though Wayne is really kind of a niche player, I'd rather build a team around players like him then gutting the team to acquire E Kane. I love Simmond's heart.

AllInForHanifin?
- Tomahawk

HEY! Don't be playing!

Where's a trademark lawyer when you need one?!?!

Washington has Brooks Laich for $4.5m per through 16-17 although he's not nearly has bad as Umberger. They also have Orpik for $5.5m per through 18-19.

Richards in LA. Brown and Gaborik could also turn into trouble given the length of their deals.

Clarkson in Toronto of course and Phaneuf is headed that way.

Hemsky for the Stars and maybe Burrows for Vancouver.

Bouwmeester has been much better in St. Louis but still has a lot left on his deal. The increased prices for dmen make his deal more tolerable than in past years.

Stephen Weiss in Detroit and Ryane Clowe in NJ.

Hartnell will probably end up being a cap space eater later on for Columbus but they have trouble getting to the max anyway so it's not a huge issue.
- NickTheKid87

Clarkson has been a disaster for sure. Clowe hasn't been healthy. I knew that was a bad contract from the get go. Concussion history for him.

The thing about VLC and Umberger is the Flyers are going to get zero production for the most part, for the entire span of their contracts. That's a tough pill to swallow.

And right there is why Homer must move heaven and earth to trade two of these three. Resigning them is a non starter, especially when Jake will be getting 6 plus, and B Schenn and Coots needing to be resigned at probably north of 4.
- MBFlyerfan

Brayden Schenn could still be dealt but as far as Coburn/LSchenn/Grossmann go, they'll have to trade at least one if they don't want to just see them move on to free agency. I would rather have a 5th rounder than see Luke Schenn walk for nothing.

So the decision to use Umberger on PP1 is being defended with the same old, idiotic not enough LW argument? Laughton, Bellemare, Read, Lecavalier, Couturier Hell, Rinaldo were better options than Umberger

Laughton
- kcm57

I'd have been fine with that. Umberger is a player who has been successful over his career playing down low on the PP. Berube is also trying to do everthing he can to try and get Umberger going. I'm not going to criticize him for that.

Brayden Schenn could still be dealt but as far as Coburn/LSchenn/Grossmann go, they'll have to trade at least one if they don't want to just see them move on to free agency. I would rather have a 5th rounder than see Luke Schenn walk for nothing.
- NickTheKid87

Included in a package to sweeten the pot around the trade deadline wouldn't be bad either.

or it could be different!

never know!
- stayinthefnnet

Isles won against us last night... what is that, like the 4th time in 40-games or something?

Clarkson has been a disaster for sure. Clowe hasn't been healthy. I knew that was a bad contract from the get go. Concussion history for him.

The thing about VLC and Umberger is the Flyers are going to get zero production for the most part, for the entire span of their contracts. That's a tough pill to swallow.
- PLindbergh31

20 games in. Umberger 1G 2A, Grossmann 1G 2A

Washington has Brooks Laich for $4.5m per through 16-17 although he's not nearly has bad as Umberger. They also have Orpik for $5.5m per through 18-19.

Richards in LA. Brown and Gaborik could also turn into trouble given the length of their deals.

Clarkson in Toronto of course and Phaneuf is headed that way.

Hemsky for the Stars and maybe Burrows for Vancouver.

Bouwmeester has been much better in St. Louis but still has a lot left on his deal. The increased prices for dmen make his deal more tolerable than in past years.

Stephen Weiss in Detroit and Ryane Clowe in NJ.

Hartnell will probably end up being a cap space eater later on for Columbus but they have trouble getting to the max anyway so it's not a huge issue.
- NickTheKid87

may be the worst deal in the league

should of kept
- BulliesPhan87

In hindsight keeping Briere would have been much more palatable than signing Lecavalier.