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
- Jsaquella

Who is this "Couturier Hell" player you speak of?

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

Yup. The saving grace for most is that they were productive early on and the tail end gets them because they're old.

or it could be different!

never know!
- stayinthefnnet

Very true, definitely could be. The Pens seem more complete this year, less reliant solely on 87 & 71. Can't believe I'm saying that .

I still don't think they're the team that comes out of the East though.

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


- Tomahawk

good song.

but those isles are the real deal. sucks, but good for them and their fans.

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

So Umberger on pace for 12 points?

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.
- Marc D

I agree. The problem is that they Flyers don't have a offensive catalyst to play with Simmonds. If they had a playmaking center or winger to play opposite Simmonds, he would produce more at ES. Even so, his ES offensive production has been solid in past years.

Glad they used the 7 defensemen so the forwards were nice and fresh for the 3rd period and OT.
- jmatchett383

Early leader in the clubhouse for Internet Winner for 11/25/2014

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.
- PLindbergh31

They have very limited options.

Also Hexy is supposedly very actively trying to trade both 40 and 18, and might have told the coach he has to play them to keep the slim hopes of making a deal alive.

Of course the more they suck, this strategy will backfire.

Yup. The saving grace for most is that they were productive early on and the tail end gets them because they're old.
- NickTheKid87

Exactly. When you bring in an older guy with a long term deal, the poison pill is you are sacrificing the backend of the contract to get production right away. Not an awful strategy for teams close to a Cup.

The Flyers are basically a rebuilding team, or a retooling team if you will, stuck with these guys. Just brutal.

They have very limited options.

Also Hexy is supposedly very actively trying to trade both 40 and 18, and might have told the coach he has to play them to keep the slim hopes of making a deal alive.

Of course the more they suck, this strategy will backfire.
- Marc D

If Hextall can trade Umberger and Lecavalier and get even 50 cents on the dollar, I will be in favor of erecting a statue of him next to Rocky.

Very true, definitely could be. The Pens seem more complete this year, less reliant solely on 87 & 71. Can't believe I'm saying that .

I still don't think they're the team that comes out of the East though.
- kcm57

im definitely on a need to see it to believe it mode with them. but they could.

another winger would sure help.

it honestly wouldnt shock me if it was the isles

If Hextall can trade Umberger and Lecavalier and get even 50 cents on the dollar, I will be in favor of erecting a statue of him next to Rocky.
- PLindbergh31

Might be able to get something for VLC, if he decided he wanted to go -- scoring is that brutal in some spots around the league

For example, he probably could really help Phoenix

Umberger's done, though. That dude is DONE, and anybody with eyes can see that

but those isles are the real deal. sucks, but good for them and their fans.
- stayinthefnnet

Haha, a tinge of Stockholm syndrome after the home-and-home?

Haha, a tinge of Stockholm syndrome after the home-and-home?
- Tomahawk

im definitely on a need to see it to believe it mode with them. but they could.

another winger would sure help.

it honestly wouldnt shock me if it was the isles
- stayinthefnnet

I think it'll end up being the Lightning, especially once Hedman is healthy (if he isn't already, haven't been following). But who knows with teams as close as the pens, isles, lightning, and canadiens.

Haha, a tinge of Stockholm syndrome after the home-and-home?
- Tomahawk

(frank) that.

haha they worried me with their offseason additions.

but damn, i didnt think the pens would get swept.

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.
- Marc D

I am not saying gut the team to get Kane. More of an example of a player I would want. i love simmonds heart too but that can only do so much. That is why I think moving Coburn makes sense. I think to the right team he could get you a wing and 1st rounder.

Vancouver lost Hamhuis. Could Coburn get you a !st and Virtanen? Not sure. Myabe a 1st and Shinkaruk? I think this is the year where they can move some peices and be players at the deadline because of being patient with the prospects they already have.

im definitely on a need to see it to believe it mode with them. but they could.

another winger would sure help.

it honestly wouldnt shock me if it was the isles
- stayinthefnnet

You guys are gonna have some issues if you meet up with them again this year. They seem to have competent goaltending and a much deeper team that's very physical.

I'm still picking Pittsburgh as my EC winner, though.

I think it'll end up being the Lightning, especially once Hedman is healthy (if he isn't already, haven't been following). But who knows with teams as close as the pens, isles, lightning, and canadiens.
- kcm57

the lightning are a very good candidate too.

Who is this "Couturier Hell" player you speak of?
- jmatchett383

it's more a state of being, one which Evgeni Malkin has famously experienced

Might be able to get something for VLC, if he decided he wanted to go -- scoring is that brutal in some spots around the league

For example, he probably could really help Phoenix

Umberger's done, though. That dude is DONE, and anybody with eyes can see that
- AllInForFlyers

Don't worry: now that VL's (fairly) healthy, he's a lock to score at least 25 goals. I was told that all offseason by several people on here.

They have very limited options.

Also Hexy is supposedly very actively trying to trade both 40 and 18, and might have told the coach he has to play them to keep the slim hopes of making a deal alive.

Of course the more they suck, this strategy will backfire.
- Marc D

There is no way Umberger is moved. That makes Hexy look very bad.

Who is this "Couturier Hell" player you speak of?
- jmatchett383

It's a Metallica bootleg from 1987

They have very limited options.

Also Hexy is supposedly very actively trying to trade both 40 and 18, and might have told the coach he has to play them to keep the slim hopes of making a deal alive.

Of course the more they suck, this strategy will backfire.
- Marc D

I think when Raffl gets back, and I heard reports that he could be back Saturday. I'd like to see Raffl with Laughton and Lecavalier. And move Umberger to the 4th line. I think Raffl and Laughton can pressure the puck on the forecheck, and create some chances for Lecavalier.

Might be able to get something for VLC, if he decided he wanted to go -- scoring is that brutal in some spots around the league

For example, he probably could really help Phoenix

Umberger's done, though. That dude is DONE, and anybody with eyes can see that
- AllInForFlyers

But Phoenix is a young team, that isn't close to contending. Why would they want Lecavalier? Of course the chicken and egg argument is, VLC isn't good enough to see the ice on a contending team. I can't imagine there being any interest in either of these guys. If they were to be traded, Hextall will have to do one of three things.

1. eat money
2. take back a bad contract
3. include a draft pick, or prospect in any deal