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.
- MJL

I think Couts when he is playing well can hold onto the puck long enough to let Simmonds set up in front. I've seen lots of plays where Couts skates with the puck, holds off the D, and then sends the puck through the crease. Often there is no Flyer there to bang the puck in. But to me Simmonds should be able to do that.

He may need more time playing with Couts to get the timing down. Because I think Couts has shown he can get the puck on net from all kinds of bad angles

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.
- MJL

I could get on board with this idea.

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

If he can get rid of them without eating 50 cents of every dollar, I will name him Pope of my new religion.

If he can get rid of them without eating 50 cents of every dollar, I will name him Pope of my new religion.
- Jsaquella

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

Sounds like the name of a French metal band.

There is no way Umberger is moved. That makes Hexy look very bad.
- CACannon18

No it wouldn't. We all know the reasons they got Umberger. Would Hextall look bad if he moved Umberger to SJ for Tyler Kennedy? Same cap hit but just one year left. The main umberger point was to create future cap space. They just thought he could provide more then he has so far. They didn't expect 30 goals

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.
- jmatchett383

oh yeah. halak was a perfect acquisition. grabo and kulemin were pricey, but it essentially bought them reliable 2 way second line to put behind tavares.

a couple of good young defensemen too.

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
- PLindbergh31

I think the best chance might still be Nashville. But it's not going to be easy or a deal that sees the Flyers get anything good in return

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

Yeh I said it yesterday after reading the Garrioch quote that both VLC and Umby would be playing on other teams before the end of the season.

GM of the year if he pulls that off.

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
- PLindbergh31

Believe me, I'm not saying the Flyers will get anything of use back, and I'd guess to to even move him, you're sending something along

And you're right about Phoenix in that they likely wouldn't have any real use; I was just using them as an example of a team that actually could pop him in the lineup and see some benefit in playing him

There aren't many of those teams, and of course, with the NMC, he's likely not going anywhere

TBH: He likely still thinks he can play at a high level and that he just needs the right linemates

There might be some truth to that, but also: Players are almost always the last to know when they're done

In hindsight keeping Briere would have been much more palatable than signing Lecavalier.
- PLindbergh31

I mean, Danny B isn't exactly some fountain of youth now either, but he was so exciting to watch, and an excellent personality. Would've much preferred to soldier through his twilight years than Vinny's.

I do hope he comes back to the organization in some capacity when he's done playing

oh yeah. halak was a perfect acquisition. grabo and kulemin were pricey, but it essentially bought them reliable 2 way second line to put behind tavares.

a couple of good young defensemen too.
- stayinthefnnet

I was more impressed with their blue line. They were mobile and physical and allowed the forwards to actually attack through the neutral zone.

I mean, Danny B isn't exactly some fountain of youth now either, but he was so exciting to watch, and an excellent personality. Would've much preferred to soldier through his twilight years than Vinny's.

I do hope he comes back to the organization in some capacity when he's done playing
- BulliesPhan87

Agreed.

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

It's going to be close but they are both on pace for 13-14 pt season's
I say Zombie edges Grossmann by a couple points
Hartnell will get 45-50 pts

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.
- MJL

Even if the cost to get Evander Kane was Brayden Schenn and a high draft pick, I wouldn't be so quick to pull the trigger on that. Brayden Schenn isn't a natural LW but he's a cheaper player still working hard to get to his next deal. Evander Kane at times looks uninterested and doesn't have to be because he has already earned his current deal.

My view of Brayden Schenn and Brayden Coburn is this. We didn't draft them but we adopted them very young. They're still products of the Flyers organization. Sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side and it's best to hang on to our own. Kane could come in, no be a good fit for our system, be disruptive in the dressing room. Kane could have react poorly towards the "We don't care who you are" sign. I'm not saying Kane will be all of these things but don't disrupt the chemistry until 100% nessassary. If you can bring Kane on board without doing so or dividing players not earning their keep, by all means ho ahead.

oh yeah. halak was a perfect acquisition. grabo and kulemin were pricey, but it essentially bought them reliable 2 way second line to put behind tavares.

a couple of good young defensemen too.
- stayinthefnnet

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.
- MJL

Jonathan Cheechoo scored 56 goals in 2006.

There is no way Umberger is moved. That makes Hexy look very bad.
- CACannon18

Hextall doesn't seem like the kind of guy that is worried about how he looks. Having this team win will make him look good. He's going to do whatever he thinks is best for that to happen. If a GM is worried about admitting mistakes, he's not going to make a very good GM. Because they all make mistakes

No it wouldn't. We all know the reasons they got Umberger. Would Hextall look bad if he moved Umberger to SJ for Tyler Kennedy? Same cap hit but just one year left. The main umberger point was to create future cap space. They just thought he could provide more then he has so far. They didn't expect 30 goals
- J35Bacher

Moving Umberger for whoever makes it look like Hexy doesn't know what he is doing to his superiors. When the trade with Harts for Umb was proposed, Hex didn't just pull the trigger, he went to Homer, Clarke, etc and probably had to justify why it was a good deal. So why would he go back to those guys, and try to justify moving him when we aren't even at the half way point of his first season? It makes him look bad.

I mean, Danny B isn't exactly some fountain of youth now either, but he was so exciting to watch, and an excellent personality. Would've much preferred to soldier through his twilight years than Vinny's.

I do hope he comes back to the organization in some capacity when he's done playing
- BulliesPhan87

Briere had a 6 million dollar cap hit. The Flyers did the right thing.

Jonathan Cheechoo scored 56 goals in 2006.
- jak521

When did the Flyers acquire Cheechoo?

- Tomahawk

i wanted him badly too. but his deal was a little much.

It's going to be close but they are both on pace for 13-14 pt season's
I say Zombie edges Grossmann by a couple points
Hartnell will get 45-50 pts
- 3flyerkids

Hartnell Fartsmell..

Umberger is a MUCH better skater and two way player. He also has been a proven PP performer and 20+ goal scorer. He just needs to want to score moar goalz

I think the best chance might still be Nashville. But it's not going to be easy or a deal that sees the Flyers get anything good in return
- Jsaquella

Any deal that gives the Flyers more financial flexibility and rids themselves of these guys would be a good starting point. Of course they won't be able to get anything of value back in return. Every time they are on the ice, I change the channel for 30-45 seconds.

When did the Flyers acquire Cheechoo?
- MJL

Seemingly when they traded Hartnell for him...