Vinny has never played with wingers that compliment his play style. Simmonds and Schenn dont cut it. He needs a playmaking winger. Thats Holmgrens fault for bringing him to a team he does not fit in.
- GOA88

I agree he was not a fit when signed. The sad thing is he is arguably the third most talented offensive player on the team.

He had 12 even strength goals last year which was the 3rd worst of his career (worst was the lockout shortened season when he scored 5 and second worst was his rookie year when he scored 11 of 13 goals and even strength). He doesn't warrant top 6 minutes. I wouldn't be opposed to trying him with Voracek at this point but he's been bring his linemates' play down.
- NickTheKid87

It would be awfully hard to bring Voracek down right now. Considering the puck is on his stick about about 75% of the time he is on the ice.

Then I would stay put. Not sold on McDavid or Eichel yet. I remember when Lecavalier was once called the next Gretzky or Lemieux..... Nuff said.
- GOA88

The only one who said that was Art Williams, the guy who owned the Lightning when Vinny was drafted.

Both McDavid & Eichel are incredible talents. It'd take an arm and a leg if the Flyers finished outside the top two to move up for one of them, if it was even possible.

He had 12 even strength goals last year which was the 3rd worst of his career (worst was the lockout shortened season when he scored 5 and second worst was his rookie year when he scored 11 of 13 goals and even strength). He doesn't warrant top 6 minutes. I wouldn't be opposed to trying him with Voracek at this point but he's been bring his linemates' play down.
- NickTheKid87

Not saying top 6. He should be playing with Laughton and Schenn/Simmonds though. He has worked really hard since coming back and it has paid off. He should be rewarded. his play got him in the dog house. His recent play should get him out on a trial basis.

I agree he was not a fit when signed. The sad thing is he is arguably the third most talented offensive player on the team.
- mickel25

It's not really a bust on anyone else... He might be headed to the hall of fame. He has just lost his wheels and is not put in a position to succeed.

Grossman and Schultz have good numbers this year. Gotta strike when the irons hot and get some real value for these guys. Maybe islanders are looking for some size on the blue line.

The only one who said that was Art Williams, the guy who owned the Lightning when Vinny was drafted.

Both McDavid & Eichel are incredible talents. It'd take an arm and a leg if the Flyers finished outside the top two to move up for one of them, if it was even possible.
- Jsaquella

That good huh? I could see McDavid being a guy scoring 80-90 pts. I'm gonna have to guess that Eichel will be the JVR of the draft compared to Kane. The skill difference could be that much. Eichel is a college player while McDavid is dominating a league with much better players overall.

Not saying top 6. He should be playing with Laughton and Schenn/Simmonds though. He has worked really hard since coming back and it has paid off. He should be rewarded. his play got him in the dog house. His recent play should get him out on a trial basis.
- mickel25

That 4th line has been real good I wouldn't change anything regarding vinny

It's not really a bust on anyone else... He might be headed to the hall of fame. He has just lost his wheels and is not put in a position to succeed.
- GOA88

I meant "sad" in the fact that we are not getting a lot out of him. Not "sad" that he is better offensively than a majority of the roster. He could be HOF. Just wanted to clarify my stance.

That good huh?
- GOA88

Both are going to be stud players. McDavid has an edge, because he's more of a shooter than Eichel, but both would be great additions to any team

Speaking of mid-30's players who fell off a cliff, Olli Jokinen has 4 points in 36 games, and two of them came last night. 39% on faceoffs.

He had 43 points just last season.
- Feanor

samson opposite thingy happening

samson opposite thingy happening
- -davies-

Rapunzel!

I meant "sad" in the fact that we are not getting a lot out of him. Not "sad" that he is better offensively than a majority of the roster. He could be HOF. Just wanted to clarify my stance.
- mickel25

He could be in the HOF, doesn't mean he's capable of playing at that level any longer.

Berube's spoon fed the 4th line OZ starts, and to his credit, Lecavalier is working hard and producing a bit of offense. Sliding him up is an option, but which line best suits his abilities? Try him with Simmonds & Schenn, where he spent most of his time last season(and was ineffective overall)? Split Giroux & Voracek andhave Vinny drop in as Giroux's RW or as Jake's center?

I see your point...

Since it was expected he shouldn't even have brought it up.

Understood.



- ggunky

I don't even bother. Yes, I fully expected both Schenn & Couturier to get close to $4mm. Bjugstad's new deal just pretty much guarantees that much for each of them. That's all. It just means that any prediction of them getting less is pretty much moot.

He could be in the HOF, doesn't mean he's capable of playing at that level any longer.

Berube's spoon fed the 4th line OZ starts, and to his credit, Lecavalier is working hard and producing a bit of offense. Sliding him up is an option, but which line best suits his abilities? Try him with Simmonds & Schenn, where he spent most of his time last season(and was ineffective overall)? Split Giroux & Voracek andhave Vinny drop in as Giroux's RW or as Jake's center?
- Jsaquella

I would move Schenn with Couturier and Read. Put Vinny with Laughton and Simmonds. Umberger to the 4th line. Give some of the OZ starts to Vinny-Laughton-Simmonds instead of VDV-Bellemare-VLC. I would also like to see Bellemare in more favorable offensive positions as well. Not sure how to get him more looks though.

Only player that is "demoted" is Umberger. None of the younger guys lose any playing time. Just think in terms of offense those line combinations might be better. Just my thoughts though.

I would move Schenn with Couturier and Read. Put Vinny with Laughton and Simmonds. Umberger to the 4th line. Give some of the OZ starts to Vinny-Laughton-Simmonds instead of VDV-Bellemare-VLC. I would also like to see Bellemare in more favorable offensive positions as well. Not sure how to get him more looks though.

Only player that is "demoted" is Umberger. None of the younger guys lose any playing time. Just think in terms of offense those line combinations might be better. Just my thoughts though.
- mickel25

So who moves to LW on that line with Simmonds, Lecavalier & Laughton? Simmonds struggled on the left side when moved their earlier, Lecavalier complained about being uncomfortable there last season and over the summer, and Laughton's played only in spurts their in his career (CHL, AHL & NHL). He's really only been used at C.

Best case scenario, you're putting an untried guy on LW, and it's probably the best two way guy on that particular line. That's the issue.

That good huh? I could see McDavid being a guy scoring 80-90 pts. I'm gonna have to guess that Eichel will be the JVR of the draft compared to Kane. The skill difference could be that much. Eichel is a college player while McDavid is dominating a league with much better players overall.
- GOA88

I don't think I agree with the "much better" players characterization. They are better, but Eichel is a freshman playing against guys who are 21, 22 years old in many cases. Watching him play in the WJ's, he is pretty damned good.

Have we fired Carter, traded Stevens, and drafted McDavid yet?

Asking for a friend.

Have we fired Carter, traded Stevens, and drafted McDavid yet?

Asking for a friend.
- johndewar

Yes x 3.

I don't think I agree with the "much better" players characterization. They are better, but Eichel is a freshman playing against guys who are 21, 22 years old in many cases. Watching him play in the WJ's, he is pretty damned good.
- MBFlyerfan

I actually thought Mcdavid was the easy, no brainer # 1 guy, but I really hadn't seen Eichel play....Kid is going to be something special at the next level....he really has been impressive....Big, fast and a skill level that really sets him apart from his peers......1 and 2 in the draft are franchise cornerstone-face of the franchise types.

I don't think I agree with the "much better" players characterization. They are better, but Eichel is a freshman playing against guys who are 21, 22 years old in many cases. Watching him play in the WJ's, he is pretty damned good.
- MBFlyerfan

Sure, he looks good but there are players on team USA that are actually performing better than him. Quite a few actually.

I actually thought Mcdavid was the easy, no brainer # 1 guy, but I really hadn't seen Eichel play....Kid is going to be something special at the next level....he really has been impressive....Big, fast and a skill level that really sets him apart from his peers......1 and 2 in the draft are franchise cornerstone-face of the franchise types.
- landros 2

It's a Ovechkin/Malkin scenario again in my mind. But I doubt #3 will be a total bust this time.

That good huh? I could see McDavid being a guy scoring 80-90 pts. I'm gonna have to guess that Eichel will be the JVR of the draft compared to Kane. The skill difference could be that much. Eichel is a college player while McDavid is dominating a league with much better players overall.
- GOA88

Personally, I expect McDavid to be a 110-120 point player in his prime and Eichel to be a 90-100 point player.

I don't think I agree with the "much better" players characterization. They are better, but Eichel is a freshman playing against guys who are 21, 22 years old in many cases. Watching him play in the WJ's, he is pretty damned good.
- MBFlyerfan

How often do college players make it to the NHL? Not many... I mean you get Hobey Baker award players like Matt Carle come from college. lol

So who moves to LW on that line with Simmonds, Lecavalier & Laughton? Simmonds struggled on the left side when moved their earlier, Lecavalier complained about being uncomfortable there last season and over the summer, and Laughton's played only in spurts their in his career (CHL, AHL & NHL). He's really only been used at C.

Best case scenario, you're putting an untried guy on LW, and it's probably the best two way guy on that particular line. That's the issue.
- Jsaquella

I moved Schenn to the Read-Coots line because I thought that made sense. I am fine with any combination of wingers with Couturier and Laughton. I just feel that Vinny deserves to play with better players than he is currently.