I don't see Umberger or VLC going anywhere unless they're bought out or a tragic career-ending injury occurs. There is a small possibility that Umberger recovers and gets himself into top condition heading into next season where his wheels are back up to speed but if I'm a betting man I don't bet on that.

It's pretty clear how things are in the league today. You need speed and skating/hockey ability - even in the bottom 6 plug-in positions. Even Columbus saw what was happening with Umberger last season, scratching him and significantly reducing his TOI.

He is also getting the cash from his Lightning buyout, s he's not exactly hurting.

But yeah, why walk away from $10.5mm, when you can recoup 2/3rds of it with the same level of commitment on your own side of things?
- Jsaquella

Yep. And it's not a Richard move to be that way either.

Buy me out and let me try to play somewhere else or pay me full fare to eat popcorn during games. The choice is yours.

To me, you'd have to be stone-cold insane to take the Flyers job over the summer knowing that the last guy got turfed with the same roster, especially if you are a good coach with other options
- AllInForFlyers

This still is a well respected, proud franchise with a sound history which shows these dips are not protracted.

To be a part of a renewal which includes a (hopefully) bright young GM with a SC on his resume, a good draft position, and terrific young d-men on the horizon, it's not hard to see that the Flyers would be attractive for any coach, either a young up-and-comer, or a seasoned voice.

Vinny needs to understand that he sucks dik and that most teams wouldn't touch him and his contract with a 100 ft pole. That's what he's gotta understand. He kind a boned himself signing that massive ass contract. Stupid Vinny.
- benjichronic

You must really be a closet edmonton fan who's upset no one wants to sign there

Big mistake for them was locking Mike Smith in... dude is like the Vinnie Prospal of goalies.
- Tomahawk

They maxed out with the WCF run a few years back; not a crime. Sometimes it happens like that, and you gotta move on to another era

And you are totally correct: Dave Tippett wouldn't be the first to face the firing squad under those circumstances

But also if I'm him, I'm not taking just any job. I'm taking one where the team is either totally young or totally ready to win, not one that is employing Wheels, Umberger, Luke Schenn and Rinaldo...but telling people that we're not tanking, yet not making trades for roster help and/or not buying people out

Yeah, that's a job I'm not taking, if I'm Dave Tippett or anyone else with a pedigree

Yep. And it's not a Richard move to be that way either.

Buy me out and let me try to play somewhere else or pay me full fare to eat popcorn during games. The choice is yours.
- Scoob

Yep. I was just saying if the Flyers tried to play hardball and get him to accept a mutual termination, Vinny could make things ugly.

Something has to come to a head with Umberger and Lecavalier. 2 and 3 years respectively of the garbage we saw this year is too much. Paying a premium for replacement level production can cripple a team. By hook, or crook these guys have to be gone. Can't sell them to anyone being on this roster next year. Same goes for Berube. If he's not fired on 4/12, I'm gonna go apepoop.

I would imagine that the only way Vinny would accept a mutual termination of his contract would be if his agent was given permission to shop him as a free agent (per se) and they were able to recoupe most or all of what he's in line to receive as a flyer.

Yep. And it's not a Richard move to be that way either.

Buy me out and let me try to play somewhere else or pay me full fare to eat popcorn during games. The choice is yours.
- Scoob

It's business. The Flyers have their side, and Lecavalier has his. Unless he drastically improves, I don't see him playing a lot if he remains with the team, and he won't be happy in that situation.

I would imagine that the only way Vinny would accept a mutual termination of his contract would be if his agent was given permission to shop him as a free agent (per se) and they were able to recoupe most or all of what he's in line to receive as a flyer.
- flyerscup2011

What was his buyout with TB?

I would imagine that the only way Vinny would accept a mutual termination of his contract would be if his agent was given permission to shop him as a free agent (per se) and they were able to recoupe most or all of what he's in line to receive as a flyer.
- flyerscup2011

Lecavalier would automatically become a UFA with a mutual termination.

They maxed out with the WCF run a few years back; not a crime. Sometimes it happens like that, and you gotta move on to another era

And you are totally correct: Dave Tippett wouldn't be the first to face the firing squad under those circumstances

But also if I'm him, I'm not taking just any job. I'm taking one where the team is either totally young or totally ready to win, not one that is employing Wheels, Umberger, Luke Schenn and Rinaldo...but telling people that we're not tanking, yet not making trades for roster help and/or not buying people out

Yeah, that's a job I'm not taking, if I'm Dave Tippett or anyone else with a pedigree
- AllInForFlyers

The team also employs a good group of pretty good players.

The team also employs a good group of pretty good players.
- MJL

A lot of teams do, and some have better players or more advanced prospects

Certainly too soon to say who's going to get turfed at year's end, but if I'm a coach, there are other spots around the league with teams that might make coaching changes that are desirable places to be

I don't see Umberger or VLC going anywhere unless they're bought out or a tragic career-ending injury occurs. There is a small possibility that Umberger recovers and gets himself into top condition heading into next season where his wheels are back up to speed but if I'm a betting man I don't bet on that.

It's pretty clear how things are in the league today. You need speed and skating/hockey ability - even in the bottom 6 plug-in positions. Even Columbus saw what was happening with Umberger last season, scratching him and significantly reducing his TOI.
- Pixote Andolini

RJ Umberger in my mind has been by far our worst player this season. Even over Vinny, even over Vandevelde and I'll even add Rinaldo to the equation for a fourth line plus who should only see less then five minutes or less a game anyway. We gave up Hartnell for Umberger who is still a pretty decent player on a bad team but Umberger is bad right now. Lecavalier out produced Umberger with limited minutes and line mates. Umberger couldn't even help and already atrocious penalty killing squard and that's the role we expected him to be a big part of enterin this season. Sad but true, Umberger's best game this season was on home ice against the capitals in his first preseason game back in September. I thought he was awesome! Since then he did nothing but disappoint and this is considering the Ducks game out west where he scored twice.

The team also employs a good group of pretty good players.
- MJL

Like every team

A lot of teams do, and some have better players or more advanced prospects

Certainly too soon to say who's going to get turfed at year's end, but if I'm a coach, there are other spots around the league with teams that might make coaching changes that are desirable places to be
- AllInForFlyers

How many teams have shown a commitment to try and win like the Flyers have? Who have the near bottomless pit of resources that the Flyers have. How many rosters already have a Giroux and Voracek on them?

It's business. The Flyers have their side, and Lecavalier has his. Unless he drastically improves, I don't see him playing a lot if he remains with the team, and he won't be happy in that situation.
- MJL

Sure, he won't be happy, but he and his people aren't stupid. They'll take the money.

Lecavalier would automatically become a UFA with a mutual termination.
- MJL

The likelihood of that happening without a deal already in place to recoup the money given up is slim to none.

A lot of teams do, and some have better players or more advanced prospects

Certainly too soon to say who's going to get turfed at year's end, but if I'm a coach, there are other spots around the league with teams that might make coaching changes that are desirable places to be
- AllInForFlyers

Might be, but I assure the Flyers is an organization that is highly thought of , and is a desirable location to coach. It's not all doom and gloom. I honestly don't think a coach is going to not consider the Flyers because Rinaldo is on the team. The Flyers have a strong core nucleus, some good prospects that are about to become even deeper in June. A coach signs on for multiple years, not just one.

The likelihood of that happening without a deal already in place to recoup the money given up is slim to none.
- Scoob

It is remote, but there won't be a deal in place before hand. That would be tampering.

Sure, he won't be happy, but he and his people aren't stupid. They'll take the money.
- Scoob

Most likely.

They maxed out with the WCF run a few years back; not a crime. Sometimes it happens like that, and you gotta move on to another era

And you are totally correct: Dave Tippett wouldn't be the first to face the firing squad under those circumstances

But also if I'm him, I'm not taking just any job. I'm taking one where the team is either totally young or totally ready to win, not one that is employing Wheels, Umberger, Luke Schenn and Rinaldo...but telling people that we're not tanking, yet not making trades for roster help and/or not buying people out

Yeah, that's a job I'm not taking, if I'm Dave Tippett or anyone else with a pedigree
- AllInForFlyers

who is wheels?

How many teams have shown a commitment to try and win like the Flyers have? Who have the near bottomless pit of resources that the Flyers have. How many rosters already have a Giroux and Voracek on them?
- Jsaquella

Yep.

Not to mention 2 first rounders coming up in a very deep draft and a bevy of talented d-men in the pipeline.

Like every team
- Just5

Correct.

How many teams have shown a commitment to try and win like the Flyers have? Who have the near bottomless pit of resources that the Flyers have. How many rosters already have a Giroux and Voracek on them?
- Jsaquella

How committed to winning are you if you're telling a prospective job candidate that Wheels, the Schenns, Umberger, Rinaldo, basically the entire roster, is going to be back?

You're 29th on the PK and are among the worst teams in franchise history in offensive performance...and you're bringing back the same roster?

That's not a commitment to winning. That's a commitment to being what you already are, which is not winning

If you're a coach, how do you even know the GM is safe if you miss the playoffs again? Why would you take that risk with a roster that you already know can't win?