I don't see it that way. They've had a few rough seasons, they battled their asses off last year to get in the playoffs and lost the eastern conference champs, This was clearly a really bad season. I think hextall makes some moves this offseason and we see a better team next year.
- benjichronic

If the Flyers had Mason for the entire series, they may have won that series. From there, who knows.

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.
- Jsaquella

Rumor is that he is willing to force issue after season to ensure a trade or buyout. Retirement or mutual termination won't happen.

The scenario that has been proposed is that the Flyers job opening is so much better than other job openings around the league

I'm saying, and proving, that the Flyers job is no different than any other job that is out there except Toronto's, Phoenix and New Jersey's

But somehow, me saying that one of the worst teams in the league over the last decade is playing better than you for the last quarter of a season, in a more difficult conference, doesn't prove that Edmonton's job is no worse than Philadelphia's?

RIGHT
- AllInForFlyers

The Flyers have a far better financial situation than all but the top few teams in the NFL.

They have a good core group, and the financial wherewithal to get rid of some of the bad deals that hamper them. They have good young prospects in Laughton, Leier, Cousins, Sanheim, Morin, Hagg and Gostisbehere.

The Flyers have never been a team that doesn't try to win-even in bad seasons they're trying to win. It's appealing to a prospective coach that that mindset is in place, especially a guy like Tippett who has coached for a team that lacks the financial resources of the Flyers.

There's also none of the ineptitude that teams like Edmonton, Buffalo and others have shown for long stretches of time. Despite the current issues the Flyers face, they are an organization that shows they have the desire and will to win.

Rumor is that he is willing to force issue after season to ensure a trade or buyout. Retirement or mutual termination won't happen.
- bmeltzer

I figured as much, there's no reason to walk away from $10.5mm and it's obvious that Lecavalier still thinks he can play.

Rumor is that he is willing to force issue after season to ensure a trade or buyout. Retirement or mutual termination won't happen.
- bmeltzer

Whoa, this points needs to be expanded on...

If the Flyers had Mason for the entire series, they may have won that series. From there, who knows.
- MJL

I honestly believe if we had an NHL coach with a proven track record coaching last season's team that looked built to go on a deep playoff run, we could have with a better coached regular season.

Rumor is that he is willing to force issue after season to ensure a trade or buyout. Retirement or mutual termination won't happen.
- bmeltzer

assuming there's no interest on the trade front, what can he do to force the issue?

I figured as much, there's no reason to walk away from $10.5mm and it's obvious that Lecavalier still thinks he can play.
- Jsaquella

Yup
I'm really hoping that after July 1st, someone will be willing to pay him 8.5 mil over 3 years, and carry an annual cap hit of 2.25 mil during that time.




I'm not holding my breath

Rumor is that he is willing to force issue after season to ensure a trade or buyout. Retirement or mutual termination won't happen.
- bmeltzer

Realistically, how can he force the issue? He can request that his agent facilitate a trade, which he will and which the Flyers will accommodate. If no team wants him, or wants him at terms which are unacceptable to Hexy (yeah, we'll take him if you give us Schenn or Couturier), what next?

He cannot force them to buy him out though. He can turn into a malcontent, which is generally not conducive to getting another team to want you. And they can send him home with pay.

Not sure what other recourse he has.

I hope Hextall goes into this offseason with his options completely open. I'd trade any player, Giroux included, if it puts the team in a better situation.

Does your screen name mean you are chronically Benji, or Benji smokes the chronic? Are you kidding me with that screen-name poop?

Other teams make trades, draft players, have prospects. It's ludicrous to sit there and act like the Flyers are the only team who is going to get better in the next 3-5 years...are you kidding me?

You don't have to be "(frank)ed." But you do have to beat out eight other teams in your conference, and considering that every other team is doing exactly what you're doing -- and in some cases, have more assets than you do -- it's not negative to acknowledge that, golly gee, the currently .500 Flyers aren't automatically going to be contenders just because...Flyers.
- AllInForFlyers

Benji that smokes chronic. The screen name shot was childish and for that I apologize. I was just commenting about how I took some of your "negativity". The way you are talking is making it seem like the flyers are doomed forever... which I don't see as the case. I see a team that's been floundering the past 3 years, and in those past 3 years they had one decent season. I see a team with a few really good young pieces (g, jake, mason, coots, Simmonds). I see a team with some really solid defensemen in the making. I see a team that took on a few bad contracts, and is paying for it now. I see a team with a GM with a plan. And so far, for me personally he seems to be carrying out that plan. I see a team that is currently lacking in offensive prospects, but I have a feeling the front office didn't miss that, and will do what they feel appropriate to address it. I'm not/ wasn't trying to be a Richard just seeing a lot of 'flyers are (frank)ed" talk.

Rumor is that he is willing to force issue after season to ensure a trade or buyout. Retirement or mutual termination won't happen.
- bmeltzer

Lecavalier has already been quoted early in the season that retirement is out of the question but people like fans and those apart of the rumor mill keep bringing it up. It's so dopey.

The Flyers have a far better financial situation than all but the top few teams in the NFL.

They have a good core group, and the financial wherewithal to get rid of some of the bad deals that hamper them. They have good young prospects in Laughton, Leier, Cousins, Sanheim, Morin, Hagg and Gostisbehere.

The Flyers have never been a team that doesn't try to win-even in bad seasons they're trying to win. It's appealing to a prospective coach that that mindset is in place, especially a guy like Tippett who has coached for a team that lacks the financial resources of the Flyers.

There's also none of the ineptitude that teams like Edmonton, Buffalo and others have shown for long stretches of time. Despite the current issues the Flyers face, they are an organization that shows they have the desire and will to win.
- Jsaquella

The bolded wasn't the scenario that was proposed. My entire point was saying that if the Flyers do NOT dump players who can't play by using their financial prowess and acquiring different players, then that would make the job less attractive.

It isn't an advantage to have the financial means to buy out bad players...but then telling a potential candidate that, nope, Wheels, etc., are going to be on the roster because you're not buying them out or retaining salary

assuming there's no interest on the trade front, what can he do to force the issue?
- BulliesPhan87

Pull the old hole in the popcorn bucket trick on Hexy would be my guess.

assuming there's no interest on the trade front, what can he do to force the issue?
- BulliesPhan87

Run his mouth and become a distraction?

Can't think of anything else

Run his mouth and become a distraction?

Can't think of anything else
- BiggE

Can't the team suspend him if he starts really acting out? He'd still be on the cap and all, but at least then they could tell him to go home.

The Flyers have a far better financial situation than all but the top few teams in the NFL.

They have a good core group, and the financial wherewithal to get rid of some of the bad deals that hamper them. They have good young prospects in Laughton, Leier, Cousins, Sanheim, Morin, Hagg and Gostisbehere.

The Flyers have never been a team that doesn't try to win-even in bad seasons they're trying to win. It's appealing to a prospective coach that that mindset is in place, especially a guy like Tippett who has coached for a team that lacks the financial resources of the Flyers.

There's also none of the ineptitude that teams like Edmonton, Buffalo and others have shown for long stretches of time. Despite the current issues the Flyers face, they are an organization that shows they have the desire and will to win.
- Jsaquella

I think this means quite a bit less in the cap era. As long as a team is spending above the mid-point, who cares? They all can make payroll, and that payroll is rather fixed.

You could also argue that the Flyers penchant for signing players to long-term contracts and then subsequently trading or buying them out works against the team as far as free agents are concerned.

Does your screen name mean you are chronically Benji, or Benji smokes the chronic? Are you kidding me with that screen-name poop?

Other teams make trades, draft players, have prospects. It's ludicrous to sit there and act like the Flyers are the only team who is going to get better in the next 3-5 years...are you kidding me?

You don't have to be "(frank)ed." But you do have to beat out eight other teams in your conference, and considering that every other team is doing exactly what you're doing -- and in some cases, have more assets than you do -- it's not negative to acknowledge that, golly gee, the currently .500 Flyers aren't automatically going to be contenders just because...Flyers.
- AllInForFlyers

Um... excuse me sir but, not to be negative, they've lost 16 more games than they've won.

THAT'S A FACT JACK!!!!

perhaps they should do with Vinny what the Kings did with Richie.

The Top 10 Biggest Struggles of the 2014-2015 NHL season from THN:

9. Vincent Lecavalier’s forgettable year
After being bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the offseason prior to the 2013-14 season, Lecavalier landed a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers in an attempt to get his career back on track. To say things haven’t worked out for Lecavalier would be an understatement.
The 34-year-old, 15-year veteran hasn’t been able to rediscover his game with the Flyers and he’s been a healthy scratch more than a dozen times. Averaging less than 13 minutes per game, Lecavalier has just seven goals and 18 points in 51 outings.
He’s in the second year of a five-year deal with the Flyers, but it’s unlikely he lasts much longer if he’s only skating fourth-line minutes in between stints watching from the sideline.

Yup
I'm really hoping that after July 1st, someone will be willing to pay him 8.5 mil over 3 years, and carry an annual cap hit of 2.25 mil during that time.




I'm not holding my breath
- BiggE

Cap hit and salary retained have to be equal I believe

Pull the old hole in the popcorn bucket trick on Hexy would be my guess.
- hereticpride

"Flyer injured in freak goalie stick accident at local theater" (e5)

perhaps they should do with Vinny what the Kings did with Richie.
- wilsonecho91

They can't.

Benji that smokes chronic. The screen name shot was childish and for that I apologize. I was just commenting about how I took some of your "negativity". The way you are talking is making it seem like the flyers are doomed forever... which I don't see as the case. I see a team that's been floundering the past 3 years, and in those past 3 years they had one decent season. I see a team with a few really good young pieces (g, jake, mason, coots, Simmonds). I see a team with some really solid defensemen in the making. I see a team that took on a few bad contracts, and is paying for it now. I see a team with a GM with a plan. And so far, for me personally he seems to be carrying out that plan. I see a team that is currently lacking in offensive prospects, but I have a feeling the front office didn't miss that, and will do what they feel appropriate to address it. I'm not/ wasn't trying to be a Richard just seeing a lot of 'flyers are (frank)ed" talk.
- benjichronic

Ha! It's cool; we're just slap-fighting on the Internet

In other words, it's a day that ends in 'Y"

The Top 10 Biggest Struggles of the 2014-2015 NHL season from THN:

9. Vincent Lecavalier’s forgettable year
After being bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the offseason prior to the 2013-14 season, Lecavalier landed a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers in an attempt to get his career back on track. To say things haven’t worked out for Lecavalier would be an understatement.
The 34-year-old, 15-year veteran hasn’t been able to rediscover his game with the Flyers and he’s been a healthy scratch more than a dozen times. Averaging less than 13 minutes per game, Lecavalier has just seven goals and 18 points in 51 outings.
He’s in the second year of a five-year deal with the Flyers, but it’s unlikely he lasts much longer if he’s only skating fourth-line minutes in between stints watching from the sideline.
- Pixote Andolini

Can you post the full link?