Another thing to consider in Gagner is, does keeping him force Couturier into a more defense first role, yet again?

If he's a center, then he'll probably see more OZ starts and play with Simmonds. But if he can play LW, and provide good playmaking from there, it might work out great.

It's a $633K for two years, frees up $2.6mm this season. Gagner being under age 26 means the buyout is only 1/3rd of the cost, and TB is on the hook for some. Basically it's two teams helping each other out. The Flyers wanted to dump Pronger's deal, the Yotes wanted a physical, veteran D-man and to dump Gagner.

To me, if they think Gagner's a fit, keep him. Its one year and maybe he can be dealt at the TDL for more picks. But if they don't think he fits and share Maloney's harsh assessment-thinking that Gagner couldn't play C at the NHL level for them-then a buyout is essentially painless and it frees up significant cap room
- Jsaquella

Thanks. I didn't realize that about the 1/3 amount or the fact that TBL are on the hook for some. I don't think the Lightning are even listed as a team he played for on NHL.com. Maybe I just missed it...

Another good write-up on the cap implications of the buyout.

I wonder if Edmonton is finally open for business moving one of their top 6 forwards with McDavid being drafted. Chiarelli hasn't be opposed to trading young talent under control for awhile (see: Seguin trade). Maybe Hexy plans on moving young assets for more expensive young assets. I don't think Gagner plays for the Flyers.
- ravishingone

It's interesting. Because now with Konecny in the system and Jake and Simmonds presumably here for the long haul you've only really got one other top 6 wing spot to address. Yeah, it will be probably two years before Konecny is here but how much do you give up in the meantime to improve the Raffl or BSchenn spots?

Maybe we give Schenn the season and then package him with our 1st next year to move up as far as possible and select the best LW on the board and maximize this thing?

So the buyout cap hits for Gagner shown on our buyout calculator would actually be split as:
PHI: $422,222 and $555,555
TBL: $211,111 and $277,778

I'm fine with that.

So the buyout cap hits for Gagner shown on our buyout calculator would actually be split as:
PHI: $422,222 and $555,555
TBL: $211,111 and $277,778

I'm fine with that.
- BiggE

Yeah, I forgot to double check the TB impact

Yeah, I forgot to double check the TB impact
- Jsaquella

It's Sunday morning, you get a pass.

So the buyout cap hits for Gagner shown on our buyout calculator would actually be split as:
PHI: $422,222 and $555,555
TBL: $211,111 and $277,778

I'm fine with that.
- BiggE

for me the question then would be, with that cap space can i acquire a better/more system friendly talent. if yes- buyout, if no let him play maybe his value can climb at the deadline move him provided he's not playing into your plans.

It's Sunday morning, you get a pass.
- BiggE

I think they buy him out, but I'm OK either way. There's some pros to keeping him, too

Yeah, I forgot to double check the TB impact
- Jsaquella

So did frank. I wonder if there was any data for him to look at

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/...lping-out-flyers-1.319880

It's interesting. Because now with Konecny in the system and Jake and Simmonds presumably here for the long haul you've only really got one other top 6 wing spot to address. Yeah, it will be probably two years before Konecny is here but how much do you give up in the meantime to improve the Raffl or BSchenn spots?

Maybe we give Schenn the season and then package him with our 1st next year to move up as far as possible and select the best LW on the board and maximize this thing?
- hereticpride

I think almost everything is on the table right now other then G and I'm very, very confident Voracek is signed long-term. Also, I have to believe Raffl is almost a must sign after next season because of the lack of depth at LW. Maybe they can get him for $3.5 - $4 million for 5 years (just throwing out some numbers). Also, I don't think his chemistry for G and Voracek can be minimized.

Konecny is a huge pick. He has to work out because of the lack of depth in the organization and they gave up a pretty good asset to move up and get him.

It's interesting. Because now with Konecny in the system and Jake and Simmonds presumably here for the long haul you've only really got one other top 6 wing spot to address. Yeah, it will be probably two years before Konecny is here but how much do you give up in the meantime to improve the Raffl or BSchenn spots?

Maybe we give Schenn the season and then package him with our 1st next year to move up as far as possible and select the best LW on the board and maximize this thing?
- hereticpride

I would be 100% on board with that. I would much rather trade for a top prospect LW and have him developed in our own system than trade for someone already in the league. Unless we are absolutely robbing another team via trade.

Just read a scouting report on Konecny that compared his shot to Phil Kessel. That is some damned high praise.

I'm still kind of baffled how the kid dropped all the way to 24.

Matthew Tkachuk(2016 Draft eligible)-There's no way he's the 6-1 he's listed at, but he's always been a kid that uses the size he has so effectively that he plays bigger than he actually is. He's a very smart player, so he's always around the puck, and uses body positioning very well. His great offensive instincts and excellent shot are going to make him an effective scorer at the next level. He's most likely in London next year, but should be a first round pick in 2016.

Definitely too early to be considering next years draft, but I would keep an eye on this kid. Will be playing for the London Knights this year I believe.

Just read a scouting report on Konecny that compared his shot to Phil Kessel. That is some damned high praise.

I'm still kind of baffled how the kid dropped all the way to 24.
- hereticpride

concussion history.

http://www.hockeysfuture....-at-the-whl-bantam-draft/

Another LW prospect to keep an eye on this year.

Honest to god, what is it with young hockey prospects and mono ? Mono was so big back in the 70's and 80's, and quite frankly, never hear much about it until hockey. WHY ? Couturier had issues with this, are we not learning anything

concussion history.
- JoeRussomanno

Their loss. Our gain.

Honest to god, what is it with young hockey prospects and mono ? Mono was so big back in the 70's and 80's, and quite frankly, never hear much about it until hockey. WHY ? Couturier had issues with this, are we not learning anything
- twpguy

I got hit hard with it in 2007. Knocked me out of sorts for an entire summer.

She was totally worth it though.

http://www.mckeenshockey....er-family-tree-branching/

William Nylander's younger brother. Another "projected top 5-10 pick" for next year's draft. "Game breaking talent with the ability to blow the top off a defence and turn the game wide open"

Plays LW and may be coming to play in NA next year.

I wonder if Edmonton is finally open for business moving one of their top 6 forwards with McDavid being drafted. Chiarelli hasn't be opposed to trading young talent under control for awhile (see: Seguin trade). Maybe Hexy plans on moving young assets for more expensive young assets. I don't think Gagner plays for the Flyers.
- ravishingone

I actually thought the same thing. Edmonton is an ideal partner for trade because of need. I wonder if maybe and Eberle deal could be hashed out. IDK, I just feel that is an organization who might see our still crowded blue line and take some of the pieces we would trade to bring in a top 6 guy. I also doubt Gagner plays here, although I think they should keep him for the one year. If they do buy him out, they better have a good reason for needing those funds.

I actually thought the same thing. Edmonton is an ideal partner for trade because of need. I wonder if maybe and Eberle deal could be hashed out. IDK, I just feel that is an organization who might see our still crowded blue line and take some of the pieces we would trade to bring in a top 6 guy. I also doubt Gagner plays here, although I think they should keep him for the one year. If they do buy him out, they better have a good reason for needing those funds.
- nonpoint22

Unless we're moving a D prospect or they're very high on MDZ I can't see them making Eberle available for any of our D men. Maybe the Schenns for Eberle...

I actually thought the same thing. Edmonton is an ideal partner for trade because of need. I wonder if maybe and Eberle deal could be hashed out. IDK, I just feel that is an organization who might see our still crowded blue line and take some of the pieces we would trade to bring in a top 6 guy. I also doubt Gagner plays here, although I think they should keep him for the one year. If they do buy him out, they better have a good reason for needing those funds.
- nonpoint22

Eberle plays RW though. We're pretty crowded there at the moment. Taylor Hall would be my target but I don't see next years 1st+B.Schenn getting that done. I would also be reluctant to part with any of our D prospects until we really have a good feel for how they are progressing.

Unless we're moving a D prospect or they're very high on MDZ I can't see them making Eberle available for any of our D men. Maybe the Schenns for Eberle...
- hereticpride

This is Peter Chiarelli we're talking about. MDZ+Brayden+2016 2nd. Throw in Luke if that doesn't get it done.

Honest to god, what is it with young hockey prospects and mono ? Mono was so big back in the 70's and 80's, and quite frankly, never hear much about it until hockey. WHY ? Couturier had issues with this, are we not learning anything
- twpguy

By age 25 most in N America have antibodies to mono, meaning the virus is really prevalent and has been in nearly everyone. Not every person gets full blown mono though. I don't think it is well understood why some people have a mild illness and some get really sick. I guess in athletes it is noticed because it plays havoc with their stamina for 6+ weeks.

It's a $633K for two years, frees up $2.6mm this season. Gagner being under age 26 means the buyout is only 1/3rd of the cost, and TB is on the hook for some. Basically it's two teams helping each other out. The Flyers wanted to dump Pronger's deal, the Yotes wanted a physical, veteran D-man and to dump Gagner.

To me, if they think Gagner's a fit, keep him. Its one year and maybe he can be dealt at the TDL for more picks. But if they don't think he fits and share Maloney's harsh assessment-thinking that Gagner couldn't play C at the NHL level for them-then a buyout is essentially painless and it frees up significant cap room
- Jsaquella