He will. I would count on him playing all 82 games, though. He'll be in and out of the lineup most likely. IMO. Just a tweener....
- GOA88

Probably. He had a stretch of games last year where he played really well, then he went back to being invisible.

I don't think I ever rooted for a guy to score a goal more than I did Patrick Thoresen.
- johndewar

another guy I though would eventually make his way back to the NHL.

To a very small extent, if any at all. Umberger and Lecavalier's playing time will be determined by how well they actually play, not their cap hit. That's the GM's problem.
- MJL

How do you explain last season? Umberger and Vinny were an absolute pile of poop.

Couturier in my opinion.
- MJL

Yeah, I agree. I wish he could put up a few more points. I realize it's not all on him, but he has to burry the chances he does get.

In my mind, he goes to #2, and Laughton goes to #3. You would hope Laughton can take some of the defensive responsibilities away from Couts.

I do think Couts has deceptively skillful hands and if slotted w/ the right wingers, he could put of 50 points, but I don't think that is too much of an earth shattering thought.

How do you explain last season? Umberger and Vinny were an absolute pile of poop.
- GOA88

What do you mean how do I explain last year? Lecavalier spent time in the press box. Even with his ineffectiveness, Umberger was still one of the top 12 forwards, and there wasn't a better replacement available to the coach.

Yeah, I agree. I wish he could put up a few more points. I realize it's not all on him, but he has to burry the chances he does get.

In my mind, he goes to #2, and Laughton goes to #3. You would hope Laughton can take some of the defensive responsibilities away from Couts.

I do think Couts has deceptively skillful hands and if slotted w/ the right wingers, he could put of 50 points, but I don't think that is too much of an earth shattering thought.
- VladDrag

Not at all, I think it's dead on.

I don't think I ever rooted for a guy to score a goal more than I did Patrick Thoresen.
- johndewar

Dude worked as hard as anyone. Always root for my Norsemen. OKT

Yeah, I agree. I wish he could put up a few more points. I realize it's not all on him, but he has to burry the chances he does get.

In my mind, he goes to #2, and Laughton goes to #3. You would hope Laughton can take some of the defensive responsibilities away from Couts.

I do think Couts has deceptively skillful hands and if slotted w/ the right wingers, he could put of 50 points, but I don't think that is too much of an earth shattering thought.
- VladDrag

I think that's very realistic. I think if him and schenn can continue & build on the chemistry they found at the end of last season, I think both of them could easily hit 50 points.

What do you mean how do I explain last year? Lecavalier spent time in the press box. Even with his ineffectiveness, Umberger was still one of the top 12 forwards, and there wasn't a better replacement available to the coach.
- MJL

We will just have to disagree on this. Vinny will still get at least half the season in the lineup. If his contract was cheap and he could be sent to the minors....He would probably never play.

We will just have to disagree on this. Vinny will still get at least half the season in the lineup. If his contract was cheap and he could be sent to the minors....He would probably never play.
- GOA88

I agree that his contract, specifically the NMC prevents the Flyers from sending him to the minors, but again, that is a GM decision, not a coaching decision. A coach chooses who to play, and how much, from the roster of players he's given. If Lecavalier isn't effective, I think that will be the deciding factor on how much he plays, not his cap hit.

I think that will be the deciding factor on how much he plays, not his cap hit.
- MJL

That should always and only be the criteria.

I think that's very realistic. I think if him and schenn can continue & build on the chemistry they found at the end of last season, I think both of them could easily hit 50 points.
- benjichronic

IMO
10....needs at least 25 goals
14.....needs to hit 20 goals
24.... Needs to hit 20 goals

For this team to make playoffs

I agree that his contract, specifically the NMC prevents the Flyers from sending him to the minors, but again, that is a GM decision, not a coaching decision. A coach chooses who to play, and how much, from the roster of players he's given. If Lecavalier isn't effective, I think that will be the deciding factor on how much he plays, not his cap hit.
- MJL

You're missing my point. I said Vinny would play. I never said that it would be a big role, but he will in fact play. The only reason he will see any ice time on the Flyers next season is because of his contract. Thats it. Unless he makes a comeback of some sort....thats the only reason.

Probably Couturier, because I want my #2 center to play a complete 200 ft game.
- BiggE

See, not sure I really agree with that -- L2 is one of the few places in the lineup where you can afford to put less-responsible players -- they'll still have ample offensive opportunity but can avoid most of the dangerous matchups.

Coots... he plays that 3C shutdown role to the hilt... I'm not sure who's gonna come along to relieve him of that responsibility.

You're missing my point. I said Vinny would play. I never said that it would be a big role, but he will in fact play. The only reason he will see any ice time on the Flyers next season is because of his contract. Thats it. Unless he makes a comeback of some sort....thats the only reason.
- GOA88

Not missing that at all, I never stated that I believed that Lecavalier would sit out all 82 games. I think the Flyers would like to trade Lecavalier, but his ineffectiveness, coupled with his contract, are making that all but impossible at this point. The Flyers would be stupid to bury him and not play him at all, because that would all but kill any likelihood of moving him in a trade. I understand what you're saying.

Vinny Lecavalier will lead the NHL franchise the Philadelphia Flyers in goals next year.

See, not sure I really agree with that -- L2 is one of the few places in the lineup where you can afford to put less-responsible players -- they'll still have ample offensive opportunity but can avoid most of the dangerous matchups.

Coots... he plays that 3C shutdown role to the hilt... I'm not sure who's gonna come along to relieve him of that responsibility.
- Tomahawk

Affording to do so, and what's optimal, are two different things. A top team needs to be strong up the middle on both sides of the puck. If a line or a player is going to be a less responsible or a one way offensive line, then they better be putting up a ton of points. If you have a stronger team overall, including on the defense, you can spread those responsibilities around, and not burden one player too heavily. If you have a less responsible L2, then that pretty much ensures that a player like Couturier, will continue to be heavily burdened with D zone responsibilities. You've been a frequent proponent of using Couturier differently to help him develop. Not agreeing seems to contradict that.

Vinny Lecavalier will lead the NHL franchise the Philadelphia Flyers in goals next year.
- jmatchett383

Ilya Bryzgalov does own the Flyers' goaltender shutout streak record so anything is possible

Ilya Bryzgalov does own the Flyers' goaltender shutout streak record so anything is possible
- Trainfellow

It can't be disproved at this point. The only way it could be disproved would be if he was bought out or retired/mutually terminated.

Not agreeing seems to contradict that.
- MJL

Yeah, saying the team is best off w/ Coots at 3C right now is the same as condoning the punishing usage patterns and dead-stiff linemates that he had to endure last season.

See, not sure I really agree with that -- L2 is one of the few places in the lineup where you can afford to put less-responsible players -- they'll still have ample offensive opportunity but can avoid most of the dangerous matchups.

Coots... he plays that 3C shutdown role to the hilt... I'm not sure who's gonna come along to relieve him of that responsibility.
- Tomahawk

I'd like to see coots play split between defensive specialist and offensive dynamo. I think it can be done, theoretically they could have some type of hybrid 2/3 line with read coots and schenn. Schenn isn't the best defensive player, that being said, he holds his own when he has to.

Yeah, saying the team is best off w/ Coots at 3C right now is the same as condoning the punishing usage patterns and dead-stiff linemates that he had to endure last season.


- Tomahawk

Why even bother??

Why even bother??
- PLindbergh31

oh come on...usage is a just a red herring.

The Flyers are probably, at best, a bubble playoff team. So roll with Umberger and Lecavalier one more season since more likely than not there's no real chance of the team getting anywhere near the cup, and get rid of them next summer while perhaps getting another decent draft pick. Of course I'm hopeful Umberger has a bit of a comeback year this upcoming season after his surgeries and whatnot. If he can play solid D while chipping in 10+ goals, though still not great production for his cap hit, it would be a helpful addition to the team.
- wolfhounds

I'm all for this, my only concern is they are blocking a spot for a young kid to develop and learn how to play in the NHL. I'm not great with how ELC's work so if someone could help me out, would it be better for a guy like Cousin's or Leier or Laughton to stay in the AHL 1 more year then next year if we can get rid of Vinny and Umberger bring them up (if ready) or is a young guy coming up this year better to in terms of development as long as it waste years on their contract? Basically it makes more financial sense to hold on to Vinny and Umberger for another year then cut them or whatever, but does the benefit of bringing up a young guy now outweigh the financial savings by cutting Vinny and Umberger now?

Make your own list then, lol
- BiggE

but you are the best lister