Brandon Perlini. Sonny Milano. Paul Bittner. Anthony Duclair. Vladislav Kamenev.

Just picking out some names. Bottom line, if any of their teams offered up any of those guys straight up for Raffl, would you say no?
- TheGreat28

I'd say no to Kamenev and Bittner. The other 3 I'd say yes and immediately hang up before whoever's on the other end has a chance to change their mind.

That's OK, we'd probably just trade a guy who could be a top line LW for a 4-5 defenseman or washed up 4th liner or a bad, but shorter, contract
- Jsaquella

I've mentioned Hartsy a few times in this thread, but believe me, I've thought him a heck a lot more.

I thought it'd be 50-50...thee years left at $15mm per. Might be worth a mid level prospect or two to get the Phillies to eat 25-50% of that
- Jsaquella

It's a vesting option. I think he needs 500 PAs, which he won't be getting.

Brandon Perlini. Sonny Milano. Paul Bittner. Anthony Duclair. Vladislav Kamenev.

Just picking out some names. Bottom line, if any of their teams offered up any of those guys straight up for Raffl, would you say no?
- TheGreat28

I'd say no to at least one. I'm not a huge Bittner fan. The other thing is, expecting guys like that to be offered for Raffl is stretching it. Duclair was a key piece in a trade for an all star defenseman. Perlini was a top 12 pick just a year ago. Milano projects as a possible 1st line winger.

Yep. The cap only rose this season because the players voted to use the 5% escalator. Had they refused to do so, which happened before last season, the cap would have gone down from last season
- Jsaquella

I'm not in favor of salary caps. I know it adds to competitive balance. Perhaps I'd feel differently if I were a fan of a small market team. I know NHL players make a ton of money, but whatever happened to capitalism? There shouldn't be a cap on what someone can earn. A person should make whatever someone is willing to pay them imo.

I'd say no to Kamenev and Bittner. The other 3 I'd say yes and immediately hang up before whoever's on the other end has a chance to change their mind.
- mochoson

For Raffl, considering the upside on Kamenev, I'd still probably do it. It's a high-risk, high-reward move.

Bittner is slower for sure, but I think he has that, as the French say, I don't know what. I think he'd provide a lot of the things you guys like in Raffl and is a bigger body, more prototypical power forward.

It's hard to read. He looked NHL ready before he got lit up by Niskanen, wasn't the same player after and struggled in AHL following his demotion. Really depends how his camp goes and how he looks in pre-season.
- Jsaquella

I was at the game in Washington late in the season when he fought Niskanen. It was the first game back against Washington where he was healthy and had the opportunity. He was absolutely flying in that game.

Remember, in baseball you still have to trade for him if you win the claim.
- TheGreat28

Yeah, but you can prevent him from joining another team

It's a vesting option. I think he needs 500 PAs, which he won't be getting.
- PhillySportsGuy

Is it? Sportrac didn't mention that...yeah that is odd if that's the case.

For Raffl, considering the upside on Kamenev, I'd still probably do it. It's a high-risk, high-reward move.

Bittner is slower for sure, but I think he has that, as the French say, I don't know what. I think he'd provide a lot of the things you guys like in Raffl and is a bigger body, more prototypical power forward.
- TheGreat28

I don't think Bittner has hands as good as Raffl. I'm not sold he'll ever be more than a Clarkson type guy at the NHL level...which ain't bad, but it's also limited.

I'd say no to at least one. I'm not a huge Bittner fan. The other thing is, expecting guys like that to be offered for Raffl is stretching it. Duclair was a key piece in a trade for an all star defenseman. Perlini was a top 12 pick just a year ago. Milano projects as a possible 1st line winger.
- Jsaquella

I don't think ANY of them would be offered for Raffl. But the point is, if Raffl really has the upside of 25-20-45 or even 50 points, IS a current first line winger, with a controllable contract, and can offer those teams immediate help and a guarantee (current player vs. unknown prospect) etc. then surely they should be, right?

I was at the game in Washington late in the season when he fought Niskanen. It was the first game back against Washington where he was healthy and had the opportunity. He was absolutely flying in that game.
- mochoson

He did return full of fire, but soon tailed off. He really struggled to produce back in the AHL. Maybe he was disappointed.

Yeah, but you can prevent him from joining another team
- PhillySportsGuy

But at this point, is anybody worried about Chase joining a competitor in the thick of a playoff race right now?

I don't think ANY of them would be offered for Raffl. But the point is, if Raffl really has the upside of 25-20-45 or even 50 points, IS a current first line winger, with a controllable contract, and can offer those teams immediate help and a guarantee (current player vs. unknown prospect) etc. then surely they should be, right?
- TheGreat28

At those numbers he'd be a low end 1st line winger, and I think most of those guys are expected to be more than that. Phoenix would probably be disappointed if they had Duclair and Perlini at age 25 or so and got 20 goals and 40 points

I don't think Bittner has hands as good as Raffl. I'm not sold he'll ever be more than a Clarkson type guy at the NHL level...which ain't bad, but it's also limited.
- Jsaquella

OK, I'll say Bittner is debatable

Actually, he was just fresh in my mind because he was available where we would have been picking in the 2nd round.

Is it? Sportrac didn't mention that...yeah that is odd if that's the case.
- Jsaquella

Teams would still be on the hook for the remainder of his salary this year. Pretty sure he has a buyout for next year too, which RAJ seems to include in every single contract he ever negotiated.

He did return full of fire, but soon tailed off. He really struggled to produce back in the AHL. Maybe he was disappointed.
- Jsaquella

Packed it in, mentally at least. I thought the same thing.

But at this point, is anybody worried about Chase joining a competitor in the thick of a playoff race right now?
- TheGreat28

Apparently, no

I'm not in favor of salary caps. I know it adds to competitive balance. Perhaps I'd feel differently if I were a fan of a small market team. I know NHL players make a ton of money, but whatever happened to capitalism? There shouldn't be a cap on what someone can earn. A person should make whatever someone is willing to pay them imo.
- PLindbergh31

I despise salary caps, and for competitive balanced very much prefer a luxury tax. The current system doesn't really help smaller markets as much as a luxury tax would. We're seeing the start of richer teams starting to use their financial muscle to bring in top scouts, coaches and front office personnel, as well as improved facilities.

All the cap has done is ensure that Florida and Arizona will be signing guys liek Scottie Upshall to overpriced contracts and taking on guys with big cap hits at the tail end of front loaded deals

Thats surprising. I thought someone would claim him
- PhillySportsGuy

Every team knows the Phils will pull him back, so why even bother? One of the puzzling parts about that particular waiver process.

At those numbers he'd be a low end 1st line winger, and I think most of those guys are expected to be more than that. Phoenix would probably be disappointed if they had Duclair and Perlini at age 25 or so and got 20 goals and 40 points
- Jsaquella

I guess my point is, if Phoenix and Nashville and Columbus expect more from their projected 1st line wingers, so should we, especially a guy who would be playing with G and Jake.

I think we still need to move to get a young player in the caliber of those I named, if this team is truly going to contend. Raffl would be my 2nd line guy.

http://thehockeywriters.com/thws-top-50-drafted-nhl-prospects/

13. D Ivan Provorov
19. D Travis Sanheim (Philadelphia Flyers)
40. D Samuel Morin
44. D Shayne Gostisbehere
- Feanor

Interesting. Hanifan is 9.

OK, I'll say Bittner is debatable

Actually, he was just fresh in my mind because he was available where we would have been picking in the 2nd round.
- TheGreat28

Kamenev is debatable. Bittner is a no go.

I get your point, but let's say you called about Alec Martinez and the Kings wanted Sanheim or Provorov. Martinez played a top 4 role for LA and did pretty well, but is he really a clear cut top 4 guy? To me that's similar to a deal that sees Perlini or Milano dealt for Raffl

Moving Matt Read really depends on what the trade offers look like. I'd definitely like to move his deal next summer if the returns look good.

One guy that can definitely help make the decision easier, at least for me, is Scott Laughton. What do we think is best for his development at this point? Flyers, or start the year off in the AHL?
- mochoson

Depends on what you think he can be, and what you want him to be. He really needs to work on his offensive game unless you want him to solely be a shutdown center. I'd send him down to start the year, all things considered.

I think it likely depends on the organizational view of Schenn.

I guess my point is, if Phoenix and Nashville and Columbus expect more from their projected 1st line wingers, so should we, especially a guy who would be playing with G and Jake.

I think we still need to move to get a young player in the caliber of those I named, if this team is truly going to contend. Raffl would be my 2nd line guy.
- TheGreat28

I'm looking at Raffl as a stop gap top line guy. He is better suited to a middle six role. But right now, he's the best option. He's shown he can play with Giroux and Voracek, and if they can land a top line LW, Raffl can easily slide down and provide excellent play as the 2nd line LW