Raffl did this playing with two top point collectors in the league. Two!!
- SuperSchennBros

I wouldn't sign raffl now unless he'd agree to anything under a AAV of 3. I think he can replicate his season and possibly improve on it but he needs to prove it again

Raffl did this playing with two top point collectors in the league. Two!!
- SuperSchennBros

At even strength.

I wouldn't sign raffl now unless he'd agree to anything under a AAV of 3. I think he can replicate his season and possibly improve on it but he needs to prove it again
- Just5

Agreed. If he thinks he is being undervalued, take another 2 year deal with a reasonable raise and continue to improve.

Agreed. If he thinks he is being undervalued, take another 2 year deal with a reasonable raise and continue to improve.
- wolfhounds

Raffl scored 21 goals last year, and people forget he missed 15 games. If he's able to play a full season 25+ isn't out of the question. Would like to see him improve on his passing skills. Only 7 assists last year.

I wouldn't, unless they trade Schenn. Their 1st unit has been fantastic, why mess with it?
- BiggE

It's fantastic because of the other 4 guys. Schenn really doesn't do much imo. I think he'd be more effective along the halfwall on the second unit. Basically put him where Jake plays.

I just think Raffl is completely underutilized. Guy was arguably their 3rd best forward last year

Raffl scored 21 goals last year, and people forget he missed 15 games. If he's able to play a full season 25+ isn't out of the question. Would like to see him improve on his passing skills. Only 7 assists last year.
- PLindbergh31

Only 7 assists doesn't surprise me playing with G and Jake a good portion of the year

Raffl scored 21 goals last year, and people forget he missed 15 games. If he's able to play a full season 25+ isn't out of the question. Would like to see him improve on his passing skills. Only 7 assists last year.
- PLindbergh31

He needs a set line. He moved around the lineup as much or more than any other player on the team, from the top line to the 4th, and sometimes Broobe was playing him less than 10 minutes per game. I don't think there's any doubt he can improve a bit with consistent usage.

Where does Matt Read play in the lineup? Apply any number you want to the line that Matt Read plays on, but in the last two seasons, Matt Read has been 3rd and 4th in total ice time per game among Flyers forwards. He plays in all situations, and against other teams top lines on a regular basis. Last year he was set back by injury. When Matt Read is on his game, which the only time he hasn't been was due to injury, his contract is a bargain.
- MJL

Read shot around 14% at 5 on 5 his first three seasons, before dropping down to around 5% last year.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...&sort=ishpct&sortdir=DESC

If he can get his shooting percentage back into double figures his contract will be a bargain. If he can't and ends up being a 10/20 middle sixer instead of a 20/20 one, he'll be at worst slightly overpaid.

Only 7 assists doesn't surprise me playing with G and Jake a good portion of the year
- nastyflyergirl

Yeah that's a fair point. With playmakers like those two, assists will be tough to come by.

Giroux was also totally snakebitten at ES last season. His shooting % was almost as bad as Read's.

I wouldn't sign raffl now unless he'd agree to anything under a AAV of 3. I think he can replicate his season and possibly improve on it but he needs to prove it again
- Just5

I hope Hextall offers him the security of a 2 year extension at $2.5m AAV. That would still give him the chance of a big pay day in summer 2018 when he will only be 29.

He needs a set line. He moved around the lineup as much or more than any other player on the team, from the top line to the 4th, and sometimes Broobe was playing him less than 10 minutes per game. I don't think there's any doubt he can improve a bit with consistent usage.
- wolfhounds

I think Raffl will get majority of time with Giroux and Voracek at ES. He seems like the best fit.

I think Raffl will get majority of time with Giroux and Voracek at ES. He seems like the best fit.
- PLindbergh31

Yup. And, at least from the outside, it appears those 3 genuinely like each other.

"(frank) you, Raff!"

I think Raffl will get majority of time with Giroux and Voracek at ES. He seems like the best fit.
- PLindbergh31

I think we have a new coach and all bets are off for everybody.

Yeah that's a fair point. With playmakers like those two, assists will be tough to come by.
- PLindbergh31

Hartnell was able to rack up plenty of assists.

Giroux was also totally snakebitten at ES last season. His shooting % was almost as bad as Read's.



I hope Hextall offers him the security of a 2 year extension at $2.5m AAV. That would still give him the chance of a big pay day in summer 2018 when he will only be 29.
- Feanor

That would be amazing. I would jump on that like a fly to poo.

It's fantastic because of the other 4 guys. Schenn really doesn't do much imo. I think he'd be more effective along the halfwall on the second unit. Basically put him where Jake plays.

I just think Raffl is completely underutilized. Guy was arguably their 3rd best forward last year
- PhillySportsGuy

I would disagree that Schenn really doesn't do much on the #1 PP unit. His work along the boards, on puck retrievals, both on dump ins and 50/50 pucks off of face offs was a big help to the #1 unit. He's very strong in that area, and it won't result in points for him statistically, but it most certainly does for the main point producers on the #1 unit. He's not real strong in shooting from the high slot, but that doesn't change that he contributed in a lot of unsung ways on the PP.

Yup. And, at least from the outside, it appears those 3 genuinely like each other.

"(frank) you, Raff!"
- wolfhounds

Raffi bomb!

Read shot around 14% at 5 on 5 his first three seasons, before dropping down to around 5% last year.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...&sort=ishpct&sortdir=DESC

If he can get his shooting percentage back into double figures his contract will be a bargain. If he can't and ends up being a 10/20 middle sixer instead of a 20/20 one, he'll be at worst slightly overpaid.
- Feanor

I agree with that, I'll just add that there is a lot more to Matt Read's game than just goal scoring.

Giroux was also totally snakebitten at ES last season. His shooting % was almost as bad as Read's.



I hope Hextall offers him the security of a 2 year extension at $2.5m AAV. That would still give him the chance of a big pay day in summer 2018 when he will only be 29.
- Feanor

Hell if he'd do a 2 year deal if be willing to go much higher than that. By then you'll have a very good idea of what we have in some of our young forwards

I agree with that, I'll just add that there is a lot more to Matt Read's game than just goal scoring.
- MJL

Irrelevant IMO when you're talking about his contract. 30 points during a season both in which Read was clearly hurt and the team wasn't very good is still a notable accomplishment. However, Read can't justify his salary with 30 point seasons and being a good 2 way player.

He needs to score 20+ goals and eclipse 40 points to justify what we pay him.

Hell if he'd do a 2 year deal if be willing to go much higher than that. By then you'll have a very good idea of what we have in some of our young forwards
- Just5

I consider Raffl one of our young forwards.

Hartnell was able to rack up plenty of assists.
- TheGreat28

In 13-14 when they split time on the first line, Raffl had 11 points (3G, 8A) in 251 minutes with Giroux, compared to 20 points (7G, 13 A) in 679 minutes for Hartnell.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2013-14&sit=5v5
http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2013-14&sit=5v5

Irrelevant IMO when you're talking about his contract. 30 points during a season both in which Read was clearly hurt and the team wasn't very good is still a notable accomplishment. However, Read can't justify his salary with 30 point seasons and being a good 2 way player.

He needs to score 20+ goals and eclipse 40 points to justify what we pay him.
- mochoson

I have no doubt Read will be there this season. A high ankle sprain is no joke. I would be shocked if he doesn't push 20 goals and 40 points.

Irrelevant IMO when you're talking about his contract. 30 points during a season both in which Read was clearly hurt and the team wasn't very good is still a notable accomplishment. However, Read can't justify his salary with 30 point seasons and being a good 2 way player.

He needs to score 20+ goals and eclipse 40 points to justify what we pay him.
- mochoson

While I agree that points carry more weight when it comes to negotiating a contract, Read's all around game is not irrelevant when talking about his contract, and his worth to the Flyers. Read is one of the most important forwards on the team.

I have no doubt Read will be there this season. A high ankle sprain is no joke. I would be shocked if he doesn't push 20 goals and 40 points.
- MBFlyerfan

High ankle sprains are a very frustrating injury, indeed. They often take a cool 4-6 months to completely heal. It's the type of injury that nags at you if you try to play through it. It definitely explains why Read was so "off" most of the year.

When you try to play through an injury like a high ankle sprain though, unfortunately, you're really only prolonging your recovery time. The more time you spend playing on it, the longer it'll take to heal. The hockey player in me commends Read for playing through that and whatever other injuries he may had.

The Exercise Science degree on my wall says the opposite. If the decision were up to me, I would have liked Read to be shut down so as to prevent any further injury.