IMHO, having Read, Umberger and Lecavalier bounce back are the biggest swing factors in this team making the playoffs. They're all capable of so much more than we got from them last year.
- Coburns_Nose

I can see Umberger and Read having improvements, but Vinny is cooked. I'd love to be proven wrong on that last one, but I think he's no longer an NHL player. Umberger at least progressed to "Legitimate 4th line NHLer" last year. If he and Read are healthy, their play on both sides of the puck would be a very welcome and much-needed boost.

Glad to see that Hextall and maybe Hakstol weren't fooled by Brayden Schenn's late production when nothing mattered.

Not sure if Hextall or Bill was the one to use the phrase "small sample size," but to me, there's no difference between what Schenn did and what a career minor-leaguer does in a September call-up who then gets hot for three weeks
- AllInForFlyers

I think you have to take it into consideration, but it's not something to make a decision on completely. I think Hakstol has many line combinations he will want to try. I am interested to see what he starts the year with. Having a new coach will be a breath of fresh air.

Glad to see that Hextall and maybe Hakstol weren't fooled by Brayden Schenn's late production when nothing mattered.

Not sure if Hextall or Bill was the one to use the phrase "small sample size," but to me, there's no difference between what Schenn did and what a career minor-leaguer does in a September call-up who then gets hot for three weeks
- AllInForFlyers

BUT.....NHL 16 rated him an 86.....so obviously thats true.

I think you have to take it into consideration, but it's not something to make a decision on completely. I think Hakstol has many line combinations he will want to try. I am interested to see what he starts the year with. Having a new coach will be a breath of fresh air.
- funmaster18

Brayden Schenn, much like Sam Gagner, is an interesting player. So far, he hasn't really shown that he's a legit top-6 NHLer, but he's also not what you'd call your prototypical 3rd/4th line player either. Both are fine players and I like Schenn, I'm just not sure he has a fit on this team.

I can see Umberger and Read having improvements, but Vinny is cooked. I'd love to be proven wrong on that last one, but I think he's no longer an NHL player. Umberger at least progressed to "Legitimate 4th line NHLer" last year.
- jmatchett383

Yeah. Vinny just doesn't have the right tools to be a quality 4th liner. If he miraculously turns it around this year and plays OK, I will be more than happy, but I think this season will just confirm to him what everyone else already knows.

BUT.....NHL 16 rated him an 86.....so obviously thats true.
- GOA88

And Pronger's a 76.

And Pronger's a 76.
- jmatchett383

Pretty good for a guy who will never play again.

Agreed. Defensively he wasn't close. He was getting pushed around and unsure of himself. If he was only deployed on the PP, he may have been able to hang, but he needs more time, especially given his injury last year.
- funmaster18

I think the injury makes it pretty clear where he should be this year.

Yeah. Vinny just doesn't have the right tools to be a quality 4th liner. If he miraculously turns it around this year and plays OK, I will be more than happy, but I think this season will just confirm to him what everyone else already knows.
- funmaster18

With Gagner on the team, I just don't see how in the world Wheels isn't the 13th forward, barring injury -- and even then, I just don't see how he possibly could win a spot in the Top 9

Laughton would have to be bad, Ryan White would have to be bad, Gagner would have to be bad...I mean, at some point, it just has to be said that the slot just isn't there

I think the injury makes it pretty clear where he should be this year.
- BulliesPhan87

YEAH

I didn't even realize Glencross, Boyes, Bergenheim, and Tlusty weren't on rosters. All better players than Lecavalier, and Umberger at this point, and for a fraction of the cost.

With Gagner on the team, I just don't see how in the world Wheels isn't the 13th forward, barring injury -- and even then, I just don't see how he possibly could win a spot in the Top 9

Laughton would have to be bad, Ryan White would have to be bad, Gagner would have to be bad...I mean, at some point, it just has to be said that the slot just isn't there
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, there really isn't room for him. I wonder how it plays out, if by the end of camp he doesn't make the team other than the 13th forward. I can't imagine he wants to sit in a press box every night.

With Gagner on the team, I just don't see how in the world Wheels isn't the 13th forward, barring injury -- and even then, I just don't see how he possibly could win a spot in the Top 9

Laughton would have to be bad, Ryan White would have to be bad, Gagner would have to be bad...I mean, at some point, it just has to be said that the slot just isn't there
- AllInForFlyers

There is absolutely no spot for Vinny.

I didn't even realize Glencross, Boyes, Bergenheim, and Tlusty weren't on rosters. All better players than Lecavalier, and Umberger at this point, and for a fraction of the cost.
- PLindbergh31

Man, I will be flat-out amazed if Wheels plays 15 games for the Flyers this season, assuming he breaks camp with them

I've been wrong before, and will be again. But I just can't fathom how that could possibly happen, with the way the roster is right now

There is absolutely no spot for Vinny.
- GOA88

Sure there is:

Sure there is:


- funmaster18

Damn it -- that made me LOL, and now they know I'm not working

YEAH
- funmaster18

please don't shout at me

Damn it -- that made me LOL, and now they know I'm not working


- AllInForFlyers

Oh I am useless at work today. It's amazing they are keeping up this charade, thinking people are going to work on a Friday of a holiday weekend, with an early dismissal looming...

Oh I am useless at work today. It's amazing they are keeping up this charade, thinking people are going to work on a Friday of a holiday weekend, with an early dismissal looming...
- funmaster18

IKR

please don't shout at me
- BulliesPhan87

Oh I am useless at work today. It's amazing they are keeping up this charade, thinking people are going to work on a Friday of a holiday weekend, with an early dismissal looming...
- funmaster18

Exactly. I'm leaving right after my "lunch break".....so yea....Im actually leaving for good at noon.

Man, I will be flat-out amazed if Wheels plays 15 games for the Flyers this season, assuming he breaks camp with them

I've been wrong before, and will be again. But I just can't fathom how that could possibly happen, with the way the roster is right now
- AllInForFlyers

Hextall doesnt plan on it either. Believe me

Exactly. I'm leaving right after my "lunch break".....so yea....Im actually leaving for good at noon.
- GOA88

I'm trying to make that happen myself. We have a 2pm departure scheduled, but I'm going to bump that up I think. I'm not trying to sit in anymore shore traffic than I have to!

Glad to see that Hextall and maybe Hakstol weren't fooled by Brayden Schenn's late production when nothing mattered.

Not sure if Hextall or Bill was the one to use the phrase "small sample size," but to me, there's no difference between what Schenn did and what a career minor-leaguer does in a September call-up who then gets hot for three weeks
- AllInForFlyers

That's some ferocious anti-Schenn spin you've put on a paraphrased summary of Hextall's standard, innocuous comments about letting the coach decide what positions players will be in.

You're in mid-season form before the they have even started camp.

Man, I will be flat-out amazed if Wheels plays 15 games for the Flyers this season, assuming he breaks camp with them

I've been wrong before, and will be again. But I just can't fathom how that could possibly happen, with the way the roster is right now
- AllInForFlyers

Sunks costs. I think Umberger can be a decent player if healthy, and that is a huge IF, he hasn't been healthy the last two year. But still his production doesn't come close to justifying his contract. Lecavalier is a one trick pony, if he's not scoring goals he brings nothing else to the table. Obviously this has been brought up ad nauseam, but carrying these players at their cap hits really hamstrings the Flyers.