Ghost and his mates got pinned on a few shifts but over all he had a very good game against LA.
- landros 2

He had a strong game with the puck, overall, Gostisbehere and his mates got thrashed at ES against LA. That's not just on Gostisbehere.

If we're worried about Giroux slowing down in his early 30s, it would be insane to trade him for a 30 year old dman who doesn't have great wheels and who is signed till he's 40 on a contract with recapture penalties if he retires early.

Greg Hawgood.
- puckhead17

Yup, I had no prob with the Simmonds call once I saw the replay. The Schultz call though, especially at that point in the game, was just ridiculous.
- BiggE

To say he conclusively closed his hand down in a scrum with his arm making a sweeping motion. Brutal.

If we're worried about Giroux slowing down in his early 30s, it would be insane to trade him for a 30 year old dman who doesn't have great wheels and who is signed till he's 40 on a contract with recapture penalties if he retires early.
- Feanor

Yeah, pretty much.
Honestly, it's really a waste of time talking about a Giroux trade. This team already lacks leadership. Trading the Captain, who happens to be one of the hardest workers on the team, and, fwiw, the most marketable player on the club, is just not going to happen.

Nor should it.

To say he conclusively closed his hand down in a scrum with his arm making a sweeping motion. Brutal.
- puckhead17

Yup, an NHL ref should know not to make such a horsepoop call.

If we're worried about Giroux slowing down in his early 30s, it would be insane to trade him for a 30 year old dman who doesn't have great wheels and who is signed till he's 40 on a contract with recapture penalties if he retires early.
- Feanor

There's no one to replace him, like creating a hole to fill another.

He had a strong game with the puck, overall, Gostisbehere and his mates got thrashed at ES against LA. That's not just on Gostisbehere.
- MJL

Sorry...thought he played very good with exception of a couple shifts....not unlike any other Flyers defence man in that game....I will go one further....he's been their best D man overall in all 3 of his games.

Yeah, pretty much.
Honestly, it's really a waste of time talking about a Giroux trade. This team already lacks leadership. Trading the Captain, who happens to be one of the hardest workers on the team, and, fwiw, the most marketable player on the club, is just not going to happen.

Nor should it.
- BiggE

It's definitely a case of needing more leadership, not just different leadership. Not to say leadership is the only problem right now.

It's definitely a case of needing more leadership, not just different leadership. Not to say leadership is the only problem right now.
- BulliesPhan87

Yup. One thing I'd like to see for next season, especially if they are going to be breaking in multiple prospects, is for the Flyers to acquire a veteran or 2 that has won a Cup and can show these kids what it takes to win in the NHL.

It's too bad Vinny can't play any more because he could have been one of those guys.

Yup. One thing I'd like to see for next season, especially if they are going to be breaking in multiple prospects, is for the Flyers to acquire a veteran or 2 that has won a Cup and can show these kids what it takes to win in the NHL.

It's too bad Vinny can't play any more because he could have been one of those guys.
- BiggE

I think this was part of Homers thinking when he signed him. Its just too bad he cant play anymore. Its hard to lead anything from behind.

Yup. One thing I'd like to see for next season, especially if they are going to be breaking in multiple prospects, is for the Flyers to acquire a veteran or 2 that has won a Cup and can show these kids what it takes to win in the NHL.

It's too bad Vinny can't play any more because he could have been one of those guys.
- BiggE

It is to bad Vinny has flopped ....salary cap, production...and your right leadership value....tough to lead from press box...sad.

Yup. One thing I'd like to see for next season, especially if they are going to be breaking in multiple prospects, is for the Flyers to acquire a veteran or 2 that has won a Cup and can show these kids what it takes to win in the NHL.

It's too bad Vinny can't play any more because he could have been one of those guys.
- BiggE

Buyout
Year Contract Salary Due Contract Cap Hit Buyout Cost Buyout Savings Buyout Cap Hit
2015-16 $2,500,000 $4,500,000 $888,888 $1,611,112 $2,888,888
2016-17 $2,500,000 $4,500,000 $888,888 $1,611,112 $2,888,888
2017-18 $3,000,000 $4,500,000 $888,888 $2,111,112 $2,388,888
2018-19 $0 $0 $888,888 -$888,888 $888,888
2019-20 $0 $0 $888,888 -$888,888 $888,888
2020-21 $0 $0 $888,888 -$888,888 $888,888


Sorry it's misaligned, damn tablet.
I do not agree paying him all that $ to sit.
I know it's a disagreeable point, but there's the cap room for now, and honestly, who cares about that small salary amount the last 3 years?
It's peanuts compared to now.

No lineup changes in practice according to Bill, so Hakstol must be happy with all the combinations he's come up with.

I think it will be a while before I watch a Flyers game live again. Why waste an entire evening when you catch all the goal highlights in 60 seconds or less?

Buyout
Year Contract Salary Due Contract Cap Hit Buyout Cost Buyout Savings Buyout Cap Hit
2015-16 $2,500,000 $4,500,000 $888,888 $1,611,112 $2,888,888
2016-17 $2,500,000 $4,500,000 $888,888 $1,611,112 $2,888,888
2017-18 $3,000,000 $4,500,000 $888,888 $2,111,112 $2,388,888
2018-19 $0 $0 $888,888 -$888,888 $888,888
2019-20 $0 $0 $888,888 -$888,888 $888,888
2020-21 $0 $0 $888,888 -$888,888 $888,888


Sorry it's misaligned, damn tablet.
I do not agree paying him all that $ to sit.
I know it's a disagreeable point, but there's the cap room for now, and honestly, who cares about that small salary amount the last 3 years?
It's peanuts compared to now.
- puckhead17

This team is not going anywhere, so I say ride it out for one more season until he retires, then have all of the money off the books. That $888,888 could be the difference between getting a top flight free agent and missing out on him because another team offers $500,000 more AAV.

Yup. One thing I'd like to see for next season, especially if they are going to be breaking in multiple prospects, is for the Flyers to acquire a veteran or 2 that has won a Cup and can show these kids what it takes to win in the NHL.

It's too bad Vinny can't play any more because he could have been one of those guys.
- BiggE

I know what you are saying but those kind of guys are expensive, UFA at the higher end of the salary structure. I'm thinking of Dave Bolland as an example, helped win a cup in Chicago and would go through a wall to win.
Until they get rid of some contracts that are dead weight already they can't afford that.

No lineup changes in practice according to Bill, so Hakstol must be happy with all the combinations he's come up with.

I think it will be a while before I watch a Flyers game live again. Why waste an entire evening when you catch all the goal highlights in 60 seconds or less?
- Feanor

The broadcast seemed to go out of its way to mention how much better Manning has been since Ghost came up.

Im still not seeing it as that pair got hemmed in numerous times for some long ES minutes.

I am not getting the Medvedev scratching, especially when I think he is clearly better than Manning.

Interesting analysis of, in general, forward scoring rates by age.

http://www.sbnation.com/n...-stats-rates-age-analysis

Danny Briere was done long before fans and the GM would admit it. One problem was that everyone liked him, the other was his contract. Without the compliance buyout Briere would've hamstrung the flyers cap even longer. The Flyers GMs have routinely handed out contracts like the players are Peter Pan and will never grow old.

Holding on to the 12 year contract of Richards would've been disastrous for the Flyers. Hartnell's 33 and would not be surprising to see him in steep decline next year.

I think in the long-term Hextall did the correct thing with Hartnell's contract, despite the short term pain.

That said, I am only in favor of trading Giroux if there is a huge return and no salary retained. He is still young enough that his trade value shouldn't be seriously changed due to his age for another few years.
- Flyers_01

I understand its a business, and I understand the demand to win. However, once and awhile I would like to see my team actually honor the contracts they give out. Briere did alot of this team during his time on and off the ice and once his production began to slip he was tossed the minute they could. To me, he deserved more respect than that. Same with Gagne. Id be pretty mad if they traded Giroux, even if the return was decent. How many times is this team gonna get rid of the face of the franchise just to go out and sign the new flavor of the week? IMO A team needs to be built together, and grow together.

This team is not going anywhere, so I say ride it out for one more season until he retires, then have all of the money off the books. That $888,888 could be the difference between getting a top flight free agent and missing out on him because another team offers $500,000 more AAV.
- MBFlyerfan

I know, but I hate throwing seasons away.
Look at the boost Ghost has given them in such a short while.
Maybe one more player can make them that much better.
Honestly, being capped to the dollar while paying this guy 4 1/2mill to sit?
They get $3 mill in space immediately, and he's gone.
Compared to no space, and he's still here.
If they had $4-5 mill in space while still paying him, no, then I wouldn't do it.

The broadcast seemed to go out of its way to mention how much better Manning has been since Ghost came up.

Im still not seeing it as that pair got hemmed in numerous times for some long ES minutes.

I am not getting the Medvedev scratching, especially when I think he is clearly better than Manning.
- MBFlyerfan

I would be OK with Manning's defensive issues if he offered something offensively. But he doesn't. And he's got one of the highest OZ start percentages on the team.

Those easy minutes and playing with our star prospect are inflating Manning's shot attempt numbers, but that doesn't mean he's actually playing better.

No lineup changes in practice according to Bill, so Hakstol must be happy with all the combinations he's come up with.

I think it will be a while before I watch a Flyers game live again. Why waste an entire evening when you catch all the goal highlights in 60 seconds or less?
- Feanor

The last 2 games were a noticeable improvement.

If Jake or Simmonds start cashing their opportunities like they can they win those two.

I'll be watching. Just watching Ghost has rekindled my enthusiasm.

I don't believe Medvedev is healthy. If he is then this is approaching the MDZ stupidity with Berube last year and I'm not buying it.
I think Hak is a better evaluator of talent.

The broadcast seemed to go out of its way to mention how much better Manning has been since Ghost came up.

Im still not seeing it as that pair got hemmed in numerous times for some long ES minutes.

I am not getting the Medvedev scratching, especially when I think he is clearly better than Manning.
- MBFlyerfan

I wish they would swap sides. It seemed as if Manning got some chances to shoot playing on the left side of the pairing. If Ghost is getting those shots the puck has a better chance to go in. I also thought Ghost thought defense first playing with Manning. If he is paired with Schultz, Gudas or Schenn he might be able to be more offensive minded. Just my thoughts.

I know, but I hate throwing seasons away.
Look at the boost Ghost has given them in such a short while.
Maybe one more player can make them that much better.
Honestly, being capped to the dollar while paying this guy 4 1/2mill to sit?
They get $3 mill in space immediately, and he's gone.
Compared to no space, and he's still here.
If they had $4-5 mill in space while still paying him, no, then I wouldn't do it.
- puckhead17

I get what you are saying. But I am one of those who believe Vinny WILL retire after the 4th year of the contract. So I am willing to trade that 3 million for one season so that we have the full 4.5 from then on out.

I would be OK with Manning's defensive issues if he offered something offensively. But he doesn't. And he's got one of the highest OZ start percentages on the team.

Those easy minutes and playing with our star prospect are inflating Manning's shot attempt numbers, but that doesn't mean he's actually playing better.
- Feanor

I have to think this is just for now & Ghost eventially gets switched as his minutes increase. He's still getting comfortable & with a partner he's used to.

Sorry...thought he played very good with exception of a couple shifts....not unlike any other Flyers defence man in that game....I will go one further....he's been their best D man overall in all 3 of his games.
- landros 2

Apples and oranges comparison. Play Gostisbehere all game long against the Carter and Thornton lines and see what happens.