Would like to have Ladd or Backes, they both have size and skill and leadership but the length of deal scares me. Both are on the downside of their careers. Would not go over 3 years and I do think they will get offered longer deals elsewhere.
- Marc D

i would agree, except i think i would take lucic over ladd. backes i think would fit perfectly in to that 2C spot, take the offensive pressure away from Coots so we can get him back in that 3rd line, match up vs the best line territory, while playing the top PK unit minutes he does. and backes is no slouch either defensively so that would add to the leadership, grit, and offensive touch he has. I think anyone seeing our team right now, where it is and where we will be, would have no problem taking on a 3 year deal with us. we have the cap space, and hopefully with an umberger buy out, getting rid of streit and read, and then having all the retaining money fall off the books, we can still add and not cause a bad cap situation.

- mayorofangrytown

You know I hate that shade on you.

As mean as it sounds, at least he waited for the season to end or maybe he just got lucky and wasn't caught earlier. Russian culture when it comes to drinking is much much different.
- Glak18

Zero tolerance for driving under the influence

No x2

Unless it's a Mason Raymond Leaf contract.
- Glak18

I think with the buyout he would be getting 2.5 each year. Maybe 1 year deal at 2mil?

I would maybe be interested if I didn't have to invest term or big money. ALso If he does get hot you can move him at TDL if needed.

Put up 41 pts this year with 18 goals.

As mean as it sounds, at least he waited for the season to end or maybe he just got lucky and wasn't caught earlier. Russian culture when it comes to drinking is much much different.
- Glak18

My comment got deleted, but it wasn't a Russian remark. It was in reference to being scratched every game.

Don't be a POS and drunk drive though.

i would agree, except i think i would take lucic over ladd. backes i think would fit perfectly in to that 2C spot, take the offensive pressure away from Coots so we can get him back in that 3rd line, match up vs the best line territory, while playing the top PK unit minutes he does. and backes is no slouch either defensively so that would add to the leadership, grit, and offensive touch he has. I think anyone seeing our team right now, where it is and where we will be, would have no problem taking on a 3 year deal with us. we have the cap space, and hopefully with an umberger buy out, getting rid of streit and read, and then having all the retaining money fall off the books, we can still add and not cause a bad cap situation.
- sjk540

what is the longest deal you would be OK with in regards to either Backes or Lucic?
If they want 5+ yrs its a deal breaker for me. 4 would be too many but I think someone will give them 4 or even 5 yr deals which is crazy.

I can't stand Lucic. Maybe once he was here I would change my mind, but right now I don't want to see him as a Flyer.

I think with the buyout he would be getting 2.5 each year. Maybe 1 year deal at 2mil?

I would maybe be interested if I didn't have to invest term or big money. ALso If he does get hot you can move him at TDL if needed.

Put up 41 pts this year with 18 goals.
- J35Bacher

Honestly he is so inconsistent, his numbers look juicy enough, but I still wouldn't want him for more than a 1 year/1 million. Again it's not his numbers, but his play that worries me.

Just a question for the masses:

I have read a lot of reports that the Wild might buyout Vanek as they need cap space to resign RFA's.

Could Vanek be a cheap option to add? Would anyone be interested?
- J35Bacher

Depends on the price tag and yrs. He could be a good first line option for the Flyers.I certainly wouldn't close the door on a trigger man when this team needs them so desperately.

My comment got deleted, but it wasn't a Russian remark. It was in reference to being scratched every game.

Don't be a POS and drunk drive though.
- Mononoke

I agree 100% but what is wrong here isn't always wrong other places.

I think with the buyout he would be getting 2.5 each year. Maybe 1 year deal at 2mil?

I would maybe be interested if I didn't have to invest term or big money. ALso If he does get hot you can move him at TDL if needed.

Put up 41 pts this year with 18 goals.
- J35Bacher

Honestly I wouldnt hate it...but to me he is begging to be overpaid based off of name value and putting up a lot of points throughout his career. Is he better than some of the guys on the Flyers? Yeah...so technically he would be an upgrade. I just dont think hes too much different from Gagner from an overall impact perspective.

Really it boils down to this when it comes to my views on free agency. I want the next Stamkos, Backes, Vanek, etc. Getting the one where you pay for what he has done for a previous team interests me little

Depends on the price tag and yrs. He could be a good first line option for the Flyers.I certainly wouldn't close the door on a trigger man when this team needs them so desperately.
- mayorofangrytown

a cheap one year deal is OK. No more then 1 yr, the dollars, don't really care as long as they can make it work.

we had 1 yr of Gagner and 1 yr of Medvedev, both likely gone now

I agree 100% but what is wrong here isn't always wrong other places.
- Glak18

Depends on the price tag and yrs. He could be a good first line option for the Flyers.I certainly wouldn't close the door on a trigger man when this team needs them so desperately.
- mayorofangrytown

I think he is more of a playmaker than a shooter. He is also a negative possession player for basically his entire career. There is a reason he is being bought out

You know I hate that shade on you.
- tangent_man

My wife is tired of scrubbing it off my collar every time you and I get together. It does come out easier than that sparkly purple from valentines day.

Which bathroom are you using now? I am so confused...

what is the longest deal you would be OK with in regards to either Backes or Lucic?
If they want 5+ yrs its a deal breaker for me. 4 would be too many but I think someone will give them 4 or even 5 yr deals which is crazy.

I can't stand Lucic. Maybe once he was here I would change my mind, but right now I don't want to see him as a Flyer.
- Marc D

In 3 years right when the Flyers need them most for Cup runs, I can see them hitting the wall. Backes has already started declining in underlying metrics two years in a row. Lucic hasn't yet. But I still want to avoid them both. Since they will ask for an overpay it makes things easy.

Depends on the price tag and yrs. He could be a good first line option for the Flyers.I certainly wouldn't close the door on a trigger man when this team needs them so desperately.
- mayorofangrytown

He can be inconsistent but I also think he can put up 20-25 goals. also gives you another PP option.

I would offer 1 year 2 million. Let him run on Giroux's wing. Maybe he can be an asset at the TDL if the team isn't in a good position.

I think he is more of a playmaker than a shooter
- YuenglingJagr

He's bombed home a considerable amount of goals in his career. A little down this season on a low scoring Wild team.

@ moat

do you think Hexy will add anything significant this summer, or does he continue the model of rebuild through the draft only, pare off some bad deal type moves
aka "soft tank" in some circles?

making the playoffs this year was kind of unexpected and I wonder if he moves up on his timeline of going after talent in the ufa market

Blog, really could be summed up in short:

The Flyers got series winning caliber goaltending against the Caps. If they were even mediocre on special teams, the Flyers pull off the upset.

I strongly believe a non-injured Coots could have won the series.

Honestly I wouldnt hate it...but to me he is begging to be overpaid based off of name value and putting up a lot of points throughout his career. Is he better than some of the guys on the Flyers? Yeah...so technically he would be an upgrade. I just dont think hes too much different from Gagner from an overall impact perspective.

Really it boils down to this when it comes to my views on free agency. I want the next Stamkos, Backes, Vanek, etc. Getting the one where you pay for what he has done for a previous team interests me little
- YuenglingJagr

I am not sure he will get a huge deal from anyone. He'll be getting a buyout from a big deal.

But of course price and term would be big items I worry about. I would only want a 1 year deal.

In 3 years right when the Flyers need them most for Cup runs, I can see them hitting the wall. Backes has already started declining in underlying metrics two years in a row. Lucic hasn't yet. But I still want to avoid them both. Since they will ask for an overpay it makes things easy.
- Mononoke

I really can't see Lucic, Backes, Staal or Ladd here.

They are guys for teams that are in the win a cup now mode.

Flyers have holes everywhere but will fill them gradually I think through the draft mostly.

@ moat

do you think Hexy will add anything significant this summer, or does he continue the model of rebuild through the draft only, pare off some bad deal type moves
aka "soft tank" in some circles?

making the playoffs this year was kind of unexpected and I wonder if he moves up on his timeline of going after talent in the ufa market
- Marc D

I dont think it was unexpected at all. He has said that he thinks there is enough talent on the team to get in and he proved himself correctly. He hired a coach who he thought could do it and that coach got them in. Every single thing Hextall has said about patience has come to fruition so I dont see why anyone should doubt that now.

Regardless of the timeline and soft tank....Hextall has stated repeatedly that the best place to find talent is through the draft. So I believe he would remain disinterested in the free agent market, regardless of where the Flyers were at in the timeline

Blog, really could be summed up in short:

The Flyers got series winning caliber goaltending against the Caps. If they were even mediocre on special teams, the Flyers pull off the upset.

I strongly believe a non-injured Coots could have won the series.
- Giroux_Is_God

I thought about what you said last night for some reason. Noooo not the pillow talk silly, what you said on here.

I get that youre pissed the Flyers lost and normally I am the same exact way. I think this year was different for me just because for the longest time a playoff exit was after loading up at the trade deadline and making a run for the cup. This year I dont think there is any denying that there is a clear vision and way forward. Yes winning would be awesome and continuing on in the playoffs is obviously great...I just didnt get the same disappointment because I feel like the Flyers aren't any worse for the wear after losing to the Caps

- FloHaake

I'm guessing you have never traveled outside the US...or your state much.

I dont think it was unexpected at all. He has said that he thinks there is enough talent on the team to get in and he proved himself correctly. He hired a coach who he thought could do it and that coach got them in. Every single thing Hextall has said about patience has come to fruition so I dont see why anyone should doubt that now.

Regardless of the timeline and soft tank....Hextall has stated repeatedly that the best place to find talent is through the draft. So I believe he would remain disinterested in the free agent market, regardless of where the Flyers were at in the timeline
- YuenglingJagr

yes, so...

do you think they sign any UFAs this summer?

Demers or other D?
A big winger?
A bottom six center?