who said he was a 4thline player?
- rinaldo

You are.

if your paying someone over 2mm to be on your 4thline that's a problem. imo.
- rinaldo

Clearly...I was referring to the nickname.
- Scoob

Sorry.

I am slow.

Why?

What harm is his deal doing?
- J35Bacher

because those type of players imo are not hard to find during the summer if you are patient. hextall seems very patient.

You are.
- Feanor

I never said he was a 4th line player at all. I said if your someone 2mm plus to be on yoru 4th line that's a problem

raffle is the better player no doubt. maybe he regresses. my point is you shouldn't give out 3 year deals to guys like raffle is all.
- rinaldo

maybe he does, maybe he doesnt. but a guy like raffl for this contract IMO is a perfect deal. he drives play, can play on any line, in any forward position, and also can play PP or PK if you need him, although we don't. 2.35 for a guy in his mid to late 20's is perfect.

its a fair market value contract and a friendly cap hit from the flyers perspective, for what he brings. he scored 21 goals in 67 games two years ago, not even a full season. yea he regressed this year but who didnt.

you also have to remember a new system had to be set up, the players had to get used to it, and eventually did. but that obviously hurt a lot of players.

because those type of players imo are not hard to find during the summer if you are patient. hextall seems very patient.
- rinaldo

I don't know.

I think the versatility raffl has to play all up and down the lineup, PK, PP if needed is a little harder to find. Also the cost is cheap I feel.

because those type of players imo are not hard to find during the summer if you are patient. hextall seems very patient.
- rinaldo

I think you're severely de-valuing Raffl. im not saying hes a superstar, but he tells me all he needs to when you see him play.

I think you're severely de-valuing Raffl. im not saying hes a superstar, but he tells me all he needs to when you see him play.
- sjk540

Ideally I would like to see Raffl on the 3rd line and fill Read's role.

Something like Laughton - Raffl - Leier.

All guys can skate, get in on the forecheck quickly and also provide some offensive threat.

Double digit goals, the volume of hits he registered and the fact that there's going to be interest in him in the UFA market inflates the numbers. Just the reality.
- bmeltzer

This team has fourth liners under contract in bellemare, VDV, read played like a 4th line player last year

Cousins and laughton are a stretch to say that their solid top 9 players in this league. Hopefully they take that step

Leier and golbourne are young players that could play a fourth line role on this team in the near future.

Take the cap savings and instead put it into a sure fire top 9 player in UFA.

White won't be needed on this team, nor the PP, nor the PK once we sign Stamkos and Eriksson

White won't be needed on this team, nor the PP, nor the PK once we sign Stamkos and Eriksson
- arichardson22

someone gets it

Ah, 4th line offseason bickering. Never change hockey buzz. Never change.

Ah, 4th line offseason bickering. Never change hockey buzz. Never change.
- hereticpride

only as good as your worst player

Ideally I would like to see Raffl on the 3rd line and fill Read's role.

Something like Laughton - Raffl - Leier.

All guys can skate, get in on the forecheck quickly and also provide some offensive threat.
- J35Bacher

no cousins? or would he hypothetically take whites spot?

someone gets it
- YuenglingJagr

I would play Goulbourne on the 4th line if it mean I got to sign Stamkos.

no cousins? or would he hypothetically take whites spot?
- sjk540

I think Cousins eventually will be possible 4th line center.

He can play an agitating game and put some wings with size and speed and I think you could have a solid 4th line that might chip in some offense.

I think Cousins eventually will be possible 4th line center.

He can play an agitating game and put some wings with size and speed and I think you could have a solid 4th line that might chip in some offense.
- J35Bacher

Agreed. In fact it's the only spot I see him at

Why was there no similar market interest in VdV after he scored 9 goals and 6 assists in 72 games last season and was a much bigger part of the Flyers PK than White was this season?
- Feanor

Because most other teams have a player such as CVV and there was a sense that his nine goals -- only two of which came after January -- could not be replicated. White became the net-front guy on PP2, has more locker room presence, the "grit" element that still resonates with a lot of teams.

CVV is in the NHL because he's a big guy who can skate and plays a safe game. Different valuation.

maybe he does, maybe he doesnt. but a guy like raffl for this contract IMO is a perfect deal. he drives play, can play on any line, in any forward position, and also can play PP or PK if you need him, although we don't. 2.35 for a guy in his mid to late 20's is perfect.

its a fair market value contract and a friendly cap hit from the flyers perspective, for what he brings. he scored 21 goals in 67 games two years ago, not even a full season. yea he regressed this year but who didnt.

you also have to remember a new system had to be set up, the players had to get used to it, and eventually did. but that obviously hurt a lot of players.
- sjk540

stop paying for past performance. playing on the pk for the flyers isn't anything to brag about!!

I don't know.

I think the versatility raffl has to play all up and down the lineup, PK, PP if needed is a little harder to find. Also the cost is cheap I feel.
- J35Bacher

differing opinions is all, all good.

Agreed. In fact it's the only spot I see him at
- Just5

Same. But I can even seem him bumped from there.

I have said it before but I think Cole Bardreau could slide into the 4th line role. He is a better skater then cousins, kills penalties and also can chip in offense. I think he would actually be a better center for that role moving forward.

differing opinions is all, all good.
- rinaldo

I understand.

People hate my opinion that I would go after Stamkos or try to trade #18 this year to get a more impactful player like a Trouba.

maybe he does, maybe he doesnt. but a guy like raffl for this contract IMO is a perfect deal. he drives play, can play on any line, in any forward position, and also can play PP or PK if you need him, although we don't. 2.35 for a guy in his mid to late 20's is perfect.

its a fair market value contract and a friendly cap hit from the flyers perspective, for what he brings. he scored 21 goals in 67 games two years ago, not even a full season. yea he regressed this year but who didnt.

you also have to remember a new system had to be set up, the players had to get used to it, and eventually did. but that obviously hurt a lot of players.
- sjk540

Raffl is a very good play imo. His versatility is great. Very good skillset, speed, 2 way play.

Does anyone know how his possession stats are?? I'm not really sure how to look that up, or which stats to even look at

stop paying for past performance. playing on the pk for the flyers isn't anything to brag about!!
- rinaldo

i have no idea what your statement means in response to my post. what past performance am i paying for? and thats pretty much all contracts are, you take what they have done, look at the market, and pay accordingly. am i wrong? well, you pay on performance but you can also pay on potential, but raffl isnt being paid on potential so thats moot.

save for this year and last, the flyers PK has always been one of their strong suits, special teams in general actually.

i dont know what this has to do with raffl getting a solid contract for him and the team?

stop paying for past performance. playing on the pk for the flyers isn't anything to brag about!!
- rinaldo

But who do you think people get contracts?

Did Toews get the money he did because he could start to decline or because of his PAST PERFORMANCES?