- PhillySportsGuy

BC is gonna win his 3rd GM of the Year award. Just wait.

BC is gonna win his 3rd GM of the Year award. Just wait.
- Mononoke

yes but we're the entitlement generation

yes but we're the entitlement generation
- PhillySportsGuy

BC understands. That is why he feels we deserve to see the team make it to the 2nd round in the playoffs as quickly as possible. Take heart.

I'm staying.
- GudasNew

- Crimsoninja

Not funny

King James? King NOTHING!

King James? King NOTHING!
- 2Real

I (frank)ing hate monarchs.

They look very Elitserien -- which is a good thing. Slap a buttload of ads on em!
- Tomahawk

King James? King NOTHING!
- 2Real

He can't do it by himself.

He's no....

I can't....wait....yes, I can.

He's no Joe Pavelski!

/waits to accept high fives from everyone

He can't do it by himself.

He's no....

I can't....wait....yes, I can.

He's no Joe Pavelski!

/waits to accept high fives from everyone
- johndewar

Phil Kessel is better than Pavelski.

Phil Kessel is better than Pavelski.
- Mononoke

-2Real

-2Real
- johndewar

2Real looks different than I thought.

2Real looks different than I thought.
- Mononoke

This is more what I imagined:

If it wasn't obvious already, I was not 100% serious. I don't want Stamkos and have written much on the subject here. Not only is he not necessary or prudent at that cost, I don't think he is worth it. The last couple years he has been trending down, even adjusting for league scoring, and even in the analytic stuff. There was once a point he was an undisputed top 5 forward. It's probably in the 20-ish range now. In fact, he has been no better than the much maligned Jake or G. Beyond zero interest in making him the highest paid player in the NHL and having to deal with that contract as it pertains to paying our prospects. And that's IF he stays healthy.
- Mononoke

I think Stamkos is exactly what they need. An elite sniper who can score. They don't really have that now or in the minors. Also at 26 it's not like he is on the downside of his career. And I don't believe he is going to be the highest paid player in the league. I think he is going to get something close to Kopitar and maybe less.

Yes the injuries can be a concern but they weren't ligament injuries which I worry about. Bones heal and the blood clot thing seems to be taken care of. But injuries happen. We might have the same worry with Couturier now since he missed multiple times with injuries.

I think Stamkos is exactly what they need. An elite sniper who can score. They don't really have that now or in the minors. Also at 26 it's not like he is on the downside of his career. And I don't believe he is going to be the highest paid player in the league. I think he is going to get something close to Kopitar and maybe less.

Yes the injuries can be a concern but they weren't ligament injuries which I worry about. Bones heal and the blood clot thing seems to be taken care of. But injuries happen. We might have the same worry with Couturier now since he missed multiple times with injuries.
- J35Bacher

See, this is where I have the issue. There is no denying that the Flyers could use the player you described, but I do not think there is any guarantee that Stamkos is that player. There is a high amount of risk in signing someone to a large, long term deal as a free agent (look at the history of them) and none of the money you pay Stamkos guarantees he plays to the potential that he has shown throughout his career.

Yeah he would help and be positive for the Flyers, but I really think you get into trouble with UFAs when you just pay a guy a bunch of money and expect certain things from him. Can you tell me the last time that worked?

See, this is where I have the issue. There is no denying that the Flyers could use the player you described, but I do not think there is any guarantee that Stamkos is that player. There is a high amount of risk in signing someone to a large, long term deal as a free agent (look at the history of them) and none of the money you pay Stamkos guarantees he plays to the potential that he has shown throughout his career.

Yeah he would help and be positive for the Flyers, but I really think you get into trouble with UFAs when you just pay a guy a bunch of money and expect certain things from him. Can you tell me the last time that worked?
- YuenglingJagr

Agreed, I don't want to be locked into Stamkos for 7 years at an aav somewhere around 10 million. No thanks.

I hope the salary cap is flat

I hope the salary cap is flat
- Just5

I am hearing rumors that it will be

http://www.todaysslapshot...l-salary-cap-remain-flat/

As some people pointed out back in March when the 74 million # came out...that will be up to the players it seems

See, this is where I have the issue. There is no denying that the Flyers could use the player you described, but I do not think there is any guarantee that Stamkos is that player. There is a high amount of risk in signing someone to a large, long term deal as a free agent (look at the history of them) and none of the money you pay Stamkos guarantees he plays to the potential that he has shown throughout his career.

Yeah he would help and be positive for the Flyers, but I really think you get into trouble with UFAs when you just pay a guy a bunch of money and expect certain things from him. Can you tell me the last time that worked?
- YuenglingJagr

I agree with everything, but in regards to the last time that worked question...I feel thats tougher to answer/evaluate because players similar to Stamkos's caliber typically don't hit the FA market. With that said, teams have definitely decided to go that long term deal with large dollars to keep a player and it has backfired.

I hope the salary cap is flat
- Just5

Why would you hope that?

I agree with everything, but in regards to the last time that worked question...I feel thats tougher to answer/evaluate because players similar to Stamkos's caliber typically don't hit the FA market. With that said, teams have definitely decided to go that long term deal with large dollars to keep a player and it has backfired.
- arichardson22

I agree...typically they are older. It is tough to evaluate because there were guys that were successful as FAs but it was a different time and era. Hull, Hasek, Belfour, Hossa, Gaborik maybe?

Why would you hope that?
- MJL

Some people just want to watch the world burn

I think it would actually be an advantage now due to the work of Hextall

Some people just want to watch the world burn

I think it would actually be an advantage now due to the work of Hextall
- YuenglingJagr

Yes and no, if it stays flat, it will be that much harder to move guys like Read and Streit, if that is what Hexy is hoping to do.

Yes and no, if it stays flat, it will be that much harder to move guys like Read and Streit, if that is what Hexy is hoping to do.
- BiggE

That is just a luxury though...They dont have to move anyone and they shouldnt be limited in free agency because of it. (I say shouldnt because I dont think Hextall cares about the big fish). We talk about trading Read and Streit, but we havent really seen much indication that the Flyers feel the same way

Where are people expecting Bleackley to go? Could he be an option at 18?