Equal to the player that I know Raffl is, including contract cost. Not sure why you would need to scan the roster of every team when a simple google search can get you the available UFA list. Raffly has good size and skates well, and is a good all around player. I think he's a solid all around forward who can get you 15 goals and 30 points in a 3rd line role, and is a solid 5 on 5 player. Out of all the role players on the team, he's on the top of the list for me, and I would make every effort to keep him. Dale Weise if he gets his act together and plays like he has the last week could replace him, and that may be the plan, but he has to obviously improve to do that. Durability is a mild concern with Raffl.
- MJL

The bolded statement is an opinion, not fact. You do not know what kind of player Raffl is. You do not know if his current injury will have any lingering effects, nor if the combo of age and wear and tear will have any effect on his game as well. He may be the player you think he is, or more accurately was, or he may not. You do not and can not know.

The bolded statement is an opinion, not fact. You do not know what kind of player Raffl is. You do not know if his current injury will have any lingering effects, nor if the combo of age and wear and tear will have any effect on his game as well. He may be the player you think he is, or more accurately was, or he may not. You do not and can not know.


- BiggE

Would just like to add that I knew Boyd Gordon was garbage

Any 3rd or 4th line ufa forward?

Bonino, Dwight King, Korpikoski, Cullen (again), Versteeg, Rene Bourque, Wingels

I know I know. Raffl has proven so much and is a cut above all these scrubs as evidenced by his logo.

Raffl is typical summertime ufa fodder
- Just5

I'd take Raffl over everyone except Bonino, and you obviously have not considered contract cost. Nothing to do with the logo. You can get a body for sure, but getting a replacement takes far more than just naming names and throwing in the hyperbole of calling Raffl summertime ufa fodder.

Would just like to add that I knew Boyd Gordon was garbage
- YuenglingJagr

If the Flyers are to have any shot at signing Vecchione they will need to sign him to an NHL contract and see him play this year. I truly believe that.

I could see something similar to that with Lindblom, but less likely.

The bolded statement is an opinion, not fact. You do not know what kind of player Raffl is. You do not know if his current injury will have any lingering effects, nor if the combo of age and wear and tear will have any effect on his game as well. He may be the player you think he is, or more accurately was, or he may not. You do not and can not know.


- BiggE

It's obvious watching Raffl play what kind of player he is. You obviously don't when you questioned his skating. I don't know what his injury is or if it will effect him long term, but until I hear otherwise, I won't consider it to be a career damaging injury.

If the Flyers are to have any shot at signing Vecchione they will need to sign him to an NHL contract and see him play this year. I truly believe that.

I could see something similar to that with Lindblom, but less likely.
- jak521

Regardless of what might be happening with negotiations...taking a year off his ELC wouldn't bother me. I don't think he is anything special anyway at this point. I would like to see him on the Phantoms next year, but if he has an issue with that he can get to steppin'

His signing age will subject him to waivers early anyway, which I think is more important for a guy like him

Would just like to add that I knew Boyd Gordon was garbage
- YuenglingJagr

Just remember when your not helping the situation....your not hurting it either!

signed

The Company Yes man

It's obvious watching Raffl play what kind of player he is. You obviously don't when you questioned his skating. I don't know what his injury is or if it will effect him long term, but until I hear otherwise, I won't consider it to be a career damaging injury.
- MJL

I didn't question his skating, I simply pointed out that he isn't a powerful elite skater like, for example, Voracek. If you think he's that type of dynamic skater, it may be you who aren't watching, or at least not watching without wearing orange tinted glasses.

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter never had alcohol/substance abuse issues.

Anyone who says otherwise is full of hyperbole and heresay.

Edit: Flyers management does not make istakes.

Regardless of what might be happening with negotiations...taking a year off his ELC wouldn't bother me. I don't think he is anything special anyway at this point. I would like to see him on the Phantoms next year, but if he has an issue with that he can get to steppin'

His signing age will subject him to waivers early anyway, which I think is more important for a guy like him
- YuenglingJagr

Agreed

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter never had alcohol/substance abuse issues.

Anyone who says otherwise is full of hyperbole and heresay.
- jmatchett383

And for (frank)s sake, don't you dare question Michael Raffl's skating, he's the Pavel Bure of the Flyers.

If the Flyers are to have any shot at signing Vecchione they will need to sign him to an NHL contract and see him play this year. I truly believe that.

I could see something similar to that with Lindblom, but less likely.
- jak521

Since Vecchione is 24 he can only sign a one year ELC.

The length of the entry-level contract is also dependent on the player’s age:

18-21 years of age: 3 years
22-23 years of age: 2 years
24 years of age: 1 year

I didn't question his skating, I simply pointed out that he isn't a powerful elite skater like, for example, Voracek. If you think he's that type of dynamic skater, it may be you who aren't watching, or at least not watching without wearing orange tinted glasses.
- BiggE

Raffl is a strong skater, who is strong on the puck, and strong on the forecheck. His skating is not something that I would be concerned about contributing to his decline moving forward as a player, so I don't agree with your point.

Since Vecchione is 24 he can only sign a one year ELC.
- Feanor

I didn't question his skating, I simply pointed out that he isn't a powerful elite skater like, for example, Voracek. If you think he's that type of dynamic skater, it may be you who aren't watching, or at least not watching without wearing orange tinted glasses.
- BiggE

He's not far off Voracek in terms of skating. Goes right around Klefblom here with a quick burst.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKs44G2K9uE

This one's better, but it's from 15-16.

https://www.youtube.com/w...tch?v=iQnS6DFUVNw&t=2m24s

Since Vecchione is 24 he can only sign a one year ELC.
- Feanor

Not really sure he's worth the hype. He's put up great numbers this season, but most has come against weak competition and he's a bit older than many of the players he's playing against.

He's not particular big and, from what I've seen, he's a good skater, but not great. I'm not sure he ever is more than an NHL/AHL tweener.

Frankly, we would not care about your team's infractions much, but this conversation was started by a pens fan.
It's fun when pen fans trot over here in wee hours of the morning to give us behavioral recommendations.
- missingmike

i tend to give my best behavioral recommendations after I've had a good lunch.

I don't know about laughton man. I'm not high on him at all
- Just5

I'd have my doubts about him being protected anyway as he's someone they could end up losing to waivers next season if he doesn't make the team. I think there is a lot to like about his game but he lost his way in the NHL because he was unable to grasp a consistent role.

This Off Season will be a good test for Hextall. He has a glut of forwards and he needs to make some room. Competition is great but not when it results in losing developing players on waivers.

Say they protect who I predict they will:
Giroux
Voracek
Couturier
Simmonds
Schenn
Filppula
Bellemare

Leaving Raffl, Read, Weise, Cousins, Laughton, Leier and Weal exposed for expansion.

Konecny(lock), Lyubimov and Lindblom are also strong contenders for roster spots.

So even without any dark horse candidates they may have 16 forwards competing for 13 spots. Assuming 1 goes in expansion and they do not resign Vandevelde.

He's not far off Voracek in terms of skating. Goes right around Klefblom here with a quick burst.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKs44G2K9uE

This one's better, but it's from 15-16.

https://www.youtube.com/w...tch?v=iQnS6DFUVNw&t=2m24s
- Feanor

Yup, he looks good in these clips, but I really haven't seen much of this from him this current season and with the NHL seeming to become more and more a young mans league these days, I'm just not sure how his game will hold up as he nears 30.

All this being said, I have no problem with him back on the team next year. However, if, and it's only an if, they feel they can upgrade for roughly the same cap hit, I would hope they do so.

My only real argument was with MJL stating that he knows what type of player Raffl is, until he returns from his injury and starts to play a little better than he has for much of this season, that statement is an opinion, not fact.

Man with all these nice and good players the team has it really must just be a lack of luck that they aren't primed for a cup run.

I'd have my doubts about him being protected anyway as he's someone they could end up losing to waivers next season if he doesn't make the team. I think there is a lot to like about his game but he lost his way in the NHL because he was unable to grasp a consistent role.

This Off Season will be a good test for Hextall. He has a glut of forwards and he needs to make some room. Competition is great but not when it results in losing developing players on waivers.

Say they protect who I predict they will:
Giroux
Voracek
Couturier
Simmonds
Schenn
Filppula
Bellemare

Leaving Raffl, Read, Weise, Cousins, Laughton, Leier and Weal exposed for expansion.

Konecny(lock), Lyubimov and Lindblom are also strong contenders for roster spots.

So even without any dark horse candidates they have will likely have 16 forwards competing for 13 spots. Assuming 1 goes in expansion and they do no resign Vandevelde.
- Baxter27

I think you're probably pretty close to what is going to happen. I'd protect Raffl over Bellemare, but then they'd probably lose Bellemare. It will be interesting to see what happens, and how they approach it.

I'd have my doubts about him being protected anyway as he's someone they could end up losing to waivers next season if he doesn't make the team. I think there is a lot to like about his game but he lost his way in the NHL because he was unable to grasp a consistent role.

This Off Season will be a good test for Hextall. He has a glut of forwards and he needs to make some room. Competition is great but not when it results in losing developing players on waivers.

Say they protect who I predict they will:
Giroux
Voracek
Couturier
Simmonds
Schenn
Filppula
Bellemare

Leaving Raffl, Read, Weise, Cousins, Laughton, Leier and Weal exposed for expansion.

Konecny(lock), Lyubimov and Lindblom are also strong contenders for roster spots.

So even without any dark horse candidates they have will likely have 16 forwards competing for 13 spots. Assuming 1 goes in expansion and they do no resign Vandevelde.
- Baxter27

May this be so!

Man with all these nice and good players the team has it really must just be a lack of luck that they aren't primed for a cup run.
- flyer_nutter

I'd have my doubts about him being protected anyway as he's someone they could end up losing to waivers next season if he doesn't make the team. I think there is a lot to like about his game but he lost his way in the NHL because he was unable to grasp a consistent role.

This Off Season will be a good test for Hextall. He has a glut of forwards and he needs to make some room. Competition is great but not when it results in losing developing players on waivers.

Say they protect who I predict they will:
Giroux
Voracek
Couturier
Simmonds
Schenn
Filppula
Bellemare

Leaving Raffl, Read, Weise, Cousins, Laughton, Leier and Weal exposed for expansion.

Konecny(lock), Lyubimov and Lindblom are also strong contenders for roster spots.

So even without any dark horse candidates they may have 16 forwards competing for 13 spots. Assuming 1 goes in expansion and they do not resign Vandevelde.
- Baxter27

They aren't going to lose anyone special nor anyone likely to be on the roster by the time they are a contender. I have no concerns whatsoever about who they lose in the ED.