Absolutely, For example- there are many decisions Hakstol made this season that'd I'd disagree with however when a blunt statement such as the Bellemare signing is rightly criticized it's fair to point out there are many more qualified opinions that likely disagree with that.
- Baxter27

It's easy to sit back and look after the fact about a move that was made and judge and label yourself an expert like many do. You pointed it out earlier. The premise and idea behind signing Gordon was solid thinking. It didn't work out. No harm no foul as far as I'm concerned. I think that is a reasonable way of looking at things. No GM or coach bats a 1000. If you don't beat the GM or the coach over the head for every thing you don't agree with then you're labeled as someone that agrees with everything they do!

I agree about his faceoff shortcomings, without knowing for sure who is on the roster, I would like to see them try a rotation like this on the PK:

Giroux-Bellemare
Coots-Simmonds
Filpulla-Bellemare
Coots-????

The ??? could be Simmonds, or preferably since he already gets a lot of icetime, one of Laughton, Read, Raffl, Weal, or even a kid like TK or Patrick if he ends up being our guy.
- BiggE

I don't think G should be on the PK outside of a few shifts here and there. My top 4 would be:

Couturier-Bellemare
Fillppula-Simmonds

Then you have the extras be guys like Read, Laughton, Leier, Raffl, Lindblom, Vecchione and Weise.

Who would that be?
- MJL

PLind and 2Real, obviously.

How about:
Bieksa +Montour/Manson (I'd prefer Manson) for Raffl + 3rd???

If the Flyers are taking Bieksa on and 1/3 over 2 years, I want either a high pick or a player that we can slot in right now.

They'd probably prefer to trade one of Fowler/Vatanen to get a better return, but they still have to move Bieksa as well unless they want to lose a good forward with the 4/4/1 scheme.
- jmatchett383

If Bieska doesn't waive they'll just buy him out.

PLind and 2Real, obviously.
- jmatchett383

In regards to Fowler. It is another look into what the downside of signing a guy coming off his ELC to a 4/5 year contract can be

LOCK HIM UP
- YuenglingJagr

#teamnobridge

I don't think G should be on the PK outside of a few shifts here and there. My top 4 would be:

Couturier-Bellemare
Fillppula-Simmonds

Then you have the extras be guys like Read, Laughton, Leier, Raffl, Lindblom, Vecchione and Weise.
- Feanor

I like G taking that first faceoff, he's so good on draws. If he wins it clean and they get a quick clear, he can come right off the ice.

In regards to Fowler. It is another look into what the downside of signing a guy coming off his ELC to a 4/5 year contract can be

LOCK HIM UP
- YuenglingJagr

Not sure what the traitor Michael Flynn has to with this, but I agree.

I don't think G should be on the PK outside of a few shifts here and there. My top 4 would be:

Couturier-Bellemare
Fillppula-Simmonds

Then you have the extras be guys like Read, Laughton, Leier, Raffl, Lindblom, Vecchione and Weise.
- Feanor

I'd like to explore playing Ghost on the tail-end of a PK. Maybe with 15-20 seconds left, if you get a clear, put him out there. The reason is that, if the other team is pressing for one last rush, there's a greater chance for him to get the puck with tired opposition players out which could allow him to head-man a counterattack or springing the man out of the box. Even with Provorov, I still think he's our best puck-moving defenseman at present.

I like G taking that first faceoff, he's so good on draws. If he wins it clean and they get a quick clear, he can come right off the ice.
- BiggE

Couturier and Filppula are also good on faceoffs. I don't think you'll ever see Giroux as a main PKer again.

Bellemare is a plug and a subpar one. This is not cherry picking stats. If that is the case, show me the stats that demonstrate he is a good player deserving of that contract. You can't, because you drink the company koolaid that play away from the puck is enough. Sorry, time to think differently about that fourth line role, especially considering the money they're paying him. The fact is the Flyers value all that intangible bull crap way too highly. Good locker room guy! Takes the body! Ooohhh look how chippy along the boards! He does what his coach says! Giving premium dollars and premium term to that limited "skill set" is not a good move in today's game.

But keep using the flawed logic of "because NHL teams/coaches do" it is therefore correct. The rest of us are looking for a cheaper version of that player that can actually put up a few meaningful points throughout the year as well. Let the other boneheaded teams and GM's keep making that mistake.
- StepfordSam

Clearly your educated opinion is what the Hockey world is missing. Such in depth analysis, Bellemare is a plug and subpar one at that.

I like G taking that first faceoff, he's so good on draws. If he wins it clean and they get a quick clear, he can come right off the ice.
- BiggE

like Gordon was supposed to do

Clearly your educated opinion is what the Hockey world is missing. Such in depth analysis, Bellemare is a plug and subpar one at that.
- Baxter27

People can say what they like about Bellemare and his lack of 5 on 5 production compared to other 4th liners is a fact, but if they really think the Flyers are the only team who value him at his current contract they're just being ignorant.

If Bieska doesn't waive they'll just buy him out.
- Feanor

That is why I don't think the Ducks will give up much, but they are a budget team and as it stands, don't have too much cap space

That is why I don't think the Ducks will give up much, but they are a budget team and as it stands, don't have too much cap space
- YuenglingJagr

They will have the space if the can move one of Fowler/Vatanen and give regular spots to Montour and Theodore next season.

I still think they'd prefer to trade him and be rid of his cap hit 100% if he agrees and they don't have to give up too much. Telling Bieksa you'd but him out (making him a UFA) would probably entice him to waive.

They will have the space if the can move one of Fowler/Vatanen and give regular spots to Montour and Theodore next season.
- jmatchett383

no doubt...id rather give up the guy that is a waste of space though

no doubt...id rather give up the guy that is a waste of space though
- YuenglingJagr

What would you want/give up in return?

And presumably Depres will be on LTIR again.

People can say what they like about Bellemare and his lack of 5 on 5 production compared to other 4th liners is a fact, but if they really think the Flyers are the only team who value him at his current contract they're just being ignorant.
- Feanor

I don't know, how will the Flyers possibly account for his premium dollars and term for the next 2 years? Where will they find the 1.45 million?!

People can say what they like about Bellemare and his lack of 5 on 5 production compared to other 4th liners is a fact, but if they really think the Flyers are the only team who value him at his current contract they're just being ignorant.
- Feanor

Great! Let those teams have him. What can we get back in trade?

Clearly your educated opinion is what the Hockey world is missing. Such in depth analysis, Bellemare is a plug and subpar one at that.
- Baxter27

Slluuuurrrrppp

They will have the space if the can move one of Fowler/Vatanen and give regular spots to Montour and Theodore next season.

I still think they'd prefer to trade him and be rid of his cap hit 100% if he agrees and they don't have to give up too much. Telling Bieksa you'd but him out (making him a UFA) would probably entice him to waive.
- jmatchett383

I did a quick Armchair GM trading Vatanen for Kapanen, and the Ducks would have a 22 man roster with a cap hit of $66,673,333 if Bieska waives, and a 21 man roster with the same cap hit if they buy him out.

So yeah, they will have plenty of space.

People can say what they like about Bellemare and his lack of 5 on 5 production compared to other 4th liners is a fact, but if they really think the Flyers are the only team who value him at his current contract they're just being ignorant.
- Feanor

We just need to keep in mind that a lot of those other 4th line players are obviously playing with different linemates and on different teams. The question really is can Bellemare produce better if the situation around him is improved?

It certainly couldn't get worse.

Playing some wing and not being tied to VdV should hopefully help him score more.

Slluuuurrrrppp
- StepfordSam

Bellemare is not as much of a plug as you try to state.

Look at team Europe and team France in international play. As much as I despise Antionne Roussel, he's better than almost any line mate PEB had in Philly this past year and they played well together for team France in the recent IIHF tourney.