I would want a center if they don't bring back Filppula (and I think they should resign him) before a winger. They won't have anybody ready for next year. I'm very open to the general idea of getting a UFA forward they just need to go about it the right way and there's no telling what that is until a lot shakes out.
- fls13

Vechionne isn't a possibility?

I would want a center if they don't bring back Filppula (and I think they should resign him) before a winger. They won't have anybody ready for next year. I'm very open to the general idea of getting a UFA forward they just need to go about it the right way and there's no telling what that is until a lot shakes out.
- fls13

Vecchione is a possibility. Maybe Vorobyev depending on how the rest of the season goes.

I would want a center if they don't bring back Filppula (and I think they should resign him) before a winger. They won't have anybody ready for next year. I'm very open to the general idea of getting a UFA forward they just need to go about it the right way and there's no telling what that is until a lot shakes out.
- fls13

Vecchione is a possibility. Maybe Vorobyev depending on how the rest of the season goes.

Vechionne isn't a possibility?
- MJL

A possibility versus a sure thing with Filppula. I think if he walks, they need to sign a center. I hope Hextall realizes he can't rely on offense that leaves town automatically being replaced internally. Nobody past the obvious Top 5 forwards is putting up reliable numbers. A lot of guys disappointed in that department for all sorts of reasons.

A possibility versus a sure thing with Filppula. I think if he walks, they need to sign a center. I hope Hextall realizes he can't rely on offense that leaves town automatically being replaced internally. Nobody past the obvious Top 5 forwards is putting up reliable numbers. A lot of guys disappointed in that department for all sorts of reasons.
- fls13

I think the Flyers will add a UFA this summer, depending on who isn't extended before getting to UFA status.

I think the Flyers will add a UFA this summer, depending on who isn't extended before getting to UFA status.
- bmeltzer

And a lot of those decisions depend on how the team plays the rest of the way. Hopefully, they can keep two lines going. Buying goals on the UFA market can be a risky business but teams have made it work.

A possibility versus a sure thing with Filppula. I think if he walks, they need to sign a center. I hope Hextall realizes he can't rely on offense that leaves town automatically being replaced internally. Nobody past the obvious Top 5 forwards is putting up reliable numbers. A lot of guys disappointed in that department for all sorts of reasons.
- fls13

I think there is a real possibility that the Flyers are going to be on the outside looking in at the playoff picture around the deadline and Filppula could be dealt for future assets.

I think the Flyers will add a UFA this summer, depending on who isn't extended before getting to UFA status.
- bmeltzer

I think there is a real possibility that the Flyers are going to be on the outside looking in at the playoff picture around the deadline and Filppula could be dealt for future assets.
- MJL

Haha, that's a possibility too. The team is thin and key injuries have proven to hurt this team more than a lot of others. Still, they should get better results as the season goes on. The younger players will be much better in February and March than they were in November. I think they'll be in the mix up until the end.

Haha, that's a possibility too. The team is thin and key injuries have proven to hurt this team more than a lot of others. Still, they should get better results as the season goes on. The younger players will be much better in February and March than they were in November. I think they'll be in the mix up until the end.
- fls13

Another possibility. If Patrick gets better and better as the season goes along, his ice time is going to be increased. Even more so next season hopefully. Which would diminish Filppula's ice time. What would he want to re-sign?

Another possibility. If Patrick gets better and better as the season goes along, his ice time is going to be increased. Even more so next season hopefully. Which would diminish Filppula's ice time. What would he want to re-sign?
- MJL

Not sure but he waived his NTC to come here and passed on TOR. The guy is a reliable half-point a game every situation center who's solid on faceoffs and in his own end. That won't be easy to replace. Even with Patrick's inevitable improvement, they still need three centers.

Not sure but he waived his NTC to come here and passed on TOR. The guy is a reliable half-point a game every situation center who's solid on faceoffs and in his own end. That won't be easy to replace. Even with Patrick's inevitable improvement, they still need three centers.
- fls13

Have to weigh what Filppula would want to re-sign. I would have no problem with it in the right deal but he could be looking at wanting too much money and term for a reduced 3rd line center role.

I think there is a real possibility that the Flyers are going to be on the outside looking in at the playoff picture around the deadline and Filppula could be dealt for future assets.
- MJL

how's he looking?

Not sure but he waived his NTC to come here and passed on TOR. The guy is a reliable half-point a game every situation center who's solid on faceoffs and in his own end. That won't be easy to replace. Even with Patrick's inevitable improvement, they still need three centers.
- fls13

well i guess that answers it.

if we could move out bozak and fillpula changes his mind about toronto, i think he'd be a good 3C for us.

don't think he'll cost too much, but you'll get more than what you paid for him.

Have to weigh what Filppula would want to re-sign. I would have no problem with it in the right deal but he could be looking at wanting too much money and term for a reduced 3rd line center role.
- MJL

I don't think Filppula is getting reduced to a 3rd line role any time soon. Patrick has a long way to go before he demotes Filppula.

Have to weigh what Filppula would want to re-sign. I would have no problem with it in the right deal but he could be looking at wanting too much money and term for a reduced 3rd line center role.
- MJL

If the term is a couple years, I would overpay. He's a reliable center and the Flyers cap space is OK for next year and Lehtera (your current 5C, like it or not) is gone for the year after.

I think you broke his brain
- johndewar

link?

link?
- KINGKENZO

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...p?thread_id=149023&page=1

If the term is a couple years, I would overpay. He's a reliable center and the Flyers cap space is OK for next year and Lehtera (your current 5C, like it or not) is gone for the year after.
- fls13

We'll have to see and I'm definitely open to re-signing him but he would have to take a significant pay cut especially in a 3rd line role.

how's he looking?
- Tumbleweed

Filppula is a solid player who would do real well on a better team.

Filppula looks like crap and has almost all year. Turnovers galore. Off of dekes, off of missed passes, missed catched passes, you name it. He's just getting the benefit of playing with the two best possession wingers on the team right now. And he still barely does anything. But he's sure been coming alive to rack up the EN points of late.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...p?thread_id=149023&page=1
- SimmerDown17

ty

We'll have to see and I'm definitely open to re-signing him but he would have to take a significant pay cut especially in a 3rd line role.
- MJL

I'm terrible at estimating what UFAs end up getting but I think 2 years at $4M is where I'd start. He's a sure thing and compare that deal with some of the others the Flyers are paying.

Filppula looks like crap and has almost all year. Turnovers galore. Off of dekes, off of missed passes, missed catched passes, you name it. He's just getting the benefit of playing with the two best possession wingers on the team right now. And he still barely does anything. But he's sure been coming alive to rack up the EN points of late.
- Mononoke

That's hyperbole. He had one game recently where he had some puck management issues in the first period but he bounced back. Filppula is a solid veteran player that can be relied on in all 3 zones in all situations and can put up decent support offensive numbers. The kind of player that a coach can rely on. He makes a lot of solid veteran plays. If he was to be traded to a contending team where he could play in a lineup that was more advanced than the Flyers, he would be a solid addition for a playoff run.

I'm terrible at estimating what UFAs end up getting but I think 2 years at $4M is where I'd start. He's a sure thing and compare that deal with some of the others the Flyers are paying.
- fls13

4 million per, for 2 more years of a declining Filppula?

No thanks