Michael Stuart: The Roundtable on Filppula

Michael Stuart: The Roundtable on Filppula
- Michael_Stuart

What will Filppula bring to the Tampa Bay Lightning:

INJURIES

What will Filppula bring to the Tampa Bay Lightning:

INJURIES
- Zogg

Where the hell did the tampa bloggers get the impression that Filpulla is hard working and never takes a shift off?

Where the hell did the tampa bloggers get the impression that Filpulla is hard working and never takes a shift off?
- Jurco_28

You're back!

Personally, I spoke to a couple of friends who follow the Red Wings. I can't speak on behalf of any other Lightning writers though.

Where the hell did the tampa bloggers get the impression that Filpulla is hard working and never takes a shift off?
- Jurco_28

I agree. I don't wanna sound bitter he left, I thought he was pretty decent. But at a 5 million dollar price tag, I can't help but point out how often he wasn't noticed on the ice. He can dangle a little, but he's fairly small and doesn't finish hits well, his point production does not reflect his current contract. Overall he's a decent 2/3 C but 5 mil is a bit steep, I'm hoping I won't be saying the same about Weiss in a few years....

I agree. I don't wanna sound bitter he left, I thought he was pretty decent. But at a 5 million dollar price tag, I can't help but point out how often he wasn't noticed on the ice. He can dangle a little, but he's fairly small and doesn't finish hits well, his point production does not reflect his current contract. Overall he's a decent 2/3 C but 5 mil is a bit steep, I'm hoping I won't be saying the same about Weiss in a few years....
- digitalbath

im in the same boat. he floats, not anywhere close to Franzen though.

im in the same boat. he floats, not anywhere close to Franzen though.
- Jurco_28

if filpulla worked hard every shift and never took one off, he would be a consistent 60 pt player in this league. but that ship has sailed.

I'm not worried about him getting 60 or 70 points! we need a play maker who can skate the puck in the zone. On the FA market I rated Valtteri Filppula the number one rated center on the market. I put Weiss number 2 rated on the market! as for his 5 million per season yes we overpaid for sure. But it won't be an issue in two years I'm sure the salary cap will go up to 70 million again. Having a number two nhl center @ 5.0 cap hit is not that bad to deal with. It fills a huge void for us and is a decent contract Filppula will be 34 years old when the contract is done! Vinny is 33 years old now which he had 7 years left on his deal.

good luck with this---too soft, fragile and inconsistent. Too old to change tho he still could surprise for the short term, but this is a big overpayment.

Decent. Probably overpaid just like Weiss and Bozak. None of these guys are no.1s but are being compensated somewhere close to it (though Bozak at 4.2 is a high, but reasonable no.2 salary).

See how these guys play this year.

[quote=todd1a]I'm not worried about him getting 60 or 70 points! we need a play maker who can skate the puck in the zone. On the FA market I rated Valtteri Filppula the number one rated center on the market. I put Weiss number 2 rated on the market!

1st off, if he was amazing at skating the puck in and distributing the puck, he probably would be a 60 pt player. 2nd, detroit made the specific decision to let him walk at 5 mil but in turn sign Weiss for almost the identical contract so they must believe he is better, and after years of Filpula floating I can't say I disagree with Hollands gamble here.

[quote=todd1a]I'm not worried about him getting 60 or 70 points! we need a play maker who can skate the puck in the zone. On the FA market I rated Valtteri Filppula the number one rated center on the market. I put Weiss number 2 rated on the market!

1st off, if he was amazing at skating the puck in and distributing the puck, he probably would be a 60 pt player. 2nd, detroit made the specific decision to let him walk at 5 mil but in turn sign Weiss for almost the identical contract so they must believe he is better, and after years of Filpula floating I can't say I disagree with Hollands gamble here.
- digitalbath

ok for are future we have guys like Stamkos, Connolly, Drouin, Panik, Palat, Killorn and Nikita Kucherov coming and some here now. ok so Filppula is going to be are 5th or 6th best forward I'm ok with that! This is a move to help out now until some more kids are ready from are AHL team.

I agree. I don't wanna sound bitter he left, I thought he was pretty decent. But at a 5 million dollar price tag, I can't help but point out how often he wasn't noticed on the ice. He can dangle a little, but he's fairly small and doesn't finish hits well, his point production does not reflect his current contract. Overall he's a decent 2/3 C but 5 mil is a bit steep, I'm hoping I won't be saying the same about Weiss in a few years....
- digitalbath

I can see how alot of players would like they arent noticed too much next to Pavel and Henrik.after watching them most everyone looks like they are dangling. I had Weiss at my first choice for point production to step in for the points Vinny would have had, and coming off season ending wrist surgery I guess a gamble too, sometimes it is more than ayear for some of those wrist surgeries. We need more two way play and a vet presence for all our young players coming up. 5 mil now looks to be the price tag at 2C, it's a different world top line scorers and playmakers now command 6.5 to 8mil. If you want to compare then we have St Louis at 5.625 which is a bargain for his on ice play and production so it evens out.

Yzerman knows the player he is getting it's not like it will be a surprise to him in what he gets

Yeah I wouldn't call him a hard worker exactly but he does play both ends okay most of the time.

Mostly he's a good complimentary playmaker. Has a decent shot but his instincts are to pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, shoot.

It will be interesting to see if he gets to play with a real sniper, he didn't have that really in Detroit. Could be and Adam Oates to Stamkos or Droin.

He's overpaid but probably by only about $1.5 million a year so not the end of the world for a team not spending up to the cap.

Watch Filp for several years here in Detroit and I have very mixed feelings about his signing and his salary.

I am delighted the Wings let him walk. That should probably tell you something. Truth is he was an ineffective centre in the offensive end and good in every other phase. That being said 5m for a guy who should be a 3rd line centre is lunacy.

As a left-winger he was okay. It freed him up to be more productive offensively, but just about anyone picks their game up when they play with Datsyuk. Truth is Filpula wasn't a good fit in Detroit

However I can't escape the feeling that Filp simply didn't fit in Detroit. Never really reached his potential. If he has good chemistry with some of the snipers in Tampa he could easily have 50 assists a season. But if he doesn't he will be a signing that Yzerman will regret for a long time.

Between Vinny and Filp, I'd take Filp any day. So overall bringing in Filp may have been a good move, but one that cost Tampa to much.

im in the same boat. he floats, not anywhere close to Franzen though.
- Jurco_28

Franzen floats his way to 30-goals a season though. Would be 60 if he wasn't so lazy.

This reads more like a Lightning marketing & PR roundtable.

I can see how alot of players would like they arent noticed too much next to Pavel and Henrik.after watching them most everyone looks like they are dangling. I had Weiss at my first choice for point production to step in for the points Vinny would have had, and coming off season ending wrist surgery I guess a gamble too, sometimes it is more than ayear for some of those wrist surgeries. We need more two way play and a vet presence for all our young players coming up. 5 mil now looks to be the price tag at 2C, it's a different world top line scorers and playmakers now command 6.5 to 8mil. If you want to compare then we have St Louis at 5.625 which is a bargain for his on ice play and production so it evens out.
- tpd11

Fil has never been good enough for the 2nd centre in Detroit. Why do you think Babcock has to split up the euro twins all the time? Its no secret he prefers them to play together. Detroit needed a much more competant player to fill that role.

Filp's best numbers were when he was playing the wing (where he belongs) and finely started shooting more. Most frustrating player for me who never lived up to his potential. I would like to know why he tanked so badly in his contract year.

Im just glad the Wings upgraded with Weiss. Hes a way more exploisve player who can play against the opponents top line. and better in faceoffs.

Gosh the blogs of the round table sound more and more like a bunch of Lightning homers. Filppula at 5M is crazy. He's slow and not strong in the offensive zone. Not to mention being somewhat fragile does not help and often does not show up every night. But, then it's not Yzerman's money.

Decent. Probably overpaid just like Weiss and Bozak. None of these guys are no.1s but are being compensated somewhere close to it (though Bozak at 4.2 is a high, but reasonable no.2 salary).

See how these guys play this year.
- TheLeafsInsider

I think all are paid as #2 accordingly, the issue with Flip is he is of the 3 less likely to have 45+ pts, but is paid the most.

Flip had a lot of potential, but just never reached it. At 3million he was bang on the money for production, but at 5 there is just no guarantee(s) he will be a solid 2c.

Basically, the Wings gave Weiss all the money they expected Flip to have but only want to give it for the potential to have 2c pts -- being 50-60pts.

I didnt like Flip leaving because I like keeping drafted players, but I will say that unless something changes in Flip this summer, you're looking at more heartache than happiness.

--

As for the assessment in the blog, yes he can be fast, but offensively I would estimate 30-40pts, many turnovers, and not much for puck control unless it's off the rush. He will show signs of brilliance, then it will quickly evaporate.

Gosh the blogs of the round table sound more and more like a bunch of Lightning homers. Filppula at 5M is crazy. He's slow and not strong in the offensive zone. Not to mention being somewhat fragile does not help and often does not show up every night. But, then it's not Yzerman's money.
- cheeselanders

I wouldn't say he is slow. He actually has decent speed. Part of the reason he plays such good D

Flip had a lot of potential, but just never reached it. At 3million he was bang on the money for production, but at 5 there is just no guarantee(s) he will be a solid 2c.

Basically, the Wings gave Weiss all the money they expected Flip to have but only want to give it for the potential to have 2c pts -- being 50-60pts.

I didnt like Flip leaving because I like keeping drafted players, but I will say that unless something changes in Flip this summer, you're looking at more heartache than happiness.

--

As for the assessment in the blog, yes he can be fast, but offensively I would estimate 30-40pts, many turnovers, and not much for puck control unless it's off the rush. He will show signs of brilliance, then it will quickly evaporate.
- BooBoo997

+1