I just can't hate the Broons, either.

The Rangers are a historical Patrick Division rival from way back. That hate goes far and deep.

But the Bruins? Not so much.
- johndewar

i certainly can. loochdouche and marchand are more than enough for me. i dont loathe chara, but his lurch self can (frank) off too.

I have to try to get assets back and I don't like the buyout option AT ALL but everything else I couldn't agree more. Toronto for a 2nd?
- mayorofangrytown

Man, if they can move Vinny for anything, not have to take a bad contract back...I might build a statue to Hextall in my basement.

And I'm not ripping the player. But the fit just isn't there. It just isn't there, if you're focusing on the future and we've already sunk the better part of three years into Schenn and Couturier.

I think, if they're patient and we're lucky...they have the right pieces, if they draft a couple of scoring wingers over the next two seasons.

If they can get a couple of scoring wingers to hit in 2016, because scoring wingers come quicker, when Giroux's just 28 years old and a couple of those defensemen could be ready...oh, my goodness.
- AllInForFlyers

Bob Ryab is a free agent after next year.

I might build a statue to Hextall in my basement.
- AllInForFlyers

Beer cans?

Man, if they can move Vinny for anything, not have to take a bad contract back...I might build a statue to Hextall in my basement.

And I'm not ripping the player. But the fit just isn't there. It just isn't there, if you're focusing on the future and we've already sunk the better part of three years into Schenn and Couturier.
- AllInForFlyers

I dont think its as hard as some are making it out to be. There are a lot of teams looking to get bigger down the middle and Vinny would fit the bill. I think he had a off season this year.

Bob Ryab is a free agent after next year.
- PhillaBully

If his skating stride is strong, I'd ask about the price -- he'd be 29 -- but I wouldn't get my hopes up. That one would be totally dependent on how fluid he looks, for me.

Beer cans?
- Tomahawk

Goal sticks shattered on the bodies of our enemies.

I dont think its as hard as some are making it out to be. There are a lot of teams looking to get bigger down the middle and Vinny would fit the bill. I think he had a off season this year.
- PhillaBully

There are plenty of teams pining for a center and I'm sure teams will think he was just a bad fit here playing out of position and down the lineup. Hell, there are plenty of Flyers fans that feel the same way.

But truthfully, you really don't know that. There could have been hundreds of prospects who were sent to the AHL and never developed because of any number of reasons when they would have been hard pressed to work hard and improve at the NHL level. How would you even hear about them?

It's easy to pick out the prospects that flounder at the NHL level then fade away. I just think that a prospect will develop to a level accord to his skill level and work ethic. Yes, you need to manage their challenges accordingly.
- mayorofangrytown

I just think the jump in difficulty between junior/college and the NHL is crazy... akin to taking the floaties off and chucking your kid off the high dive right away. There's that wonderful intermediate step there... I just feel it should be used in most cases.

Goal sticks shattered on the bodies of our enemies.
- AllInForFlyers

Woohoo, Reddit would love it. You must share.

I dont think its as hard as some are making it out to be. There are a lot of teams looking to get bigger down the middle and Vinny would fit the bill. I think he had a off season this year.
- PhillaBully

I truly hope you're right. I really do. I won't mind at all if he plays well elsewhere.

I truly hope you're right. I really do. I won't mind at all if he plays well elsewhere.
- AllInForFlyers

Teams like toronto would be knocking at the flyers door if he waives his nmc.

I dont think its as hard as some are making it out to be. There are a lot of teams looking to get bigger down the middle and Vinny would fit the bill. I think he had a off season this year.
- PhillaBully

Most teams are like the Flyers, though... really focused on improving team-speed in all areas. Vinny's not exactly the prototypical new new new NHL player.

I was really dreading this offseason... with how they might mismanage the development of the kids, with how they might dump another overpaid roadblock in front of Akeson and Raffl, how they might trade a number of the kids off for a 30+ dman, and how they might finally toss Gus into the bin altogether.

With Homer out, and Hexy apparently bringing a sea change in the organizational mindset, I'm feeling a lot more optimistic about the team's prospects short and long term now.
- Tomahawk

What was the road block for Raffl this season? And the only player that can stop Akeson, is Akeson himself. He's either good enough or he's not. Holmgren as GM has been committed to the young core he has assembled for how many seasons now? Does being committed mean never bolstering the roster with free agent acquistions? Should the Flyers just ignore that avenue going forward to improve the team? And if they do, regardless of whether they win or lose, would that be appeasing?

I just think the jump in difficulty between junior/college and the NHL is crazy... akin to taking the floaties off and chucking your kid off the high dive right away. There's that wonderful intermediate step there... I just feel it should be used in most cases.
- Tomahawk

It's not the jump between College and the NHL that I doubt, it's the jump between the AHL and the NHL that is the consideration. Is it that great anymore? Is it as big as the difference in atmosphere and opportunity to get better?

Most teams are like the Flyers, though... really focused on improving team-speed in all areas. Vinny's not exactly the prototypical new new new NHL player.
- Tomahawk

I still think you can trade him without getting a bad contract in return.

No. I'd never support sending any player who's ready to play in the NHL to a lower level just because of his age or experience. If they're ready, they're ready. Every player is different. You don't want them in over their head but they need the challenge of playing at the appropriate level.

You don't leave them languish and maybe fall into bad habits because their talent is above the competition and they don't need to work on their game at that level to excel. I think it can be a misguided belief to guard your prospects because of the fear of "rushing" them into the show.

That being said, there's no reason not to ease them into the Pro game if you aren't sure. Laughton and Gostisbehere and maybe Morin will be interesting players that fall into that category for us this coming season.
- mayorofangrytown

Very well said!

What was the road block for Raffl this season? And the only player that can stop Akeson, is Akeson himself. He's either good enough or he's not. Holmgren as GM has been committed to the young core he has assembled for how many seasons now? Does being committed mean never bolstering the roster with free agent acquistions? Should the Flyers just ignore that avenue going forward to improve the team? And if they do, regardless of whether they win or lose, would that be appeasing?
- MJL

Correct with your assesment. For all the love akeson is getting and I know he played well I still think he will have trouble making the squad. I think homer kept a lot of the young core and it showed by going the offersheet route on weber instead of trading schenn and read and coutorier and voracek.

Most teams are like the Flyers, though... really focused on improving team-speed in all areas. Vinny's not exactly the prototypical new new new NHL player.
- Tomahawk

He still scored 20 goals in a screwed up season for him personally. That will have value to a lot of teams ( alot being around 10 or so).

I just think the jump in difficulty between junior/college and the NHL is crazy... akin to taking the floaties off and chucking your kid off the high dive right away. There's that wonderful intermediate step there... I just feel it should be used in most cases.
- Tomahawk

I think the jump from college is just ridiculous -- watching those kids play, they try hard, but God bless them, some of those kids just aren't even close to being the kind of competition that strong prospects need to develop.

He still scored 20 goals in a screwed up season for him personally. That will have value to a lot of teams ( alot being around 10 or so).
- mayorofangrytown

Lots of media outlets are already saying that the rumor of Vinny to nashville makes sense for both sides. Might have to keep salary but I would if it meant a better player/prospect or picks coming back.

Teams like toronto would be knocking at the flyers door if he waives his nmc.
- PhillaBully

i just cant see why a team would want to run the risk of committing to that term without sending a bad contract the other way

i just cant see why a team would want to run the risk of committing to that term without sending a bad contract the other way
- stayinthefnnet

That's because we've already forgotten just how damn hard it was to move Andrej Meszaros with one year remaining on his contract, not four

i just cant see why a team would want to run the risk of committing to that term without sending a bad contract the other way
- stayinthefnnet

Look at toronto's centers...They need a guy like vinny.

I think the jump from college is just ridiculous -- watching those kids play, they try hard, but God bless them, some of those kids just aren't even close to being the kind of competition that strong prospects need to develop.
- AllInForFlyers

NCAA hockey has come a long way. It's a lot closer to junior hockey than most people think. There are certainly a lot of junior players who aren't competition for the stronger prospects in the CHL. You have 16 yr old kids playing against 20 yr olds.