I have the same concerns. Which is why I'm not against trading him. How can you put fitting in a 34 year old player, before putting a 20 year old player in the best fit, when he's a huge part of the future. The Flyers don't really have the mix of forwards to do so.
- MJL

I was hoping they'd improve that area this offseason. Umberger provides them some versatility, but I'm concerned he doesn't have much left in the tank. If he's not a top 6 player, they've created a hole in the top 6 by moving Hartnell.

No he did not, he's looking for work with his KHL team ceasing operations for at least the upcoming season.
- ob18

Flyers still lack goaltending depth

Flyers still lack goaltending depth
- PhillySportsGuy

The chances didn't happen to add to it via the draft.

The chances didn't happen to add to it via the draft.
- ob18

It was in reference to adding Leighton to the Flyers

Thats one of the reason I have concerns about bringing him back. Where do you put him and who do you put him with? There is no logical place without disrupting the rest of the lineup.
- PhillySportsGuy

Don't you miss the days when guys like Redden, Huet, Souray etc could just be dumped on the AHL affiliate?

It was in reference to adding Leighton to the Flyers
- PhillySportsGuy

Don't you miss the days when guys like Redden, Huet, Souray etc could just be dumped on the AHL affiliate?
- Tomahawk

There were never days when Homer didn't include a NMC though

There were never days when Homer didn't include a NMC though
- PhillySportsGuy

I just hope the Flyers win the cup before Russia destroys the world

I've never liked the connotation certain lines invoke. 1st Line - Big time scorers, 2nd line - secondary scorers, 3rd line - Checking line, 4th line - Enforcers.

Now, you need scorers and good defensive players, but why can't they be spread throughout the lineup? Your top line doesn't need to have the three best scorers on it and your 3rd line doesn't need to have the 3 best defensive forwards on it.

Playing VL on the '4th line' doesn't mean he'll be saddled with Rosehill and Rinaldo. Like you said, they can set him up with Akeson and PEB. His minutes may be limited, but that may be what needs to happen. They can give him a top PP spot and move him up if he's up on his skates. Playing him less minutes may help save his body. He's missed time each of the last 4 years.
- PhillySportsGuy

It's not an ideal situation, but given his limitations, you have to think outside the box a little.

If he's going to be an albatross, I want it to be on a lesser line, where he's not dragging down dynamic players like Giroux & Voracek. Despite seeing more 50% O-Zone starts in each of the last four years, his possession stats are mediocre to awful.

There's nothing in the world that says you can't have a more offense minded 4th line, even if he's not playing with guys who get high point totals, at least they can skate and keep the puck out of their own end. As you said, a mix throughout the lines.

I'd agree it'd be a total waste to put him with the likes of Rosehill & Rinaldo.

It's not an ideal situation, but given his limitations, you have to think outside the box a little.

If he's going to be an albatross, I want it to be on a lesser line, where he's not dragging down dynamic players like Giroux & Voracek. Despite seeing more 50% O-Zone starts in each of the last four years, his possession stats are mediocre to awful.

There's nothing in the world that says you can't have a more offense minded 4th line, even if he's not playing with guys who get high point totals, at least they can skate and keep the puck out of their own end. As you said, a mix throughout the lines.

I'd agree it'd be a total waste to put him with the likes of Rosehill & Rinaldo.
- Jsaquella

If he's going to be an albatross and hurt the team, they might as well just buy him out

It's not an ideal situation, but given his limitations, you have to think outside the box a little.

If he's going to be an albatross, I want it to be on a lesser line, where he's not dragging down dynamic players like Giroux & Voracek. Despite seeing more 50% O-Zone starts in each of the last four years, his possession stats are mediocre to awful.

There's nothing in the world that says you can't have a more offense minded 4th line, even if he's not playing with guys who get high point totals, at least they can skate and keep the puck out of their own end. As you said, a mix throughout the lines.

I'd agree it'd be a total waste to put him with the likes of Rosehill & Rinaldo.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, not ideal, but it was basically the only thing that worked for him last season consistently. Replace Rinaldo w/ somebody who can play hockey, and that line could actually do some damage.

The first place I'd try him is on G's wing, though... or move G to LW (heresy!) and have Vinny center the top-line for a spell.

If he's going to be an albatross and hurt the team, they might as well just buy him out
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, but that cap hit is a bastard...long term and little relief for the next few years

Yeah, not ideal, but it was basically the only thing that worked for him last season consistently. Replace Rinaldo w/ somebody who can play hockey, and that line could actually do some damage.

The first place I'd try him is on G's wing, though... or move G to LW (heresy!) and have Vinny center the top-line for a spell.
- Tomahawk

Yeah, I kinda kicked that around a little, but think Lecavalier has to be the one to adjust. Kind of hard to tell Giroux, "Hey thanks for carrying us to the post season and all...go play LW!"

OK, Terrific.
- Jsaquella

Flyers still lack goaltending depth
- PhillySportsGuy

that hurts, psg. i'm in the system.

that hurts, psg. i'm in the system.
- hammarby31

Yeah, but that cap hit is a bastard...long term and little relief for the next few years
- Jsaquella

How much would you eat in a deal to trade VL?

How much would you eat in a deal to trade VL?
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd gladly eat 3 of those toxic turds mcdonald's calls a quarter pounder if it would mean VL would be gone.

that hurts, psg. i'm in the system.
- hammarby31

You certainly have the anger this team desires in their goaltenders. If you're looking to move up the ladder, I recommend finding Ho Sang and punching him in the face.

I've never liked the connotation certain lines invoke. 1st Line - Big time scorers, 2nd line - secondary scorers, 3rd line - Checking line, 4th line - Enforcers.

Now, you need scorers and good defensive players, but why can't they be spread throughout the lineup? Your top line doesn't need to have the three best scorers on it and your 3rd line doesn't need to have the 3 best defensive forwards on it.

Playing VL on the '4th line' doesn't mean he'll be saddled with Rosehill and Rinaldo. Like you said, they can set him up with Akeson and PEB. His minutes may be limited, but that may be what needs to happen. They can give him a top PP spot and move him up if he's up on his skates. Playing him less minutes may help save his body. He's missed time each of the last 4 years.
- PhillySportsGuy

The only injury that may point to him needing to play less minutes to save his body, is the back injury. He's missed 54 games the last 4 years, and 33 of those games were due to a broken hand on two separate occasions. Surely a broken hand doesn't point to him needing to play less minutes. Putting Lecavalier in that situation for ES is just a plain bad idea in my view.

I was hoping they'd improve that area this offseason. Umberger provides them some versatility, but I'm concerned he doesn't have much left in the tank. If he's not a top 6 player, they've created a hole in the top 6 by moving Hartnell.
- PhillySportsGuy

Like I said, earlier today, what Hartnell would we get this year? I think he'll be missed, but I think Umberger if healthy, can still play. And maybe if he has a really good year, he can put up 20 goals and 40-50 points.

How much would you eat in a deal to trade VL?
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd go as high as $1.5mm, depending on what was coming back. For instance, I'd be hesitant to eat that much if I also had to take a questionable deal in return that had a few years on it.

I'd gladly eat 3 of those toxic turds mcdonald's calls a quarter pounder if it would mean VL would be gone.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Isn't that a pre-requisite to getting a colonoscopy?

I'd go as high as $1.5mm, depending on what was coming back. For instance, I'd be hesitant to eat that much if I also had to take a questionable deal in return that had a few years on it.
- Jsaquella

I would go as high as $1.5M, but I'd want a draft pick coming back. At least a 3rd, but I'd fight really hard for a 2nd