And what's your reasoning? Why isn't skill enough? Hvae't we tried wingers with a lcak of skill long enough. He was a solid player until the concussion issues. Just put up a nice season in the swiss league with 24 goals and 22 assist. We lack skilled wingers.
- J35Bacher

Again, if we could sign him to a one-year deal with a low cap hit (~$1.1M or so), I'd be okay with giving him a shot. But, like Raffl, I wouldn't feel comfortable counting on him.

I don't think he is top 6. I think people overrate him a little. He is a good skater but do you think he has 15 - 20 goals in him. I don't. I see a good skater, good defensivley and gets in on the forecheck well. The problem is having a laack of solid wingers. I really only seeing i playing with Couturiers line because of the defensive assignments they get or on the 4th line. He can give a spot showing in the top 6 but I wouldn't rely on him there.
- J35Bacher

I think people get too involved in ranking lines, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc..., while instead they should be focusing on getting the best mix possible on each line. I would rather have 3 very good lines that can both score and be responsible defensively and a 4th line that can at least add energy and be good defensively.

For example
Raffl-G-VL
Raffl gives the line speed, forechecking ability and defensive awareness, Giroux gives the line world class skill, faceoff ability and hard work, and VL gives the line a true sniper.

Umberger-Schenn-Jake
Umberger gives the line solid positional play and decent skill, Schenn gives you some physicality and the ability to finish while Voracek gives the line size, speed and very good playmaking ability.

Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Read gives the line speed and excellent 2-way play, Couturier gives the line size, skill and world class defensive awareness, and Simmer gives the line grit, toughness and the ability to finish in tight.

PEB-Laughton-Akeson
A nice 4th line with a good mix of grit (Laughton), speed & 2-way play (PEB) and skill (Akeson)

I think people get too involved in ranking lines, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc..., while instead they should be focusing on getting the best mix possible on each line. I would rather have 3 very good lines that can both score and be responsible defensively and a 4th line that can at least add energy and be good defensively.

For example
Raffl-G-VL
Raffl gives the line speed, forechecking ability and defensive awareness, Giroux gives the line world class skill, faceoff ability and hard work, and VL gives the line a true sniper.

Umberger-Schenn-Jake
Umberger gives the line solid positional play and decent skill, Schenn gives you some physicality and the ability to finish while Voracek gives the line size, speed and very good playmaking ability.

Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Read gives the line speed and excellent 2-way play, Couturier gives the line size, skill and world class defensive awareness, and Simmer gives the line grit, toughness and the ability to finish in tight.

PEB-Laughton-Akeson
A nice 4th line with a good mix of grit (Laughton), speed & 2-way play (PEB) and skill (Akeson)
- BiggE

That's fine and all, but you need to score goals. You can have a nice mix, but if that mix negates offense and/or chemistry that 2 players seem to have, then you're sacrificing offense. Also, there's only so much ice time to dole out, and you don't want to be giving a guy like Simmonds less ice time that a guy like Umberger just because Umberger completes a line better. Just my take.

Again, if we could sign him to a one-year deal with a low cap hit (~$1.1M or so), I'd be okay with giving him a shot. But, like Raffl, I wouldn't feel comfortable counting on him.
- jmatchett383

I agree. I guess the best way i can say it is I don't want to count on him but I prefer him to our in house options to provide some scoring.

Evander Kane in 2012-13: 17 goals, 16 assists for 33 points in 48 games
Evander Kane in 2013-14: 19 goals, 22 assists for 41 points in 63 games

Brayden Schenn in 2012-13: 8 goals, 18 assists for 26 points in 47 games
Brayden Schenn in 2013-14: 20 goals, 21 assists for 41 points in 82 games

Now, I'm not saying that Brayden Schenn has been as productive as Kane thus far in their careers.

But I am totally baffled at why we can't escape Evander Kane trade proposals -- the guy isn't Brett Hull or John LeClair! Brayden Schenn could hit Kane's best season this year if his development continues, for a cheaper cap hit and not nearly as much drama in the media.

Why is anyone so willing to trade multiple assets for that guy? He's not some elite difference-maker for a playoff team! He's just another player in the NHL -- he's not worth all the ink he gets!

That's fine and all, but you need to score goals. You can have a nice mix, but if that mix negates offense and/or chemistry that 2 players seem to have, then you're sacrificing offense. Also, there's only so much ice time to dole out, and you don't want to be giving a guy like Simmonds less ice time that a guy like Umberger just because Umberger completes a line better. Just my take.
- jmatchett383

100% agree. Also look what happens with certain lines. When you have a line like Couturier's who can take on the top line of another team it frees up your best offensive center to possibly a better matchup. I don't number lines because in all honesty couturier is our 2nd center in that he has a bunch of responsibilities on this team.

That's fine and all, but you need to score goals. You can have a nice mix, but if that mix negates offense and/or chemistry that 2 players seem to have, then you're sacrificing offense. Also, there's only so much ice time to dole out, and you don't want to be giving a guy like Simmonds less ice time that a guy like Umberger just because Umberger completes a line better. Just my take.
- jmatchett383

Not sure you would necessarily short Simmonds, as whatever line Couturier centers is going to get as much ice time as any line on the club, but I hear what you are saying.
My main point was that I have seen a lot of teams have success over the last 25 years using balanced lines. Calgary in the late 80s, Dallas in the late 90s, the Devils during most of their cup runs all come to mind as teams that were successful using a balanced lineup, rather than stacking one or 2 lines.

Evander Kane in 2012-13: 17 goals, 16 assists for 33 points in 48 games
Evander Kane in 2013-14: 19 goals, 22 assists for 41 points in 63 games

Brayden Schenn in 2012-13: 8 goals, 18 assists for 26 points in 47 games
Brayden Schenn in 2013-14: 20 goals, 21 assists for 41 points in 82 games

Now, I'm not saying that Brayden Schenn has been as productive as Kane thus far in their careers.

But I am totally baffled at why we can't escape Evander Kane trade proposals -- the guy isn't Brett Hull or John LeClair! Brayden Schenn could hit Kane's best season this year if his development continues, for a cheaper cap hit and not nearly as much drama in the media.

Why is anyone so willing to trade multiple assets for that guy? He's not some elite difference-maker for a playoff team! He's just another player in the NHL -- he's not worth all the ink he gets!
- AllInForFlyers

Because remember, all of our players suck and everyone else's players are superstars. Until we get them, then they suck.

Because remember, all of our players suck and everyone else's players are superstars. Until we get them, then they suck.
- jmatchett383

Not sure you would necessarily short Simmonds, as whatever line Couturier centers is going to get as much ice time as any line on the club, but I hear what you are saying.
My main point was that I have seen a lot of teams have success over the last 25 years using balanced lines. Calgary in the late 80s, Dallas in the late 90s, the Devils during most of their cup runs all come to mind as teams that were successful using a balanced lineup, rather than stacking one or 2 lines.
- BiggE

I'm not against balanced lines, but I wouldn't balance for the sake of balance. If you have a few really good offensively-minded players who have good chemistry (Jake & G for instance) I wouldn't break them up just to balance other lines.

Are there any bad contracts out there where maybe we move Vinny for a winger. Would Carolina do Semin for Vinny. I know the cap hit is more but at least Semin would fill a need for us. Just making conversation.

I'm not against balanced lines, but I wouldn't balance for the sake of balance. If you have a few really good offensively-minded players who have good chemistry (Jake & G for instance) I wouldn't break them up just to balance other lines.
- jmatchett383

Good point, I just think that if they go into next season with VL on the roster, playing on Giroux's right wing is the best spot for him. Plus, I think that Voracek/Schenn have the potential to be a very nice combo.

Because remember, all of our players suck and everyone else's players are superstars. Until we get them, then they suck.
- jmatchett383

They don't just suck, they grab ass too

They don't just suck, they grab ass too
- Guile

Yep. All of them.

Are there any bad contracts out there where maybe we move Vinny for a winger. Would Carolina do Semin for Vinny. I know the cap hit is more but at least Semin would fill a need for us. Just making conversation.
- J35Bacher

Semin has 4 years left at 7 million, no thank you.

Are there any bad contracts out there where maybe we move Vinny for a winger. Would Carolina do Semin for Vinny. I know the cap hit is more but at least Semin would fill a need for us. Just making conversation.
- J35Bacher

Vinny isn't going anywhere... really.

Good point, I just think that if they go into next season with VL on the roster, playing on Giroux's right wing is the best spot for him. Plus, I think that Voracek/Schenn have the potential to be a very nice combo.
- BiggE

I'd rather leave VL at center and try Schenn on LW. That makes 3 players who are average/adequate defensively (on a league-wide basis) who can all score. It lets VL stay at his accustomed spot instead of again trying him at a different position. But either way, I think one of VL or B Schenn has to be your 2C (assuming they're both on the roster).

Semin has 4 years left at 7 million, no thank you.
- BiggE

Yeah, that contract seems much worse than Vinny's from a cap/term standpoint.

Also, if you think that Vinny doesn't backcheck...

Vinny isn't going anywhere... really.
- Tomahawk

Yeah funny. People said same thing about Hartnell waiving his no trade too. Guess things can always change.

They don't just suck, they grab ass too
- Guile

Don't I know you from somewhere?

Because remember, all of our players suck and everyone else's players are superstars. Until we get them, then they suck.
- jmatchett383

We get hit with this stuff every day now, like other team's problems are automatically the solution to everything that ails the Flyers.

The Flyers have some flaws. But if the target acquisition isn't a guy like Chris Pronger, I just don't get why the guys who get the Flyers to the playoffs have to be shipped off en masse for one guy who can't get his team to the playoffs.

I don't get it -- it isn't a video game!

Evander Kane in 2012-13: 17 goals, 16 assists for 33 points in 48 games
Evander Kane in 2013-14: 19 goals, 22 assists for 41 points in 63 games

Brayden Schenn in 2012-13: 8 goals, 18 assists for 26 points in 47 games
Brayden Schenn in 2013-14: 20 goals, 21 assists for 41 points in 82 games

Now, I'm not saying that Brayden Schenn has been as productive as Kane thus far in their careers.

But I am totally baffled at why we can't escape Evander Kane trade proposals -- the guy isn't Brett Hull or John LeClair! Brayden Schenn could hit Kane's best season this year if his development continues, for a cheaper cap hit and not nearly as much drama in the media.

Why is anyone so willing to trade multiple assets for that guy? He's not some elite difference-maker for a playoff team! He's just another player in the NHL -- he's not worth all the ink he gets!
- AllInForFlyers

To be fair only one poster recommended a Schenn for Kane deal. But totally agree.

Yeah funny. People said same thing about Hartnell waiving his no trade too. Guess things can always change.
- J35Bacher

Meszaros from a summer ago would probably be the stronger comparison.

We get hit with this stuff every day now, like other team's problems are automatically the solution to everything that ails the Flyers.

The Flyers have some flaws. But if the target acquisition isn't a guy like Chris Pronger, I just don't get why the guys who get the Flyers to the playoffs have to be shipped off en masse for one guy who can't get their team to the playoffs.

I don't get it -- it isn't a video game!
- AllInForFlyers

Because most people think it IS a video game.

My next 18 3rd round picks for Shea Weber...done!

Yeah, that contract seems much worse than Vinny's from a cap/term standpoint.

Also, if you think that Vinny doesn't backcheck...
- jmatchett383

Semin is actually a pretty ok defensive player. He's been a plus player since 08-09 season.