It's hard to make that case contractually, tho.

Perron's a pending UFA... if he can't score, the Ducks just let him walk (or trade him again). They can replace him with something else.

Hagelin's never broken 20-goals or 40-pts... and he's got $8M left and two more years on his deal. Pens already had 5 forwards making ~$4M or more. Hagelin's now the 6th.
- Tomahawk

I'm going with: Rutherford's an idiot.

I accidentally flagged this.

Let's just say I flagged it because it makes me incredibly happy and I want don't want to feel this happy this early on a Saturday.

(frank) them too
- Giroux_Is_God

Dammit. Ob will surely ban me haha. I think Rutherford is crippling that team in order to win now. What a mess. Takes on a longer contract and gives up a young guy. Only way out of this IMO is if they trade Malkin.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

They're probably hoping for Chris Kunitz 2.0.

But damn... that's a lot of scratch/term to be doling out for a tryout, don't you think? If they waited until the summer, they could probably have found a guy like Hagelin on a MDZ kind of deal pretty easily. Instead, it seems like they're doubling down on a PO run now.
- Tomahawk

Absolutely, with you and JSaq pointing out the contractual status, it does make it a really odd move -- I assumed (incorrectly) that the terms/dollars would be relatively close in that kind of swap

The Pens are in a weird, weird spot. I did watch them last night, take a peek at them periodically. They had been playing better of late, but they really have some structural problems on defense (mobility, skill and hockey sense) when Letang is hurt (and he got hurt again last night) and they honestly play like a team that has just gotten really stale with Malkin and Crosby as the focal points

Kunitz is old, Bennett's never healthy, Hornqvist is still effective but is a complementary player...there's a lot to not like about them

The funny thing is that Fleury has been really, really good for basically two seasons. He really hides a lot of the problems they have, when Letang does play

If it was me, I'd really, really, really quietly explore a Crosby move. They won't, because they are trying to sell the team, but man, a lot of guys just don't mesh with him on the ice, for whatever reason. A second-level contender like St. Louis could revitalize his on-ice demeanor -- he just looks so stale, at times

They should probably look to move Kessel, too -- he's in shape, but he looks like one of those guys who is "best player on a bad team, but not an impact player on a good team"

Unless you keep hitting the gym. Then weak stays away.
- Giroux_Is_God

One thing to consider: the Flyers average size with Weal replacing is Umberger is 6'0.5 and 192 lbs. That is a pretty small lineup even in the post lockout era.

One thing to consider: the Flyers average size with Weal replacing is Umberger is 6'0.5 and 192 lbs. That is a pretty small lineup even in the post lockout era.
- BiggE

Yes and thats why trading simmonds make no sense and I would def look into lucic in the offseason. At the right price and term Id sign him.

One thing to consider: the Flyers average size with Weal replacing is Umberger is 6'0.5 and 192 lbs. That is a pretty small lineup even in the post lockout era.
- BiggE

If Hextall does make a move for a forward, while the options may not be great, I'd hope he would consider that

I have little doubt that Umberger is in the lineup because of his size. It would be so nice to replace him with a winger with his size who can actually play

If Hextall does make a move for a forward, while the options may not be great, I'd hope he would consider that

I have little doubt that Umberger is in the lineup because of his size. It would be so nice to replace him with a winger with his size who can actually play
- AllInForFlyers

Like hartnell?

If Hextall does make a move for a forward, while the options may not be great, I'd hope he would consider that

I have little doubt that Umberger is in the lineup because of his size. It would be so nice to replace him with a winger with his size who can actually play
- AllInForFlyers

Absolutely.

While it's not as important as it was in the clutch and grab era, size still matters in the NHL. The Flyers lose a lot of puck battles along the wall because the opposing players are often just bigger and stronger. When you factor in adding a guy like Konecny into the mix, acquiring some wingers with decent size is a must. Hopefully Lindblom can be one of those guys one day, but more are needed.

If Hextall does make a move for a forward, while the options may not be great, I'd hope he would consider that

I have little doubt that Umberger is in the lineup because of his size. It would be so nice to replace him with a winger with his size who can actually play
- AllInForFlyers

I'm sure he will. I'm also sure he's going his diligence on the drouin front, he's not going to gut the system for this guy. He's a young promising lw and I could do it for a prospect and maybe our 1st and a 3rd maybe even Laughton in the mix. Steve isn't going to want any of our depth forwards really, and I think he'd get more from another club. However if hexy wants to speed up the process, drouin is a nice piece. Prob is, he's not a proven like a johansen or someone like that. Can you break the bank on an unproven guy? Id say no.

Like hartnell?
- jmdodgeser4

LOL, not at the idea, but the fact that ship has sailed, and sadly, it took Umberger's game with it

Absolutely.

While it's not as important as it was in the clutch and grab era, size still matters in the NHL. The Flyers lose a lot of puck battles along the wall because the opposing players are often just bigger and stronger. When you factor in adding a guy like Konecny into the mix, acquiring some wingers with decent size is a must. Hopefully Lindblom can be one of those guys one day, but more are needed.
- BiggE

Agree. I understand those who argue that skill and speed are possibly even more important, but then I watch a guy like Boone Jenner pull a puck off the wall and walk it to the net, and I'm like "Matt Read ain't stopping that"

5 wins in a row has a nice ring to it.

It gives this....feeling

And the Penguins too. What a time to be alive.
- Giroux_Is_God

You said it.

I'm sure he will. I'm also sure he's going his diligence on the drouin front, he's not going to gut the system for this guy. He's a young promising lw and I could do it for a prospect and maybe our 1st and a 3rd maybe even Laughton in the mix. Steve isn't going to want any of our depth forwards really, and I think he'd get more from another club. However if hexy wants to speed up the process, drouin is a nice piece. Prob is, he's not a proven like a johansen or someone like that. Can you break the bank on an unproven guy? Id say no.
- Hextall271

I think Drouin can probably play, and I don't mind moving a good piece or two for a player that age, but honestly, the need is less if Voracek is going to stick at LW -- and I think he should. One of Simmonds or he needed to do that, since Schenn just couldn't play it with any amount of consistency

If I were Hextall, I'd make replacing Umberger on the NHL roster a priority if I were serious about making the playoffs. I think a line of Read-Laughton-Upgraded Player could really be something that helps Laughton develop and gives Hakstol the opportunity to get the most out of Read, who has been playing better since the scratch

Easier said than done, though -- you look around the league, there's a lot of teams looking for help and there isn't a ton of quality available

Perron can score goals when he's going well, (Ducks last in the league).
Hagelin can kill penalties, better defensively

damn quotes - regarding Weal getting in, Hakstol has shown he doesn't change the lineup for the most part (Ghost back in the exception) until they lose.

Adam Kimelman ‏@NHLAdamK
With Shayne Gostisbehere back in for Flyers, coach Dave Hakstol says Brandon Manning will be healthy scratch

Adam Kimelman ‏@NHLAdamK
With Shayne Gostisbehere back in for Flyers, coach Dave Hakstol says Brandon Manning will be healthy scratch
- ob18

As expected.

My only concern is on the PK. I'm not a huge fan of Ghost, Medvedev or Streit as penalty killers.

damn quotes - regarding Weal getting in, Hakstol has shown he doesn't change the lineup for the most part (Ghost back in the exception) until they lose.
- nastyflyergirl

In Hak's defense, most coaches are leery of tinkering with the lineup during a winning streak.

From last blog, just wanted to throw this in there.

If you are skilled and fast enough, the size doesn't matter. Johnny Gaudreau, at 5'9 157, is averaging a point per game this year. And, having seen the kid up close and in person, I can tell you he is maybe a legit 5'7.
- BiggE

Yes, I agree 100%, but the odds are against him.

I'm a shorter guy at 5'7", who grew up playing physical sports at high levels, so I know what it will be like for him.

Every level you get to is that much harder, because everyone is just that much bigger, has more skill and is almost as fast. As a shorter guy, I always root for players like that, because the remind me.

i look forward to these games more than any other. i dream of grease fires the night before.

Adam Kimelman ‏@NHLAdamK
With Shayne Gostisbehere back in for Flyers, coach Dave Hakstol says Brandon Manning will be healthy scratch
- ob18

and there was much rejoicing.

From last blog, just wanted to throw this in there.



Yes, I agree 100%, but the odds are against him.

I'm a shorter guy at 5'7", who grew up playing physical sports at high levels, so I know what it will be like for him.

Every level you get to is that much harder, because everyone is just that much bigger, has more skill and is almost as fast. As a shorter guy, I always root for players like that, because the remind me.
- VladDrag

For sure, size does matter. However, unlike in the clutch and grab era, smaller players have a better shot at succeeding in today's NHL. However, when choosing between 2 players relatively equal in skating, hockey sense and skills, a GM will, and should, almost always choose the bigger guy.

and there was much rejoicing.
- hammarby31