I think a big part is for the players to look at the big picture.

They are not average joe's as much as they are trying to make themselves out to be. Even making 500,000 a year is hell of a lot better than most people on the planet.

The league was stupid to put themselves in this position and they are trying to get themselves out of it. At the end of the day though nobody will convince me any of these guys deserve the salary they are getting.

A guy like Hartnell can basically without even thinking rent out a rink for a week. Most people would never be able to realistically budget for that.

So much for "the love of the game". I am sure every one of us, would be willing to put on that jersey for a lot less than 500,000. Those of us who may have loans, debt, work weekends, holidays, split shifts, etc.

(realise this doesnt really have anything to do with Leino, but just looking for your thoughts)
- flyer_nutter

That's because you aren't looking at it realistically. Your comparing the players to regular working people, and the daily struggles that they encounter. They aren't in that dynamic. They are part of a product that generates 3.3 billion dollars a year in revenue. That if history is any judge, is going to increase by around 7% each year. So they are entitled to the salaries they earn. And they do earn them. You want to make what they make, learn to play the game like they can.
I'd love for civil servants such as policeman and fireman. Professionals who save lives such as Doctors and Nurses. And teachers, and other numerous endeavors that are far more important in this World then Hockey players to make more money. But that's just not reality. We live in a World where sports players, and actors make millions.
We have two sides fighting over how to split up a 3.3 billion dollar pie. Both sides think they're right.

Thanks again for the updates Bill! I love 'em. Keep them coming.

Am I the only one who is unaware of what the current direction of the Philadelphia Flyers is?

For one moment forget about Ville Leino's terrible season with the Buffalo Sabers and remember exactly what he was as Flyer. Leino could arguably have been the motor that drove our top line that featured Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell. That line would dominate most nights and even Leino himself proved that he can take control of a game. So I ask, why wouldn't the Flyers offer Leino what the Sabers did? Why are the Flyers okay with offering up Jake Voracek four plus million base on potential, when Leino proved his importance to this team on a nightly basis. The decision shouldn't have been based around his age, Leino is still roughly young at age 28. Maybe they were worried about his hip issues. Either way, I'm scratching my head.

JvR for Luke Schenn seems more based around bringing in Brayden's older brother, then filling in a spot of need. Let's face it, Luke cannot filled a Chris Pronger or Kimmo Timonen's skates. If we ever were truly in on a Shea Weber deal, you would think a package that sees JvR being the main piece would be enough to get Shea Weber in Philly. To add to my point, there are a number of players that would top my list way before Luke. Tyler Myers is one, PK Subban might be another. With the signing of Grossman, I don't see the rush in getting this deal done.

Before it came out that Lilja would need surgery, we already signed Bruno Gervias. Maybe behind closed doors the Flyers were aware of Lilja's main but even so, we still have Bourdon, Gustafsson and Manning ready for duty. Why shouldn't one of these kids get to be on the full time roster??

Last the signing for Rusty Fedetanko. I never felt the need for a 4th line center because Max Talbot can handle it but after debating with another user of this site, it really is a waste of Talbot's talents to not have him in the top nine. So why Rusty?

I still feel like Giroux needs someone legit to play with. If Bobby Ryan really could be had, I'm not poking fun of that day dream. We could really use such a player right now. Heck, we probably could have got him by dangling JvR in the Ducks direction.

Make all of this make sense for me.

Leino had half a good season and a good playoff run with the Flyers. Lets not make him out to be something more than he was.

He told the truth.

In 1990 Lemieux made 2 million. The highest paid in the whole league.

Gretzky made 1.7 million.

Messier at 855,000 and Yzerman at 700,000.

The average salary now has to be what? Around 2 million? Prices in the world have not gone up that much to warrant such an increase. Let alone the top guys getting 6-8 million a year with huge signing bonuses.

I understand the frustration of possibly having a reduction in wages but the players have to get real. They wouldn't be able to live comfortably with even a 1 million per year salary?
- flyer_nutter

I think his comments regarding the Flyers and the unwritten rule on no offer sheets is borderline admission of collusion by the owners. He probably got the fine to shut him and othe owners up even if it's true.

Am I the only one who is unaware of what the current direction of the Philadelphia Flyers is?

For one moment forget about Ville Leino's terrible season with the Buffalo Sabers and remember exactly what he was as Flyer. Leino could arguably have been the motor that drove our top line that featured Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell. That line would dominate most nights and even Leino himself proved that he can take control of a game. So I ask, why wouldn't the Flyers offer Leino what the Sabers did? Why are the Flyers okay with offering up Jake Voracek four plus million base on potential, when Leino proved his importance to this team on a nightly basis. The decision shouldn't have been based around his age, Leino is still roughly young at age 28. Maybe they were worried about his hip issues. Either way, I'm scratching my head.


- SuperSchennBros

I'm scratching my head as to why this is so difficult to understand. Leino isn't anywhere near the talent that Voracek is. Voracek was a top draft pick who has a chance to be a top first line player in this League. Leino doesn't. I also disagree that Leino could take over a game. Not on any kind of regular basis.

JvR for Luke Schenn seems more based around bringing in Brayden's older brother, then filling in a spot of need. Let's face it, Luke cannot filled a Chris Pronger or Kimmo Timonen's skates. If we ever were truly in on a Shea Weber deal, you would think a package that sees JvR being the main piece would be enough to get Shea Weber in Philly. To add to my point, there are a number of players that would top my list way before Luke. Tyler Myers is one, PK Subban might be another. With the signing of Grossman, I don't see the rush in getting this deal done.


- SuperSchennBros

I assure you the main reason for trading for Luke Schenn wasn't because his brother was already on the team. I don't see JVR being able to get you a star defenseman such as Weber, or an upcoming star defenseman such as Tyler Myers. The peices that would needed to be added would need to be pretty big peices. The main peices the Flyers have to get that type of player are B Schenn and Couturier. Whom the Flyers seem reluctant to give up.

Before it came out that Lilja would need surgery, we already signed Bruno Gervias. Maybe behind closed doors the Flyers were aware of Lilja's main but even so, we still have Bourdon, Gustafsson and Manning ready for duty. Why shouldn't one of these kids get to be on the full time roster??


- SuperSchennBros

Who says they won't be on the full time roster. Gervais is veteran depth, and is an upgrade as a full time player over Lilja

Last the signing for Rusty Fedetanko. I never felt the need for a 4th line center because Max Talbot can handle it but after debating with another user of this site, it really is a waste of Talbot's talents to not have him in the top nine. So why Rusty?


- SuperSchennBros

Again, Fedetenko is veteran depth. He can play any forward position and fill in on any line. He checks well and plays well defensively. And can kill penalties

I still feel like Giroux needs someone legit to play with. If Bobby Ryan really could be had, I'm not poking fun of that day dream. We could really use such a player right now. Heck, we probably could have got him by dangling JvR in the Ducks direction.


- SuperSchennBros

We already have a legit player for Giroux to play with, in Voracek. Voracek isn't the goal scorer that Ryan is. But is as good of an overall player if not better then Ryan. And Voracek has a ton of upside. Very doubtful that we could have gotten Ryan for JVR.

Make all of this make sense for me.
- SuperSchennBros

The Gervais and Fedtenko moves are pretty simple moves to understand why. Veteran depth. The Flyers obviously like Luke Schenn as a future top 4 defensive defenseman.

Am I the only one who is unaware of what the current direction of the Philadelphia Flyers is?

For one moment forget about Ville Leino's terrible season with the Buffalo Sabers and remember exactly what he was as Flyer. Leino could arguably have been the motor that drove our top line that featured Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell. That line would dominate most nights and even Leino himself proved that he can take control of a game. So I ask, why wouldn't the Flyers offer Leino what the Sabers did? Why are the Flyers okay with offering up Jake Voracek four plus million base on potential, when Leino proved his importance to this team on a nightly basis. The decision shouldn't have been based around his age, Leino is still roughly young at age 28. Maybe they were worried about his hip issues. Either way, I'm scratching my head.

JvR for Luke Schenn seems more based around bringing in Brayden's older brother, then filling in a spot of need. Let's face it, Luke cannot filled a Chris Pronger or Kimmo Timonen's skates. If we ever were truly in on a Shea Weber deal, you would think a package that sees JvR being the main piece would be enough to get Shea Weber in Philly. To add to my point, there are a number of players that would top my list way before Luke. Tyler Myers is one, PK Subban might be another. With the signing of Grossman, I don't see the rush in getting this deal done.

Before it came out that Lilja would need surgery, we already signed Bruno Gervias. Maybe behind closed doors the Flyers were aware of Lilja's main but even so, we still have Bourdon, Gustafsson and Manning ready for duty. Why shouldn't one of these kids get to be on the full time roster??

Last the signing for Rusty Fedetanko. I never felt the need for a 4th line center because Max Talbot can handle it but after debating with another user of this site, it really is a waste of Talbot's talents to not have him in the top nine. So why Rusty?

I still feel like Giroux needs someone legit to play with. If Bobby Ryan really could be had, I'm not poking fun of that day dream. We could really use such a player right now. Heck, we probably could have got him by dangling JvR in the Ducks direction.

Make all of this make sense for me.
- SuperSchennBros

Don't read too deep into things, Bro.

1. Giving Jake the money is a no brainer. Czech > Leino by a longshot, and is younger. Jake was also a top 10 pick, I believe. Maybe even top 5. There's a reason for that. And there's also a reason that Leino went undrafted.

2. We had surplus forwards, and a demand on D. So, naturally, we went out to bring in a good yound Dman with high potential to add to the core of players of the same nature. Good, with the potential to be great or superstars. Besides, JVR was expendable to us because we played half of the each of the past 2 seasons without him and didn't skip a beat.

3. Rusty and Gervais are not confusing signings. Seriously. Veteran, cheap depth. Everyone does it. Additionally, I wouldn't call it a longshot to say that Homer simply wanted another cheap serviceable defenseman because- let's face it- we'll need them 2/3rds of the way through the season when Homer is calling my cell phone asking if I can play hockey for the team because everyone is (frank)in injured.

Make sense yet? This offseason really isn't that much of a headscratcher, in my opinion. Every move has made perfect sense.

Don't read too deep into things, Bro.

1. Giving Jake the money is a no brainer. Czech > Leino by a longshot, and is younger. Jake was also a top 10 pick, I believe. Maybe even top 5. There's a reason for that. And there's also a reason that Leino went undrafted.

2. We had surplus forwards, and a demand on D. So, naturally, we went out to bring in a good yound Dman with high potential to add to the core of players of the same nature. Good, with the potential to be great or superstars. Besides, JVR was expendable to us because we played half of the each of the past 2 seasons without him and didn't skip a beat.

3. Rusty and Gervais are not confusing signings. Seriously. Veteran, cheap depth. Everyone does it. Additionally, I wouldn't call it a longshot to say that Homer simply wanted another cheap serviceable defenseman because- let's face it- we'll need them 2/3rds of the way through the season when Homer is calling my cell phone asking if I can play hockey for the team because everyone is (frank)in injured.

Make sense yet? This offseason really isn't that much of a headscratcher, in my opinion. Every move has made perfect sense.
- Giroux_Is_God

Lets make this simple. Leino sucks. That being said, we could use a pure goal scoring winger.

Cheers!

I'm scratching my head as to...
(page stretch guard)
...future top 4 defensive defenseman.
- MJL

p much

Don't read too deep into things, Bro.

1. Giving Jake the money is a no brainer. Czech > Leino by a longshot, and is younger. Jake was also a top 10 pick, I believe. Maybe even top 5. There's a reason for that. And there's also a reason that Leino went undrafted.

.
- Giroux_Is_God

And after the year Leino had, it's hard to understand the pining after him still.