Strictly average at the dot... had a good year, but was sub-50 the year before.

I think that's the crux w/ Vinny... he's got a solid gold name, but he's strictly league-average at this point in his career. Too bad he's still going to get paid like he's a 80-90 point player.
- Tomahawk

Other option is to look at Nathan Horton who wants $6M per year.

I'm curious to see what the Flyers do this week/weekend.

I'm just dont believe these group of players will get you a cup in 4-5 year. I think 1 will have to be moved to address a puck mover for when Timonen retires.

And I think whether or not we can win the cup depends on 2 things.

1. Will they sign Vinny or trade for a top scoring forward.
2. Will they sign or trade for a goalie that can start at a high level if Mason cant.

If they do those 2 things, I think this team can and will compete for the Cup. We are a deep team. Just a few tweaks gets it done.
- youarewrong

So, this group of players (with the top scoring forward and high-level goalie) can't win a Cup in 4-5 years, but this group of players (with the top scoring forward and high-level goalie) minus Couturier and adding a defenseman can? I don't agree at all.

Matt Read can't provide the kind of size, leadership, and faceoff skill that Vinny would.

He would also be the 2C here behind Giroux so his burden wouldn't change much.
- Feanor

Then sign a guy like Handzus and keep Read. We don't need to overpay for size, face-offs and leadership.

Vinny won't just come in and be a leader. It's not that easy. Timonen is the 2C here anyway. Everyone likes him and respects him. Even the media likes him.

Strictly average at the dot... had a good year, but was sub-50 the year before.

I think that's the crux w/ Vinny... he's got a solid gold name, but he's strictly league-average at this point in his career. Too bad he's still going to get paid like he's a 80-90 point player.
- Tomahawk

He's prob your average second line center which is an upgrade for the flyers. Plus i think b schenn is better on the wing, another upgrade??

Strictly average at the dot... had a good year, but was sub-50 the year before.

I think that's the crux w/ Vinny... he's got a solid gold name, but he's strictly league-average at this point in his career. Too bad he's still going to get paid like he's a 80-90 point player.
- Tomahawk

eh, i agree to a point, but (and sorry for thinking like Clarke circa 1990's) his size and skating are a real asset that you can't get from "any player". i still think as far as 2nd line centers go...if you're paying him like one...he's a top choice. and i wouldn't say he's going to get the going rate for a 80 point forward either.

if there are not willing to pay then the flyers should not play.....cant take less cause they wont give it up....I have no problem holding onto Coburn...remember next year we lose Kimmo and Mez
- nonpoint22

so in that scenario we have 7 d-men... who is the 7th guy?

I just think the Flyers should be careful in free agency and save some cap room. This is a terrible FA year. Next year should be better. Why not let Schenn and Coots see if they can turn things around? Next year the team will have much more cost certainty and have a better idea of team needs.

Vinny is overrated. He's the best free agent in one of the worst FA years. He had favorable matchups because Stamkos drew the tough ones, so it's not like he will come here with less of a burden.

People say he can put up 25 goals and 60 points. Well Matt Read can put up similar numbers while also playing the PK. Would you really want to let Matt Read walk after this season so that we could sign Vinny to a 5 year deal?
- PhillySportsGuy

And Giroux will draw tough match-ups off Vinny too. I like Vinny's size. We dont have any big physical centers. I think he would be a good mix.

Then sign a guy like Handzus and keep Read. We don't need to overpay for size, face-offs and leadership.

Vinny won't just come in and be a leader. It's not that easy. Timonen is the 2C here anyway. Everyone likes him and respects him. Even the media likes him.
- PhillySportsGuy

2C = #2 center

Other option is to look at Nathan Horton who wants $6M per year.

I'm curious to see what the Flyers do this week/weekend.
- stveshdy

Why is it imperative that they add one of the grossly overrated players on the market?

Horton's been living for years off being the 3rd-overall pick in 2003... a couple of decent playoff runs (with plenty of help) and a couple of 60-point seasons gets you a $6M payday? Ouch.

I think that Newbury kid has a huge upside.

And Giroux will draw tough match-ups off Vinny too. I like Vinny's size. We dont have any big physical centers. I think he would be a good mix.
- youarewrong

I think the Flyers are going to push very hard for Vinny.. they made it known that size up front is one thing they intend on addressing this offseason.

I think that Newbury kid has a huge upside.
- mayorofangrytown

he can fight middleweights and score 20 goals ?

so in that scenario we have 7 d-men... who is the 7th guy?
- jak521

Kimmo - Schenn
Grossmann - Coburn
Meszaros - Gustafsson

I think that Newbury kid has a huge upside.
- mayorofangrytown

Really? I'm not sure about trading Syvret, I thought he was brimming with NHL potential.

Why is it imperative that they add one of the grossly overrated players on the market?

Horton's been living for years off being the 3rd-overall pick in 2003... a couple of decent playoff runs (with plenty of help) and a couple of 60-point seasons gets you a $6M payday? Ouch.
- Tomahawk

Bingo Bango just say no to Nate

eh, i agree to a point, but (and sorry for thinking like Clarke circa 1990's) his size and skating are a real asset that you can't get from "any player". i still think as far as 2nd line centers go...if you're paying him like one...he's a top choice. and i wouldn't say he's going to get the going rate for a 80 point forward either.
- eshake

Vinny's big, but he's clearly lost a couple of steps since the turn of the decade... hence he's a shadow of his former self. Still a good player, but not worth whatever he's going to get paid. The Flyers definitely have more pressing needs to fill with the limited cap space available to them.

I think that Newbury kid has a huge upside.
- mayorofangrytown

He got beat up by Tye McGinn in McGinn's (I believe) 1st game

Kimmo - Schenn
Grossmann - Coburn
Meszaros - Gustafsson
- jmatchett383

Streit?

Strictly average at the dot... had a good year, but was sub-50 the year before.

I think that's the crux w/ Vinny... he's got a solid gold name, but he's strictly league-average at this point in his career. Too bad he's still going to get paid like he's a 80-90 point player.
- Tomahawk

One thing I have always said about LeCavalier is that he's often been a "grass is greener on the other side" type of player. If he played for the Flyers, people would focus on the flaws; namely that he's often seemed to be more of a go-with-the-flow type than a take-charge player who burns to be THE difference-maker. Sometimes he'll disappear and look totally unengaged for entire games. He was that way early in his career, hit a period where he was dominant and has slowly but steadily regressed back to being a good but not great player the majority of the time.

I think the Flyers are going to push very hard for Vinny.. they made it known that size up front is one thing they intend on addressing this offseason.
- jak521

Depends on the price tag!

Vinny's big, but he's clearly lost a couple of steps since the turn of the decade... hence he's a shadow of his former self. Still a good player, but not worth whatever he's going to get paid. The Flyers definitely have more pressing needs to fill with the limited cap space available to them.
- Tomahawk

He is still a 6-4 220 near ppg center who is pretty good on draws.

Other option is to look at Nathan Horton who wants $6M per year.

I'm curious to see what the Flyers do this week/weekend.
- stveshdy

One of the few things I liked about the CSN draft special was how Morganti lit up Panotch on everything he said....and when Panotch was like flyers should go after Horton..Morganti pretty much said "are you kidding me that would be a tremendous mistake..Versteeg 2.0" . I like Morganti's opinion and agree Horton is a product of a system and panotch knows nothing

He's prob your average second line center which is an upgrade for the flyers. Plus i think b schenn is better on the wing, another upgrade??
- Just5

Maybe this year. What happens when Schenn, Laughton and Coots get better and Vinny regresses. Then you are paying a 3rd or 4th line center 5M for another 3 or 4 years.

Streit?
- jak521

Duh. My bad.

Whichever of Meszaros/Grossmann is injured that day.

I think that Newbury kid has a huge upside.
- mayorofangrytown

Ah I see it as an AHL deal...Rags wouldnt give us a kid if he had even the slightest shread of NHL upside