Or, with the cap around 75million in two years, those deals probably won't look as bad. Its scary to think about the kinds of deals gm's will be handing out to reach the cap floor.
- fecondo

Im not a big cap guy, so I wont get into a big thing with this, but no matter how much it goes up, I think overpaying for players is foolish.

Phaneuf to me, is not that guy you give out a mega contract to. I'd like the Flyers to be a little more selective in their player choices. Not to get so caught up in the hype.

The other aspect to this is that assuming you sign Phaneuf to a mega contract. You basically put him as your teams #1 d-man. Play him in such a role. Just because he at the present time seems to be "the best available", doesnt to me, mean he is a top tier d-man in the league.

I dont want Phaneuf, as the go to guy, on the back end for this team long term. I have big doubts about that. Its about correctly picking out your core more than anything else.

The Flyers will have the following for the next few seasons:
Hartnell: 4.75
LeCavalier: 4.5
Streit: 5.25

All of the following will become even more questionable as time goes on. I dont want to add another overpaid player to that current mix, just because "he is the best thing available". Giving up big money in FA is fine, but you do it for the right players. I dont think Phaneuf is worth a mega type contract.

The only names I would really target via free agency, and would be a hell of a lot cheaper than Phaneuf, are Girardi and Pitkanen.

The Flyers D, will not be re-vamped in one season. Yandle is a reasonable contract for an upper-tier puck mover.
- flyer_nutter

I'd love to have Yandle, but I don't see Phoenix wanting to move him for cheap. Couturier would most likely have to be included in that deal. I agree 100% with your post. I'd much rather have Girardi for 3 mil than Phaneuf for 7.5 and it's not even close. Streit already looks like a bad deal; no need for anything similar to that. Hartnell would be a great fit for a reduced role, 3rd line gritty player, but 4.75 is a bit much to be paying him for that role. That might be what's best for the team though. I'm actually totally comfortable with Lecalvier's contract for it's duration. He's put up numbers his whole career and never has the "off" season. He's money in the bank for 25-35 goals and consistent play.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=23367&navid=nhl:topheads

Good news: Weber is out tonight.

Bad news: We are not playing the Predators tonight.
- feelingkettle

I'd love to have Yandle, but I don't see Phoenix wanting to move him for cheap. Couturier would most likely have to be included in that deal. I agree 100% with your post. I'd much rather have Girardi for 3 mil than Phaneuf for 7.5 and it's not even close. Streit already looks like a bad deal; no need for anything similar to that. Hartnell would be a great fit for a reduced role, 3rd line gritty player, but 4.75 is a bit much to be paying him for that role. That might be what's best for the team though. I'm actually totally comfortable with Lecalvier's contract for it's duration. He's put up numbers his whole career and never has the "off" season. He's money in the bank for 25-35 goals and consistent play.
- TonyBazz

Yandle is fairly young at 27. Obviously will not be cheap though. I'm kind of torn with him and Pitkanen who I think will hit FA.

You will have to pay up to bring in Keith, but Pitkanen wont come cheap either, and just adds more "inconsistency" to the current group. Another trade option could be Edler. I'd lovr Hamhuis but I think he is set on staying in HongCouver.

Lol @ schenn making close to 4. Personally, I think they'll give him a deal thats slightly higher than what they gave Coots. I'd like to see a deal around 2 years at 2.25/year.
- fecondo

You're laughing at the thought of B Schenn getting close to 4 million a season? He's on pace for 23g/27a. I think he's almost certain to get a deal similar to Simmonds or Voracek (4 million and 4.2 million). Not to mention he's been playing better than both of them all season.

Im not a big cap guy, so I wont get into a big thing with this, but no matter how much it goes up, I think overpaying for players is foolish.

Phaneuf to me, is not that guy you give out a mega contract to. I'd like the Flyers to be a little more selective in their player choices. Not to get so caught up in the hype.

The other aspect to this is that assuming you sign Phaneuf to a mega contract. You basically put him as your teams #1 d-man. Play him in such a role. Just because he at the present time seems to be "the best available", doesnt to me, mean he is a top tier d-man in the league.

I dont want Phaneuf, as the go to guy, on the back end for this team long term. I have big doubts about that. Its about correctly picking out your core more than anything else.
- flyer_nutter

I agree with you. I would prefer if the flyers didn't overpay for players, but obviously they do. Its both good and bad in my eyes. The good is, they identify a need and go out and try to fill that need. The bad is that they often overpay in order to do so.

That said, I like Phaneuf, but not at 7 or 7.5/yr. If he would take 5.5-6, I would want him here, but that's not going to happen.

Just curious but what are the collective opinions on Michael Raffl?

Even though he hasn't played a lot in recent games and at the start of the season Berube put Raffl in some pretty head scratching situations, I haven't been overly impressed by him. I feel the team needs another PK specialist so you can keep Giroux in a more offensive role. To keep Rinaldo playing fourth line minutes of hitting and giving energy to the team. I'm sure we can wait out Wellwood to get healthy to less complicate any trade transactions but since the loss of Talbot, I don't feel Raffl or Rinaldo have even come close to making our PK as successful as it was. There was a lot of hype this past offseason of Raffl being a good replacement for Gagne if we didn't resign him. I just don't see it. I get the feeling Raffl is our new Andreas Nodl, Mika Pyerala, or Denis Telpeko.

On an entirely different note:

“We have some good chemistry and on right now, me, Downs and Reader,” Couturier said. “It feels good to have him (Read) back in the lineup.”
Read more at http://www.philly.com/phi....html#4sIufS6sehZxs50K.99

I myself am the unlucky owner of a few bad names, but Downie really got the short straw here in my opinion...

You're laughing at the thought of B Schenn getting close to 4 million a season? He's on pace for 23g/27a. I think he's almost certain to get a deal similar to Simmonds or Voracek (4 million and 4.2 million). Not to mention he's been playing better than both of them all season.
- TonyBazz

Not saying they wouldn't give that to them, just that if I was gm, I'd prefer a 2 yr deal between 4.5 and 5.75. That gives him another two years to at least prove he can be a consistent 50 point scorer. And if he exceeds that, then change the deal accordingly

Yandle is fairly young at 27. Obviously will not be cheap though. I'm kind of torn with him and Pitkanen who I think will hit FA.

You will have to pay up to bring in Keith, but Pitkanen wont come cheap either, and just adds more "inconsistency" to the current group. Another trade option could be Edler. I'd lovr Hamhuis but I think he is set on staying in HongCouver.
- flyer_nutter

Curious as to why you keep mentioning Yandle. He's under contract until 2016.

Yandle is fairly young at 27. Obviously will not be cheap though. I'm kind of torn with him and Pitkanen who I think will hit FA.

You will have to pay up to bring in Keith, but Pitkanen wont come cheap either, and just adds more "inconsistency" to the current group. Another trade option could be Edler. I'd lovr Hamhuis but I think he is set on staying in HongCouver.
- flyer_nutter

I would love Yandle. Defensively he is not a stalwart, offensively he is a smooth skating puck possession guy that would be great to have.

I think he is just the type of player they need.

What do you think would be a fair offer for him?

The Coyotes were rumored to want a first round pick and a young player like Couts/Schenn plus a good prospect.

You're laughing at the thought of B Schenn getting close to 4 million a season? He's on pace for 23g/27a. I think he's almost certain to get a deal similar to Simmonds or Voracek (4 million and 4.2 million). Not to mention he's been playing better than both of them all season.
- TonyBazz

His deal will probably be more like Couts 2/$4 AAV $2, mybe 2/$5, AAV $2.5.

Just curious but what are the collective opinions on Michael Raffl?

Even though he hasn't played a lot in recent games and at the start of the season Berube put Raffl in some pretty head scratching situations, I haven't been overly impressed by him. I feel the team needs another PK specialist so you can keep Giroux in a more offensive role. To keep Rinaldo playing fourth line minutes of hitting and giving energy to the team. I'm sure we can wait out Wellwood to get healthy to less complicate any trade transactions but since the loss of Talbot, I don't feel Raffl or Rinaldo have even come close to making our PK as successful as it was. There was a lot of hype this past offseason of Raffl being a good replacement for Gagne if we didn't resign him. I just don't see it. I get the feeling Raffl is our new Andreas Nodl, Mika Pyerala, or Denis Telpeko.
- Schenn2shine

Regarding Raffl, I think they used him on a top line when injuries forced their hand.

You are setting your expectations too high for him.

He is a decent skater, positionally sound guy with more physical to his game then I expected. He could be a decent bottom six forward and maybe even a good PKer with some experience. Would love to see him get more of his shots on net.

He is not a Gagne replacement in my opinion. I'd say that for finding a 3rd line winger, they hit a small jackpot getting Downie.

Looks like the Rags are getting their revenge on Torts.

4-1 at the end of the 2nd.

Just curious but what are the collective opinions on Michael Raffl?

Even though he hasn't played a lot in recent games and at the start of the season Berube put Raffl in some pretty head scratching situations, I haven't been overly impressed by him. I feel the team needs another PK specialist so you can keep Giroux in a more offensive role. To keep Rinaldo playing fourth line minutes of hitting and giving energy to the team. I'm sure we can wait out Wellwood to get healthy to less complicate any trade transactions but since the loss of Talbot, I don't feel Raffl or Rinaldo have even come close to making our PK as successful as it was. There was a lot of hype this past offseason of Raffl being a good replacement for Gagne if we didn't resign him. I just don't see it. I get the feeling Raffl is our new Andreas Nodl, Mika Pyerala, or Denis Telpeko.
- Schenn2shine

With you s2s. Nodl, Pyorala, Raffl. Ive had a few early morning poops excite me more.

With you s2s. Nodl, Pyorala, Raffl. Ive had a few early morning poops excite me more.
- flyer_nutter

OK then, Rosehill or Raffl, who do you want to see play?

Or would you rather see McGinn or Holstrom on the 4th line?

Cause the pickins are slim right now.

I would love Yandle. Defensively he is not a stalwart, offensively he is a smooth skating puck possession guy that would be great to have.

I think he is just the type of player they need.

What do you think would be a fair offer for him?

The Coyotes were rumored to want a first round pick and a young player like Couts/Schenn plus a good prospect.
- Marc D

I really dont know what it would take, I am never good at these trade ideas. I'd wait to the draft though, I dont want to give up the 1st yet this year without seeing where it is. Thats key to me.

Regarding Raffl, I think they used him on a top line when injuries forced their hand.

You are setting your expectations too high for him.

He is a decent skater, positionally sound guy with more physical to his game then I expected. He could be a decent bottom six forward and maybe even a good PKer with some experience. Would love to see him get more of his shots on net.

He is not a Gagne replacement in my opinion. I'd say that for finding a 3rd line winger, they hit a small jackpot getting Downie.
- Marc D

My expectation is not for Raffl to become Gagne. An aging, injury prone Gagne is already better. My expectation is for Raffl to play in the bottom six and kill penalties. I just don't think he's been that great at it.

OK then, Rosehill or Raffl, who do you want to see play?

Or would you rather see McGinn or Holstrom on the 4th line?

Cause the pickins are slim right now.
- Marc D

Personally I would like for them to let McGinn play. Over Rinaldo for a few games.

Raffl-Hall-McGinn

Personally I would like for them to let McGinn play. Over Rinaldo for a few games.

Raffl-Hall-McGinn
- flyer_nutter

That's a 4th line I'd like to see.

Personally I would like for them to let McGinn play. Over Rinaldo for a few games.

Raffl-Hall-McGinn
- flyer_nutter

I'd be OK with that.

Although I like Zac. One of the few guys that doesn't take his spot for granite and works hard every shift.

One thing I noticed is he is getting mugged a lot this year and the other player is rarely penalized. I think the refs let other players get away with crap more against him this year, for unknown reasons.

I'd be OK with that.

Although I like Zac. One of the few guys that doesn't take his spot for granite and works hard every shift.

One thing I noticed is he is getting mugged a lot this year and the other player is rarely penalized. I think the refs let other players get away with crap more against him this year, for unknown reasons.
- Marc D

Its unfortunate, b/c I think his reputation followed him into the NHL. He has worked hard to change that imo, for the most part.

I was one of his biggest fans last season, but to me he has stopped doing much of what has made him effective. Smartly initiating, and being a consistent physical presence.

He will never be a great puck posession guy, and is sub par at handling it to begin with. Needs to get back to that Zac of last season.

For those who haven't seen it. Watch the whole thing!

[url]

On an entirely different note:



I myself am the unlucky owner of a few bad names, but Downie really got the short straw here in my opinion...
- Bearintheforest

either that or 'downer' i guess. really a no-win for him

I need a Flyers win tonight.