To be fair, Raffl is almost 3 years older than Schenn.
- JAKEw1234

I'm also biased against Schenn. Both brothers I feel are significanlty over hyped/valued etc.

It prevents rich teams like us from buying away their problems whenever they want. It protects the players.
- JAKEw1234

How is that protecting players? They get stuck in a spot where the team doesn't want to keep them and no one wants their contract.

I think players would want the penalty removed to be honest. Look at how bad contracts were treated prior to this cba. Buried in AHL. Thats no good for players. Which is why they fought to change it.

I look at Vinny and Briere and how the buyouts allowed them a chance with a team who wants them.

That's just how I see it. Not saying I'm right or wrong.

How is that protecting players? They get stuck in a spot where the team doesn't want to keep them and no one wants their contract.

I think players would want the penalty removed to be honest. Look at how bad contracts were treated prior to this cba. Buried in AHL. Thats no good for players. Which is why they fought to change it.

I look at Vinny and Briere and how the buyouts allowed them a chance with a team who wants them.

That's just how I see it. Not saying I'm right or wrong.
- Flyersgod

What about the guys who won't get resigned by a team?

What about the guys who won't get resigned by a team?
- JAKEw1234

You mean the players who are no longer viable NHL players?

They get the sum of their contract in one check. Wouldn't it be better for everyone in that case rather than dealing with years of the weight of the contract on their backs?

Shouldn't be forced to keep players playing just because of their contracts if they're no longer able to perform at the NHL level. Granted the team shouldn't have signed them to the length in the first place, but it seems like no one wins in the current scenario.

You mean the players who are no longer viable NHL players?

They get the sum of their contract in one check. Wouldn't it be better for everyone in that case rather than dealing with years of the weight of the contract on their backs?

Shouldn't be forced to keep players playing just because of their contracts if they're no longer able to perform at the NHL level. Granted the team shouldn't have signed them to the length in the first place, but it seems like no one wins in the current scenario.
- Flyersgod

They don't. They get 2/3rds of their contract and lose out on anymore opportunities to prove themselves as viable NHL options they might get by remaining for the duration of their contract.

mediocre seems to be status quo in Philly sports

They don't. They get 2/3rds of their contract and lose out on anymore opportunities to prove themselves as viable NHL options they might get by remaining for the duration of their contract.
- JAKEw1234

Guaranteed contracts are by far the worst thing in sports. They are boat anchors around the necks of the teams that signed them if the player doesn't live up to what the GM expected when they signed him. IMO, football has it the closest to right. If they can't play or don't fit, cut them. Those players that get cut often get other jobs if they are still valuable players.

The notion that the players need a "golden parachute" even if they don't work out is how teams get stuck in the mud for half a decade to a decade.

Pay the players what you agreed to as long as you have them on your team but don't be forced to keep them on your team because of the contract length.

Guaranteed contracts are by far the worst thing in sports. They are boat anchors around the necks of the teams that signed them if the player doesn't live up to what the GM expected when they signed him. IMO, football has it the closest to right. If they can't play or don't fit, cut them. Those players that get cut often get other jobs if they are still valuable players.

The notion that the players need a "golden parachute" even if they don't work out is how teams get stuck in the mud for half a decade to a decade.

Pay the players what you agreed to as long as you have them on your team but don't be forced to keep them on your team because of the contract length.
- Flyers_01

I might support no buyout penalty if a player was payed his full contract from the buyout, instead of just 2/3rds.

I might support no buyout penalty if a player was payed his full contract from the buyout, instead of just 2/3rds.
- JAKEw1234

I'm fine with the buyout penalty as it is currently as long as there are guaranteed contracts. I want there to be no guaranteed contracts period. Pay a player through the end of the year and terminate him. He will have been paid fairly for being on the team but, imo, he should not be paid not to play on the team. If he is any good he will find another team willing to pay him. If he's not he shouldn't get a golden parachute.

Moving Vinny would be insulting to free agents everywhere. He just signed and has played great so far. One of our top 5 players this year. Trading one of our best value contracts makes little sense.

Makes more sense to move players who are weighing us down. I.E. Hartnell. His popularity makes it more difficult but I'd buy his ass out in the offseason and deal with dead cap space for the next 379 seasons. Side not, NHL buyout terms are really lame. Should be able to buy out contracts without penalties to the cap.
- Flyersgod

Don't get me wrong, I would only move Vinny if he wanted to go to a contender; if not I would happily keep him. It would be his choice.

I was just trying to figure out a way to both create significant cap room and add draft picks and prospects.

I'm fine with the buyout penalty as it is currently as long as there are guaranteed contracts. I want there to be no guaranteed contracts period. Pay a player through the end of the year and terminate him. He will have been paid fairly for being on the team but, imo, he should not be paid not to play on the team. If he is any good he will find another team willing to pay him. If he's not he shouldn't get a golden parachute.
- Flyers_01

I'm fine with this as long as the player is able to get the full value of his deal if his career is cut short by injury.

I'm fine with this as long as the player is able to get the full value of his deal if his career is cut short by injury.
- BiggE

Sold .. injury payments are a no brainer in my opinion as long as they are career ending injuries.

Do you find it surprising on the heels of that great comeback, something that should rally a team and build some momentum, the very next game they lay a colossal non-competitive egg against a team full of poop bags?
- PLindbergh31

you had to know the Jackets would be extremely fired up for this one.

Pretty much the exact scenario you laid out happened against Washington. Caps made a huge epic comeback against the Flyers in the first game of a home and home -- did they rally and build off it next game? No. The Flyers got angry and killed them 5-2.

I don't think Columbus is any good to be honest. Backup goalie, a bunch of injuries etc... You figure the injury to Gaborik would have deflated them.
Flyers didn't show up last night. Brutal performance.
- PLindbergh31

Your kidding right ....you are aware they have played with an injury plagued roster and a backup for almost two weeks now and got some solid wins , if it wasn't for the third period turnaround by the flyers and alot of sloppy plays by are part on thursday they would of swept this mini series.

Do you find it surprising on the heels of that great comeback, something that should rally a team and build some momentum, the very next game they lay a colossal non-competitive egg against a team full of poop bags?
- PLindbergh31

i keep hoping/thinking/praying that each win or goal or good performance will be the one that propels the team/player beyond the pale of mediocrity; i've been a philly sports fan for 40 years, you'd think i would know better by now

this team is what it is: a .500 bubble team that will need to struggle for every point it gets. they need to replace half the back end and a couple of wingers, which isn't going to happen this year.

lucky to be even after 2, i'd like to see them play smart defensive hockey and eek out at least 1 valuable point on the road. instead they fall apart with sloppy, mistake-riddled play and get nothing. it'd disappointing but not unexpected. just more blown 3rd period points. that's probably around 10-12 for the season thus far.

hopefully downie's timetable is accurate. i wonder if his loss quietly pushed vinny back into the lineup.

why is hartnell still on the first pp unit?
- hammarby31

Completely agree with all of this, but working on the back line is most important!
The defense is a total mess right now, and any movable pieces with trade value should be explored to retool the back line, we have 3 scoring lines and only 1 or 2 defenseman, there's no balance

Your kidding right ....you are aware they have played with an injury plagued roster and a backup for almost two weeks now and got some solid wins , if it wasn't for the third period turnaround by the flyers and alot of sloppy plays by are part on thursday they would of swept this mini series.
- Alexzanki

Player for player when/if healthy the jackets have probably a better roster, their defense is more mobile & the difference comes down to a better defense

you had to know the Jackets would be extremely fired up for this one.

Pretty much the exact scenario you laid out happened against Washington. Caps made a huge epic comeback against the Flyers in the first game of a home and home -- did they rally and build off it next game? No. The Flyers got angry and killed them 5-2.
- Crimsoninja

i don't recall any of this.

They don't. They get 2/3rds of their contract and lose out on anymore opportunities to prove themselves as viable NHL options they might get by remaining for the duration of their contract.
- JAKEw1234

Oh I forgot its not full value. I get the business side of it now.

I don't really care if they lose the chance to prove themsevles personally. Try outs in camp is enough to prove if they still got it.

But I'm rather heartless in the caring aspect of players who get paid millions to play hockey, or baseball for that matter. Baseball players make way too much!

Don't get me wrong, I would only move Vinny if he wanted to go to a contender; if not I would happily keep him. It would be his choice.

I was just trying to figure out a way to both create significant cap room and add draft picks and prospects.
- BiggE

If I'm doing the trading here are the guys I'm shopping for picks/prospects and a roster player:

Simmonds
B. Schenn
L. Schenn

If possible, 2 of them for a real winger for the top line. As an example, B. Schenn + Simmonds for B. Ryan.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Comeback Well Ran Dry
- bmeltzer

Gonna be a long year

If I'm doing the trading here are the guys I'm shopping for picks/prospects and a roster player:

Simmonds
B. Schenn
L. Schenn

If possible, 2 of them for a real winger for the top line. As an example, B. Schenn + Simmonds for B. Ryan.
- Flyersgod

I would have been the biggest supporter of, say a move like this, and yeah, we do need a better conistent winger with Giroux, but right now, unless management and ownership is blind, they need to take any assets with value & re tool the blue line, this team is & will stay .500 until they do this. Most of our defensemen are too slow & lack mobility & is just a bad mix, the coverage in our zone is horrible, these should be the priorities (just in my opinion) there are several other teams that are challenged when it comes to scoring, but at least can defend, & defending properly gets you in the playoffs, and man for man, our defense is not good enough.

Edit, even though he struggled last night, please imagine what would happen right now if Coburn went down.

If I'm doing the trading here are the guys I'm shopping for picks/prospects and a roster player:

Simmonds
B. Schenn
L. Schenn

If possible, 2 of them for a real winger for the top line. As an example, B. Schenn + Simmonds for B. Ryan.
- Flyersgod

Like that deal, but I'd rather expend assets to get a legit mobile, puck moving dman.

Gonna be a long year
- ob18

No doubt, they either squeak in as the 3rd seed in the Metro, or end up with a pick between 7th and 11th.

No doubt, they either squeak in as the 3rd seed in the Metro, or end up with a pick between 7th and 11th.
- BiggE

At this moment that could be correct.