That can be said about many players not just him, I honestly don't see them bringing back Downie unless he takes a pay cut.
- ob18

I agree. I just don't like Vinny on the wing. He's much more effective at center. The problem is that they can't move Schenn right now.

Read is the perfect compliment to Couturier and Downie was the perfect compliment to both of them.

I agree. I just don't like Vinny on the wing. He's much more effective at center. The problem is that they can't move Schenn right now.

Read is the perfect compliment to Couturier and Downie was the perfect compliment to both of them.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well Vinny I believe said he's not played much wing in his career so people should have expected it not to go off smooth right away.

That can be said about many players not just him, I honestly don't see them bringing back Downie unless he takes a pay cut.
- ob18

I get the feeling they like Downie, and don't think he will take a huge raise to resign.
I guess it depends on his health, but he is a solid contributor when not injured.

Most teams would like to have that problem with the addition that they can move them to wing and see them still be an effective player.

It's just not often Oshawa will use Laughton at wing unless it's a power play which often still ends up with him moving to the point.

I'd as others have mentioned explore a move for what they need on the back end. But I believe the cost will be too much to pay.

They lack prospects in the system to bring up should they move roster players & that's across the board.

Laughton is about it we'll see right away, the rest are years away. So they in my opinion can only afford to pay so much a price. They'll need the picks they have to add more to the system.
- ob18

1st bold, but thats the price we will pay & by next season we will have to pay, we're already showing an imbalance & it will be worse next season.

2nd bold, we can start drafting our weaknesses, but nothing will help for now.

I don't see much of a choice, Homer painted himself into a corner with the defense.

I do not want to see another Streit signing next season, or anything similar, I'd rather bite the bullet & send another forward out for a better one & take my chances.

1st bold, but thats the price we will pay & by next season we will have to pay, we're already showing an imbalance & it will be worse next season.

2nd bold, we can start drafting our weaknesses, but nothing will help for now.

I don't see much of a choice, Homer painted himself into a corner with the defense.

I do not want to see another Streit signing next season, or anything similar, I'd rather bite the bullet & send another forward out for a better one & take my chances.
- puckhead17

Think about this

They gave up 3 of their own first round picks (including Sbisa) for a 34 year old at the time Pronger.

They were willing to offer 4 1st round picks for Weber who was 26 at the time.

That's a lot to pay & for me still leaves many holes to fill with only Laughton & no other prospects to fill the holes & a free agency that offers little each year with teams keeping more & more & not letting them hit free agency.

I agree. I just don't like Vinny on the wing. He's much more effective at center. The problem is that they can't move Schenn right now.

Read is the perfect compliment to Couturier and Downie was the perfect compliment to both of them.
- PhillySportsGuy

Vinny was trumped up about playing wing in the summer after the signing, so he knew he was playing wing this season, only he's not playing with G

he's still injured, I'm certain of that, he's playing like it, & again, he's got the best shot on the team, but, I didn't like this signing either, he has 16 years on his body, thats a ton of mileage.

Think about this

They gave up 3 of their own first round picks (including Sbisa) for a 34 year old at the time Pronger.

They were willing to offer 4 1st round picks for Weber who was 26 at the time.

That's a lot to pay & for me still leaves many holes to fill with only Laughton & no other prospects to fill the holes & a free agency that offers little each year with teams keeping more & more & not letting them hit free agency.
- ob18

Yes I know, but I was suspect on the Pronger deal, (the package), when it happened, just like I am with the other "old timer" signings
Because they were snowed into thinking they were getting Pronger 1999, when they did it.

Yes I know, but I was suspect on the Pronger deal, (the package), when it happened, just like I am with the other "old timer" signings
Because they were snowed into thinking they were getting Pronger 1999, when they did it.
- puckhead17

Just point out the cost they paid and would have paid, it's a huge cost. Personally I don't pay it, others would doing over & over.

Just point out the cost they paid and would have paid, it's a huge cost. Personally I don't pay it, others would doing over & over.
- ob18

Because I think they get snowed on those type of deals more then anyone.

Phanuef didn't cost that much to go to Toronto, (I don't think), I could be wrong

Because I think they get snowed on those type of deals more then anyone.

Phanuef didn't cost that much to go to Toronto, (I don't think), I could be wrong
- puckhead17

He likely took a bit less for the long deal. Watch PK Subban get something in the $8 million range.

Think about this

They gave up 3 of their own first round picks (including Sbisa) for a 34 year old at the time Pronger.

They were willing to offer 4 1st round picks for Weber who was 26 at the time.

That's a lot to pay & for me still leaves many holes to fill with only Laughton & no other prospects to fill the holes & a free agency that offers little each year with teams keeping more & more & not letting them hit free agency.
- ob18

Wasn't Homer trying to sub Voracek and one of Couturier or Brayden Schenn for two 1st round pick? Or were those unverified rumors?

Think about this

They gave up 3 of their own first round picks (including Sbisa) for a 34 year old at the time Pronger.

They were willing to offer 4 1st round picks for Weber who was 26 at the time.

That's a lot to pay & for me still leaves many holes to fill with only Laughton & no other prospects to fill the holes & a free agency that offers little each year with teams keeping more & more & not letting them hit free agency.
- ob18

I agree, maybe its time to hire a scout or 2 for drafting D men?

Wasn't Homer trying to sub Voracek and one of Couturier or Brayden Schenn for two 1st round pick? Or were those unverified rumors?
- blacksheep1

no one knows this

He likely took a bit less for the long deal. Watch PK Subban get something in the $8 million range.
- ob18

he should, if not he needs a new agent

I agree, maybe its time to hire a scout or 2 for drafting D men?
- puckhead17

Well in the last 2 drafts they've selected 8 d-man so that's on the right path but they must in time get depth across the board.

Wasn't Homer trying to sub Voracek and one of Couturier or Brayden Schenn for two 1st round pick? Or were those unverified rumors?
- blacksheep1

No clue, they deny my access to being a fly on the wall in those meetings.

your 1/2 season opinion on the 2 UFA signings Streit & Vinny?
- puckhead17

Well, mixed feelings...I kind of see both of them as depth signings that would better help a team that was closer to Cup contention than the Flyers...here, they are different...they are the type of players who bring skills the team can use, and are leaders, but they are past their prime, and may be too old to (help) lead the team to greatness without having a very solid, probably more developed core around them. The Flyers may be there in 2+ years but I have to wonder how much gas these guys will have left in the tank at that point.

Regarding their specific performance half-way through the season...there was a point where Vinny was settling in and leading the team in goals and looking great firing off lasers from that right circle...since the injury he hasn't settled back into his game...he doesn't look hindered all that much considering his back is "fractured", so I think he should be able to contribute like he did before, but he needs to settle back in and find chemistry with guys like he had...I still like the player and am confident that if he can stay healthy, he'll contribute and his $$ isn't outrageous, even if the term is a bit long...so far, all things considered, I give him a grade of B-.

As far as Streit, I was pretty patient with him...I know it takes time for new faces to settle in but I have to say it was pretty scary watching how bad he was with and without the puck early on, but he seems to have put his game together a bit more as the season has progressed and at least he's shown he can produce to help offset his defensive shortcomings and he (pleasantly) surprises me sometimes at both ends. He makes about a million too much and is signed for a year too long but it is what it is...like Vinny, if he can stay healthy I think he can contribute, but he's older and might start to slow before his contract is up, which is kind of a scary prospect. Grade: C+

Well, mixed feelings...I kind of see both of them as depth signings that would better help a team that was closer to Cup contention than the Flyers...here, they are different...they are the type of players who bring skills the team can use, and are leaders, but they are past their prime, and may be too old to (help) lead the team to greatness without having a very solid, probably more developed core around them. The Flyers may be there in 2+ years but I have to wonder how much gas these guys will have left in the tank at that point.

Regarding their specific performance half-way through the season...there was a point where Vinny was settling in and leading the team in goals and looking great firing off lasers from that right circle...since the injury he hasn't settled back into his game...he doesn't look hindered all that much considering his back is "fractured", so I think he should be able to contribute like he did before, but he needs to settle back in and find chemistry with guys like he had...I still like the player and am confident that if he can stay healthy, he'll contribute and his $$ isn't outrageous, even if the term is a bit long...so far, all things considered, I give him a grade of B-.

As far as Streit, I was pretty patient with him...I know it takes time for new faces to settle in but I have to say it was pretty scary watching how bad he was with and without the puck early on, but he seems to have put his game together a bit more as the season has progressed and at least he's shown he can produce to help offset his defensive shortcomings and he (pleasantly) surprises me sometimes at both ends. He makes about a million too much and is signed for a year too long but it is what it is...like Vinny, if he can stay healthy I think he can contribute, but he's older and might start to slow before his contract is up, which is kind of a scary prospect. Grade: C+
- exlund

whew!
very in depth sir!

Think about this

They gave up 3 of their own first round picks (including Sbisa) for a 34 year old at the time Pronger.

They were willing to offer 4 1st round picks for Weber who was 26 at the time.

That's a lot to pay & for me still leaves many holes to fill with only Laughton & no other prospects to fill the holes & a free agency that offers little each year with teams keeping more & more & not letting them hit free agency.
- ob18

I disagree with them having no prospects...I mean, Raffl came out of nowhere...they gave him a shot and look what happened...Laughton, Cousins, Alt, Alderson, Akeson, Straka, Leier, McGinn, Manning, Alt, Morin, Hagg, Ghost, Lamarche, Lauridsen etc...I'd be willing to bet that if many of these guys get their shot, some would impress and become NHL'ers...I'd like to see the Flyers promote some of these guys rather than plug in guys from other organizations when spots open up through injury and attrition and so forth...at some point you have to see what you've got...it's part of building from within.

Well in the last 2 drafts they've selected 8 d-man so that's on the right path but they must in time get depth across the board.
- ob18

Too little too late IMO. They've had a huge void in the system of D men projected anywhere near the NHL level for years. Gus and Lauridson are the only real exceptions of late. Of the 8 D men you mentioned none of them are anywhere close to playing any serious NHL minutes.

That make these next few years incredibly tough to "grin an bear it" with the current D grouping. IMO, they are still in dire need of a move regardless of how many D men they've taken the last two years.

Too little too late IMO. They've had a huge void in the system of D men projected anywhere near the NHL level for years. Gus and Lauridson are the only real exceptions of late. Of the 8 D men you mentioned none of them are anywhere close to playing any serious NHL minutes.

That make these next few years incredibly tough to "grin an bear it" with the current D grouping. IMO, they are still in dire need of a move regardless of how many D men they've taken the last two years.
- hereticpride

Morin will be in the NHL within two seasons. Mark it.

Well in the last 2 drafts they've selected 8 d-man so that's on the right path but they must in time get depth across the board.
- ob18

I think in regard to the Flyers organizational depth, you also have to consider their ability to find and sign guys outside of the conventional channels. Read, Raffl and other undrafted players or un "owned" players. Who knows what "dark pools" of talent the Flyers may be scouting to find that next guy who can make an impact.

I was having an argument over whether letang was a legit #1 dman. I said he wasn't and that we should ask the Pens fans who they could most ill-afford to lose. I thought it was be Martin.
- PhillySportsGuy

i truly think letang can be. talent wise, he is easily top 5. but for whatever reason, the mental problems have been far too frequent for him to come even close to that stratosphere as of late. who knows. maybe he just will never hit that level. maybe its partly because bylsma legitimately lets him do whatever he wants. maybe in a more rigid system, with more discipline, letang's natural abilities would still be able to shine through with more structure. should that happen, you'd be looking at a guy with karrlson like offensive abilities, with the physicality of your rugged stay at home guy all in one. his get back speed is also second to none, but the problem is far too often he has to display it as the result of his own turnovers. letang is a paragon of the pens as a whole. loads of talent and flash to spare, but sometimes brain cramps that you wouldnt believe possible for someone of that level.

for a team that needed the offense letang can provide, perhaps the risks would outweigh the benefits. but with the forwards the pens have, they really just need someone to be steady back there, and be able to get them the puck efficiently. martin, despite having no bells and whistles whatsoever, can do that perfectly. so for the pens, i would agree and say martin is their most valuable defender.

Well in the last 2 drafts they've selected 8 d-man so that's on the right path but they must in time get depth across the board.
- ob18

They have to avoid taking Rinaldo 2.0 in the third round.

That's what worries me. Overall, they don't draft poorly, but they are prone to mid round reaches.

I re-watched 33 goals scored on the Flyers while Grossmann was on ice this past week for a blog I wrote.

I'd rather watch the entire process for preparing a McDonald's burger, from cow to "food", and then eat it than do that again.
- Jsaquella