Off top of my head Im thinking Couturier, Laughton, Voracek and maybe 2 firsts? I don't know, not good at this.
- flyer_nutter

I have no more coffee... and need a new computer.

No doubt.

H just shouldn't be supplanting any of these wonderful young centers we have. The evidence is strong that Baby Schenn and Coots are best in the middle. And G you want handling the puck as much as possible.

Vinny as a 4th-line C, under a coach that doesn't seem to care to play his 4th-line much, makes me sad.
- Tomahawk

Its a tough spot. Schenn is flourishing at Center. If I'm Snider I call Vinny into the office and ask him how he is feeling. Ask him if he is okay with his role and playing time, or if he would like an opertunity to go to another team where is position is much more solidified. If he says he is happy, then you have to stick with that..NMC. I wouldnt ask him to waive unless he says he is okay with it. Then you can persue a trade.

Having depth at center is no bad thing.
Right now VL either plays wing or they create a 4th scoring line with VL centering
McGinn and someone else that is not a face puncher.

There will be injuries and VL can be moved up when that happens.

Moving G, B Schenn or Couts away from center right now is a worse option, IMO .

I have no more coffee... and need a new computer.
- Streit2ThePoint

I'll send over a roll of paper towels, lol.

Bill Meltzer @billmeltzer
Listen, if Lecavalier has a big stretch drive and/or playoffs, no one will remember his struggles of the winter. I just want him healthy.

Having depth at center is no bad thing.
Right now VL either plays wing or they create a 4th scoring line with VL centering
McGinn and someone else that is not a face puncher.

There will be injuries and VL can be moved up when that happens.

Moving G, B Schenn or Couts away from center right now is a worse option, IMO .
- Marc D

When was the last time Giroux was moved from Center? To be honest, I wouldn't mind seeing a game or 2 of Voracek-Vinny-Roo

I'll send over a roll of paper towels, lol.
- Tomahawk

Thanks!

I have no more coffee... and need a new computer.
- Streit2ThePoint

Too little? Too much? Too soon?

Bill Meltzer @billmeltzer
Listen, if Lecavalier has a big stretch drive and/or playoffs, no one will remember his struggles of the winter. I just want him healthy.
- BulliesPhan87

Voice of reason

Hey Bill, do you think that our slide in D is because of the forwards? They seem to be waiting for the puck to come to them, and no longer come down to help out the D as much as they used to. I frequently see guys standing around watching the puck, and waiting for a pass to get out of their own zone. In my opinion, when the pressure is on, they too frequently let the D handle the puck down low. In addition, many times the forwards are out of position, and forget to pick up the guy on the opposite side, or allow the other teams forwards to get between our forwards, and the D.
..
- OrangeAndBlack1

I agree with your theory there and have been saying similar for a while now...with the composition of our D, the forwards really need to do a better job of supporting in the D zone. There seem to always be open men nearby for opposing players to keep it going, especially along the walls...they need to cover those guys. The Flyers under Lavy used to bunch up, committing too many players to the guy with the puck, leaving open men in dangerous positions...that has been better under Berube, but now it seems they, at times have too many guys covering the slot, without really marking anyone in particular...like a zone D of sorts, which often leaves the opposition able to cycle along the outside and down low with numers and keep possession...I think they need to do a better job of marking the guys without the puck to cut off the opposing team's options and forwards need to help more in battling for and carrying pucks out...when I watch how the better good teams handle it, it's not so much some great puck moving D man that single-handedly beats the forecheck and skates the puck out on his own..though that does happen now and then, more often I see forwards getting more engaged in the battle and in the effort to carry/pass the puck out of the zone...the Flyers need to work toward that imo.

Too little? Too much? Too soon?
- mickel25

I think it's too much (although Nashville will disagree). I just can't see moving two key players at the moment + a good prospect PLUS two first rounders.

In an ideal world, we'd run the third line of Read-Couturier-Downie as our two-way shutdown line and be aggressive with a fourth line of Hall-Vinny-Scoring Winger TBD.

There's no reason on this Earth that you HAVE to play Rinaldo or Rosehill. Lecavalier would still get his PP minutes and you could actually play that line 10-12 minutes at even strength, until you figure out exactly what you're going to do with Vinny, long-term.

I was in favor of his signing, and still am. He can still play. But he's not a winger, and he has average speed, at best. He's a center who needs to play with scoring wingers who can skate, where his hockey sense allows him to play the trailer and pop into holes.

The guy can still play.
- AllInForFlyers

Agree...was saying that in a recent thread...why not roll four (more skilled) lines, with Vinny centering guys like McGinn, Straka, Akeson etc....I know they wouldn't be defensive stalwarts, but it's not like the current 4th line is either, only they wouldn't bring the offensive threat such a Vinny line would.

I think it's too much (although Nashville will disagree). I just can't see moving two key players at the moment + a good prospect PLUS two first rounders.
- Streit2ThePoint

I think that is close to market value. I agree with you that the Flyers can not afford to make that deal. Keep the group of forwards and hope one or two of the D-Men they drafted recently develop into NHL talent.

Barring any moves they will have Coburn, Grossmann, Streit and Schenn to start next year. Gustafsson could also be re-signed cheap. They need someone to develop really quick or get something via FA or trade.

Bill Meltzer @billmeltzer
Listen, if Lecavalier has a big stretch drive and/or playoffs, no one will remember his struggles of the winter. I just want him healthy.
- BulliesPhan87

It's a fair point except I don't think he will have a big end to the season playing on the wing. He's much better at center, just like BSchenn.

Sure, lets move our two probable long term centers of the future out of a position they have shown to be best at.

So we can get a couple of good years from Mr. Brokeback.

Not to mention Giroux, who does much better in open ice, and is one of the best face-off men on the team.

Agree...was saying that in a recent thread...why not roll four (more skilled) lines, with Vinny centering guys like McGinn, Straka, Akeson etc....I know they wouldn't be defensive stalwarts, but it's not like the current 4th line is either, only they wouldn't bring the offensive threat such a Vinny line would.
- exlund

You have to have a GM that buys into that kind of lineup and a coach that is willing to roll 4-lines and take minutes away from the top dogs and share them w/ McGinn/Akeson.

It's a fair point except I don't think he will have a big end to the season playing on the wing. He's much better at center, just like BSchenn.
- Feanor

No doubt, somebody is going to play out of position (provided the forward corps is healthy). Still, I think of the handful of players who've been the "odd man out" this season because of their poor play at the time.

Wasn't Vinny out of place down in Tampa too? Seems like an ongoing issue with him.

You have to have a GM that buys into that kind of lineup and a coach that is willing to roll 4-lines and take minutes away from the top dogs and share them w/ McGinn/Akeson.
- Tomahawk

Its Briere all over again. You choose between getting a few more good years out of a guy who is clearly fading, or choose to give the better opportunity to your younger kids.

I know what I prefer. Although unlikely because Vinny is this summer's golden boy along with Streit. A combined 9.75 million for a guy who deserves to be on the fourth line, and a d-man best suited to the 3rd pairing.

McGinn-LeCavalier-Hall

You have to have a GM that buys into that kind of lineup and a coach that is willing to roll 4-lines and take minutes away from the top dogs and share them w/ McGinn/Akeson.
- Tomahawk

And who is going to PK on that roster?

Wasn't Vinny out of place down in Tampa too? Seems like an ongoing issue with him.
- JFlyers00

Vinny wasnt out of place in Tampa, his cap hit was for a 2nd line center.

And who is going to PK on that roster?
- youarewrong

I think next season you would be looking at a PK set-up of the following:

Couturier-Read
Hall-Laughton
With Giroux and Raffl as the extras.

Do think Raffl needs to continue to develop a PK game, if he really wants a long term future in the league.

Vinny wasnt out of place in Tampa, his cap hit was for a 2nd line center.
- youarewrong

He didn't have steady linemates last season... it was hard for them to find anybody he had chemistry with.

The buyout was equal parts on-ice considerations and cap-related considerations.

Vinny wasnt out of place in Tampa, his cap hit was for a 2nd line center.
- youarewrong

Which is the issue here. A cap hit handed out to a guy that should be playing 2nd line center based on the cash/term.

However in terms of overall play? He should be on the fourth line if that. If he is still recovering from injury which I could see, he needs to sit at this point and give the minutes to either Cousins, Akeson or McGinn.

It's a fair point except I don't think he will have a big end to the season playing on the wing. He's much better at center, just like BSchenn.
- Feanor

It's worth noting that the guy had a broken back.

That's not hyperbole. He had a non displaced back fracture.

With that injury and at his age, I'm thinking the Olympic break will be good for him.