More important than the health aspect is how injuries have affected his game. Timidity crept in after the Cooke hit, and he's been a shadow ever since.

It's shades of Simon Gagne... he just wasn't able to be as assertive and successful after the concussions and hernias and groins robbed him of his physical confidence.

And the thing that worries me, is that once Vinny gets to that age where he's no longer offensively productive and deserving of PP-time/top-6 duty, can he transition to a more supportive role?

Gagne was much quicker, versatile and defensively accomplished and he couldn't make the adjustment to a bottom-six role. Vinny seems a bit inflexible ("can't play LW"), so it's an even bigger concern with him.
- Tomahawk

Legitimate concerns. Not that you need me to reinforce what you're thinking. The one thing we all know and have likely considered at some point this season: Vinny was waived by the Lightning for a reason.

Like most fans, however, I choose to look for the best while recognizing there might be some problems to be dealt with.

I was definitely in favor of the Flyers signing Gagne to a contract for this season for exactly the reason you stated: even though his offensive ability has diminished, he was still a solid 2 way player and pairing him up with Couts would have given the kid a mentor he likely admired as a young French Canadian while moving up the ranks.

Either way, we're stuck with VL until we aren't, and I hope this break has renewed him and the rest of the team a bit.

Legitimate concerns. Not that you need me to reinforce what you're thinking. The one thing we all know and have likely considered at some point this season: Vinny was waived by the Lightning for a reason.

Like most fans, however, I choose to look for the best while recognizing there might be some problems to be dealt with.

I was definitely in favor of the Flyers signing Gagne to a contract for this season for exactly the reason you stated: even though his offensive ability has diminished, he was still a solid 2 way player and pairing him up with Couts would have given the kid a mentor he likely admired as a young French Canadian while moving up the ranks.

Either way, we're stuck with VL until we aren't, and I hope this break has renewed him and the rest of the team a bit.
- wolfhounds

Lecavalier was waived then bought out with a CBO. Lecavalier today, isn't a player worthy of a 7 year deal with a Cap hit of $7,727,273. Which is what TB was left with. But is he worth 4.5M over 5 years? If TB could've had Vinny at that number, good chance they would've kept him.

Legitimate concerns. Not that you need me to reinforce what you're thinking. The one thing we all know and have likely considered at some point this season: Vinny was waived by the Lightning for a reason.

Like most fans, however, I choose to look for the best while recognizing there might be some problems to be dealt with.

I was definitely in favor of the Flyers signing Gagne to a contract for this season for exactly the reason you stated: even though his offensive ability has diminished, he was still a solid 2 way player and pairing him up with Couts would have given the kid a mentor he likely admired as a young French Canadian while moving up the ranks.

Either way, we're stuck with VL until we aren't, and I hope this break has renewed him and the rest of the team a bit.
- wolfhounds

His PPG ratios over the last few seasons haven't been that bad, he's no longer a star player, but he's still capable of scoring at an acceptable level for a 2nd liner.

The injury history is a concern, as is how they fit him in. If he can adapt to playing a wing, and start playing better, it'll be fine. If he can't...well, then it could be an issue.

Hopefully, he's healed up over the break and is feeling more comfortable with his situation.

Absolutely.
- Jsaquella

Too definitive. Muddy that answer up a bit and maybe be a bit more argumentative.

Too definitive. Muddy that answer up a bit and maybe be a bit more argumentative.
- wolfhounds

If it was a 3rd rounder or better, I wouldn't even hesitate. It'd be an asset for a guy who I have no interest in bringing back and who is taking ice time from a young player I want in the lineup.

Lecavalier was waived then bought out with a CBO. Lecavalier today, isn't a player worthy of a 7 year deal with a Cap hit of $7,727,273. Which is what TB was left with. But is he worth 4.5M over 5 years? If TB could've had Vinny at that number, good chance they would've kept him.
- MJL

the 4.5 is totally fine. i understand likely the only reason that was so low was because it was over 5 years, but that 5 years would worry me.

Lecavalier was waived then bought out with a CBO. Lecavalier today, isn't a player worthy of a 7 year deal with a Cap hit of $7,727,273. Which is what TB was left with. But is he worth 4.5M over 5 years? If TB could've had Vinny at that number, good chance they would've kept him.
- MJL

No doubt. The money - especially since it isn't mine - isn't bad at all, but I do think the length is about 2 years too long.

No doubt. The money - especially since it isn't mine - isn't bad at all, but I do think the length is about 2 years too long.
- wolfhounds

We'll have to see. Players are playing at a high level well into their upper 30's. I don't see why Lecavalier can't do the same.

the 4.5 is totally fine. i understand likely the only reason that was so low was because it was over 5 years, but that 5 years would worry me.
- stayinthefnnet

Get out of my head!

the 4.5 is totally fine. i understand likely the only reason that was so low was because it was over 5 years, but that 5 years would worry me.
- stayinthefnnet

My biggest issue with both Streit and Lecavalier was the last year on the deals. Would've preferred 3 for Streit & 4 for Vinny.

If it was a 3rd rounder or better, I wouldn't even hesitate. It'd be an asset for a guy who I have no interest in bringing back and who is taking ice time from a young player I want in the lineup.
- Jsaquella

Mesz seemed to get some energy from the Olympic selection, but it didn't keep him in the lineup, so if we can get something for an asset we don't want to utilize, definitely make the move. I just hope we can steal a good return.

Mesz seemed to get some energy from the Olympic selection, but it didn't keep him in the lineup, so if we can get something for an asset we don't want to utilize, definitely make the move. I just hope we can steal a good return.
- wolfhounds

It's just that he's going to be gone after this year and why just let him walk for nothing? He's the 6th defenseman when he plays, and I get the whole injuries during the playoffs angle, but I just can't see saying no to a decent offer for Meszaros.

We'll have to see. Players are playing at a high level well into their upper 30's. I don't see why Lecavalier can't do the same.
- MJL

No doubt. We need to get Vinny enrolled in Jarg's badass camp of Eastern European training for badasssery.

My biggest issue with both Streit and Lecavalier was the last year on the deals. Would've preferred 3 for Streit & 4 for Vinny.
- Jsaquella

would you have been willing to probably give them an extra 1 to 1.5 each per year to remove the last year?

It's just that he's going to be gone after this year and why just let him walk for nothing? He's the 6th defenseman when he plays, and I get the whole injuries during the playoffs angle, but I just can't see saying no to a decent offer for Meszaros.
- Jsaquella

There's only 1 argument for not moving him: the playoffs, first making them, and then hopefully catching lightning in a bottle and making a run. Other than that, it makes no sense to refuse almost any offer.

Lecavalier was waived then bought out with a CBO. Lecavalier today, isn't a player worthy of a 7 year deal with a Cap hit of $7,727,273. Which is what TB was left with. But is he worth 4.5M over 5 years? If TB could've had Vinny at that number, good chance they would've kept him.
- MJL

trade him back to Tampa on July 6th

Why has there been no talk of trading kimo?

One more day til Flyers hockey!!

And thank you Sabres for beating Carolina in regulation. After seeing that game, the Blues would be nuts to not do whatever it takes to get Miller. Adding him to that lineup with the style they play would be huge.

Why has there been no talk of trading kimo?
- iskatefast

Well he's a highly respected veteran with a NMC/NTC, perhaps he doesn't want to go anywhere.

Why has there been no talk of trading kimo?
- iskatefast

Honestly, because it's very unlikely. I'd certainly be willing to move him, but I'd be surprised if the Flyers are.

Honestly, because it's very unlikely. I'd certainly be willing to move him, but I'd be surprised if the Flyers are.
- Jsaquella

he could get the flyers a decent return. it won't change the chance for a cup and if he decided to play another year just resign him this summer.