Two of the following players cannot (and should not) be on this team next year for obvious reasons: Hartnell, Lecavlier, Coburn, Grossman.

For my money, give me Lecavlier over Hartnell. He had a strange season; most higher profile FA's take a year or more to adjust to new surroundings comfortably, especially when they've been in their previous location for quite some time. It's not an easy adjustment. It's a completely different paradigm and not easy to do for a professional athlete, as much as we like to pretend it is.

I will not debate Hartnell as a player. That's been done to death on these boards. However, for his cap hit, he does not provide enough of a service to keep on THIS TEAM. We have the forward depth to move him and the money saved well be allocated elsewhere, simple as that. Contrary to popular belief, I also believe we CAN get value for Scott Hartnell. It may not be a breath taking return, but he is trade-able. Flyers may have to eat SOME salary, but it's time to move on from Scott Hartnell.

I feel very similar in regards to Coburn; for what he provides, I just feel like that money could be better spent elsewhere. Ditto Grossman. If Grossman is trade-able, I explore moving him. Coburn is easily move-able. What you get in return for these players and how you plan to replace them is up for debate. I am all for moving either of these players and signing Ron Hainsey, who I think is the best bang for your buck player hitting UFA this year.

Another d-man I would be interested in would be Anton Stralman, although I don't necessarily condone signing two UFA dmen in the same summer unless the money is right. We need a Hainsey or Stralman to replace Kimmo's minutes and, depending on what we get in any trades, possibly another dman. I would welcome both of these players with open arms, but again, at the right price(s).

Akeson and Laughton are likely on the squad full-time next year. If we are looking at FA forwards; Jussi Jokinen, Nikolai Kulemin, and Devin Setoguchi are some very attractive and versatile top-9 forwards that won't break the bank. I don't see a need to add one, however, unless a player like Hartnell is traded.

So, without further adieu, my dream off-season....(not that anyone cares)

Jokinen-Giroux-Simmonds
Schenn-Couturier-Voracek
Read-Lecavlier-Akeson
Raffl-Laughton-Hall
-Rinaldo

AMac-Streit
Coburn-Hainsey
Gus-Schenn
-Lauridsen, (Depth FA)

Mason
Emery (resigned)

Michalek, Iginla or Vrbata I like
- Streit2ThePoint

You don't like to bargain shop, do you?

You don't like to bargain shop, do you?
- PhillySportsGuy

No. Need more expensive, old guys.

Anytime you could bust on a guy with a Brian Burke quote...Winner Winner Chicken Dinner


- AllInForFlyers

He was such a Richard during that whole process, but he provides some great quotes.

http://philadelphia.cbslo...quicker-more-competitive/

Last July, the Flyers signed four-time all-star and former Stanley Cup Champion, Vincent Lecavalier, to a five year deal worth $22.5 million. The expectations were high for the now 34-year old center, but Lecavalier finished the regular season with only 37 points in 69 games, before finally finishing the postseason as the Flyers fourth line center, seeing limited ice time.

“I don’t think he [Lecavalier] got off to the right foot to be honest with you. I think that the coaching change, injuries, and just in general — I had him on the wing a lot of the year and he never played wing before. So, I think it was a tough year in those areas for him and I think going into the summer he needs to train real hard and get in extremely good shape and come back and we’ll see where we go from there.

As a smaller defenseman, he needs to learn how to avoid taking big hits. The AHL will give him the opportunity to make a gradual transition.

If he goes to the NHL and hasn't learned this yet, he could get injured and delay his growth even more.

Didn't Laughton injure Ghost just last year with a big hit at practice?
- PhillySportsGuy

So he takes a huge hit by somebody trying to make his name in the AHL and gets hurt. If he is ready he needs to play in the NHL. We need to stop worrying about things you can't control. He can be sheltered in the NHL with 3rd pairing minutes, offensive zone starts and some PP time

That is a very good point. How many teams still struggle to reach the cap floor?
- FlyersSteve118

In 2 years the cap ceiling will be at least 75 and perhaps as high as 80 million. By then there should be at least 5 or 6 teams struggling just to reach the floor

http://philadelphia.cbslo...quicker-more-competitive/
- MBFlyerfan

Interesting comments there on VL regarding coming back in extremely good shape

Two of the following players cannot (and should not) be on this team next year for obvious reasons: Hartnell, Lecavlier, Coburn, Grossman.

For my money, give me Lecavlier over Hartnell.
- mochoson

Stopped reading here.

The thing is, will the NHL allow such a deal that is an obvious cap circumvention to happen?

Personally I doubt it. But stranger things have happened.
- MBFlyerfan

They already have allowed it
see Thomas, Tim

So he takes a huge hit by somebody trying to make his name in the AHL and gets hurt. If he is ready he needs to play in the NHL. We need to stop worrying about things you can't control. He can be sheltered in the NHL with 3rd pairing minutes, offensive zone starts and some PP time
- J35Bacher

I'm sorry but those minutes are reserved for Streit and Gus.

Edit: The game moves slower in the AHL. You are going to be highly disappointed if you think Ghost can come in and provide the same level of play as Krug. That won't be happening right away.

He was such a Richard during that whole process, but he provides some great quotes.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd probably want to punch him in the face if I was in the same room with him -- two smug guys, don't you know

They already have allowed it
see Thomas, Tim
- BiggE

Well, then I sit here at my computer corrected.

So he takes a huge hit by somebody trying to make his name in the AHL and gets hurt. If he is ready he needs to play in the NHL. We need to stop worrying about things you can't control. He can be sheltered in the NHL with 3rd pairing minutes, offensive zone starts and some PP time
- J35Bacher

Or, he can be allowed to make mistakes and let his game grow the right way playing 18-20 minutes every single game in the AHL. This kid should NOT start the year in Philly; this shouldn't even be up for debate.

Interesting comments there on VL regarding coming back in extremely good shape
- funmaster18

reminder: today is locker clean out day, please be sure to pack away all gameday avatars for the summer

I'm sorry but those minutes are reserved for Streit and Gus.

Edit: The game moves slower in the AHL. You are going to be highly disappointed if you think Ghost can come in and provide the same level of play as Krug. That won't be happening right away.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't have gus on the roster.

Sucks the flyers are out, but after some reflection, not that surprising. Rangers played a better team game 5 on 5. To me that's basic hockey and something this team needs to get much better at if they are to go anywhere.

I still like the young core, LOVE MASON, and I think Berube earned another year as coach, even though I disagreed with him at times. Some changes to the lineup are needed and that will be interesting to watch. For the first time in a while I'm excited about multiple flyers prospects.

Or, he can be allowed to make mistakes and let his game grow the right way playing 18-20 minutes every single game in the AHL. This kid should NOT start the year in Philly; this shouldn't even be up for debate.
- mochoson

He shouldn't even be looked at until after Christmas and only is clearly a step above in the AHL. He will still have a long learning curve ahead of him.

Or, he can be allowed to make mistakes and let his game grow the right way playing 18-20 minutes every single game in the AHL. This kid should NOT start the year in Philly; this shouldn't even be up for debate.
- mochoson

Agree 100%
The kid needs to adjust to the pace of the pro game and get stronger. A full year in the AHL is best for his development.

Interesting comments there on VL regarding coming back in extremely good shape
- funmaster18

I heard the quote on the radio. He did put emphasis on 'extremely'

reminder: today is locker clean out day, please be sure to pack away all gameday avatars for the summer
- BulliesPhan87

Just packed mine up

Stopped reading here.
- FlyersSteve118

Stopped reading because I'd prefer a former 100 point, generational talent who can clearly still produce in a top-9 role over a paltry top-9 power-forward winger who can't stay on his skates for an entire shift?

When both are basically signed to the same contract? Gotcha.

I'd probably want to punch him in the face if I was in the same room with him -- two smug guys, don't you know


- AllInForFlyers

Well, at least he lets you know how he feels.

You want to ruin him like Sbisa?
- Tomahawk

Is that all you got No I dont want to ruin him like Sbisa.

Flyers played him when he was 18 yoa.

I simply laid out the career path Krug has taken to the NHL since coming out of college as undersized but elite offense oriented blueliner.

That mess of an organization the bruins decided to throw him right into the fire in the spring of 2012 when he signed.

The lockout came and he got a bunch of AHL games in. He suffered through a high ankle sprain that hampered him, but got healthy and lit it up in the playoffs when he was called up.

I think he is further along than more people give him credit for. Counting his maturity level (from all the reports) and skill set level.

Stopped reading because I'd prefer a former 100 point, generational talent who can clearly still produce in a top-9 role over a paltry top-9 power-forward winger who can't stay on his skates for an entire shift?

When both are basically signed to the same contract? Gotcha.
- mochoson

At what point was Vinny producing in a top 9 role?