Why affirm one way or another then? Simply deflect the question or no comment the sucker... it's not exactly kosher anywhere to offer up a lie to buy time, especially if the truth comes out in a matter of days and your GM is left looking like a stooge.
- Tomahawk

Just like nobody will ever convince me that is wasn't Ed Snider who specifically wanted Bryzgalov, I'm damn near to that point that Homer wasn't looking to move upstairs for next season.

In the future? Sure. Hextall was brought in to replace him. Right the hell now? With how Homer phrased it last week?

Not buying that he was ready to do it right now.

I personally felt that 4.5M was a fair number, but I knew that he could get more on the open UFA market, so I guessed that around 5M would be the number. Turned out to be correct. I think it's a solid signing for a solid player.
- MJL

We shall see. He looked very tentative (my observation, no numbers/facts/statements to support it) in the first round. Hope it is not the norm.

Just like nobody will ever convince me that is wasn't Ed Snider who specifically wanted Bryzgalov, I'm damn near to that point that Homer wasn't looking to move upstairs for next season.

In the future? Sure. Hextall was brought in to replace him. Right the hell now? With how Homer phrased it last week?

Not buying that he was ready to do it right now.
- AllInForFlyers

I'm telling you, Homer took his seat upstairs with him. You guys aren't taking his comment literally enough.

I don't remember. I think Meszaros got some 2nd unit PP time when he was in the lineup.

So, you'd rather have Coburn as part of the 2PP over AMac? Fair enough.
- jmatchett383

Couturier playes the point with Streit prior to MacDonald getting here.

Keep in mind that Hexy was also in the group that drafted the kid, and developed him, and watched him dominate the WHL and WJC.
- Tomahawk

That's fair. He could very well feel he has much more to give.

Couturier playes the point with Streit prior to MacDonald getting here.
- SuperSchennBros

Hmmm...not really a fan of that set up either.

I personally felt that 4.5M was a fair number, but I knew that he could get more on the open UFA market, so I guessed that around 5M would be the number. Turned out to be correct. I think it's a solid signing for a solid player.
- MJL

I had no real issue with the number until Game 7. I thought he was that bad.

Couturier playes the point with Streit prior to MacDonald getting here.
- SuperSchennBros

I think both Streit and AMac both need to man the center or right side of the umbrella to be effective... AMac was almost completely irrelevant on the left-point.

So to answer your question from before, yes, it seems like they could have easily left the position vacant for another year.
- Tomahawk

It was something we had talked about in the advisory board (that it was still open) and it was pretty clear they had a plan (that they weren't sharing) but "soon" was the answer and this is relatively soon (that was March 18).

Can Couturier develop into that #2 center that Hexy was referencing? Flyers have another 3rd line two way center in Laughton on the way.

Hmmm...not really a fan of that set up either.
- jmatchett383

I think it would have been more ideal if one of Meszaros or Gustafsson were on the second unit with Streit but it was rare.

EDIT

Just be clear, between Coburn and MacDonald, I don't think it matters who's used on the pp, I really don't.

That's fair. He could very well feel he has much more to give.
- flyguy12

I don't believe for a minute that it wasn't a kick in the crotch to everybody in their front office to give up B Schenn and Simmer... but they really really wanted Mike Richards.

I think both Streit and AMac both need to man the center or right side of the umbrella to be effective... AMac was almost completely irrelevant on the left-point.
- Tomahawk

I couldn't agree more.

I think both Streit and AMac both need to man the center or right side of the umbrella to be effective... AMac was almost completely irrelevant on the left-point.
- Tomahawk

Moot point when we trade 1/2 of our roster and our next 16 1st rounders for Shea Weber.

I don't believe for a minute that it wasn't a kick in the crotch to everybody in their front office to give up B Schenn and Simmer... but they really really wanted Mike Richards.
- Tomahawk

I like the deal for both ends. I'm not completely sold on B Schenn, I guess that's what my issue is. Simmer has to contribute more @ 5 on 5 and I think he has it in him.

I think both Streit and AMac both need to man the center or right side of the umbrella to be effective... AMac was almost completely irrelevant on the left-point.
- Tomahawk

I know that's been Streit's preferred side, all the way back to his Montreal days.

I honestly don't want to formulate too much of an opinion on MacDonald, positive or negative, until I see him go through a full training camp and then 30-40 games.

He's 27, so I'm not saying he'll be a totally different player. But I'm leery of being too positive or negative until I see how he plays with this team with full knowledge of the systems and role he is expected to play.

Moot point when we trade 1/2 of our roster and our next 16 1st rounders for Shea Weber.
- jmatchett383

This calls for more conjecture from Elliotte:

8. Nashville's David Poile said after the season Shea Weber will not be traded. Asked how much the organization discussed this internally, Poile said, "We don't... When we decided [to match the offer sheet], we made a 14-year commitment."

I know that's been Streit's preferred side, all the way back to his Montreal days.

I honestly don't want to formulate too much of an opinion on MacDonald, positive or negative, until I see him go through a full training camp and then 30-40 games.

He's 27, so I'm not saying he'll be a totally different player. But I'm leery of being too positive or negative until I see how he plays with this team with full knowledge of the systems and role he is expected to play.
- AllInForFlyers

I think if they are really conscious about putting him in a position to succeed, he'll be OK for the most part.

But overall, I'm not convinced that he's really that much better of a hockey player than, say.... Randy Jones.

This calls for more conjecture from Elliotte:





- Tomahawk

That's like the Flyers saying Holmgren was staying as GM. Poile's just playing hard ball. Right now, the offer is only Raffl, Read, Couturier, B Schenn, Simmonds, and Voracek plus the picks. He's holding out for Rosehill.

I think if they are really conscious about putting him in a position to succeed, he'll be OK for the most part.

But overall, I'm not convinced that he's really that much better of a hockey player than, say.... Randy Jones.
- Tomahawk

He who shall not be named.

One awesome thing about trading VL for Stalberg straight out is his salary is backend so he can be bought out for cheap

Viktor Stalberg buyout from CapGeek.com

2014-15: $1,555,556
2015-16: $555,556
2016-17: $555,556
2017-18: $1,055,556
2018-19: $1,055,556
2019-20: $1,055,556

One awesome thing about trading VL for Stalberg straight out is his salary is backend so he can be bought out for cheap

Viktor Stalberg buyout from CapGeek.com

2014-15: $1,555,556
2015-16: $555,556
2016-17: $555,556
2017-18: $1,055,556
2018-19: $1,055,556
2019-20: $1,055,556
- FlyersSteve118

At $3M, I don't think it's a bad contract if he's put in a place to succeed. He's most likely not a 20-goal-scorer anymore, but he could probably pot 12-15 on the 3rd line.

I think if they are really conscious about putting him in a position to succeed, he'll be OK for the most part.

But overall, I'm not convinced that he's really that much better of a hockey player than, say.... Randy Jones.
- Tomahawk

I know this: The inflated value of defensemen nowadays makes a guy like Kevin Shattenkirk seem like he's the second coming, when really and truthfully, a guy like Kevin Shattenkirk would a) absolutely be tradable in the old NHL, and b) would probably cost you either a good roster player and a decent pick, or a decent roster player and a good pick.

So, yeah. While, again, I don't want to speak too soon about Andy MacDonald, because maybe he will play very well, one thing is certain: He's being compensated at a level where he needs to play well.

Moot point when we trade 1/2 of our roster and our next 16 1st rounders for Shea Weber.
- jmatchett383

Like everyone, I would love to have Shea Weber but I don't see what assets we have to give up without hurting the team. I also worry with his style of play that he could end up like Pronger. Weber already had a history of concussions.

you go down too easy
- -davies-

I had to work and stuff but...