Over-35 contracts aren't affected by cap recapture, since they're subject to the full cap hit regardless. But that's all non-applicable, as the over 35 rules are based on the age at which the contract is signed.
- BulliesPhan87

So Hartnell can retire at any time and his cap hit come immediately of the books?

Laughton may be our second line center, but probably not for another 2 or 3 years.
- FlyersSteve118

That's funny.

Analytics, in one form or another have ben used in Hockey for decades.
- MJL

That's not the statement that be confirmed or refuted. It was the specific statement that the poster made.

So Hartnell can retire at any time and his cap hit come immediately of the books?
- FlyersSteve118

I believe so

NFL Draft tonight

/Hammarby eyeroll
- PhillySportsGuy

you got that right. i couldn't possibly care less.

That's funny.
- mayorofangrytown

Why is that funny? You think he's a bust like everyone seems to be saying about him?

No. I would't call Hartnell valuable anymore. I belive simmonds handles the net front on pp which hartnell used to do. They want to add more speed to the team. What is wrong with trading 4.75 Hartnell, if possible, and then maybe signing a Mason Raymond for 3.50 or 4 for three years. You get faster and still keep offense.

Of course all this is if they can move Hartell and Vinny which I know is going to be tough. Should be interesting offseason
- J35Bacher

He just put up 20 goals and 52 points and was the highest +/- on our team. What is not valuable about that?

Edit: not to mention the third highest corsi on the team. ahead of claude giroux.

Why is that funny? You think he's a bust like everyone seems to be saying about him?
- FlyersSteve118

The exact opposite. It isn't going to take that kid 2 or 3 years to crack the line up and move up the roster. I think he's going to be a beast. Better than Richards but of a similar style only bigger and angrier.

Edit: and I don't recall anyone thinking he'll be a bust. That's crazy talk.

I might be in the minority, but I don't think our top line was a problem. G had 87 points and their possession numbers were very strong. I'm not saying they can't get better, but I don't think they should get rid of Hartnell because people feel he's overpaid.

I would like to see Schenn get more possession, two-way players. Perhaps, a line of Jussi Jokinen-Schenn-Akeson would look alright. Jokinen is strong defensively, Akeson is strong in puck possession and Schenn plays in front of the net and along the boards.
- PhillySportsGuy

Sorry, but Akeson just looks like the kind of guy who will get exposed the more you use him. I really don't see him ever being more than an AHL star/NHL spare forward who can fill in for a short time on a scoring line.
His lack of footspeed and strength are just 2 big red flags for me and I don't think that his smarts and skill level are at a level that's high enough to overcome his flaws.

That's funny.
- mayorofangrytown

The exact opposite. It isn't going to take that kid 2 or 3 years to crack the line up and move up the roster. I think he's going to be a beast. Better than Richards but of a similar style only bigger and angrier.
- mayorofangrytown

So why is it funny that he takes a few years to make it through the log jam we have at center? Thats not an insult to the player. I think the kid will be good too.

Edit: There have been a few scouting reports I have read that said he could possibly be a career bottom 6 role player. I don't agree. The way you wrote that post didn't make any sense.

The exact opposite. It isn't going to take that kid 2 or 3 years to crack the line up and move up the roster. I think he's going to be a beast. Better than Richards but of a similar style only bigger and angrier.

Edit: and I don't recall anyone thinking he'll be a bust. That's crazy talk.
- mayorofangrytown

Mike Richards, in his prime, was a point-per-game player. I don't Laughton put up enough points early enough in his junior career to warrant that type of offensive ceiling in the NHL.

Sorry, but Akeson just looks like the kind of guy who will get exposed the more you use him. I really don't see him ever being more than an AHL star/NHL spare forward who can fill in for a short time on a scoring line.
His lack of footspeed and strength are just 2 big red flags for me and I don't think that his smarts and skill level are at a level that's high enough to overcome his flaws.
- BiggE

He's a battler though. I wouldn't completely discount him although I do tend to think along your line.

The exact opposite. It isn't going to take that kid 2 or 3 years to crack the line up and move up the roster. I think he's going to be a beast. Better than Richards but of a similar style only bigger and angrier.

Edit: and I don't recall anyone thinking he'll be a bust. That's crazy talk.
- mayorofangrytown

- hammarby31

If the Flyers can move VL, I'd be fine with the following forwards:
Hartnell-G-Jake
Raffl or UFA TBD-Schenn-Simmonds
Read-Couturier-UFA TBD or Raffl
UFA TBD-Laughton-Rinaldo
Spares: Akeson & Rosehill

I would like the Flyers to go after a guy like Vern Fiddler for the 4th line spot and maybe a guy like Jussi Jokinen for the top 9 spot.

He's a battler though. I wouldn't completely discount him although I do tend to think along your line.
- mayorofangrytown

I didn't expect much from him and was pleasantly surprised by how well he did when tossed into the fire. Do I think he cracks the roster next season? I think that depends on who gets traded and whether the team feels Laughton is ready or not.

He's a battler though. I wouldn't completely discount him although I do tend to think along your line.
- mayorofangrytown

True, I think he has a chance, but it's a slim one at best.

Sorry, but Akeson just looks like the kind of guy who will get exposed the more you use him. I really don't see him ever being more than an AHL star/NHL spare forward who can fill in for a short time on a scoring line.
His lack of footspeed and strength are just 2 big red flags for me and I don't think that his smarts and skill level are at a level that's high enough to overcome his flaws.
- BiggE

As much as I respect what he's accomplished in getting his shot -- which I totally felt he earned -- the reason I've been subdued about his future is what you've written.

He's going to have to work really hard to stick. I don't think it's impossible, and I'm hopeful the story has the kind of ending that we all root for.

But the league is what it is. He's going to have to compete, and like you said, he'd better be ripped when he comes to camp, with as much skating as humanly possible, to hold off all challengers.

Because I just don't think he'll get much benefit of the doubt. I think his hands and vision and competitiveness are there. But he can truly help himself by coming into camp as an absolute physical specimen, to the best he can.

As much as I respect what he's accomplished in getting his shot -- which I totally felt he earned -- the reason I've been subdued about his future is what you've written.

He's going to have to work really hard to stick. I don't think it's impossible, and I'm hopeful the story has the kind of ending that we all root for.

But the league is what it is. He's going to have to compete, and like you said, he'd better be ripped when he comes to camp, with as much skating as humanly possible, to hold off all challengers.

Because I just don't think he'll get much benefit of the doubt. I think his hands and vision and competitiveness are there. But he can truly help himself by coming into camp as an absolute physical specimen, to the best he can.
- AllInForFlyers

I thought he trained part of the off season with G...

Mike Richards, in his prime, was a point-per-game player. I don't Laughton put up enough points early enough in his junior career to warrant that type of offensive ceiling in the NHL.
- bradleyc4

He out scored Mike Richards in all but his first junior season when he was used sparingly. Richards never had a 40 goal junior season.


Are you okay?

So why is it funny that he takes a few years to make it through the log jam we have at center? Thats not an insult to the player. I think the kid will be good too.

Edit: There have been a few scouting reports I have read that said he could possibly be a career bottom 6 role player. I don't agree. The way you wrote that post didn't make any sense.
- FlyersSteve118

Why doesn't it make sense?

He just put up 20 goals and 52 points and was the highest +/- on our team. What is not valuable about that?

Edit: not to mention the third highest corsi on the team. ahead of claude giroux.
- FlyersSteve118

That's ok. I just don't see his fit moving forward. His skill set doesn't lend itself to the bottom six and yes he is productive but as he ages are his skills going to decline where he is more of a hinderence. I would just rather bet that in the future he isn't going to produce as much as he just did and would like a younger faster option.

So staying status quo is good for you. OK. I just would rather be proactive in aquiring a better piece or allowing someone young to take his roll. He has five more years on his deal at 4.75 cap hit. He is not retiring as long as he is making money. Guys don't just retire anymore. He will play out that deal here or for another team
- J35Bacher

His deal expires just as he turns 37. Its not ideal, but they dont have him signed into his 40s.

Why doesn't it make sense?
- mayorofangrytown

Laughing at my post when I was saying I could see him being successful in the near future usually doesn't mean you agree with me. It usually means the other person thinks what I said was completely wrong.