i agree. same thing happened with despres.

you cant have the young player think that any little mistake is going to banish them for a week at a time. then they end up playing timid and afraid, instead of learning to use their abilities. it absolutely stifles them.

they need to be held accountable, yes. but not to the point where they turtle.
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah, Bylsma really did a poor job with that kid. His skill is evident, just needs to play regular minutes

He played almost exclusively 4th line his first two season. He bumped up late in lockout season after injuries made room.

I'm not trading Lecavalier to open a spot for Laughton, I'm doing it to get rid of an anchor that killed his line mates over the course of the last two seasons. I'd be doing it to free up cap room to address the needs on wing & defense. I'd be doing it because he's a bad fit for the team & system they're running.
- Jsaquella

I disagree. 20 goals isn't an ancher. Paying 4.5 Million isn't an achor to pay in today's NHL for a scoring threat. The reality is, he's being judged for based on one season and not being 25 anymore.

Yep, agreed on all points. My concern with him at center is, his two way game is just so Jeckyl & Hyde. I'm not sure if that's smarts & hickey sense or a result of his inconsistency
- Jsaquella

what bothers you about his hockey sense - can you give some examples? i admit it's not something that i've noticed with a negative.

VL is going to be most likely an improbable move.

His age, his health, his contract, and especially his NMC are major obstacles.
- 77rams

The NMC isn't going to be, unless they try to deal him to a lousy team. But I think he'd waive for Nashville, if they were interested....not sold they are.

But I could see him going for a 3rd or 4th, with the Flyers eating $1mm or so

The ideal offseason

Increase the speed and two-way ability of the D.
To do this, I think we need to:
- pass on resigning Kimmo, possibly bringing him back in a coaching capacity.
- trade Grossmann. We have a younger version of him who also makes better outlet passes. His name is Luke Schenn. His shot blocking won't be missed so much as long as we keep Macdonald, and I have a feeling Ghost won't be too shabby at blocking if he makes the team.
- We need to acquire one dman, since we would be moving on from two others. Markov on a short deal isn't a terrible idea. Niskanen would be a good idea, even though he'll be expensive. Young, right handed, good skating, offensive-minded but two-way focused. He's almost exactly the kind of Dman we need. Getting him at $5mil would be ideal. I could live with $6mil. I also heard someone pitch Hartnell for Bieksa sometime recently? I think that'd be a good hockey trade. We also need to open a spot up to youth. Gus, Alt, Ghost, and gang should all have the 6th spot to fight for.

Acquire another speed/skill player
See: P.A. Parentaeu, Michael Grabner
These would be among my top targets this offseason. Get one of them, stick them in the top 9, and every line will have speed and skill on top of a big body.

Move Lecavalier
Ideally to move up in the draft. Great guy, great player, but even if he does recover next season, he doesn't fit. With so many young guys coming up, he doesn't fit at center. With so many good right-side powerplay threats, he isn't necessary there. With a skating-defense oriented system, he doesn't fit. Pitch a trade to Nashville for PHI 1st (17) + Lecavalier (1-1.5 mil retained) for Nashville 1st (11).

Resign Emery
He's older, and his lateral movement sucks, but he's a competent backup goalie who uncerstands his role and has a good relationship with Mason.
Hasn't it been nice to have no goalie drama?

the rangers scored 1 goal in 3 games vs the habs this year.

I disagree. 20 goals isn't an ancher. Paying 4.5 Million isn't an achor to pay in today's NHL for a scoring threat. The reality is, he's being judged for based on one season and not being 25 anymore.
- SuperSchennBros

http://www.broadstreethoc...ations-pairings-2013-2014

I disagree. 20 goals isn't an ancher. Paying 4.5 Million isn't an achor to pay in today's NHL for a scoring threat. The reality is, he's being judged for based on one season and not being 25 anymore.
- SuperSchennBros

They had 6 others who scored 20 or more goals. Goals are important, but so are other things, like possession of the puck, two way play, skating and speed...the bottom line is that almost every line or play had worse possession numbers when on ice with Lecavalier than without him. That's a really bad trend.

Whatever line he was on played worse. It's not just numbers, it's watching the games-Lecavalier was slow, ineffective and only showed flashes of ability. That's an anchor

They had 6 others who scored 20 or more goals. Goals are important, but so are other things, like possession of the puck, two way play, skating and speed...the bottom line is that almost every line or play had worse possession numbers when on ice with Lecavalier than without him. That's a really bad trend.

Whatever line he was on played worse. It's not just numbers, it's watching the games-Lecavalier was slow, ineffective and only showed flashes of ability. That's an anchor
- Jsaquella

And... DEFENSE. Vinny doesn't play any.

The NMC isn't going to be, unless they try to deal him to a lousy team. But I think he'd waive for Nashville, if they were interested....not sold they are.

But I could see him going for a 3rd or 4th, with the Flyers eating $1mm or so
- Jsaquella

I fear they will have to take back a bad contract in exchange to get rid of him as in the Gagne for Walker fiasco, or add in 2nd rounder like the Upshall Carcillo deal.

Hope I'm wrong.

what bothers you about his hockey sense - can you give some examples? i admit it's not something that i've noticed with a negative.
- hammarby31

The way he reads plays sometimes-against the Rangers, he had a bad habit of ending up on the other side of the ice from the puck. Compare that to a guy like Akeson, where the puck just seems to find him.

Maybe feel is a better term than hockey sense.

And... DEFENSE. Vinny doesn't play any.
- Tomahawk

No, he was every bit as bad as Briere was in his own end

No, he was every bit as bad as Briere was in his own end
- Jsaquella

Worse, IMO. At least Danny could get his ass back down the ice to take his patented stick infractions.

I fear they will have to take back a bad contract in exchange to get rid of him as in the Gagne for Walker fiasco, or add in 2nd rounder like the Upshall Carcillo deal.

Hope I'm wrong.
- Marc D

Taking a questionable deal back might be more palatable than eating money...let's use Nashville as an example...is Gaustad a good return for Vinny? At the very least he's a capable two way guy who wins face offs. Less cash & fewer years and maybe easier to flip in a year or two.

Not ideal, by any stretch

Worse, IMO. At least Danny could get his ass back down the ice to take his patented stick infractions.
- Tomahawk

Maybe the Flyers can get Les Habs to trade Briere for Vinny

The way he reads plays sometimes-against the Rangers, he had a bad habit of ending up on the other side of the ice from the puck. Compare that to a guy like Akeson, where the puck just seems to find him.

Maybe feel is a better term than hockey sense.
- Jsaquella

This is true. There's players that end up in the right place by instinct... others through tactics, repetition and hustle. Baby Schenn's gonna have to be in the latter category, methinks.

In other words, Welcome to 1988!!
- Jsaquella

I would love for it to be 1988.

/Uncle Rico'd

How's this sound:

Kane-G-Voracek
Hartnell-Couterier-Simmons
Raffl-Laughton-Read
Hall-D. Moore-Rinaldo
Akesson

Jokinen-Coburn
Streit-MacDonald
Kimo-(trade for a cheap decent piece)
Gus

You could flip Streit and Kimo and or flip Couts and Laughton. Of course this assume Laughton looks good to go.
Trade VL and Grossman
- jstross

defence is attrocious.

This is true. There's players that end up in the right place by instinct... others through tactics, repetition and hustle. Baby Schenn's gonna have to be in the latter category, methinks.
- Tomahawk

I think when(if?) he puts it together he'll be a really good player...still wiling to wait a year or two more, he's only 22

Maybe the Flyers can get Les Habs to trade Briere for Vinny
- Jsaquella

he's going to LA for Richards, who will play D with Coburn

Taking a questionable deal back might be more palatable than eating money...let's use Nashville as an example...is Gaustad a good return for Vinny? At the very least he's a capable two way guy who wins face offs. Less cash & fewer years and maybe easier to flip in a year or two.

Not ideal, by any stretch
- Jsaquella

If they can find someone who would be a fit here then that would be a positive.
VL as the 4th line center is ridiculous for both the player and the team.

I would love for it to be 1988.

/Uncle Rico'd
- johndewar

I had more hair and far less gut

If they can find someone who would be a fit here then that would be a positive.
VL as the 4th line center is ridiculous for both the player and the team.
- Marc D

It is. If they end up keeping him, I'd hope for a huge rebound...but I wouldn't count on it

he's going to LA for Richards, who will play D with Coburn
- wilsonecho91

Canon

David Pagnotta ‏@TheFourthPeriod 10m
In a conference call with the media, SJ GM Wilson says Dan Boyle will not be re-signed, and Martin Havlat will, presumably, by bought out