As much as it's been debated, hey, it is entirely possible VL will be here.
- AllInForFlyers

I agree. He was good at the beginning of the season and then just petered out. If that's what we can expect from him I'm ok with him remaining if he understands he's going to get moved down the line-up and even scratched for health reasons occaisonally. I don't know how he would tolerate that treatment...

I only saw the two games from the Frozen four that Union played... and they certainly did not play anything like a conservative style of hockey. The best representation of what they did would be to say that they played with 3 forwards and 2 offencemen.

I can't count the number of times during those two games where the puck was cycled back to one of the points and no defenseman was home because he'd pinched in and joined the attack
- Doc_Sarcasm

Well I saw him make some great defensive plays. And for a supposed liabilty on d he was plus 7 so he didn't allow anyone to score while on the ice and that is all you ask for out of your d. Don't allow the other team to score.

You know, I really never understood why he was so highly regarded before the draft. So yeah, even though the Flyers did him no favors, I'm still not sure he would have amounted to much more than he is right now.
- Tomahawk

The Mysteries of Hockey Legend

I agree. He was good at the beginning of the season and then just petered out. If that's what we can expect from him I'm ok with him remaining if he understands he's going to get moved down the line-up and even scratched for health reasons occaisonally. I don't know how he would tolerate that treatment...
- FlyersGrace

I still think he may be moved. If Nashville doesn't get Spezza then I could see them making a deal for Vinny as long as he waves his NMC and we might have to keep some money to get a better player/pick

Well I saw him make some great defensive plays. And for a supposed liabilty on d he was plus 7 so he didn't allow anyone to score while on the ice and that is all you ask for out of your d. Don't allow the other team to score.
- J35Bacher

I said it a few weeks back, that its really hard to tell what you have with him. He might be really good and then again he might be Greg Hawgood.

We'll see.

I agree. He was good at the beginning of the season and then just petered out. If that's what we can expect from him I'm ok with him remaining if he understands he's going to get moved down the line-up and even scratched for health reasons occaisonally. I don't know how he would tolerate that treatment...
- FlyersGrace

It's the cap hit -- that's the killer. He is what he is, with the roster that we have. But if he is here, and we don't find wingers who complement him -- and that isn't easy to do -- then yes, that type of usage is pretty much what he's going to have to get used to.

I still think he may be moved. If Nashville doesn't get Spezza then I could see them making a deal for Vinny as long as he waves his NMC and we might have to keep some money to get a better player/pick
- J35Bacher

Keeping 4 years of salary on our cap hit would blow monkey chunks.

I only saw the two games from the Frozen four that Union played... and they certainly did not play anything like a conservative style of hockey. The best representation of what they did would be to say that they played with 3 forwards and 2 offencemen.

I can't count the number of times during those two games where the puck was cycled back to one of the points and no defenseman was home because he'd pinched in and joined the attack
- Doc_Sarcasm

He was given more leeway because he had tremendous ability. Union only had 1 drafted player and it was Ghost. They relied on him for offense.

He was a fully capable defensive player throughout his college career. He has a good stick and used it well defensively. You can't take 2 games and draw conclusions.

I don't think he was given the same amount of leeway as say a Jack Johnson who did whatever he wanted.

I don't believe Ghost was out for any goals against throughout the Frozen Four.

I still think he may be moved. If Nashville doesn't get Spezza then I could see them making a deal for Vinny as long as he waves his NMC and we might have to keep some money to get a better player/pick
- J35Bacher

Teams like Nashville and Toronto and Calgary, that are looking for C, would have to exhaust a lot of primary options first before settling on VL. Stastny, Spezza, OS Johansen, trade for younger/better player...

Teams like Nashville and Toronto and Calgary, that are looking for C, would have to exhaust a lot of primary options first before settling on VL. Stastny, Spezza, OS Johansen, trade for younger/better player...
- Tomahawk

Wonder if there might be a package in there VL and B Schenn...

The Mysteries of Hockey Legend
- PhillySportsGuy

It's a bit crazy that even in the Best Year for Defensemen Ever like 08, so many of the dmen taken in the first couple of rounds still turned out to be busts/near-busts/major-disappointments.

Keeping 4 years of salary on our cap hit would blow monkey chunks.
- FlyersGrace

It would but if it makes the team better you do it. From watching the presser and listening to Hextall I think it was clear he wants speed and youth. He said he won't rush players development but if they are ready then should play. That is why I think Kimmo is done. As much as I like him he just doesn't have the speed to recover anymore and with them playing a more skating system he just seems to be an odd man out. Also for all those who say if he signs for 2.5 - 3 million your crazy to think he would take a 50% pay cut. He knows he could get at least 4-5 million from some team and would use that as leverage.

Teams like Nashville and Toronto and Calgary, that are looking for C, would have to exhaust a lot of primary options first before settling on VL. Stastny, Spezza, OS Johansen, trade for younger/better player...
- Tomahawk

I don't see CBJ not matching any offer sheet unless it's for 4 first rounders.

It's similar to the Weber situation in that they lose all credibility if they let Johansson go without a massive overpayment.

I don't see CBJ not matching any offer sheet unless it's for 4 first rounders.

It's similar to the Weber situation in that they lose all credibility if they let Johansson go without a massive overpayment.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree. He is there franchise centerman. Imagine how great that trade would have been if homer was able to get voracek, 1st rounder, 3rd rounder and johansson for carter and richards.

It's a bit crazy that even in the Best Year for Defensemen Ever like 08, so many of the dmen taken in the first couple of rounds still turned out to be busts/near-busts/major-disappointments.
- Tomahawk

I know. People are always worried about reaching for certain guys.

No one cares where a guy was picked once the draft ends. It's all about how good they are. People would have called Carlson a reach at 19, but it would have ended up working out just fine. (Not if he was traded to Anaheim)

I agree. He is there franchise centerman. Imagine how great that trade would have been if homer was able to get voracek, 1st rounder, 3rd rounder and johansson for carter and richards.
- J35Bacher

I thought it was 2 firsts.

It would have been incredible either way.

Voracek, Couts and Johansson.

He was given more leeway because he had tremendous ability. Union only had 1 drafted player and it was Ghost. They relied on him for offense.

He was a fully capable defensive player throughout his college career. He has a good stick and used it well defensively. You can't take 2 games and draw conclusions.

I don't think he was given the same amount of leeway as say a Jack Johnson who did whatever he wanted.

I don't believe Ghost was out for any goals against throughout the Frozen Four.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm almost positive you're right about the goals against part. I made the suggestion in part because he has so much offensive & they fast skilled wingers. It is tough to judge him off 2 games & highlights as a D.

It would but if it makes the team better you do it. From watching the presser and listening to Hextall I think it was clear he wants speed and youth. He said he won't rush players development but if they are ready then should play. That is why I think Kimmo is done. As much as I like him he just doesn't have the speed to recover anymore and with them playing a more skating system he just seems to be an odd man out. Also for all those who say if he signs for 2.5 - 3 million your crazy to think he would take a 50% pay cut. He knows he could get at least 4-5 million from some team and would use that as leverage.
- J35Bacher

Then if I am the Flyers I say, thanks for a great career here. Now go get your money from somewhere else.

I don't see CBJ not matching any offer sheet unless it's for 4 first rounders.

It's similar to the Weber situation in that they lose all credibility if they let Johansson go without a massive overpayment.
- PhillySportsGuy

The numbers/situation just remind me a bit of the Chris Gratton thing...

Keeping 4 years of salary on our cap hit would blow monkey chunks.
- FlyersGrace

So bananas, termites, spiders and smaller monkeys?

So bananas, termites, spiders and smaller monkeys?
- mayorofangrytown

leaves, bark, poo - yeah all of that...

I watched a little bit of USA vs Germany. THis kid Leon Draisaitl seems really impressive.

I watched a little bit of USA vs Germany. THis kid Leon Draisaitl seems really impressive.
- PhillaBully

Some people have him going 1st-overall... has a bit of Anze Kopitar to him.

The numbers/situation just remind me a bit of the Chris Gratton thing...
- Tomahawk

Look at the teams though. Tampa finished with 74 points the year before. Columbus made the playoffs and have a strong, young nucleus. There is excitement in Columbus for the first time.

It would be much easier for the Lightning to justify collecting picks/prospects and rebuilding.

Then if I am the Flyers I say, thanks for a great career here. Now go get your money from somewhere else.
- MBFlyerfan

I think that might happen. I just read quotes from Hextall and read between the lines on things and think Kimmo is most likely done. Players place a value on themselves and he will see himself as a 5 time olympian, all-star, fan favorite dman who made 6 million last year. A pay cut for him would be 4.5-5 million. I would be shocked if the flyers paid him that.

Now maybe they go to camp and all the young d are terrible and no of them are ready. As maybe a backup plan they sign kimmo for 4 million after not having any other options and if kimmo hasn't gotten a deal from someone else.