If it was about the money, why would he agree to let Chicago or Pittsburgh land highly marketable players like Crosby or Kane? Snider would make more money with those guys on his team, rather than lesser known players.

Also, Snider wants to win as much as he wants more money. Part blessing and part curse, Snider drives his management to try and win every year, even if it's short sighted.
- Jsaquella

The Pens had more immediate need and the Hawks to a lesser extent. The flyers have not been weak for years financially. Needy teams.Ed may want to win but he has held the league party line on some issues that were counter to the Flyers needs.

Probably just you, since he makes millions every year and marries a new, smoking hot woman every 5 or 6 years
- Jsaquella

Im sure its his natural charm that gets those women.

No salary cap in baseball. He would just buy his way out of his mistakes.
- PhillySportsGuy

Wasn't the first year for the Cap in the NHL 2005-2006?

If it was about the money, why would he agree to let Chicago or Pittsburgh land highly marketable players like Crosby or Kane? Snider would make more money with those guys on his team, rather than lesser known players.

Also, Snider wants to win as much as he wants more money. Part blessing and part curse, Snider drives his management to try and win every year, even if it's short sighted.
- Jsaquella

He may want to win every year, but it doesn't explain the inept drafting after the first round for the last 20 years especially in regards to d-man and goalies. If Hexy can fix that black hole, it would be historical for this franchise. I'm sure they are budgeting quite a few dollars into scouting.

Ed's biggest problem has been loyalty, which I can understand, but he had a hard time holding his last two GMs accountable for the prospect pool that was not properly being replenished.

I read an article online today exploring the idea of Richards coming back to Philly if he gets bought out this summer. If they could get past they way things ended, it would be an interesting possibility in my opinion. I don't think Richards has another point-per-game season in him but I think he could produce better numbers on a more offensive team. Richards is a natural center but I think he would adapt to the wing better than some other players. He could be a good fit to play on the wing with Couturier and Read. He's a better offensive player than Steve Downie by a sizable margin so it would provide an offensive boost to that line while also giving the Flyers one of the best shutdown lines in the NHL. If Brayden Schenn doesn't take the next step forward in his development, Richards could also be an option for the second line center role.

The Pens had more immediate need and the Hawks to a lesser extent. The flyers have not been weak for years financially. Needy teams.Ed may want to win but he has held the league party line on some issues that were counter to the Flyers needs.
- Steelmanpa

Again, why would he do that? It doesn't help him to prop up a bad market that needs a start player? You get rid of a bad market the revenue goes up, especially for a team like the Flyers.

Apparently Sam Bennett failed to do a single pull-up at the combine.

Apparently Sam Bennett failed to do a single pull-up at the combine.
- JFlyers00

That can't be true.

That can't be true.
- PLindbergh31

http://nesn.com/2014/06/n...o-a-single-pull-up-video/

I read an article online today exploring the idea of Richards coming back to Philly if he gets bought out this summer. If they could get past they way things ended, it would be an interesting possibility in my opinion. I don't think Richards has another point-per-game season in him but I think he could produce better numbers on a more offensive team. Richards is a natural center but I think he would adapt to the wing better than some other players. He could be a good fit to play on the wing with Couturier and Read. He's a better offensive player than Steve Downie by a sizable margin so it would provide an offensive boost to that line while also giving the Flyers one of the best shutdown lines in the NHL. If Brayden Schenn doesn't take the next step forward in his development, Richards could also be an option for the second line center role.
- dankil89

Interesting. The one thing with Richie, is I don't know how happy he would be coming back to the Flyers.

Two, his game and speed seem to have dropped off.

http://nesn.com/2014/06/nhl-draft-prospect-sam-bennett-cant-do-a-single-pull-up-video/
- BulliesPhan87

That's pretty pathetic.

He may want to win every year, but it doesn't explain the inept drafting after the first round for the last 20 years especially in regards to d-man and goalies. If Hexy can fix that black hole, it would be historical for this franchise. I'm sure they are budgeting quite a few dollars into scouting.

Ed's biggest problem has been loyalty, which I can understand, but he had a hard time holding his last two GMs accountable for the prospect pool that was not properly being replenished.
- ravishingone

A big part of the issue has been the lack of draft picks. Paul Holmgren was GM for 7 drafts. He made 3 2nd round selections during that time.

In 2009 & 2010, the Flyers earliest picks were third rounders. When they have had picks, they have generally done OK, at least with forwards.

Until the last two drafts, defense has never been a priority. That goes all the way back to Keith Allen, not just the last two GMs.

He's been steadily sub-par at driving play, irrespective of teammates, team, competition, usage and tactics. The way he looked in the Rangers series was very disconcerting.
- Tomahawk

His possession numbers for Philly were fine (almost 50%) in the regular season outside of the last game against Pittsburgh where they were rampant and he had to play 28 minutes on the 1st pairing because Kimmo was hurt. He looked worn down against the Rangers and struggled, but so did other guys including Couturier.

Expecting him to have a CF% over 50 when playing most often with guys like Luke Schenn and Vinny Lecavalier is silly.

http://www.extraskater.co...uality-of-teammates-stats

I read an article online today exploring the idea of Richards coming back to Philly if he gets bought out this summer. If they could get past they way things ended, it would be an interesting possibility in my opinion. I don't think Richards has another point-per-game season in him but I think he could produce better numbers on a more offensive team. Richards is a natural center but I think he would adapt to the wing better than some other players. He could be a good fit to play on the wing with Couturier and Read. He's a better offensive player than Steve Downie by a sizable margin so it would provide an offensive boost to that line while also giving the Flyers one of the best shutdown lines in the NHL. If Brayden Schenn doesn't take the next step forward in his development, Richards could also be an option for the second line center role.
- dankil89

It'd depend very heavily on price and if the Flyers can move Lecavalier and if they move Brayden Schenn for help elsewhere.

That's pretty pathetic.
- PLindbergh31

I think I can do two or three, maybe I should check into my draft eligibility.

http://deadspin.com/drew-...ter&utm_medium=socialflow

After seeing this, I might be rooting for the Kings

Apparently Sam Bennett failed to do a single pull-up at the combine.
- JFlyers00

It'd depend very heavily on price and if the Flyers can move Lecavalier and if they move Brayden Schenn for help elsewhere.
- Jsaquella

Keep them, sign Richards, and have a second line where everyone is a center.

- Tomahawk

He can step right in and replace Schenn.

Again, why would he do that? It doesn't help him to prop up a bad market that needs a start player? You get rid of a bad market the revenue goes up, especially for a team like the Flyers.
- Jsaquella

I may be missing something, but how does eliminating a team in a bad market increase revenue?

EDIT: I understand now, nevermind.

He can step right in and replace Schenn.
- Jsaquella

upgrade

A big part of the issue has been the lack of draft picks. Paul Holmgren was GM for 7 drafts. He made 3 2nd round selections during that time.

In 2009 & 2010, the Flyers earliest picks were third rounders. When they have had picks, they have generally done OK, at least with forwards.

Until the last two drafts, defense has never been a priority. That goes all the way back to Keith Allen, not just the last two GMs.
- Jsaquella

Agree to a point. They haven't shied away from drafting blue line or goalies (generally not in the first round), but they have drafted those positions relatively high. However, the results have been abysmal.

I don't believe as an organization they were that stupid not to value those positions. It is just really interesting whatever methods were being used to evaluate the teenage talent was so inherently wrong until the last three years has started to bear some fruit.

Fast forward to today, I do believe Hexy will be not as aggressive as Homer at least until he sees the young d-men start to play professionally (not necessarily in the NHL) for a number of games.

Rangers have gotten to the finals by clutching and grabbing the hell out of players.... <---- Example vs Flyers


Bettman is exploding all over his pants right now! <- Not sarcastic
- PhillaBully

What games have you been watching??? I understand you hate the Rangers but post as a hockey fan not a bitter Flyer fan bro.

FORWARDS
Michael Raffl ($1.100m) / Claude Giroux ($8.275m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
Mason Raymond ($3.000m) / Brayden Schenn ($1.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Sean Couturier ($1.750m) / Matt Read ($3.625m)
Tye McGinn ($0.732m) / Dominic Moore ($2.000m) / Jason Akeson ($0.800m)
Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Streit ($5.250m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Andrew MacDonald ($5.000m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m) / Tom Gilbert ($2.250m)
Matt Greene ($1.500m) /
GOALTENDERS
Steve Mason ($4.100m)
Thomas Greiss ($0.800m)
BUYOUTS
Daniel Briere ($0.000m)
Ilya Bryzgalov ($0.000m)
LTIR
Chris Pronger ($4.941m)
RETAINED SALARIES (2.22% of upper limit)
Vincent Lecavalier ($1.575m—35.00%)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $68,832,375; BONUSES: $0
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $2,267,625

Raymond, D Moore, T Gilbert, M Greene, Greiss all in on short term deals

Lecavalier traded and roughly 1.5 mil retained

Laughton, Ghost kept in the minors if that's how hexy wants to do this

Let the kids develop, we're not screwing our cap situation going forward. Some quality nhl dmen in Greene and Gilbert.

Agree to a point. They haven't shied away from drafting blue line or goalies (generally not in the first round), but they have drafted those positions relatively high. However, the results have been abysmal.

I don't believe as an organization they were that stupid not to value those positions. It is just really interesting whatever methods were being used to evaluate the teenage talent was so inherently wrong until the last three years has started to bear some fruit.

Fast forward to today, I do believe Hexy will be not as aggressive as Homer at least until he sees the young d-men start to play professionally (not necessarily in the NHL) for a number of games.
- ravishingone

Part of the reason they valued the other positions is the generally longer wait time for a defenseman or goalie to develop and become a NHL regular or impact player. On the whole, forward reach the NHL and mak a faster impact than D or G.