If Raffl on the top line is their grand plan, we're in trouble
- funmaster18

I like Raffl, but have to agree. So it's gotta be Read or a trade, right? Throw RJ on Couts' line.

It's almost as if the team we trade with has some say in the deal
- funmaster18

I know, right? IF, and I repeat IF, a player wants out and has an NMC, you don't always get to make deals that you think you can or should be able to make

They weren't going to be able to trade his salary for nothing. And we got a pick for Hartnell's extra contract years. Beats giving one up.
- tangent_man

exactly. I like the move honestly. Yeah I'm gonna miss hartnell he's been a heart and soul guy since we got him, but its his time to go. I don't get how people are comparing this to Richards, Carter, and JVR. those players had far more value and impact than hartsy, except JVR didn't have his chacne to prove it yet

I think you are being too soft on Hexy here. Don't forget, the same logic of how much trade value did we have if he requested a trade is the same logic as RJ has no trade value because he has PUBLICLY (even less value) requested a trade. I appreciate the Pros and Cons but I find it very difficult to argue that this was a good hockey trade. I would give this a D+/C- at best.

A question to everyone else- what letter grade would you give Hexy's first trade? Sure it is too early to tell but giving it a grade now allows you to look back on it and reflect on how you felt in a tangible way in the future.
- coffee junkie

Incomplete until I see the rest of the offseason. This was just the start

Looks like Read or Raffl to the top line...
- wolfhounds

Or Brayden Schenn to LW. Or Vinny.

Could be incentive to get Braydon Schenn to sign a bridge deal:

You have two seasons to prove you're a first line scorer with two of the best forwards in the world.

Make us have to pay you.
- Moose_15

Interesting thought.

If Raffl on the top line is their grand plan, we're in trouble
- funmaster18

I know, right? IF, and I repeat IF, a player wants out and has an NMC, you don't always get to make deals that you think you can or should be able to make
- AllInForFlyers

RJ wanted out of Columbus, right? So you would have thought they would have been in the weaker position.

It's almost as if the team we trade with has some say in the deal
- funmaster18

go on

B Schenn on left wing?
- wolfhounds

I thought he looked fine there in the limited games he played with Giroux and Voracek: Created space for the two and won a lot of battles on the boards.

Has the same shot that Hartnell had too from the top of the circle.

Or Brayden Schenn to LW. Or Vinny.
- Jsaquella

Its a tough choice. You'd hate to play schenn out of position for his development, but Vinny can't keep up with G or Jake since that was problem with harsty. I'd vote Read or even consider the french guy we signed who supposedly has good hands and is quick skater

Forget what little Umberger brings. Forget the diminishing play of Hartnell and his foolish penalties.

The Flyers just got out of paying his 4.75 cap hit when he was 36 and 37 years old.

They're trimming the fat. In order to improve, hextall is willing to show to take a small step back now for a nice step forward in the not too distant future.

Hartnell is a better player than Umberger, but he also aged with better talent and has a much longer burden of a contract. He couldn't play with Giroux serving it up. He's sliding.

CBJ wins the next year. Maybe 2. After that, this move will look like a breath of fresh air
- Hesh_

Bingo. What's so hard to understand about this? Hextall is beginning the process of unfacking us from Holmers bad deals

Hartnells deal is too long. It's solving a problem 3 years down the line right now.

I think this is also telling that there may be Zero market for vinny. Prob will have another year of him. But make no mistake we were going to take a hit in trading that contract

I like Raffl, but have to agree. So it's gotta be Read or a trade, right? Throw RJ on Couts' line.
- wolfhounds

Raffl is a nice player to have on the team and can fill in on spot duty, but I want someone more dynamic up there.

I would be OK with trying any one of Read, Schenn or VL (if he remains on the team) if no outside candidates can be found.

Or Brayden Schenn to LW. Or Vinny.
- Jsaquella

Don't laugh, but I do think Umberger is one of those guys who can maybe play with Vinny, if it comes to that

I thought he looked fine there in the limited games he played with Giroux and Voracek: Created space for the two and won a lot of battles on the boards.


- Moose_15

Has the same shot that Hartnell had too from the top of the circle

.

Ohhhh, so wide left.

It's almost as if the team we trade with has some say in the deal
- funmaster18

Yeah. I mean, it worked out so well when we let TB dictate the trade they made with us for Gagne when he was forced out. Nice to know that we're letting our players and the other team dictate the GM's moves.

Don't laugh, but I do think Umberger is one of those guys who can maybe play with Vinny, if it comes to that
- AllInForFlyers

maybe thats why we got RJ. some confidence that he can improve VL and make VL actually fit with us ?

Don't laugh, but I do think Umberger is one of those guys who can maybe play with Vinny, if it comes to that
- AllInForFlyers

Or be part of a bigger deal. He doesn't have that pesky NMC.

I think you are being too soft on Hexy here. Don't forget, the same logic of how much trade value did we have if he requested a trade is the same logic as RJ has no trade value because he has PUBLICLY (even less value) requested a trade. I appreciate the Pros and Cons but I find it very difficult to argue that this was a good hockey trade. I would give this a D+/C- at best.

A question to everyone else- what letter grade would you give Hexy's first trade? Sure it is too early to tell but giving it a grade now allows you to look back on it and reflect on how you felt in a tangible way in the future.
- coffee junkie

It's not a good trade. Not trying to defend it, removing emotion and looking at it with logic. The Jackets get a better player with a worse contract. The Flyers get a guy who gives them more flexibility.

Hartnell had a full NMC, Umberger a limited NTC. Hartnell controlled every aspect of where he could go.

I know, right? IF, and I repeat IF, a player wants out and has an NMC, you don't always get to make deals that you think you can or should be able to make
- AllInForFlyers

Nah, hextall's probably just an idiot.

I wonder if that is most of the sentiment -- Would most people have rather gotten just picks and cap space? I think this gives them a chance to complete the third line and see what B. Schenn can do on the first.
- Moose_15

That makes some sense and that could be it.

Maybe they completely reconstitute the 2nd line around either Couturier or even Vinny?

maybe thats why we got RJ. some confidence that he can improve VL and make VL actually fit with us ?
- arichardson22

lord help us

It's not a good trade. Not trying to defend it, removing emotion and looking at it with logic. The Jackets get a better player with a worse contract. The Flyers get a guy who gives them more flexibility.

Hartnell had a full NMC, Umberger a limited NTC. Hartnell controlled every aspect of where he could go.
- Jsaquella

I guess Hextall never had D.A.R.E. (Just say "No.")

i'm sure many of you have seen this, but this is a good laugh

https://ca.sports.yahoo.c...llo--video-170729135.html

- -davies-

Great, raffl hung around hartnell too long.