And just so I'm straight here, Vinny gets his check in the morning and then his deal is better. We don't have to wait till 12:01 Wednesday morning right?

There is just something about those lines that is not enticing.
- Deasr1

Why you miss Hartnell that much? I'm not sure Hartnell's ability to skate is that much superior to Vinny's at this point. If you believe Coots, B. Schenn, and Raffl can't improve on their numbers with another year of experience and some more offensive responsibilities, I can see the concern.

Really depends how he looks in camp. If he kills it like Read did, then he will stay.
- Deasr1

It's not even about that. He could be Peter forsberg for all I care. Its about humbling 20 year Olds and making them earn the call up by putting in the necessary hard work in the minor leagues. Make them prove to you they'll do what it takes at all levels for the organization

There is just something about those lines that is not enticing.
- Deasr1

you think? Its a good team but you cant expect to see anything different same holes as last year.

Why you miss Hartnell that much? I'm not sure Hartnell's ability to skate is that much superior to Vinny's at this point. If you believe Coots, B. Schenn, and Raffl can't improve on their numbers with another year of experience and some more offensive responsibilities, I can see the concern.
- ravishingone

Maybe switch Raffl and Umberger.
- Deasr1

That lineup anyway you shake it is so underwhelming to me...maybe its just me

To my limited knowledge, that makes no sense to me. I don't think you can just magically shave off years of a contract, even with the new eating salary ordeal.

Then, I noticed who wrote the article. Makes sense now.
- Giroux_Is_God

It's just Pannacio speak. He's not clear and that's why a lot of his readers get misled. What he means is that the Preds wanted the Flyers to retain a bunch of salary. And he's also wrong about the Flyers having no money to spend. He has never understood the cap since it came into existence in 2005.

I thought it was a percentage of the entire deal. I was under the impression that teams must pay the same percentage of the deal each season. They can't offer to pay all of his deal one year, then none for the next 3 years.
- PhillySportsGuy

That is correct to my knowledge.

- Deasr1

Just checking, making sure Hartnell wasn't mistaken for a 26 year old John LeClair this upcoming season.

We shall see what happens tomorrow. Hextall has really been left with a pile of poop in his lap.

The players I would like to see moved to acquire some cap space are VL and Grossmann. These players have basically zero value.
- PLindbergh31

Absolutely. Basement team with no talent. I wonder why Hextall even took the job?

Could be me but im wondering if Hexy has another deal in place to a team that will eat all of Vinny's contract but just waiting on Philly to pay the bonus. IMO if Nashiville is willing to pay for all of salay for two years do this year and next....Then offer to split it the rest of the way especially with cap going up and Pronger's deal up.

Could be me but im wondering if Hexy has another deal in place to a team that will eat all of Vinny's contract but just waiting on Philly to pay the bonus. IMO if Nashiville is willing to pay for all of salay for two years do this year and next....Then offer to split it the rest of the way especially with cap going up and Pronger's deal up.
- flyerfan28

My guess is Vinny or Spezza end up in NAshville....probably Vinny

My guess is Vinny or Spezza end up in NAshville....probably Vinny
- nonpoint22

That would be great

I actually think Vanek would flourish here. Frankly, I think he should of stayed in NY and play with Tavaras, but like you said there is this silly little thing called the salary cap....As far as relying on B Schenn and Coots to score more, this premise scares me simply because I dont see them as the type of players who are ever going to be a primary or secondary source of offense behind Giroux...Coots is a great shut down center who has higher scoring upside imho, B Schenn I dont see the hype with him, I look at him as a good, not great talent, which is why I wouldnt mind if he is dealt....Assuming were getting a good piece back
- nonpoint22

B Schenn scored 20 goals last season, he's already at the level of a secondary source of offense. And it was his first full NHL season.

I think Berube should move Schenn to LW. Here is a scenario with Vinny still on the team.

Schenn-G-Voracek
Umberger-Coots-Read
Raffl-Laughton-Simmonds
Alderson/Akeson-Vinny-Frenchie

You get to roll four lines and I'm not concerned with Simmonds being on a supposed third line because he does a lot of his damage on the first PP. They could still spot Vinny with favorable match-up and give the Coots line some more offensive zone starts with support from the Laughton line. Even if you want to change the lines around, there is still good depth even with Hartnell gone. Although I would like to move Vinny and insert Dominic Moore on the 4th line. He could take further pressure off Laughton.
- ravishingone

I'd switch Laughton and Lecavalier. Laughton is a better fit on the 4th line. And Lecavalier is a better fit with better wingers.

It's not even about that. He could be Peter forsberg for all I care. Its about humbling 20 year Olds and making them earn the call up by putting in the necessary hard work in the minor leagues. Make them prove to you they'll do what it takes at all levels for the organization
- Just5

A 20 year old can't earn making the team in training camp, and pre season. They should just send him down even if he looks like he's ready for the NHL, just to make him prove it? A lot of players have already earned it and proven they'll do what it takes just to get drafted and to make it that far.

B Schenn scored 20 goals last season, he's already at the level of a secondary source of offense. And it was his first full NHL season.
- MJL

I know he did, but when I watch him play, I just dont see him improving much more...I feel this is player he is...which again is a good player, but not the "drafted top 5 great all round talent" that I feel many felt he would eventually become when we acquired him from LA...Not saying I would push him out the door, if he plays another 10 years with the Flyers then I would be fine with it, but I just think he can acquire more then he will turn into...Just mho

A 20 year old can't earn making the team in training camp, and pre season. They should just send him down even if he looks like he's ready for the NHL, just to make him prove it? A lot of players have already earned it and proven they'll do what it takes just to get drafted and to make it that far.
- MJL

It's not enough.

Absolutely. Basement team with no talent. I wonder why Hextall even took the job?
- MJL

It looks good on his resume

Could be me but im wondering if Hexy has another deal in place to a team that will eat all of Vinny's contract but just waiting on Philly to pay the bonus. IMO if Nashiville is willing to pay for all of salay for two years do this year and next....Then offer to split it the rest of the way especially with cap going up and Pronger's deal up.
- flyerfan28

That would leave the Flyers with a Cap hit of $1,812,500 for Lecavalier for the next 4 seasons.

It's not enough.
- Just5

I would completely disagree. So send a player to the minors even if he is one of the best 12 forwards on the team, because it's not enough. Makes sense.

Dont get me started on either Panotch or Seravalli....I trust Ek's information more then either of those geniuses
- nonpoint22

That's fo sho

I know he did, but when I watch him play, I just dont see him improving much more...I feel this is player he is...which again is a good player, but not the "drafted top 5 great all round talent" that I feel many felt he would eventually become when we acquired him from LA...Not saying I would push him out the door, if he plays another 10 years with the Flyers then I would be fine with it, but I just think he can acquire more then he will turn into...Just mho
- nonpoint22

Like I said, last year was really his first full NHL season. And he did improve. He also hasn't been helped by being switched back and forth between center and wing. I think he's going to take some good steps this year, and break out a little. He's still very young. He's still only played 192 NHL regular season games. Which is a little over two seasons worth.

I would completely disagree. So send a player to the minors even if he is one of the best 12 forwards on the team, because it's not enough. Makes sense.
- MJL

Drouin>Crombeen, still didn't make Tampa. It's not just about being one of the best twelve forwards; it's about the player playing in an appropriate role to continue his development.

That would leave the Flyers with a Cap hit of $1,812,500 for Lecavalier for the next 4 seasons.
- MJL

Wonder how long it will take for Hextall to put his stamp on this team, where there are more of Hexy's guys then Holmgren's guys...Kinda like what Stevie Y is doing in Tampa by sending out alot of Lawton guys last night...thought just kinda popped into my head