I'm not gonna go as far to saying that Gagne will never play in this league again. He might not play for the Flyers again but I wouldn't count him out in playing in this league. I'd say if he isn't offered a try-out as many players do, I'd say his chances drop dramatically. There are many examples of players who've sat out a year and then came back strong. Eric Lindros comes to mind. His first season with the Rangers comes to mind. It wasn't one of his better seasons but still pretty good. During the lockout of 04-05, sitting out a year actually did Teemu Selanne a huge favour for his career.

Saying never had interest from teams isn't true. He told his agent to not accept offers from teams because he was sure he was re-signing with us.
- SuperSchennBros

I'm not saying that Gagne is never going to pay again. How old was Lindros when he sat out that season?

I hope you get an inexperienced coach, a disinterested GM who wants more out of the two guys on the team driving the train and a meddlesome team president who scared off good candidates with interfering...oh, wait



- Jsaquella

In all fairness, I think Crosby and Malkin need to make more of a commitment to grinding out games in the playoffs. They seem to enjoy the freelance, back and forth hockey, but aren't willing to go behind their own net and help defensively.

flyers make the playoffs. book it.
- moylander

I hope so and will cheer for it!

I hope you get an inexperienced coach, a disinterested GM who wants more out of the two guys on the team driving the train and a meddlesome team president who scared off good candidates with interfering...oh, wait



- Jsaquella

JR is (frank)ing god awful, and honestly unnecessary as an entity. (at least in a professional sense to the organization. he may have family and be a swell guy, if so, good for him.)

but, all things considered, i am at least cautiously optimistic about johnston.

In all fairness, I think Crosby and Malkin need to make more of a commitment to grinding out games in the playoffs. They seem to enjoy the freelance, back and forth hockey, but aren't willing to go behind their own net and help defensively.
- PhillySportsGuy

well, lets see what tock has to say about that

In all fairness, I think Crosby and Malkin need to make more of a commitment to grinding out games in the playoffs. They seem to enjoy the freelance, back and forth hockey, but aren't willing to go behind their own net and help defensively.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's fair, but when you say they need to make their linemates better...that's rubbish

In all fairness, I think Crosby and Malkin need to make more of a commitment to grinding out games in the playoffs. They seem to enjoy the freelance, back and forth hockey, but aren't willing to go behind their own net and help defensively.
- PhillySportsGuy

When Pittsburgh won, and made playoff runs. They were a good team defensively. When they play river hockey, they tend to get knocked out of the playoffs.

JR is (frank)ing god awful, and honestly unnecessary as an entity. (at least in a professional sense to the organization. he may have family and be a swell guy, if so, good for him.)

but, all things considered, i am at least cautiously optimistic about johnston.
- stayinthefnnet

He's an experienced guy. He's been a NHL assistant for awhile, before going to Portland.

well, lets see what tock has to say about that
- stayinthefnnet

rumors are jossi will get over $4 million /yr.

I wasn't saying you wanted to sign Gagne as much as I was saying that I would look into signing Gagne. Also, I would not be suprised if we took a step back this year.
- aflyerpower8

Could not agree more.

honestly though man, i really think thats in both of the teams best respective interests.

the flyers arent going to be able to sign the defender they need to a deal that ultimately helps the team. its gonna have to either be one grows from within eventually, or assets are moved to acquire one via trade. i still think the latter is the best course of action, but its still largely independent of FA signings.

and for the pens, i know nisk is a goner. he has to be. but hopefully so is orpik. id like jussi resigned, but im sure he will get more than the pens can give as well. give me kulemin signed and goc re upped for a combined 5 and change, and i am good to go.
- stayinthefnnet

Usually, when guys reach this point of FA, they're as good as gone. Agents have been speaking with other GMs for months. They have a general idea of what their guys will get on the open market.

I would be more aggressive this year in free agency if they had the money. Flyers busted their nut on guys like VL, Amac and Streit over the last calendar year. I would have looked for a cheaper option on defense last season and saved. A guy like Ehrhoff is a very good player. He'd be the ideal replacement for Kimmo and would help bridge the gap to the younger guys.

I'm not saying that Gagne is never going to pay again. How old was Lindros when he sat out that season?
- MJL

How old was Selanne after the 04-05 lockout?

I don't want to debate with you because we're not really disagreeing here. I have to admit, I do miss him though.

rumors are jossi will get over $4 million /yr.
- ravishingone

jussi? yeah wouldnt surprise me at all. he is a veersatile player. malkin helps anyones stats. he also had a strong postseason, which usually gets someone pushing an extra mil. combine all that with a crappy market again, and i can totally see it. i just hope its someone else.

like i said. give me kulemin for a reasonable rate.

That's fair, but when you say they need to make their linemates better...that's rubbish
- Jsaquella

I know. I think theres enough blame to go around. One thing I learned in sports is that it's never all your fault and it's never all their fault.

Same goes for the Flyers woes.

When Pittsburgh won, and made playoff runs. They were a good team defensively. When they play river hockey, they tend to get knocked out of the playoffs.
- MJL

Yeah. I think they get away with a lot in the regular season they can't get away with in the playoffs.

Usually, when guys reach this point of FA, they're as good as gone. Agents have been speaking with other GMs for months. They have a general idea of what their guys will get on the open market.

I would be more aggressive this year in free agency if they had the money. Flyers busted their nut on guys like VL, Amac and Streit over the last calendar year. I would have looked for a cheaper option on defense last season and saved. A guy like Ehrhoff is a very good player. He'd be the ideal replacement for Kimmo and would help bridge the gap to the younger guys.
- PhillySportsGuy

there really arent a lot of guys out there that i would even want to go bananas over. erhoff is very tempting. but it was far from a sure thing to be expecting him to become available.

overall, in my opinion at least, there is an awful lot of underwhelming crap out there. especially at the so called top.

Yeah. I think they get away with a lot in the regular season they can't get away with in the playoffs.
- PhillySportsGuy

ill say this though. obviously the series against the flyers was an abortion. i get it and their (frank) it attitude cost them, and deservedly so. but look at the last two series they got knocked out by.

the lack of goal scoring, for a team loaded with so many weapons, against boston and NYR was ultimately their undoing.

they just need to find a mental toughness and devotion to balanced hockey. granted, a much easier sentence to type that commit to practice.

The calm before the storm. I can't wait for tomorrow when we all go "HE GOT WHAAAAAAAAAT?" for every signing
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm guessing someone gives Niskanen at least 7 years, 45+million and Erhoff gets 6 years and at least 37.5 million

tonight at midnight they'll announce the trade
- mydoglicks

proof?

there really arent a lot of guys out there that i would even want to go bananas over. erhoff is very tempting. but it was far from a sure thing to be expecting him to become available.

overall, in my opinion at least, there is an awful lot of underwhelming crap out there. especially at the so called top.
- stayinthefnnet

I wouldn't be interested in any of the top 6 forwards. I would poke around Niskanen though.

ill say this though. obviously the series against the flyers was an abortion. i get it and their (frank) it attitude cost them, and deservedly so. but look at the last two series they got knocked out by.

the lack of goal scoring, for a team loaded with so many weapons, against boston and NYR was ultimately their undoing.

they just need to find a mental toughness and devotion to balanced hockey. granted, a much easier sentence to type that commit to practice.
- stayinthefnnet

The problem with the Rangers is that you have to beat them 2-1 every game. The Flyers and Penguins just don't have the two-way ability and depth to keep the game low scoring. Both teams want to trade chances.

I'm guessing someone gives Niskanen at least 7 years, 45+million and Erhoff gets 6 years and at least 37.5 million
- BiggE

Josh Gorges ?
Another 4 year long contract at about 4 mill per year ?
WHY ?
Or is it just Ek E2 dribble

I wouldn't be interested in any of the top 6 forwards. I would poke around Niskanen though.
- PhillySportsGuy

true. but his deal is realistically going to be about a mil or so less than letangs. i like him, just as you do. i think we see a lot of similar things to value in his game. but for that price, i dont know.

maybe a team like COL. in which it would pay a bit to overpay in order to fill an area that they REALLY need to take that next step.

come to think of it, the flyers as well

The problem with the Rangers is that you have to beat them 2-1 every game. The Flyers and Penguins just don't have the two-way ability and depth to keep the game low scoring. Both teams want to trade chances.
- PhillySportsGuy

This