That's the rub. People are just putting out alternatives to a buyout or eating too much salary. Not a cup team. if you can't get fair trade, figure it out and move forward with him in the lineup. No more patch and try to win.
- jstross

Honestly, I think he obstructs the team moving forward. He's taking ice from a kid like Schenn or Couturier or Laughton. Obviously there's a line in the sand where you say "We can't eat that much salary" or "We can't include that high a pick just to be rid of him", but if they can get rid of him without eating too much, it's better to cut the cord, IMO

I wonder if Hexy would have interest in D. Morris to add blueline depth. Personally, I'm not a fan, but he does offer the abiity to get the puck out of the defensive zone.

Per moorese7en of Reddit, your remaining major FAs:

Centers
Mikhail Grabovski - 2nd line center, can play wing
Steve Ott - 3rd line center, can play wing
Olli Jokinen - 3rd line center
David Legwand - 3rd line center, could be a 2nd line center if your team lacks
Derek Roy - could be a 2nd line center, but he's regressed a lot
Mike Ribeiro - off-the-ice trouble, but good offensively...not so much defensively
Michal Handzus - 4th line center, reliable
Adam Hall - great FO, gritty, 4th liner
Andrei Loktionov - no qualifying from CAR, might go to Russia
Mike Santorelli - decent 3rd liner, got hurt early last year
Ryan White - good 4th line center
Wingers
Dany Heatley - 1st line (frank)in' all star
Ville Leino - lol, jk
David Booth - probably a 3rd liner at best, worth the risk at the right price
Dustin Penner - 3rd line power forward
Daniel Winnik - decent 3rd/4th liner
T.J. Galiardi - 3rd liner, meh
Dan Alfredsson - most likely DET or retire
Radim Vrbata - probably the top FA remaining
Nikolai Kulemin - good forward, probably a 3rd liner unless with Malkin
Lee Stempniak - journeyman, probably 3rd liner
Defense
Joni Pitkanen - is he even healthy?
Sami Salo - most likely to retire
Nick Schultz - 3rd pairing at best
Derek Morris - aging defenseman
Michael Del Zotto - can't seem to develop
Jamie McBain - 3rd pairing at best
Goalies
Martin Brodeur - just wants to play hockey, decent backup
Tim Thomas - same as Marty
Ilya Bryzgalov - rumoured to be signing with NASA to go to the moon
Tomas Vokoun - if healthy, a good backup...I'd like him to play it safe and retire

There are some forwards on this list that I would like the Flyers to explore. Judging by some of the contracts today, along with Philly being a desirable market, I could definitely see us getting one of those forwards at a very respectable cap hit and term. I'd pursue Kulemin, Vrbata, and Booth especially. Get one of those guys at 2-2.5m and Hexy will have made a great signing. Any more than that and you would hope Hexy would move on, assuming he's even contacted or will contact these guys.
- JAKEw1234

still some nice depth forwards out there for sure.

the defense. a graveyard. and thats why they get the deals that they do

Yep, and yet people suggested he took a below market contract.
- jstross

Guys on TSN were in agreement that it was a very steep price to pay.

The only reason the $ seems small to us is because we've been letting our imaginations run wild with thoughts of $7M+/per for him and others.

still some nice depth forwards out there for sure.

the defense. a graveyard. and thats why they get the deals that they do
- stayinthefnnet

Flyers could easily move Grossmann or MacDonald or Vinny

Flyers could easily move Grossmann or MacDonald or Vinny
- Winning

i dont know if he has any sort of movement clause. i dont believe so. but if not, i still think that regardless of the bickering about his contract, Amac could be moved rather easily. Actually fetch assets back too as opposed to just a dump.

grossmann, meh yeah i still think he could be moved but wouldnt expect much.

vinny. i dont know if easy is the right word.

Honestly, I think he obstructs the team moving forward. He's taking ice from a kid like Schenn or Couturier or Laughton. Obviously there's a line in the sand where you say "We can't eat that much salary" or "We can't include that high a pick just to be rid of him", but if they can get rid of him without eating too much, it's better to cut the cord, IMO
- Jsaquella

I disagree. Just ride it out. There's no problem with the current roster getting Schenn and Couts time or Laughton for that matter if it's the decision to bring him up. This team isn't winning a cup, I've been saying it for several years. VL has another $2 mil bonus next July 1. He has a good year, $7.5 over 3 in actual salary is gold. Trade high, buy low.

Whoa wait, Pouliot got $20 million over 5 years from Craig MacT. I think I like the idea of the Flyers being cap strapped. I can live with Art Ross Akeson or Alderson getting a shot out of camp then paying some of these average wingers ridiculous money. I thought maybe Pouliot might get $2.5 million/yr. Wow, was I wrong.

Guys on TSN were in agreement that it was a very steep price to pay.

The only reason the $ seems small to us is because we've been letting our imaginations run wild with thoughts of $7M+/per for him and others.
- Tomahawk

Yep. I'm no hockey expert, but I pay attention to those I believe are. He's no guarantee to repeat his recent success. So to lock in to 7 years, IMO, is insane and an overpay.

i can't wait to see our team in about 3-4 years.

I disagree. Just ride it out. There's no problem with the current roster getting Schenn and Couts time or Laughton for that matter if it's the decision to bring him up. This team isn't winning a cup, I've been saying it for several years. VL has another $2 mil bonus next July 1. He has a good year, $7.5 over 3 in actual salary is gold. Trade high, buy low.
- jstross

And if he doesn't have a good year and is completely untradeable? Then you get to buy him out and carry dead space for 6 years. After this bonus he's got an annual average salary of $3.62mm. Flyers eat $1mm per year and it's ideal for a budget team looking for help

i can't wait to see our team in about 3-4 years.
- hammarby31

until then?

still some nice depth forwards out there for sure.

the defense. a graveyard. and thats why they get the deals that they do
- stayinthefnnet

Ya that defense is rough. Jamie McBain is tempting, but only for a very small hit, even if it is long term.

i dont know if he has any sort of movement clause. i dont believe so. but if not, i still think that regardless of the bickering about his contract, Amac could be moved rather easily. Actually fetch assets back too as opposed to just a dump.

grossmann, meh yeah i still think he could be moved but wouldnt expect much.

vinny. i dont know if easy is the right word.
- stayinthefnnet

Man in charge doesn't seem to think it's going to be easy:



How easy is it going to be to clear some cap space?

"It’s not going to be easy. I think a lot of people filled up today and that’s always what happens July 1. It’s not going to be easy. We’ll continue to chip away and work away, and we’ll find a way.

i can't wait to see our team in about 3-4 years.
- hammarby31

Hextall is showing a lot of promise in the direction he's taking us. Hopefully he stays disciplined with it. He had a strong draft, trimmed some cap fat, and weathered the initial free agency temptation storm. If he keeps it up, we'll be a super strong organization in a matter of a few years.

until then?
- stayinthefnnet

i'll just hope for continued development and growth until it's our time to become a dynasty. i've been waiting 34 years for a (frank)ing stanley cup. another 3 or 4 isn't going to make any difference.

And if he doesn't have a good year and is completely untradeable? Then you get to buy him out and carry dead space for 6 years. After this bonus he's got an annual average salary of $3.62mm. Flyers eat $1mm per year and it's ideal for a budget team looking for help
- Jsaquella

He couldn't possibly be any worse than he was this year, right?

Keeping him isn't ideal, but after his next $2M bonus is paid out, the market for him should expand by a good bit.

Man in charge doesn't seem to think it's going to be easy:



How easy is it going to be to clear some cap space?

"It’s not going to be easy. I think a lot of people filled up today and that’s always what happens July 1. It’s not going to be easy. We’ll continue to chip away and work away, and we’ll find a way.
- Tomahawk

Nashville didn't get any of the major FAs. Vinny for cheap isn't a terrible idea for them.

And if he doesn't have a good year and is completely untradeable? Then you get to buy him out and carry dead space for 6 years. After this bonus he's got an annual average salary of $3.62mm. Flyers eat $1mm per year and it's ideal for a budget team looking for help
- Jsaquella

I see your point, but Hextal has to establish himself in trade negotiations. He blinks too early on VL then sharks are in the water. I am OK at this point with what's happening, albeit with no clue with what's going on outside the public view.

Hextall is showing a lot of promise in the direction he's taking us. Hopefully he stays disciplined with it. He had a strong draft, trimmed some cap fat, and weathered the initial free agency temptation storm. If he keeps it up, we'll be a super strong organization in a matter of a few years.
- JAKEw1234

i like what he's doing so far. i'm most excited about our d prospects and watching mason continue to get better. if we could just find another dman and winger along the way, it would help...but we've got some unknown quantities in akeson, laughton, bellamare, and even raffl, plus we have schenn. thats a lot of youth, and a lot of potential.

He couldn't possibly be worse than he was this year, right?

Keeping him isn't ideal, but after his next $2M bonus is paid out, the market for him should expand by a good bit.
- Tomahawk

+1

Nashville didn't get any of the major FAs. Vinny for cheap isn't a terrible idea for them.
- JAKEw1234

Didn't Timmay already say they weren't interested?

Seems like Ottawa or bust at this moment.

i'll just hope for continued development and growth until it's our time to become a dynasty. i've been waiting 34 years for a (frank)ing stanley cup. another 3 or 4 isn't going to make any difference.
- hammarby31

dynasty, huh?

cut that out.

i can't wait to see our team in about 3-4 years.
- hammarby31

John Stevens Head Coach

I still believe Vinny gets dealt. The market for a top 6 center has now stabilized with Spezza, Kesler, Statsny, and Richards off the board. Conceivably, Roy and Vinny are still left. I think the Preds, Yotes, and Leafs have a pretty decent need at center. Hexy is playing it smart, let this play out over the next couple of days.