eww, look at the big brain on nutter...
- wolfhounds

Look at you city folk.

I had a fender on my bike when I was 10.

Andreas Nodl and Mike Pyorala virtually played the same style as Michael Raffl. I'm not comparing Raffl to bad players. I'm comparing him to players who came here, did their part and disappeared.
- SuperSchennBros

I can see where there are similarities between Nodl and Raffl. Nodl never seemed to recover when he had a concussion. I agree that although Raffl looked good last year, he's not a guarantee as a player you can pencil in the lineup for however many seasons going forward. He could regress, he could get injured, etc.

Look at you city folk.

I had a fender on my bike when I was 10.
- flyer_nutter

Congrats.

Be safe.

I hear you but I also feel the organization has a pretty good idea of who this team's core is now and moving forward. There are just some players an organization is willing to continue working with through the good and the bad, while assuming a player might only be a role player because role players you can easily reach out and grab. Is Raffl a role player? In my opinion Dan Paille is a solid role player. He's even been lucky enough to be apart of a championship but I wouldn't say his spot is ever safe anywhere. I'm sure Boston wouldn't hesitate to move on from him if they had to and never skip a beat moving forward.
- SuperSchennBros

I like Raffl because he works hard and gets the job done, but no, if you had to pick 6 players to call the 'core', he wouldn't be among them. But as we all know, it's important - a requirement even? - to have solid 3rd and 4th line players who are affordable, can eat minutes, are solid defensively, and can chip in the odd goal from time to time. That's how I see Raffl. And he's good on the PK. And, just maybe, he'll exceed expectations this coming season as he did the last, which would be a sweet bonus.

Do you guys want E Kane. On the Jets post they are asking for trade possibilities

I proposed

To Jets: The Schenns and Umberger

To Flyers: Kane and Buf



I know Buf may not be the " physically fit" player Chief is looking for, but he can put up the numbers and provides a physical presence.

The Flyers could pencil Kane in on first unit, move 14 to 2nd line and VL to 3rd

The jets would get their" top 6 forward" they were looking for in return along with a solid 2 way player.

Flyers could look to trade for Hayes or sign Seto
- 3flyerkids

i don't think the Jets would do that trade

This is my clearly my opinion. But the point is, they made a move thinking it would satisfy a requirement. The requirement, at the time and which was clearly stated by Holmgren, is that they needed more offense and Downie was a player whom they felt could provide that offensive spark. At the time, comments were also made that he could play up and down the lineup, and was positioned as a 1st line winger with Giroux.

Because they considered the requirement fulfilled, they did not look to fulfill it with other options.

I'll give you an analogy. Downie was basically one of those Toyotas or Nissans that kids pimp up and try to race with. Yes, you can race them. And yes, they're street legal so you can still use them for every day use. At the time, the Flyers needed a real race car - a one-dimensional Ferrari. Still do.

Downie was a grinder with some offensive pop. They needed a true 1st (or even 2nd) line winger.
- TheGreat28

It's a wild assumption to state that the Flyers considered a perceived need of a true 1st or 2nd line winger as filled with the acquisition of Downie. They simply added a 3rd line level player with more offensive ability then Talbot had to tweak the lineup. Part of the reason why they made the Downie deal was because he was on an expiring contract.

I like Raffl because he works hard and gets the job done, but no, if you had to pick 6 players to call the 'core', he wouldn't be among them. But as we all know, it's important - a requirement even? - to have solid 3rd and 4th line players who are affordable, can eat minutes, are solid defensively, and can chip in the odd goal from time to time. That's how I see Raffl. And he's good on the PK. And, just maybe, he'll exceed expectations this coming season as he did the last, which would be a sweet bonus.
- wolfhounds

I hope that he does. I suppose apart of me wished he were a player who was drafted here with a late around pick and we were able to watch or receive updated of his development since he was 18. I'm not a fan of the over seas signings and then we just place them in the NHL the following year.

I think they would laugh at you for that proposal for Evander alone. We are female doges up here.
- flyer_nutter

It will be interesting to see what they get for Kane. I believe they need help at Centre which Schenn or Umberger could provide.

The Flyers have been rumoured to covet Buff... But that could have been Homer not Hexy.

I can see where there are similarities between Nodl and Raffl. Nodl never seemed to recover when he had a concussion. I agree that although Raffl looked good last year, he's not a guarantee as a player you can pencil in the lineup for however many seasons going forward. He could regress, he could get injured, etc.
- MJL

So far Raffl does seen fearless.

i don't think the Jets would do that trade
- BulliesPhan87

Do you think the Flyers would?

What else could the Jets ask for? It will be interesting to see what they get.

Anyone watching the prospects?

Power rankings, especially in the off season, are meaningless. But it is tough to argue that the Flyers have gotten better this offseason. They have pretty much stayed the same.
- bmeltzer

That is true Bill but it isn't like many Eastern teams got better as well. Flyers are at worst the same team and if Vinny does not get traded and plays better that makes the Flyers better not to mention a healthy Giroux to start the season

I actually think Bill gives the most realistic evaluation of a player - a combination of his potential plus probability to reach it. Laughton is a great example. Most prognosticators give the same evaluation of Laughton - 3rd line shut-down center as his upside. Some offensive pop, but defense first. Even Ian Laperriere gave the same assessment of Laughton last year.

Most fans here overvalue prospects. Ghost is a lock, Morin is the next Pronger, etc. I tend to side with Bill. There will always be the player who is an exception to the rule and way outperforms expectations. But there is a reason he's the exception and the rule is much more conservative.
- TheGreat28

He does but saying Laughton's UPSIDE is a third line checker is wrong in my opinion. That's more like his most likely scenario. He has the upside of a top 6 player

That is true Bill but it isn't like many Eastern teams got better as well. Flyers are at worst the same team and if Vinny does not get traded and plays better that makes the Flyers better not to mention a healthy Giroux to start the season
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

At best a playoff bubble team much like last year. The team's overrall health last year was outstanding which offset their poor start. Around 90 pts is what they are

So we really think VLC is moved before the season starts?
I'm not so optimistic. He feels like an albatross the Flyers won't be able to get rid of and other teams know that.

He does but saying Laughton's UPSIDE is a third line checker is wrong in my opinion. That's more like his most likely scenario. He has the upside of a top 6 player
- PhillySportsGuy

I would tend to agree. The high side of his development could see him develop a solid offensive game, to go with strong defensive checking.

http://wallstcheatsheet.c...able-nhl-franchises.html/

What? The flyers aren't on this list?

So we really think VLC is moved before the season starts?
I'm not so optimistic. He feels like an albatross the Flyers won't be able to get rid of and other teams know that.
- Pixote Andolini

I'm in your boat. The idea of Vinny being shipped without retaining a considerable amount is getting bleaker with each passing week. Best case, really, is that he still proves that he can be a PP scoring threat while being sheltered even strength, so maybe we can try to trade him for a bag of pucks to a desperate playoff team come deadline-time.

I'm in your boat. The idea of Vinny being shipped without retaining a considerable amount is getting bleaker with each passing week. Best case, really, is that he still proves that he can be a PP scoring threat while being sheltered even strength, so maybe we can try to trade him for a bag of pucks to a desperate playoff team come deadline-time.
- Litepow

I would say the best scenario is that he comes back healthy and strong, and returns to being the quality player that he's been his entire career.

I would say the best scenario is that he comes back healthy and strong, and returns to being the quality player that he's been his entire career.
- MJL

I think he still has gas left in the tank, we just need to find the right key to start him up

Do you think the Flyers would?

What else could the Jets ask for? It will be interesting to see what they get.
- 3flyerkids

Id consider Brayden and a pick for Kane straight up. I think getting other players involved just create more issues. Jets get a Center. We get a natural winger. Win win.

Id consider Brayden and a pick for Kane straight up. I think getting other players involved just create more issues. Jets get a Center. We get a natural winger. Win win.
- hereticpride

Coburn is a dman, but yet i'd do that trade straight up.

Any word on whether or not Umburger will wear number 20?

So we really think VLC is moved before the season starts?
I'm not so optimistic. He feels like an albatross the Flyers won't be able to get rid of and other teams know that.
- Pixote Andolini

Sorry if I'm just repeating myself but I think we should have left the way it was.

So we really think VLC is moved before the season starts?
I'm not so optimistic. He feels like an albatross the Flyers won't be able to get rid of and other teams know that.
- Pixote Andolini

vinny is not an albatross he still scored 20 goals with an injury plagued season jesus man