Yes and no. Unnecessary mass also can impact that. I see Vinny as the perfect example. Given his age, height and frame...he would be better served to drop 10 pounds and that has nothing to do with having a bad BMI. When he was in his 20's he could pull it off....and the game was also slower then. Today...cut the mass and I bet we see a quicker Vinny.
- juiced

Vinny never struck me as particularly broad for a guy 6'4", but rather a leaner player. He lists anywhere from 208-215, which sounds about right for how he looks. Not easy to get under 200 when you're 6'4".

Forwards can only be delayed and their growth stunted by not letting them play in the national league upon being drafted
- wilsonecho91

Tell Claude.

What about Radel Fazleev? He's rushin'.
- mayorofangrytown

What you did there......I see it.

Forwards can only be delayed and their growth stunted by not letting them play in the national league upon being drafted
- wilsonecho91

So then we let them all play the NHL hockey, no?

He performed relatively well with Gus
- missingmike

Yeah, he did play well with Gustafsson. Unfortunately Berube buried Gus and it led to him jumping to Europe, rather than stay here.

every time I go to NHL.com, I'm anticipating seeing a photo of Vinny with some catchy headline about a trade.

every time I go to NHL.com, I'm anticipating seeing a photo of Vinny with some catchy headline about a trade.


- MrBigglesworth

That's like opening your wallet and expecting to find a wad of cash...ain't goan happen

That's like opening your wallet and expecting to find a wad of cash...ain't goan happen
- Jsaquella

I actually have a wad of cash in my wallet right now. When I go out to eat with friends, I usually grab the cash and pay everything on my card to get the FF miles.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Another Lecavalier Trade Route Closes
- bmeltzer

I'm one of the few (If not the only) who feels Berube made LeCavalier look worse as a player then LeCavalier actually is. I actually don't believe Berube tried all he could to fit LeCavalier into the line up. Whether it was deserved or undeserved I feel Berube put certain players ahead of LeCavalier.

Prior to the November 30th Game against Nashville, I felt the team was playing some strong hockey. Giroux had found some consistency in his game. LeCavalier was playing center while Schenn was on the wing. It seemed like the team had found it's balanced. Of course however, we all found out LeCavalier would sit for an extended period of time after scoring in the shootout against the Predators.

When LeCavalier returned on November 21st to replace Steve Downie, that's exactly where LeCavalier was placed. Right Wing, out of position, next to two unfamiliar line mates in a more defensive role. I never liked it. It just seemed to me Berube always waited for injuries to make line up changes, rather then to go with what worked. Even when Berube decided to reunite LeCavalier, Schenn and Simmonds, Schenn was playing center for so long, our coach refused to put LeCavalier back there. A proven scorer who's only ever played center his entire career.

During November is when I felt the team looked it's best and for whatever, November was put behind us and we never looked back. LeCavalier never saw first unit PP time, which both him and the player could only benefit from. There is no question Vinny has his shortcomings but it's not like it's nothing we've never seen before. We know he's not strong defensively and with all tools at our disposal, I never really saw a problem with sheltering him from defensive situations.

Even now it isn't LeCavalier who's going to force Schenn to the wing. Laughton is gonna do it. The need for Couturier to move up to the second line is going to do it. Schenn was seeing time on the left side even when Briere was here. I think the club is fighting a losing battle by trying to get Brayden Schenn to center. Some even feel it hurts Schenn's development by flip flopping him between both positions. It never really hurt Giroux. Giroux flip flopped from RW to C early in his career. The team settled to have Giroux play center because that's where Giroux was most productive offensively as a decent two way player. Schenn really isn't that strong defensively.

If it wasn't for the injuries I'd be looking to keep Grossmann over Luke.

I think he is better in his role, a limited role that both players share.

Luke will probably end up pricing himself out of Philly imo. He makes 3.6 at this point already.
- flyer_nutter

3.6M is chump change for a good defenseman.

Yeah, he did play well with Gustafsson. Unfortunately Berube buried Gus and it led to him jumping to Europe, rather than stay here.
- Jsaquella

Definitely a situation that rubs me the wrong way. Heading into last season, I wasn't even sure if Meszaros was physically capable of making the team. He certainly proved me wrong which only hurt Gustafsson. Erik Gustafsson should have been apart of this current youth movement and would have been a nice bridge gap between the old and the new. Unfortunately, who could blame Gus for jumping ship?

If it wasn't for the injuries I'd be looking to keep Grossmann over Luke.

I think he is better in his role, a limited role that both players share.

Luke will probably end up pricing himself out of Philly imo. He makes 3.6 at this point already.
- flyer_nutter

I think far too much is made of Grossmann's injury history. Some even consider him old, when the guy is 29. He looks old, but he's really not that old, if at all. He played 78 games last season. He doesn't miss an annoying amount of time. He wasn't 100% last season but most of the time missed last season was due to rest or the flu.

However, I'd keep Luke over Grossmann if I had to choose.

Definitely a situation that rubs me the wrong way. Heading into last season, I wasn't even sure if Meszaros was physically capable of making the team. He certainly proved me wrong which only hurt Gustafsson. Erik Gustafsson should have been apart of this current youth movement and would have been a nice bridge gap between the old and the new. Unfortunately, who could blame Gus for jumping ship?
- SuperSchennBros

I don't believe that Gustafsson is this player, that just never got a chance. He's a decent player, but really what he is, is an offensive puck mover finesse defenseman, that doesn't excel in that area. And he lacks the size and physical ability to be a solid defender overall. He definitely shown some glimpses and had some good games, but he's a tweener. Maybe when he gets some more experience, he can carve out a niche for himself. But he's really just an average player that was good at really nothing. Not good enough offensively, and not good enough defensively. Just floating around in the middle somewhere.

I don't believe that Gustafsson is this player, that just never got a chance. He's a decent player, but really what he is, is an offensive puck mover finesse defenseman, that doesn't excel in that area. And he lacks the size and physical ability to be a solid defender overall. He definitely shown some glimpses and had some good games, but he's a tweener. Maybe when he gets some more experience, he can carve out a niche for himself. But he's really just an average player that was good at really nothing. Not good enough offensively, and not good enough defensively. Just floating around in the middle somewhere.
- MJL

This is why I call Gustafsson a bridge gap player. I feel he could have easily have been a regular on the third pair. Messzaros definitely wasn't much competition.

I dont know much about Mark Alt but I am going to have to assume he isnt ready to replace Schenn. I think Schenn is getting better too. Have to remember that he is still young and defenders take time to round into form.
- GOA88

Schenn is just two years older then Alt. But has already played 6 NHL seasons, and over 400 NHL games.

Definitely a situation that rubs me the wrong way. Heading into last season, I wasn't even sure if Meszaros was physically capable of making the team. He certainly proved me wrong which only hurt Gustafsson. Erik Gustafsson should have been apart of this current youth movement and would have been a nice bridge gap between the old and the new. Unfortunately, who could blame Gus for jumping ship?
- SuperSchennBros

Gus had chances and he jut never excelled at anything in particular. He needed to control the puck and move it out of the zone to offset his lack of effectiveness along the boards. He didn't do that enough. Last year was a mess for him and I feel for him as a player but there isn't a place for him now nor is there going to be down the line with the Flyers. He did the right thing for himself. Maybe time in the KHL will be good for him.

So then we let them all play the NHL hockey, no?
- mayorofangrytown

yes - expansion.

This is why I call Gustafsson a bridge gap player. I feel he could have easily have been a regular on the third pair. Messzaros definitely wasn't much competition.
- SuperSchennBros

I don't think he stepped up and grabbed a regular spot. I wouldn't want him in the lineup over any of the current top 6.

Gus had chances and he jut never excelled at anything in particular. He needed to control the puck and move it out of the zone to offset his lack of effectiveness along the boards. He didn't do that enough. Last year was a mess for him and I feel for him as a player but there isn't a place for him now nor is there going to be down the line with the Flyers. He did the right thing for himself. Maybe time in the KHL will be good for him.
- mayorofangrytown

Agreed. More then anything he needs to play, and figure out what kind of player he is.

Gus had chances and he jut never excelled at anything in particular. He needed to control the puck and move it out of the zone to offset his lack of effectiveness along the boards. He didn't do that enough. Last year was a mess for him and I feel for him as a player but there isn't a place for him now nor is there going to be down the line with the Flyers. He did the right thing for himself. Maybe time in the KHL will be good for him.
- mayorofangrytown

the defenseman version of Niittymaki.

yes - expansion.
- wilsonecho91

Much expansion. Chester has a stadium, just needs a rink. Outdoor games make piles of cash.

every time I go to NHL.com, I'm anticipating seeing a photo of Vinny with some catchy headline about a trade.


- MrBigglesworth

Vincent Price:
Flyers trade Lecavalier and retain 50% of cap hit

Gus had chances and he jut never excelled at anything in particular. He needed to control the puck and move it out of the zone to offset his lack of effectiveness along the boards. He didn't do that enough. Last year was a mess for him and I feel for him as a player but there isn't a place for him now nor is there going to be down the line with the Flyers. He did the right thing for himself. Maybe time in the KHL will be good for him.
- mayorofangrytown

Gus never played anymore then 31 games during a season his entire career with the Flyers. We all know it was either he filled in due to injury and back to the press box if he had a bad game or the coaching staff found a better option. No consistent strong of games though.

Vincent Price:
Flyers trade Lecavalier and retain 50% of cap hit
- hereticpride

Much expansion. Chester has a stadium, just needs a rink. Outdoor games make piles of cash.


- mayorofangrytown

the Ice Union.