I read it.
- Crimsoninja

So did I -- I type a ton of stuff, who am I to not read a longer post?

I read it.
- Crimsoninja

Wonderful

im not saying the stadium would become barren. there are far too many zealots for that, and for that i salute the fanbase. not every team has that luxury. that being said, i dont think flyers ownership ever greenlights a total intentional suckfest like the sixers are doing.
- stayinthefnnet

The trouble is, it might be more barren than in past years of struggle. Tickets are expensive and people have less disposable cash. The cheapest ticket thru the team's site is $52. It's $20 to park. Another $8 for a beer. $5 for a dog. That's $85 before your ass hits the seat...and only if you are alone.

If you're taking your kid or wife, it's $125 before you walk in the door of the arena. I'm not jumping through hoops to drop that kind of coin on a wild card team.

I went last night with my kid. Tickets were free, I found a cheap lot on the other side of the Linc for $10, we grabbed food on our way into Philly for $15, and bought 2 sodas for $14.50. Had I paid for the tickets, it would be about $150...and we went bare bones. No souvenirs, outside the soda cups. Cheaper parking. Non arena food.

yeah. i dont know. i have no way of factually disagreeing, but from what ive seen about josi. i am sold.

but still, some other, 22 to 27 year old defender. obviously you wont get doughty or pietrangelo or something. but someone in that next tier.

you have giroux, voracek, simmonds, and coots. there is your core. everyone else can be subjected to being part of a package.
- stayinthefnnet

Basically, you only make the deal if you feel Josi is the difference between mediocrity and contention. I just don't think he is.

I would much rather look for a more polished defenseman and pay a premium

Edit: This is assuming Josi is going to cost a pick, prospect and player

I know they aren't going to tank to tank but it seems like they aren't doing anything to make this team better. It's like waiting for the dog to come into the picture after Moe pastes the salami on the tire.

This season, all they have to do is finish out of the playoffs to draft number 1.
- mayorofangrytown

I think they tried to make the team better, and couldn't do it this past summer for the right price.

Here's my mind set because you of all people deserve to hear it.
- mayorofangrytown

Thanks. I get it now. Carry on.

I think they tried to make the team better, and couldn't do it this past summer for the right price.
- Jsaquella

It's going to take another two years (this year and next) for this roster to be salary-cap friendly, sooner if a buyout is used, though that's robbing Peter to pay Paul

But the thing about that is if Voracek keeps it up -- and we all want him to do just that -- those young defensemen better be ready to go, because if they extend Voracek at the rate his play merits currently, they're looking at a $7 million winger

I think Hextall took over looking at things with a several year plan. First he wanted to build a successful AHL foundation, because he saw the benefits of it in LA and Chicago. He's going to be patient to a fault with the kids, because he obviously believes you can ruin a kid by playing him in the NHL too early.

I think the plan for the NHL team, this year is to be competitive without making any short term moves that damage the future. If there's a hole, he'll fill it with a UFA move or a cheap deal that sees him move a spare part for a cheap stop gap.

I think he's going to evaluate pieces this year and make more changes at the NHL level this summer. It's going to be a deliberate process.
- Jsaquella

I read it.
- Crimsoninja

Wonderful
- ob18

And for me, one thing stands out on this roster: I still think R.J. Umberger is a player who screams "buyout" this coming summer unless he has a damn good season

His contract is one that, according to CapGeek, is set up for a damn good benefit to the team

VLC's, on the other hand...yeah. You're damn near better off keeping VLC for pretty much the entire contract, tbh

And for me, one thing stands out on this roster: I still think R.J. Umberger is a player who screams "buyout" this coming summer unless he has a damn good season

His contract is one that, according to CapGeek, is set up for a damn good benefit to the team

VLC's, on the other hand...yeah. You're damn near better off keeping VLC for pretty much the entire contract, tbh
- AllInForFlyers

My guess is Flyers hang onto RJ even through next year, even if they have to waive him to play for the Phantoms. His buyout is much better if they do it summer of 2016 if I'm doing it right on capgeek. His cap hit would stay either way correct? I dont think the Flyers will be up against the cap next year like they are right now, I expect another quiet summer

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...s-for-social-media-abuse/

I don't disagree with any of this.

If we're going to suck, let's suck and win the lottery but maybe give the kids a longer leash at least. Quit giving me these nothing guys on one yr contracts and pretending they're better for the team.

It's starting to feel like 1991 again.
- mayorofangrytown

They aren't trying to suck. They want to win and expect to be a playoff team this year. However, right or wrong, they aren't going to rush any of the young players to try and win. That's the whole point. That's why Laughton isn't up, why Gostisbehere isn't up, and might not be this year. Their philosophy whether there is proof that it's better or not, is that they aren't going to bring them up until they feel they are absolutely ready. And that's why they're signing player like Colaiacovo and Blair Jones. Because it just adds depth and buys them a little time.

Does anyone else find it frustrating that this organization was not going to let Manning be the 6th defenseman for 2-3 weeks but seem comfortable with the idea of VandeVelde as their 1st left wing for 6 weeks???

And for me, one thing stands out on this roster: I still think R.J. Umberger is a player who screams "buyout" this coming summer unless he has a damn good season

His contract is one that, according to CapGeek, is set up for a damn good benefit to the team

VLC's, on the other hand...yeah. You're damn near better off keeping VLC for pretty much the entire contract, tbh
- AllInForFlyers

I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to deal VLC this summer, after his bonus payment on July 1st.

I know they aren't going to tank to tank but it seems like they aren't doing anything to make this team better. It's like waiting for the dog to come into the picture after Moe pastes the salami on the tire.

This season, all they have to do is finish out of the playoffs to draft number 1.
- mayorofangrytown

I think they are. But they aren't going to sacrifice any of the youth to try and get better with a quick fix. Either in trading a young asset, or rushing a young player to the NHL.

My guess is Flyers hang onto RJ even through next year, even if they have to waive him to play for the Phantoms. His buyout is much better if they do it summer of 2016 if I'm doing it right on capgeek. His cap hit would stay either way correct? I dont think the Flyers will be up against the cap next year like they are right now, I expect another quiet summer
- Just5

There's even more of a benefit, true, if he were to be bought out in 2016, by shortening the number of years where he'd be on the cap to two from four

The cap savings would be $3 million for either one or two years, depending on when they do it

Forwards come faster than defensemen, though -- theoretically, a good-enough forward should be able to crack an NHL roster and be an impactful player in around three years. Highly skilled guys do it in two or one

Assuming they finish in the mid-to-high teens, whether they are in or out of the playoffs, they could/should be able to draft a forward who could help them in two, three years, depending on the type of guy they go for and his frame/body
- AllInForFlyers

That's right, and the Flyers have shown a strong ability to draft forwards. They could be a playoff team and still get a really good player with their first round pick.

I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to deal VLC this summer, after his bonus payment on July 1st.
- Jsaquella

I'm all for it. Absolutely. But man, I still think that moving that contract is one of the heaviest lifts in hockey -- but if they find a way to do it, God bless them. It would really help for overall roster flexibility

It's going to take another two years (this year and next) for this roster to be salary-cap friendly, sooner if a buyout is used, though that's robbing Peter to pay Paul

But the thing about that is if Voracek keeps it up -- and we all want him to do just that -- those young defensemen better be ready to go, because if they extend Voracek at the rate his play merits currently, they're looking at a $7 million winger
- AllInForFlyers

I don't think the Flyers roster is ever going to be salary cap friendly to the level that some fans want it to be. The Flyers are always going to be a team that is around the Upper Limit. There are always ways to create room and maneuver around the cap. The Flyers always having cap issues is overblown in my opinion.

I'm all for it. Absolutely. But man, I still think that moving that contract is one of the heaviest lifts in hockey -- but if they find a way to do it, God bless them. It would really help for overall roster flexibility
- AllInForFlyers

If they need to eat a tiny bit of cap room on the deal I say so be it. One step backward. Two steps forward. Get the guys in roles you want them to be in and free up a bit of cap room and a roster spot in the process.

I'm all for it. Absolutely. But man, I still think that moving that contract is one of the heaviest lifts in hockey -- but if they find a way to do it, God bless them. It would really help for overall roster flexibility
- AllInForFlyers

It'd be awesome. After the next payout, it's $8mm over 3 years for salary, which isn't too bad. If the Flyers can eat a bit of that it might be doable.

I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to deal VLC this summer, after his bonus payment on July 1st.
- Jsaquella

Depends on his year. If Berube continues to play Lecavalier and Umberger together on a line, neither one of them are going to be moveable.

It'd be awesome. After the next payout, it's $8mm over 3 years for salary, which isn't too bad. If the Flyers can eat a bit of that it might be doable.
- Jsaquella

There should be plenty of teams with ample cap room to absorb it. Lecavalier does have to prove that there is something left in the tank. That's the hardest part about it.