I've been as big of a critic of Brayden Schenn as anyone and I think he's got plenty of skill.

What you wrote about "being in the right place at the right time" shouldn't be underestimated, because when BSchenn is going poorly, he's not anywhere, because he doesn't skate awfully well.

But right now, he's winning puck battles, finding open guys, and getting to the net. Those are the things that are going to make him successful. He can't try to do Brendan Gallagher things to be successful. He's not that kind of player.
- johndewar

...being the operative phrase. I only hope that he realizes that that type of play makes him successful and sticks to it. It's easy to critique from the living room sofa, but sometimes watching the kid just makes me wanna lace up my skates and try out for the Flyers. I guess i'm hard on him because I had high expectations being the 5th overall. We'll see how he does in the next couple of weeks and I would like to revisit this convo and either brag that I was right or eat crow.

Simmonds-Giroux-Voracek
BSchenn-Couturier-Read
Raffl-Lecavalier-Umberger/Akeson
Rinaldo-Bellemare-Umberger/Akeson
- Feanor

Simmonds-Giroux-Voracek
BSchenn-Couturier-Read
Raffl-Lecavalier-Bellamare
Rinaldo-Umberger-Akeson


I do this.

1 or 2 of those guys probably won't, or can't, be resigned. Voracek will easily be getting 7+. Couturier and B. Schenn close to 4 each. Coburn on the open market would get $6+. There's just not enough space even with a lot of ELC's on the team. Even with buyouts of Umberger and Lecavalier, the Flyers would only get an extra $5 mil maybe plus tack on dead space for many seasons later.

If Hextall is smart, he plans this year for that offseason. If he isn't going to resign Coburn, now is when is value is at the highest.
- psuhockey

It's difficult to project that far out, but I think they'll have enough. The team will also benefit from having young defenseman and forwards on ELCs or their first bridge deal.

Did we talk about this yet?

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...ext-season-154942492.html
- Tomahawk

Just another annual cap panic article.

I personally believe that getting rid of VL will have a positive domino effect on everybody at ES, including Umby. Here's hoping some GM is stupid enough to trade for him in summer 2015.
- Tomahawk

Simmonds-Giroux-Voracek
BSchenn-Couturier-Read
Raffl-Lecavalier-Umberger/Akeson
Rinaldo-Bellemare-Umberger/Akeson
- Feanor

L3: Raffl/Bellemare/Akeson
L4. Rinaldo/Vinny/Umberger

That's good, too.

Somewhat. They're going to need to find a way to shuffle some salary out or around.
- Jsaquella

Easiest way to make space for next season in the forwards is buy out Umberger and bring up Laughton. That's a net saving of $2 million.

R.J. Umberger buyout from CapGeek.com

2015-16: $1,600,000
2016-17: $1,600,000
2017-18: $1,500,000
2018-19: $1,500,000

Trading Grossmann or LSchenn and replacing them with Morin or Hagg will save $2.5 million.

Simmonds-Giroux-Voracek
BSchenn-Couturier-Read
Raffl-Lecavalier-Umberger/Akeson
Rinaldo-Bellemare-Umberger/Akeson
- Feanor

I'd like to see Raffl/Lecavalier/Bellemare when Raffl is back.

Did we talk about this yet?

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...ext-season-154942492.html
- Tomahawk

don't you know that the cap rises every year, salaries go up, and all seemingly overpriced contracts turn into cheap deals?!!!

That's good, too.



Easiest way to make space for next season in the forwards is buy out Umberger and bring up Laughton. That's a net saving of $2 million.

R.J. Umberger buyout from CapGeek.com

2015-16: $1,600,000
2016-17: $1,600,000
2017-18: $1,500,000
2018-19: $1,500,000

Trading Grossmann or LSchenn and replacing them with Morin or Hagg will save $2.5 million.
- Feanor

And with the cap not going up, who would want to pay 3rd pairing level defensemen like Grossmann and L. Schenn $3.5 million dollars let alone trade for them?

Coburn at $6+ plus million against the cap for at least 5 years, taking him into his late 30's. He's going to be 31 at the end of his current contract and brooks Orpik just got $5.5 for 5 years at 34 years old so those numbers are conservative.
- psuhockey

Flyers would likely save a little money if they negotiate this summer for an extension. He might also consider a bit of a hometown discount. He's played virtually his entire career here.

He currently has a modified NTC, which he would probably want in his next deal as well. That would shave some money off the deal too.

I think a nice compromise can be met.

They will need a veteran top 2/3 Dman regardless. If they go the FA route, it will cost a lot anyway. Might as well sign the guy they know for less than open market value.

don't you know that the cap rises every year, salaries go up, and all seemingly overpriced contracts turn into cheap deals?!!!
- hammarby31

Magic!

don't you know that the cap rises every year, salaries go up, and all seemingly overpriced contracts turn into cheap deals?!!!
- hammarby31

With the exception of the cap being artificially lowered to 64.3M is has gone up every year. And salaries do in fact inflate every year. And as salaries inflate, other deals do in fact get comparitively cheaper. And a contract labeled as overpriced is subjective.

And with the cap not going up, who would want to pay 3rd pairing level defensemen like Grossmann and L. Schenn $3.5 million dollars let alone trade for them?
- psuhockey

Engelland got almost that much per season on a multi year deal. Not every team is close to the cap.

Magic!
- Tomahawk

the flyers will be able to make whatever deals they want to get the players they want. don't worry about it.

Engelland got almost that much per season on a multi year deal. Not every team is close to the cap.
- Feanor

And the cap is going to go up.

Flyers would likely save a little money if they negotiate this summer for an extension. He might also consider a bit of a hometown discount. He's played virtually his entire career here.
- PhillySportsGuy

Andy Greene gave a hometown discount in order to get a deal done a year in advance and came in at 5 x 5. Maybe Coburn will too.

Just another annual cap panic article.
- MJL

I don't remember panic about the cap not rising under the previous CBA. This years cap number under this CBA was lower than anyone anticipated. So based on recent track record and the crappy Canadian currency, maybe there's something to it?

With the exception of the cap being artificially lowered to 64.3M is has gone up every year. And salaries do in fact inflate every year. And as salaries inflate, other deals do in fact comparitively get cheaper. And a contract labeled as overpriced is subjective.
- MJL

The big increases in the cap also coincided with new television contracts and the rise of the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar. The Canadian dollar is now shrinking and their are no new tv contracts on the horizon. I think the ceiling will still go up a bit but nothing huge enough to help the Flyers situation.

Andy Greene gave a hometown discount in order to get a deal done a year in advance and came in at 5 x 5. Maybe Coburn will too.
- Feanor

I would be fine with that deal. He's a great skater. I think he'll age well. Like a fine wine.

the flyers will be able to make whatever deals they want to get the players they want. don't worry about it.
- hammarby31

Lost $2M per team this past summer... can't imagine what current gas prices and fewer outdoor games is going to do to the cap this coming summer.

I don't remember panic about the cap not rising under the previous CBA. This years cap number under this CBA was lower than anyone anticipated. So based on recent track record and the crappy Canadian currency, maybe there's something to it?
- Just5

Doubt it. It may not rise as much as some of the early prognostications, but it is going to rise.

Lost $2M per team this past summer... can't imagine what current gas prices and fewer outdoor games is going to do to the cap this coming summer.
- Tomahawk

Lower gas prices will make the cap go down?

I would be fine with that deal. He's a great skater. I think he'll age well. Like a fine wine.
- PhillySportsGuy

Love Coburn, but I don't think they can reasonably absorb another long-term contract on D. For better or worse, AMac's their horse now for the next handful of years.