Way to miss the point, fisherman.

Obviously they will use all avenues available to acquire players, however, the lack of incoming drafted prospects led the Flyers to be more aggressive than most other NHL teams when it came to signing undrafted free agents from Europe, the CHL and the NCAA.
- Jsaquella

Ahem...you should know better.

Bill Meltzer ‏@billmeltzer 54s55 seconds ago

Akeson on Lecavalier line at practice today. Skated some shifts there last game as well.

Other reporters say that Umberger is still on LW with that line
- Jsaquella

Poor Arty... out of the frying pan, into the fire.

Poor Arty... out of the frying pan, into the fire.
- Tomahawk

This is his big chance. Time for him to show what he can do out there. No more excuses that he hasn't been given a chance. I'm rooting for him.

This is his big chance. Time for him to show what he can do out there. No more excuses that he hasn't been given a chance. I'm rooting for him.
- MJL

Umberger seems to be getting all of the chances in the world at the moment too. Too much if you ask me. He cant even generate a shot on net!!!!

Raffl-Lecavalier-Akeson seems like the logical thing to do when we get healthy.

Umberger seems to be getting all of the chances in the world at the moment too. Too much if you ask me. He cant even generate a shot on net!!!!
Raffl-Lecavalier-Akeson seems like the logical thing to do when we get healthy.


- GOA88

Umberger should be moved to the 4th line right now. I'd love to see Bellemare up with Lecavalier.

Raffl/Lecavalier/Bellemare

Bill Meltzer ‏@billmeltzer 54s55 seconds ago

Akeson on Lecavalier line at practice today. Skated some shifts there last game as well.

Other reporters say that Umberger is still on LW with that line
- Jsaquella

Umberger needs to be on the forth line. If only Raffl were healthy. Without him and with the struggles of Umberger and Lecavalier to a lesser extent, the Flyers forward depth is weak.

Umberger should be moved to the 4th line right now. I'd love to see Bellemare up with Lecavalier.
- MJL

Bellemare or Raffl should take that LW spot for sure.

This is his big chance. Time for him to show what he can do out there. No more excuses that he hasn't been given a chance. I'm rooting for him.
- MJL

There are many ways to interpret this and that's definitely one. At least those undrafted guys have had some success and they've seemed to to a better job than other teams although they had a higher need like you said.
- NickTheKid87

Teams have always signed undrafted free agents, the Flyers included. The Flyers have had a lot of success over the years in doing so. However, under Holmgren, the Flyers became more aggressive than they had been in the recent past.

Yes, in the 1970's and 1980's, largely under Keith Allen, the Flyers were very aggressive in pursuing undrafted players as free agents. They were not as aggressive under Clarke in that regard, or even under Holmgren until after the Pronger trade.

- Tomahawk

HAHAHA

- Tomahawk

Thats actually what Lecavalier has been asked to do this season. VDV and Umberger??!!! Poor Vinny

Umberger needs to be on the forth line. If only Raffl were healthy. Without him and with the struggles of Umberger and Lecavalier to a lesser extent, the Flyers forward depth is weak.
- NickTheKid87

Agreed 100%.

I've said, since before the pre-season, that I didn't like Umberger and Lecavalier on the same line. Umberger's play this season has been pretty much the worst case scenario envisioned when the trade was made. Even with Lecavalier's somewhat better play from last year, its still a bad combo.

Agreed 100%.

I've said, since before the pre-season, that I didn't like Umberger and Lecavalier on the same line. Umberger's play this season has been pretty much the worst case scenario envisioned when the trade was made. Even with Lecavalier's somewhat better play from last year, its still a bad combo.
- Jsaquella

BUT! They are big bodies and can cycle the puck!

Agreed 100%.

I've said, since before the pre-season, that I didn't like Umberger and Lecavalier on the same line. Umberger's play this season has been pretty much the worst case scenario envisioned when the trade was made. Even with Lecavalier's somewhat better play from last year, its still a bad combo.
- Jsaquella

Only Giroux can save Umby at this point. His only goal came from a Giroux feed.....

Teams have always signed undrafted free agents, the Flyers included. The Flyers have had a lot of success over the years in doing so. However, under Holmgren, the Flyers became more aggressive than they had been in the recent past.

Yes, in the 1970's and 1980's, largely under Keith Allen, the Flyers were very aggressive in pursuing undrafted players as free agents. They were not as aggressive under Clarke in that regard, or even under Holmgren until after the Pronger trade.
- Jsaquella

I would expect that type of ebb and flow depending on the GM and current farm system make up. It looks like the Flyers have been more successful at it than most teams, at least in terms of forwards. Defense is a different story, I'm sure. Bobrovsky was a free agent signing in goal though.

Bill Meltzer ‏@billmeltzer 54s55 seconds ago

Akeson on Lecavalier line at practice today. Skated some shifts there last game as well.

Other reporters say that Umberger is still on LW with that line
- Jsaquella

And I thought Berube scratching Akeson was a punishment.

I only did forwards.
- NickTheKid87

Oh.

Carry on

Ahem...you should know better.
- BiggE

The list included several guys who were drafted-Umberger, Froese, Busniuk and in Kerr's case, he fell undrafted because his draft year was the season the draft class was swelled-when they lowered the age to 18-meaning the draft class doubled in size and quality.

Agreed 100%.

I've said, since before the pre-season, that I didn't like Umberger and Lecavalier on the same line. Umberger's play this season has been pretty much the worst case scenario envisioned when the trade was made. Even with Lecavalier's somewhat better play from last year, its still a bad combo.
- Jsaquella

I'm assuming the reluctance to move him to the 4th line stems from the lack of current depth as well as his veteran status. Maybe Berube feels he will get out of this funk sooner rather than later. I tend to agree because he's playing well below his career average. It's possible that his tank is on E but unlikely.

I would expect that type of ebb and flow depending on the GM and current farm system make up. It looks like the Flyers have been more successful at it than most teams, at least in terms of forwards. Defense is a different story, I'm sure. Bobrovsky was a free agent signing in goal though.
- NickTheKid87

There will be ebbs and flows. But under Holmgren, the Flyers not only signed undrafted free agents that made the NHL, it stockpiled them in the AHL and ECHL. Guys who had never played pro hockey before, and signed their first contracts as undrafted free agents with the Flyers.

Guys like Andrew Rowe, Mike Testwuide, Cullen Eddy, Harry Zolnierczyk & Brandon Manning.

There will be ebbs and flows. But under Holmgren, the Flyers not only signed undrafted free agents that made the NHL, it stockpiled them in the AHL and ECHL. Guys who had never played pro hockey before, and signed their first contracts as undrafted free agents with the Flyers.

Guys like Andrew Rowe, Mike Testwuide, Cullen Eddy, Harry Zolnierczyk & Brandon Manning.
- Jsaquella

Don't forget Erik Gustafsson, as well as greats like Shane Harper, Ben Holmstrom, and Kyle Flanagan.

I'm assuming the reluctance to move him to the 4th line stems from the lack of current depth as well as his veteran status. Maybe Berube feels he will get out of this funk sooner rather than later. I tend to agree because he's playing well below his career average. It's possible that his tank is on E but unlikely.
- NickTheKid87

Probably all of those things are factors. Berube did move Vinny and his big contract and veteran status to the 4th line last year, but it was at the end of the season, not 14 games in. Depth is a factor, especially with Raffl out.

I don't know if I agree he will get out of this funk, because this is the start of a second straight year of subpar play. Umberger did manage to score 18 goals last season, but he also had his highest shooting percentage since his rookie season.

Don't forget Erik Gustafsson, as well as greats like Shane Harper, Ben Holmstrom, and Kyle Flanagan.
- jmatchett383

Yep. The last years in Adirondack, the Phantoms were largely stacked with undrafted free agents.

I was laughing the entire time. I didn't expect it to be Elliotte Friedman or Bob McKenzie, I expected the interview to delve into Bernie's widely rumored social activities.
- Jsaquella

i don't think i got past "pa-rent" in the first sentence...but i enjoyed bernie's bravado and candor, albeit without much detail.

Flyers were very shorthanded on the blueline due to injuries and Marsh had been an excellent shutdown D in playoff series against them the year before. So it was viewed as a necessary trade, although Bridgman was a popular player.
- bmeltzer

game 7, calgary wins the series on flyers ice with pat (frank)ing riggin in goal at the other end.