Cap wise, they are better off buying out Umberger after this year and holding onto VLC until at least July 2nd. At that point he is only owed 8.5 million for the next 3 seasons. If they are then willing to eat say 30% of his deal, I think they can find a team to take a chance on Vinnie for 5.95 million over 3 years. Heck, even eating 40% and getting that number down to 5.1 million over 3 years is better than buying him out and only hurts us for 3 years rather than 6.
- BiggE

Just get rid of Umberger ASAP. A truly poor player, and result of a horrific trade.
I don't want him and his 4.6 playing on the 4th line.

nope

I expect MDZ to cool off at some point and whatever they get out of Schultz is really a bonus.

If Coburn could regain his good form it will help a lot.

Also I really believe they miss Raffl a lot. Especially with Matt Read struggling.
- Marc D

Del Zotto doesn't belong playing against top lines. He belongs as much as possible being deployed in offensive situations, and against lesser lines as much as possible. They need his puck skills and mobility for high minutes, so he's going to have to play some time against a top line. They need to get MacDonald back, so everyone is better slotted. And Coburn finding his game would help also

This.

I'm not a buyer that another coach will fix this team. More quality players will fix this team.
- johndewar

At least a better mix of players.

As for the PK, some better goaltending would help.

I don't buy out either if at all possible. One is too much dead cap space.
- ob18

two more years of Umby and three more of VLC at a combined 9+M against the cap... I don't see either of them finishing their deals here.

I could be wrong as I often am.

As for the PK, some better goaltending would help.
- johndewar

So would better positioning

two more years of Umby and three more of VLC at a combined 9+M against the cap... I don't see either of them finishing their deals here.

I could be wrong as I often am.
- Marc D

I'd see them being moved with eating some salary before a buyout.

I have no idea how to fix him or Vinny & it seems neither does the coach or team so any thing else would be just another guess.
- ob18

I know a way to get the most that can be gotten out of Lecavalier at this point. Play Voracek with him. Voracek will carry play, and get the puck to Lecavalier. That's the biggest problem with Lecavalier. It's not that he can't play anymore. They just don't have the players they need to play with him to make the line effective.

The 4th goal was a double deflection from a point shot, wasn't it?
- MJL

I was referring to the goal by Wiess that was from the right circle that leaked through Emery.

I know a way to get the most that can be gotten out of Lecavalier at this point. Play Voracek with him. Voracek will carry play, and get the puck to Lecavalier. That's the biggest problem with Lecavalier. It's not that he can't play anymore. They just don't have the players they need to play with him to make the line effective.
- MJL

Coach doesn't agree or he will but by that point it may be too late to make enough of a difference.

Basically, we just need to clone Voracek so there is one for each line and we're good to go!

Personally I don't get upset right now, it's been clear for sometime we don't have the right mix and to even get close or to that point will take time.
- ob18

Yeah, from a longer term perspective, I think the Flyers are kind of in a transition period as we await the graduation and further development of some young, potentially impact players coming into the lineup. Have to be careful about bringing in (more) older, declining guys like RJ and VLC, not only for the cap they're occupying but for the spot in the lineup that is preventing prospects and young graduates from getting minutes and experience with the big club.

Regardless, I think the window of contention should begin to open significantly for the Flyers in 2-3 years when certain top prospects (most notably on D) start making their mark, and it should stay open for several more. Until then, it will likely be ups and downs and chasing playoff spots and hoping for the best. It's frustrating to watch the games sometimes because you can see how when they bring their A game, they can win, but it's a tease...the reality is that they don't yet have all the necessary pieces (ready) to put it all together and become a legitimate contender.

Yeah, from a longer term perspective, I think the Flyers are kind of in a transition period as we await the graduation and further development of some young, potentially impact players coming into the lineup. Have to be careful about bringing in (more) older, declining guys like RJ and VLC, not only for the cap they're occupying but for the spot in the lineup that is preventing prospects and young graduates from getting minutes and experience with the big club.

Regardless, I think the window of contention should begin to open significantly for the Flyers in 2-3 years when certain top prospects (most notably on D) start making their mark, and it should stay open for several more. Until then, it will likely be ups and downs and chasing playoff spots and hoping for the best. It's frustrating to watch the games sometimes because you can see how when they bring their A game, they can win, but it's a tease...the reality is that they don't yet have all the necessary pieces to put it all together and become a legitimate contender.
- exlund

It will be frustrating for a bit longer, but hopefully the drafting & developing leads them down a better, longer, & much more successful path.

Re Umberger on the 4th line after this season:\

I'd rather buy him out and have Leier or another guy on an ELC deal at that spot. Better they have 2.5 million tied up in a 4th line winger than 4.6
- BiggE

If umby ends up on the 4th line this is a disaster because I don't see how they'd buy him out. The idea was to bring him in for cap help and if we but him out we'd be stuck longer with half his money. I guess they could send him to the a if all else fails.

I was referring to the goal by Wiess that was from the right circle that leaked through Emery.
- Marc D

That was the 5th goal, and Schultz wasn't on the ice for that goal.

I'd see them being moved with eating some salary before a buyout.
- ob18

but look at the return for Hartnell... very disappointing

to move VLC or Umby I think they would have to add a pick or prospect, or take back a bad deal in return, or hope some GM is having a bad day

but look at the return for Hartnell... very disappointing

to move VLC or Umby I think they would have to add a pick or prospect, or take back a bad deal in return, or hope some GM is having a bad day
- Marc D

It doesn't look pretty, that's been established already

If umby ends up on the 4th line this is a disaster because I don't see how they'd buy him out. The idea was to bring him in for cap help and if we but him out we'd be stuck longer with half his money. I guess they could send him to the a if all else fails.
- Hextall271

Sending him to the AHL is not an option. Cheaper on the cap to buy him out.

If umby ends up on the 4th line this is a disaster because I don't see how they'd buy him out. The idea was to bring him in for cap help and if we but him out we'd be stuck longer with half his money. I guess they could send him to the a if all else fails.
- Hextall271

His buyout after this year is 1.5 million for the next 4 years, better that than 2 more years at 4.6. The way I look at is you can fill the role of 4th line LW with someone on an ELC so even combined with the buyout you are at most talking about 2.425 million. It's not optimal, but they need to make the best of a bad situation.

That was the 5th goal, and Schultz wasn't on the ice for that goal.
- MJL

I'm going to re look at that, I am confusing something

there was a play where Schultz had a chance to challenge for a loose puck floating over the Flyers defensive blue line and he backed off, and it lead to a goal.

it may have been Desharnais was the Hab skater and maybe he backing off was because of the speed, but I remember being mad when I watched it

I'm going to re look at that, I am confusing something

there was a play where Schultz had a chance to challenge for a loose puck floating over the Flyers defensive blue line and he backed off, and it lead to a goal.

it may have been Desharnais was the Hab skater and maybe he backing off was because of the speed, but I remember being mad when I watched it
- Marc D

That was the 4th goal and the double deflection. Confusing that goal and the Weise goal. On the 4th goal, there was a puck up for grabs that Schultz maybe could've gotten to. But Desharnais is pretty quick, and if he doesn't get to it, it's a 2 on 1. I like the defense to not gamble and play it safer in that situation. The Flyers coverage on that goal wasn't bad. It's one of those situations where you need a shot block.

It doesn't look pretty, that's been established already
- ob18

I guess what I am asking is, what price you would pay to move their contracts?

I don't see either VLC or Umby finishing their deals here.

Was using the Hartnell deal just as an example of the high cost of moving a declining vet playing on a big money deal.

Basically, we just need to clone Voracek so there is one for each line and we're good to go!
- BiggE

Waste of talent to use jake_4 on the 4th line, IMO

If we consider the usage of Sean Couturier, and what he is faced with game in game out, when looking at his offensive output at ES last season, it's really a strong number. And already ES offensive output of a 2nd line center. Last season, Wayne Simmonds was tied for 12 in points among all NHL RW's. In my opinion, players are not overrated. The problem with this team is in how the pieces fit. And not having the right mix of players to get the most value out of every player, and having the right mix of player to form 4 good lines.
- MJL

Simmonds is a powerplay specialist, which is good and important, but his 5v5 play isn't anything special.

That was the 4th goal and the double deflection. Confusing that goal and the Weise goal. On the 4th goal, there was a puck up for grabs that Schultz maybe could've gotten to. But Desharnais is pretty quick, and if he doesn't get to it, it's a 2 on 1. I like the defense to not gamble and play it safer in that situation. The Flyers coverage on that goal wasn't bad.
- MJL

thanks