I don't get why everyone's so afraid to eat some money. We are slowly going to get more entry level contracts in on the team's payroll over the next couple years. I understand why Vinny's contract is a much bigger quandary. But really Umberger should be bought out or waived next year and bought out the next summer if cap space allows us to do that.
- Just5

Not sure what the total would be but after buying out Ilya, Briere and Umberger.. (frank).

Must be nice to have that kind of cash.

Not straight-up, and not now. But Coburn is a very valuable chip if the Flyers seem to be out of it heading into the TDL. Now let's say Laughton shows continued growth in the AHL, I think they could put together a package that could bring in a high-end forward prospect.

Remember, by then Defense will be a priority for teams trying to make the playoffs. And getting back a good prospect in return makes it more palatable to trade a top prospect.
- TheGreat28

I don't think you're going to get a top-flight prospect from a team that sees themselves as a contender. Those teams likely know they are trying to "win now" and will most likely need to refill roster spots due to UFA in a year or two.

Im kind of surprised him and LeCavalier don't just retire. They would still get their money no?
- flyer_nutter

No, they would not be getting their money if they retired.

I don't get why everyone's so afraid to eat some money. We are slowly going to get more entry level contracts in on the team's payroll over the next couple years. I understand why Vinny's contract is a much bigger quandary. But really Umberger should be bought out or waived next year and bought out the next summer if cap space allows us to do that.
- Just5

Vinny is different because even though he isn't a great player anymore, you can do things with him and get some production. It's not ideal, but he is still an NHL-caliber player in some areas and you can carry that contract. You can carry a bad deal -- every team has one, some have more.

The issue is when you are carrying more than one. What is the player capable of doing? Best case scenario, what is Umberger going to do? If what he has shown is what he does for the rest of the season, then even the best -case scenario is not feasible

I don't get why everyone's so afraid to eat some money. We are slowly going to get more entry level contracts in on the team's payroll over the next couple years. I understand why Vinny's contract is a much bigger quandary. But really Umberger should be bought out or waived next year and bought out the next summer if cap space allows us to do that.
- Just5

Doubt any of us would be happy if they have unusable cap space tied up in buyouts when this team's real window opens in 3-4 years... especially if HRR growth continues to slow due to the CAD exchange rate.

Vinny is different because even though he isn't a great player anymore, you can do things with him and get some production. It's not ideal, but he is still an NHL-caliber player in some areas and you can carry that contract. You can carry a bad deal -- every team has one, some have more.

The issue is when you are carrying more than one. What is the player capable of doing? Best case scenario, what is Umberger going to do? If what he has shown is what he does for the rest of the season, then even the best -case scenario is not feasible
- AllInForFlyers

I don't see why a fourth line of the following cant work, has all the pieces to be dynamite!

Umberger LW: Playmaker, defensively sound
LeCavalier C: Shooter, experienced leader
Rinaldo RW: Good physical and net front presence.

Doubt any of us would be happy if they have unusable cap space tied up in buyouts when this team's real window opens in 3-4 years... especially if HRR growth continues to slow due to the CAD exchange rate.
- Tomahawk

I think you can do it with one contract. That is why I have always felt that Vinny is gonna be here. Those are the only bad contracts the Flyers have. You can carry $1.5 of dead money when the real window opens, I feel

I don't think you're going to get a top-flight prospect from a team that sees themselves as a contender. Those teams likely know they are trying to "win now" and will most likely need to refill roster spots due to UFA in a year or two.
- jmatchett383

Look at it conversely. What would the Flyers give up, or be asked to give up, for a defenseman of Coburn's caliber?

Coburn still has a lot of value around the league. And he's controllable through next year, and in his prime. Now through in a young, potential shut-down center. That is an attractive package that gives a team help both today and down the road.

Disagree. The breakdowns on the PK have occurred with Grossmann and/or Coburn on, it's not like Schultz or Del Zotto was the guilty party, filling in for Schenn. It was guys who routinely are called the team's best defensive defensemen.

Yes, some blame goes to the forwards too, and in most cases over the last two games, it's the two best PK forwards Couturier and Read
- Jsaquella

Del Zotto failed to protect the back door, allowing an easy pass across the ice, on the 3rd Montreal PP goal scored by Subban.

Im kind of surprised him and LeCavalier don't just retire. They would still get their money no?
- flyer_nutter

Not if they voluntarily retire. Vinnie has made over 100 million during his career. Not sure if money is a factor. I think it's more likely that he feels he can still play. He wouldn't say it, but he probably thinks it is the lack of talent with his linemates. To some degree he's got a point.

I think he is playing on the top line now. He has 1g and 1a in the two games he's been back. It's a bit of a risk, but I think he's the better option that 2real posted
- Streit2ThePoint

i think oshie would be a better pick over plekanec since plekanec is very streaky also

I don't see why a fourth line of the following cant work, has all the pieces to be dynamite!

Umberger LW: Playmaker, defensively sound
LeCavalier C: Shooter, experienced leader
Rinaldo RW: Good physical and net front presence.
- flyer_nutter

It doesn't have all the peices to be dynamite. It would lose the possession battle, and wouldn't likely provide much offense.

Not if they voluntarily retire. Vinnie has made over 100 million during his career. Not sure if money is a factor. I think it's more likely that he feels he can still play. He wouldn't say it, but he probably thinks it is the lack of talent with his linemates. To some degree he's got a point.
- TheGreat28

He isn't entirely wrong. If he is gonna be here, the bottom line -- to me -- is that the Flyers have to find someone to play with him. Yeah, you are accommodating an older player and yeah, that sucks, but he has three years left at $4.5 million on an NMC. You gotta do something to extract some value from that

It doesn't have all the peices to be dynamite. It would lose the possession battle, and wouldn't likely provide much offense.
- MJL

You are right!

Lets just scratch them all eh?

I think you can do it with one contract. That is why I have always felt that Vinny is gonna be here. Those are the only bad contracts the Flyers have. You can carry $1.5 of dead money when the real window opens, I feel
- AllInForFlyers

$1.5M could be nothing, or it could afford you a MDZ. I'd just rather bite the bullet short term, while the team still has issues and growing pains. Sucks to watch 18/40 for the next little while, but whatever.

$1.5M could be nothing, or it could afford you a MDZ. I'd just rather bite the bullet short term, while the team still has issues and growing pains. Sucks to watch 18/40 for the next little while, but whatever.
- Tomahawk

Both options really are not ideal. Sucks that Umberger has been this brutal

In addition to Josh Harding from the Wild, Dallas has placed defenseman Kevin Connauton on waivers

He isn't entirely wrong. If he is gonna be here, the bottom line -- to me -- is that the Flyers have to find someone to play with him. Yeah, you are accommodating an older player and yeah, that sucks, but he has three years left at $4.5 million on an NMC. You gotta do something to extract some value from that
- AllInForFlyers

I think that Lecavalier centering Raffl and Bellemare would make an effective line. But then the issue is really the LW spot. Simmonds doesn't seem like he is comfortable at LW. Read started the season at the LW and asked to be moved back to the right side. That leaves Raffl and Schenn as the only point producing LW. We know that Raffl has been very effective playing on top line. Schenn has played with Lecavalier before and they didn't mesh well. So that leaves Umberger. Not going to play Umberger on the top line, so no matter what Berube does, there is going to be a hole. But he hasn't been playing it well. Because he can't make gold out of what he's given to work with. LW is the big issue.

i think oshie would be a better pick over plekanec since plekanec is very streaky also
- 2Real

I would take Callahan . He has 13 pts in13 games and he plays with Stamkos

Not if they voluntarily retire. Vinnie has made over 100 million during his career. Not sure if money is a factor. I think it's more likely that he feels he can still play. He wouldn't say it, but he probably thinks it is the lack of talent with his linemates. To some degree he's got a point.
- TheGreat28

Well I am hoping this is the year he realizes the tank is empty enough that he is hurting his legacy...I think he will have his Modano moment at the end of this year and realize it's time to clear out the locker.

Do you think the forwards have anything to do with those numbers?
- MJL

Yes, but I think the main problem is the defense being bad at clearing the zone, and moving the puck up ice.

He isn't entirely wrong. If he is gonna be here, the bottom line -- to me -- is that the Flyers have to find someone to play with him. Yeah, you are accommodating an older player and yeah, that sucks, but he has three years left at $4.5 million on an NMC. You gotta do something to extract some value from that
- AllInForFlyers

Put him on a line with Crosby.

I think that Lecavalier centering Raffl and Bellemare would make an effective line. But then the issue is really the LW spot. Simmonds doesn't seem like he is comfortable at LW. Read started the season at the LW and asked to be moved back to the right side. That leaves Raffl and Schenn as the only point producing LW. We know that Raffl has been very effective playing on top line. Schenn has played with Lecavalier before and they didn't mesh well. So that leaves Umberger. Not going to play Umberger on the top line, so no matter what Berube does, there is going to be a hole. But he hasn't been playing it well. Because he can't make gold out of what he's given to work with. LW is the big issue.
- MJL

We don't always agree, but I do with this assessment. Berube has a short deck on the left side, even with Raffl healthy

Put him on a line with Crosby.
- jmatchett383

Truthfully, I would ask Edmonton about Teddy Purcell, who was the last person to consistently play well with Vinny

He isn't entirely wrong. If he is gonna be here, the bottom line -- to me -- is that the Flyers have to find someone to play with him. Yeah, you are accommodating an older player and yeah, that sucks, but he has three years left at $4.5 million on an NMC. You gotta do something to extract some value from that
- AllInForFlyers

As I said earlier, I was in favor of the signing but with one big caveat. He needed skill on his line, especially a speedy winger who could carry the puck. He's never had that here. The only way they could even possibly trade him is to do something...anything...that might maximize what he is right now.

Honestly, splitting up Giroux and Vorachek right now is the only option that could get Vinnie going. Guys like Raffl and Bellemare are nice finds, especially for the money. But they are not gonna make another player materially better.