Bill, Narducci's article in the Inqy quotes Lecavalier saying that Berube hasn't talked to him about his situation. Is this true? What's the point of scratching a guy and not talking to him about it?

All those looking to fire Berube for Babcock can cross that off. Looks like he is staying wityh wings.
- J35Bacher

Hextall can really make Berube look good too if he can find guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg with late round draft choices!!! The Flyers plight doesn't fall to the coaching staff...

Read, Vinny and our 1st for Weber?
- GOA88

If a team is stupid enough to trade a perennial Norris candidate locked up long-term for a good (albeit slumping) winger, one of the worst contracts in the league, and our 1st...I will eat a shoe. I will literally cook and eat a shoe.

They dont want him anywhere near this team. They wrote him off. IMO

considering their current spot I don't think Hextall does it either...It's not like they are one or two pieces away from being a true stanley cup contender. hextall has repeatedly said he needs to build through the draft.
- landros 2

I think this team would be very different with a no.1 and no.2 defender. That allows Coburn, Del Zotto, Streit, and Grossman to slide down into your second and third pairings. I wouldn't be surprised if this team made some noise were that to happen.

Even just a no.1 guy allows Amac's shortcomings to be hidden much easier.

Bill, Narducci's article in the Inqy quotes Lecavalier saying that Berube hasn't talked to him about his situation. Is this true? What's the point of scratching a guy and not talking to him about it?
- Dkos

I think scratching a guy who looks lost out there who has 400 goals and is signed long-term shouldn't need much of an explanation. You're not talking about some second-year player who's struggling.

If a team is stupid enough to trade a perennial Norris candidate locked up long-term for a good (albeit slumping) winger, one of the worst contracts in the league, and our 1st...I will eat a shoe. I will literally cook and eat a shoe.
- jmatchett383

Well since you put it like that.... Coburn, Vinny, VDV and Umberger and 1st for Weber.

Hextall can really make Berube look good too if he can find guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg with late round draft choices!!! The Flyers plight doesn't fall to the coaching staff...
- landros 2

No, Berube would be gone long before the 3-year wait Detroit had with those two.

Well since you put it like that.... Coburn, Vinny, VDV and Umberger and 1st for Weber.
- GOA88

Yep, that's the winner.

Edit: Sadly, that may be a valid trade in NHL15.

You're right, Couturier is a bust. I mean, he's not like Patrice Bergeron, the defensive standout who scored a whopping 8 goals and 39 points in 64 games in his fourth season, the point where Couturier is now in his career. And really, that Boston team sucked that year, only being the 2nd best team in the NHL, compared to the offensive and defensive juggernaut that is the 14/15 Flyers. We should trade him for the first offer that comes along.
- jmatchett383

Couturier is not a bust....I just like what Myers brings.... a change of scenery might do wonders for him. You have to give something to get something....Im not de-valuing Couturier ....your not valuing Myers.

Bill, Narducci's article in the Inqy quotes Lecavalier saying that Berube hasn't talked to him about his situation. Is this true? What's the point of scratching a guy and not talking to him about it?
- Dkos

Because Vinny isn't being scratched because he made mistakes, he's being scratched because he's not a fit on the ice.

Not sure why Lecavalier being scratched is news. The Flyers spent all summer trying to move him. They very clearly do not see him in their plans

Yep, that's the winner.

Edit: Sadly, that may be a valid trade in NHL15.
- jmatchett383

Seriously though. What would it take to pry a Weber or Pietrangelo type D-man away. In your opinion.

Hextall can really make Berube look good too if he can find guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg with late round draft choices!!! The Flyers plight doesn't fall to the coaching staff...
- landros 2

Like just about every aspect of the team, coaching is partly at fault. It's far from the only issue, but it is an area that hasn't been good enough.

Tons of love to the Gagne Family.

If the Flyers lose this game it is rock bottom. Gomez is the #1 C and no Elias, et al.

Seriously though. What would it take to pry a Weber or Pietrangelo type D-man away. In your opinion.
- GOA88

I honestly think Weber is your best target. Nashville's deep at defense and I could very easily see Laviolette pushing for a couple more quality forwards that would buy into his system. It would definitely take this year's 1st though - especially with where the Flyers are most likely going to pick.

I think scratching a guy who looks lost out there who has 400 goals and is signed long-term shouldn't need much of an explanation. You're not talking about some second-year player who's struggling.
- jmatchett383

I'm not saying he shouldn't be a healthy scratch. I just don't see any point to scratching him and ignoring him.

By all accounts, Pierre raised a good man in Simon. It shouldn't be too much of a stretch to assume Pierre himself was a wonderful man, father, and husband. And a police officer to boot.

All the best to Simon and the rest of the Gagnes, regardless of if they see this post or not.

Because Vinny isn't being scratched because he made mistakes, he's being scratched because he's not a fit on the ice.

Not sure why Lecavalier being scratched is news. The Flyers spent all summer trying to move him. They very clearly do not see him in their plans
- Jsaquella

I didn't say his being scratched was news. Just seems weird that the coach hasn't talked to him about it. Are the Flyers thinking that if they ignore him be will go away?

Local Sports Radio show is talking about a Sabres Flyers rumor involving Sean Courterier to Buff for D-man Myers, who has improved his play substantially over past year to be Buffalo's best...while Sabres have begun to play good D by keeping teams out of the paint (Sabres just can't score, that's their problem).
Any thoughts from Flyer fans...what is going on with Courterier (sp?) ... He was the guy I wanted the Sabres to get in that draft clas.
Thoughts?
- IonSabres

I would do that trade straight up... No questions asked. Signed sealed delivered

So sad about Gagne's dad. Best wishes to his family in this difficult time.

I would do that trade straight up... No questions asked. Signed sealed delivered
- Just5

For me it would depend on who we draft before I think about trading Couts. Right now I would keep Schenn over Couts. Schenn has really played well.

Because Vinny isn't being scratched because he made mistakes, he's being scratched because he's not a fit on the ice.

Not sure why Lecavalier being scratched is news. The Flyers spent all summer trying to move him. They very clearly do not see him in their plans
- Jsaquella

3+ years left of him being in and out of the lineup due to poor play and injuries it seems or a buyout. I don't know who in their right mind will want that contract even with half of the salary retained.

I honestly think Weber is your best target. Nashville's deep at defense and I could very easily see Laviolette pushing for a couple more quality forwards that would buy into his system. It would definitely take this year's 1st though - especially with where the Flyers are most likely going to pick.
- kcm57

I don't think Giroux straight up is enough to get you Weber.

All the big money on the Weber contract has already been paid out. Weber now has a contract that is very cap friendly. Nashville has absorbed the financial hit, they recapitalized the team to get it done. It is almost impossible for them to move Weber at this time unless they get a monsterous return.

If the Flyers are ever to get a #1 D other than through the draft they will need to look at someone other than Weber.

Because Vinny isn't being scratched because he made mistakes, he's being scratched because he's not a fit on the ice.

Not sure why Lecavalier being scratched is news. The Flyers spent all summer trying to move him. They very clearly do not see him in their plans
- Jsaquella

That's what i see -- not quite understanding why it's a big deal to keep scratching a player who wasn'tt helping the team win.

Berube isn't scratching the 52-goal scoring Lecavalier. He's scratching a 34-year-old one-way center who truly struggles to keep up with the pace of play at ES.

In other words, In this case, Berube is doing his job, since the Flyers roster simply should not carry a player with that profile, since they are trying to be a two-way team that checks first

I'd trade VLC for Michalak in a heartbeat.
- jmatchett383

As would I.