From yesterday.

just my opinion of course, but I didn't like seeing those players you mention change teams

Giroux of course would hurt bad

I feel the same about Simmonds too

the day frick and frack were both traded had my head spinning
- Marc D

I feel most Flyers fans knew who Wayne Simmonds was long before he got here and wanted him. I know I did. When Richards and Carter were traded it was a huge shock because we went to the Stanley Cup Final one year prior. With this said, now that the shock has warn off, I love the deals. Those two players were asked to meet and certain standards and they refused. Again, it would be wrong for me to say that they felt they were bigger than the team and partying was more important but this team played the worst I've ever seen during Matinee games under Richards as Captain.

What it boils down to, and always does, is value. AMac at $600k would be great value but AMac on his current deal, taking into account both cap hit and term, is middling value at best.


- NickTheKid87

Middling is subjective. In my opinion the Flyers got a solid 2 way 2nd pair UFA defenseman, and slightly overpaid him. Relatively speaking, as salaries escalate, and continue to climb, his deal won't seem so bad. Most fans idea of what big money is, hasn't moved with the salary climate in the NHL. It's also skewed by players who signed long term deals with low years on the back end to lower cap hits. As the top free agent defenseman sign more contracts under the new rules, the NHL salary picture will become clearer.

Now I realize this most likely won't happen , but would you trade straight across Brayden Coburn for James vanRiemsdyk?
- Cable2k

It won't happen but I would.

From yesterday.
- JFlyers00

That's awesome.

From yesterday.
- JFlyers00

I hope he was paying close attention when Wayne Simmonds scored the game winner.

I hope he was paying close attention when Wayne Simmonds scored the game winner.
- SuperSchennBros

And Emery getting the W

What it boils down to, and always does, is value. AMac at $600k would be great value but AMac on his current deal, taking into account both cap hit and term, is middling value at best.

Sometimes the lack of value or presence of value can skew people's view of a player. For example, Bryzgalov played like a back-up goalie in his time with the Flyers but since he was paid some much, many make him out to have been a borderline NHLer which isn't true. Conversely, Mason has played stellar since being here but he looks better because they gave up next to nothing to get him and he's on a cheap contract for the play. Mason at $7.5m a year makes people a lot more critical.
- NickTheKid87

There are Isles fans that disliked Amac at 600 per year. Which seems like incredible value to me.

Are they wrong about him?

I think he was ill suited for a 25+ min per game role there.

There are Isles fans that disliked Amac at 600 per year. Which seems like incredible value to me.

Are they wrong about him?

I think he was ill suited for a 25+ min per game role there.
- Marc D

Yes, they are wrong about him. In my opinion of course.


There were a large group of Flyers fans who hated Carle when he was here, and he was a dam good defenseman here.

There are Isles fans that disliked Amac at 600 per year. Which seems like incredible value to me.

Are they wrong about him?

I think he was ill suited for a 25+ min per game role there.
- Marc D

I agree. And the fact of the matter is that none of the Flyers d-men are suited for 25+ a game.

I agree. And the fact of the matter is that none of the Flyers d-men are suited for 25+ a game.
- MBFlyerfan

No doubt. Let's play Scott Laughton at #1 center! He would stink!

There are Isles fans that disliked Amac at 600 per year. Which seems like incredible value to me.

Are they wrong about him?

I think he was ill suited for a 25+ min per game role there.
- Marc D

I think most of them knew he was in over his head. They just didn't believe he was worth what he was going to get on the open market. They were happy when he turned down Snows $4MAAV 4yr offer.

Snow does a lot of dumb things, but essentially swapping Amac for Boychuk was a huge win.

I feel most Flyers fans knew who Wayne Simmonds was long before he got here and wanted him. I know I did. When Richards and Carter were traded it was a huge shock because we went to the Stanley Cup Final one year prior. With this said, now that the shock has warn off, I love the deals. Those two players were asked to meet and certain standards and they refused. Again, it would be wrong for me to say that they felt they were bigger than the team and partying was more important but this team played the worst I've ever seen during Matinee games under Richards as Captain.
- SuperSchennBros

I was only pointing out that I personally have a somewhat irrational attachment to "our" players and enjoy seeing the perceived stars for all teams stay with their teams till the end. Once a guy gets here by whatever route I still root for them and get attached to them.

The trades with C and R are looking incredible for the Flyers.

But my comments were not about who won or lost the deals.

I think most of them knew he was in over his head. They just didn't believe he was worth what he was going to get on the open market. They were happy when he turned down Snows $4MAAV 4yr offer.

Snow does a lot of dumb things, but essentially swapping Amac for Boychuk was a huge win.
- PhillySportsGuy

That really depends. Are they able to re-sign Boychuck, and for how much? if Boychuck hits the open market and uses his UFA leverage, he's going to be well paid. I happen to really like Boychuck, and I no doubt agree that he's better then MacDonald is. He's likely to move into the overpaid group of NHL players, and what if he walks?

I think most of them knew he was in over his head. They just didn't believe he was worth what he was going to get on the open market. They were happy when he turned down Snows $4MAAV 4yr offer.

Snow does a lot of dumb things, but essentially swapping Amac for Boychuk was a huge win.
- PhillySportsGuy

That worked out well for them.

Some of it was good timing but a lot of it is having the assests to make the deal when the opportunity to make it comes around.

It's another aspect of Cap management in a way.

Saving up assets to get the right guys.

I think and hope Hexy will be good at this game.

That really depends. Are they able to re-sign Boychuck, and for how much? if Boychuck hits the open market and uses his UFA leverage, he's going to be well paid. I happen to really like Boychuck, and I no doubt agree that he's better then MacDonald is. He's likely to move into the overpaid group of NHL players, and what if he walks?
- MJL

Even if he doesn't re-sign, I think it was a good deal. I think the Isles have given themselves a good chance of re-signing Boychuk if they match an offer. They've shown they can be competitive and the move will help bring fans.

If they just went after him in FA, I think they'd need to really overpay to get a player like him.

Still don't understand why Laughton thanked a guy who concussed him then punched his head a few times?

Even if he doesn't re-sign, I think it was a good deal. I think the Isles have given themselves a good chance of re-signing Boychuk if they match an offer. They've shown they can be competitive and the move will help bring fans.

If they just went after him in FA, I think they'd need to really overpay to get a player like him.
- PhillySportsGuy

They're going to have to really overpay anyway! If he walks how is giving up 2 2nd round picks and a conditional 3rd round pick for one season a good deal?


The Isles essentially did the same thing with Boychuck that the Flyers did with MacDonald.

There are Isles fans that disliked Amac at 600 per year. Which seems like incredible value to me.

Are they wrong about him?

I think he was ill suited for a 25+ min per game role there.
- Marc D

He is ill suited for a 25 minute a night role. He's fine in the role he's playing for the Flyers right now, 18-20 minutes as a secondary guy. Still don't think it's especially wise to give a guy in that role a premium contract with a long term.

Still don't understand why Laughton thanked a guy who concussed him then punched his head a few times?
- vejim

Because Niskanen, who is not known as a fighter, obliged Laughton when asked. Niskanen could have taken the coward's way out and refused the fight, but instead he chose to give Laughton his shot.

As for getting punched in the head, there's a big difference between getting punched in the face as opposed to the back of the helmet. Can guarantee you that fight hurt Niskanen more than Laughton.

They're going to have to really overpay anyway! If he walks how is giving up 2 2nd round picks and a conditional 3rd round pick for one season a good deal?


The Isles essentially did the same thing with Boychuck that the Flyers did with MacDonald.
- MJL

If he thinks that Bochuk is a superior player to AMac, then it may be worth it in this case more than it was worth it for the Flyers with AMac.

They're going to have to really overpay anyway! If he walks how is giving up 2 2nd round picks and a conditional 3rd round pick for one season a good deal?

The Isles essentially did the same thing with Boychuck that the Flyers did with MacDonald.
- MJL

If they win the cup and he walks at the end of the season would anyone really care at what they gave up?

If he thinks that Bochuk is a superior player to AMac, then it may be worth it in this case more than it was worth it for the Flyers with AMac.
- jmatchett383

That's kind of the point. If you are going to overpay, get a better player. I'd rather pay Boychuk $5.25mm than MacDonald $5mm

If he thinks that Bochuk is a superior player to AMac, then it may be worth it in this case more than it was worth it for the Flyers with AMac.
- jmatchett383

Boychuck is a superior player to MacDonald. They still had to give up picks, and they're still going to have to pay up, and he could walk at the end of the year.

Because Niskanen, who is not known as a fighter, obliged Laughton when asked. Niskanen could have taken the coward's way out and refused the fight, but instead he chose to give Laughton his shot.

As for getting punched in the head, there's a big difference between getting punched in the face as opposed to the back of the helmet. Can guarantee you that fight hurt Niskanen more than Laughton.
- jmatchett383

I would not want to punch a helmet