He really fell off a cliff last year. He piled up a bunch of PPGs that inflated his numbers. His possession numbers were god awful and without top unit PP time, there was every reason to believe his scoring output would suffer drastically.
- PhillySportsGuy

I can't believe Hexy would deal for Umberger hoping for offensive production. Flyers problem, at least what was said, was poor forward help on the defensive end. Not the Umberger helped on that end either.

He could, but nothing is guaranteed.
- ob18

Except death, taxes and good old fashioned pissing matches on HB

Even if Umberger's contract was 2 years, I could understand the trade. After next season, Jake, BSchenn, Couts and Raffl are all due for raises (Coburn was too before the trade). Umberger is still on the books after next season.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm hoping the Flyers workout a trade and buyout for Umberger this summer because of the low buyout hit Umberger has, and then I think I'd bite the bullet with Vinny if nobody is willing to trade for him.

Maybe I'm looking at this all wrong but I'd extend Voracek as early as July 1st of this year. As for Couturier and Schenn, I myself would sign them much sooner then later to get a better feel for our cap situation for the following year. Of course there is no rush because they're both restricted. What Del Zotto may get this summer is an interesting wild card.

Except death, taxes and good old fashioned pissing matches on HB
- funmaster18

What if a player is a good bottom 6 sound defensive player that can produce on the power play? I don't think that's a bad thing. If he's not falling apart next year, I can see him being useful.
- funmaster18

I just don't see it. Maybe he can be an effective 4th liner, but if they pencil him into the top 9, they're asking for trouble again.

maybe he questioned the sign in the locker room
- stayinthefnnet

- ob18

You changed it

What if a player is a good bottom 6 sound defensive player that can produce on the power play? I don't think that's a bad thing. If he's not falling apart next year, I can see him being useful.
- funmaster18

yeah i see what youre saying.

i dont know how much the injury may have effected him, or how much his goose is simply cooked. like you said, we'll see next year.

his problem was, that for whatever reason, he just wasnt any of those things. he got some PP time, inexplicably over guys like raffl. didnt convert. even strength, he wasnt an absolute liability defensively, but he wasnt lock down out there either. and he certainly struggled to generate almost anything offensively.

granted, the fact that he has a heavy cap number relative to his production, and hartnell had a phenomenal year shine the light on his struggles a little bit brighter, and neither of those are necessarily his fault.

You changed it
- funmaster18

Lies

yeah i see what youre saying.

i dont know how much the injury may have effected him, or how much his goose is simply cooked. like you said, we'll see next year.

his problem was, that for whatever reason, he just wasnt any of those things. he got some PP time, inexplicably over guys like raffl. didnt convert. even strength, he wasnt an absolute liability defensively, but he wasnt lock down out there either. and he certainly struggled to generate almost anything offensively.

granted, the fact that he has a heavy cap number relative to his production, and hartnell had a phenomenal year shine the light on his struggles a little bit brighter, and neither of those are necessarily his fault.
- stayinthefnnet

I'm trying to stay positive because if he's still here and plays like he did this season again, then that trade is totally (frank)ed

Lies
- ob18

OK conan

I can't believe Hexy would deal away Umberger hoping for offensive production. Flyers problem, at least what was said, was poor forward help on the defensive end. Not the Umberger helped on that end either.
- jstross

The problem wasn't necessarily defense from forwards, but their lack of depth throughout the lineup. They have been a top heavy forward group ever since Berube took over.

The umberger trade really exacerbated the whole thing.

I just don't see it. Maybe he can be an effective 4th liner, but if they pencil him into the top 9, they're asking for trouble again.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't know if I see it either, but I really really want to

I'm hoping the Flyers workout a trade and buyout for Umberger this summer because of the low buyout hit Umberger has, and then I think I'd bite the bullet with Vinny if nobody is willing to trade for him.

Maybe I'm looking at this all around but I'd extend Voracek as early as July 1st of this year. As for Couturier and Schenn, I myself would sign them much sooner then later to get a better feel for our cap situation for the following year. Of course there is no rush because they're both restricted. What Del Zotto may get this summer is an interesting wild card.
- SuperSchennBros

i think the earlier jake is extended the better for you guys.

however, to be fair, hartnell was crowned with that big fat contract right after a career year and it didnt take too long for people to gripe that they jumped on him immediately and bid against themselves giving him all the leverage after a career year. how dare they.

I'm trying to stay positive because if he's still here and plays like he did this season again, then that trade is totally (frank)ed
- funmaster18

hey i feel you man. you dont have to justify yourself to me haha

i could probably use a little bit of that positivity you have going on, because i sure as (frank) dont have any.

dupuis didnt die? ii mean thats something good. ugh.

Pens trade malkin to buffalo for the first overall. Crosby/McDavid
- funmaster18

You mean Kessel, 5th overall and the rest of the Leafs draft?

hey i feel you man. you dont have to justify yourself to me haha

i could probably use a little bit of that positivity you have going on, because i sure as (frank) dont have any.

dupuis didnt die? ii mean thats something good. ugh.
- stayinthefnnet

When's the last time the flyers and pens both missed the playoffs? That just seems wrong

Honestly, RJ was terrible last year for us. By the end of the year he was being a healthy scratch and was really struggling to crack our lineup. I don't see this year as a blip, but rather a continuation of that.

I don't know if I see it either, but I really really want to
- funmaster18

What I love about the summer is that everyone is so optimistic about the team. Just wait a few months and you'll start to see it!

When's the last time the flyers and pens both missed the playoffs? That just seems wrong
- funmaster18

this season was just so, so (frank)ed for the teams in this state.

the pens injuries. yet again absurd.

flyers. 2 guys in the art ross hunt. 50 point defenseman. top 3 goalie. lottery team.

sounds legit.

What I love about the summer is that everyone is so optimistic about the team. Just wait a few months and you'll start to see it!
- PhillySportsGuy

yeah, but Aaron Harang.

Honestly, RJ was terrible last year for us. By the end of the year he was being a healthy scratch and was really struggling to crack our lineup. I don't see this year as a blip, but rather a continuation of that.
- vertigo1061

I thought the writing was on the wall that Umberger was going to get bought out but Hextall leaped out one handed to intercept that contract from entering the trash. What a catch!

I thought the writing was on the wall that Umberger was going to get bought out but Hextall leaped out one handed to intercept that contract from entering the trash. What a catch!
- SuperSchennBros

Hartnell had a NMC, there was probably a shortlist of teams he would waive for. At that point, your limited on what you can get in return. Not that I don't think they could have or should have done better, just playing devils advocate.

yeah, but Aaron Harang.
- stayinthefnnet

Trade him now while he still has value

i think the earlier jake is extended the better for you guys.

however, to be fair, hartnell was crowned with that big fat contract right after a career year and it didnt take too long for people to gripe that they jumped on him immediately and bid against themselves giving him all the leverage after a career year. how dare they.
- stayinthefnnet

There was no rush to move him. At 32, he's still more then capable of his role. I'm a little more worried at age 35, 36.