Here's what I see as the Flyers most pressing needs and the most pressing impediments to getting there:
NEED: 2 legit top pair dmen
No one fitting this description is available in free agency, nor can they be acquired via trade without massive overpayment. Most likely, this need will have to be filled via the draft or in a trade for a young dman who has not yet reached his potential. No matter what, this need will likely not be filled by next season.
NEED: And 2/3 center to compliment Giroux and Couturier
Whether you think Sean Couturier is best used as the 2nd or 3rd line center, you still need another pivot to fill out the top 3 lines. Brayden Schenn looks best on RW and Scott Laughton may, or may not, be a legit 3rd line center. This need will likely be filled through the draft and it may take a year or 2 before they have the mix they want. Of course, winning the draft lottery would instantly fill this need.
NEED: Unloading the contracts of VLC and Umberger.
Ugh, this ain't gonna be easy. In regards to Vinny, best case is you find someone willing to trade anything for him while the Flyers retain some salary. Worst Case, he spends most of next season as a healthy scratch and then is bought out. For Umberger, the best case is they are able to move Vinny, they keep Umberger for one more year and buy him out after next season. The worst case is that they are unable to move Vinny and they are forced to buy Umberger out after this season. With the cap possibly staying flat or even going down a bit, this becomes a real dicey situation.
NEED: Moving at least one if not 2 of L. Schenn, Grossmann and AMac.
The Flyers need to make room for some skill and youth on D and could stand to move some players who simply aren't worth the cap $$. At least one of Schenn/Grossmann must go. AMac isn't a terrible player by any means, but he is not worth another 5 years at 5 million per season. If they can move him without retaining money, it needs to be done
NEED: A quality scoring LW to play on one of the top 2 lines.
This spot may be filled next year either via the draft or by keeping a hopefully healthy Matt Read on the left side. Of all the Flyers needs this is likely the easiest to fill in the short term.
NEED: A decision on the head coach
I am not a huge fan of Berube, I think he is an ok coach, but I also think they can do better. However, since he is heading into the last year of his contract, if they are going to keep him, they need to at least sign him to a 1 year extension. Going into the season with a lame duck coach, unless he has the pedigree of a Mike Babcock, is not a wise idea. - BiggE
