That's where I sit, limited guy who can only be used in a limited role. Guy like that forces a coach to shorten the bench, and hide guys and lines.
- Jsaquella

With the way teams like to roll lines these days, it's difficult to have players like him on the team. Makes no sense to handicap yourself

Yes, if Laughton or Cousins aren't playing at least 11 or 12 minutes per game next season they should be in the AHL playing close to 20.

Cousins got less than 9 minutes per game on the Flyers, but he was only called up for a short period. He's going back for the final four Phantoms games and I'm sure it was a good experience for him and he's realized he's got plenty of things to work on over the summer if he wants to be back in the NHL next season.
- Feanor

Exactly.

I don't think they were going to change the Flyers enough to keep them on the roster over letting them play major minutes and situations in the AHL.

Next season could be different. Cousins could be a nice 4th line option with Bellemare and White. A greasy line that could bring and edge and scoring. Laughton could see 3rd line minutes as a good two way center and pk player taking some mintues of couturier.

Does Umberger have a NMC? If not, you could demote him to the AHL, save ~$900K in cap space and, in a perfect world, have him not report and suspend him.
- jmatchett383

An improved PK and a better record in OT/SO will maybe get this team to the playoffs next year even if they don't improve at ES. It won't get them anywhere in the playoffs but they'll at least have a chance to play a first round series.

They lived off their special teams last year. With any regression, they were going to struggle to make it this year. They obviously regressed significantly on the PK.

I think it's important for the Flyers to recognize that Mason is very good but posting another year of a .940 ES save percentage is unlikely. They need to find ways to score more goals at ES next year because their goals against will likely be higher
- PhillySportsGuy

imagine them without Streit, the PP takes a big hit

I like mdz but he doesn't quarterback the PP like Streit

Ghost might but I think he is at least a year away from being ready, same with TS

The pick. Babcock isn't the only coach
- Jsaquella

He'd no longer be under contract as of July 1st so no pick should be given back to Detriot.

imagine them without Streit, the PP takes a big hit

I like mdz but he doesn't quarterback the PP like Streit

Ghost might but I think he is at least a year away from being ready, same with TS
- Marc D

Streit is a good PP quarterback but I think G, Jake and Simmonds are the keys to its success. It would be a downgrade to go to MDZ, but I don't think the PP would fall out of the top 10.

I'm not advocating moving Streit just to move him, but I think they should at least find his market value

Does Umberger have a NMC? If not, you could demote him to the AHL, save ~$900K in cap space and, in a perfect world, have him not report and suspend him.
- jmatchett383

Someone needs to slip a little something into his drink when they're out one night so he misses a meeting the next morning... Easy justification for suspending him. When he suddenly has a string of missed meetings, the problem will be solved.

They gave Rinaldo an extension.



Yes, if Laughton or Cousins aren't playing at least 11 or 12 minutes per game next season they should be in the AHL playing close to 20.

Cousins got less than 9 minutes per game on the Flyers, but he was only called up for a short period. He's going back for the final four Phantoms games and I'm sure it was a good experience for him and he's realized he's got plenty of things to work on over the summer if he wants to be back in the NHL next season.
- Feanor

They did.

But it's not like they can't just waive him. The contract has really no penalty to it. He can be a call up and when he is playing well he can be a serviceable 4th line role player if needed.

The pick. Babcock isn't the only coach
- Jsaquella

I want TB out in the first round and 4 teams below them in the regular season standings in the final 4

Are there any conditions on the TB pick??

That's where I sit, limited guy who can only be used in a limited role. Guy like that forces a coach to shorten the bench, and hide guys and lines.
- Jsaquella

how many teams employ a true 4th line that gets say 12 or more minutes a game? all coaches shorten the bench regardless if rinaldo is on this team or not.

rinaldo is so far down the list of issues on this team it really shouldn't be mentioned. if they want him gone it is so easy to do.

Bill, was there ever a reason given on why Morin missed the first game of the second round?
- jmatchett383

No reason was given.

Are there any conditions on the TB pick??
- Giroux_Is_God

Not at this point. The lone condition was that, if TB missed the playoffs and won the lottery, the Flyers would get the Rangers' 1st rounder instead.

Are there any conditions on the TB pick??
- Giroux_Is_God

I think it was top pick protected. Irrelevant now as they aren't in the lottery

Streit is a good PP quarterback but I think G, Jake and Simmonds are the keys to its success. It would be a downgrade to go to MDZ, but I don't think the PP would fall out of the top 10.

I'm not advocating moving Streit just to move him, but I think they should at least find his market value
- PhillySportsGuy

I understand what you are saying but I think there is more value to keeping him around, maybe he will even be the vet mentor to guys like Ghost and Sanheim. I think Streit is a damn good hockey player, and I do think the PP will drop off even with G and Jake and Simmonds and BSchenn too. I thought Schenn did well in his role there this year, especially digging out lose pucks.

I want TB out in the first round and 4 teams below them in the regular season standings in the final 4
- nastyflyergirl

very calculating, I like it

from a pure hockey point of view TB is fun to watch.

At this time, here is my start.

Raffl - Giroux - Voracek
???? - Couturier - Schenn
Read - Laughton - Simmonds
Bellemare - Cousins - White
- J35Bacher

Realistically, does this lineup significantly change their fortunes next year? Do you think they would be a legit threat 5-on-5?

Because all I see is a team that would be praying

for Couts and Schenn to become more consistent;
for Read to have a bounce-back year;
for Simmonds and Raffl not to regress;
for Laughton to try to take the next step while backfilling the defense that would be lost moving Couts up to a more offensive role;
and for G and Jake to have the year's they had this year, without suffering any injuries.

I honestly don't see how that lineup makes the team anything other than a borderline playoff team next year.

And you haven't addressed the atrocious contracts of Vinnie or Umby.

Not really picking on you, but I just don't know that this team can make it with a 2nd line of Couts/Schenn and whoever. Third line is another story.

Oilers re-sign Nail Yakupov 2 years, $2.5mm AAV
- Jsaquella

Is he RFA or UFA at the end of it? Probably RFA, yes?

Is he RFA or UFA at the end of it? Probably RFA, yes?
- TheGreat28

Yes

I understand what you are saying but I think there is more value to keeping him around, maybe he will even be the vet mentor to guys like Ghost and Sanheim. I think Streit is a damn good hockey player, and I do think the PP will drop off even with G and Jake and Simmonds and BSchenn too. I thought Schenn did well in his role there this year, especially digging out lose pucks.
- Marc D

I think they just need to weigh everything. His mentoring is one of the positives he'd bring. He makes $5M so if they moved him for picks, they'd have some money to look for a replacement like a Paul Martin or Ehrhoff or someone else not as expensive.

I think they just need to weigh everything. His mentoring is one of the positives he'd bring. He makes $5M so if they moved him for picks, they'd have some money to look for a replacement like a Paul Martin or Ehrhoff or someone else not as expensive.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think they would really look at moving MacDonald over Streit if they wanted to clear some cap space.

I think they would really look at moving MacDonald over Streit if they wanted to clear some cap space.
- J35Bacher

Wayy easier said than done.

I think they would really look at moving MacDonald over Streit if they wanted to clear some cap space.
- J35Bacher

I don't know of anyone who wouldn't want that.. But Streit is moveable... McDonald - nobody wants to touch that contract with a 100ft pole..

Realistically, does this lineup significantly change their fortunes next year? Do you think they would be a legit threat 5-on-5?

Because all I see is a team that would be praying

for Couts and Schenn to become more consistent;
for Read to have a bounce-back year;
for Simmonds and Raffl not to regress;
for Laughton to try to take the next step while backfilling the defense that would be lost moving Couts up to a more offensive role;
and for G and Jake to have the year's they had this year, without suffering any injuries.

I honestly don't see how that lineup makes the team anything other than a borderline playoff team next year.

And you haven't addressed the atrocious contracts of Vinnie or Umby.

Not really picking on you, but I just don't know that this team can make it with a 2nd line of Couts/Schenn and whoever. Third line is another story.
- TheGreat28

All teams pray that their team and players develop.

Even with two picks this year we are still hoping they pan out.

I also said I think one of Read, Simmonds or Schenn are moved so my lineup will change accordingly. I was only going with what is there right now.

I think it was top pick protected. Irrelevant now as they aren't in the lottery
- PhillySportsGuy

Not at this point. The lone condition was that, if TB missed the playoffs and won the lottery, the Flyers would get the Rangers' 1st rounder instead.
- bmeltzer

Thanks boys