Both Craig Button and EJ Hradek have Anaheim losing to Winnepeg in the first round

I think VLC usage is one of the factors that gets Berube fired, when it's all said and done.

Regardless of what we and Berube think about Vinny, I think Hextall's problem becomes either finding a way to ship Vinny out or find a coach that can get something, anything, out of Vinny.
- johndewar

I don't think that's a factor that will lead to Berube getting fired. Lecavalier didn't play well enough this year to command more icetime. A GM isn't going to overlook that. Berube actually did find a way to get something out of Lecavalier, when he put him on the 4th line. He produced at times on that line, moreso last year than this year.

Both Craig Button and EJ Hradek have Anaheim losing to Winnepeg in the first round
- aflyerpower8

I have read that people really like Winnipeg, maybe to even get to the final

I don't know about that, personally -- Anaheim's really good. But at the same time, if that does happen, Bob Murray is going to be kicking himself for not finding a way to get an impact defender in there

Hexy is a patient man when making decisions..can you imagine car shopping with him?
- vejim

lol

I don't think that's a factor that will lead to Berube getting fired. Lecavalier didn't play well enough this year to command more icetime. A GM isn't going to overlook that. Berube actually did find a way to get something out of Lecavalier, when he put him on the 4th line. He produced at times on that line, moreso last year than this year.
- MJL

A GM can't overlook a 5M cap hit sitting in the press box, either.

Both Craig Button and EJ Hradek have Anaheim losing to Winnepeg in the first round
- aflyerpower8

That's actually been a popular pick. I don't see it, but I wouldn't be shocked. I'm not a big fan of Pavelec, but the Winnipeg defense is pretty formidable.

I think VLC usage is one of the factors that gets Berube fired, when it's all said and done.

Regardless of what we and Berube think about Vinny, I think Hextall's problem becomes either finding a way to ship Vinny out or find a coach that can get something, anything, out of Vinny.
- johndewar

I guess that is the question, is there anything left to get out of Vinnie?

I really think he hurts a team more then helps now.

The second line trial last year with BSchenn was a disaster.

He can't keep up with G and Jake.

He looked pretty good with Bellemare (which says a lot about Bellemare to me), but that is bottom six minutes.

Can he help a second PP unit? I think with the right guys he might be good there, but it wasn't great here. Which I don't blame on Vinnie, the 2nd PP was a shambles.

I think moving Raffl down makes the lower lines better, no?

I don't think it's a huge priority or anything, but I'd like to see someone with better offensive instincts up on that line. That's all. It's not an indictment of Raffl or anything.
- johndewar

Raffl is a player who can play just about anywhere, but he's not going to make the lower lines better in the way that is needed. The Flyers need more skill and speed in the lineup. Raffl is a solid fit on the top line. The greater need is for the 2nd line, to get a better mix of forwards. The Flyers need to move away from being a one line team. Making the top line better is not what they should do. Raffl is a good fit up there, make moves to make the other lines better.

I think moving Raffl down makes the lower lines better, no?

I don't think it's a huge priority or anything, but I'd like to see someone with better offensive instincts up on that line. That's all. It's not an indictment of Raffl or anything.
- johndewar

Not necessarily. I think Raffl "fits" on the top line playing with G and V. We have better players than him technically already on the team, but Raffl seemed to fit best with them regardless of his pedigree.

Moving Raffl away from them reduces the effectiveness of not only the line, but Raffl himself. So why not leave him there and maximize both?

A GM can't overlook a 5M cap hit sitting in the press box, either.
- johndewar

If the player isn't earning icetime, that's a GM problem, not a coach problem. Do you think Hextall thinks that Lecavalier should have been playing more, and that Berube just doesn't like him? Or do you think that Hextall saw the same thing that Berube saw, that led to Lecavalier sitting out?

Both Craig Button and EJ Hradek have Anaheim losing to Winnepeg in the first round
- aflyerpower8

Looking forward to that series a lot .

I see Van beating Calgary, Chicago over Nashville, StL over Minn (although this one could surprise).

Looking forward to that series a lot .

I see Van beating Calgary, Chicago over Nashville, StL over Minn (although this one could surprise).
- Marc D

I had Anaheim, Calgary, Chicago, and Stl in the west and NYR, Caps, Tampa, and Ottawa in the east

I had Anaheim, Calgary, Chicago, and Stl in the west and NYR, Caps, Tampa, and Ottawa in the east
- aflyerpower8

I'm rooting for the winner of Chicago/Nashville to come out of the West. Although, if it's Chicago, and they're playing anyone but the Rags, I'm cheering for them to lose.

If the player isn't earning icetime, that's a GM problem, not a coach problem. Do you think Hextall thinks that Lecavalier should have been playing more, and that Berube just doesn't like him? Or do you think that Hextall saw the same thing that Berube saw, that led to Lecavalier sitting out?
- MJL

I think Hextall would rather trade Vinny if he can, simply to open that spot up for someone else who would come much more cheaply, giving him flexibility elsewhere.

That's easier said than done and because of that, it's important that the coach get creative in how this particular asset is used.

Fact is, Hextall may find a way to trade Vinny AND fire Berube. Maybe Berube needs to tweak what he does, system wise, to suit Vinny? Not sure what the right answer is, but I'm pretty sure status quo isn't it.

Over the past few days I've seen a lot of people posting lineups without Umberger or VLC in them. I understand that this is what people would like to see, but it really isn't realistic.

I can see Vinny and the Flyers parting ways, in one way or another. If it's in a trade, it would definitely require salary retention (at least half) and hope that he holds to his words from earlier in the season where he said that he might retire after one more year. I'm doubting this whole mutual termination business.

Other than that, I really don't see a scenario where Umberger isn't in the lineup in the fall. Maybe they treat him the same way that they did with VLC and plug him on the 4th line, but as of now, he's the other 3rd line winger that we're dealing with.

Over the past few days I've seen a lot of people posting lineups without Umberger or VLC in them. I understand that this is what people would like to see, but it really isn't realistic.

I can see Vinny and the Flyers parting ways, in one way or another. If it's in a trade, it would definitely require salary retention (at least half) and hope that he holds to his words from earlier in the season where he said that he might retire after one more year. I'm doubting this whole mutual termination business.

Other than that, I really don't see a scenario where Umberger isn't in the lineup in the fall. Maybe they treat him the same way that they did with VLC and plug him on the 4th line, but as of now, he's the other 3rd line winger that we're dealing with.
- Coleman

You could always buy out Umby. Then again Clarkson got traded so anyone could be.

A GM can't overlook a 5M cap hit sitting in the press box, either.
- johndewar

I don't think he'll overlook it, but I think Hextall knows the effects of polishing a turd.

I think Hextall would rather trade Vinny if he can, simply to open that spot up for someone else who would come much more cheaply, giving him flexibility elsewhere.

That's easier said than done and because of that, it's important that the coach get creative in how this particular asset is used.

Fact is, Hextall may find a way to trade Vinny AND fire Berube. Maybe Berube needs to tweak what he does, system wise, to suit Vinny? Not sure what the right answer is, but I'm pretty sure status quo isn't it.
- johndewar

I thought playing him with Vandevelde and Bellemare was creative. If he can't play well enough to center a scoring line, or well enough to play at RW on a scoring line, what else is there? Getting creative and being a miracle worker are two different things.

Both Craig Button and EJ Hradek have Anaheim losing to Winnepeg in the first round
- aflyerpower8

And if there's one team I think that could do that, it's Winnipeg. They remind me a lot of the kings. They're just a big, strong, physical team and they grind the hell outta their opponents. They have a few big dudes that are fast, and have great skill too. Ladd and wheeler are two of my favorite wingers in the game. I'd like to see Winnipeg make a huge run. And then I'd like to see the flyers built the same way Winnipeg is

If the player isn't earning icetime, that's a GM problem, not a coach problem. Do you think Hextall thinks that Lecavalier should have been playing more, and that Berube just doesn't like him? Or do you think that Hextall saw the same thing that Berube saw, that led to Lecavalier sitting out?
- MJL

I knew it was untenable when Simmonds and Umberger both went out for the season and Berube played Nick Cousins as a center and Rinaldo on 3rd line while leaving VLC at 4th line wing.

When that happened, everyone knew this whole situation needed to end.

Over the past few days I've seen a lot of people posting lineups without Umberger or VLC in them. I understand that this is what people would like to see, but it really isn't realistic.

I can see Vinny and the Flyers parting ways, in one way or another. If it's in a trade, it would definitely require salary retention (at least half) and hope that he holds to his words from earlier in the season where he said that he might retire after one more year. I'm doubting this whole mutual termination business.

Other than that, I really don't see a scenario where Umberger isn't in the lineup in the fall. Maybe they treat him the same way that they did with VLC and plug him on the 4th line, but as of now, he's the other 3rd line winger that we're dealing with.
- Coleman

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



The offseason will be interesting because I still believe one of Read, Simmonds or Schenn is moved.

I knew it was untenable when Simmonds and Umberger both went out for the season and Berube played Nick Cousins as a center and Rinaldo on 3rd line while leaving VLC at 4th line wing.
When that happened, everyone knew this whole situation needed to end.
- MBFlyerfan

The Rinaldo - White - Cousins line was essentially the 4th line.

I don't think he'll overlook it, but I think Hextall knows the effects of polishing a turd.
- BulliesPhan87

Fair point.

1 more year

I guess that is the question, is there anything left to get out of Vinnie?

I really think he hurts a team more then helps now.

The second line trial last year with BSchenn was a disaster.

He can't keep up with G and Jake.

He looked pretty good with Bellemare (which says a lot about Bellemare to me), but that is bottom six minutes.

Can he help a second PP unit? I think with the right guys he might be good there, but it wasn't great here. Which I don't blame on Vinnie, the 2nd PP was a shambles.
- Marc D

2nd PP had two corpses at forward most of the year. Playing Umberger in need of surgery when they knew in the offseason he needed it puzzles the heck out of me.