I wouldn't be averse to bringing Reese back. Hextall might be, however.

I have a feeling we'll never really know what happened.
- tangent_man

Yup, agreed. I doubt the sole issue was Berube.

This is how I think the front office should handle Vinny going forward.

They should tell Vinny that other than paying him they are removing themselves from the equation entirely. Tell him his agent can work with any team he wants but he has to negotiate with them. It's not about returns for or from the Flyers, its about what years Vinny is willing to walk away from with that contract. Tell him its either spending the remainder of his time here in the press box, on the planes, away from his family for nothing OR facilitate a trade where you come to an agreement that you walk away in a year or two tops because no one is touching you otherwise.
- hereticpride

They need to stay away from any talk about Lecavalier walking away in a year or two, they could find themselves in a greivance procedure in front of the systems arbitrator.

They need to stay away from any talk about Lecavalier walking away in a year or two, they could find themselves in a greivance procedure in front of the systems arbitrator.
- MJL

Your love of VLC makes me sick.

I think Vinny might be tradeable this summer if they retain max salary. But if not then I'm OK with seeing what Vinny can do under a new coach, and then aggressively looking to move him in summer 2016 when he'll only have two years left at $3m.

They have the Hamburglar, and Lehner. Wasn't this Hammond kid 20-1-2 or something along those lines?
- PLindbergh31

Imho that kid caught lightening in a bottle. Were I the Senators I'd be selling high on that kid and stick with Lehner and Anderson.

I'm looking around these teams in the cup playoffs and I fail to see why we need a luke schenn or grossman type player at all. Certainly none of these teams are carrying two. But anaheim's d are all exceptional puck movers. Rangers have girardi who is an exceptional defensive dman and a bunch of two way guys and puck movers. You don't need this type of player anymore. Morin will fit this roll going forward and that's it. There's no need for grossman, luke, or even gudas once morin is ready.

Your love of VLC makes me sick.
- KGBflyers10

That's pretty funny. It really is about what a team can do, and what the NHLPA might have an issue with, which would apply to any player, not just Lecavalier. What's it's not about is any "love" for Lecavalier.

This is how I think the front office should handle Vinny going forward.

They should tell Vinny that other than paying him they are removing themselves from the equation entirely. Tell him his agent can work with any team he wants but he has to negotiate with them. It's not about returns for or from the Flyers, its about what years Vinny is willing to walk away from with that contract. Tell him its either spending the remainder of his time here in the press box, on the planes, away from his family for nothing OR facilitate a trade where you come to an agreement that you walk away in a year or two tops because no one is touching you otherwise.
- hereticpride

That's a bad attitude approach, imho. The Flyers own that contract just as much as the player does, maybe even moreso. They don't have the upper hand in this situation, imho.

I'm looking around these teams in the cup playoffs and I fail to see why we need a luke schenn or grossman type player at all. Certainly none of these teams are carrying two. But anaheim's d are all exceptional puck movers. Rangers have girardi who is an exceptional defensive dman and a bunch of two way guys and puck movers. You don't need this type of player anymore. Morin will fit this roll going forward and that's it. There's no need for grossman, luke, or even gudas once morin is ready.
- Just5

But Schenn and Grossmann are big and can push guys out of the crease... or something.

It's chilling to think of Montador's death, and not see the NHL and NHLPA step up efforts to assist former players more, especially after the deaths of Rick Rypien, Wade Belak and Derek Boogaard a few years ago.

Like the NFL, the NHL is facing legal action by former players. if the league and the PA would be more attentive to the needs of former players, maybe Montador's story doesn't end so sadly.
- Jsaquella

There has to be something I don't understand. What is it that the players want the NHL to do to 'Help' them with life afterwards? What help is there for the factory worker after he retires, or the electrician etc etc. These players when their time is done in the NHL are wealthy and still young. They can buy a tim hortons franchise or other business or whatever else they want to do. If they turn to drugs and booze it's a choice they make and not a fault of the NHL.

Same goes for these players suing for the concussion issue. Every players knows there is a risk playing hockey of being injured. If getting a concussion or a chance of getting one bothers you then don't play a rough sport.

That's pretty funny. It really is about what a team can do, and what the NHLPA might have an issue with, which would apply to any player, not just Lecavalier. What's it's not about is any "love" for Lecavalier.
- MJL

Lecavalier lover!!!!

There has to be something I don't understand. What is it that the players want the NHL to do to 'Help' them with life afterwards? What help is there for the factory worker after he retires, or the electrician etc etc. These players when their time is done in the NHL are wealthy and still young. They can buy a tim hortons franchise or other business or whatever else they want to do. If they turn to drugs and booze it's a choice they make and not a fault of the NHL.

Same goes for these players suing for the concussion issue. Every players knows there is a risk playing hockey of being injured. If getting a concussion or a chance of getting one bothers you then don't play a rough sport.
- sparky

Exactly. If they want the help...fine...but it will come out of their pay checks

I'm looking around these teams in the cup playoffs and I fail to see why we need a luke schenn or grossman type player at all. Certainly none of these teams are carrying two. But anaheim's d are all exceptional puck movers. Rangers have girardi who is an exceptional defensive dman and a bunch of two way guys and puck movers. You don't need this type of player anymore. Morin will fit this roll going forward and that's it. There's no need for grossman, luke, or even gudas once morin is ready.
- Just5

Agreed, I'd be happy to at least move Grossmann and Luke and go with the following next season:

MDZ-Schultz
AMac-Streit
some combo of Manning, Morin and Gudas for the 3rd pair

But Schenn and Grossmann are big and can push guys out of the crease... or something.
- Feanor

Clayton stoner is 6'3 210. Beachemin 6'0 210. These guys retrieve the puck and make a fast accurate first pass. What needs emphasis is quick puck retrieval

Your love of VLC makes me sick.
- KGBflyers10

Agreed, I'd be happy to at least move Grossmann and Luke and go with the following next season:

MDZ-Schultz
AMac-Streit
some combo of Manning, Morin and Gudas for the 3rd pair
- BiggE

I'd rather let morin stay in the ahl for a season. The beginning of the season at least. If it's another throw away season, maybe the last two or three months or so, they bring him up for a taste of nhl action. I think gudas can do some good. In his second season he had 3 goals and 19 assists which isn't all that bad for a defensive dman.

Anyone want to bet that luke schenn won't make half the cap hit he's making now on his next deal going forward?

I will bet a self ban for a month. Whose in!!

This is how I think the front office should handle Vinny going forward.

They should tell Vinny that other than paying him they are removing themselves from the equation entirely. Tell him his agent can work with any team he wants but he has to negotiate with them. It's not about returns for or from the Flyers, its about what years Vinny is willing to walk away from with that contract. Tell him its either spending the remainder of his time here in the press box, on the planes, away from his family for nothing OR facilitate a trade where you come to an agreement that you walk away in a year or two tops because no one is touching you otherwise.
- hereticpride

That will make all UFA's very eager to sign here in the future. First-class organization.

I'd rather let morin stay in the ahl for a season. The beginning of the season at least. If it's another throw away season, maybe the last two or three months or so, they bring him up for a taste of nhl action. I think gudas can do some good. In his second season he had 3 goals and 19 assists which isn't all that bad for a defensive dman.
- benjichronic

My hope is that, should he make it as a regular on the 3rd pair, Gudas can cut back on the penalties a bit. Unless the PK makes a huge comeback next year, it could be a very long season.

I'd rather let morin stay in the ahl for a season. The beginning of the season at least. If it's another throw away season, maybe the last two or three months or so, they bring him up for a taste of nhl action. I think gudas can do some good. In his second season he had 3 goals and 19 assists which isn't all that bad for a defensive dman.
- benjichronic

I agree. I'm skipping over next year. After that I assume morin will be ready. Bye bye Luke and gross

But Schenn and Grossmann are big and can push guys out of the crease... or something.
- Feanor

Pittsburgh could have used that on 2 separate occasions last night. Both of the Rags' goals were players just being able to stand alone in front of MAF and whack away.

Anyone want to bet that luke schenn won't make half the cap hit he's making now on his next deal going forward?

I will bet a self ban for a month. Whose in!!
- Just5

He's right-handed. He'll get at least $2M per on his next deal. Were he a lefty, I'd agree with you.

He's right-handed. He'll get at least $2M per on his next deal. Were he a lefty, I'd agree with you.
- jmatchett383

Are you agreeing to the terms? Witnesses?

Pittsburgh could have used that on 2 separate occasions last night. Both of the Rags' goals were players just being able to stand alone in front of MAF and whack away.
- jmatchett383

Unless you're a real physical specimen it's a much lower percentage strategy than gaining possession of the puck and clearing the zone. When LSchenn tries to battle in the crease the puck usually just deflects off his skate and goes in.

My hope is that, should he make it as a regular on the 3rd pair, Gudas can cut back on the penalties a bit. Unless the PK makes a huge comeback next year, it could be a very long season.
- tangent_man

He does take a lot of penalties so yes, hopefully he can cut down on them.

I also saw in the past that gudas had some time on the pp. Back in 2013-2014 he had 4 power play power, one being a goal. I don't think gudas is as useless offensively as grossman or luke (although grossman actually had a pretty decent season scoring).