14+ million tied up on VLC, Umberger, and MacDonald. Not even getting replacement level production from these players. They are consuming about 20% of the cap. Makes it really hard to compete with sunk costs like these guys.
- PLindbergh31

I'd like to think that Umberger bounces back. He's not that old – 33. Decent size and his speed should be a bit more effective assuming his hernia issues are sorted. Is he overpaid? Of course. With the right mix of players he could get back to 20g/50pts.

Also because while agreeing to leave he would still be paid his full contract.

VL may not be retiring or agreeing to mutually terminate because he doesn't want to leave millions of dollars on the table. He's only 35 years old with plenty of years in front of him so he does have to think about his future. So it might not be pride, it might be sound financial reasons why he is doing what he is doing.
- Scoob

That, and right or wrong, Lecavalier feels he can still play.

Don't waste your time man. The Flyers signed a russian dman, and a third goalie. Just trying to fit in his Flyers cap issues are "overblown hyperbole" narrative.
- PLindbergh31

Actually it seems to me that puckhead is trying to start an argument. :shrug:

That, and right or wrong, Lecavalier feels he can still play.
- MJL

Which is clearly his decision to make. And who knows, he may still be able.

Also because while agreeing to leave he would still be paid his full contract.

VL may not be retiring or agreeing to mutually terminate because he doesn't want to leave millions of dollars on the table. He's only 35 years old with plenty of years in front of him so he does have to think about his future. So it might not be pride, it might be sound financial reasons why he is doing what he is doing.
- Scoob

Ok, he walked away from Tampa with $100m in his pocket.
I understand no one walks away from $, but....................?

Actually it seems to me that puckhead is trying to start an argument. :shrug:
- Scoob

You, like MJL, started correcting me.
I thought the boards were for opinions?
Not fact.

Thanx
I agree with you on how it sucks that we're wasting a few more years of Giroux's, & Voracek's prime years.
As well as Simmonds.
I know, we have a plan, patience.
- puckhead17

I'm not in the belief that they are not competing this year (certainly not writing you believe that premise). I believe the misconception is that Coots, Read, Raffl, and B. Schenn can't possibly improve from last year. It may turn out that way, but it isn't a given. I'm not sure at 23 and 24 years old, one can definitely say a hockey player has reached his peak.

Also, I look at some of the potential blueliners, similar to MAB during his rookie year under Lavi. Gradually throughout the year, Lavi gave him additional responsibility and by playoff time he was arguably a second pairing dman.
I'm excited to see how the blueline shakes out through the preseason.

Ok, he walked away from Tampa with $100m in his pocket.
I understand no one walks away from $, but....................?
- puckhead17

Smart rich people do not walk away from money no matter how much they have.

You, like MJL, started correcting me.
I thought the boards were for opinions?
Not fact.
- puckhead17

MJL offered facts (free agents were signed, that is undeniable)
I offered facts (Hartnell's situation is not comparable to VL's, that, to is undeniable)

:shrug:

MJL offered facts (free agents were signed, that is undeniable)
I offered facts (Hartnell's situation is not comparable to VL's, that, to is undeniable)

:shrug:
- Scoob

Agrees with you because, whatever.

Shrug

The Flyers signed Medvedev for 3M on a low risk one year deal. They view him as a top 4 caliber defenseman, although sometimes there can be an adjustment that needs to be made to the NA game. They spent extra money this year to sign Neuvirth, which was a good signing. The Flyers have about 4.45M in cap space right now. If they had wanted to, they could've bought out Gagner, possibly traded Luke Schenn, which could've meant taking a contract back, or retaining salary, but also could've gained more space. They could've bought out Umberger or Lecavalier to gain more space. If they had wanted to, they could've dove in head first in to the free agent pool. The bottom line is that the Flyers have signed free agents that they think will improve the team, will retain all the players they're interested in keeping, and will probably for the first time in a while will be under the cap and banking cap space. The Flyers are in decent cap shape, and yes, just like every year, their cap situation is overblown.

Wouldn't it behoove Vinny to not terminate until after training camp/preseason? No guarantee he gets invited anywhere else otherwise. Probably views it as one last audition.

But if he really thinks Hakstol or any coach for the matter is going to look at this Flyers roster and see an opening for him I think he's delusional.

Which is clearly his decision to make. And who knows, he may still be able.
- Scoob

Looking at the draft year, and how many guys have faded badly (B Richards, Horcoff, Gagne, Gomez, Cheechoo, Ryder, Vinny), and how many guys have already retired, it's amazing to see how productive guys like Tanguay and Datsyuk still are.

The % of guys who perform highly into their mid-late 30's is just so small.

I'm not in the belief that they are not competing this year (certainly not writing you believe that premise). I believe the misconception is that Coots, Read, Raffl, and B. Schenn can't possibly improve from last year. It may turn out that way, but it isn't a given. I'm not sure at 23 and 24 years old, one can definitely say a hockey player has reached his peak.

Also, I look at some of the potential blueliners, similar to MAB during his rookie year under Lavi. Gradually throughout the year, Lavi gave him additional responsibility and by playoff time he was arguably a second pairing dman.
I'm excited to see how the blueline shakes out through the preseason.
- ravishingone

Agree completely. There is a lot of room for internal growth on this team.

I'm not in the belief that they are not competing this year (certainly not writing you believe that premise). I believe the misconception is that Coots, Read, Raffl, and B. Schenn can't possibly improve from last year. It may turn out that way, but it isn't a given. I'm not sure at 23 and 24 years old, one can definitely say a hockey player has reached his peak.

Also, I look at some of the potential blueliners, similar to MAB during his rookie year under Lavi. Gradually throughout the year, Lavi gave him additional responsibility and by playoff time he was arguably a second pairing dman.
I'm excited to see how the blueline shakes out through the preseason.
- ravishingone

Same here, I know there's a ton of excitement, and anticipation with our blue line.
And how the coach handles them will be a factor.
MAB is a great example!
The young forwards are capable of progressing, for sure.

Wouldn't it behoove Vinny to not terminate until after training camp/preseason? No guarantee he gets invited anywhere else otherwise. Probably views it as one last audition.

But if he really thinks Hakstol or any coach for the matter is going to look at this Flyers roster and see an opening for him I think he's delusional.
- hereticpride

He still feels he can play.

If Grossmann got a 2016 4th/2017 3rd, then I think LSchenn could get a 3rd/2nd.

If Grossmann got a 2016 4th/2017 3rd, then I think LSchenn could get a 3rd/2nd.
- Feanor

I believe he's on the last year of his deal, correct? He'll make a good trade deadline asset.

Don't waste your time man. The Flyers signed a russian dman, and a third goalie. Just trying to fit in his Flyers cap issues are "overblown hyperbole" narrative.
- PLindbergh31

Agree completely. There is a lot of room for internal growth on this team.
- MJL

Certainly there is. Its easy to remember the Kings dynasty right now. However, the earlier years there was some real questions whether guys like Quick, Brown and Kopitar could get the job done.

I'm glad Hexy hasn't thrown Coots, Read, or B. Schenn overboard.

Which is clearly his decision to make. And who knows, he may still be able.
- Scoob

Can he play? Sure, he's not dead.

Can he play at the level necessary to succeed on a scoring line in the NHL?
Doubtful

Can he play any other role other than scoring center or RW?
Extremely doubtful

If Grossmann got a 2016 4th/2017 3rd, then I think LSchenn could get a 3rd/2nd.
- Feanor

Agreed

- BiggE

Want to lay odds on the same source later on this season, saying what a great signing Medvedev was by Hextall? Also how much better of a backup Neuvirth is, who is what I meant to post, over Emery?

Can he play? Sure, he's not dead.

Can he play at the level necessary to succeed on a scoring line in the NHL?
Doubtful

Can he play any other role other than scoring center or RW?
Extremely doubtful
- BiggE

You deserve the drink in your avatar sir!

If Grossmann got a 2016 4th/2017 3rd, then I think LSchenn could get a 3rd/2nd.
- Feanor

Let's not forget that we also took back a contract they were planning on buying out on top of that. A contract that the Flyers had considered buying out as well so it wasn't that the flyers viewed getting Gagner as a positive at the time.

While the Coyotes took on the Pronger contract i consider that a wash as the Pronger contract was something useful for the Coyotes (a cheap RL $ way to help get them to the cap floor).