Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Lecavalier, Huffman's Lesson, Alumni and More

Bill,

Just looking at guys that are probably starting on the big club where do you see Vinny slotting in? Even if he has a good camp, where do you think he would most likely be slotting in as I don't see him taking any of the top two center spots(Giroux, Couturier) and I don't see him good enough defensively to play on the 3rd or 4th lines.

Lecavalier's issues are his own limitations. He simply isn't the player he was, and really is not well suited for what most NHL teams are looking to do, in terms of style of play and skill set.

He became one of the Flyers biggest contractural mistakes really quickly.

I remember Huffman's breakout season. He looked like he was going to be a key piece of a developing team, that seemed close to getting back to the playoffs. Nice to see how involved he is in the sport again.

Mornin' Bill

Based on that VL assessment, it seems that it will be very hard for him to find a spot on any team. The management of the other 29 teams probably see the same things. So it goes back to what I've been thinking for a long while - the Flyers will be on the hook for his contract for this year at least.

Thanks Bill. It's good to hear about Huff, and his life after being a player. It sounds like he landed on his feet, and took off from there. Maybe he could have a word with VL, and help him figure things out. I take nothing away from VL as a player. As mentioned, he has had a successful career. However, he has to come to the realization that he doesn't fit well with the team. If it's not about the money for him, then he should find a place where he can play the remainder of his career with dignity, and pride. I don't know why a player would want to stick with a team, even though he is unhappy, and not getting enough playing time.
Please keep us posted about Zepp, and let us know if he lands anywhere.
Thanks again.

There aren't many players at 35 who play like they are 25. He was brought here to be the 2nd center, even open to the idea of winging with G. It didn't work. Move on.

The only way I see Vinny getting any playing time is if a forward gets hurt.

Otherwise, Vinny really needs to come to grips with the fact that it's not gonna happen.

Edit: As usual quoting didn't work, was quoting the first poster. Obviously I'm not Bill.....
Edit previous year to last
Best case: If he had an amazing resurgence (ala his start to last season prior to being injured) he could see 2nd C duties with 2nd PP time where the 2nd line plays less minutes then the "3rd line" centered by Coots.
Maybe something like:
Raffle-G-Vcheck
Gagner-VL-Simmonds
Schenn-Coots-Read
Umby-Belle-White

I know that 2nd line is scary slow.

Worst case he looks like the end of last year and is a health scratch the whole year until injuries force him into the line up...if even then.

Edit: As usual quoting didn't work, was quoting the first poster. Obviously I'm not Bill.....

Best case: If he had an amazing resurgence (ala his start to last season prior to being injured) he could see 2nd C duties with 2nd PP time where the 2nd line plays less minutes then the "3rd line" centered by Coots.
Maybe something like:
Raffle-G-Vcheck
Gagner-VL-Simmonds
Schenn-Coots-Read
Umby-Belle-White

I know that 2nd line is scary slow.

Worst case he looks like the end of last year and is a health scratch the whole year until injuries force him into the line up...if even then.
- coffee junkie

I think the start you're referring to was in the 13/14 season, not last season.

The only way I see Vinny getting any playing time is if a forward gets hurt.

Otherwise, Vinny really needs to come to grips with the fact that it's not gonna happen.
- johndewar

Quoting johndewar:

The scary part is if he is the Vinny of the end of 2014-2015 he may not even get into the line up with 3 or less injuries. We have some young guys (not to mention laughton) who could/should be a head of him. Unless he is 100% from his injury he may never play in a Flyers game again.

Edit: I will be more specific, I think the Vinny of last year might not play ahead of VV, Laughton, Cousins and maybe even Leier and slim chance Connor

Vinny better drop 10-15lbs before October, or he has basically no shot at consistent playing time.

Thanks for the link about parents and being involved with their kids. Number 4 was eye opening. That small of a percentage who get to play college hockey. Really makes you appreciate the ones who get the privilege to play in the NHL.

I'd say Vinny's odds are not good

The only way I see Vinny getting any playing time is if a forward gets hurt.

Otherwise, Vinny really needs to come to grips with the fact that it's not gonna happen.
- johndewar

I don't see Vinny, being a year older now, being so impressive in training camp or the pre-season that he gets to play over the younger, faster, more defensively sound players. And he won't terminate the contract for an opportunity with another team. Or he's explored that option with his agent and no other team is very interested. Good times.

I just have a tough time finding a spot for him.

He isn't going to take any spot on the top line.

If the Flyers are intent on getting Couturier and Schenn developing offensively then you know he isn't going to be taking there minutes.

If your trying to get Couturier more offense then your 3rd line will have to be handle tough defensive minutes so you probably wouldn't have him there.

4th line seems pretty set with Vandevelde, White and Bellemare. PK and energy/sandpaper types.

I just have a hard time finding a spot for him

Sadly, we see this all the time in pro sports. The aging athlete who keeps trying to hang on when everyone else can clearly see that he has nothing left.

Hang em up Vinny, you just can't do it any more.

Sadly, we see this all the time in pro sports. The aging athlete who keeps trying to hang on when everyone else can clearly see that he has nothing left.

Hang em up Vinny, you just can't do it any more.
- BiggE

Eh, I see it as "Well, I'm under contract, here's a chance to try hard to make them have to make room for me."

I just have a tough time finding a spot for him.

He isn't going to take any spot on the top line.

If the Flyers are intent on getting Couturier and Schenn developing offensively then you know he isn't going to be taking there minutes.

If your trying to get Couturier more offense then your 3rd line will have to be handle tough defensive minutes so you probably wouldn't have him there.

4th line seems pretty set with Vandevelde, White and Bellemare. PK and energy/sandpaper types.

I just have a hard time finding a spot for him
- J35Bacher

His spot should be on the golf course. It's a business, and Vinny just isn't good enough. At this point, he is way down the depth chart both at RW and C.

Centers RW
Giroux Voracek
Couturier Simmonds
Schenn Gagner
Bellemare White
Laughton VLC
Cousins
VLC

So basically, he's 5th on the depth chart at RW, and 7th at C. Hopefully, at some point it sinks in and he hangs em up.

Eh, I see it as "Well, I'm under contract, here's a chance to try hard to make them have to make room for me."
- Scoob

I'm sure that is exactly how HE sees it. Sadly though, the reality is, IMO, that he just can't play at the level needed to be a top 6 forward, and he lacks the necessary skills to be a successful bottom 6 guy.

I'm sure that is exactly how HE sees it. Sadly though, the reality is, IMO, that he just can't play at the level needed to be a top 6 forward, and he lacks the necessary skills to be a successful bottom 6 guy.
- BiggE

Right.
Which is why the Flyers are going to be paying his contract for at least this year.

Bill,

Is the mutual contract termination still an option once the season starts, or does it have to be during the offseason? For example as you suggested Vinny still seems to be in denial, but if November rolls around and he's been a healthy scratch or playing 6 minutes a night, and it finally clicks for him that he has to move on, at that point can he decide to try and terminate his deal and become a UFA?

Bill,

Is the mutual contract termination still an option once the season starts, or does it have to be during the offseason? For example as you suggested Vinny still seems to be in denial, but if November rolls around and he's been a healthy scratch or playing 6 minutes a night, and it finally clicks for him that he has to move on, at that point can he decide to try and terminate his deal and become a UFA?
- FlyerAdam30

Why would he want to do that?

Every other team knows the same things about him that the Flyers know. Therefore, no team is going to offer him anywhere near what his current contract calls for. And even if he does go to another team, the likelihood of him being scratched there is nearly as high as it is here. Why would he want to give up multiple millions of dollars to do somewhere else what he is probably going to do in Philly?

Sadly, we see this all the time in pro sports. The aging athlete who keeps trying to hang on when everyone else can clearly see that he has nothing left.

Hang em up Vinny, you just can't do it any more.
- BiggE

cough...Chase Utley....cough

Bill,

Is the mutual contract termination still an option once the season starts, or does it have to be during the offseason? For example as you suggested Vinny still seems to be in denial, but if November rolls around and he's been a healthy scratch or playing 6 minutes a night, and it finally clicks for him that he has to move on, at that point can he decide to try and terminate his deal and become a UFA?
- FlyerAdam30

What if he has a terrible camp? Maybe then they go to him and just let him know that he isn't an option even if there are injuries. He can sit in pressbox and collect checks or terminate and maybe he can find a deal somewhere.

What if he has a terrible camp? Maybe then they go to him and just let him know that he isn't an option even if there are injuries. He can sit in pressbox and collect checks or terminate and maybe he can find a deal somewhere.
- J35Bacher

why does anyone think he will terminate?