Gudas has flat out sucked, can't argue with that. Considering he only makes a bit under 1 million, you'd probably lose him if you waive him. Therefore I'd go with:
MDZ-Medvedev
Schultz-Streit
AMac-Schenn
Gudas and Manning as spares

I'd also waive or trade Gagner and try starting the season with 13 forwards. Assuming everyone is healthy and ready to go:
Raffl-G-Jake
Read-Couts-Simmonds or Schenn
Umberger-Laughton-Schenn or Simmonds
VDV-White-Bellemare
spare: Vinny

However, if a forward gets injured severely enough to go on IR, I'd bring someone up from LHV before putting Vinny in the lineup.
- BiggE

I agree with how both Gagner and Lecavalier look. They had nothing last night. Flyers are probably going to demote Laughton and see what happens. On the basis that a move such as waiving Gagner and recalling Laughton can happen later. Only caveat is that I think it's important that the Flyers get off to a good start.

I don't know anyone can watch these preseason games and think Vinny is a lock for the top 9 they way most of the Flyers beat writers seem to. All his extra conditioning has not translated into him being better on the ice.

Gudas has flat out sucked, can't argue with that. Considering he only makes a bit under 1 million, you'd probably lose him if you waive him. Therefore I'd go with:
MDZ-Medvedev
Schultz-Streit
AMac-Schenn
Gudas and Manning as spares

I'd also waive or trade Gagner and try starting the season with 13 forwards. Assuming everyone is healthy and ready to go:
Raffl-G-Jake
Read-Couts-Simmonds or Schenn
Umberger-Laughton-Schenn or Simmonds
VDV-White-Bellemare
spare: Vinny

However, if a forward gets injured severely enough to go on IR, I'd bring someone up from LHV before putting Vinny in the lineup.
- BiggE

No way Wheels goes in Game 1. That would be nothing less than insanity

everytime I see JVR. I get sick in my stomach
- vejim

Ain't that the truth

I agree with how both Gagner and Lecavalier look. They had nothing last night. Flyers are probably going to demote Laughton and see what happens. On the basis that a move such as waiving Gagner and waiving Laughton can happen later. Only caveat is that I think it's important that the Flyers get off to a good start.
- MJL

I don't know bout that. As bad as Gagner and Vinny both looked and seeing how little ice time Hakstol gave each of them as the game went on, I really think Laughton is in the lineup opening night. I think both Hextall and Hakstol know how important it is to get off to a good start and that means putting your best 12 forwards on the ice. Laughton, without a doubt, is one of those 12.

No way Wheels goes in Game 1. That would be nothing less than insanity
- AllInForFlyers

Agree 100%. Assuming they can't find some miraculous way to move him and praying that they don't get decimated with injuries, I can't see VLC playing in more than 15-20 games this year. He's just looked that bad.

Agree 100%. Assuming they can't find some miraculous way to move him and praying that they don't get decimated with injuries, I can't see VLC playing in more than 15-20 games this year. He's just looked that bad.
- BiggE

I admire them for giving him a shot, but the legs are gone. They were last year, probably two years ago, after the back injury

They have to try to get off to a good start. Wheels will get caved in if they try to play him, and I simply do not believe they don't know that

Based on watching two pre season games, L. Schenn is a better player than Gudas is at this point.
- MJL

Agreed here. They're not the same player, but they are similar. I'd take Schenn all day based on what I've seen from Gudas.

Luke is gone at end of season no matter what. I would just try to get something for him if it is now or TDL. I guess Hextall has to figure out when he has most value.
Gudas does need work, but Manning can do the job as a 6th Dman if Luke is moved
- 3flyerkids

I don't think manning is a everyday nhl dman. short term let him play. then call up one of the young kids if they earn it down on the farm in the 1st month of the season.

see what you have in Alt if you think he has a future as a bottom pairing dman

Luke is paid probably about 4 times as much as Gudas, so yeah....he SHOULD be the better player.

The problem is, Luke makes it closer than it should be.
- johndewar

so then by your logic if you make more you should be the player.

I think Manning has shown he can be a serviceable Dman especially at his cap hit.
He deserves to stay. Good bye Luke!
- 3flyerkids

Not a Luke fan, but he is in their top 6. On any team that is serious about winning games, Manning doesnt start over him

I don't know anyone can watch these preseason games and think Vinny is a lock for the top 9 they way most of the Flyers beat writers seem to. All his extra conditioning has not translated into him being better on the ice.
- Feanor

I think you can be in great shape, but if your physical skills have eroded, it's not going to matter. Lecavalier is probably going to be in the top 9 to start the season, but not based on merit.

I don't know bout that. As bad as Gagner and Vinny both looked and seeing how little ice time Hakstol gave each of them as the game went on, I really think Laughton is in the lineup opening night. I think both Hextall and Hakstol know how important it is to get off to a good start and that means putting your best 12 forwards on the ice. Laughton, without a doubt, is one of those 12.
- BiggE

I hope you're correct about that, I just have doubts based on a number of factors. I just don't have a lot of confidence in things changing with Lecavalier and Gagner once the regular season starts.

I agree with how both Gagner and Lecavalier look. They had nothing last night. Flyers are probably going to demote Laughton and see what happens. On the basis that a move such as waiving Gagner and recalling Laughton can happen later. Only caveat is that I think it's important that the Flyers get off to a good start.
- MJL

I am really shocked that Gagner hasn't brought more of a game this preseason. He was a hair away from being bought out and he needs to make some sort of impression if he's even going to be given a contract next year. If this is what we will be getting, we might as well send him to the A and call up some of the kids during the season. No surprise to me regarding Vinny.

Aren't sports writers supposed to be SOMEWHAT unbiased. I was at the game, and 1. The Nash penalty was completely incidental and Vorachek actually ran into Nash. And 2. Stepan was the one who got hit by Schenn, who was then boarded by Kreider and after a scrap ensued, Kreider and Schenn took offsetting minors along with Simmonds taking a five min major for fighting Kreider and the teams skated 4 on 4. If you're gonna be wildly biased maybe try getting your facts straight.
- SpeedBlue91

How far away were you from the ice? The replay clearly and definitively shows Nash sticking out his leg and creating the contact on Voracek.

Not a Luke fan, but he is in their top 6. On any team that is serious about winning games, Manning doesnt start over him
- KINGKENZO

correct. though this team isn't going anywhere imo so if they traded luke I could live with manning short term.

I was trying to quote Great28 and apparently user error took over this morning:
"Watch the Simmonds power play goal. Schenn really makes the play here. First, he retrieves the puck off the face off and gets in back to Streit. That was nothing really outstanding...just doing his job on the FO.

But when the shot hits the net, he is the one that tracks the rebound, outmuscled his man to gain possession and makes a nifty pass to a wide-open Simmonds instead of just trying to bang a poop at the net. But read most of the game summaries and Simmonds is getting the majority of praise and Schenn's effort on the play is either completely minimized or omitted altogether. "

I'm not a huge Baby Schenn fan and I have to agree it was a very good play by him.
I wasn't thrilled with the officiating last night. I know you have to overcome it just like a natural disaster but there were definitely some calls that seemed questionable. I refuse to get too riled up as we are just in the pre-season.
I hope Raffle is not hurt too badly.

I was trying to quote Great28 and apparently user error took over this morning:
"Watch the Simmonds power play goal. Schenn really makes the play here. First, he retrieves the puck off the face off and gets in back to Streit. That was nothing really outstanding...just doing his job on the FO.

But when the shot hits the net, he is the one that tracks the rebound, outmuscled his man to gain possession and makes a nifty pass to a wide-open Simmonds instead of just trying to bang a poop at the net. But read most of the game summaries and Simmonds is getting the majority of praise and Schenn's effort on the play is either completely minimized or omitted altogether. "

I'm not a huge Baby Schenn fan and I have to agree it was a very good play by him.
I wasn't thrilled with the officiating last night. I know you have to overcome it just like a natural disaster but there were definitely some calls that seemed questionable. I refuse to get too riled up as we are just in the pre-season.
I hope Raffle is not hurt too badly.
- FlyersGrace

I'm worried about Raffl, and Jake as well. He was clearly in pain when he last left the ice.

I am really shocked that Gagner hasn't brought more of a game this preseason. He was a hair away from being bought out and he needs to make some sort of impression if he's even going to be given a contract next year. If this is what we will be getting, we might as well send him to the A and call up some of the kids during the season. No surprise to me regarding Vinny.
- Hextall271

Exactly my thoughts on Gagner. Flyers are stuck with Vinny but there is no need to block anyone from earning a roster spot because of Gagner. Send him to the A and see if the edge of rock bottom will motivate him.

Haven't been able to watch any of the games but I'm curious who those who have would prefer the 4th line to look like. Has Porter earned a spot? If so, is it at the expense of VV, PEB or White?

Ahhhhh a Dave Brown fan, if Gudas was a step faster maybe he was have set out with what he intended....to take Stepan's knee out, Kreider's hit would have been boarding if Umberger didn't turn at the last second, Simmonds looked very tough on the other side of the linesman right after he attempted to take Kreider out but failed miserably, Kreider will run through the entire Flyers team standing in a straight line
- KreiderBomb

First off kreider would never drop the gloves with simmonds. Kreider knows he would get destroyed. He had his chance to drop them before the lineman got there but didn't.

Exactly my thoughts on Gagner. Flyers are stuck with Vinny but there is no need to block anyone from earning a roster spot because of Gagner. Send him to the A and see if the edge of rock bottom will motivate him.

Haven't been able to watch any of the games but I'm curious who those who have would prefer the 4th line to look like. Has Porter earned a spot? If so, is it at the expense of VV, PEB or White?
- Baxter27

I would send Porter to the AHL.

Strong overall night for Laughton, although it didn't end well.
- Bill Meltzer

That's how I envision a lot of 3-on-3s ending. A player holds the puck too long circling around and then bad luck/fatigue/trying to do something stupid happens and bam! the other team gets a breakaway.

First off kreider would never drop the gloves with simmonds. Kreider knows he would get destroyed. He had his chance to drop them before the lineman got there but didn't.
- jmdodgeser4

Why would Kreider drop the gloves in preseason?

If we look at the two major mistakes Laughton made in the game, one the decision making on the 3 on 3, and secondly, losing his check off the faceoff on the game tying goal, both are correctable errors with coaching. What's more important is that Laughton was one of the best players on the ice for the Flyers overall in the game, and there weren't many. That's what should be taken from the game concerning Laughton and his play.
- MJL

He did look really good, imho.

Lecavalier, Gagner, Gudas, Manning out. Couturier, Bellemare, Del Zotto, and Medvedev in. Make a difference?