I was in the scrum.... Hexy's used variations of that line throughout camp, usually with a grin. Yesterday, for whatever reason, he caught Panotch's eye and both started laughing which made everyone else laugh.
- bmeltzer

Yeah, it looked like a funny moment on the video.

I like how Hextall keeps things close to his vest then drops bombs like the Pronger/Grossmann and Rinaldo trades that most people did not see coming.

how are you sure?

why do you think they do that when they have other internal options? adding manning does nothing to ease the loss of those 2
- rinaldo

Okay, 'm not sure. It's a figure of speech. I believe they would, because Brandon Manning is a very viable fill-in for a short amount of games in the NHL. I don't believe that any of their AHL prospects (assuming Morrow makes the team) are better than Manning. Also, even if it's not Boston, I'd wager that several teams would be fine adding an AHL All-Star to their AHL club if it didn't require any assets other than cash.

They both play left side don't they ?
- Tfaehner

Yeah. Schenn/Gudas are righties. What side does the zamboni prefer?

No to the first, maybe to the second. It is a poorly kept secret that he never really intended to play the final year of the deal unless he was still going strong by that point (the year was added for cap mitigation). So he'd have to decide to forgo two years instead of one. Some of it will probably depend also on whether he feels the Flyers have truly given him a fair chance to show he can still play effectively. I can see where he's coming from but I also saw all along where Chief was coming from, too. The team spent much of 2013-14 trying Lecavalier in various places around the lineup and nothing seemed to click. Last year, Berube wanted to avoid doing that again.
- bmeltzer

To me, fwiw, it seems like the problem is more than finding linemates that click. It just seems like he's lost a full step or 2 from just 2 years ago and that he just can't keep up in a league that emphasizes skating and fast paced play.

Yeah. Schenn/Gudas are righties. What side does the zamboni prefer?
- wolfhounds

Gost is also a lefty. There is no good answer for third pairing right side

Bill, what player from the Stars would you like on the Flyers?
- vejim

Jamie Benn but that is clearly not happening. No Schenns-for-Benns trades unless Hexy hypnotizes and pulls off a Jedi mind trick on Jim Nill. Klingberg also isn't about to get moved, and Seguin certainly isn't either.

In a more realistic realm, I like Cody Eakin, Brett Ritchie (currently out for several months) and Patrik Nemeth.

Okay, 'm not sure. It's a figure of speech. I believe they would, because Brandon Manning is a very viable fill-in for a short amount of games in the NHL. I don't believe that any of their AHL prospects (assuming Morrow makes the team) are better than Manning. Also, even if it's not Boston, I'd wager that several teams would be fine adding an AHL All-Star to their AHL club if it didn't require any assets other than cash.
- jmatchett383

there will likely be better short term dman available on waivers imo.

I would take that bet he doesn't get claimed if waived.

I would have thought so, too, but they didn't pick up Zach Redmond who got waived by Colorado. He played 59 NHL games last season had had 20 points.

http://www.generalfanager.com/players/593
- Feanor

That's a good point. Also, they're both on one-way contracts, so I don't think that had anything to do with it (although Manning makes $175K less, not a big hit for Boston). Still, if I had to risk losing Manning or VdV to waivers, I'm going VdV all day.

That's a good point. Also, they're both on one-way contracts, so I don't think that had anything to do with it (although Manning makes $175K less, not a big hit for Boston). Still, if I had to risk losing Manning or VdV to waivers, I'm going VdV all day.
- jmatchett383

Agreed, depth dmen are more valuable than generic 4th liners.

Jamie Benn but that is clearly not happening. No Schenns-for-Benns trades unless Hexy hypnotizes and pulls off a Jedi mind trick on Jim Nill. Klingberg also isn't about to get moved, and Seguin certainly isn't either.

In a more realistic realm, I like Cody Eakin, Brett Ritchie (currently out for several months) and Patrik Nemeth.
- bmeltzer

Do you think they could do the Schenn boys as the centerpieces to a deal for any of:
Nichushkin (because we need another RW)
Oleksiak
Honka
Campbell (although we have 3 NHL-level goalies, he'd be nice to add to the pipeline)

That's a good point. Also, they're both on one-way contracts, so I don't think that had anything to do with it (although Manning makes $175K less, not a big hit for Boston). Still, if I had to risk losing Manning or VdV to waivers, I'm going VdV all day.
- jmatchett383

+1

But I do believe 2 way contracts are more appealing hence why Porter was claimed but some other guys out there like paajarvi and Morin were not

That's a good point. Also, they're both on one-way contracts, so I don't think that had anything to do with it (although Manning makes $175K less, not a big hit for Boston). Still, if I had to risk losing Manning or VdV to waivers, I'm going VdV all day.
- jmatchett383

I like CVV, but I'd consider Colin McDonald a comparable (although RH shooting) option for a similar role.

there will likely be better short term dman available on waivers imo.

I would take that bet he doesn't get claimed if waived.
- rinaldo

There may be, and there's a chance he doesn't get waived. Still, if it comes down to potentially losing him or VdV, I'm choosing VdV if it were up to me. I'd prefer to not risk the 7/8 defenseman over the 4th line/13th forward. Just my opinion.

I like CVV, but I'd consider Colin McDonald a comparable (although RH shooting) option for a similar role.
- bmeltzer

Oh, I like VdV just fine. I just think he's more replaceable in the system at this point that Manning is.

+1

But I do believe 2 way contracts are more appealing hence why Porter was claimed but some other guys out there like paajarvi and Morin were not
- Tfaehner

Our Morin?

I like CVV, but I'd consider Colin McDonald a comparable (although RH shooting) option for a similar role.
- bmeltzer

Could be wrong but wasn't white listed as a center left wing last year ? White could play left and McDonald right?

Our Morin?
- wolfhounds

Chicago

There may be, and there's a chance he doesn't get waived. Still, if it comes down to potentially losing him or VdV, I'm choosing VdV if it were up to me. I'd prefer to not risk the 7/8 defenseman over the 4th line/13th forward. Just my opinion.
- jmatchett383

both are dime a dozen and irrelevant really imo. makes no diff to me either way.

Bill they need to bring back the waiver draft!!!!! I miss seeing willie Huber not being protected

So, cause I'm bored at work, he is how I think the standings shake out this year:
*playoff teams

EAST
Atlantic
1. Tampa*
2. Montreal*
3. Detroit*
4. Florida
5. Ottawa
6. Buffalo
7. Boston
8. Toronto

Metro
1. NY Rangers*
2. Columbus*
3. Washington*
4. Pittsburgh*
5. NY Islanders*
6. Philadelphia
7. New Jersey
8. Carolina

I think this is the year that the wheels completely come off the Bruins. For the Flyers, I think they improve to 92-95 points, but still finish 6th and miss the playoffs by 3-6 points.

WEST
Central
1. St. Louis*
2. Nashville*
3. Chicago*
4. Winnipeg*
5. Dallas*
6. Minnesota
7. Colorado

Pacific
1. Anaheim*
2. LA*
3. Calgary*
4. San Jose
5. Edmonton
6. Vancouver
7. Arizona

Yeah, James Tanner will be in for a long year and the Yotes struggle to score goals all season long. Anaheim will win the Pacific by 10+ points and Dallas will continue to improve as the season goes on and just edge out Minnesota for the last playoff spot.

So, whaddya think?

Do you think they could do the Schenn boys as the centerpieces to a deal for any of:
Nichushkin (because we need another RW)
Oleksiak
Honka
Campbell (although we have 3 NHL-level goalies, he'd be nice to add to the pipeline)
- jmatchett383

Oleksiak is probably available. The Stars are only carrying 8 Dmen because Oleksiak is no longer waiver exempt and would be claimed despite his NHL-level struggles thus far. The Stars won't give their former first-rounder away for nothing but he should be available in the right deal.

Nichushkin isn't going anywhere. Injuries cost him almost all of last year but he showed a lot of promise as a rookie.

Doubt Honka is available unless the Flyers had one of their own top D prospects going back the other way.

Campbell has had a rough time thus far at the pro level. Reeser says he sees a lot of tools to work with -- plus we all know how long it takes for goalies to mature as pros -- but is not an untouchable.

The team spent much of 2013-14 trying Lecavalier in various places around the lineup and nothing seemed to click. Last year, Berube wanted to avoid doing that again.
- bmeltzer

Regarding line shuffling looking for "clicks" - do you think shuffles occur too quickly not allowing enough time for some chemistry to form?

Chicago
- Tfaehner

Gotcha. Figured you were talking about someone else, just not familiar with him. Carry on!

Could be wrong but wasn't white listed as a center left wing last year ? White could play left and McDonald right?
- Tfaehner

White can play all 3 forward spots, it's one of the things that makes him a bit more valuable than the average 4th liner.

I'd trade Vinny for a bucket of piss at this point.
- BiggE

What if the bucket of piss had a no dump clause? It just has to sit there stagnating and smelling. Still do it?