If Vinny is unwilling to retire after this season a buyout is absolutely the way to go. First off, no one is taking half of Vinny's salary/cap hit to a trade isn't happening. Secondly, Vinny is and would still be next year, the 14th forward. If you replace Vinny's spot on the roster with the typical NHL 14th forward, you are talking about a guy making 600-700K. Even with Vinny's cap penalty, you are still saving roughly 900K in 16-17 and 1.4 million in 17-18. Finally, the 900K or so that they would need to carry in 18-19 and 19-20 is not a big deal.

Umberger is a different story. With only one year left, and, assuming some vets are both moved at the deadline or not re-signed, carrying him for one last season to be the 13th forward is not the end of the world.
- BiggE

You don't believe the reports that Lecavalier never had any intention of playing the final year of his deal?

I asked this yesterday but figure I'd ask again:

Does anyone have any interest in Tyson Baillie? He's put together a number of strong seasons for Kelowna but went undrafted the past 2 years. Calgary invited him to Prospects Camp but let him go. I don't know if he's draft eligible again or can be signed as a UFA, but I think he's worth considering.
- jmatchett383

I would. I also try to get veasley and if that mean I burn a year getting him in lineup this season I do it if he goes to fa.

You don't believe the reports that Lecavalier never had any intention of playing the final year of his deal?
- MJL

have you noticed how things have not gone to plan for Vinny since then?

Bobby Mac prices Big Buff at 7 x 7.

http://www.todaysslapshot...-command-rich-ufa-payday/

Yeah, because your choice, Coach Magical Unicorn would wave his rainbow tail and pull a top defensive pairing and turn the dead bodies of aged forwards into machines.

And that said, it's still easier to watch this than the Berube show.
- bodiva88

I wouldn't say this recent stretch is any easier to watch, but that's not on Dave.

This. If you buy him our and replace him with a guy making $1.5M or less (UFA or current AHLer), you're actually saving money. Yes, you'd have the $900K hits for the next 2 years, which isn't the best scenario, but the should have some guys on ELC's which will make that manageable.

Umberger is, this year, a competent NHL player. If he can continue to be that, carrying him for one more year isn't the end of the world.
- jmatchett383

It's only saving money for one season, it's losing money for the rest. Buying out Lecavalier would be foolish in my opinion.

I asked this yesterday but figure I'd ask again:

Does anyone have any interest in Tyson Baillie? He's put together a number of strong seasons for Kelowna but went undrafted the past 2 years. Calgary invited him to Prospects Camp but let him go. I don't know if he's draft eligible again or can be signed as a UFA, but I think he's worth considering.
- jmatchett383

I would, if only for the fact that he was always a top 10 pick in my NHL GM modes. But seriously, why not take a flyer on him next year. The Flyers could use more depth at forward and he's put up good numbers for Kelowna. From what I know he's a solid, all-around player.

Yeah, because your choice, Coach Magical Unicorn would wave his rainbow tail and pull a top defensive pairing and turn the dead bodies of aged forwards into machines.

And that said, it's still easier to watch this than the Berube show.
- bodiva88

How did I miss this?

Also, is it too late to get this guy?

Bobby Mac prices Big Buff at 7 x 7.

http://www.todaysslapshot...-command-rich-ufa-payday/
- Feanor

I don't want buff. I know what he brings but just prefer to look for a younger option.

It's only saving money for one season, it's losing money for the rest. Buying out Lecavalier would be foolish in my opinion.
- MJL

Well then we're going to disagree. Unless he comes out publicly and declares that he's retiring after next season. Until he does that, I'm not going to put any more stock into those reports than I did to the Richards/Carter Dry Island reports.

Cousins and Straka will be be subject to waivers starting next season so if there's not a roster spot for them on the Flyers they could be claimed. Just another reason not to carry a waste of space as the 14th forward.

I asked this yesterday but figure I'd ask again:

Does anyone have any interest in Tyson Baillie? He's put together a number of strong seasons for Kelowna but went undrafted the past 2 years. Calgary invited him to Prospects Camp but let him go. I don't know if he's draft eligible again or can be signed as a UFA, but I think he's worth considering.
- jmatchett383

My opinion*

One of the top forwards on the Kelowna Rockets last year, Baillie has continued to improve this season on the best team in the CHL. He went from slightly under a point-per-game last year to 1.07 this year, while continuing to round out his game. He’s the type of player that can now be trusted in any game scenario due to his improved two-way game. He’s a goalscorer more than a passer, and possesses strong offensive instincts, especially in tight around the net. His 27 goals this season are sixth most in the WHL, and he is third in points on an elite CHL team.

*er, uh, my copy/paste

I'd love to see your 16-17 opening night roster that includes Umberger and Vinny.

Buy outs are also for teams who need the cap space to keep good players, not just contenders.
- Feanor

What good players do we need to keep? If this team continues to falter, and doesn't make the playoffs, why do I want to come back next year doing the same thing? Players like Streit and Read should be traded. You can put 3 players on the roster for Read alone. If I have to, I'll sign a couple of cheap veteran UFA's for one year, for a mil or less to fill out the roster. What are they going to do with the money saved next season from a Lecavalier buyout that is going to radically upgrade the team? They're not going to be ready to contend next year, so what do they need the cap space for? It's a no brainer in my opinion. Ride out the contracts of Lecavalier and Umberger next year, and be free and clear in 17/18, when the team is far more likely to do something.

I would, if only for the fact that he was always a top 10 pick in my NHL GM modes. But seriously, why not take a flyer on him next year. The Flyers could use more depth at forward and he's put up good numbers for Kelowna. From what I know he's a solid, all-around player.
- TobyFlenderson

I'll admit I'm biased towards WHL players, especially Kelowna (fav. WHL team due to Shea Weber). It seems like it's the most NHL-ready league as those Westerners seem to be a little more physically mature than their OHL and QMJHL brethren. It's another reason I'm so high on Fazleev and Leier as well.

It's only saving money for one season, it's losing money for the rest. Buying out Lecavalier would be foolish in my opinion.
- MJL

Where exactly are you getting these numbers? He is under contract for 2 more seasons after this. The last year of his contract is a real thing....not some enigma where he promised not to play his last year. He said he would retire if it meant getting traded so he can play. He cant get traded or play, he literally has no reason not to sit on the team and collect money

Cousins and Straka will be be subject to waivers starting next season so if there's not a roster spot for them on the Flyers they could be claimed. Just another reason not to carry a waste of space as the 14th forward.
- Feanor

Carrying Lecavalier as a 14th forward would not prevent the Flyers from giving a roster spot to Cousins and Straka.

have you noticed how things having gone to plan for Vinny since then?
- Feanor

Yes, which has added the possibility that Lecavalier retires even sooner.

I asked this yesterday but figure I'd ask again:

Does anyone have any interest in Tyson Baillie? He's put together a number of strong seasons for Kelowna but went undrafted the past 2 years. Calgary invited him to Prospects Camp but let him go. I don't know if he's draft eligible again or can be signed as a UFA, but I think he's worth considering.
- jmatchett383

At the least, I'd offer him a tryout and/or an AHL deal. Got nothing to lose.

I'll admit I'm biased towards WHL players, especially Kelowna (fav. WHL team due to Shea Weber). It seems like it's the most NHL-ready league as those Westerners seem to be a little more physically mature than their OHL and QMJHL brethren. It's another reason I'm so high on Fazleev and Leier as well.
- jmatchett383

Fazleev is looking like a nice find.

I just looked at 2016 fa and rfa list. Man there are some guys I would like on there. Troubadour, gundbranson, Killorn.

I've tried that. The Flyers are my favorite sports team by a large margin and they're the only team I follow that I haven't actually seen win a championship. I'll never cheer for them to lose for a higher draft pick, and it always pains me to see them lose. I really don't want to see them break their 10 game losing streak record of futility but we're on our way here..
- Hextall271

Fan since '73 here. Sometimes you have to mix in a little reality into your support. That doesn't mean the support wavers, just that you have to understand where the team is.

Where exactly are you getting these numbers? He is under contract for 2 more seasons after this. The last year of his contract is a real thing....not some enigma where he promised not to play his last year. He said he would retire if it meant getting traded so he can play. He cant get traded or play, he literally has no reason not to sit on the team and collect money
- YuenglingJagr

Yes, it is a real thing, If you buy him out, it definitely makes the last year of the deal a real thing, as the buyout would be over 4 seasons.
Bill Meltzer has posted multiple times, that Lecavalier did not want to play the final year, and that year was only added at the request of the Flyers, to better manage the cap hit. He fully expected next year to be his final season. I trust Bill and his sources. Do you think the current situation is making Lecavalier change that mindset?

You don't believe the reports that Lecavalier never had any intention of playing the final year of his deal?
- MJL

Do you know for sure, that:
A. The above is 100% true and
B. He still feels the same way today

And, even if true, the club doesn't need the headache of carrying him around for another season. It's a bad situation all around, buy him out.

All this being said, let's just hope he comes to his senses and retires this spring, but I'm not holding my breath.

What good players do we need to keep? If this team continues to falter, and doesn't make the playoffs, why do I want to come back next year doing the same thing? Players like Streit and Read should be traded. You can put 3 players on the roster for Read alone. If I have to, I'll sign a couple of cheap veteran UFA's for one year, for a mil or less to fill out the roster. What are they going to do with the money saved next season from a Lecavalier buyout that is going to radically upgrade the team? They're not going to be ready to contend next year, so what do they need the cap space for? It's a no brainer in my opinion. Ride out the contracts of Lecavalier and Umberger next year, and be free and clear in 17/18, when the team is far more likely to do something.
- MJL

That is what I'd do, too.

Liquidate unessential pieces, lockup keepers, stay patient.

Where exactly are you getting these numbers? He is under contract for 2 more seasons after this. The last year of his contract is a real thing....not some enigma where he promised not to play his last year. He said he would retire if it meant getting traded so he can play. He cant get traded or play, he literally has no reason not to sit on the team and collect money
- YuenglingJagr

His salary is pretty low that last year. Bill has stated that he never intended on playing that last year unless he was still playing at a high level. It was included to keep his cap number down. The guy has made over $100M in his career. Not sure why he'd stick around to be the 14th forward on a non-contending team for $2.5M.

I honestly believe he either retires or mutually terminates after this season. I wouldn't buy him out though. Doesn't save them much money.

His salary is pretty low that last year. Bill has stated that he never intended on playing that last year unless he was still playing at a high level. It was included to keep his cap number down. The guy has made over $100M in his career. Not sure why he'd stick around to be the 14th forward on a non-contending team for $2.5M.

I honestly believe he either retires or mutually terminates after this season. I wouldn't buy him out though. Doesn't save them much money.
- PhillySportsGuy

That $2.5M is probably the last time he'll have a chance to make a large chunk of money in his life. If I were him, I'd take it.

Regardless of the money you have, if you have the option of getting paid millions of dollars or not getting paid millions of dollars, getting paid always wins.