I've criticized Brayden Schenn as much as anyone, so if this does go down, I need to know what side dish goes well with crow.
- johndewar

A nice creamed corn.

I've criticized Brayden Schenn as much as anyone, so if this does go down, I need to know what side dish goes well with crow.
- johndewar

I hear they love corn

Damn. Was thinking more in the $5M range would be good for the Flyers
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't want Staal here and I can't imagine he'd want to play here. I think he'll take less to go back to Carolina if they'll have him. They could probably nab him for 4.

I've criticized Brayden Schenn as much as anyone, so if this does go down, I need to know what side dish goes well with crow.
- johndewar

whiz wit

I don't either but salaries are still escalating despite the cap situation. If he turns it on in NY someone could throw 8 his way for 4 years. I think it would be foolish but I could see it happen.

If he continues as is it could be 4-6.
- mayorofangrytown

I think you're right, but Staal is 31 and has been in league since he was 18. I'd worry about the miles he has on him if I were a GM.

A little aside on the Flyers penalty killing difficulties this season.

I think some folks are giving Lappy a bad rap for their struggles on the PK this year. To me, the PK and protecting a lead at the end of a game is where their lack of quality top pair Dmen stands out. There is absolutely nothing that any coach can do that is going to turn Michael Del Zotto into the savvy defensive warrior that Kimmo Timonen was. Nor is a coach going to magically grant Nick Schultz or Gudas the strong skating stride and huge reach of a Braydon Coburn. Until the D corps improves, they will continue to struggle on the PK and when protecting a lead at the end of the game. When you are down a man, and you're matching up against the other teams best players with the likes of Mark Streit, Radko Gudas, Nick Schultz and/or AMac, you are going to struggle.

Ian Laperriere was an excellent penalty killer for a long time in this league. I'm pretty sure he knows what it takes to kill penalties at the NHL level, I mean come on, it's not rocket science. He just doesn't have the horses on D to be consistently successful at it.
- BiggE

Not sure I agree with ya, BiggE. A lot of people last year said Berube shouldn't be fired because the team was a poor team with or without him. He was not the issue. And no he wasn't a disaster; he did some good -- and yes the team was a poor team. But there were issues beyond record that a lot of us had with his coaching. Is the team this year any better in personnel than last year? Not really. But Hakstol has absolutely made the team go, changing many issues a lot of us had with Chief.

My issue with the PK is that the coaches continually trot out the lesser penalty killers in favor over the better. In what world should Sean Couturier be on your second unit? Or Ryan White receiving regular time. Could that actually be part Hakstol? It is possible. But my issue also extends to the non aggressive, sit back and block shots in a cluster (frank) in front of the goalie method of which they kill. You know the teams that give our PK the most trouble? They're the ones who are fast and on you and constantly skating and moving. Look at Calgary last night: they employed the passive shot block and were toasted all night. That's coaching. (Side note: you are really underrating MDZ. He's become a damn good PK among other things).

Absolute POS!

NHL Player Safety ‏@NHLPlayerSafety now2 minutes ago

Boston’s Zac Rinaldo suspended five games for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay’s Cedric Paquette. Video: http://ow.ly/YWhXW
- PLindbergh31

You see, this is where the NHL is just clueless. You have an unapologetic repeat offender who is a fringe NHL player at best. He should be suspended for an entire year and told that next time, he will banned for life. This crap needs to stop!

Hm....Now that there is no Hockey trades left until after the season, what the hell do I do with my life now?

But my issue also extends to the non aggressive, sit back and block shots in a cluster (frank) in front of the goalie method of which they kill. You know the teams that give our PK the most trouble? They're the ones who are fast and on you and constantly skating and moving. Look at Calgary last night: they employed the passive shot block and were toasted all night. That's coaching.
- Mononoke

I see this same issue late in games when trying to hold a lead. They sit back and try to block shots instead of challenging the opponent and taking possession of the puck to kill the clock. (This issue didn't creep up last night and the crowd let them hear it for the effort.)

Stammergate? Really?

A nice creamed corn.
- bodiva88

An underrated side dish.

Almost as underrated as those green bean casseroles with the onions.

Not sure I agree with ya, BiggE. A lot of people last year said Berube shouldn't be fired because the team was a poor team with or without him. He was not the issue. And no he wasn't a disaster; he did some good -- and yes the team was a poor team. But there were issues beyond record that a lot of us had with his coaching. Is the team this year any better in personnel than last year? Not really. But Hakstol has absolutely made the team go, changing many issues a lot of us had with Chief.

My issue with the PK is that the coaches continually trot out the lesser penalty killers in favor over the better. In what world should Sean Couturier be on your second unit? Or Ryan White receiving regular time. Could that actually be Hakstol? It is possible. But my issue also extends to the non aggressive, sit back and block shots in a cluster (frank) in front of the goalie method of which they kill. You know the teams that give our PK the most trouble? They're the ones who are fast and on you and constantly skating and moving. Look at Calgary last night: they employed the passive shot block and were toasted all night. That's coaching.
- Mononoke

There may be some truth to that, but ask yourself this: How does their PK look if the 2 dmen on the ice are SHea Weber and Roman Josi?

I do think that the PK needs to see less of White, but I think I understand what they are trying to do with Couturier. You have a guy that already sees huge ES time with the toughest matchups on the team and he's getting time on the 2nd PP unit as well. At some point, you need other guys to step up on the PK. I really think that this year, to some degree, is an audition. Can guys like VDV, White and Bellemare be effective on the PK. I think Bellemare is fine and VDV ok, White not so much. One guy who I'd like to see get some more PK time though is Laughton. He was fantastic at it in Junior.

Again, lack of D is not the only reason for their struggles, but it is, at least in my opinion, the biggest one.

edit: Did not mean to slight MDZ, but I don't think he's quite at the PK level of a Kimmo Timonen, especially when Kimmo was in his prime.

the EC wildcard primer might be the best article Ek has ever written

I don't want Staal here and I can't imagine he'd want to play here. I think he'll take less to go back to Carolina if they'll have him. They could probably nab him for 4.
- mayorofangrytown

$4M would be a steal. He's not scoring as much, but still a dominant two-way player. $5M AAV over 3 years would be the highest I'd go. I like him at that contract.

An underrated side dish.

Almost as underrated as those green bean casseroles with the onions.
- johndewar

i enjoy them both

Hexy is her uncle

There may be some truth to that, but ask yourself this: How does their PK look if the 2 dmen on the ice are SHea Weber and Roman Josi?

I do think that the PK needs to see less of White, but I think I understand what they are trying to do with Couturier. You have a guy that already sees huge ES time with the toughest matchups on the team and he's getting time on the 2nd PP unit as well. At some point, you need other guys to step up on the PK. I really think that this year, to some degree, is an audition. Can guys like VDV, White and Bellemare be effective on the PK. I think Bellemare is fine and VDV ok, White not so much. One guy who I'd like to see get some more PK time though is Laughton. He was fantastic at it in Junior.

Again, lack of D is not the only reason for their struggles, but it is, at least in my opinion, the biggest one.

edit: Did not mean to slight MDZ, but I don't think he's quite at the PK level of a Kimmo Timonen, especially when Kimmo was in his prime.
- BiggE

Nashville is 20th on the PK. We are 23. Like I said, I think a change of PK mentality and strategy would go a long way. Most of my issue is with the forwards btw: d men can only play so aggressive.

$4M would be a steal. He's not scoring as much, but still a dominant two-way player. $5M AAV over 3 years would be the highest I'd go. I like him at that contract.
- PhillySportsGuy

His scoring has staaled quite a bit. $4M tops.

I think you're right, but Staal is 31 and has been in league since he was 18. I'd worry about the miles he has on him if I were a GM.
- johndewar

His minutes would be reduced here. He would essentially be the 3rd line center.

Nashville is 20th on the PK. We are 23. Like I said, I think a change of PK mentality and strategy would go a long way. Most of my issue is with the forwards btw: d men can only play so aggressive.
- Mononoke

True and good points. One thing to consider, the Flyers have gotten better goaltending than the Preds this year (FU Roenick) and that also can make a big difference. Unless you really think that most teams would rather have Radko Gudas killing penalties instead of Shea Weber?

I got a question: should Hexy look to sign MDZ early? He's coming off an injury plagued year where his scoring was down (frankly, due to team wide issues and poor luck). But his play has been phenomenal. I wonder if waiting too long would cause his value to rise. If you identify him as a piece of the puzzle, then maybe try to scoop in when he's cheaper. Just a thought.

His scoring has staaled quite a bit. $4M tops.
- Streit2ThePoint

He does everything else well though. 40-50 points in a secondary scoring role is good in this dead puck era.

I wonder if Zac has played his last NHL game
- Marc D

I hope so. He's a menace and a disaster waiting to happen.

True and good points. One thing to consider, the Flyers have gotten better goaltending than the Preds this year (FU Roenick) and that also can make a big difference. Unless you really think that most teams would rather have Radko Gudas killing penalties instead of Shea Weber?


- BiggE

Probably none. Though Mason has been horrendous in terms of PK save %, so he might be worse than Rinne there -- not sure. Flyers goalies' dominance has been more at evens. Which again...why the vast discrepancy? Lappy is a great guy and a heart and soul player, and maybe they can shuffle him around the organ-I-zation. But I have issues with his coaching strategies.

I got a question: should Hexy look to sign MDZ early? He's coming off an injury plagued year where his scoring was down (frankly, due to team wide issues and poor luck). But his play has been phenomenal. I wonder if waiting too long would cause his value to rise. If you identify him as a piece of the puzzle, then maybe try to scoop in when he's cheaper. Just a thought.
- Mononoke

Good question. You want to be careful with how many years and how much money you give a guy like MDZ. In a couple seasons, he could slip to 4th or 5th on their depth chart. OTOH, he's by far the best all around guy you've got going into 16-17. Guess this is why Hexy gets the big bucks!