I don't understand how Weal, who Hextall specifically mentioned as a center option at his press conference, is not in this projected lineup at all. Weal played a lot more last season than anyone on that 4th line but Raffl.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...1&sort=evTimeOnIcePerGame
- Feanor

After reading that I had the feeling maybe it was just an accidental omission. I don't see Leier being on this team AT ALL frankly. But then again, Weal isn't really an ideal 4th liner either.

- MBFlyerfan

GMs talk to their coaches all the time about the lineups and the roster. The coach picks the lineup, but he can take on advice from the GM.

Smart organizations don't overplay crappy veterans who already have a foot out of the door, when they have younger, better players available. Just look at CBJ healthy scratching JJ in the playoffs. That should have been how Manning's Flyers career ended.

sdf

If Hextall had zero interest in bringing back Manning and Filppula next season, I would have preferred that he direct the coaching staff to not lean on them so much all the way up to the final whistle of game 6.
- Feanor

I think anyone with a reasonable thought process would think the same thing.

Same thing can be said about Lehtera this season, too.

I don't understand how Weal, who Hextall specifically mentioned as a center option at his press conference, is not in this projected lineup at all. Weal played a lot more last season than anyone on that 4th line but Raffl.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...1&sort=evTimeOnIcePerGame
- Feanor

I think he will be traded before next season. But it was an accidental omission.

I think anyone with a reasonable thought process would think the same thing.

Same thing can be said about Lehtera this season, too.
- VladDrag

the 4th line and PK will need veteran presents

I think he will be traded before next season.
- bmeltzer

I give it 3 weeks before Eklund posts a headline about this

the 4th line and PK will need veteran presents
- YuenglingJagr

I'd rather keep Weal as depth than just give him away.

Vancouver had interest in him last year, but they are loaded up at forward now with the four year deals for Beagle and Roussel. They also have Gagner for two more years at $3.15m , who I think is a reasonable comparison for Weal.

Weal: 69 games, 21 points (18 ES, 3 PP); 12:57 TOI/GP (11:25 ES, 1:31 PP)

Gagner: 74 games, 31 points (20 ES, 11 PP); 15:07 TOI/GP (12:59 ES, 2:02 PP)

Can't believe they let Manning walk
- Streit2ThePoint

Great to see he caught on with Chicago with a nice contract. He was a terrific soldier but it was time to move on and let some one else, be it Sanheim or Myers, get some needed playing time.

Simmonds is a hard call.

I'd have a minimum in mind to move him if I was Hextall, and I wouldn't hesitate if that was met, but from what I've read, he would be difficult to replace in the room. If he is given an extension, that's what we'll be paying him for - his leadership above everything else at this time.

His goal production will most likely decline because of his body wearing down and the addition of JVR, so Ron will need to be careful with his next contract offer.

Today @ 10:20 AM ET
If Hextall had zero interest in bringing back Manning and Filppula next season, I would have preferred that he direct the coaching staff to not lean on them so much all the way up to the final whistle of game 6.

Um, yeah...

Rinaldo to the preds haha

Sorry to hear a 3rd year was the deal breaker with RIley Nash. Would have really like to see him in the orange and black, and 3 years isn't that bad...

Rinaldo to the preds haha
- YuenglingJagr

There's goes an option to improve the Flyers PK.

Time to get that 6-year, $8.1M per year offer sheet fired off to William Nylander.

There's goes an option to improve the Flyers PK.
- Feanor

Dude skates hard. That's all there is to being a good PKer, apparently.

Was out of the country for a week, find out this morning that JVR is back and collecting a big paycheck.

okay, terrific

Great to see he caught on with Chicago with a nice contract. He was a terrific soldier but it was time to move on and let some one else, be it Sanheim or Myers, get some needed playing time.

Simmonds is a hard call.

I'd have a minimum in mind to move him if I was Hextall, and I wouldn't hesitate if that was met, but from what I've read, he would be difficult to replace in the room. If he is given an extension, that's what we'll be paying him for - his leadership above everything else at this time.

His goal production will most likely decline because of his body wearing down and the addition of JVR, so Ron will need to be careful with his next contract offer.
- 77rams

if i am Simmonds and i see JVR get 7, I am not taking anything less. of course health could change that this season

Was out of the country for a week, find out this morning that JVR is back and collecting a big paycheck.

okay, terrific
- Scoob

kidnapped, on the lam, or just traveling?

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1) Scoob

if i am Simmonds and i see JVR get 7, I am not taking anything less. of course health could change that this season
- nastyflyergirl

Yup - same thought crossed my mind. Imho, it does put the writing on the wall for Simmonds, and that saddens me.

kidnapped, on the lam, or just traveling?
- BiggE

lol - vacation

lol - vacation
- Scoob

Is North Korea as bad as they say?

if i am Simmonds and i see JVR get 7, I am not taking anything less. of course health could change that this season
- nastyflyergirl

And that's the key. If he has recurring health issues and plays only 65-70 games and puts up just 20-22 goals and 40 or so points, it's pretty doubtful that any GM will be ponying up 5 year, 35 million dollar offers.

OTOH, if he has a normal Wayne Simmonds season: 82 games 30-32 goals and 50-60 points? Then yeah, once you factor in the intangibles he brings to a team, some GM is going to throw out 5 years and 35 million without a doubt.

It really is a tough call and will probably be the hardest decision Hextall is going to have to make as GM, at least in the near future.