I think part of that is his usage. Not saying he needs top line minutes but we can't have him on the 4th line. He's a goal scorer. He needs to be in that role here. Plus he needs linemates to set him up. Hayes with JVR and Atkinson? I'd take that.

JVR's best years are when he had above 200 shots on goal. He needs ice time and a line that will get him those shots.
- cdearth23

agree and I will add it is all connected. For example, the Flyers thought by now they would have 3 good lines that could score. That believed by now Frost or more likely Patrick would be a solid 3rd line C. If that happen, the JVR on the 3rd is just fine, he would have opportunity to fully earn his 7 mil. I give JVR credit, with the shxt show going on he has pretty much held up his end.

I will take the bet on the goals. If the Flyers give him the right C and use him right on the PP, he will get 28-32 goals.

Another factor that needs to be considered on the cap is performance bonuses for players on ELC's. Luckily the Flyers have only two players that they have to worry about with that. Farabee and Allison.
- MJL

Flyers wasted all the years of the other "young" prospects on ELC. Joel will be off his after the year. So where is all the value of having ELC within the Flyers?

No way in hell does Giroux get a pay increase from 8 mil+ a year!! He is slowing down and that is quite obvious and you don't pay a player for past performance. If he wants that kind of cash he can go elsewhere!!!
- Phillywhiteout

The flyers will pay ex selke for past performance.

That million for Thompson sure doesn’t matter now.

That million for Thompson sure doesn’t matter now.
- FlyerFan3260

First of all, it's 800K. Most importantly, the Flyers can waive and then if he clears, demote Thompson to the AHL at any time they want.

First of all, it's 800K. Most importantly, the Flyers can waive and then if he clears, demote Thompson to the AHL at any time they want.
- MJL

You clearly haven’t paid attention to the genius of GM Vigneault if you think big boy pants Thompson isn’t penciled in for opening night.

You clearly haven’t paid attention to the genius of GM Vigneault if you think big boy pants Thompson isn’t penciled in for opening night.
- FlyerFan3260

No poop. He will play 65 plus games easy.

The biggest potential problem, if everyone slots in right, is the overpay on the fourth line. Assuming the top 9 looks something like:
G Coots Atkinson
JVR Hayes Farabee
Tk Frost Allison

That leaves Lindblom & Laughton on the fourth line. They both are best slotted in fourth line roles however, the problem is they both have cap hits of 3 million which is far to much to pay for 4th liners.

You clearly haven’t paid attention to the genius of GM Vigneault if you think big boy pants Thompson isn’t penciled in for opening night.
- FlyerFan3260

I absolutely think he is penciled in for opening night. I'm just pointing out that the Flyers have options with that player.

The biggest potential problem, if everyone slots in right, is the overpay on the fourth line. Assuming the top 9 looks something like:
G Coots Atkinson
JVR Hayes Farabee
Tk Frost Allison

That leaves Lindblom & Laughton on the fourth line. They both are best slotted in fourth line roles however, the problem is they both have cap hits of 3 million which is far to much to pay for 4th liners.
- Fopa21

I disagree completely that both Lindblom and Laughton are best slotted in 4th line roles. Both players are better than that.

I absolutely think he is penciled in for opening night. I'm just pointing out that the Flyers have options with that player.
- MJL

As likely to take that option, as is the benefit with of a cap difference between 800k and 1 million.

Could have signed Hart to a realistic cap number

As likely to take that option, as is the benefit with of a cap difference between 800k and 1 million.
- FlyerFan3260

In my opinion, since he is not waiver exempt, the Flyers should look to move Aube-Kubel. They need to have a waiver eligible player that they can move up and down as necessary to save on the cap when they don't need to carry a 13th forward.

In my opinion, since he is not waiver exempt, the Flyers should look to move Aube-Kubel. They need to have a waiver eligible player that they can move up and down as necessary to save on the cap when they don't need to carry a 13th forward.
- MJL

They have helped put themselves into the position with the Laughton deal, when it arguably could have been explored to move him last season.

They seemingly forgot about Hart’s last season when negotiating this new deal.

With what they gave up for Ristolainen there no reason why Buffalo shouldn’t have been pushed to retain at least a million.


Fletcher bleeding value/cap space is a trend, and it’s on display with their limited aggression for a backup goaltender, as well as now.

Chuck loses in the margins, continuously.

Could have signed Hart to a realistic cap number
- Shrike

2 mil a year on a 1 yr deal like Samsonov in Wash just signed? He had a bad year last year, which followed up a strong performance as well.

They have helped put themselves into the position with the Laughton deal, when it arguably could have been explored to move him last season.

They seemingly forgot about Hart’s last season when negotiating this new deal.

With what they gave up for Ristolainen there no reason why Buffalo shouldn’t have been pushed to retain at least a million.


Fletcher bleeding value/cap space is a trend, and it’s on display with their limited aggression for a backup goaltender, as well as now.

Chuck loses in the margins, continuously.
- FlyerFan3260

He is a bad negotiator. Agree on all points.

Buff so far under the cap to boot so that wasn't an issue. Goes back to the Talbot deal. He did the oilers a favor taking on his cap and got zero in return. In fact looks like he lost a solid backup goalie in the process.

I disagree completely that both Lindblom and Laughton are best slotted in 4th line roles. Both players are better than that.
- MJL

Given the current construction of the roster they both best fit on line 4. Not one player in the top 9 is best suited on line 4 in a checking role. Laughton & Lindblom’s skill sets allow them to play on line 4.

One of Laughton, Lindblom or NAK are gone b4 the season starts

One of Laughton, Lindblom or NAK are gone b4 the season starts
- Bayareaflyer

That would be ideal. More so Laughton or Lindblom’s 3 million. NAK cap hit doesn’t create enough space.

That would be ideal. More so Laughton or Lindblom’s 3 million. NAK cap hit doesn’t create enough space.
- Fopa21

less than .01% Laughton is traded before the season.

And here we are again... back to having to do dumb poop to stay cap compliant.

Fun.
- Tomahawk

Soo maybe we should have waited to sign Thompson huh

less than .01% Laughton is traded before the season.
- hello it's me 2050

I agree but that is really what hurts. Talking about a 7 million fourth line in Laughts, Oskar, NAK

In my opinion, since he is not waiver exempt, the Flyers should look to move Aube-Kubel. They need to have a waiver eligible player that they can move up and down as necessary to save on the cap when they don't need to carry a 13th forward.
- MJL

Thank you! Yes! I don’t even understand why we protected him. Vigneault was frustrated with his penalties. He would even get scratched. When NAK saw his next opportunity to play…he’d take another penalty.

That would be ideal. More so Laughton or Lindblom’s 3 million. NAK cap hit doesn’t create enough space.
- Fopa21

Nothing ideal about it, losing a quality player simply because of mismanaging the cap.

Thompson’s deal is only an example, but it’s wasting money on a player that further signifies Fletcher’s poor talent evaluation.

Meltzer will never mention it but that Hayes deal, as much as they love to force feed him on the fanbase is quickly looking like the albatross it is.

Nothing ideal about it, losing a quality player simply because of mismanaging the cap.

Thompson’s deal is only an example, but it’s wasting money on a player that further signifies Fletcher’s poor talent evaluation.

Meltzer will never mention it but that Hayes deal, as much as they love to force feed him on the fanbase is quickly looking like the albatross it is.
- FlyerFan3260

Trading for Hayes’ rights and signing him as quickly as possible was a bad idea the moment Fletcher picked up the phone and called Winnipeg.

God I wish we could just go back to those comments of how the deal isn’t that bad of exactly two years ago.