vis

Won’t miss watching McDonald.  Bad signing to begin with.  I still think he’s an OK third pairing guy (well, maybe that was more last season), but his contract was among the worst in the league.  Think they still have room to make another move on defense, but they should get Provorov locked down first.  

6 hours ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

Sorry but Binnington turn that season around...and save their bacon in the game 7 clincher....it happens and he picked an amazing time to do it because he is about to turn 26 and have the year of his life and is about to get paid...i would not be shocked if they lock him up for 8 years...

Statement was kind of tongue in cheek.  I know Binnington was a big factor.  But it is kind of funny that Berube got them a Cup when Yeo got them to last place.

47 minutes ago, brelic said:

 

I mentioned in another post that maybe the ask was Gudas and a mid-round pick or a B/C prospect. 

 

If that's the case, retaining some salary for one season is actually a smart way to protect assets.

Wouldn't have a problem if that was the case.

21 minutes ago, ruxpin said:

Someone needs to explain why we're retaining salary to increase our cap AND get older.

Not too worked up about the dollars.  It's one year.  I just question whether he tried to negotiate hard on the point or at all.  His mentality is if the trade is "good enough," why bother fighting over other stuff if it doesn't have a significant impact.  Some guys want every dollar, some guys are happy with a good return, even if they leave something on the table.

21 minutes ago, ruxpin said:

Ultimately, I don't like it because it's starting to smell like we have (another) GM that bids against himself when there's no need to.

That's my concern.  Actually, it's more of a concern regarding the entire organization.

21 minutes ago, ruxpin said:

I don't think Nisk plays on the top pair.  If he starts there, he won't last, I don't think.  He's going to fall like a rock down the lineup and will again be a vet slipping in and out of the lineup.

I think he will be on the top pair this year.  Remains to be seen thereafter.  I also worry about a quick drop off.

Didn't Niskanen flatten Laughton and then beat him up when Laughton tried to fight him?  Or am I thinking of someone else?

23 minutes ago, elmatus said:

Honestly this trade isn't what's going to make a huge difference for us. It's mostly just tinkering around the edges.

The intangibles are what will make or break this trade.  If Niskanen can be a good presence and influence and can bring some stability to the youth on defense, I think this trade can make a solid difference. 

Circling back on something.  I had forgotten that Mike Yeo was coach before Berube.  Yikes.  Double whammy for the FLyers: old coahc wins Cup; new assistant couldn't get it done with a Cup winning roster. 

I know there's more to the Blues' turnaround than just coaching, but it does give me a little pause for thought.

I don't hate this trade (not sure I like it, though) and understand the rationale.  Flyers get their veteran leader on defense in Niskanen and they will buyout McDonald to open a space on defense.  Bummed to see Gudas go.  Thought he was decent last year, had a good contract and seemed well liked.  Niskanen had an off year, but he's got more meaningful experience than Gudas.  I will say this: the void of players difficult to play against gets bigger.  Gudas was at least somewhat tough to play against.  Niskanen can be cheap, but I don't know if he's difficult.  Maybe I don't know enough about his game.  Did hate him on the Penguins.  Maybe Morin fills the void?

I was initially put off with the retained salary, but it's only for one year and the Flyers have room.  However, I suppose this may be one more case where Fletcher blinked and perhaps wasn't aggressive enough when making the deal.  I don't know.  I felt that way a little bit about the Talbott and Simmonds trades.  This smells a little like more of the same.  Oh well.  

Glad the Blues won.  Good for that organization and fan base.  If I recall correctly, one of the long lost posters from philly.com, JSFFOUR, called them the Flyers of the West - always good, but not ever good enough to get over the hump.  Thought that was pretty accurate at the time.  

I gotta say.  It’s getting awfully tiresome watching castoffs from this org find success elsewhere.  It’s damning to the people still here.

On 6/11/2019 at 9:30 AM, radoran said:

I'm honestly hoping that "trading for Hayes" isn't the only option they are considering/pursuing.

For sure.  They have to do this in parallel with other possibilities, not linearly.  They need contingency plans in place if Hayes falls through.

One other thing that’s smart about trading for Hayes’ rights is that they should have a real good idea at the draft if he’s going to sign at the price the Flyers are willing to pay.  It takes the guesswork out of what to do at the draft.  If he’s willing to sign, then no need to explore a trade for a 2C at the draft, which is the most likely time ahead of the season for a trade to be made.  If he’s not, the the Flyers know they need to move on to Plan B and begin working the phones for a trade at the draft or consider upping the offer to Hayes.  They will have a little more clarity on how to approach meeting their needs at the draft.  

On 6/9/2019 at 9:24 AM, CoachX said:

I dont see it as "looking bad" or a "major fail".

Coming out of FA without a 2C will be a major fail.  And Hayes is really the only option in FA.  Duchene reportedly has his sights set on other teams and no one else fits the bill of a 2C.  So, I think not landing Hayes would be a major disappointment.  And Hayes and his agent know this and will hold Fletcher over a barrel.  Now, they can't overplay their hand, but they hold all the leverage.  

It's obviously possible to try to make a deal for a 2C at the draft if Hayes isn't going to sign.  I just don't have a lot of confidence that they will be able to accomplish that.  Plus, they would have to give up an asset to do so.

On 6/9/2019 at 9:24 AM, CoachX said:

The team defined the player they want and dealt a meaningless pick to secure a chance to sign him.

Giving up the pick doesn't bother me in the least.  I appreciate the aggressiveness and the willingness to put themselves in the best position possible to get "their guy."  It's the right move.

On 6/9/2019 at 9:24 AM, CoachX said:

Im quite certain they already have plan B, and C in place.

Plans B and C are rarely as good as plan A.  That's what concerns me.

On 6/9/2019 at 9:24 AM, CoachX said:

I also think they had a real strong feel in whether they could sign the guy, otherwise they wouldnt have done it

I hope so.  Even if not, I still think it makes sense to make the move.

On 6/8/2019 at 9:23 PM, Podein25 said:

 

Ok fair enough I guess. But Hayes was out of shape when he was traded to the Jets. And has a bit of a history with it, so if I'm Flecth I'm asking the tough questions...

I hear you.  It's a concern of mine as well.

On 6/8/2019 at 9:12 PM, OccamsRazor said:

So that would leave Chuck left with nothing but a trade to fill the 2nd line center hole.

Yeah, that's what worries me a lot.  If they whiff in UFA, I have a strong feeling they are going to be taken to the cleaners if they go the trade route.  

On 6/8/2019 at 9:06 PM, OccamsRazor said:

For lack of a better explanation it feels like he is playing with nothing to prove like he knows he is the #2 overall so he has plenty of time to show his game....lack of urgency.

I don't know what the cause is, but agree that there is something cavalier about his game at times.  I don't know.  I feel like he and Konecny are a little too cute and don't put in enough work.  I like that they trash talk, etc., but you gotta back that up as well.  They're young, though.  Plenty of time to mature and become "wily vets" instead of "young punks."

On 6/7/2019 at 9:50 AM, mojo1917 said:

do not throw the baby out with the bath water. 

how long did it take Couturier to "not suck" ? now he's a 60 pt guy rolling out of bed.  

Patrick will be very, very good. 

I’m kind of in this boat as well.  I will say this — Couturier displayed a lot of smarts and savvy play in his first couple of years.  You could tell he understood the game, competed pretty well and could be trusted.  I don’t see that as much with Patrick.

On 6/6/2019 at 10:07 AM, OccamsRazor said:

 

I don't see why not it is the bar Brock Nelson who is a 27 year old forward just sign for after a 53 point season

 

Hayes just had a 55 points season.

 

I would maybe go 6.5 mill but that's it.

Because the Flyers are desperate and now even moreso having traded a pick.  Hayes has all the leverage.  I suppose he has to be careful to not to overplay his hand, but the Flyers are basically outbidding themselves here.  Yeah, the pick isn’t much but it would look terrible for the Flyers and Fletcher if he can’t lock down their top target for their top need when they could do so without any interference from other teams.  Fletcher knows it will be a major fail in his first season as GM if he can’t get this done.  And you know what?  I won’t blame him if he can’t get it done.  Blame stupid Comcast for basically telling the entire hockey world how desperate they are to win now.  Hope I’m wrong, but that 7th year is looming large.

On 6/6/2019 at 10:02 AM, Podein25 said:

If I'm Fletch and I'm negotiating with Hayes over the next month I basically have one question, asked every day: where is Kevin right now and what is he doing? If the answer is not that he's pushing tractor tires up a hill with Gary Roberts, then I'm walking away from anything resembling 7 years at $6-7M.  

That’s just not realistic to expect a guy to be training that hard at this point.  Nobody in the league is.  I’m not knocking Hayes if he’s enjoying himself somewhere ready to cash in the biggest contract of his life.  99% of players would be doing just that.

On 6/6/2019 at 8:32 AM, radoran said:

I just don't get that feeling as to how this organization works. And, to be fair, it may not be how the NHL works.

Yeah, not sure I can blame the Flyers.  Teams that feel that they are, or should be, ready to meaningfully compete identify their needs and fill them with whoever is available at whatever price they can.  That’s just how things work.  May not be the smartest approach every time.  I mean, the Leafs went out and got the best C last offseason and how did that work out this year?  And they may lose Marner as a result.  

Flyers are either going to overpay for Hayes or lose him.  Don't think $6x6 is going to get it done - I think the Flyers will give him the 7th year.  Fletcher is under pressure to get a deal done.  A fifth rounder isn't a lot to lose, but there isn't anything in FA (with the possible exception of Duchene) and the optics are bad if he signs elsewhere.  I like the idea of trading for Hayes' rights, but I'm not that confident about getting a deal done on terms that make sense.  I just hope Fletcher made the trade based on some intelligence as to (a) Hayes' interest in the Flyers and (b) what $$$ he wants.

As to the player, I'm kind of mixed on Hayes.  He fills a need, but I want this team to get faster.  I also worry about conditioning and attitude a little.  AV and he butted heads in the past a little, but it sounds like they are on good terms.  The Flyers wouldn't have traded for him without AV's blessing.

I'm not concerned that they haven't signed him yet.  I can see this going right to June 23.

On 5/29/2019 at 12:35 PM, brelic said:

Should we be referring to this as Lehtera and Friends?

 

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1778354?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

Kuznestzov's statement is laughable. 

Rumors of rampant cocaine use, especially in the playoffs, have been around for a long time.  I hate to say, but I had wondered if some of the Flyers on that 2010 team were partaking.  Same with the Kings team that won the cup.  Or Adderall.

Want the Blues to win badly.  Want to see people's heads explode when Schenn and Berube hoist the Cup and someone brings it to South Philly to celebrate at that bar.

Think Bruins will win, though.

20 hours ago, brelic said:

 

I mean, it’s not like he called a player into his office, carefully took out a cigarette, smoked the entire thing without saying a word, then said, “ok, we’re done here” and sent the player out.

 

 

That a Terry Ryan story?  That dude is a loon...

On 5/16/2019 at 3:14 PM, elmatus said:

As much as some folks might brand that as some sort of "tough love", shame is a very bad communications tool and generally does not have the intended effect. I don't imagine that's somehow magically different in a locker room.

I've certainly had experience with "tough love" folks, but they do it without being personally insulting.  And when you do a good job, they let you know that as well.  Therrien just sounds like he can be very insulting.

On 5/16/2019 at 3:14 PM, elmatus said:

Anyway, he's here apparently, so I guess we just all have to hope he doesn't screw up our youngins or something while he's around.

Lofty expectations, I fear.

59 minutes ago, elmatus said:

I'm with you here. I always figured the only reason the Habs kept Therrien around so long was because he happens to be french-canadian. His teams never seemed particularly good, and I've heard pretty awful things about his relationship with the players there. 

Well, it's interesting that he was fired as soon as Claude Julien, another french-canadian guy, became available.  So you may be on to something there....

In his book, Briere said he had a few run-ins with Therrien and related a story about how Therrien singled out Briere in a video session and basically said no one on the team respected him or wanted to play with him.  Pretty harsh to treat a veteran player that way.  I'm all for a coach that holds players accountable, but I'm not a fan of degrading or insulting players.  I wonder how Therrien's personality will play with the youth.