fishbulb

Things aren't always as easy as we'd like them to be... 1) Cap world bud... pretty sure a new contract would eliminate the cheap deal he's on and put us in cap hell before we need to be. 2) He's still RFA so it's not like there's any rush. We'd match any offer given to him and if not... it's going to be a shat load of 1st rounders as compensation. 3) Maybe he's not comfortable negotiating right now. I know what you're saying, but I'm more worried about other things... like our huge hole in our d-core and the drop of offense!

Lots of teams over paying this summer.... I guess they're not afraid of the big bad cba. This IS really going to hurt though... I was not a big fan of Carle's but he's a vet and this leaves a HUGE hole in our back end.

Didn't we send one or two 2nd rounders in the Grossman/Kubina deals??

As I said... "Unfortunately it puts his employer in a tight spot" But I still would say that his family comes first.... no matter what. Could they not demote him to the minors and avoid the cap hit?... then suspend him?

Not sure why this is such a huge deal for people.... if you put him in any other career, it would be very common for someone to take time off to be with their families... maternity/paternity leave, etc. If it is true that he's leaving for his family and not to get away from something I totally respect that. He's a multi-millionaire and is making a decision not soley based on money. That's awesome. Unfortunately it puts his employer in a tight spot.

@idahophilly If he officially files his paperwork with the NHL then yes, we are cap-wise stuck paying the rest of his salary. I don't see why Chris would actually do this though... other than to put to rest the annoyance of the "will he/won't he" questioning. Considering the fact that he LOVES to **** with the media, I can't see this being the case. Why would he retire when it would cost him a boatload of money AND put the screws to an organization that has treated him well.

He's definitely the latest 'poster-boy' for diving... it's pretty bad to watch him out there b/c he's not even good at it. I'm shocked that he hasn't had any "unsportsman like" calls against him. It would be a tight race between him and vancouver/pittsburgh's finest.... he might take it though.

I don't think we can under-estimate the POUNDING this team took at times from the Penguins. It was said many times before the series... "whoever wins this series won't be very healthy"... well 7 days off was great, but a lot of those players took some serious punishment. IMO, there were just too many walking wounded. Yes Joisey played a 7 gamer with little break.... but if you think they were pounded on like we were during the Pens series... you're crazy.

But he looked useless when he wasn't with Giroux and Hartnell... how can his minutes be limited but keep a top-line cohesive?? He'd be in and out, up and down... I'm not saying he wasn't useful at times, but he's not going to be any younger and he's not going to be more effective next year. If he's willing to sign for pennies, I could be swayed, but I'd rather give the ice time to younger players.

No thanks. I was 'neat' having a legend around to tutor the kids and provide a spark every once in a while, but it became very obvious as the year went on that he's got very little left in the tank. Hopefully the lessons he taught the kids will pay off for years, but I think his ship has sailed. Maybe if his icetime was limited more during the reg. season he'd have been more effective, but that's all hindsight now. Time to move on and give the spot to a youngster or ufa.

@ jackhole My biggest problem with this system though is that while exciting, it's VERY easy to be tamed by a 'hot' goalie... it's not a system to win 2-1 games. Playing a goalie like Quick, Lundqvist, etc. who won't give up more than 2 will give us fits b/c we're going to give up 3 playing this way. (with Bryz that is)... if they don't ditch bryzy with a buyout, etc... we've gotta change.

Not sure if this has been mentioned... If you look at the other surviving teams in the playoffs, there are a few obvious patterns/similarities. Ok, you gotta have good goaltending... duh.... I know Bryz hasn't been our major problem, but the only reason we won the first series is b/c Fleury was even worse. But I think the other major issue is the style of play the Flyers use. St.Lou, LA, NYR, even WASH! are playing a stifling/trapping style of hockey. Is our run and gun method just not suited for the playoffs? I guess Tampa won using an agressive style (can't remember Carolina's)... every other winner seems to have been a defense first team. As good as Lavi is, does his system have to go?

OH THE IRONY!...

That's my thought too AFF... when he buckled down to the ground, it looks like his knee gives out or something. Either way, he's probably done for a while. Not worth risking his potential to rush back when so many other things are out of synch.

Both him AND simmonds were picking their asses there. Of course they've gotta be aware of the D-men, but come on.... That play pretty much is a microcosm for the entire 2nd and 3rd periods.

Unfortunately, neither will you.

Yup, caught it in the exact wrong spot... although I guess the face/crotch would truly be the wrong spot. Is that a "drain" mark from where they drained the fluid building up? Grrrrrrosss!

Not sure if this is a repost, but it just came up on my TSN/FACEBOOK feed... Apparently, this is a shot of Sami Lepisto's leg. He received the injury from blocking a shot in the first round. Sweet Bajesus that looks painful!

i wouldn't mind Clarkson either... nice mix of toughness and goal scoring.

No love for Kovy yet? ;-p If you chose "other"... who are you thinking? Zajac? Clarkson?.... I'm sure Jammer chose Henrique... (homer!)

Damn!... beat me to it. Great minds think alike.

So who's going to push Bryz and the defense the most?? I guess the obvious choice would be Kovy, but Elias's track record against us is scary. Seems like he scores every bloody time the Flyers/Devs play.

Strange how important the guy's become for us... I'd heard he was a 'steady' guy with 0 offense at the deadline.... he's been a rock for us.

I'll take the Devils please... less travel and wear/tear on our banged up d-men. plus... less distractions in New Jersey than Florida!

Just keep Schenn away from Kovalchuk! Things didn't go so well for Brayden last time they tussled :-)