Confirmed with Link: Flyers Sign Free Agent RW Aaron Palushaj (5-11, 188 lbs)

[FLYguy3911]

Goulbourne didn't play center all year, but I would like to see if they could develop him as a center though and try to squeeze every ounce of value out of him.

Martel will play the wing I would imagine.

I think Bardreau should play the middle for now.

They will probably sign someone else too.

 

[Ryker]

Palushaj is a decent depth signing. A fire hydrant for the Phantoms.

Something dogs pee on? That's a terrible thing to say

 

[Jtown]

If Goulbourne could become a faceoff specialist and man that 4th center position that would awesome. His speed, pk ability and toughness could make for a very good 4th liner.

 

[CodyTheHuman]

Goulbourne played center quite a bit, IIRC. Cousins is not going to make the Flyers out of camp, I don't think.

With VandeVelde, Bellemare and White as the 4th line, all 3 can play C. There is no room for Cousins in the lineup over those guys.

Palushaj is a decent depth signing. A fire hydrant for the Phantoms.

The problem with that though is that VandeVelde and White don't have contracts. Bellemare and Cousins do. I'm not sure I see Vandevelde returning this next season, though he has expressed interest in returning.

 

[Larry44]

Something dogs pee on? That's a terrible thing to say

No, a stocky guy who is solid on his skates. And fire hydrants are useful if your house is on fire too....

 

[Larry44]

The problem with that though is that VandeVelde and White don't have contracts. Bellemare and Cousins do. I'm not sure I see Vandevelde returning this next season, though he has expressed interest in returning.

Cousins hasn't proven he's NHL regular material yet. Given that Vinny is going for sure, Rinaldo is the 13, there may end up being room for VandeVelde and White to both stay.

We'll see, it's early days.

Palushaj's signing does make you wonder whether they will sign the other UNDer, Parks.

 

[dats81]

Cousins hasn't proven he's NHL regular material yet. Given that Vinny is going for sure, Rinaldo is the 13, there may end up being room for VandeVelde and White to both stay.

We'll see, it's early days.

Palushaj's signing does make you wonder whether they will sign the other UNDer, Parks.

Parks has progressed o.k. over the last couple of year. He will never be spectacular but there is not much competition at the forward position with the Phantoms anyway and he brings solid skating and two-way ability.

I for one expect him to be signed.

 

[DrinkFightFlyers]

The problem with that though is that VandeVelde and White don't have contracts. Bellemare and Cousins do. I'm not sure I see Vandevelde returning this next season, though he has expressed interest in returning.

I think White is more likely to come back than VDV. You also have to figure in, there could be other moves made to where PEB, VDV, White, AND Cousins all in the lineup (or at the very least one of them as the 13th forward). Would not surprise me one bit to see a guy like Read or Schenn traded (along with others) to make an improvement somewhere on the wing or even on the blueline, plus an additional move of maybe/hopefully dealing VL for salary dump purposes, leaving space for a guy like Cousins to make the roster along with the other 4th liners. Let's not forget about Laughton too. I have to imagine that he's at the top of their list going in to camp in terms of forwards making the team.

 

[sa cyred]

I think White is more likely to come back than VDV. You also have to figure in, there could be other moves made to where PEB, VDV, White, AND Cousins all in the lineup (or at the very least one of them as the 13th forward). Would not surprise me one bit to see a guy like Read or Schenn traded (along with others) to make an improvement somewhere on the wing or even on the blueline, plus an additional move of maybe/hopefully dealing VL for salary dump purposes, leaving space for a guy like Cousins to make the roster along with the other 4th liners. Let's not forget about Laughton too. I have to imagine that he's at the top of their list going in to camp in terms of forwards making the team.

My guess is that Laughton is the 3rd line center with Simmonds on one side. Now the problem is going to be Umberger. I know some defend him here because "we was injured" but right now he would be better on the 4th line. I would like someone with some offense to play on the left of Laughton & Simmonds. I dont think their movig Cousins away from center. Maybe Straka gets a chance... Or NAK

All i know is that if we want to be better, having a 3rd line of White/Rinaldo/Umberger/Cousins combination wont work (and not hating on Cousins here.. Just the combos with those other players.)

I would re-sign White and play him on the 4th line with Umberger & PEB, then find someone for the 3rd line who can produce some offense.

 

[Mkoll]

Hak could make a case for VDV coming back, since they have history.

 

[Curufinwe]

If Goulbourne could become a faceoff specialist and man that 4th center position that would awesome. His speed, pk ability and toughness could make for a very good 4th liner.

Did he ever take faceoffs in Junior?

 

[FLYguy3911]

Did he ever take faceoffs in Junior?

He used to a be a center.

 

[DecadesofFutility]

Didnt Hex yesterday they were looking at a forward? (Or something like that). I was hoping for a NHL forward not AHL but oh wells. (Sits and refreshes for a Zaitsev update)

I read that Palushaj played hockey with Matt Read previously.
Read on Hockeybuzz that he has ability to play LW as well as RW.
If that is true, he might be a fit on top line with Giroux and Vorachek.
He could be an upgrade if he could fit in as LW.

 

[DrinkFightFlyers]

I read that Palushaj played hockey with Matt Read previously.
Read on Hockeybuzz that he has ability to play LW as well as RW.
If that is true, he might be a fit on top line with Giroux and Vorachek.
He could be an upgrade if he could fit in as LW.

I would be shocked if this guy finds himself on a line with G or Voracek. I'd be surprised if he even makes the team out of camp as anything more than 13th forward.

 

[pinedak]

I would be shocked if this guy finds himself on a line with G or Voracek. I'd be surprised if he even makes the team out of camp as anything more than 13th forward.

Not to mention it's very hard to equal what Raffl brings to that line as a whole.

 

[Van Buren Boy]

I read that Palushaj played hockey with Matt Read previously.
Read on Hockeybuzz that he has ability to play LW as well as RW.
If that is true, he might be a fit on top line with Giroux and Vorachek.
He could be an upgrade if he could fit in as LW.

This guy couldn't crack Carolina's line up and you want to pencil him in as our 1st line winger? This guy will be playing in the AHL.

 

[DecadesofFutility]

I would be shocked if this guy finds himself on a line with G or Voracek. I'd be surprised if he even makes the team out of camp as anything more than 13th forward.

If he can play LW he is probably the 2nd best LW the team has now.
Raffl is the best LW the Flyers have on the roster.
He has speed which some of our forwards lack.
I would think he could be be an upgrade over Umberger atleast.

 

[OurSaviorGhostBear]

I really like what I have heard about lindblom. He played in a league with men so he could be close to ready. A
Lindblom-Laughton-Simmonds line would provide a nice scoring punch and give other teams a really hard time breaking the puck out.

 

[DecadesofFutility]

This guy couldn't crack Carolina's line up and you want to pencil him in as our 1st line winger? This guy will be playing in the AHL.

Why not?
Who do we have playing LW that cannot be replaced?
Raffl could struggle this year, like Read did last year.
Not every forward needs to a scorer to be useful as a player.

I remember that everyone thought Del Zotto was trash when we signed him.
Maybe Palushaj is a late bloomer, or just needs another chance to redeem himself.

 

[DrinkFightFlyers]

My guess is that Laughton is the 3rd line center with Simmonds on one side. Now the problem is going to be Umberger. I know some defend him here because "we was injured" but right now he would be better on the 4th line. I would like someone with some offense to play on the left of Laughton & Simmonds. I dont think their movig Cousins away from center. Maybe Straka gets a chance... Or NAK

All i know is that if we want to be better, having a 3rd line of White/Rinaldo/Umberger/Cousins combination wont work (and not hating on Cousins here.. Just the combos with those other players.)

I would re-sign White and play him on the 4th line with Umberger & PEB, then find someone for the 3rd line who can produce some offense.

Wow, totally forgot that Umberger existed. I think he can rebound but yeah he's another guy I'd be looking to dump in addition to VL. I also think they would bring in someone else over Straka or NAK. Straka I feel like is an Akeson guy that just isn't ever going to stick. Not a bad call-up when necessary, but I don't think they think too highly of him at this point. Could be wrong, and I'm sure he'll get a look, but I think they bring in someone else if there is room. NAK I can't imagine is anywhere close to NHL ready, I didn't see him play at all, but I'd like to think a guy in the year after his draft year would lead his team in points after being drafted in the second round. He didn't have a bad year, but he got outscored by two other players (one older, one younger). I'm not saying those stats alone cancel out any chance he has, but I think it is at least an indication that another year in Jr. would not hurt, plus you get that slide contract too.

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

I remember that everyone thought Del Zotto was trash when we signed him.
Maybe Palushaj is a late bloomer, or just needs another chance to redeem himself.

I like many are very skeptical. The guy hasn't shown much of anything when given a chance. he wasn't even a .5 PPG player in the KHL. I hope he proves everyone wrong. I really do, but there is a reason why most are penciling this guy in as a top 6 AHL player. nothing more.

 

[Rebels57]

Why does anyone think that signing was made for the Flyers, and not the Phantoms?

First line LW with Giroux and Voracek?!

Come on..

 

[Rebels57]

Why not?
Who do we have playing LW that cannot be replaced?
Raffl could struggle this year, like Read did last year.
Not every forward needs to a scorer to be useful as a player.

I remember that everyone thought Del Zotto was trash when we signed him.
Maybe Palushaj is a late bloomer, or just needs another chance to redeem himself.

Lol, and a meteor could land on my car tomorrow too.

Del Zotto had a proven track record of success at the NHL level, and not EVERYONE thought he was trash..just some.

 

[DecadesofFutility]

Why does anyone think that signing was made for the Flyers, and not the Phantoms?

First line LW with Giroux and Voracek?!

Come on..

LOL. Who thought Raffl was worthy of a first line LW position when the Flyers signed him.

Palushaj could end up being a career AHL player, or he could become the next Raffl.

He might be just a stick, but considering what we have for LW, I will reserve judgement until he plays some games.

 

[FLYERSG]

I really like what I have heard about lindblom. He played in a league with men so he could be close to ready. A
Lindblom-Laughton-Simmonds line would provide a nice scoring punch and give other teams a really hard time breaking the puck out.

Lol no. Not at all, needs to work on his skating.