As a random thought:

If I had the choose the Flyers getting Weber and The Phils losing Hamals, I would make that choice for all eternity.
- KINGKENZO

yea, was thinking the same thing the other day

i see read as a kind of high-end umberger. a versatile, stick him anywhere, well-rounded player with good hockey sense. guys like that are super valuable, and while ryan obviously has more offensive ability, i like the utilitarian guys more. i'd love ryan, and if it came at the expense of read, so be it. just not a move i'm anxious to see happen.
- hammarby31

Well lucky for us thats a decision Homer will have to make. No disrespect to Matt Read but I dont think hes even on the same level as Bobby Ryan.

Funny thing is most people didn't even know if he would make the team during camp last season.

wasnt dave Poulin a similar late bloomer?
- isaiah520

Yes, about the same age when entering into the League

Matt Read was 6th among Flyer forwards in average icetime in last years playoffs. He average over 15 minutes a game. That's the beauty of Read. He can play anywhere.
- MJL

I do believe he plays better on the wing then center. I'm perfectly content to start the season with the forwards on the roster now. Time to get Voracek signed to a mult-year deal and put him with G and see what happens.

As a random thought:

If I had the choose the Flyers getting Weber and The Phils losing Hamals, I would make that choice for all eternity.
- KINGKENZO

It still hurts kk

He's better then your typical Rookie.
- MJL

Thats cause he was 25 years old. We both know hes had more experience and his body is more developed than say an 18-19 year old kid.

Every interview I see with Homer, he is wearing a winter jacket, or at least something that looks like one. Is the air-condtioning that intense inside the office of the WFC?

See vid here, for instance:

http://www.csnphilly.com/...blockID=746181&feedID=704

(Btw, excellent interview by Sarah Baicker. Every question was intelligent and to the point)

Thats cause he was 25 years old. We both know hes had more experience and his body is more developed than say an 18-19 year old kid.
- stveshdy

I think it has to do with more then age. He's a very good all around player. the kind of player every team needs.

All I'm saying is I would deal Read if I can get back Ryan. Read did well this year and maybe he will continue to do so but Ryan is a lock for 30 and has done it for awhile now. His upside is greater than Read's IMO.

26/27 the point is he's not you typical rookie.
- stveshdy

I don't think it's so much a knock on Read, (dealing him), but it's maybe more so a process of elimination in what you would want to give up vs what player has value that you can possibly part with.

I don't see read being enough of a "main" piece in getting Ryan though.

yea, was thinking the same thing the other day
- isaiah520

Wheres your proof

Well lucky for us thats a decision Homer will have to make. No disrespect to Matt Read but I dont think hes even on the same level as Bobby Ryan.

Funny thing is most people didn't even know if he would make the team during camp last season.
- stveshdy

I'm trying to keep an open mind about the 6th d-man spot. I thought MAB did very well for being a 22 year old rookie. Manning has some really nice size. I just think it is just a little short sighted (not you in particular) that the Flyers don't have possible puck moving d-man options potentially read to assume a top 6 role. Its funny how MAB seems to have reached his ceiling and can't improve, but a similar guy on another team, that is a guy to keep an eye on.

I think it has to do with more then age. He's a very good all around player. the kind of player every team needs.
- MJL

His age plays a big part when you compare him to other rookies around the league. No one is saying that he isnt a good player. Read was a big question mark coming into last season and really most people had no clue what to expect from him.

It still hurts kk
- aightwebang17

It really does

His age plays a big part when you compare him to other rookies around the league. No one is saying that he isnt a good player. Read was a big question mark coming into last season and really most people had no clue what to expect from him.
- stveshdy

I would say more of an unknown then a question mark.

I don't think it's so much a knock on Read, (dealing him), but it's maybe more so a process of elimination in what you would want to give up vs what player has value that you can possibly part with.

I don't see read being enough of a "main" piece in getting Ryan though.
- puckhead17

I agree with that. Thats why the Flyers would obviously have to offer more. I dont know what Homer plans to do but I can't see him not adding another piece before the season starts.

I'm trying to keep an open mind about the 6th d-man spot. I thought MAB did very well for being a 22 year old rookie. Manning has some really nice size. I just think it is just a little short sighted (not you in particular) that the Flyers don't have possible puck moving d-man options potentially read to assume a top 6 role. Its funny how MAB seems to have reached his ceiling and can't improve, but a similar guy on another team, that is a guy to keep an eye on.
- ravishingone

I like Bourdon. I like his physical edge to his game. I like him better then Gustafsson.

I would say more of an unknown then a question mark.
- MJL

Whatever word you want to use. You get my point.

Matt Read was 6th among Flyer forwards in average icetime in last years playoffs. He average over 15 minutes a game. That's the beauty of Read. He can play anywhere.
- MJL

If going by the Playoffs GUS should be in the 3rd D pairing.

Whatever word you want to use. You get my point.
- stveshdy

Yes I do!

I agree with that. Thats why the Flyers would obviously have to offer more. I dont know what Homer plans to do but I can't see him not adding another piece before the season starts.
- stveshdy

I agree with you!!

He's o for 3? (I don't think he thought he had a shot at Suter or Parise), but he wants another main piece to add, I just don't see us having enough to offer in a package.

read is a very dolid player and is cheap, but you can't trade for a perennial 30 goal scorer and give up squat. I really like Voracek and wouldn't package him for Ryan so that leaves Read, sorry.

I agree with you!!

He's o for 3? (I don't think he thought he had a shot at Suter or Parise), but he wants another main piece to add, I just don't see us having enough to offer in a package.
- puckhead17

It depends if a team like Anaheim is ready to go into a rebuild. The Flyers have some prospects to offer with Read and picks. After the Nash trade anything is possible in this league.

read is a very dolid player and is cheap, but you can't trade for a perennial 30 goal scorer and give up squat. I really like Voracek and wouldn't package him for Ryan so that leaves Read, sorry.
- jstross

I say Jake stays, unless, yes, you can get Ryan.

I love Jake's game, but to get Ryan, Read isn't enough.

It depends if a team like Anaheim is ready to go into a rebuild. The Flyers have some prospects to offer with Read and picks. After the Nash trade anything is possible in this league.
- stveshdy

You rebuild by trading a 25 year old player in Ryan?

I do believe he plays better on the wing then center. I'm perfectly content to start the season with the forwards on the roster now. Time to get Voracek signed to a mult-year deal and put him with G and see what happens.
- ravishingone

I think Briere needs to play with Voracek. Everytime Briere has had success here, esp. post-season, he has played with a playmaking winger (Prospal, Leino...). Voracek is closest to that. Also, balance out Briere's D liabilities.

I know this won't happen, but these would be my lines:
Simmonds-Giroux-Schenn (G would make most average wingers good, and good ones very good and..)
Hartnell-Briere-Voracek
(..this allows more punch in the 2nd line, also Briere has good chem with Hartnell)
Read-Couts-Rusty (also a good checking line when asked to play that role without any adjustments)
Rinaldo-Talbot-Wellwood

Coburn-Grossmann
Kimmo-Meszy
Bourdon-Schenn (hopefully Schenn challenges a top 4 position by 2013)