But they have 5 very, very good blue-liners. Most clubs can't say that.
- LordStanley88

They have Kimmo who is wearing down. Mez coming off of serious surgery, and question marks with Grossman's knee.

Coburn himself, while he can be a monster, can be as inconsistent as anyone. Schenn himself is a young kid, and I am accepting he will struggle at times.

They are good, but they aren't great. I am willing to accept the year as a learning year for the kids but they need to improve that back end with a warhorse if they want to make some noise imo.

They have Kimmo who is wearing down. Mez coming off of serious surgery, and question marks with Grossman's knee.

Coburn himself, while he can be a monster, can be as inconsistent as anyone. Schenn himself is a young kid, and I am accepting he will struggle at times.

They are good, but they aren't great. I am willing to accept the year as a learning year for the kids but they need to improve that back end with a warhorse if they want to make some noise imo.
- flyer_nutter

The Flyers will be a contender this year barring significant injuries.

Coburn
Grossman
Kimmo
Schenn
Meszy

I like that group. And I believe a d-man will be added at the deadline, hopefully Enstrom.
- LordStanley88

I dont think there is a single person who cheers for the O&B that wouldnt love to see them go get a true #1, but its not easy to do. Getting a guy like Enstrom would be a huge boost, but wouldnt fill that void completely. He would be a great addition none the less.

Also, wasnt saying that you are implying he is a #1 guy for us... just saying it in general.

Coburn
Grossman
Kimmo
Schenn
Meszy

I like that group. And I believe a d-man will be added at the deadline, hopefulyl Enstrom.
- LordStanley88

I like the group also. I'm not knocking the Flyers defenseman b/c they have a solid core of young guys. My only issue is when your paying them the most out of any team in the league then I would like for that group to be the strength of the team. I'm not putting on the blame on the defense b/c we know the forwards play a big part in it as well. I also dont expect them to be perfect but I expect to get more consistent play for the cost.

The Flyers will be a contender this year barring significant injuries.
- LordStanley88

absolutely.

I dont think there is a single person who cheers for the O&B that wouldnt love to see them go get a true #1, but its not easy to do. Getting a guy like Enstrom would be a huge boost, but wouldnt fill that void completely. He would be a great addition none the less.

Also, wasnt saying that you are implying he is a #1 guy for us... just saying it in general.
- jak521

Right, but I don't think you NEED that true #1 guy if you have 5 or 6 guys that can all play on any club's top 4.

Especially if you have a potent offense and franchise goalie, which are elements that I think we will both have this season and beyond.

I like the group also. I'm not knocking the Flyers defenseman b/c they have a solid core of young guys. My only issue is when your paying them the most out of any team in the league then I would like for that group to be the strength of the team. I'm not putting on the blame on the defense b/c we know the forwards play a big part in it as well. I also dont expect them to be perfect but I expect to get more consistent play for the cost.
- stveshdy

I think this years group will be better than last years.. again.. barring injuries.

JAKE.

also, this has probably already been said, but as much as I'd like to get my hands on bogosian, i gotta doubt that the jets would let him go for any less than a king's ransom considering the very real possibility they lose enstrom after this year.

The Flyers will be a contender this year barring significant injuries.
- LordStanley88

I'm trying to remember a season that didn't include an inordinate amount of serious injuries.

Sorry in my eyes B schenn > JVR... Ask any toronto fan who they would rather have. Bogo and L schenn thats tough they both have their issues.
- Philly1980

bogo as an asset is worth b schenn imo...obvi b schenn > JVR

Weber didn't have a mentor.

Of course, he battled those same inconsistencies his first few seasons too. Bogosian is just 21.
- LordStanley88

But Weber was nurtured, playing out his junior career and putting some time in the AHL. His development curve was shaped by a constant mentoring. Once you get to the NHL and get inserted in the top 4 there is not much time for teaching on contending teams. Good coaches know how to spot their young players. But mentors can't do much when your one on one with Stamkos breaking in on you.

I like the group also. I'm not knocking the Flyers defenseman b/c they have a solid core of young guys. My only issue is when your paying them the most out of any team in the league then I would like for that group to be the strength of the team. I'm not putting on the blame on the defense b/c we know the forwards play a big part in it as well. I also dont expect them to be perfect but I expect to get more consistent play for the cost.
- stveshdy

I don't really think anyone on that back end is overpaid. Perhaps Mez however he was a dominant force before last year's injury plagued season.

It's simply how the Flyers have chosen to build the d-core though. If you draft your d-men they are more affordable. A guy like Bourdon could develop more, and become a solid 2nd pairing guy who would be more affordable than say a guy who was found in FA.

I work for Comcast.
- Jsaquella

Me too! Well, NBC Sports, but same family.

But Weber was nurtured, playing out his junior career and putting some time in the AHL. His development curve was shaped by a constant mentoring. Once you get to the NHL and get inserted in the top 4 there is not much time for teaching on contending teams. Good coaches know how to spot their young players. But mentors can't do much when your one on one with Stamkos breaking in on you.
- spatso

Agreed. I don't see where we differ in that respect.

bogo as an asset is worth b schenn imo...obvi b schenn > JVR
- isaiah520

Yup. Winnipeg would demand Schenn or Couts anyways so it's moot. Ditto for Yandle.

Just read GARTH's latest gem. How some people don't realize he is just trying to get hits by getting a rise out of flyers fans is beyond me.

Right, but I don't think you NEED that true #1 guy if you have 5 or 6 guys that can all play on any club's top 4.

Especially if you have a potent offense and franchise goalie, which are elements that I think we will both have this season and beyond.
- LordStanley88

Imo you dont need that true #1. However it helps your chances big time.

Remember what it was like when Desjardins retired? Or the huge improvement when Kimmo was brought in. Or Pronger?

To have that one guy, or two guys that you know you will throw out there in the dying seconds of the game, or be confident in their abilities in killing penalties with 5 minutes to go, holds huge value.

True you can get lucky and do what Jersey did this season. However teams with that elite #1 have a much better shot.

Right, but I don't think you NEED that true #1 guy if you have 5 or 6 guys that can all play on any club's top 4.

Especially if you have a potent offense and franchise goalie, which are elements that I think we will both have this season and beyond.
- LordStanley88

I agree with you for sure.

I personally like the guys that are kind of under the radar guys. I mentioned Giordano earlier. Thats a guy I would kill to have. The only real knock on him is his style of playing causing injuries.. He blocks shots like its going out of style.. is a virtual lock for 7 goals 25-30 assists, and is a heart and soul guy. He would be one of those, not elite but bang-for-your-buck guys. Enstrom would immediately make our back end a more potent offensive group. I also dont believe you HAVE TO HAVE a true #1 elite d-man.

Imo you dont need that true #1. However it helps your chances big time.

Remember what it was like when Desjardins retired? Or the huge improvement when Kimmo was brought in. Or Pronger?

To have that one guy, or two guys that you know you will throw out there in the dying seconds of the game, or be confident in their abilities in killing penalties with 5 minutes to go, holds huge value.

True you can get lucky and do what Jersey did this season. However teams with that elite #1 have a much better shot.
- flyer_nutter

Problem is thre are just a handful of true #1's out there.

Just read GARTH's latest gem. How some people don't realize he is just trying to get hits by getting a rise out of flyers fans is beyond me.
- funmaster18

So happy they signed Jake......similar contract to the dude from St. Louis Oshi right?


Good job Homer

Just read GARTH's latest gem. How some people don't realize he is just trying to get hits by getting a rise out of flyers fans is beyond me.
- funmaster18

Just read it. Not sure how he's trying to get a rise out of anyone. Seems like he painted an accurate picture.

"One need only look at Philadelphia. They are handing out blank checks to stars that don't want to play in their town. Large market team. Fat stacks of cheddar.

What's wrong with this picture?


Paul Holmgren, Ed Snider and the Flyers offered a combined $310 million to three monster players. Each time, the Flyers were told "thanks, but no thanks".

Holmgren offered stud UFAs Parise and Suter $200 million to play as a tandem in Philly. They opted for the pontoon boat captial of North America, in Minnesota.

Then, Homer signed the most dynamic young Dman in the game today, Shea Weber, to a 14 year. $110 million offer sheet. Swing and a miss. Strike three. To be fair, Weber wanted to play in Philly. He was forced to retreat back to Nashville when the Predators matched the $110 million offer sheet. Wouldn't surprise me if Weber demands a trade to Philly on July 1, 2013.

Holmgren was interested in trading for Rick Nash, however, a deal wasn't able to be completed.

To compound their troubles signing high profile players to mondo contracts, the Flyers are having retention issues with their own free agents. Jagr and Carle skated away from Philly for greener pastures earlier this month."

This was posted on CSNPhilly.com. Anyone see what the problem with it is?


Jake Voracek will be a Flyer next season, and for three years beyond that.

The restricted free agent winger has signed a four-year deal, $17 million deal with the Flyers, a source confirmed. The story was first reported by the Czech outlet iSport.cz.

Voracek first arrived in Philadelphia from Columbus last summer as part of the Jeff Carter trade. In his first year as a Flyer, he scored 18 goals and recorded 31 assists for 49 point in 78 total games.

Given his now sizable cap hit -- $4.5 million annually -- it would appear as though the Flyers have big plans for the 22-year-old moving forward. Those plans could include a move to the top line, where Voracek could fill the spot vacated by Jaromir Jagr beside Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell.

Just read it. Not sure how he's trying to get a rise out of anyone. Seems like he painted an accurate picture.

"One need only look at Philadelphia. They are handing out blank checks to stars that don't want to play in their town. Large market team. Fat stacks of cheddar.

What's wrong with this picture?


Paul Holmgren, Ed Snider and the Flyers offered a combined $310 million to three monster players. Each time, the Flyers were told "thanks, but no thanks".

Holmgren offered stud UFAs Parise and Suter $200 million to play as a tandem in Philly. They opted for the pontoon boat captial of North America, in Minnesota.

Then, Homer signed the most dynamic young Dman in the game today, Shea Weber, to a 14 year. $110 million offer sheet. Swing and a miss. Strike three. To be fair, Weber wanted to play in Philly. He was forced to retreat back to Nashville when the Predators matched the $110 million offer sheet. Wouldn't surprise me if Weber demands a trade to Philly on July 1, 2013.

Holmgren was interested in trading for Rick Nash, however, a deal wasn't able to be completed.

To compound their troubles signing high profile players to mondo contracts, the Flyers are having retention issues with their own free agents. Jagr and Carle skated away from Philly for greener pastures earlier this month."
- PLindbergh31

Because Weber accepted our contract offer, and we were one of 20 teams that missed out on Suter and Parise.

Just read it. Not sure how he's trying to get a rise out of anyone. Seems like he painted an accurate picture.

"One need only look at Philadelphia. They are handing out blank checks to stars that don't want to play in their town. Large market team. Fat stacks of cheddar.

What's wrong with this picture?


Paul Holmgren, Ed Snider and the Flyers offered a combined $310 million to three monster players. Each time, the Flyers were told "thanks, but no thanks".

Holmgren offered stud UFAs Parise and Suter $200 million to play as a tandem in Philly. They opted for the pontoon boat captial of North America, in Minnesota.

Then, Homer signed the most dynamic young Dman in the game today, Shea Weber, to a 14 year. $110 million offer sheet. Swing and a miss. Strike three. To be fair, Weber wanted to play in Philly. He was forced to retreat back to Nashville when the Predators matched the $110 million offer sheet. Wouldn't surprise me if Weber demands a trade to Philly on July 1, 2013.

Holmgren was interested in trading for Rick Nash, however, a deal wasn't able to be completed.

To compound their troubles signing high profile players to mondo contracts, the Flyers are having retention issues with their own free agents. Jagr and Carle skated away from Philly for greener pastures earlier this month."
- PLindbergh31

Because he is insinuating that Philly isn't a place where players want to play at.