They were trying to unload him though and now he's hurt so...
- NickTheKid87

How is it that defenseman are dropping like flies before camp even starts. What happens when Grossmann who is playing on two torn acl's, and MAB who had multiple concussions gets injured as well?

Expecting these guys to remain healthy is fool's gold.

Fantasy idea of the day...

Say (against all odds) the Flyers ended up signing Doan... Would anybody be opposed to shipping a guy (maybe Simmonds, +?) off for a young D-man RFA like Subban?
- jak521

Doan for 4 yr 30M is a nonstarter for me.
I like PK, he is kind of a punk but very talented, but I can't see the Habs letting him go. If he is available I think they should go for it but it seems far fetched.

How is it that defenseman are dropping like flies before camp even starts. What happens when Grossmann who is playing on two torn acl's, and MAB who had multiple concussions gets injured as well?

Expecting these guys to remain healthy is fool's gold.
- PLindbergh31

Well, unless CBA negotiations introduce a way to forfeit the season outright, they'll have to play through.

It's a dead contract slot until what December at least?
- PLindbergh31

Oh, jeez, when you put it that way...definitely someone looks foolish.

Doan for 4 yr 30M is a nonstarter for me.
I like PK, he is kind of a punk but very talented, but I can't see the Habs letting him go. If he is available I think they should go for it but it seems far fetched.
- Marc D

dream crusher

EDIT: I agree that 4 year 30mil for Doan is ridiculous...

How is it that defenseman are dropping like flies before camp even starts. What happens when Grossmann who is playing on two torn acl's, and MAB who had multiple concussions gets injured as well?

Expecting these guys to remain healthy is fool's gold.
- PLindbergh31

grossmann has 2 torn acl's?

Not being a Richard, but is there a link?

EDIT: Also, what if the Flyers trade Read and a 1st for Jbow.. and then he gets hurt?

How is it that defenseman are dropping like flies before camp even starts. What happens when Grossmann who is playing on two torn acl's, and MAB who had multiple concussions gets injured as well?

Expecting these guys to remain healthy is fool's gold.
- PLindbergh31

Well, if Grossmann goes down, anyone who advocated signing him will look pretty foolish.

How is it that defenseman are dropping like flies before camp even starts. What happens when Grossmann who is playing on two torn acl's, and MAB who had multiple concussions gets injured as well?

Expecting these guys to remain healthy is fool's gold.
- PLindbergh31

Lilja was the 9th defenseman before Mesz went down and then he was 8th. They'll have two of Gervais/Bourdon/Gustafsson in the lineup with the other as the 7th dman. If someone gets hurt then you slid that other guy in. If two people get hurt, call up Manning or sign a UFA if need be.

grossmann has 2 torn acl's?

Not being a Richard, but is there a link?
- jak521

I thought Bill mentioned he had surgeries for two torn acl's not so long ago. I could be mistaken. Point being Grossmann has bad knees, MAB has a concussion history, and Timonen is coming off multiple surgeries and is 37 yrs old.

Is it realistic to expect these guys to stay healthy? IMO, it's not.

Lilja was the 9th defenseman before Mesz went down and then he was 8th. They'll have two of Gervais/Bourdon/Gustafsson in the lineup with the other as the 7th dman. If someone gets hurt then you slid that other guy in. If two people get hurt, call up Manning or sign a UFA if need be.
- NickTheKid87

Lilja played 46 games for the Flyers last season, that is with Carle and Meszaros playing basically the entire season. To simply just cast him aside as an extra piece the way this defense core is currently constructed isn't fair.

Granted Lilja isn't very good, but it's just a loss of more depth.

I thought Bill mentioned he had surgeries for two torn mcl's not so long ago. I could be mistaken. Point being Grossmann has bad knees, MAB has a concussion history, and Timonen is coming off multiple surgeries and is 37 yrs old.

Is it realistic to expect these guys to stay healthy? IMO, it's not.
- PLindbergh31

Boy if Timonen goes down, that final year they gave him when they signed him is going to make the Flyers look pretty foolish huh?

Boy if Timonen goes down, that final year they gave him when they signed him is going to make the Flyers look pretty foolish huh?
- MBFlyerfan

If you think this defense core is one that is ready to challenge for a Stanley Cup, knock yourself out.

I thought Bill mentioned he had surgeries for two torn mcl's not so long ago. I could be mistaken. Point being Grossmann has bad knees, MAB has a concussion history, and Timonen is coming off multiple surgeries and is 37 yrs old.

Is it realistic to expect these guys to stay healthy? IMO, it's not.
- PLindbergh31

Ok, you had said ACL. ACL and MCL are two totally different beasts. MCL tears are normally treated non-surgically (but sometimes can be repaired to increase the success and reduce the risk of re-injury), unless the LCL and or PCL are also compromised. Even if it was a full grade III tear they wouldnt necessarily treat it surgically... 3-4 months of rest and rehab would be sufficient...

Im not nearly as worried for MaB or Grossmann than I am for Timonen.

If you think this defense core is one that is ready to challenge for a Stanley Cup, knock yourself out.
- PLindbergh31

I dont think they are a lock for a cup, but they will absolutely be able to challenge, and these hardships and challenges will only help improve this young team from a team defense standpoint. I look forward to seeing who steps up, and who surprises.

pretty sure that was semisonic
- jak521

Wrong, and I haven't even heard of that philosopher.

Lilja played 46 games for the Flyers last season, that is with Carle and Meszaros playing basically the entire season. To simply just cast him aside as an extra piece the way this defense core is currently constructed isn't fair.

Granted Lilja isn't very good, but it's just a loss of more depth.
- PLindbergh31

Loss of depth, yes but he was not even being considered by most as a top 6 defender for this upcoming season. Many had him penciled in as the 8th defenseman (with Gus being sent to the minors) or being shipped out in some kind of trade. If it came to the point that Lilja became a main stay in the lineup than we'd have bigger problems. I think Homer would trade for or sign a free agent dman before then.

Doan is just too much and not needed now. They should concentrate on 2 defensemen. JayBo and another. Because of his age he fits well into any lomg term plan and will provide immediate relief. To fix the D, it's going to cost players, picks and cap space. There's no such thing as free lunch... ah...er... free Cup.

I dont think they are a lock for a cup, but they will absolutely be able to challenge, and these hardships and challenges will only help improve this young team from a team defense standpoint. I look forward to seeing who steps up, and who surprises.
- jak521

Dr. jak

Doan is just too much and not needed now. They should concentrate on 2 defensemen. JayBo and another. Because of his age he fits well into any lomg term plan and will provide immediate relief. To fix the D, it's going to cost players, picks and cap space. There's no such thing as free lunch... ah...er... free Cup.
- 2731color

Would you really give up a young assets and/or early picks for a band-aid?

I dont think they are a lock for a cup, but they will absolutely be able to challenge, and these hardships and challenges will only help improve this young team from a team defense standpoint. I look forward to seeing who steps up, and who surprises.
- jak521

We shall see. A few weeks ago it was possible Weber and Meszaros would be two of the top 6, now that's a pipe dream. IMO this defense core is made up of fringe youth in MAB and GUS, injury questions in Timonen and Grossmann, a solid but not spectacular Coburn, and Luke Schenn while being talented still learning.

Anyone who is realistic can see injuries/growing pains a mile away with this group. One would be kidding themselves not to expect it.

@NHL: "Bryz learned a lot of things. I think we'll certainly see a different goalie next year." -#Flyers GM Holmgren.

Anyone who questioned why Lilja was signed to a two year deal looks foolish today.
- PLindbergh31

Please explain?

Well, if Grossmann goes down, anyone who advocated signing him will look pretty foolish.
- MBFlyerfan

Trading for Meszaros and Pronger was also apparently foolish.

If they trade a top six forward plus their first pick next year in what is supposed to be a very good draft for JBo then the decision not to resign Matt Carle will look terrible. I know they did not want to give him the contract he got from Tampa, but I'd much rather have Carle back, keep my top six forward and first rounder over getting J Bo.

I know the deal for JBo is speculative, and there was no way to predict the Mezzy injury, but it still looks bad to me if this is how it plays out.
- Marc D

In my opinion, and this is pure speculation. But I beleive the Flyers did not match the Tampa offer from Carle, because they truly felt they were getting Weber.

It's a dead contract slot until what December at least?
- PLindbergh31

OMG what are we gonna do?