its weird, I was very apathetic and barely missed the game. perhaps part of it was my dealing with a brain aneurysm back in Oct which had be distracted but now that the CBA is done, I am psyched for the season to start and will even be attending training camp. Once a junkie always a junkie I guess :-). I do wonder how many fans won't be back tho.

Plus I doubt the Flyers would trade Couturier (or Schenn for that matter) considering that they didn't offer either for Shea Weber. They may have been because they thought the offer sheet would get the job done though.
- NickTheKid87

I agree. I don't think they would trade Couturier or Schenn for Subban, anyhow.

Plus I doubt the Flyers would trade Couturier (or Schenn for that matter) considering that they didn't offer either for Shea Weber. They may have been because they thought the offer sheet would get the job done though.
- NickTheKid87

I still wonder what would happen if the Flyers went back to the Preds and made a good offer (Couturier, Plus, Plus) for Weber. I think given some time and space to think about it the Preds might deal. Not sure what the league restrictions might be on trading Weber. I assume none because we are now under a new CBA.

Montreal would do that deal. I think it would be a mistake for the Flyers.
- spatso

I love Couturier and I think he's going to be a very good player. But if Subban is going to develop into a top puck moving defenseman such as Drew Doughty, which I'm not convinced of. That would definitely not be a mistake for the Flyers.

I have a buyout/amnesty question. Do you think there could ever be a wink/nod triangle with a player like Bryzgalov and another team? Say Bryzgalov is told the Flyers want to buy him out, but keep him at a lower cost. Let's assume this is like last time, where the Flyers cannot resign him following the buyout. They then contact another team (let's just say Anaheim) and Bryzgalov, arranging for a trade (maybe a 3rd) if Anaheim signs Bryz at an agreed-upon price. So basically, Anaheim gets a free pick for allowing the Flyers to keep a player, but at a lower cap hit. Obviously just using players/teams as examples her,e but could be applied to anything.
- jmatchett

who knows how this CBA is written.....to be seen but I know back during the lock out in the 90's when a players was bought out, the same team was not allowed to re-sign him (See Johnny LeClair)

its weird, I was very apathetic and barely missed the game. perhaps part of it was my dealing with a brain aneurysm back in Oct which had be distracted but now that the CBA is done, I am psyched for the season to start and will even be attending training camp. Once a junkie always a junkie I guess :-). I do wonder how many fans won't be back tho.
- nastyflyergirl

Hope you are doing well!

I believe most of the fans are in the same boat as you. I've said from the being that all or most of the people that "don't care" or "won't be back" will have different feelings when the Wells Fargo Center is packed & the team takes the ice. "Out of sight, out of mind" is what I think fits most fans during the lockout. Different story now! We'll see what happens.

I still wonder what would happen if the Flyers went back to the Preds and made a good offer (Couturier, Plus, Plus) for Weber. I think given some time and space to think about it the Preds might deal. Not sure what the league restrictions might be on trading Weber. I assume none because we are now under a new CBA.
- spatso

Weber was signed under the old CBA. I beleive he can't be traded for one year.

I agree. I don't think they would trade Couturier or Schenn for Subban, anyhow.
- Jsaquella

Reason I said that is that there were rumors circulating that flyers were looking into PK... Dont know if he would be the right fit in philly. Plus if we look at the future flyers have an abundance of centers i think in the end one of schenn or couts(most likely) goes. Couts would be a waste as a third line center.

Giroux-
Schenn
(Laughton in 2/3 yrs)

I love Couturier and I think he's going to be a very good player. But if Subban is going to develop into a top puck moving defenseman such as Drew Doughty, which I'm not convinced of. That would definitely not be a mistake for the Flyers.
- MJL

Subban reminds me of a better Jack Johnson. Very nice offensive gifts, but lacking on the back-end with some bad choices. Plus, I have a feeling Subban's going to get a bad reputation with refs due to the amount of slew-foots he's used.
I'd rather they went after John Carlson, or make a run at Bogosian/Pietrangelo.

its weird, I was very apathetic and barely missed the game. perhaps part of it was my dealing with a brain aneurysm back in Oct which had be distracted but now that the CBA is done, I am psyched for the season to start and will even be attending training camp. Once a junkie always a junkie I guess :-). I do wonder how many fans won't be back tho.
- nastyflyergirl

Hope everything is well. Sometimes you don't realize how much you missed something until it's back in your life.

I still wonder what would happen if the Flyers went back to the Preds and made a good offer (Couturier, Plus, Plus) for Weber. I think given some time and space to think about it the Preds might deal. Not sure what the league restrictions might be on trading Weber. I assume none because we are now under a new CBA.
- spatso

The Preds were in a tough spot from a PR stand point. Most fans in Nashville probably don't know who Sean Couturier is (regardless of his potential) but they sure do know who their franchise player and team captain is. Unless the Flyers made an offer Nashville couldn't refuse (something like a Schenn or two + Couts + multiple 1st rounders) then I don't think they had any interest in trading him.

I love Couturier and I think he's going to be a very good player. But if Subban is going to develop into a top puck moving defenseman such as Drew Doughty, which I'm not convinced of. That would definitely not be a mistake for the Flyers.
- MJL

Subban can look great. He is a high risk gun slinger who takes big chances. But, he can make some awful plays. I would be very reluctant to compare Subban with Doughty.

Hope you are doing well!

I believe most of the fans are in the same boat as you. I've said from the being that all or most of the people that "don't care" or "won't be back" will have different feelings when the Wells Fargo Center is packed & the team takes the ice. "Out of sight, out of mind" is what I think fits most fans during the lockout. Different story now! We'll see what happens.
- NickTheKid87

yep! thanks. was back to playing hockey in 2 weeks! Jefferson Neuro is amazing. My doc is even going to come out to watch me play.

yeah I believe the die hards will be back for the most part but I do wonder about the average fan. Now that we have hockey I am back to being paranoid about the same issues....Flyers defense and their habit of trading away every draft pick they own

Subban reminds me of a better Jack Johnson. Very nice offensive gifts, but lacking on the back-end with some bad choices. Plus, I have a feeling Subban's going to get a bad reputation with refs due to the amount of slew-foots he's used.
I'd rather they went after John Carlson, or make a run at Bogosian/Pietrangelo.
- jmatchett

Subban is what 22? You have to expect some growing pains. Issues with the refs wouldn't come into play in my opinion on him as a player.

Hope everything is well. Sometimes you don't realize how much you missed something until it's back in your life.
- MJL

thanks and I agree!

its weird, I was very apathetic and barely missed the game. perhaps part of it was my dealing with a brain aneurysm back in Oct which had be distracted but now that the CBA is done, I am psyched for the season to start and will even be attending training camp. Once a junkie always a junkie I guess :-). I do wonder how many fans won't be back tho.
- nastyflyergirl

I'm in the same boat. I've been pumped and excited for the past 24 hours.

I do worry that we're in for another stoppage in 8 years, though. Not to drown the excitement, but James Mirtle wrote an excellent column on how the cap & floor could rise over the next 8 years. If the NHL regains it's growth levels from before the lockout, by 2020, the salary floor could be at $70mm.

http://www.theglobeandmai...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

It's stunning how the NHL pissed away half a season to get a CBA that doesn't solve the owners' main stated complaint about the old system.

Subban is what 22? You have to expect some growing pains. Issues with the refs wouldn't come into play in my opinion on him as a player.
- MJL

Issues with NHL Refs.....sounds like hes destined to be a flyer lol.

Subban can look great. He is a high risk gun slinger who takes big chances. But, he can make some awful plays. I would be very reluctant to compare Subban with Doughty.
- spatso

Doughty is a developed player. Subban isn't. If you make that deal it's because you expect growth as a player.

Reason I said that is that there were rumors circulating that flyers were looking into PK... Dont know if he would be the right fit in philly. Plus if we look at the future flyers have an abundance of centers i think in the end one of schenn or couts(most likely) goes. Couts would be a waste as a third line center.

Giroux-
Schenn
(Laughton in 2/3 yrs)
- Philly1980

I disagree that Couturier would be a waste as a third line center. I could see Schenn staying on wing as Laughton develops and becomes a NHLer. And I like Subban, think he's a stellar young player.

Subban reminds me of a better Jack Johnson. Very nice offensive gifts, but lacking on the back-end with some bad choices. Plus, I have a feeling Subban's going to get a bad reputation with refs due to the amount of slew-foots he's used.
I'd rather they went after John Carlson, or make a run at Bogosian/Pietrangelo.
- jmatchett

Love all three. I don't see Carlson or Pietrangelo going anywhere but Bogosian is a wild card. I know he wanted out of Atlanta (and he got his wish) so he may be more affordable than the others. Plus he has the upside to be a Pronger-like player. Or he'll be a Mike Rathje type...

I'm in the same boat. I've been pumped and excited for the past 24 hours.

I do worry that we're in for another stoppage in 8 years, though. Not to drown the excitement, but James Mirtle wrote an excellent column on how the cap & floor could rise over the next 8 years. If the NHL regains it's growth levels from before the lockout, by 2020, the salary floor could be at $70mm.

http://www.theglobeandmai...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

It's stunning how the NHL pissed away half a season to get a CBA that doesn't solve the owners' main stated complaint about the old system.
- Jsaquella

at least we will get 8 years without this nonsense. and nothing stuns me anymore. thanks I will definitely check that article out

at least we will get 8 years without this nonsense. and nothing stuns me anymore. thanks I will definitely check that article out
- nastyflyergirl

Yep. I'm just going to enjoy it now, and worry about the "cliff" in a few years...right now all I care about is seeing the Flyers and NHL

I disagree that Couturier would be a waste as a third line center. I could see Schenn staying on wing as Laughton develops and becomes a NHLer. And I like Subban, think he's a stellar young player.
- Jsaquella

If he plays second line center sure....I think that loosing Carle though, will force the flyers hand....Maybe not this year, but next offseason they will. Hate to see couts go, but thats the price its going to take to stabilize that blue line.

I disagree that Couturier would be a waste as a third line center. I could see Schenn staying on wing as Laughton develops and becomes a NHLer. And I like Subban, think he's a stellar young player.
- Jsaquella

I agree. Couturier has the tools to be a #3 like Jordan Staal. But, hard to think Couturier would not be #2 on this team by next year. You cannot teach size down the middle. Saw one game ladr year in Ottawa. Giroux could not handle Spezza's size. Couturier played Spezza even. I was really impressed. Flyers need the size.

If he plays second line center sure....I think that loosing Carle though, will force the flyers hand....Maybe not this year, but next offseason they will. Hate to see couts go, but thats the price its going to take to stabilize that blue line.
- Philly1980

Not necessarily. There's free agency. They could also trade for a solid veteran that can be a fixture for 3 or 4 seasons.

If they go the Carlson/Subban/Bogosian young stud route, I agree, it's going to cost Schenn or Couturier or something similar. But there's ways to stabilize that don;t involve moving a cornerstone center