I'm trying to figure out, are most pro or anti Yandle? I think he would be a fine addition. Younger then Carle and has put up better offensive number with less talent (lower cap hit and less years). Is a true #1 d-man? Probably not, but so wasn't Suter. He would probably put up better numbers here. Plus, if the concern is defense, we have 3 guys already in the top 6 who could eat a lot of PK and defensive zone draw time (Coburn, Grossman, and Schenn).

I would make a push to acquire Yandle. You have to figure with the ownership issues, coupled with the fact OEL is going to be a RFA and probably want a raise, Yande can be traded. "Yes" I would trade one of the young centers (not G) to get him.
- ravishingone

Suter is a much better all around player then Yandle is. Here are the issues as I see it. The Flyers have a need for a #1 2 way defenseman. Yandle is not that player. You're going to have to use him the right way. That means keeping him away from top lines. Offensive zone and situation starts. And of course, big minutes on the PP. In those situations, and used in that manner. He would absolutely help this team offensively. Now you've committed $5.25M a year in Cap space for him. Plus whatever high value trade assets it takes to acquire him. Which if a true #1 or a younger defenseman of higher potential comes along. You probably don't have the Cap space, or the Assets to acquire that player. So if you're comfortable with Yandle as the teams #1 defenseman, then I guess it's reasonable. I'm not. I don't think he plays in enough situations, and he has to be protected. Which are the same reasons that although I wanted the Flyers to retain Carle. I'm okay with them not doing so. There is a bigger picture. If Pronger was still playing, and we had the Cap space. I'd be in favor of Yandle. But not with the current makeup of the team.

Suter is a much better all around player then Yandle is. Here are the issues as I see it. The Flyers have a need for a #1 2 way defenseman. Yandle is not that player. You're going to have to use him the right way. That means keeping him away from top lines. Offensive zone and situation starts. And of course, big minutes on the PP. In those situations, and used in that manner. He would absolutely help this team offensively. Now you've committed $5.25M a year in Cap space for him. Plus whatever high value trade assets it takes to acquire him. Which if a true #1 or a younger defenseman of higher potential comes along. You probably don't have the Cap space, or the Assets to acquire that player. So if you're comfortable with Yandle as the teams #1 defenseman, then I guess it's reasonable. I'm not. I don't think he plays in enough situations, and he has to be protected. Which are the same reasons that although I wanted the Flyers to retain Carle. I'm okay with them not doing so. There is a bigger picture. If Pronger was still playing, and we had the Cap space. I'd be in favor of Yandle. But not with the current makeup of the team.
- MJL

Yandle - overrated.
Commas - underrated.

Yandle - overrated.
Commas - underrated.
- Daman

Should've gone with a paragraphs joke, imo

You should be above these sort of things.
- Jsaquella

There are so few things I'm above really.

Matt read is an ufa after nxt season. If you're homer do you try to extend him this season, move him in a trade for D help this yr, or wait until nxt yr & deal with then?

Matt read is an ufa after nxt season. If you're homer do you try to extend him this season, move him in a trade for D help this yr, or wait until nxt yr & deal with then?
- flyguy12

Trade him for Jarome Iginla.

EDIT: in seriousness, I'd be trying to use some of the forwards as trade bait for defense. Depending on which brought the best return, assuming that that is Voracek or Schenn, I'd try to re-sign Read.

There are so few things I'm above really.

- mayorofangrytown

Trade him for Jarome Iginla.
- Jsaquella

Panotch had to be drunk when he wrote that blog... Or desperate for hits.

Panotch had to be drunk when he wrote that blog... Or desperate for hits.
- flyguy12

Or both!

Matt read is an ufa after nxt season. If you're homer do you try to extend him this season, move him in a trade for D help this yr, or wait until nxt yr & deal with then?
- flyguy12

I don't move him. Right now he's one of your most reliable forwards. In fact, I think he should get more responsibility. I think he's under utilized on a team that currently needs some help up front. I extend him now although he's not untouchable.

Hypothetically, Coots isn't in the deal (go high B. Schenn +). The cap hit I can live with for two reasons. First, Kimmo is coming off the cap after this year, and Mez will be off the cap after next year. He has shown to be incredibly durable. Even if the team believes he needs to be protected defensively, he surely can fill in of those two spots vacated by Kimmo (the older version of Kimmo, not the one originally signed) or Mez long-term.

Giving up those assets are a concern because who knows what might become available. Realistically, the only potential guy I see becoming available is OEL and that is going to probably be the offer sheet route even if it can be achieved.

In the end, I do think Homer will trade assets before the trade deadline to improve the blue line becaue he is smart enough to realize that the cost won't justify the production what will be in the free agent market this summer.

Trade him for Jarome Iginla.

EDIT: in seriousness, I'd be trying to use some of the forwards as trade bait for defense. Depending on which brought the best return, assuming that that is Voracek or Schenn, I'd try to re-sign Read.
- Jsaquella

The cap hit comparables on capgeek.com is awesome. Looking @ the comparables for read really opened my eyes. With another year left on his contract it should add more value to read in a deal. I hope homer has at least checked with his agent to see what he's looming for. I like read but would move him this year if he's asking for a ton

Panotch had to be drunk when he wrote that blog... Or desperate for hits.
- flyguy12

He was all excited by the Garrioch piece and blogurgitated.

I'm copy writing that...

I don't move him. Right now he's one of your most reliable forwards. In fact, I think he should get more responsibility. I think he's under utilized on a team that currently needs some help up front. I extend him now although he's not untouchable.
- mayorofangrytown

Agreed, I think he is almost a must resign, and I would move B. Schenn or Voracek before I would Read in a trade discussion.

Agreed, I think he is almost a must resign, and I would move B. Schenn or Voracek before I would Read in a trade discussion.
- ravishingone

It's a shame. I really thought Brayden Schenn was the key player in those deals. I wonder what happened between WJCs and his NHL debut?

It's a shame. I really thought Brayden Schenn was the key player in those deals. I wonder what happened between WJCs and his NHL debut?
- mayorofangrytown

I see Schenn as having the most value in getting a needed return.

I see Schenn as having the most value in getting a needed return.
- Jsaquella

Agreed, plus at this point guys like Simmonds and Read (who are still young) have out performed Schenn. Also, if you believe Laughton is a player in the NHL, your center position is still long pretty good long-term - G - Coots - Laughton.

Agreed, plus at this point guys like Simmonds and Read (who are still young) have out performed Schenn. Also, if you believe Laughton is a player in the NHL, your center position is still long pretty good long-term - G - Coots - Laughton.
- ravishingone

Well, Simmonds and Read, as well as Voracek are older than Schenn and have more experience. But looking at it from another team's POV, I'd prefer Schenn and his potential over Simmonds, Voracek and Read

Well, Simmonds and Read, as well as Voracek are older than Schenn and have more experience. But looking at it from another team's POV, I'd prefer Schenn and his potential over Simmonds, Voracek and Read
- Jsaquella

I believe Schenn is better at center then wing. With G being the #1 center, the question becomes who do you believe is the better option at #2? I think Laughton will eventually slide into your traditional #3 checking center.

I believe Schenn is better at center then wing. With G being the #1 center, the question becomes who do you believe is the better option at #2? I think Laughton will eventually slide into your traditional #3 checking center.
- ravishingone

I'd agree with keeping Schenn in the middle. I'd like him to slot as the 2nd line C, with Couturier at 3 and Laughton at 4 next season. That said, he and Couturier could easily flip back and forth if both are around. I'd like to see them use Laughton as a rookie like they did Couturier. Lot of PK time and bumps up to the 3rd line on occasision.

JBo here yet?

JBo here yet?
- JoeRussomanno

Schenn here yet?

Agreed, plus at this point guys like Simmonds and Read (who are still young) have out performed Schenn. Also, if you believe Laughton is a player in the NHL, your center position is still long pretty good long-term - G - Coots - Laughton.
- ravishingone

Agreed. I haven't seen enough from Schenn yet to make me think he'll ever be that effective of a winger. His trade value is also probably more valuable than using him as a third line center in the future. I'm pretty confident Laughton can play that role in the near future. You've also got Read, Talbot and maybe even Cousins that can play that role too.

I still want to give it a month before I'm getting seriously invested in trade scenarios tho and I don't think we'll make a big move til the draft, if at all.(Well Kimmo at the dealine maybe if our record stinks)

Schenn here yet?
- geta02it

Cough up that 2013 first rounder & we'll think about it.

JBo here yet?
- JoeRussomanno

I like JBo a lot. I think a change of scenery would light a fire under him. Guy was a dynamic player in Florida, for whatever reason he hasn't been nearly as good in Calgary.

His cap hit, as what the cost would be to acquire him would be prohibitive imo.