If Meszy could stay healthy I'd say move Coburn as Meszy is probably one of the most talented 3rd pairing guys in the league... but yeah, he just cant seem to stay healthy. Have to hold onto Coburn for now. Don't forget people, we have to replace Timonen in a year too.
- hereticpride

Meszaros to me is a hard one. His salary imo means he has to be more than a 3rd pairing guy. Which I think he is more than capable of.

He showed great promise in Ottawa, but was thrown into the fire in Tampa far too soon. I strongly believe in mentors for young d-men, and after Meszaros left Ottawa I think he was really lacking that.

I think Meszaros and Grossman could be an incredibly solid 2nd pair for the Flyers, as long as he stays healthy. That is the risk the organization has to decide if they want to take.

Im with you. I think its really evident the team needs a culture change toward players who bring far more consistency to their games.

I am not saying that it is all on him, but coburn's career quite frankly has been a direct reflection of how the team has played ever since he joined the club from Atlanta. Inconsistent as hell. Personally I am quite tired of having to wonder how one of your top 3 d-men will play on a given night. If he will be a monster or absolutely brutal.

Quite honestly it is hard to replace d-men this day and age. At the same time I think one of the biggest lessons this team could learn aside from detail in the defensive zone is bringing consistency most nights. Its what makes the better teams of the league, the better teams.

As an example, you could probably target a guy like Murray, and be able to sign him for 4.5 million (Coburn's salary). If you wanted to that is. I am not really trying to rip the guy, but if the team is looking at moving in the right direction, and building a strong consistent identity I look really hard at a replacement for Coburn. He has had some good moments here, but I think its time to move on. He is not that young pup any more, he should be in the prime of his career.
- flyer_nutter

Replacing Coburn with Douglas Murray would be a huge mistake. Coburn is 28. He's not that old either.

Replacing Coburn with Douglas Murray would be a huge mistake. Coburn is 28. He's not that old either.
- MJL

From what Brad says, and a few people I have asked on the Sharks boards at HF, Murray's lost two steps and isn't nearly as effective as he used to be.

He's not the answer to the Flyers need if they were to trade Coburn.

From what Brad says, and a few people I have asked on the Sharks boards at HF, Murray's lost two steps and isn't nearly as effective as he used to be.

He's not the answer to the Flyers need if they were to trade Coburn.
- Jsaquella

if you have Grossmann, there is no need for Murray.

You certainly can. But good defenseman, especially young ones are at a premium. I'm sure Coburn has value around the League. All anyone myself included, is that there better be a plan to replace him. He's still a high minute defenseman on this team.
- MJL

That's the one thing that worries me about trading Coburn, the responsibilities he shoulders. If there's another shoe to drop that fills the void he leaves (an perhaps the aforementioned other two voids), I'd be significantly less skeptical.

if you have Grossmann, there is no need for Murray.
- wilsonecho91

Agreed. Zero interest in Doug Murray.

Replacing Coburn with Douglas Murray would be a huge mistake. Coburn is 28. He's not that old either.
- MJL

At 28 years old he is what he is imo.

If you feel differently thats fine, but I think its time to move on from Coburn. This team has shown it needs improvement and growth in a lot of areas this season.

More than anything, I would like them to focus on a identity of players who bring consistent hard work every night, and dont bring as much stupidity along with inconsistency. Especially if they are supposed to be big minute players.

Murray was simply an example of someone who could replace his minutes, probably at a cheaper price. The need for someone who can creatively initiate plays from the back end obviously still remains.

25/30 in the standings and we don't play again til Sunday. Realisticly we could be down to 28th before we even play that game. Yikes.

Maybe we won't have to move up to get Jones.

At 28 years old he is what he is imo.

If you feel differently thats fine, but I think its time to move on from Coburn. This team has shown it needs improvement and growth in a lot of areas this season.

More than anything, I would like them to focus on a identity of players who bring consistent hard work every night, and dont bring as much stupidity along with inconsistency. Especially if they are supposed to be big minute players.

Murray was simply an example of someone who could replace his minutes, probably at a cheaper price. The need for someone who can creatively initiate plays from the back end obviously still remains.
- flyer_nutter

I didn't say anything about what Coburn is as a player. I simply said at 28, he's not that old. You can throw anybody out there to replace someone's minutes. Murray is a poor choice to replace Coburn. This roster just needs to be tweaked, and then they need to get the players who are here, to play the right way.

if you have Grossmann, there is no need for Murray.
- wilsonecho91

I'm going to give a hypothetical scenerio here. As I think that #1 d-man everyone wants isn't really going to happen.

Kimmo-Schenn
Grossman-Meszaros
Murray-Rundbland

With drafting one of Zadorov, Ristolainen, Nurse, Pulock or Morrissey that is not a bad defensive core imo. Have to look at the big picture.

25/30 in the standings and we don't play again til Sunday. Realisticly we could be down to 28th before we even play that game. Yikes.

Maybe we won't have to move up to get Jones.
- hereticpride

Jones is still second on my list, behind Drouin.

At 28 years old he is what he is imo.

If you feel differently thats fine, but I think its time to move on from Coburn. This team has shown it needs improvement and growth in a lot of areas this season.

More than anything, I would like them to focus on a identity of players who bring consistent hard work every night, and dont bring as much stupidity along with inconsistency. Especially if they are supposed to be big minute players.

Murray was simply an example of someone who could replace his minutes, probably at a cheaper price. The need for someone who can creatively initiate plays from the back end obviously still remains.
- flyer_nutter

Part of the problem is they have zero defenseman in their system. Flyers need to start building it up so when a player is traded they have options in their own yard.

I'm going to give a hypothetical scenerio here. As I think that #1 d-man everyone wants isn't really going to happen.

Kimmo-Schenn
Grossman-Meszaros
Murray-Rundbland

With drafting one of Zadorov, Ristolainen, Nurse, Pulock or Morrissey that is not a bad defensive core imo. Have to look at the big picture.
- flyer_nutter

Depends on what exactly you're swinging for Rundblad. If Coburn's part of an affordable return for him, sure.

Jones is still second on my list, behind Drouin.
- Jsaquella

Well it's sure looking like we'll be picking top 4. Bryz is running out of gas. I don't want to, but I can only expect things to get worse.

At least with a top 5 pick we're basically guaranteed either a solid D man or a forward that makes a top 6 forward expendable to finally make a trade.

I didn't say anything about what Coburn is as a player. I simply said at 28, he's not that old. You can throw anybody out there to replace someone's minutes. Murray is a poor choice to replace Coburn. This roster just needs to be tweaked, and then they need to get the players who are here, to play the right way.
- MJL

Where this comes into play for me is the inconsistency in Coburn's game. At 28 years old I do not expect him to change the course of his career. He has been streaky.

Murray does not replace Coburn, he helps solidify a 3rd pairing, while helping to replace his minutes. Meszaros essentially replaces Coburn. Meszaros when healthy provides a lot more to this team than Coburn does, and when healthy does it far more consistently. Id take that risk myself.

Part of the problem is they have zero defenseman in their system. Flyers need to start building it up so when a player is traded they have options in their own yard.
- stveshdy

I would still make a hard run for Weber if possible. Honestly, other than that I dont see options for a #1 d-man. I dont really think Weber is a realistic option.

I see the Flyers currently as a team struggling to find its indentity. I believe that they are a little more than a year away from winning the cup. They will need to taste exactly just the level of hard work that it will take.

I think if you are going to start building around a young core, you need to sorround them with the right players. Coburn's inconsistency has me ready to move on. Can't pay a guy that much money, basically slot him as a top 3 d-man, and consistently not know how he will play a given night.

Depends on what exactly you're swinging for Rundblad. If Coburn's part of an affordable return for him, sure.
- BulliesPhan87

My thing is how may of us really know what Runblad will be? To me it's really just a name thrown around. I can't even begin to know that he's worth trading Coburn for.

Well it's sure looking like we'll be picking top 4. Bryz is running out of gas. I don't want to, but I can only expect things to get worse.

At least with a top 5 pick we're basically guaranteed either a solid D man or a forward that makes a top 6 forward expendable to finally make a trade.
- hereticpride

Hell, anywhere in the top ten they're going to get a dynamite player.

Where this comes into play for me is the inconsistency in Coburn's game. At 28 years old I do not expect him to change the course of his career. He has been streaky.

Murray does not replace Coburn, he helps solidify a 3rd pairing, while helping to replace his minutes. Meszaros essentially replaces Coburn. Meszaros when healthy provides a lot more to this team than Coburn does, and when healthy does it far more consistently. Id take that risk myself.
- flyer_nutter

He'd have to come real cheap. Honestly don't see what the fascination is with Murray. I like Meszaros, but it's tough to count on him with his current situation. He does not look like a healthy player to me.

My thing is how may of us really know what Runblad will be? To me it's really just a name thrown around. I can't even begin to know that he's worth trading Coburn for.
- MJL

I would be trading Coburn this deadline, along with the other chronically inconsistent veterans this team has sorrounding its young core.

Regarding moves that fill this team out for next season, as I have said all season long, I would make them in the summer or the draft.

Rundblad is just a name definately.

Hell, anywhere in the top ten they're going to get a dynamite player.
- Jsaquella

This year, definitely. I'm just surprised how high we may end up drafting.

Jones is still second on my list, behind Drouin.
- Jsaquella

Even with that I still have Jones ahead of Drouin but not at all by much.

I would be trading Coburn this deadline, along with the other chronically inconsistent veterans this team has sorrounding its young core.

Regarding moves that fill this team out for next season, as I have said all season long, I would make them in the summer or the draft.

Rundblad is just a name definately.
- flyer_nutter

I don't trade a player just to trade one. I would trade a player to make the team better. So I'd only trade him if I felt it accomplished that. If you trade him for a draft pick or prospects. You've created a big hole to fill.

Even with that I still have Jones ahead of Drouin but not at all by much.
- ob18

let's say the flyers are picking 4th. jones, drouin, mackinnon gone. who's homer taking? who're YOU taking?

He'd have to come real cheap. Honestly don't see what the fascination is with Murray. I like Meszaros, but it's tough to count on him with his current situation. He does not look like a healthy player to me.
- MJL

He needs an off-season to rehab. Big time.

Murray is just a name, that helps replace Coburn's minutes, with more consistent play and veteran leadership. I really dont want guys like Coburn on this team anymore. The inconsistency he brings, is what has haunted this team for a long time. You cant have that from your veterans, or big minute players who make decent money. Especially on a young team that needs to find the right way and attitude to play.

Murray would help solidify a 3rd pairing, much like OD did in the past. While helping to shield a young guy like Rundblad, or whoever the Flyers draft.

A d-core of the following, or something very similar is a realistic option for next season imo.

Kimmo-Schenn
Grossman-Meszaros
Murray-Rundblad