Very true, we have a great 1st round track record. In 2003 we still managed to get our future captain at #24, and I'm sure that whoever we draft this year will be the right choice, I just hope it isn't Monahan, because I believe he isn't the right choice/
- JAKEw1234

Actually, the one guy I have concerns about is Hunter Shinkaruk, but mainly because he's got a rep as being a guy who can be negated by physical play, despite his talent level.

So there isn't a single second-pair defenseman in this whole league who is capable of consistent play is what you want me to believe?
- JAKEw1234

I'm saying for 2nd pair defenseman, over an 82 game Season there is going to be inconsistency in their play. For a variety of reasons.

Actually, the one guy I have concerns about is Hunter Shinkaruk, but mainly because he's got a rep as being a guy who can be negated by physical play, despite his talent level.
- Jsaquella

Saw him play at least 6 games, wasn't impressed in any of them. That is a small sample size but I did see the concerns mentioned by the scouting reports.

Actually, the one guy I have concerns about is Hunter Shinkaruk, but mainly because he's got a rep as being a guy who can be negated by physical play, despite his talent level.
- Jsaquella

Yup Shinkaruk is one on my little list of concerns. I also have Nurse there, which I know many wont agree with. I think he'll be good, just not as good as all the hype surrounding him suggests.

I'm saying for 2nd pair defenseman, over an 82 game Season there is going to be inconsistency in their play. For a variety of reasons.
- MJL

I think someone can be better suited for a 2nd pairing role and not have all of the inconsistencies, personally. Some players are just built better for it, that doesn't instantly have to mean that they're inconsistent.

Don't feel like the Flyers are getting enough (combined) out of Mez & Coburn for the price.
- stveshdy

I do not think either player showed why they get paid the big bucks this year. But then again, aside from Voracek, everyone else pretty much did not earn their paychecks either. In his only full year here Mez was +30 with 32 points and 187 hits (and very limited pp time). Last year Coburn was a +10 with 24 points and was part of a noteable shutdown pair with Grossman. In fact Coburn has only had 1 full season were he was a minus player (this season was not a full season)

I believe this year was an abnormality and would not be in a rush to unload either player as they have both proven themselves in the past and barring injury (which can not be predicted) should bounce back next year.

I do not think either player showed why they get paid the big bucks this year. But then again, aside from Voracek, everyone else pretty much did not earn their paychecks either. In his only full year here Mez was +30 with 32 points and 187 hits (and very limited pp time). Last year Coburn was a +10 with 24 points and was part of a noteable shutdown pair with Grossman. In fact Coburn has only had 1 full season were he was a minus player (this season was not a full season)

I believe this year was an abnormality and would not be in a rush to unload either player as they have both proven themselves in the past and barring injury (which can not be predicted) should bounce back next year.
- flyler

I agree 100%.

I do not think either player showed why they get paid the big bucks this year. But then again, aside from Voracek, everyone else pretty much did not earn their paychecks either. In his only full year here Mez was +30 with 32 points and 187 hits (and very limited pp time). Last year Coburn was a +10 with 24 points and was part of a noteable shutdown pair with Grossman. In fact Coburn has only had 1 full season were he was a minus player (this season was not a full season)

I believe this year was an abnormality and would not be in a rush to unload either player as they have both proven themselves in the past and barring injury (which can not be predicted) should bounce back next year.
- flyler

I dunno I guess you're right about the two... but the problem still stands that Timonen needs a replacement soon.

Stolarz is also not starting tonight in game 6

this is going to be a very exciting draft, I cannot remember the last time one had so much rated talent, maybe 03?

anyway, no matter who we end up with it will not automatically make us a contender, if we can nap a #1 puck mover to pair with schenn, mezzy returns healthy and Coburn is our #4-5 then our d should be fine.

I still believe that luke will become weber type or maybe even better

schenn-#1 puck mover
kimmo-coburn
mezzy-grossman

reserves-Ollie, gusty

the pens D is still sieve like too often...

this is going to be a very exciting draft, I cannot remember the last time one had so much rated talent, maybe 03?

anyway, no matter who we end up with it will not automatically make us a contender, if we can nap a #1 puck mover to pair with schenn, mezzy returns healthy and Coburn is our #4-5 then our d should be fine.

I still believe that luke will become weber type or maybe even better

schenn-#1 puck mover
kimmo-coburn
mezzy-grossman

reserves-Ollie, gusty
- mydoglicks

I'm a big Luke Schenn fan. But if you think he's going to become "a Weber type" or even better. Be prepared to be disappointed. Luke Schenn does not possess the offensive game that Weber has. Or the ability to be a first unit PP Quarterback. Or the ability to score goals like Weber can. That is not going to happen.

this is going to be a very exciting draft, I cannot remember the last time one had so much rated talent, maybe 03?

anyway, no matter who we end up with it will not automatically make us a contender, if we can nap a #1 puck mover to pair with schenn, mezzy returns healthy and Coburn is our #4-5 then our d should be fine.

I still believe that luke will become weber type or maybe even better

schenn-#1 puck mover
kimmo-coburn
mezzy-grossman

reserves-Ollie, gusty
- mydoglicks

if luke reminds us of adam foote, i'd be thrilled, but he doesnt have the O upside that weber has...not even close.

this is going to be a very exciting draft, I cannot remember the last time one had so much rated talent, maybe 03?

anyway, no matter who we end up with it will not automatically make us a contender, if we can nap a #1 puck mover to pair with schenn, mezzy returns healthy and Coburn is our #4-5 then our d should be fine.

I still believe that luke will become weber type or maybe even better

schenn-#1 puck mover
kimmo-coburn
mezzy-grossman

reserves-Ollie, gusty
- mydoglicks

If we can get young big name dman, and draft either Pulock or Zadorov, then our D will be good for the future. Gus should not be reserves. Ollie should develop and not be stuck on the bench. Gervais should be our reserve. Our D could be

Big namer - Kimmo
L Schenn - Gus
Coburn - Grossmann

Gervais

Pulock/Zadorov in development so in a few seasons our D can be

Big namer - L Schenn
Gus - Pulock/Zadorov
Ollie - Grossmann

No actually he was never fully healthy this year. And he played surprisingly well for a player who wasn't 100%
- MJL

He was good in the first three and a half games. After coming back from the first shoulder injury he was terrible.

After 1

London - 2
Barrie - 0

He was good in the first three and a half games. After coming back from the first shoulder injury he was terrible.
- Feanor

Right... Lets roll the dice here with the same inconsistent D core, that has real health concerns and expect magical fruit loops to rain down from the heavens.

The Flyers currently have the second highest paid defense (minus Pronger) among the whole NHL.

If moves are there, they have to be made imo. Paying so much money in a salary cap era for what they provide is ridiculous.

Overrated.

Right... Lets roll the dice here with the same inconsistent D core, that has real health concerns and expect magical fruit loops to rain down from the heavens.

The Flyers currently have the second highest paid defense (minus Pronger) among the whole NHL.

If moves are there, they have to be made imo. Paying so much money in a salary cap era for what they provide is ridiculous.

Overrated.
- flyer_nutter

Good post. But it's not a hopeless situation if Holmgren can snag an Edler or Shattenkirk miraculously this summer. Meszaros and Timonen come off the books after next season. That's $10M of cap space to reallocate to more efficient dmen capwise.

10 most expensive D as of March 19, 2013. (before trade deadline)

1. San Jose Sharks – $24.127 million
2. Philadelphia Flyers – $23.708 million (not counting Pronger)
3. Vancouver Canucks – $23.275 million
4. Florida Panthers – $22.668 million
5. Chicago Blackhawks – $22.588 million
6. Calgary Flames – $22.442 million
7. Montreal Canadiens – $21.500 million
8. Columbus Blue Jackets – $21.472 million
9. Buffalo Sabres – $20.945 million
10. Ottawa Senators – $20.758 million

Good post. But it's not a hopeless situation if Holmgren can snag an Edler or Shattenkirk miraculously this summer. Meszaros and Timonen come off the books after next season. That's $10M of cap space to reallocate to more efficient dmen capwise.
- phillydentist

My point basically.

The Flyers are paying to ice a D core in the NHL that has the 2nd highest cost.

I wouldnt be rolling the dice with the same crew, and expecting magical results if possible moves can be made. Holmgren has to look as far as I am concerned, and in the future not spend so much money, on a d-core that doesnt live up to its cap hit.

This year was strange, but to completely write it off as an anomaly is playing with fire.

This Islander fan base is loud as hell.

Well done.

Holmgren has to look as far as I am concerned, and in the future not spend so much money, on a d-core that doesnt live up to its cap hit.

- flyer_nutter

I'd say that applies to the goaltending and offense as well...

Not like the forwards outside of Vorachek and maybe Giroux played to their cap hits. I won't bother mentioning Bryz...

Good post. But it's not a hopeless situation if Holmgren can snag an Edler or Shattenkirk miraculously this summer. Meszaros and Timonen come off the books after next season. That's $10M of cap space to reallocate to more efficient dmen capwise.
- phillydentist

and what of Gus? He can't be sent down to the AHL, and it'd be an injustice to his development to bench him. If we acquire an Edler/Yandle/Shattenkirk, then we need to lose one of Coburn/Mezaros to make room in the lineup for Gus to get playing time. After Timonen leaves next season, our (hopefully) drafted Dman will most likely not be NHL ready. If we were to trade Coburn this offseason on the logic that Mezaro's contract runs out next offseason, and that Gus needs playing time, then we'd have a good gap on our defense until our drafted defender is ready, but by then that gap could be filled by Lauridsen. I think the right move is to dispose of Mez this off season, acquire our big name defender, let Kimmo and Coburn hold the 2nd line this offseason, then dispose of Coburn next offseason, move Gus and Grossmann up to the top 4, move Lauri into the top 6, then the year after that, move Pulock/Zadorov into the top 6. Eventually move Grossmann back to the 3rd pair, and bring Pulorov into the top 4.

10 most expensive D as of March 19, 2013. (before trade deadline)

1. San Jose Sharks – $24.127 million
2. Philadelphia Flyers – $23.708 million (not counting Pronger)
3. Vancouver Canucks – $23.275 million
4. Florida Panthers – $22.668 million
5. Chicago Blackhawks – $22.588 million
6. Calgary Flames – $22.442 million
7. Montreal Canadiens – $21.500 million
8. Columbus Blue Jackets – $21.472 million
9. Buffalo Sabres – $20.945 million
10. Ottawa Senators – $20.758 million
- flyer_nutter

It's funny how most of those teams aren't actually ones I'd consider to be in the leagues top 10 defenses.

I'd say that applies to the goaltending and offense as well...

Not like the forwards outside of Vorachek and maybe Giroux played to their cap hits. I won't bother mentioning Bryz...
- phillydentist

I've been doing some thinking on it as well, and quite honestly I am starting to head along the lines of what you are.

Today's market is crazy, which makes it that much more important to not overpay for certain players. I do think the Flyers tend to overpay too often. On the wrong players.