He's actually a pretty good skater. And as long as he's healthy, he doesn't have an issue playing his position as far as skating is concerned.
- MJL

I agree. Mezaros is a good skater.

Forget Timonen, even if Gus only manages to get close to adequately replacing Matt Carle, we'd have to consider him a grand slam college UFA signing. I'd be content with him just holding down a job as a 5/6 puck mover and secondary PP contributor.
- Tomahawk

Absolutely. As long as Gustafsson plays a solid all around game. It adds another defenseman with some mobility and puck skills. And capable of playing in offensive roles and on the 2nd PP unit. It doesn't at this point mean the Flyers don't to pursue an adequate replacement for Timonen.

I wouldnt mind seeing the Flyers trade both Coburn and Meszaros at the draft if they are able to land a mobil defenseman. Schenn and Grossmann are great shut down, shot blocking, heavy hitting d-men. Timonen is good at passing, and playing smart. He is prone to taking penalities when he gets beat now. Gustefsson is ready for a 2nd pairing spot. Maybe you can somehow get Shattenkirk and Ehroff to really balance the team.

Timonen-Ehroff
Shattenkirk-Schenn
Grossmann-Gustefsson

IMO that is balance and depth. And hopefully you get a D-man in the draft that might be ready to step in when Timonen retires.
- youarewrong

So the Flyers are getting Erhoff and Shattenkirk? Who are they trading to get those players besides Coburn and Meszaros?

I wouldnt mind seeing the Flyers trade both Coburn and Meszaros at the draft if they are able to land a mobil defenseman. Schenn and Grossmann are great shut down, shot blocking, heavy hitting d-men. Timonen is good at passing, and playing smart. He is prone to taking penalities when he gets beat now. Gustefsson is ready for a 2nd pairing spot. Maybe you can somehow get Shattenkirk and Ehroff to really balance the team.

Timonen-Ehroff
Shattenkirk-Schenn
Grossmann-Gustefsson

IMO that is balance and depth. And hopefully you get a D-man in the draft that might be ready to step in when Timonen retires.
- youarewrong

You could make a case for moving either Coburn or Mez based on value against the cap, but as players, both are probably more part of the solution than the problem.

I actually don't mind the defense the way it's currently constructed. There are enough puck-movers in the group to get the job done, when everybody is healthy. The defensive deficiencies are more team-wide, IMO, too much casual, careless hockey from just about everybody.

I wouldnt mind seeing the Flyers trade both Coburn and Meszaros at the draft if they are able to land a mobil defenseman. Schenn and Grossmann are great shut down, shot blocking, heavy hitting d-men. Timonen is good at passing, and playing smart. He is prone to taking penalities when he gets beat now. Gustefsson is ready for a 2nd pairing spot. Maybe you can somehow get Shattenkirk and Ehroff to really balance the team.

Timonen-Ehroff
Shattenkirk-Schenn
Grossmann-Gustefsson

IMO that is balance and depth. And hopefully you get a D-man in the draft that might be ready to step in when Timonen retires.
- youarewrong

I would trade one of Coburn, Schenn and Grossmann, preferably Coburn. If Mesz can get healthy, he'd be valuable. I'm not sure a) how willing the Blues and Sabres are to deal those guys and b) how much we'd have to over pay.

I agree. Mezaros is a good skater.
- Feanor

Well, he was a good skater... how well he recovers from that achilles injury will make all the difference for him.

He's actually a pretty good skater. And as long as he's healthy, he doesn't have an issue playing his position as far as skating is concerned.
- MJL

Then once again you have missed the point of the original post by focuing on one small detail. The point is, as currently constructed, there isn't enough balance. Too many guys that play similiar games. Guys like Coburn and Meszaros being asked to do things they haven't done before, or in a long time. Too many big guys that are better at hitting and playing physical then passing and creating offense, and yes skating. That is one of the reasons the defense struggles against transition teams, and strong fore-checking teams.

It was just Google translate. He didn't say anything about Philadelphia you won't hear from plenty of New Jerseyites. And in a Russian interview, it makes perfect sense to discuss Stalin with a Russian who has an interest in history. It's like asking Papelbon about gun control.
- bodiva88

I'm not sure I fully understand what you're saying.

Interviews happen with sports figures all the time without asking about politics.

So the Flyers are getting Erhoff and Shattenkirk? Who are they trading to get those players besides Coburn and Meszaros?
- MJL

Thats not my decision.

I would trade one of Coburn, Schenn and Grossmann, preferably Coburn. If Mesz can get healthy, he'd be valuable. I'm not sure a) how willing the Blues and Sabres are to deal those guys and b) how much we'd have to over pay.
- NickTheKid87

Who knows, a guy like Ehrhoff could end up a compliance buyout casualty by the end of June... there might be an unexpected viable option or two on the UFA market this summer.

You didn't all hear. We traded Simmonds for Edler. Bought out Briere and Bryz and signed Clarkson and Backstrom.

Well, he was a good skater... how well he recovers from that achilles injury will make all the difference for him.
- Tomahawk

Hopefully, being only 27 years old he's able to bounce back and regain his athleticism. Selanne was able to do it. Karlsson was able to do it.

If he was 33, 34, 35 -- I'd be deeply concerned. Like Sami Salo, for instance.

Bill, do you have any insight into why A. Larsson isn't playing for Team Sweden? Did he decline?

I would trade one of Coburn, Schenn and Grossmann, preferably Coburn. If Mesz can get healthy, he'd be valuable. I'm not sure a) how willing the Blues and Sabres are to deal those guys and b) how much we'd have to over pay.
- NickTheKid87

I agree that if you give Meszaros another year his value will increase. Right now it can't be worth nearly as much as he should be. The issue is whether you trust he can come back heathy and whether he will be the same player after all those back, shoulder, ankle issues. People want to say he is a good skater when heathy. IMO he is an average skater when healthy. Maybe good for his size. And right now you can't predict he speed coming back.

Who knows, a guy like Ehrhoff could end up a compliance buyout casualty by the end of June... there might be an unexpected viable option or two on the UFA market this summer.
- Tomahawk

Why would Buffalo buy him out if they can trade for him? I really dont see too many d-man getting the buy-out. They have to have a NMC and refuse to waive, or be totally untradable before a buyout happens. If Jay-Bo can be traded, then anyone similiar can.

I agree that if you give Meszaros another year his value will increase. Right now it can't be worth nearly as much as he should be. The issue is whether you trust he can come back heathy and whether he will be the same player after all those back, shoulder, ankle issues. People want to say he is a good skater when heathy. IMO he is an average skater when healthy. Maybe good for his size. And right now you can't predict he speed coming back.
- youarewrong

Well, he pushed pretty hard for a big recovery at the beginning of this season, and looked promising. I don't doubt we could see that again.

You didn't all hear. We traded Simmonds for Edler. Bought out Briere and Bryz and signed Clarkson and Backstrom.
- coffee junkie

If you buy-out Bryz... which I dont think will happen, then I wouldnt mind 1 year of Backstrom to split time with Mason. Then wait till next season when Howard, Lundquist, Miller, Hiller are available.

Why would Buffalo buy him out if they can trade for him? I really dont see too many d-man getting the buy-out. They have to have a NMC and refuse to waive, or be totally untradable before a buyout happens. If Jay-Bo can be traded, then anyone similiar can.
- youarewrong

I see Ehroff's eight remaining years being a lot harder to jettison than Bouwmeester's one remaining year.

I agree that if you give Meszaros another year his value will increase. Right now it can't be worth nearly as much as he should be. The issue is whether you trust he can come back heathy and whether he will be the same player after all those back, shoulder, ankle issues. People want to say he is a good skater when heathy. IMO he is an average skater when healthy. Maybe good for his size. And right now you can't predict he speed coming back.
- youarewrong

He's in the last year of his deal and has minimal trade value as is. You could always trade him as a rental at the deadline. Right now, I think keeping him will be more valuable than anything you could get in return.

I see Ehroff's eight remaining years being a lot harder to jettison than Bouwmeester's one remaining year.
- BulliesPhan87

Sure, its 8 years, but its only 4 million a year. Can you sit there and say a team like Columbus or Florida, or any small market team that would have difficulty signing him, wouldn't want to give something just to get him... And wouldn't buffalo rather take a 7th rounder then paying 2/3rds of his salary?

Who knows, a guy like Ehrhoff could end up a compliance buyout casualty by the end of June... there might be an unexpected viable option or two on the UFA market this summer.
- Tomahawk

I think Buffalo could trade Ehrhoff so a buyout seems unlikely, IMO. I don't think we'll see all that many good players get bought out.

lol what did barry do.... hockey drama

He's in the last year of his deal and has minimal trade value as is. You could always trade him as a rental at the deadline. Right now, I think keeping him will be more valuable than anything you could get in return.
- NickTheKid87

I'll agree with that. I was just saying if you do somehow land 2 new guys, that Meszaros and Coburn would be the ones I move out, not Schenn or Grossmann.

You didn't all hear. We traded Simmonds for Edler. Bought out Briere and Bryz and signed Clarkson and Backstrom.
- coffee junkie

impossible...no deals till after cup.

Sure, its 8 years, but its only 4 million a year. Can you sit there and say a team like Columbus or Florida, or any small market team that would have difficulty signing him, wouldn't want to give something just to get him... And wouldn't buffalo rather take a 7th rounder then playing 2/3rds of his salary?
- youarewrong

Three words: Cap. Advantage. Recapture.