I like the idea of trading for McBain. Homer and Rutherford have done deals in the past. A right handed d-man still pretty young, I think it is worth a shot. Maybe a McGinn and low round pick for McBain. He seemed pretty buried in Carolina last year.
- ravishingone

McBain isnt top line talent and that's really what is wrong with our D. Its built of a bunch of guys that should be playing no higher than 2nd line D. We need an Edler or Ehrhoff type to move the puck presumably with L Schenn as their partner. That moves Kimmo down to the 2nd line to reduce his minutes and one of Coburn or Grossman down to the 3rd to anchor a strong 3rd line.

Someone earlier mentioned signing Clarkson to make Hartnell a trading chip. Interesting. I'd be for it so long as Clarkson doesnt get stupid money. That said I have a hard time seeing this team part with a guy like Hartnell.

Then again, I said the same thing about Richie...

Calgary is a team that could really use a player like Sean Monahan too, tough call even for them at 6.
- ob18

That's who I've heard they are targeting. Several times.

That's who I've heard they are targeting. Several times.
- mayorofangrytown

They should. He's a perfect fit for them, if they can't get higher than their current pick and land Barkov or MacKinnon.

McBain isnt top line talent and that's really what is wrong with our D. Its built of a bunch of guys that should be playing no higher than 2nd line D. We need an Edler or Ehrhoff type to move the puck presumably with L Schenn as their partner. That moves Kimmo down to the 2nd line to reduce his minutes and one of Coburn or Grossman down to the 3rd to anchor a strong 3rd line.

Someone earlier mentioned signing Clarkson to make Hartnell a trading chip. Interesting. I'd be for it so long as Clarkson doesnt get stupid money. That said I have a hard time seeing this team part with a guy like Hartnell.

Then again, I said the same thing about Richie...
- hereticpride

I see your point about the d core. I just don't see that big of a market for Hartnell. A 31 yr old power forward coming off a sub par year and just beginning a pretty lengthy contract extension. I think teams will be calling about Simmonds first.

As far as upgrading the blueline, I have little doubt something will be done very soon. Taking runs at Suter and Weber last summer coming up empty, I can't believe Homer is somehow satisfied with Mez's health concerns and Coburn's inconsistency.

I would not be shocked to see J-Bo in the fold eventually.

McBain isnt top line talent and that's really what is wrong with our D. Its built of a bunch of guys that should be playing no higher than 2nd line D. We need an Edler or Ehrhoff type to move the puck presumably with L Schenn as their partner. That moves Kimmo down to the 2nd line to reduce his minutes and one of Coburn or Grossman down to the 3rd to anchor a strong 3rd line.

Someone earlier mentioned signing Clarkson to make Hartnell a trading chip. Interesting. I'd be for it so long as Clarkson doesnt get stupid money. That said I have a hard time seeing this team part with a guy like Hartnell.

Then again, I said the same thing about Richie...
- hereticpride

The thing is, McBain is a cheap reclamation project that shouldn't cost too much to acquire.

He's definitely coming off a rough year, no question. But If he can rebound, he could be a solid piece to the puzzle.

I see your point about the d core. I just don't see that big of a market for Hartnell. A 31 yr old power forward coming off a sub par year and just beginning a pretty lengthy contract extension. I think teams will be calling about Simmonds first.

As far as upgrading the blueline, I have little doubt something will be done very soon. Taking runs at Suter and Weber last summer coming up empty, I can't believe Homer is somehow satisfied with Mez's health concerns and Coburn's inconsistency.

I would not be shocked to see J-Bo in the fold eventually.
- ravishingone

Hartnell would be a fantastic addition for most any team built for the playoffs these next few years. Guy played a condensed season with a broken foot. I dont think people will write him off because of this year.

I see your point about the d core. I just don't see that big of a market for Hartnell. A 31 yr old power forward coming off a sub par year and just beginning a pretty lengthy contract extension. I think teams will be calling about Simmonds first.

As far as upgrading the blueline, I have little doubt something will be done very soon. Taking runs at Suter and Weber last summer coming up empty, I can't believe Homer is somehow satisfied with Mez's health concerns and Coburn's inconsistency.

I would not be shocked to see J-Bo in the fold eventually.
- ravishingone

I'd be fine with adding Bouwmeester. Especially if the Blues decide to use a CBO on him to re-sign Pietrangelo & Shattenkirk.

I'd be fine with adding Bouwmeester. Especially if the Blues decide to use a CBO on him to re-sign Pietrangelo & Shattenkirk.
- Jsaquella

Pietrangelo is probably going to get more per year then Weber, you would think. I don't see Shattenkirk taking a bridge deal like Del Zotto and Subban. I would think he could get more per year then Carlson from the Caps. I believe St. Louis is probably a mid-level spending team. It is going to be a very interesting summer for the Blues.

J-Bo is durable, plays in all situations, but overpaid with his current salary.

Pietrangelo is probably going to get more per year then Weber, you would think. I don't see Shattenkirk taking a bridge deal like Del Zotto and Subban. I would think he could get more per year then Carlson from the Caps. I believe St. Louis is probably a mid-level spending team. It is going to be a very interesting summer for the Blues.

J-Bo is durable, plays in all situations, but overpaid with his current salary.
- ravishingone

He is overpaid, with the cap dropping...perhaps a trade, if the Blues agree to retain some cap $$.

He is overpaid, with the cap dropping...perhaps a trade, if the Blues agree to retain some cap $$.
- Jsaquella

I think the Blues want something back considering I believe they gave Calgary their first rounder +. I would think anyone who trades for him will want to have a contract extension worked out. I know he is overpaid, but I still think he gets around $6 million/yr on an extension. No less then $5.75 million/yr in my opinion.

I think the Blues want something back considering I believe they gave Calgary their first rounder +. I would think anyone who trades for him will want to have a contract extension worked out. I know he is overpaid, but I still think he gets around $6 million/yr on an extension. No less then $5.75 million/yr in my opinion.
- ravishingone

How does a Hartnell for Bouwmeester swap sound? Ask the Blues if they'll split the difference between cap hits, eating a few cap dollars from Bouwmeester to make it work for the Flyers.

How does a Hartnell for Bouwmeester swap sound? Ask the Blues if they'll split the difference between cap hits, eating a few cap dollars from Bouwmeester to make it work for the Flyers.
- Jsaquella

It's certainly an idea to ponder. Of course, I think they would ask for Simmonds first. Out of the all the possibilities mentioned as potential targets, I think J-Bo has the most realistic chance of happening.

I want Read resigned, so I don't mind dangling Hartnell or Simmonds for blueline help this offseason.

i don't necessarily agree, but interesting nonetheless

Hartnell trade rumors

The thing with all this d-man talk to me, is the Flyers will more than likely need two d-men of a good caliber with the upcoming departure of Timonen.

The thing with all this d-man talk to me, is the Flyers will more than likely need two d-men of a good caliber with the upcoming departure of Timonen.
- flyer_nutter

That depends on the development of Gus in my opinion. If he continues to play at the level last year when Kimmo was out, I think one is needed. I'm not as concerned about his durability only because his injuries didn't involve a groin, shoulder, or back.

Also, I think in two years, I think they get something from Ghost. Call it blind faith.

That depends on the development of Gus in my opinion. If he continues to play at the level last year when Kimmo was out, I think one is needed. I'm not as concerned about his durability only because his injuries didn't involve a groin, shoulder, or back.

Also, I think in two years, I think they get something from Ghost. Call it blind faith.
- ravishingone

Regarding that to me, is the futures of Grossman, Coburn and Meszaros.

Two are coming off of pretty bad injuries, and we have Mr. Consistency in there as well. Luke Schenn had a great year, and Guss has potential. Optimism is one thing, but I wouldnt expect everything to work out.

I dont think it will. Too many questions marks on that D.

The thing with all this d-man talk to me, is the Flyers will more than likely need two d-men of a good caliber with the upcoming departure of Timonen.
- flyer_nutter

They have a year to replace Timonen. Who knows where the cap will be, or what will happen in a year's time?

They have a year to replace Timonen. Who knows where the cap will be, or what will happen in a year's time?
- Jsaquella

True for sure. However I'd like to see Holmgren try and be proactive if a deal is there.

All of the question marks with that D scare me. Mason might be poopting his pants in a month or two.

True for sure. However I'd like to see Holmgren try and be proactive if a deal is there.

All of the question marks with that D scare me. Mason might be poopting his pants in a month or two.
- flyer_nutter

If they use a system that doesn't expose their weaknesses, it's not that awful. But Laviolette's high wire act is not exactly playing to their strengths. That's a bigger issue than the actual personnel, so long as at least one of Grossmann or Meszaros can return and play at an accustomed level.

Regarding that to me, is the futures of Grossman, Coburn and Meszaros.

Two are coming off of pretty bad injuries, and we have Mr. Consistency in there as well. Luke Schenn had a great year, and Guss has potential. Optimism is one thing, but I wouldnt expect everything to work out.

I dont think it will. Too many questions marks on that D.
- flyer_nutter

Personally, I'm expecting nothing from Mez this year except a long stint on LTIR. I hope he comes back healthy, I'm just not counting on it. Even if he did come back healthy, I would not resign him after this season, the injury history is just too long unfortunately.

I firmly believe they will make a significant trade to bolster the blueline very shortly. Probably in the realm of a JVR-Schenn deal, which I'm okay with that sort of trade happening again.

Ryder won't return to Montreal

Why does NBC always just show the Penguins home feed? Why dont they use the national broadcast instead of giving us the Penguins announcers and on ice guy?

At some point Flyers have to get younger/cheaper on defense....Cant keep pay 4-5mil for every d-man you have.

I'm on board with Edler, but I understand the concern that his numbers are skewed because of the way he was utilized.

Vigneault is a line-matching whore. He's the best at getting the most out of each and every player. The fact that there were better defensive players (Bieksa/Hamhuis) getting more d-zone starts are more of a reflection of the Canucks roster than Edler in particular, IMO.

I believe he can be the 25 min., two-way horse that this team needs.
- bradleyc4

This is one of my concerns with Edler...he has chronic back issues and a long contract. Riding him as your "workhorse" at 25 mins a night probably isn't the best idea. Even now, game to game, Edler tends to play better when he stays between 20-24 mins, which I would rather see if he was brought here...play him in favorable situations, offensive faceoffs and on the PP etc...with his questionable back (combined with physical style game), limiting his minutes would probably help prolong his viability.