You make some good points for sure. I don't think they absolutely need to make a ton of moves and I do not want them to. This will be year 3 of the pseudo-rebuild and I honestly think 2011-12 was more flukey than 2012-13 was given the youth of the team. I think they should make some tweaks and add some depth guys but they don't need to make a blockbuster deal.

I'm more open to moving Coburn though only because we have Schenn and Grossmann who pretty much do the same thing (albeit Coburn is generally better as well as faster). Coburn's struggles this year had to do mainly with getting thrust into the role of #1 dman with more offensive responsibility, IMO. A role that he's not comfortable with. If they could get a comparable puck-mover for him, I would try to trade him.
- NickTheKid87

Colby & Nic play similar gms with very different skill sets. I would not sell low on Coby, cause we likely won't get enuf for him @ this point.

as an Isles fan, I'd warn anyone looking at Boyes that his numbers were a product of playing with Tavares, he's absolutely disgustingly useless defensively and will turn the puck over repeatedly leaving his line stuck in their own end for an entire shift. He'll give the puck away for no reason on the PP and under pressure is even worse.

This guy showed this year what a 3rd/4th line player on the decline can do next to Tavares. Whoever signs him is in for a world of disappointment if they expect him to bring anything to the table offensively and will make you pull your hair out watching him give the puck away.

If the Isles were to resign him I'd be bitterly disappointed. He needs to go and never come back.

Personally, I would buy him out. Not because of the media-driven controversy, but because the contract is simply too long for that position, at Bryzgalov's age.

I don't have a problem with lengthy deals -- I'm hoping, for instance, that Claude Giroux's is the maximum eight.

But Bryzgalov...the Flyers have to buy him out. They have to, either this year or next, because it is far more likely that he will not be able to perform at a high level into his late-30s.

I think this particular case, everyone will understand the difference in that this was simply a bad contract, a mistake, that the compliance buyout truly is meant to address.
- AllInForFlyers

Wow this is very well said and very rational. I agree completely. Welcome to the board!

the only thing i'm concerned about Edler is his back...wouldn't want to give up any young pieces for him....
- sarmen25

I'm concerned about his two-way game the most... offensively, I'm sure he'll do just fine, he's got all the tools there... defensively, he's looks a lot more like Mezsaros than Timonen, prone to brain-cramps, bad positioning, jumping out of position, bad pinches, turnovers, etc.

Maybe he'll develop into a complete defender at some point... or maybe he won't. I'm not trading both Schenns, or Couturier and this year's 1st to find out, though.

as an Isles fan, I'd warn anyone looking at Boyes that his numbers were a product of playing with Tavares, he's absolutely disgustingly useless defensively and will turn the puck over repeatedly leaving his line stuck in their own end for an entire shift. He'll give the puck away for no reason on the PP and under pressure is even worse.

This guy showed this year what a 3rd/4th line player on the decline can do next to Tavares. Whoever signs him is in for a world of disappointment if they expect him to bring anything to the table offensively and will make you pull your hair out watching him give the puck away.

If the Isles were to resign him I'd be bitterly disappointed. He needs to go and never come back.
- Isles_since_6

Zero interest in boyes... Soft and streaky

I'm concerned about his two-way game the most... offensively, I'm sure he'll do just fine, he's got all the tools there... defensively, he's looks a lot more like Mezsaros than Timonen, prone to brain-cramps, bad positioning, jumping out of position, bad pinches, turnovers, etc.

Maybe he'll develop into a complete defender at some point... or maybe he won't. I'm not trading both Schenns, or Couturier and this year's 1st to find out, though.
- Tomahawk

honestly, if homer was gonna trade schenns/cooter for someone, he would've done it during the season...

seems to me he's adamant on staying with this core...which is a good thing.

I'm concerned about his two-way game the most... offensively, I'm sure he'll do just fine, he's got all the tools there... defensively, he's looks a lot more like Mezsaros than Timonen, prone to brain-cramps, bad positioning, jumping out of position, bad pinches, turnovers, etc.

Maybe he'll develop into a complete defender at some point... or maybe he won't. I'm not trading both Schenns, or Couturier and this year's 1st to find out, though.
- Tomahawk

Even though edler is the better all around plyr, yandle added to the flyers mix might be the better option. Pairing him w/ the right guy would be essential though and he might be more of a #3 unless Luke is rock solid for the duration.

the only thing i'm concerned about Edler is his back...wouldn't want to give up any young pieces for him....
- sarmen25

Mark Howe had injury issues and those included his back...that worked out pretty well

Personally, I would buy him out. Not because of the media-driven controversy, but because the contract is simply too long for that position, at Bryzgalov's age.

I don't have a problem with lengthy deals -- I'm hoping, for instance, that Claude Giroux's is the maximum eight.

But Bryzgalov...the Flyers have to buy him out. They have to, either this year or next, because it is far more likely that he will not be able to perform at a high level into his late-30s.

I think this particular case, everyone will understand the difference in that this was simply a bad contract, a mistake, that the compliance buyout truly is meant to address.
- AllInForFlyers

You're far too rational for this place

I'm not trading both Schenns, or Couturier and this year's 1st to find out, though.
- Tomahawk

The way you worded that made me laugh.

Colby & Nic play similar gms with very different skill sets. I would not sell low on Coby, cause we likely won't get enuf for him @ this point.
- isaiah520

I think Coburn could fetch a good return still. He struggled for most of the season but he only played 33 games. I can't imagine that has hurt is value significantly.

Lapierre, Gordon, Steckel, Malholtra. Give me a cheap 4th line center that can't do a little of everything (but if nothing else, someone that's at least 50 percent on draws).

Ryder? Boyes? Antropov? No thank you. Resign Gagne. You will not get what he brings (if healthy) any cheaper. If he's willing to take a discount, bring this man back. He's still young enough that he can contribute and seemed rejuvenated once he got here. I also feel like everyone on this team respects the hell out of him as a leader. It is of course Girouxs locker room, but guys like Cooter, Simmonds, Schenn, etc respect the poop out of Gags (I assume, anyway?).

Give Tye McGinn every chance to make this team, ditto Akeson.

....the defense is another story

You're far too rational for this place

- Jsaquella

Ha! Back at you, sir! As I said, I've read you guys' posts for year.

This place is actually not so bad, IMO. I truly am horrified at places like CSNPhilly and Philly.com. I've read lots of good posts here, from people like yourself and others. I'll try to remain rational, as well!

Personally, I would buy him out. Not because of the media-driven controversy, but because the contract is simply too long for that position, at Bryzgalov's age.

I don't have a problem with lengthy deals -- I'm hoping, for instance, that Claude Giroux's is the maximum eight.

But Bryzgalov...the Flyers have to buy him out. They have to, either this year or next, because it is far more likely that he will not be able to perform at a high level into his late-30s.

I think this particular case, everyone will understand the difference in that this was simply a bad contract, a mistake, that the compliance buyout truly is meant to address.
- AllInForFlyers

Fair enough

If you are still around, how do you feel about trading Hartnell for an offensively skilled defenseman?

To me Hartnell has been very solid, and has been a key part of some of the Flyers best line combos the past few seasons

However I don't like the length of his deal and I'd much rather trade him then Couts, B Schenn, Read, or Simmer given the age differences.

Ha! Back at you, sir! As I said, I've read you guys' posts for year.

This place is actually not so bad, IMO. I truly am horrified at places like CSNPhilly and Philly.com. I've read lots of good posts here, from people like yourself and others. I'll try to remain rational, as well!
- AllInForFlyers

There is a good core of rational posters here. The crazy irrational ones show up, get torn apart and rarely come back.

Even though edler is the better all around plyr, yandle added to the flyers mix might be the better option. Pairing him w/ the right guy would be essential though and he might be more of a #3 unless Luke is rock solid for the duration.
- isaiah520

Problem is, Yandle would cost around the same as Edler in trade.

John-Michael Liles would be an affordable replacement for what we lost in Carle, and that would be enough to get us back into the PO's, IMO.

Or... just go w/ Gus and see what he can give us.

Lapierre, Gordon, Steckel, Malholtra. Give me a cheap 4th line center that can't do a little of everything (but if nothing else, someone that's at least 50 percent on draws).

Ryder? Boyes? Antropov? No thank you. Resign Gagne. You will not get what he brings (if healthy) any cheaper. If he's willing to take a discount, bring this man back. He's still young enough that he can contribute and seemed rejuvenated once he got here. I also feel like everyone on this team respects the hell out of him as a leader. It is of course Girouxs locker room, but guys like Cooter, Simmonds, Schenn, etc respect the poop out of Gags (I assume, anyway?).

Give Tye McGinn every chance to make this team, ditto Akeson.

....the defense is another story
- mochoson

Not sure if Malhotra is still able to play
Agree 100% with the rest

Problem is, Yandle would cost around the same as Edler in trade.

John-Michael Liles would be an affordable replacement for what we lost in Carle, and that would be enough to get us back into the PO's, IMO.

Or... just go w/ Gus and see what he can give us.
- Tomahawk

I think riding the Gus Bus might be our best bet in regards to affordability. His performance at Worlds gives me a lot of optimisim.

Edit: The still do need another puck mover though with Kimmo's health a question mark.

If Homers going to get a defender, he needs to look at Kevin Shattenkirk.

Kid is exactly what we need. Offer sheet him. Make it impossible for Blues to match. How much that costs is anyone's guess, but almost every team in the leauge is gonna have a similar rationale. Between Jbo and Pietrangelo alone their gonna end up spending a ton on D. Paying Shattenkirk may not be realistic, though they'll obviously do all they can too keep him.

funny all this trading up talk to get nicushkin (read, couter)....if they tanked 5 games you wouldnt have to trade anyone.

There is a good core of rational posters here. The crazy irrational ones show up, get torn apart and
- NickTheKid87[B]rarely come back[\B].

If only this were true!

Just kidding
If they are Flyers fans for life, there is good reason to be a little crazy and irrational from time to time

Not sure if Malhotra is still able to play
Agree 100% with the rest
- Marc D

He stated recently he has every intention of trying to play next season and doesn't want to retire yet. Obviously would need to be healthy, but a great option out there if he is.

Fair enough

If you are still around, how do you feel about trading Hartnell for an offensively skilled defenseman?

To me Hartnell has been very solid, and has been a key part of some of the Flyers best line combos the past few seasons

However I don't like the length of his deal and I'd much rather trade him then Couts, B Schenn, Read, or Simmer given the age differences.
- Marc D

For me personally...I'm not down on Scott Hartnell just yet.

As you said, the length of the deal is a concern. I agree with that. It is far more likely that he will not live up to the cap hit at the back end of that deal.

But for me, I do think in Hartnell's case, last year was a bit of an aberration. Not totally, because he should have played better. The Flyers needed him to play better.

But at the same time, I also recognize something else you said: He's been a part of three of the most effective lines the Flyers have had since he came to the team. Hartnell-Carter-Lupul, Hartnell-Briere-Leino, Hartnell-Giroux-Jagr...those were all tremendous lines. I think everyone realizes that the only constant on those is...Scott Hartnell.

I think Scott Hartnell has three more seasons of 25-30 goals in him, maybe 20-30 assists those years. Then we'll see a decline that we might not like at the end.

But his size, toughness and willingness to compete in the corners, on the wall and in front of the net...for me, I absolutely take those first three seasons, then swallow hard and hope for the best for the last three.

If Homers going to get a defender, he needs to look at Kevin Shattenkirk.

Kid is exactly what we need. Offer sheet him. Make it impossible for Blues to match. How much that costs is anyone's guess, but almost every team in the leauge is gonna have a similar rationale. Between Jbo and Pietrangelo alone their gonna end up spending a ton on D. Paying Shattenkirk may not be realistic, though they'll obviously do all they can too keep him.
- mochoson

At what point salary-wise do the Blues balk at matching? $5-6M? More?

2012-13 NHL RFA Compensation Limits
$1,110,249 or below - No Compensation
Over $1,110,249 to $1,682,194 - 3rd round pick
Over $1,682,194 to $3,364,391 - 2nd round pick
Over $3,364,391 to $5,046,585 - 1st round pick, 3rd
Over $5,046,585 to $6,728,781 - 1st round pick, 2nd, 3rd
Over $6,728,781 To $8,410,976 - Two 1st Round Picks, 2nd, 3rd
Over $8,410,976 - Four 1st Round Picks


You'd be giving up multiple shots at drafting a similar player just to pry him away... while overpaying him in the process... that would hurt.

I'm with you, bud.

It's really time that they just trusted in what they've assembled and give it time to come together. Of course, I'm saying this while knowing full well that they probably won't do that, because the guy at the top doesn't have the patience for any proper team building -- it's all about splash.

Welcome to the board, from what you posted, I hope you speak up more often!
- Tomahawk

How can you explain about the talk that Holmgren refused to trade Couturier and B Schenn for Weber? That seems to show that he does have the patience. They had the patience to develop Richards and Carter into top players that resulted in a Cup final. I think it's a mistake ot expect a GM not to try and improve the team and use some assets to add the final peice. Every team that wins does that.