If they want the guy off the team bad enough that they're worrying if they'll get injured they should just buy them out now.
- hereticpride

Its more so in relation to the cap recapture mechanism in the new CBA with extra long contracts signed by certain players. If a player retires early, teams incur significant cap space hits.

I disagree. They do need a top pair puck mover with mobility. But they could use more mobility and guys who can move the puck, either with a pass or by skating, throughout the line-up.

Rather than overpaying for an Edler, it might be more productive to go the reclamation project route, or try a younger guy who could eventually be a part of the puzzle in the future.
- Jsaquella

The odds of a reclamation project becoming the top puck mover that they need is remote. You don't pay a King's ransom for a player like Edler, but you will have to pay. They don't have much of a choice. Or else they're wasting a number of years of some of their top players. The Flyers can address the youth need through the draft, rather then trading quality assets for a younger guy on another team, that may, or may not pan out. I think Gustafsson give you that young player that you hope will develop further, without giving up any assets.

If they want the guy off the team bad enough that they're worrying if they'll get injured they should just buy them out now.
- hereticpride

It's part of why I'd buy out Bryz and Briere this summer. That ends the Flyers cap recapture possibilities. They face no penalties under Richards and Carter's deals because they never played under the current CBA for the Flyers.

There was little force behind what Carter did. And there was no danger of breaking his hand. I don't think Keith meant to hit him in the face, but it was a one handed swing of the stick, that was very dangerous.
- MJL

Nope, Keith didn't mean to hit Carter in the face. But Keith did to Carter what Carter did to Keith. If that little swing of Keith's opened up Carter a bit, Carter's little swing could have fractured a finger if it connects just right. I call them both for penalties. And I've seen Carter pull a Crosby and swat gloves away from players before, and that's a bit of a Richard move.

The odds of a reclamation project becoming the top puck mover that they need is remote. You don't pay a King's ransom for a player like Edler, but you will have to pay. They don't have much of a choice. Or else they're wasting a number of years of some of their top players.
- MJL

That's why I didn't say that a reclamation project could be the top pair puck mover they need.

I'm saying that they need mobility and puck skills beyond the first pair. I have little faith that Meszaros can stay healthy and I think that asking Coburn to take on a bigger role in terms of offense is setting him up to fail. Grossmann has limited puck skills and is also still dealing with PCS.

Absolutely go out and try to land an Edler or Yandle or Shattenkirk. But, while I am willing to pay a price for them, I'm not prepared to offer a massive package of assets, and if they fail to land one of those or similar, they'll still have a need for mobility and puck skills on the blue line.

My suggestions are plan B's. I do not expect Whitney or McBain to replace Timonen or assume the top pair, 22-25 minute a night role that is the real need. And if they can not fill that need, they will need to take steps to mitigate that weakness.

It's part of why I'd buy out Bryz and Briere this summer. That ends the Flyers cap recapture possibilities. They face no penalties under Richards and Carter's deals because they never played under the current CBA for the Flyers.
- Jsaquella

I can't wait til the draft so these fruitless conversations of endless speculation come to an end.

Better yet, hurry up October!

That's why I didn't say that a reclamation project could be the top pair puck mover they need.

I'm saying that they need mobility and puck skills beyond the first pair. I have little faith that Meszaros can stay healthy and I think that asking Coburn to take on a bigger role in terms of offense is setting him up to fail. Grossmann has limited puck skills and is also still dealing with PCS.

Absolutely go out and try to land an Edler or Yandle or Shattenkirk. But, while I am willing to pay a price for them, I'm not prepared to offer a massive package of assets, and if they fail to land one of those or similar, they'll still have a need for mobility and puck skills on the blue line.

My suggestions are plan B's. I do not expect Whitney or McBain to replace Timonen or assume the top pair, 22-25 minute a night role that is the real need. And if they can not fill that need, they will need to take steps to mitigate that weakness.
- Jsaquella

there have been enuf late bloomers to make a guy like mcbain plausible as a 2nd pair puck mover...but that will take patience. must nail this draft regardless of position.

there have been enuf late bloomers to make a guy like mcbain plausible as a 2nd pair puck mover...but that will take patience. must nail this draft regardless of position.
- isaiah520

I readily admit, it's not an ideal scenario, but if they can't land an Edler or Yandle or Shattenkirk, then should they stand pat? Guys like Whitney, McBain and Diaz are just suggestions of guys that could come in and provide depth.

There's at least two guys that have big injury question marks over their heads, and we're not even in the summer yet.

Nope, Keith didn't mean to hit Carter in the face. But Keith did to Carter what Carter did to Keith. If that little swing of Keith's opened up Carter a bit, Carter's little swing could have fractured a finger if it connects just right. I call them both for penalties. And I've seen Carter pull a Crosby and swat gloves away from players before, and that's a bit of a Richard move.
- wolfhounds

It wasn't a swing of the stick by Carter, he just tried to push the glove away. It is a Richard move, but there's no risk of breaking a finger there. And Keith's action was far more then a little swing. As evidenced by the damage it did.

there have been enuf late bloomers to make a guy like mcbain plausible as a 2nd pair puck mover...but that will take patience. must nail this draft regardless of position.
- isaiah520

I'd rather the Flyers invest some patience and see if Gustafsson is that late bloomer, then to trade assets for someone like McBain.

It wasn't a swing of the stick by Carter, he just tried to push the glove away. It is a Richard move, but there's no risk of breaking a finger there. And Keith's action was far more then a little swing. As evidenced by the damage it did.
- MJL

Carter chops him. It's not nearly as innocent as you're making it sound.



Edit: Gotta love that it's already on Youtube.

I readily admit, it's not an ideal scenario, but if they can't land an Edler or Yandle or Shattenkirk, then should they stand pat? Guys like Whitney, McBain and Diaz are just suggestions of guys that could come in and provide depth.

There's at least two guys that have big injury question marks over their heads, and we're not even in the summer yet.
- Jsaquella

I guess it would depend on the price. But if it is significant, then yes, I would stand pat rather then have to give up significant assets for those players. And bide my time until the right move presents itself.

Carter chops him. It's not nearly as innocent as you're making it sound.



Edit: Gotta love that it's already on Youtube.
- wolfhounds

It's not innocent. But it's definitely not a chop. It was a love tap.

I guess it would depend on the price. But if it is significant, then yes, I would stand pat rather then have to give up significant assets for those players. And bide my time until the right move presents itself.
- MJL

I wouldn't give up significant assets to get any of those players I mentioned. Whitney's a UFA coming off an uneven season. McBain struggled mightily in Carolina.

Also, I'm not slotting any of them over Gustafsson. He'd be getting his chance whether they add McBain, Edler or nobody

It's not innocent. But it's definitely not a chop.
- MJL

Fair enough. Looks a lot like a chop to me at full speed. And if it connects with Keith's bare hand, it's gonna smart a bit.

Ultimately, my point is, they both should have gotten penalties. And Carter's a bit of a punk.

I wouldn't give up significant assets to get any of those players I mentioned. Whitney's a UFA coming off an uneven season. McBain struggled mightily in Carolina.

Also, I'm not slotting any of them over Gustafsson. He'd be getting his chance whether they add McBain, Edler or nobody
- Jsaquella

Well they'd have to play in front of somebody. And an asset I wouldn't waste on Whitney is Cap space.

Well they'd have to play in front of somebody. And an asset I wouldn't waste on Whitney is Cap space.
- MJL

Could end up playing in front of Grossmann & Meszaros, neither of whom is a sure bet to be able to play or stay healthy. Can certainly play in front of Gervais, who showed his best role is that of a 7th defenseman.

Fair enough. Looks a lot like a chop to me at full speed. And if it connects with Keith's bare hand, it's gonna smart a bit.

Ultimately, my point is, they both should have gotten penalties. And Carter's a bit of a punk.
- wolfhounds

Cheap move by Carter to try and move the glove away. But it's the playoffs. Those kind of things go on. And I think Keith was trying to hit him in the arm in response. And wasn't trying to hit him in the face. Carter definitely deserved a slash.

Kings got a break there. No idea why that wasn't called icing.

I'd rather the Flyers invest some patience and see if Gustafsson is that late bloomer, then to trade assets for someone like McBain.
- MJL

understand this, but the team has so little at a certain level of d and there are too many questions w/ guys we are counting on, we need an nhl caliber plyer.

i certainly get wanting to take a run at guys like shat, yandle or edler, but say goodbye to schenn or couts+. that's one of the reasons to move up in the draft and try to nab a nichuskin or barkov. if that plyr is special, it makes watching a schenn or couts hitting their stride more palatable. of course, that will cost more assets...i dunno.

that brings me back to trading back and getting two later firsts and exercising another kind of patience.

Kings got a break there. No idea why that wasn't called icing.
- MJL

Game 4 will be fun.

Think Richards' 'upper body injury' is a concussion?

understand this, but the team has so little at a certain level of d and there are too many questions w/ guys we are counting on, we need an nhl caliber plyer.

i certainly get wanting to take a run at guys like shat, yandle or edler, but say goodbye to schenn or couts+. that's one of the reasons to move up in the draft and try to nab a nichuskin or barkov. if that plyr is special, it makes watching a schenn or couts hitting their stride more palatable. of course, that will cost more assets...i dunno.

that brings me back to trading back and getting two later firsts and exercising another kind of patience.
- isaiah520

Yes, the Flyers are likely going to have to trade one of the young players to get the defenseman they need. Unless Holmgren is a miracle worker, or involves the 11th pick in a trade. They need to upgrade the position. And while it would be nice to add a young defenseman that is still developing. It's not really the need. They have prospects such as Alt and Ghostibhere. And they drafted 4 defenseman in the last draft. And we'll see if they add more defenseman in the upcoming draft. And they are adding Gustafsson who is similar in age to a player like McBain.

Game 4 will be fun.

Think Richards' 'upper body injury' is a concussion?
- wolfhounds

I was wondering that myself. But it's logical to assume it is a concussion. But I hope not.

understand this, but the team has so little at a certain level of d and there are too many questions w/ guys we are counting on, we need an nhl caliber plyer.

i certainly get wanting to take a run at guys like shat, yandle or edler, but say goodbye to schenn or couts+. that's one of the reasons to move up in the draft and try to nab a nichuskin or barkov. if that plyr is special, it makes watching a schenn or couts hitting their stride more palatable. of course, that will cost more assets...i dunno.

that brings me back to trading back and getting two later firsts and exercising another kind of patience.
- isaiah520

No way I trade B Schenn (or Luke for that matter) or Couts now that both of them have gotten 2 years of NHL experience under their belts... We'd be trading them just as they started coming into their own.