I think Letang looks to sign here in UFA, both to cash in on Snider money and to begin a revenge campaign against a Pittsburgh that no longer wants him. - BulliesPhan87
I'm sure Letang will get paid too (I'm thinking between $6.5m-$7.5m per)
I have no problem with trading some of these "young players" for team needs. If its Couturier for Yandle I'm ok with that. Read for Bernier... I'm ok with that. Because these guys are easier to replace in draft and free-agency.
If you buy-out Briere and Bryz, resign Gagne, Bernier. And sign Clowe, Zubrus, and Dupuis.
Not to beat the dead horse again about Sean Couturier, but here goes.
I also look around the Eastern Conference and here is what I see:
1. I believe the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to look radically different next season. Either Kris Letang or Evgeni Malkin will be gone. Marc-Andre Fleury will be gone. Sidney Crosby is now officially Eric Lindros after 1999, where every single time he gets hard, you wonder if he is concussed. In short: I honestly believe their days as a fearsome powerhouse are coming to an end, and rapidly. So you don't necessarily need Couturier as a shutdown center for the Malkin/Crosby duo.
2. What you do have, however, are a couple of teams that are going to be absolute problems in the near future: John Tavares and the New York Islanders, Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Derek Stepan/Derick Brassard/Rick Nash and the New York Rangers.
Tavares is already a Hart Trophy candidate, and deservedly so. He's a franchise player, an elite scorer. The Islanders have been drafting in the Top 10 for the last five years. Make no mistake: This year wasn't an aberration. Those guys are getting ready for a long stretch of playoff contention.
Stamkos is Stamkos. Giving those guys a Top 3 pick in this draft...they grossly underachieved this year, with goaltending being a key issue. If they get that straightened out...they're dangerous. They are.
You give the Rangers the right coach -- an Alain Vigneault, somebody like that -- I don't think the average person truly grasps how terrifying that team can be offensively. Chris Kreider was being ruined by John Tortorella. You add J.T. Miller to that mix, you free up the salary of Brad Richards' slot, you still have Henrik Lundqvist...man. They are an absolute problem.
My point: Just say that all Sean Couturier does is turn into a high-end defensive center. Just say that the offense never comes, and he becomes a 15-goal, 35-point guy, who plays high end defense.
You know what? We need that. Because as much as I like Scott Laughton's potential, Brayden Schenn's potential, you know what? Stamkos and Tavares are 50-goal scorers. You turn Stepan and Brassard loose? You're looking at two 70-point centers, with Rick Nash on one wing and Ryan Callahan on another.
Somebody's got to stop these guys. Again, it doesn't have to be Sean Couturier. But at least we know one thing: He can do it, and is good enough at it that he is dependable at it, and even if the offense never, ever comes, we at least know he's going to get physically stronger.
I have no problem with trading some of these "young players" for team needs. If its Couturier for Yandle I'm ok with that. Read for Bernier... I'm ok with that. Because these guys are easier to replace in draft and free-agency.
If you buy-out Briere and Bryz, resign Gagne, Bernier. And sign Clowe, Zubrus, and Dupuis.
That's interesting but if you put his face on mt Rushmore half of flyer fans won't know who it is whether thats right or wrong. IMO its less stats and more impact on a fan base/ franchise - Just5
Then why put Clarke, Howe and Parent up there? Might as well put up LeClair, Lindros, Hextall and Desjardins?
If half the fan base doesn't know who Bill Barber is (He was the coach less than 10 yrs ago and is still with the front Office) than someone's parent's are doing a crappy job raising the next generation of Flyers fans.
I have no problem with trading some of these "young players" for team needs. If its Couturier for Yandle I'm ok with that. Read for Bernier... I'm ok with that. Because these guys are easier to replace in draft and free-agency.
If you buy-out Briere and Bryz, resign Gagne, Bernier. And sign Clowe, Zubrus, and Dupuis.
That is weak at center. To me Schenn is not a #2 center. He is a top 6 winger. I would like to see them get a legit number center and stand pat everywhere else. Puck possession and secondary scoring killed this team. If both improve so will the defense and goaltending.
I'm still not keen on trading Couturier, which is where the Yandle discussion begins. There's some skepticism about his potential, but I think we need to keep him. Of course, I understand the 'need to give to get' logic, and I wouldn't consider any trade involving him bad. I just don't want to go that route, trade somebody else (other than Giroux, obvs).
If we can buy low on Rundblad, I'd be all for adding him to the prospect pool. - BulliesPhan87
At some point, Rundblad's going to have to earn a spot on a roster. He'll be 23 in October and 38 career games 5 years means he's developing extremely slowly. Certainly worth a roll of the dice, but I can't see offering the same kind of return that Ottawa got for him
Location: best smile, 14 without fake tees Joined: 03.28.2008
Jun 10 @ 11:54 AM ET
I think Letang looks to sign here in UFA, both to cash in on Snider money and to begin a revenge campaign against a Pittsburgh that no longer wants him. - BulliesPhan87
They better have Giroux and Couts and B Schenn's extensions done first to see if there is any cap space left to pay big money to Letang.
I wonder if any of the three deals get done before next summer.
Not to beat the dead horse again about Sean Couturier, but here goes.
I also look around the Eastern Conference and here is what I see:
1. I believe the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to look radically different next season. Either Kris Letang or Evgeni Malkin will be gone. Marc-Andre Fleury will be gone. Sidney Crosby is now officially Eric Lindros after 1999, where every single time he gets hard, you wonder if he is concussed. In short: I honestly believe their days as a fearsome powerhouse are coming to an end, and rapidly. So you don't necessarily need Couturier as a shutdown center for the Malkin/Crosby duo.
2. What you do have, however, are a couple of teams that are going to be absolute problems in the near future: John Tavares and the New York Islanders, Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Derek Stepan/Derick Brassard/Rick Nash and the New York Rangers.
Tavares is already a Hart Trophy candidate, and deservedly so. He's a franchise player, an elite scorer. The Islanders have been drafting in the Top 10 for the last five years. Make no mistake: This year wasn't an aberration. Those guys are getting ready for a long stretch of playoff contention.
Stamkos is Stamkos. Giving those guys a Top 3 pick in this draft...they grossly underachieved this year, with goaltending being a key issue. If they get that straightened out...they're dangerous. They are.
You give the Rangers the right coach -- an Alain Vigneault, somebody like that -- I don't think the average person truly grasps how terrifying that team can be offensively. Chris Kreider was being ruined by John Tortorella. You add J.T. Miller to that mix, you free up the salary of Brad Richards' slot, you still have Henrik Lundqvist...man. They are an absolute problem.
My point: Just say that all Sean Couturier does is turn into a high-end defensive center. Just say that the offense never comes, and he becomes a 15-goal, 35-point guy, who plays high end defense.
You know what? We need that. Because as much as I like Scott Laughton's potential, Brayden Schenn's potential, you know what? Stamkos and Tavares are 50-goal scorers. You turn Stepan and Brassard loose? You're looking at two 70-point centers, with Rick Nash on one wing and Ryan Callahan on another.
Somebody's got to stop these guys. Again, it doesn't have to be Sean Couturier. But at least we know one thing: He can do it, and is good enough at it that he is dependable at it, and even if the offense never, ever comes, we at least know he's going to get physically stronger.
That stuff matters. - AllInForFlyers
The Rags will be a legit contender with a new coach. I'm most afraid of them. The Islanders have a good core but might be held back by their budget from putting together a deep team.
The difference between Lindros and Crosby is that Crosby is actually healthy. I think he's still very capable of putting up 120-130 points in a full season.
Barber is only a lock HOF because he played longer and won titles not because he was a better player. Look, both were great players and I would not protest if Billy Barber was on instead of Lindros.
I just think Lindros was the better player. - mickel25
Yes, you should always punish a player for being durable, having a lengthy career and winning Stanley Cups.
Every team is looking for the next super star who'll flame out due to injuries in 6 or 7 years.
If they put 10 heads on the Flyers Mount Rushmore he'd be a sure thing.
I have no problem with trading some of these "young players" for team needs. If its Couturier for Yandle I'm ok with that. Read for Bernier... I'm ok with that. Because these guys are easier to replace in draft and free-agency.
If you buy-out Briere and Bryz, resign Gagne, Bernier. And sign Clowe, Zubrus, and Dupuis.
I don't think Read for Bernier will happen. Kings will want more. Also, Clowe is bascially a watered down version of Simmonds and Hartnell. I would rather stay away from him. The center depth (or lack thereof) may cause problems.
Location: the jewelry is still out Joined: 01.16.2007
Jun 10 @ 12:00 PM ET
Not to beat the dead horse again about Sean Couturier, but here goes.
I also look around the Eastern Conference and here is what I see:
1. I believe the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to look radically different next season. Either Kris Letang or Evgeni Malkin will be gone. Marc-Andre Fleury will be gone. Sidney Crosby is now officially Eric Lindros after 1999, where every single time he gets hard, you wonder if he is concussed. In short: I honestly believe their days as a fearsome powerhouse are coming to an end, and rapidly. So you don't necessarily need Couturier as a shutdown center for the Malkin/Crosby duo.
2. What you do have, however, are a couple of teams that are going to be absolute problems in the near future: John Tavares and the New York Islanders, Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Derek Stepan/Derick Brassard/Rick Nash and the New York Rangers.
Tavares is already a Hart Trophy candidate, and deservedly so. He's a franchise player, an elite scorer. The Islanders have been drafting in the Top 10 for the last five years. Make no mistake: This year wasn't an aberration. Those guys are getting ready for a long stretch of playoff contention.
Stamkos is Stamkos. Giving those guys a Top 3 pick in this draft...they grossly underachieved this year, with goaltending being a key issue. If they get that straightened out...they're dangerous. They are.
You give the Rangers the right coach -- an Alain Vigneault, somebody like that -- I don't think the average person truly grasps how terrifying that team can be offensively. Chris Kreider was being ruined by John Tortorella. You add J.T. Miller to that mix, you free up the salary of Brad Richards' slot, you still have Henrik Lundqvist...man. They are an absolute problem.
My point: Just say that all Sean Couturier does is turn into a high-end defensive center. Just say that the offense never comes, and he becomes a 15-goal, 35-point guy, who plays high end defense.
You know what? We need that. Because as much as I like Scott Laughton's potential, Brayden Schenn's potential, you know what? Stamkos and Tavares are 50-goal scorers. You turn Stepan and Brassard loose? You're looking at two 70-point centers, with Rick Nash on one wing and Ryan Callahan on another.
Somebody's got to stop these guys. Again, it doesn't have to be Sean Couturier. But at least we know one thing: He can do it, and is good enough at it that he is dependable at it, and even if the offense never, ever comes, we at least know he's going to get physically stronger.
That stuff matters. - AllInForFlyers
+1
Preventing goals is just as important as scoring them.
It's possible. I'd like to see the Flyers pick up an additional pick or two in the top 50. This Draft very well could be one that produces a lot of players who go on to lengthy NHL careers. Lodge has that potential. - bmeltzer
He really took off this year. At the beginning of the year I thought he had a very good chance to go undrafted or not go until 5-7. I think he opened a lot of eyes after Christmas.
The Rags will be a legit contender with a new coach. I'm most afraid of them. The Islanders have a good core but might be held back by their budget from putting together a deep team.
The difference between Lindros and Crosby is that Crosby is actually healthy. I think he's still very capable of putting up 120-130 points in a full season. - NickTheKid87
He didn't look all that healthy against the Bruins. And I believe the point was every time Crosby gets hit you can hear the city of Pittsburgh holding their collective breath. He's damaged. Can he still produce? Absolutely. But can one more above average hit knock him out of the game for a while? No doubt about it.
Location: Driver's Seat: Mitch Marner bandwagon. Grab 'em by the Corsi. Joined: 02.04.2009
Jun 10 @ 12:02 PM ET
The Rags will be a legit contender with a new coach. I'm most afraid of them. The Islanders have a good core but might be held back by their budget from putting together a deep team. - NickTheKid87
The 2011-12 Rangers were a meat-grinder to go up against... I don't really see how they can get back to playing that way with all the finesse guys they added to the lineup during the past 18-months, and with Staal being really iffy moving forward. I don't think they have enough talent to really play a skill/possession game, either. They're kind of caught in the middle, like the 2012-13 Flyers.
Yes, you should always punish a player for being durable, having a lengthy career and winning Stanley Cups.
Every team is looking for the next super star who'll flame out due to injuries in 6 or 7 years.
If they put 10 heads on the Flyers Mount Rushmore he'd be a sure thing. - mayorofangrytown
Rushmore is for the 4 best players to ever play for the Flyers. As far as talent goes, I am not sure anyone can argue against Lindros being in the top 4. Lindros cannot compete in overall numbers due to his shortened career. That is why it is a discussion. Do you put possibly the most talented player to ever play for the Flyers or a HOF who was consistently good for a long period of time? Again, I would take Lindros.
1) Striet for 3yrs @ 5mil is just stupid. Striet is a good Dman, but then again someone had to be for NYI. he is not the answer to the flyers Team-Wide d-man problems. He is an older guy on the backside of a solid NHL career. He does not provide stability for this team.
2) Yandle is a guy who could possibly be the long term replacement for Kimmo, similar players similar style in that they arnt a #1 Franchise D-man, but they are the compliment to it, the support role who moves the puck, eats up min, and chips in points.
3) I think what ever team ends up with Bernier is going to overpay and realize he is not a #1 Goalie, I think he is good, but i think he is also like a Nitty type, someone who cant turn it over to be a without a doubt #1 goalie.
4) Yes you are right, your not getting Nino for Briere and a 3rd round pick, and rights to Streit. . .the GM's from both teams will get fired if that happens - PhillyTruth
That is a fair reaction. We will have to agree to disagree. I would rather sign Striet to a stupid contract then trade Couterier or Schenn for Yandle. Yandle makes 5.2M. Not like he is cheap and Idisagree he is a good replavment for Timonen. A good player but not a replacement for warrior two way plat Timonen IMHO.
He didn't look all that healthy against the Bruins. And I believe the point was every time Crosby gets hit you can hear the city of Pittsburgh holding their collective breath. He's damaged. Can he still produce? Absolutely. But can one more above average hit knock him out of the game for a while? No doubt about it. - wolfhounds
I attribute Crosby's play more to Boston being so good and the Penguins collective failure than injury. I really don't think the concussion thing is an issue. It's blown out of proportion because he's the face of the NHL. Does anyone hold their breath when Patrice Bergeron and Simon Gagne get hit? If he's not a superstar, his past injuries don't get the same amount of airtime.
