I agree. However, if he is making more bad decisions than positives that's a concern.
- stveshdy

I don't think that is going to be the case. But we'll find out. I worry far more about his ability to defend in his own end, then his puck handling and turnovers.

Turnovers are a fact of life for defenseman who handle the puck a lot. You take the good with the bad with that type of player.
- MJL

This is a really good point. He's played for a mostly underwhelming Islanders team paired with guys like Matt Carkner, Brian Strait, Joe Finley (who?) but has averaged 50 points over the last five seasons. He plays his role very, very well. Stick a competent stay-at-home guy in lieu of some of these clowns he's used to playing with and you've got a nice combo.

Stick to the script, skip
- KINGKENZO

Talked to an Islanders fan today at work. Watches every game and says Streit is decent but tries to make too many fancy plays with the puck (turnover prone). Thinks he's not worth the money he's asking for and the Islander would of liked to keep him but not at the price he is demanding.
- stveshdy

Overpaying is a fact of UFA unless it's August. The thing is we didn't overpay in a trade but just in cash potentially. I can handle that[/img]

This is a really good point. He's played for a mostly underwhelming Islanders team paired with guys like Matt Carkner, Brian Strait, Joe Finley (who?) but has averaged 50 points over the last five seasons. He plays his role very, very well. Stick a competent stay-at-home guy in lieu of some of these clowns he's used to playing with and you've got a nice combo.
- cmr.266

Overpaying is a fact of UFA unless it's August. The thing is we didn't overpay in a trade but just in cash potentially. I can handle that
- Just5[/img]

I agree with this.

[/img]

Overpaying is a fact of UFA unless it's August. The thing is we didn't overpay in a trade but just in cash potentially. I can handle that
- Just5[/img]

True. Imagine what Matty Carle would be raking in if THIS was his UFA year. Imagine what Clarkson will be signing for so he can score 21 goals and 15 assists next year. I'd give it another 5-7 years until the next lockout.

I don't think that is going to be the case. But we'll find out. I worry far more about his ability to defend in his own end, then his puck handling and turnovers.
- MJL

That's part of it. He wasn't very good in his own end. I didn't notice this and I know this doesn't matter sometimes but he was on the third pairing for the Islanders.

I'm concerned about his age and the contract. If they can somehow keep it to limited damage i'll be happy about the move. Just not sure that's going to happen though.

That's part of it. He wasn't very good in his own end. I didn't notice this and I know this doesn't matter sometimes but he was on the third pairing for the Islanders.

I'm concerned about his age and the contract. If they can somehow keep it to limited damage i'll be happy about the move. Just not sure that's going to happen though.
- stveshdy

I rewatched about half of game 4 of isles pens on YouTube. He can def be taken hard to the net. Positionally with his stick and body he seemed fine and he blocked a lot of shots

That's part of it. He wasn't very good in his own end. I didn't notice this and I know this doesn't matter sometimes but he was on the third pairing for the Islanders.

I'm concerned about his age and the contract. If they can somehow keep it to limited damage i'll be happy about the move. Just not sure that's going to happen though.
- stveshdy

A player like that has to be used correctly. Lot's of O zone starts, and PP time. And kept away from opposition top lines whenever possible. As far as age is concerned, he's 35. The NHL is full of players that age playing at a high level. He's only played 491 NHL games.

You don't know that they'd be better off. You think they would, but you don't know that. That's the difference. I gave you facts. You're giving assumptions. And in bringing up Streit, you fail to include that adding Streit has a chance to make the Flyers better. Isn't that the GM's job! And let's ignore that trading JVR for Luke Schenn was a very good trade. That's the problem. You've already, before Streit has even played a game. Labeled it a bad move. Talk about hilarious. Streit brings a dimension that the Flyers were badly lacking last year. I'd rather they had kept Carle also. But that's spilt milk.
I'd love for you to quantify this fictitious box you describe. Doesn't exist. Every single year, he puts a solid roster on the ice. This team is loaded with young talent. Again, the changes he made in making the big trades was not going to be an overnight process! Do you deny that?
- MJL

your opinions some how transmogrify into facts

and why did he make those changes? maybe the box of 2 L-T contracts w/ NTCs he didn't want to get locked into w/ guys he wasn't sure about? so he could chase after and overpay for a goalie when he could have given himself more leverage by playing a buyers mkt?

then he goes to the FA casino the nxt yr and comes up snake eyes, setting the tone for the entire season...oh, great job w/ the b/u goalie, which you were "fine" with...he's an ahl all star....weren't you "fine" w/ vandermeer back in the day?
and the kicker is the so-called fictitious box. i'm sorry, how about the fix on d

when your grasping at a guy like streit which would give us 2 guys in our top 4 who are smallish and over 36... i get it, it's a stop gap... and so is this GM, imo...anyway, i've got an early one tomorrow

I rewatched about half of game 4 of isles pens on YouTube. He can def be taken hard to the net. Positionally with his stick and body he seemed fine and he blocked a lot of shots
- Just5

Will see what happens. I know what the market demands but I'm not sure about giving 4-5 years at $5M+ to a 35 year old.

I hope I am wrong.

A player like that has to be used correctly. Lot's of O zone starts, and PP time. And kept away from opposition top lines whenever possible. As far as age is concerned, he's 35. The NHL is full of players that age playing at a high level. He's only played 491 NHL games.
- MJL

And many are of the same ilk. Like Boyle, zidlicky before this past year, kimmo, gonchar, Brian campbell, rafalski before he retired. All playing very good hockey

Not to worried about the age. You worry more about accumulated injury

I rewatched about half of game 4 of isles pens on YouTube. He can def be taken hard to the net. Positionally with his stick and body he seemed fine and he blocked a lot of shots
- Just5

He's a good player...he is. He's not a perfect player, but for right now, he fits a pressing need that we have.

Is he a big hitter? Nope. Is he going to turn the puck over at times? Yep. But he's competent -- not great -- but competent in his own end. He skates at an above-average level. His shot is plus-plus, his passing is plus-plus.

He's 35 years old. That's not optimal, but that's how old he is.

You know, there's pros and cons. But right now, he's what the Flyers need. He's better than what they had in that role, and he's the best asset out there who doesn't require a roster player to be given in exchange.

I just look at it like this: Would I rather have Bruno Gervais playing on the third pair, or Mark Streit?

It's not even a question, then. Mark Streit can play. He will help. Will it be for too much money? Yep. But that's just the way it's gonna go.

And really, the biggest question is this: Does he show up every night? I've never heard or read a single negative thing about his compete level. That matters, as you get older -- does he WANT to play?

I think he does.

A player like that has to be used correctly. Lot's of O zone starts, and PP time. And kept away from opposition top lines whenever possible. As far as age is concerned, he's 35. The NHL is full of players that age playing at a high level. He's only played 491 NHL games.
- MJL

He is 35. Also missed an entire season a couple years ago with a serious shoulder injury. Hopefully, that's a thing in the past which seems to be the case. I'm just concerned over the contract. Seems like whenever the Flyers find a way to save money their in a hurry to spend it without being patient.

your opinions some how transmogrify into facts

and why did he make those changes? maybe the box of 2 L-T contracts w/ NTCs he didn't want to get locked into w/ guys he wasn't sure about? so he could chase after and overpay for a goalie when he could have given himself more leverage by playing a buyers mkt?

then he goes to the FA casino the nxt yr and comes up snake eyes, setting the tone for the entire season...oh, great job w/ the b/u goalie, which you were "fine" with...he's an ahl all star....weren't you "fine" w/ vandermeer back in the day?
and the kicker is the so-called fictitious box. i'm sorry, how about the fix on d

when your grasping at a guy like streit which would give us 2 guys in our top 4 who are smallish and over 36... i get it, it's a stop gap... and so is this GM, imo...anyway, i've got an early one tomorrow
- isaiah520

Nice. I'll admit that Streit isn't ideal because he's not Alex Pietrangelo, but the GMs on this blog site, I ask you what would you have done instead? Best answer may be a younger, cheaper version (like who?) in which case you're trading for him anyway (Read? Coots? Schenn?). You're certainly not signing anyone worthwhile in UFA (Joe Corvo?). St. Louis will match anything you throw them in RFA, and if they wanted to haggle, Coots/Schenn are gone (and we will complain) and/or you lose multiple 1st rounds and mortgage the farm.

Will see what happens. I know what the market demands but I'm not sure about giving 4-5 years at $5M+ to a 35 year old.

I hope I am wrong.
- stveshdy

No I would like 3 years even if it jacks up the cap hit

He's a good player...he is. He's not a perfect player, but for right now, he fits a pressing need that we have.

Is he a big hitter? Nope. Is he going to turn the puck over at times? Yep. But he's competent -- not great -- but competent in his own end. He skates at an above-average level. His shot is plus-plus, his passing is plus-plus.

He's 35 years old. That's not optimal, but that's how old he is.

You know, there's pros and cons. But right now, he's what the Flyers need. He's better than what they had in that role, and he's the best asset out there who doesn't require a roster player to be given in exchange.

I just look at it like this: Would I rather have Bruno Gervais playing on the third pair, or Mark Streit?

It's not even a question, then. Mark Streit can play. He will help. Will it be for too much money? Yep. But that's just the way it's gonna go.
- AllInForFlyers

No need to pay $5M+ per for him. I don't believe he's that good.

your opinions some how transmogrify into facts

and why did he make those changes? maybe the box of 2 L-T contracts w/ NTCs he didn't want to get locked into w/ guys he wasn't sure about? so he could chase after and overpay for a goalie when he could have given himself more leverage by playing a buyers mkt?

then he goes to the FA casino the nxt yr and comes up snake eyes, setting the tone for the entire season...oh, great job w/ the b/u goalie, which you were "fine" with...he's an ahl all star....weren't you "fine" w/ vandermeer back in the day?
and the kicker is the so-called fictitious box. i'm sorry, how about the fix on d

when your grasping at a guy like streit which would give us 2 guys in our top 4 who are smallish and over 36... i get it, it's a stop gap... and so is this GM, imo...anyway, i've got an early one tomorrow
- isaiah520

What I called facts, are not opinions. The part you highlighted that you apparently found funny, were the facts and what has transpired and the moves that Holmgren made.
The moves Holmgren made were choices. He was not boxed into anything. He could've stayed with Richards and Carter. He chose not to.
That he was not successful in signing Parise and Suter did not set the tone for the Season. Nothing to do with how the Flyers played last Season. More then anything, the Coaches failure to adjust the style of play to the personnel, set the tone for the Season. The backup Goalie did not cost the Flyers anything. Again, that's being overblown.
Vandermeer has zero to do with this.
What Streit does give the Flyers is a puck mover and PP point man, who can improve the Flyers puck skills, and add offense to the backend. His size for a player of that type, really doesn't matter. A defense needs a blend of players. And this defense previously was too far slanted to the bigger physical stay at home types. So Holmgren, without giving up any of the young players. Went out and added a player to help that situation. But I guess that makes him a bad GM>.

No need to pay $5M+ per for him. I don't believe he's that good.
- stveshdy

I wish we didn't have to, but really, I don't see any other option that isn't worse -- and some of them could potentially be nightmarish.

Again: If/when the Flyers trade a Sean Couturier or Brayden Schenn, we're gonna get something back, and it'll probably be good, and I'll root for whoever we have.

But let's be honest: It could go horribly, horribly wrong. And while I'm definitely not risk-averse -- I didn't blink at JVR for Luke Schenn -- I won't lie: I'll blink at a Sean Couturier deal RIGHT NOW, and for Brayden Schenn, too.

He is 35. Also missed an entire season a couple years ago with a serious shoulder injury. Hopefully, that's a thing in the past which seems to be the case. I'm just concerned over the contract. Seems like whenever the Flyers find a way to save money their in a hurry to spend it without being patient.
- stveshdy

Honestly, what good is having Cap space left over, when there is a need on the team? I'd rather be in the Flyers position then a lot of teams that have shortcomings on their roster, and lots of unused Cap space.

No need to pay $5M+ per for him. I don't believe he's that good.
- stveshdy

If your the flyers you just might need to. Their in a bad spot with question marks on injured dmen. You can't look at it in a vacuum and say this guy is playinf at "x" level therefore he will get paid "y" amount.

I had fence contractors in January quote me at 4 grand. Had him come back out in may to do it. Now it magically costs 4600. Their explanation was price of material. I laughed my ass off. It's all time of year. That's my fault but I still need it done

Honestly, what good is having Cap space left over, when there is a need on the team? I'd rather be in the Flyers position then a lot of teams that have shortcomings on their roster, and lots of unused Cap space.
- MJL

THIS.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em -- there's no award for Most Cap Space that I'm aware of!

What I called facts, are not opinions. The part you highlighted that you apparently found funny, were the facts and what has transpired and the moves that Holmgren made.
The moves Holmgren made were choices. He was not boxed into anything. He could've stayed with Richards and Carter. He chose not to.
That he was not successful in signing Parise and Suter did not set the tone for the Season. Nothing to do with how the Flyers played last Season. More then anything, the Coaches failure to adjust the style of play to the personnel, set the tone for the Season. The backup Goalie did not cost the Flyers anything. Again, that's being overblown.
Vandermeer has zero to do with this.
What Streit does give the Flyers is a puck mover and PP point man, who can improve the Flyers puck skills, and add offense to the backend. His size for a player of that type, really doesn't matter. A defense needs a blend of players. And this defense previously was too far slanted to the bigger physical stay at home types. So Holmgren, without giving up any of the young players. Went out and added a player to help that situation. But I guess that makes him a bad GM>.
- MJL

Dead on. Streit (assuming he signs) gives them something they sorely lacked last year - transition offense. Their forwards are effective on the counter rush, using their speed, creating odd-man rushes. Well they couldn't do it last year because A) they were in the defensive zone helping our D try and get the puck out and B) nobody back there was helping them break out anyway. Adding Streit back there helps everyone up front skate and break out (our strength up front) and also takes pressure off the D corps to not have to be a hero (Coburn can go back to being a #3/4, Gustafsson can have a bit less pressure, Timonen can actually rest a little, etc.).

I'd pay $5M for that element to exist again. Dude's gonna put up 45-50 points, just use him the right way.

I wish we didn't have to, but really, I don't see any other option that isn't worse -- and some of them could potentially be nightmarish.

Again: If/when the Flyers trade a Sean Couturier or Brayden Schenn, we're gonna get something back, and it'll probably be good, and I'll root for whoever we have.

But let's be honest: It could go horribly, horribly wrong. And while I'm definitely not risk-averse -- I didn't blink at JVR for Luke Schenn -- I won't lie: I'll blink at a Sean Couturier deal RIGHT NOW, and for Brayden Schenn, too.
- AllInForFlyers

I completely understand. Just don't think you win by throwing money at the best ufa possible. Have to start developing talent and playing some of that talent. Streit will be a decent add but its the contract that worries me. I know he is getting what market value says but that doesn't mean he's worth it. Sometimes not making a move can be beneficial down the road.