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Forums :: Blog World :: Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Next Move on D?
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hereticpride
New Jersey Devils
Location: HEY. Does this pole still work?, NJ
Joined: 01.14.2011

Jun 13 @ 11:14 PM ET
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 still believe we draft a D man in the first this year, run with Kimmo and Streit as our puckmovers this year and call up the draftee, be it Pulock or Ristolainen or whoever next year and go shopping for D help from there. All before selling Coots or Schenn.
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Jun 13 @ 11:14 PM ET
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


So you would rather spend millions on players who don't deserve it so that your cap strung when you want to add or sign players down the road?
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Jun 13 @ 11:15 PM ET
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.

- cmr.266


It's much easier to label the GM average and a failure, then to look at whether the move actually improved the team or not.
cmr.266
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 06.07.2013

Jun 13 @ 11:16 PM ET
It's much easier to label the GM average and a failure, then to look at whether the move actually improved the team or not.
- MJL


Apparently. Also, we should remind people it's June 13th. Like he's done managing the cap. Like this is the only move, and he's not even signed yet.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Jun 13 @ 11:16 PM ET
So you would rather spend millions on players who don't deserve it so that your cap strung when you want to add or sign players down the road?
- stveshdy


I'd rather overpay and fill a need on the team, and make the team better. Then to not pay it, and suffer the consequences and have a hole in the lineup that hurts the team's performance. Yes. A large part of why this team missed the playoffs last year, was the lack of puck movement and puck skills on the backend.
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Jun 13 @ 11:18 PM ET
I'd rather overpay and fill a need on the team, and make the team better. Then to not pay it, and suffer the consequences and have a hole in the lineup that hurts the team's performance. Yes.
- MJL


No guarantee he is going to make them better.

The Flyers have more than one hole to fill.

The goaltending is the biggest issue imo.
AllInForFlyers
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Call Me Sweetcheeks
Joined: 03.18.2013

Jun 13 @ 11:19 PM ET
I still believe we draft a D man in the first this year, run with Kimmo and Streit as our puckmovers this year and call up the draftee, be it Pulock or Ristolainen or whoever next year and go shopping for D help from there. All before selling Coots or Schenn.
- hereticpride


Truthfully, that's absolutely what they should do. I do understand that at some point, one of those two is gonna go, just based on the salary cap and how teams are structured. But depending on the return, there's really not a good reason for that to happen until next year at this time.
cmr.266
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 06.07.2013

Jun 13 @ 11:19 PM ET
No guarantee he is going to make them better.

The Flyers have more than one hole to fill.

The goaltending is the biggest issue imo.

- stveshdy


Another good question. Funny enough I actually addressed Streit, the draft, goaltending, and my "suggestions" for this offseason: http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...r_id=202541&post_id=14942

Check it out if you want another perspective on it all.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Jun 13 @ 11:20 PM ET
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.
- stveshdy


They are developing talent and playing it. They're developing Schenn2, Voracek, Couturier, Simmonds, Giroux, Gustafsson, and Laughton to name a few.
puckhead17
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Old Time Hockey
Joined: 08.14.2011

Jun 13 @ 11:20 PM ET
I'd rather overpay and fill a need on the team, and make the team better. Then to not pay it, and suffer the consequences and have a hole in the lineup that hurts the team's performance. Yes. A large part of why this team missed the playoffs last year, was the lack of puck movement and puck skills on the backend.
- MJL



easier in the old days when Clarke could spend on anything & throw it in traffic if it didn't work & then go & spend again and again

so much strategy is required now than before, now you are forced (as a GM), to look further down the road then ever before
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Jun 13 @ 11:21 PM ET
They are developing talent and playing it. They're developing Schenn2, Voracek, Couturier, Simmonds, Giroux, Gustafsson, and Laughton to name a few.
- MJL


Talking defenseman.

They have not been consistent allow younger guys to play.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Jun 13 @ 11:21 PM ET
No guarantee he is going to make them better.

The Flyers have more than one hole to fill.

The goaltending is the biggest issue imo.

- stveshdy


You're right, nothing is guaranteed. But they added a proven player. Maybe he'll suck. But I'm not anticipating that. We'll see what happens in net.
cmr.266
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 06.07.2013

Jun 13 @ 11:22 PM ET
Truthfully, that's absolutely what they should do. I do understand that at some point, one of those two is gonna go, just based on the salary cap and how teams are structured. But depending on the return, there's really not a good reason for that to happen until next year at this time.
- AllInForFlyers


If they trade that pick, then I will scream and break things.
puckhead17
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Old Time Hockey
Joined: 08.14.2011

Jun 13 @ 11:22 PM ET
No guarantee he is going to make them better.

The Flyers have more than one hole to fill.

The goaltending is the biggest issue imo.

- stveshdy


it's cheaper to amnesty that headache next year, but I hope they do it sooner then later, (maybe if he puts his foot in his mouth a few more times this summer)
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Jun 13 @ 11:22 PM ET
Talking defenseman.

They have not been consistent allow younger guys to play.

- stveshdy


I named two defenseman. Schenn and Gustafsson. And they have some promising prospect defenseman.
puckhead17
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Old Time Hockey
Joined: 08.14.2011

Jun 13 @ 11:23 PM ET
If they trade that pick, then I will scream and break things.
- cmr.266



it really depends on what they trade t for
cmr.266
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 06.07.2013

Jun 13 @ 11:24 PM ET
I named two defenseman. Schenn and Gustafsson. And they have some promising prospect defenseman.
- MJL


Gostisbehere, signing Alt and Lamarche. At the very last shaking some new trees and loading up the farm system even before this draft.
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Jun 13 @ 11:24 PM ET
You're right, nothing is guaranteed. But they added a proven player. Maybe he'll suck. But I'm not anticipating that. We'll see what happens in net.
- MJL


It could go either way. I'm not against going after Streit. I just think the guy is going to command more than he is actually worth. This team doesn't need a bad contract when they are constantly up against the cap every year.

He will probably slot into Timonen's spot when his money clears but I don't consider Streit on that level. The Flyers are going to have a lot of money tied up into defense (which isn't that good as it is).
cmr.266
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 06.07.2013

Jun 13 @ 11:25 PM ET
It could go either way. I'm not against going after Streit. I just think the guy is going to command more than he is actually worth. This team doesn't need a bad contract when they are constantly up against the cap every year.

He will probably slot into Timonen's spot when his money clears but I don't consider Streit on that level. The Flyers are going to have a lot of money tied up into defense (which isn't that good as it is).

- stveshdy


So what is he worth?
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Jun 13 @ 11:25 PM ET
I named two defenseman. Schenn and Gustafsson. And they have some promising prospect defenseman.
- MJL



Schenn was playing in Toronto and developed there for the most part. Gustafsson has never been given a full opportunity until they had 10 defenseman go down this year. He would get to play in and out of the lineup.
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Jun 13 @ 11:27 PM ET
So what is he worth?
- cmr.266


He made $4.1M last year.

I don't even know if he's worth that to be honest.

I just hope they don't sign him for more than two years.
puckhead17
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Old Time Hockey
Joined: 08.14.2011

Jun 13 @ 11:27 PM ET
It could go either way. I'm not against going after Streit. I just think the guy is going to command more than he is actually worth. This team doesn't need a bad contract when they are constantly up against the cap every year.

He will probably slot into Timonen's spot when his money clears but I don't consider Streit on that level. The Flyers are going to have a lot of money tied up into defense (which isn't that good as it is).

- stveshdy



I thought that as well, but they are far from finished restructuring, I didn't want streit either but it's like having albeit older Carle back, only maybe better scoring potential.
He will help us not only on the power play, but 5 on 5 & zone breakouts as well
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Jun 13 @ 11:27 PM ET
It could go either way. I'm not against going after Streit. I just think the guy is going to command more than he is actually worth. This team doesn't need a bad contract when they are constantly up against the cap every year.

He will probably slot into Timonen's spot when his money clears but I don't consider Streit on that level. The Flyers are going to have a lot of money tied up into defense (which isn't that good as it is).

- stveshdy


I think with the addition of Streit, the defense is solid. The Flyers are going to be up against the Cap, every year. What good is Cap space that is unused? You can't cash it in at the end of the year. You can't carry it over. If a player plays well but is a little overpaid, it's not a bad contract. It's a bad contract when the player is a bust.
AllInForFlyers
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Call Me Sweetcheeks
Joined: 03.18.2013

Jun 13 @ 11:27 PM ET
it really depends on what they trade t for
- puckhead17


I'm not necessarily afraid to move it, but really, I don't know that you have to this year...I think this draft is deep enough that you don't need to outsmart yourself.

stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Jun 13 @ 11:29 PM ET
I think with the addition of Streit, the defense is solid. The Flyers are going to be up against the Cap, every year. What good is Cap space that is unused? You can't cash it in at the end of the year. You can't carry it over. If a player plays well but is a little overpaid, it's not a bad contract. It's a bad contract when the player is a bust.
- MJL


Which is my concern with Streit.
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