Where does Laughton fit into the Lineup? 4th line center? Rundblad has a much higher ceiling then Gus, who I think will max out at 2nd pairing tops. Rundblad could be a top pairing guy.
- youarewrong

Runblad could also never make it as an established NHl defenseman. While Gustafsson is ready for the NHL.

At this point, I'm actually more worried about the Flyers' offense than their defense. Only four players had double-digit goals in 2012-13 (Voracek, Giroux, Simmonds, and Read). BTW, only one of those four had a positive +/- (Read; G, Scoracek and Simmonds were all -7).

I get that drafting dmen is tough but for the Flyers it is down right impossible.

Almost every team in the league has at least 2 starting dmen (that they have drafted) in their line up that are contributing. I'm not talking about All-Star or Norris Trophy type players, just guys who can suit up and play.

Why can teams like Phoenix figure out the great mystery of drafting dmen but the Flyers can't?

And I understand the whole "Best Player Available" thing. But many teams find good quality dmen well after the top 30 picks.

If the Flyers are just gonna draft and develop forwards because that's their strength....I am fine with that. But they are gonna have to trade some young forwards for dmen. It may hurt but that's what you get with this type of drafting strategy.

.....And with trading your 2 biggest assests (Carter & Richards) and not getting back 1 stinking dmen prospect is just silly.
- SonicDefMonkeys

Have to think at the time of trade you had a healthy Pronger and Timmo, Coby and Carle. Im sure if Homer knew what he knows now there would have been a quality d-man coming back in trade.

don't know if anybody posted this...

listening to 'IP this afternoon and Glen said he was talking to Bernie about Mason and Bernie says something like "they're gonna win a Cup with that kid in net" ...

i have know idea if that's the org consensus or just a good feeling Bernie has about Mason...

I get that drafting dmen is tough but for the Flyers it is down right impossible.

Almost every team in the league has at least 2 starting dmen (that they have drafted) in their line up that are contributing. I'm not talking about All-Star or Norris Trophy type players, just guys who can suit up and play.

Why can teams like Phoenix figure out the great mystery of drafting dmen but the Flyers can't?

And I understand the whole "Best Player Available" thing. But many teams find good quality dmen well after the top 30 picks.

If the Flyers are just gonna draft and develop forwards because that's their strength....I am fine with that. But they are gonna have to trade some young forwards for dmen. It may hurt but that's what you get with this type of drafting strategy.

.....And with trading your 2 biggest assests (Carter & Richards) and not getting back 1 stinking dmen prospect is just silly.
- SonicDefMonkeys

Homer's been working hard on erasing that stigma.

He says that if Seth Jones falls to #11, he'll probably swallow hard and select him.

Put me in the minority that thinks the flyers have more to be gained by trading Meszaros.

Say they get a 3rd rounder and open up cap space to sign a top 9 UFA forward. That on top of getting Gus more opportunity actually makes it a win win to trade him
- Just5

Until a defenseman gets injured.

I get that drafting dmen is tough but for the Flyers it is down right impossible.

Almost every team in the league has at least 2 starting dmen (that they have drafted) in their line up that are contributing. I'm not talking about All-Star or Norris Trophy type players, just guys who can suit up and play.

Why can teams like Phoenix figure out the great mystery of drafting dmen but the Flyers can't?

And I understand the whole "Best Player Available" thing. But many teams find good quality dmen well after the top 30 picks.

If the Flyers are just gonna draft and develop forwards because that's their strength....I am fine with that. But they are gonna have to trade some young forwards for dmen. It may hurt but that's what you get with this type of drafting strategy.

.....And with trading your 2 biggest assests (Carter & Richards) and not getting back 1 stinking dmen prospect is just silly.
- SonicDefMonkeys

this

Until a defenseman gets injured.
- MJL

Crepe hanger.

The Flyers have never been known as a patient organization, like NJ or Det, when it comes to allowing their prospects to develop.
- 77rams

Laughton has played 3 Junior Seasons. I think sending him back to Juniors this past Season showed patience.

this
- isaiah520

still though. those hauls were great. and teams value defensive prospects like gold. i know it may seem that way, but the flyers arent the only team with a dearth of them in the system.

Have to think at the time of trade you had a healthy Pronger and Timmo, Coby and Carle. Im sure if Homer knew what he knows now there would have been a quality d-man coming back in trade.
- flyerfan28

actually, pronger was coming off of his "toughest off season" w/ 3 surgeries at age 36, kimmo was already fading and coby/carle both were on the last yrs of their contracts.

still though. those hauls were great. and teams value defensive prospects like gold. i know it may seem that way, but the flyers arent the only team with a dearth of them in the system.
- stayinthefnnet

they probably have the worst drafting/developing record in the league. their best homegrown guy in 46 yrs is Jim Watson- that's an awful record.

Laughton has played 3 Junior Seasons. I think sending him back to Juniors this past Season showed patience.
- MJL

It showed sense. There was no reason for Laughton to remain with the team last year.

Malkin, ugliest guy in the league.
- flyerfan28

I think there are worst guys than him..

At this point, I'm actually more worried about the Flyers' offense than their defense. Only four players had double-digit goals in 2012-13 (Voracek, Giroux, Simmonds, and Read). BTW, only one of those four had a positive +/- (Read; G, Scoracek and Simmonds were all -7).
- Raven728

Might be because they spent so much time hemmed in their own zone, that limited offensive opportunities. The defense, specifically team defense and puck movement, was why 5 on 5 play was so poor.

I get that drafting dmen is tough but for the Flyers it is down right impossible.

Almost every team in the league has at least 2 starting dmen (that they have drafted) in their line up that are contributing. I'm not talking about All-Star or Norris Trophy type players, just guys who can suit up and play.

Why can teams like Phoenix figure out the great mystery of drafting dmen but the Flyers can't?

And I understand the whole "Best Player Available" thing. But many teams find good quality dmen well after the top 30 picks.

If the Flyers are just gonna draft and develop forwards because that's their strength....I am fine with that. But they are gonna have to trade some young forwards for dmen. It may hurt but that's what you get with this type of drafting strategy.

.....And with trading your 2 biggest assests (Carter & Richards) and not getting back 1 stinking dmen prospect is just silly.
- SonicDefMonkeys

Well, except Boston, who only has one

don't know if anybody posted this...

listening to 'IP this afternoon and Glen said he was talking to Bernie about Mason and Bernie says something like "they're gonna win a Cup with that kid in net" ...

i have know idea if that's the org consensus or just a good feeling Bernie has about Mason...
- isaiah520

Bernie also thought Dominic Roussel was the next great French Canadian goalie

It showed sense. There was no reason for Laughton to remain with the team last year.
- 77rams

I think it qualifies as showing patience. Also it seems as though the Flyers are reluctant to move any of the young players. Which also shows patience

At this point, I'm actually more worried about the Flyers' offense than their defense. Only four players had double-digit goals in 2012-13 (Voracek, Giroux, Simmonds, and Read). BTW, only one of those four had a positive +/- (Read; G, Scoracek and Simmonds were all -7).
- Raven728

The goal scoring will increase if the transition game is better. The troubles they had last year we mostly born out of a piss poor transition game.

Streit and hopefully Gustafsson will help a great deal in that regard.

Bernie also thought Dominic Roussel was the next great French Canadian goalie
- Jsaquella

And Nittymaki was the anointed one after that. Although I have to say that I have hope with Mason.

Bernie also thought Dominic Roussel was the next great French Canadian goalie
- Jsaquella

it's a beautiful thing!

they probably have the worst drafting/developing record in the league. their best homegrown guy in 46 yrs is Jim Watson- that's an awful record.
- isaiah520

yeah, cant really sugarcoat that. still, doesnt matter how you acquire them. parting with a valuable forward could bring in a nice one

I think there are worst guys than him..
- Orpik44

Maybe, be he'd definitely be a finalist for the Mike Ricci award every year.

I think it qualifies as showing patience. Also it seems as though the Flyers are reluctant to move any of the young players. Which also shows patience
- MJL

I hope that continues.

And Nittymaki was the anointed one after that. Although I have to say that I have hope with Mason.
- MJL

Well, I never heard Bernie's thoughts on Niittymaki, but he LOVED Roussel. Thought he'd be better than Patrick Roy.