I don't agree. I question If McGinn will ever be a valuable member of a top 9 unit. Akeson in pretty sure won't. Raffl I heard projects to a 4 line. Straka an overager. Need more
- Just5

I can't say any of these guys will make the cut. However, I do trust the evaluation process of forwards with this organization. What you heard or read may or may not be accurate about the guys listed above. If I recall Matt Read was projected to have to spend at least a year in the AHL and projected to be a 15 goal scorer. Certainly not all of these guys will blossom into a Matt Read, but I feel pretty good one of them will have a similar impact with the team.

Yes, they are structured to possibly play in a number of different ways, but, it was mentioned last night that they do not want to "run" up & down with Chicago
- puckhead17

i totally understand why. they could put up goals, but then again so would the other team. they have shown that they have the ability to consistently score enough to win while simultaneously limiting the other teams chances. while i think that they would be able to score a ton with their guys that they have, a run and gun against a lineup of toews, hossa, kane, and sharp is never a great plan if you can avoid it.

I can't say any of these guys will make the cut. However, I do trust the evaluation process of forwards with this organization. What you heard or read may or may not be accurate about the guys listed above. If I recall Matt Read was projected to have to spend at least a year in the AHL and projected to be a 15 goal scorer. Certainly not all of these guys will blossom into a Matt Read, but I feel pretty good one of them will have a similar impact with the team.
- ravishingone

Yea, I doubt the Flyers would waste a contract spot and sign an undrafted free agent that projects as a 4th liner. I don't know where the poster got that information from. But I doubt that's the case.

In that game last night, Bergeron made countless defensive plays to eliminate a dangerous scoring chance for the Hawks. What a player. What he gives the Bruins is why I'm adamant about not trading Couturier for anything less then a grade A top pair defenseman.
- MJL

having Streit somewhat mitigates that, their health will determine on how we look on the back end from here on out.

In that game last night, Bergeron made countless defensive plays to eliminate a dangerous scoring chance for the Hawks. What a player. What he gives the Bruins is why I'm adamant about not trading Couturier for anything less then a grade A top pair defenseman.
- MJL

he is incredible. while he isnt there yet, i do agree that is why couturier should be held in higher esteem than schenn right now. guys like that, even if they dont get onto the statsheet themselves, their influence on the game is undeniable.

he is incredible. while he isnt there yet, i do agree that is why couturier should be held in higher esteem than schenn right now. guys like that, even if they dont get onto the statsheet themselves, their influence on the game is undeniable.
- stayinthefnnet

I said that the other day. I see Couturier as a player who has the potential to not have to record a single point to be the best forward on the ice, in a game.

FINALLY. FINALLY. Someone tells the truth.

I nearly lose my mind whenever people trot out the old "the Flyers' farm system is terrible" or "the Flyers don't draft well" and other things that simply make no sense to anyone who pays attention.

No, the Flyers aren't perfect. I'm not saying that there are things that they couldn't do better, or have done better.

But at the same time, the organization isn't staffed by Village Idiots. They put together teams using ALL METHODS AVAILABLE TO THEM.

Drafting. Free agency. College free agents. Trades. Buyouts. Demotions. Waivers. "Money waving."

Matt Read, for example, was a street free agent who has performed at the level of a high second-round pick. So why does it matter to some when the Flyers trade a second-round pick in the year he's acquired and performing?

It doesn't matter if the Flyers have seven defensemen who are all from different organizations, depending on who the defensmen are. I would argue that not too many people would complain if the Flyers blueline next season was Kimmo Timonen, Luke Schenn, Nicklas Grossmann, Mark Streit, Keith Yandle and Braydon Coburn -- and not one of those players would have been drafted by the Flyers.

It doesn't matter how the players get here. What matters is what they do when they are here -- two of the top 10 Flyers in the last 25 years, John LeClair and Eric Desjardins, were acquired through trade.

Eric Lindros wasn't drafted by the Flyers. Claude Giroux was. Both great players -- but Giroux isn't better just because the Flyers drafted him.

I wish more people stopped focusing on that stuff and just focused on what guys are actually doing in the organization.
- AllInForFlyers

you have an opinion and i respect that, but you might want to think about this from an asset mgmt standpoint in post lockout mode before you offer this up. think about all of the assets that could have been saved had they been able to draft and develop a couple of these guys over the last 5-7 yrs. assets as in draft picks and cap space. that way you don't grope for steve eminger and sorry, mark streit. if he signs the cap hit stays as long as he's breathing over the nxt x amt of yrs...so yea, it does matter.

I said that the other day. I see Couturier as a player who has the potential to not have to record a single point to be the best forward on the ice, in a game.
- MJL

and those players are just as rare as a solid puck moving d or sniper, if not rarer. its not surprising that he is the first piece other teams inquire about

Where does Oliver Lauridsen fit in the Flyers' long-term plans?

you have an opinion and i respect that, but you might want to think about this from an asset mgmt standpoint in post lockout mode before you offer this up. think about all of the assets that could have been saved had they been able to draft and develop a couple of these guys over the last 5-7 yrs. assets as in draft picks and cap space. that way you don't grope for steve eminger and sorry, mark streit. if he signs the cap hit stays as long as he's breathing over the nxt x amt of yrs...so yea, it does matter.
- isaiah520

It certainly matters. But not to the extent of it being a catastrophe that some make it out to be. And if it's not defenseman that you're trading or using assets to acquire. Then it will be forwards. Or Goalies. Every team does it. The poster has a very valid point.

Where does Oliver Lauridsen fit in the Flyers' long-term plans?
- TheRollingPuck

Good question. Has the potential to be a 3rd pair defensive defenseman. Time will tell.

Good question. Has the potential to be a 3rd pair defensive defenseman. Time will tell.
- MJL

I believe Lauridson given more experience can project into a Grossmann type role. Big body, can bang, block shots, and decent mobility for his size.

I believe Lauridson given more experience can project into a Grossmann type role. Big body, can bang, block shots, and decent mobility for his size.
- ravishingone

Possibly, we'll see. I think 3rd pair defensive defenseman is a reasonable expectation.

Possibly, we'll see. I think 3rd pair defensive defenseman is reasonable.
- MJL

At this point, I think Grossmann is better served to be a third pairing guy and that isn't meant to minimize his value. Effective PKer and block shots isn't sexy, but effective.

Yea, I doubt the Flyers would waste a contract spot and sign an undrafted free agent that projects as a 4th liner. I don't know where the poster got that information from. But I doubt that's the case.
- MJL

They've signed free agents before that played sparingly at the NHL level and went back to Europe if they got out of the AHL at all. It's not unheard of or ludicrous to think. Look at all the undrafted free agents from NA they've signed. I doubt most of those guys see the NHL level.

I know nothing about this guy.

It certainly matters. But not to the extent of it being a catastrophe that some make it out to be. And if it's not defenseman that you're trading or using assets to acquire. Then it will be forwards. Or Goalies. Every team does it. The poster has a very valid point.
- MJL

it's become a more important point since the lockout because of the cap and the fact that the position is even harder to play since forwards can't be held up.

They've signed free agents before that played sparingly at the NHL level and went back to Europe if they got out of the AHL at all. It's not unheard of or ludicrous to think. Look at all the undrafted free agents from NA they've signed. I doubt most of those guys see the NHL level.

I know nothing about this guy.
- mayorofangrytown

That's quite different. Some players you sign as undrafted Free Agents, never make it to the NHL. My point was if they thought the player was a 4th line jobber, I doubt they make the investment and use a contract slot for that. Theyfell that he can be more then that. But players evaluations is not an exact science. Sometimes players drafted in the first round never make it to the NHL.

it's become a more important point since the lockout because of the cap and the fact that the position is even harder to play since forwards can't be held up.
- isaiah520

Bottom line is it's not the black hole that it's made out to be. Cap or no cap. We can look at every team and see where they traded top assets to fill needs on a team. It was that way before the Cap, and it still is after it. If it wasn't, Free Agency would be dead. And teams wouldn't be trading assets for players at the trade deadline to fill holes in their roster. I don't care how they put a quality team on the ice. Just do it like Nike. If I'm at the parade, I'm not going to be thinking how many of the team's defenseman did they draft and develop.

you have an opinion and i respect that, but you might want to think about this from an asset mgmt standpoint in post lockout mode before you offer this up. think about all of the assets that could have been saved had they been able to draft and develop a couple of these guys over the last 5-7 yrs. assets as in draft picks and cap space. that way you don't grope for steve eminger and sorry, mark streit. if he signs the cap hit stays as long as he's breathing over the nxt x amt of yrs...so yea, it does matter.
- isaiah520

Here's why asset management, as you're defining it here, is overrated:

Let's look at two teams: the Nashville Predators and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

By any metric, the Predators are a very successful NHL franchise, particularly when you consider that they are a small-market team. Very rarely has anyone considered them wasteful in the area of asset management.

Yet, at the same time, this fact cannot be ignored, as well: The Predators have NEVER, as in NEVER, advanced past the second round of the playoffs.

So how does that happen?

The Predators in previous seasons, including last year, have iced as many as five homegrown defensemen, including the likes of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. They've had a Vezina finalist in Pekka Rinne. They've had continuity in coaching and senior management...yet still, no real playoff success, and certainly not sustained playoff success.

Why? Because at some point, you have more assets than you need, and you need to cash those in. It's great, conceivably, to draft in the first round every single season. But if you're Nashville, and you've needed two top 6 forwards, including a center, for the last five years, is it truly better to continue accumulating assets -- none of whom are guaranteed to make it into the NHL -- simply because your philosophy is to not "waste" them?

Toronto was in the same position, but in a different fashion. If you believe what you read, Brian Burke was dismissed in part because he refused to use the full financial might of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment in order to improve the Maple Leafs. No back-diving contracts. No expending picks for exclusive negotiating rights. No trades at the trade deadline.

Now again, that's all fine and dandy...until you miss the playoffs, as a franchise, for 8 consecutive seasons.

My point is this: Even if they hit on every pick, the Flyers can't keep every single player they draft. They will not all develop at the same pace. Some will get hurt. Some will require financial compensation that the franchise isn't comfortable with. Some will choose to play elsewhere when they have the opportunity to leave.

The best asset management is this: Don't fall in love with draft picks you haven't made. Don't hold on to draft picks you did make for too long. Spend money when you have to. Swallow hard if you're close enough to smell the Cup, a la acquiring Chris Pronger, or pay through the nose if you truly think you can land a generational player, like Eric Lindros or Shea Weber.

Being the Philadelphia Flyers is better than being a fan of the Nashville Predators or the pre-Dave Nonis Maple Leafs. Because assets are just that: They're expendable, in the right deal.

If somebody said the Flyers were offered Steven Stamkos and Eric Brewer for Claude Giroux, Tye McGinn and a third-round pick, I'd look at it like I do any other transaction: Are the assets roughly the same, and if so, are my positional needs met?

If those answers are both yes, then you do it. And you wish the assets that departed well, and then focus on your team.

That's quite different. Some players you sign as undrafted Free Agents, never make it to the NHL. My point was if they thought the player was a 4th line jobber, I doubt they make the investment and use a contract slot for that. Theyfell that he can be more then that. But players evaluations is not an exact science. Sometimes players drafted in the first round never make it to the NHL.
- MJL

They just had that guy a few years ago. He made the team out of camp, played maybe 20 games, they sent him back to the minors and he split for Europe the next season. He was on the same one year contract as Raffl. His name is completely escaping me.

That is more about missed projections. They don't sign anyone who they don't think will eventually contribute to the NHL club. That would be foolish.

What 6th defensemen have they given up quality assets to get?

Their defense is actually similar to Boston's, when you get past Chara. Granted, that's a huge thing to get past, being that he's arguably the nest defenseman in the game, but the guys beyond him are very similar to what the Flyers have.

The Bruins also play far better team defense than the Flyers. If the Flyers played anywhere near as solid defense as a team as Boston, there'd be few complaints about the defensemen
- Jsaquella

Agreed about the Boston system.........Streit is gonna be a PP specialist and then play 4/5 mins (if he gets signed). But he will sign for #1/2 dmen money. And they gave up assets.......OK not quality assets, but assets nonetheless.

I feel the Flyers draft very well, especially forwards. They could be drunk & blind folded and still draft a guy 29th and he turns in a quality career (winger or center that is).

But for whatever reason dmen & goalies they have no luck with.

My point is that in a cap league that can't keep trying to buy their way out of trouble every year.

That's the thing, they still acquire them. When they went to the SCF in 1985 & 87, they didn't have many home grown defensemen, either.

Or in 2010. Strangely enough, not many people female doged about their draft record and defnsemen then
- Jsaquella

i'm gonna go ahead and recall that i had issues with the third pair D in 2010

Jiri Dopita. Best player not in the NHL. Anyone remember that signing?

FINALLY. FINALLY. Someone tells the truth.

I nearly lose my mind whenever people trot out the old "the Flyers' farm system is terrible" or "the Flyers don't draft well" and other things that simply make no sense to anyone who pays attention.

No, the Flyers aren't perfect. I'm not saying that there are things that they couldn't do better, or have done better.

But at the same time, the organization isn't staffed by Village Idiots. They put together teams using ALL METHODS AVAILABLE TO THEM.

Drafting. Free agency. College free agents. Trades. Buyouts. Demotions. Waivers. "Money waving."

Matt Read, for example, was a street free agent who has performed at the level of a high second-round pick. So why does it matter to some when the Flyers trade a second-round pick in the year he's acquired and performing?

It doesn't matter if the Flyers have seven defensemen who are all from different organizations, depending on who the defensmen are. I would argue that not too many people would complain if the Flyers blueline next season was Kimmo Timonen, Luke Schenn, Nicklas Grossmann, Mark Streit, Keith Yandle and Braydon Coburn -- and not one of those players would have been drafted by the Flyers.

It doesn't matter how the players get here. What matters is what they do when they are here -- two of the top 10 Flyers in the last 25 years, John LeClair and Eric Desjardins, were acquired through trade.

Eric Lindros wasn't drafted by the Flyers. Claude Giroux was. Both great players -- but Giroux isn't better just because the Flyers drafted him.

I wish more people stopped focusing on that stuff and just focused on what guys are actually doing in the organization.
- AllInForFlyers

you're new here aren't you

They just had that guy a few years ago. He made the team out of camp, played maybe 20 games, they sent him back to the minors and he split for Europe the next season. He was on the same one year contract as Raffl. His name is completely escaping me.

That is more about missed projections. They don't sign anyone who they don't think will eventually contribute to the NHL club. That would be foolish.
- mayorofangrytown

Miika Pyorala