My issue with trading Read for Bernier is, you're trading a valuable asset for a huge unknown. Despite his potential, very possible Bernier struggles as a full time starter. The kid only has 62 games of NHL experience.
- Jsaquella

Then again, if Bernier was completely guaranteed, he'd be costing you more than just an undrafted, 27-year-old soon-to-be UFA sophomore.

Bernier's as close as it gets to a turnkey NHL star goaltender -- but I don't expect them to make a real run at him though.

Knowing the Flyers, they'll put all the pressure squarely on Mason's shoulders, destroy his confidence, and then Umberger/Upshall Mr Read anyway next summer when they've already apportioned all their cap space to Streit and the next goaltending savior they bring in.

Eriksson let his agent make the decision. Was just a business decision.
- bmeltzer

If you were a responsible agent, would you advise your young goalie client to sign in Philadelphia, no matter what the financials and opportunity to start looked like? It's career suicide.

Agreed, but what if we don't resign Read? At least we're getting something for it at this point, that could be an area if need if they buy out bryz
- iroc4me2

Rather trade him for an area of real need or draft picks. They already have a young goalie, they can sign one of the veteran free agents to be an insurance policy.

Then again, if Bernier was completely guaranteed, he'd be costing you more than just an undrafted, 27-year-old soon-to-be UFA sophomore.

Bernier's as close as it gets to a turnkey NHL star goaltender -- but I don't expect them to make a real run at him though.

Knowing the Flyers, they'll put all the pressure squarely on Mason's shoulders, destroy his confidence, and then Umberger/Upshall Mr Read anyway next summer when they've already apportioned all their cap space to Streit and the next goaltending savior they bring in.




- Tomahawk

Possible, although we could see them return to the Clarke era, where there's just a string of competent goalies behind a hopefully solid team.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Why Did the Flyers Lose Out on Eriksson?
- bmeltzer

What boggles the mind about the entire Eriksson situation is how it could ever become an either/or proposition between him and Hovinen. With absolutely zero depth in the system at the time, and the risk associated with goalies not panning out so great, why not have both under contract?

Was Shane Harper really worth that contract slot that could have gone to Eriksson? Testwuide? Mangene? You get the point.

Rather trade him for an area of real need or draft picks. They already have a young goalie, they can sign one of the veteran free agents to be an insurance policy.
- Jsaquella

Agreed, but if they buy out bryz, and aren't fully confident Mason is going to turn it around, Bernier would be to me the goalie with the highest potential that hasn't had an oppurnity to showcase his talents consistantly. Obviously this is all hypothetical, but there is a higher chance of finding a franchise goalie with Bernier VS a veteran tender. I like the idea of them searching for a potential candidate this route versus trying to overpay to bring one in. I'm sold Read is gone after this year anyway...

What boggles the mind about the entire Eriksson situation is how it could ever become an either/or proposition between him and Hovinen. With absolutely zero depth in the system at the time, and the risk associated with goalies not panning out so great, why not have both under contract?

Was Shane Harper really worth that contract slot that could have gone to Eriksson? Testwuide? Mangene? You get the point.
- Tomahawk

The results of the Pronger trade and the profligate waste of draft picks led to all the NHL contracts for those kind of players.

I agree and disagree can't have enough young goalies with potential. If its a straight up trade read for bernier I think it's a good deal
- griouxmvp2012

no thank you

Agreed, but if they buy out bryz, and aren't fully confident Mason is going to turn it around, Bernier would be to me the goalie with the highest potential that hasn't had an oppurnity to showcase his talents consistantly. Obviously this is all hypothetical, but there is a higher chance of finding a franchise goalie with Bernier VS a veteran tender. I like the idea of them searching for a potential candidate this route versus trying to overpay to bring one in. I'm sold Read is gone after this year anyway...
- iroc4me2

I'm not sold Read is gone, myself.

I'm not against Bernier, but too many people seem to think it's a no brainer robbery of a deal for the Flyers.

The results of the Pronger trade and the profligate waste of draft picks led to all the NHL contracts for those kind of players.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, exactly... it's easy to say "well, Pronger helped get us to a Final", but then you consider the myriad of far-reaching ripple effects and you're just left shaking your head.

Khudobin too.
- Feanor

True. He deserves better. I could even throw Elliott out there. St.Louis can't go on with Halak/Elliott and Allen.
Luongo...how could I forget about him.

What boggles the mind about the entire Eriksson situation is how it could ever become an either/or proposition between him and Hovinen. With absolutely zero depth in the system at the time, and the risk associated with goalies not panning out so great, why not have both under contract?

Was Shane Harper really worth that contract slot that could have gone to Eriksson? Testwuide? Mangene? You get the point.
- Tomahawk

Mind = Blown. Way too early for me to get that heated this early after reading that. Feel free to not point stuff like this out again to salvage my weekend

If you're not happy with Bryz, think how the Islanders feel about DiPietro

I'm not sold Read is gone, myself.

I'm not against Bernier, but too many people seem to think it's a no brainer robbery of a deal for the Flyers.
- Jsaquella

I wouldn't say robbery, risky is more like it depending on what Read resigns for and or how Bernier plays. I honestly would like Read to stay, I love what he brings to the table across the board.

Yeah, exactly... it's easy to say "well, Pronger helped get us to a Final", but then you consider the myriad of far-reaching ripple effects and you're just left shaking your head.
- Tomahawk

Still had he stayed healthy, the NHL team would be in better shape. Now they're scrambling a bit, not only because of the dead cap space/LTIR situation, but also the assets traded to land him, who are now NHL ready.

Yeah, exactly... it's easy to say "well, Pronger helped get us to a Final", but then you consider the myriad of far-reaching ripple effects and you're just left shaking your head.
- Tomahawk

no doubt the trade is a big net negative now (now that his career is over). i think they were counting on a lot more than just 173 games though

EDIT: not to say that you were suggesting otherwise

I'm not sold Read is gone, myself.

I'm not against Bernier, but too many people seem to think it's a no brainer robbery of a deal for the Flyers.
- Jsaquella

yea i'd rather keep read and see what can been found amongst the cbo rubble

Still had he stayed healthy, the NHL team would be in better shape. Now they're scrambling a bit, not only because of the dead cap space/LTIR situation, but also the assets traded to land him, who are now NHL ready.
- Jsaquella

no doubt the trade is a big net negative now (now that his career is over). i think they were counting on a lot more than just 173 games though
- FlyerMike18

Flyers pinning extraordinary hopes on a big-bodied, 35-year-old dman... you'd think they would have actually learned something from the Hatcher/Rathje situation. If it wasn't the concussion, it was going to be the back, or the knees, or arthritis, something... there was no way in hell he wasn't ending up on LTIR before the age of 42.

The results of the Pronger trade and the profligate waste of draft picks led to all the NHL contracts for those kind of players.
- Jsaquella

you're calling into question one of the best GMs in the league here...better have a surfeit of facts at your disposal...

I wouldn't say robbery, risky is more like it depending on what Read resigns for and or how Bernier plays. I honestly would like Read to stay, I love what he brings to the table across the board.
- iroc4me2

Read is a 20 goal scorer, who plays all three forward sports well, is a good two way player, solid PP guy, who can play the point or up front, and is an outstanding penalty killer.

To me, he's nearly a core piece, a guy you can hand any job and he goes out and does it solidly.

While he lacks the potential of Couturier or Schenn, perhaps, he also performs right now at a higher level than both, and should for at least several more seasons.

- Tomahawk

you mean homer did box himself in?

you're calling into question one of the best GMs in the league here...better have a surfeit of facts at your disposal...


- isaiah520

I think Holmgren is an above average GM, who is often put into a difficult spot by his owner.

That said, they've had 1 second round pick in the last 5 years. I think that qualifies as profligate trading away of picks, if not wasting them.

Flyers pinning extraordinary hopes on a big-bodied, 35-year-old dman... you'd think they would have actually learned something from the Hatcher/Rathje situation. If it wasn't the concussion, it was going to be the back, or the knees, or arthritis, something... there was no way in hell he wasn't ending up on LTIR before the age of 42.
- Tomahawk

when they made the richie/carter trades, he was coming off of 3 surgeries

I think Holmgren is an above average GM, who is often put into a difficult spot by his owner.

That said, they've had 1 second round pick in the last 5 years. I think that qualifies as profligate trading away of picks, if not wasting them.
- Jsaquella

my fave throw away was the gautier one...still mystified by that one