Kimmo Schenn
Streit Coburn
Gus Grossmann

Looks decent to me. I honestly have no clue anymore if Grossmann is healthy or not though.
- hereticpride

Why hasn't the team issued a statement on him? If he was progressing well I don't understand why they wouldn't provide an update. My guess is he isn't doing well, and the Flyers want to keep the information close to the vest so they don't appear even more desperate for D-men.

Why hasn't the team issued a statement on him? If he was progressing well I don't understand why they wouldn't provide an update. My guess is he isn't doing well, and the Flyers want to keep the information close to the vest so they don't appear even more desperate for D-men.
- PLindbergh31

Or he's doing fine, and they just haven't said anything.

I think it's a playoff roster. And I'm going to be optimistic that they avoid crippling injuries.
- MJL

Well your optimism usually prevails, so I'm thinking all 20 guys on the roster play 82 games.

Well your optimism usually prevails, so I'm thinking all 20 guys on the roster play 82 games.
- PLindbergh31

I doubt that, but yes I'm optimistic. And it is a choice.

I'd give them a chance once they got in a Flyers uniform, like I would with any player the Flyers acquire. If you'd like, I'd be glad to debate you and discuss why I think they're awful choices.
- MJL

i think you could make the case that ballard might be a better value. he didn't work out in VAN, but according to shane milloy, who speaks to scouts, he was most effective having more autonomy and he could have a re-surgence. i'd have to take milloy's word on this one, because i haven't seen ballard that much as a nuck. we know that streit is declining and his # will not go away unless he's traded. ballard's only 30 and he's played well recently enuf.

Stats arent everything though. Hartnell has taken so many dumb penalties that he certainly deserves some of the flack he gets.

You can say the same thing about Briere's stats too. Do all those goals make up for seeming to have little to no interest playing team D?

You have to take a lot more into account than just the numbers.
- hereticpride

Yeah, but you can't expect perfection, even at $4.5/4.75 million per year.

That's the problem in Philly -- we hold top guys TOO accountable. Scott Hartnell does a lot of things other players won't do, go to the net, fight. It's not always pretty, but he's effective, and I think he's underappreciated.

I understand your stance but if its the right defenceman its worth it....this team would be totally different with a healthy Pronger...I know this comes up and its coulda woulda shoulda, but with Pronger there is one huge hole that would have to be filled
- nonpoint22

The point is Streit's now a financial roadblock to adding that Pronger-replacement you're talking about... instead of having the full $10M from Mez and Kimmo coming off the books to go after guys like Letang, Phaneuf, etc... now you have to either allocate money from elsewhere, and/or hope the cap goes up, and/or give up a boatload of valuable assets via trade.

All because they had to have Mark Streit now, who is arguably a worse two-way dman than Carle, is definitely short of a two-way replacement for Kimmo, on a contract that there won't be a CBO for when the inevitable decline in production sets in.

Not to mention they already had a very similar player in-house in Erik Gustafsson.

Yeah, but you can't expect perfection, even at $4.5/4.75 million per year.

That's the problem in Philly -- we hold top guys TOO accountable. Scott Hartnell does a lot of things other players won't do, go to the net, fight. It's not always pretty, but he's effective, and I think he's underappreciated.
- AllInForFlyers

no other way about it last year was a bad year for him. He bounces back this year.

Yeah, but you can't expect perfection, even at $4.5/4.75 million per year.

That's the problem in Philly -- we hold top guys TOO accountable. Scott Hartnell does a lot of things other players won't do, go to the net, fight. It's not always pretty, but he's effective, and I think he's underappreciated.
- AllInForFlyers

I think Hartnell for the most part is a fan favorite. The only thing I don't like about him is the undisciplined, selfish penalties.

Yeah, but you can't expect perfection, even at $4.5/4.75 million per year.

That's the problem in Philly -- we hold top guys TOO accountable. Scott Hartnell does a lot of things other players won't do, go to the net, fight. It's not always pretty, but he's effective, and I think he's underappreciated.
- AllInForFlyers

hartnell was a good signing from '08 and on balance, he will continue to be a solid plyr for the team. my only concern is the # of hard miles on the odometer from age 18 until now.

The point is Streit's now a financial roadblock to adding that Pronger-replacement you're talking about... instead of having the full $10M from Mez and Kimmo coming off the books to go after guys like Letang, Phaneuf, etc... now you have to either allocate money from elsewhere or hope the cap goes up, and/or give up a boatload of valuable assets via trade.

All because they had to have Mark Streit now, who is arguably a worse two-way dman than Carle, is definitely short of a two-way replacement for Kimmo, on a contract that there won't be a CBO for when the inevitable decline in production sets in.
- Tomahawk

I'm not a fan of the move. His contract is going to be ridiculous.

Out all day, obviously I am late to the signing.

Hate the entire deal (4years, 5.25M per year).

no other way about it last year was a bad year for him. He bounces back this year.
- LJF

He broke his foot in what game 4? He probably came back to early because the Flyers were in a hole, coupled with the short season. He was never the same.

i think you could make the case that ballard might be a better value. he didn't work out in VAN, but according to shane milloy, who speaks to scouts, he was most effective having more autonomy and he could have a re-surgence. i'd have to take milloy's word on this one, because i haven't seen ballard that much as a nuck. we know that streit is declining is his # will not go away unless he's traded. ballard's only 30 and he's played well recently enuf.
- isaiah520

I don't think you can make the case that Ballard might be a better value. He had 2 points in 36 games last Season. He's put up 16 points in his last 148 games played. Were looking for a puck mover, not a 3rd pair 15 minute a night defenseman. He plays minimal time on special teams. How does that help the Flyers and their need for a puck mover, offensive producer on the defense? A "declining" Streit is a hell of a lot better then Ballard.

no other way about it last year was a bad year for him. He bounces back this year.
- LJF

I think so -- out of six years here, he had three good years, one average one, one great one, one bad one.

He's aging, so I don't expect that he'll be great for the entire extension, and I've said that.

But I do think he'll be strong THIS year, health permitting.

The point is Streit's now a financial roadblock to adding that Pronger-replacement you're talking about... instead of having the full $10M from Mez and Kimmo coming off the books to go after guys like Letang, Phaneuf, etc... now you have to either allocate money from elsewhere, and/or hope the cap goes up, and/or give up a boatload of valuable assets via trade.

All because they had to have Mark Streit now, who is arguably a worse two-way dman than Carle, is definitely short of a two-way replacement for Kimmo, on a contract that there won't be a CBO for when the inevitable decline in production sets in.

Not to mention they already had a very similar player in-house in Erik Gustafsson.
- Tomahawk

We need to look at history. The Cap has never stopped the Flyers from acquiring, or trying to acquire a top defensman. They tried to get Weber and Suter last year!

No Hossa tonight, per Friedman

We need to look at history. The Cap has never stopped the Flyers from acquiring, or trying to acquire a top defensman. They tried to get Weber and Suter last year!
- MJL

The point is Streit's now a financial roadblock to adding that Pronger-replacement you're talking about... instead of having the full $10M from Mez and Kimmo coming off the books to go after guys like Letang, Phaneuf, etc... now you have to either allocate money from elsewhere, and/or hope the cap goes up, and/or give up a boatload of valuable assets via trade.

All because they had to have Mark Streit now, who is arguably a worse two-way dman than Carle, is definitely short of a two-way replacement for Kimmo, on a contract that there won't be a CBO for when the inevitable decline in production sets in.

Not to mention they already had a very similar player in-house in Erik Gustafsson.
- Tomahawk

Why not draft a D man @ 11 and have a little patience?

Halak is an intriguing name to me. Not too expensive and has shown the ability to be a beast in the playoffs.
- Jsaquella

Finally able to chime in here. After reading Bill's list, my first pick would be Halak, followed by a post-buyout Luongo, then Bernier.

Why not draft a D man @ 11 and have a little patience?
- hereticpride

Said, sugar, make it slow
And we come together fine
All we need is just a little patience

No Hossa tonight, per Friedman
- Jsaquella

Big loss for the Hawks.

Finally able to chime in here. After reading Bill's list, my first pick would be Halak, followed by a post-buyout Luongo, then Bernier.
- Flyskippy

I'd probably bump Bernier ahead of Luongo, myself

Should the Flyers be in on Hossa if the Hawks decided to buy him out?

Said, sugar, make it slow
And we come together fine
All we need is just a little patience
- Flyskippy

I been walkin; the streets at night
Just tryin' to get it right

Why not draft a D man @ 11 and have a little patience?
- hereticpride

The Flyers defensive core better be outstanding with all the cash being paid out.