As you say, an already good PowerPlay got better with the addition of Streit, but what about 5 v 5? That's really where we need the help. Hopefully his ability to move and/or carry the puck out of the d-zone will translate into better even-strength performance for the Flyers. That would be sweet. Then all we'd have to do is be sure to play solid team D in front of Mason and [insert player here].

Just get two years out of him, and then take the $1.75 cap hit for four years to buy out the final two seasons (assuming he's not hurt at the time).
- bradleyc4

Ill take three or four? As long as Polock needs to develop

Disagree about the Bruins. If you watch, their defenseman frequently go into the corners and tie up the opposition and gain control of the puck by winning one on one battles and allowing the forwards to swoop in and get the puck. This is markedly different that what, say, Streit will try and do which is retrieve the puck and move it out before the forecheck is upon him. I just don't think that strategy works well anymore, especially in a dump and chase league.
- TheGreatNumber8

It's not a dump and chase League. It's a possession League.

Just get two years out of him, and then take the $1.75 cap hit for four years to buy out the final two seasons (assuming he's not hurt at the time).
- bradleyc4

Looks a lot less risky (again assuming he's not injured) when you look @ it this way.

with homer as the GM, i think it's folly to assume that guys like schenn, couts and laughton are necessarily safe. having regained a measure of leverage w/ the streit signing, a more favorable deal for a yandle or edler could come along. the key is that one of our centers could be a unique enuf asset to attract a deal more favorable than previous ones.

just as an example, Gillis has been quoated saying how difficult it is to find centers, PHO has needed a real 2nd line guy for a while and the same in WPG. homer doesn't have to chase anything right now and that may be the hidden benefit to rolling the dice w/ streit.

Portland? Awesome! Welcome creeper.
- coffee junkie

Thanks! Yea I actually just relocated from the South Jersey area.

Those same teams have very strong breakout games. Due to defenseman that make quick accurate passes, and schemes that are well designed. LA was fantastic at this. So I disagree on that. That same strategy is being employed in the current Cup Finals. It's a skating and passing game.
- MJL

I am going to continue to respectfully disagree. The Bruins defenseman, much like the Kings and Hawks, are adept at retrieving pucks because they are physican and get good body position and win one on one battles. NOT because they skate fast and can get back, retrieve the puck, and break it out before the forecheck descends upon them. Forwards are very good these days at dumping pucks not only in deep but in a spot where they can go get body contact before the d-man can move the puck up the boards. A good D has to be able to win those one on one battles, which means you need, size, strength, and skill. I question whether Streit can do that consistently.

Streit is definitely the type of player that helps teams. But I think the Flyers as presently constituted could have benefitted more from a stronger player who can be physical.

Finally decided to stop creeping today (After almost 3 years now..) and join the conversation. I'll keep my first post quick and safe by just saying how much I appreciate all the time and effort you put into these blogs, Bill. It's nice to have a voice of reason in this sea of crap that other writers throw out there.

Also I'm a sucker for subtle puns.
- Roytastic

welcome aboard

Im warming to the idea of Bernier. As long as Read stays and we pay no more then a 2nd and a prospect not named Laughton.

Perhaps, but look at the teams that have had success in the SC playoffs the past few years. They are all built on big, physical defenses who clog the lanes, block shots, retrieve pucks by winning one on one battles in the corners, and, most importantly, wear down the opposition over the course of a best of 7 series by checking them relentlessly. Now of course there is more than one way to skin a cat, but if you ask me the Flyers defense has struggled to do all of the above (which I think we can all agree is critical for a d corpse to do) since losing Pronger. Streit brings a lot to the table, but none of the above.

I think the days of Scotty Bowman diffusing the Legion of Doom line by deploying puck movers to outlet the puck before they could engage their forecheck are over. That strategy is not what wins Cups anymore. So as good as Streit may be at breakout passes, I still think the Flyers could have allocated that 5 million cap hit better.
- TheGreatNumber8

I'd say it's a little different - it's that those defensemen don't get worn down when the opposition forechecks them relentlessly.

It's not a dump and chase League. It's a possession League.
- MJL

If it's a possession league then your argument about Streit being an asset because he can retrieve pucks and move them out quickly is even less relevant.

Honestly, I don't think that means anything. Streit has only played 491 NHL games to this point. That's not a lot of mileage. I think the odds of him playing another four years, are pretty high. Now whether he remains effective and continues to play at a high level for all 4 years, is a different discussion.
- MJL

so the ~350 other professional gms he played added zero wear-and-tear? good to know.

Streit is definitely the type of player that helps teams. But I think the Flyers as presently constituted could have benefitted more from a stronger player who can be physical.
- TheGreatNumber8

I agree.

They tried to get that player last year, in Shea Weber. That didn't work.

That player isn't out there without ripping apart the existing structure on your team.

I'd say it's a little different - it's that those defensemen don't get worn down when the opposition forechecks them relentlessly.
- Atomic Wedgie

I think it is a little of both but this is another very good point. As we've seen in the playoffs, guys like Streit become quick targets for the opposing forecheck. The Bruins did this masterfully to Letang and turned a Norris finalist into a liability. Whereas guys like Boychuk or Ference (who is not nearly as good or as skilled as Letang) who can withstand the pounding continue to play their consistent role.

Perhaps, but look at the teams that have had success in the SC playoffs the past few years. They are all built on big, physical defenses who clog the lanes, block shots, retrieve pucks by winning one on one battles in the corners, and, most importantly, wear down the opposition over the course of a best of 7 series by checking them relentlessly. Now of course there is more than one way to skin a cat, but if you ask me the Flyers defense has struggled to do all of the above (which I think we can all agree is critical for a d corpse to do) since losing Pronger. Streit brings a lot to the table, but none of the above.

I think the days of Scotty Bowman diffusing the Legion of Doom line by deploying puck movers to outlet the puck before they could engage their forecheck are over. That strategy is not what wins Cups anymore. So as good as Streit may be at breakout passes, I still think the Flyers could have allocated that 5 million cap hit better.
- TheGreatNumber8

Get the corpses off the ice! The Undead League isn't until tomorrow!

Finally decided to stop creeping today (After almost 3 years now..) and join the conversation. I'll keep my first post quick and safe by just saying how much I appreciate all the time and effort you put into these blogs, Bill. It's nice to have a voice of reason in this sea of crap that other writers throw out there.

Also I'm a sucker for subtle puns.
- Roytastic

3 years? lurk less. post moar. welcome!

so the ~350 other professional gms he played added zero wear-and-tear? good to know.
- isaiah520

Father Time is a cruel SOB.

Trust me on this one.

Get the corpses off the ice! The Undead League isn't until tomorrow!
- wolfhounds

That's the premise for the next Robert Rodriguez movie.

so the ~350 other professional gms he played added zero wear-and-tear? good to know.
- isaiah520

Yeah, he's been playing in men's leagues since age 18 or 19.

Disagree about the Bruins. If you watch, their defenseman frequently go into the corners and tie up the opposition and gain control of the puck by winning one on one battles and allowing the forwards to swoop in and get the puck. This is markedly different that what, say, Streit will try and do which is retrieve the puck and move it out before the forecheck is upon him. I just don't think that strategy works well anymore, especially in a dump and chase league.
- TheGreatNumber8

I watch them. The Bruins have a good D. They can do a lot of things right including everything you say but getting the puck to supporting forwards is the key to their transition game and they pass the puck well.

I am going to continue to respectfully disagree. The Bruins defenseman, much like the Kings and Hawks, are adept at retrieving pucks because they are physican and get good body position and win one on one battles. NOT because they skate fast and can get back, retrieve the puck, and break it out before the forecheck descends upon them. Forwards are very good these days at dumping pucks not only in deep but in a spot where they can go get body contact before the d-man can move the puck up the boards. A good D has to be able to win those one on one battles, which means you need, size, strength, and skill. I question whether Streit can do that consistently.

Streit is definitely the type of player that helps teams. But I think the Flyers as presently constituted could have benefitted more from a stronger player who can be physical.
- TheGreatNumber8

The guy I wanted was Rob Scuderi

Thanks! Yea I actually just relocated from the South Jersey area.
- Roytastic

Cool, I like Portland hipsters. Both a poke fun of and their life styles. Good beer, biking and coffee. Puck is seriously lacking though eh? Thank god for the internet.

I agree.

They tried to get that player last year, in Shea Weber. That didn't work.

That player isn't out there without ripping apart the existing structure on your team.
- johndewar

Yup. Just need to draft him in 12 days.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Streit Talk
- bmeltzer

So pick your poison: A long-term over-35 contract or a depth-resource gutting trade. The Flyers chose the former. The more I think about it, the more I prefer the course they took to the other alternative.

Father Time is a cruel SOB.

Trust me on this one.
- Atomic Wedgie

MJL's point was solid.

How many players in the league at Streit's age have played as few games as Streit has?

Kimmo is 38 and has played 1000 NHL games.

Streit is 35 and hasn't even played half of that.