Pulock is such a high risk, high reward prospect though. Boom or bust through and through. I would consider him for sure but someone like Shinkaruk would be impossible for me to pass up.
- NickTheKid87

Isn't Shinkaruk also high risk, high reward? I'd be OK with either. Shinkaruk would definately bring the top line upside, whereas Pulock brings the top pairing upside. Pick your dart, and toss is accordingly.

If they take a two-way center there (barring Monahan falling), I may just turn the TV off and head to the bar.

I read that he's just an average skater. Not a strength, but not a weakness either.

All the bells and whistles are nice, but does he possess hockey sense?
- bradleyc4

From what I have seen (not a ton, but some over the past two years) the kid is very heady. He isnt a speedster per say, but his positioning and read of the play put him in good position. He has only been a d-man for two years, and for him to have played as the #1 d-man for 1 and a half of those two years says something to me. He played on a poopty team this year and was still a .78 ppg d-man who was relied on to be their top d-man against top lines. His shot is extremely heavy, but even better.. he knows how to get it on net.

I am no scout, but from the stuff I have seen, and all that I have read up on him, his family history (kid brother died in a car accident and was sitting next to him), the fact that he doesnt take a day off... I think he has enormous potential...

EDIT: should have said three seasons

Makes you wonder the difference those saves would have made in wins and losses.
- johndewar

Honeslty, without any facts behind it. I think not a lot.

I think Pulock (if there at 11) should be our guy. Kid has a ton of ability, and is still very new at the blue line. One hell of a player.
- jak521

draft a D man this year and next year, then sign Ryan as a FA

From what I have seen (not a ton, but some over the past two years) the kid is very heady. He isnt a speedster per say, but his positioning and read of the play put him in good position. He has only been a d-man for two years, and for him to have played as the #1 d-man for 1 and a half of those two years says something to me. He played on a poopty team this year and was still a .78 ppg d-man who was relied on to be their top d-man against top lines. His shot is extremely heavy, but even better.. he knows how to get it on net.

I am no scout, but from the stuff I have seen, and all that I have read up on him, his family history (kid brother died in a car accident and was sitting next to him), the fact that he doesnt take a day off... I think he has enormous potential...
- jak521

Thanks for the insights. Everything I read about him is positive, but I only have seen him in one game.

Honeslty, without any facts behind it. I think not a lot.
- MJL

I don't think you can draw a conclusion one way or another, which is why I asked that question rhetorically.

Even saying "not a lot" isn't supported by facts because one simply doesn't know what would or would not have happened.

more and more I think we have the wrong Dmen for 'the system'. Whats the point of holding on to them if they are. The D imo needs a shake up - or an anchor like Weber, Pronger, etc wuold have been. I also don't think Ryan is just a luxury - 5 on 5 scoring was down last season and homer is looking for more size (which acquiring Ryan helps with while making the smaller Read tradable). how many games were lost when bryz played well and the flyers could not score?
- moylander

Any thought to spending large amount of time heemed into their own zone, having anything to do with not scoring well at 5 on 5? Don't see Ryan fixing that.

I don't think you can draw a conclusion one way or another, which is why I asked that question rhetorically.

Even saying "not a lot" isn't supported by facts because one simply doesn't know what would or would not have happened.
- johndewar

I just think it's too small of an amount to make a big difference.

the league needs to bring back clutching and grabbing
- vejim

Grossmann agrees.

I don't think you can draw a conclusion one way or another, which is why I asked that question rhetorically.

Even saying "not a lot" isn't supported by facts because one simply doesn't know what would or would not have happened.
- johndewar

One conclusion we can make is that the team needs to lessen the number of goals against.

Hartnell agrees.
- FlyersGrace

ftfy

One conclusion we can make is that the team needs to lessen the number of goals against.
- bradleyc4

The only way I see that happening is by trading our abundance of NHL-caliber defenseman for top-line offensive depth, something we lack.

One conclusion we can make is that the team needs to lessen the number of goals against.
- bradleyc4

I would subscribe to this newsletter, for sure.

The only way I see that happening is by trading our abundance of NHL-caliber defenseman for top-line offensive depth, something we lack.
- jmatchett383

Best defense is an offense that never leaves the other teams zone.

EDIT
Especially when backchecking. Just take too long to get back to the o zone

Best defense is an offense that never leaves the other teams zone.
- nails

Best defense is a 5-man unit all commited to taking the puck away from the other team (see: Bruins, Boston)

Best defense is an offense that never leaves the other teams zone.
- nails

Peter Laviolette is reading and nodding at this.

Best defense is a 5-man unit all commited to taking the puck away from the other team (see: Bruins, Boston)
- jmatchett383

I need skip and his sarcasm smiley

Thanks for the insights. Everything I read about him is positive, but I only have seen him in one game.
- cmr.266

Heres a quote from Craig Button...


"Very good puck skills that is augmented by an outstanding shot. Very good vision and awareness and he creates offensive chances. He plays with poise and logs all of the important minutes for his team and he plays with a calming influence."

I can see Bryz going to the Devils and killing the Flyers
- vejim

I'd be ok with that. I'm ok laughing at him when he doesn't represent my team.

He's not a bad player. And if we keep him for another season I'll be ok as long as he keeps his mouth shut (which will never happen). If they buy him out I'd be ok with that too as I'm not married to his contract (nor do I wish to be till 2020)...

The only way I see that happening is by trading our abundance of NHL-caliber defenseman for top-line offensive depth, something we lack.
- jmatchett383

Or by trading Sean Couturier.

I cant follow this AT all... and Is Alex Nichushkin a combo of Barkov and Nichushkin? How do we get him?
- jak521

My Bad. First time using cap geek and got his name wrong. This was a reply to MJL asking if the previous post was under the cap. I said I have a feeling the Flyers are going to trade for Byufglien and move up in the draft, and possible send Read and Mason for Bernier. Coburn and Meszaros and 1st and 2nd would be used to move up. (not in 1 trade.) Buff will take Laughton and another 2nd. After all the moves the Flyers would have 2.6 million under the cap without Prongers LTIR.

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Nichushkin/Barkov-Schenn-Simmonds
Gagne-Couturier-Talbot
Raffl/McGinn-Holmstrom/Cousins-Rinaldo
Rosehill

Timonen-Byufglien
Streit-Schenn
Grossmann-Gustefsson
Gervais

Bernier
Thomas

My Bad. First time using cap geek and got his name wrong. This was a reply to MJL asking if the previous post was under the cap. I said I have a feeling the Flyers are going to trade for Byufglien and move up in the draft, and possible send Read and Mason for Bernier. Coburn and Meszaros and 1st and 2nd would be used to move up. (not in 1 trade.) Buff will take Laughton and another 2nd. After all the moves the Flyers would have 2.6 million under the cap without Prongers LTIR.

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Nichushkin/Barkov-Schenn-Simmonds
Gagne-Couturier-Talbot
Raffl/McGinn-Holmstrom/Cousins-Rinaldo
Rosehill

Timonen-Byufglien
Streit-Schenn
Grossmann-Gustefsson
Gervais

Bernier
Thomas
- youarewrong

I liked it more when Rosehill was on the 2nd line.

Best defense is an offense that never leaves the other teams zone.

EDIT
Especially when backchecking. Just take too long to get back to the o zone
- nails

Yep, puck possession is extremely important. It's why advanced stats guys focus on Corsi and a few other measures of possession.

I to think Coburn, allthough a struggle last year, is much better then some seem to think.....I mean his partner was Bruno Gervais!!!!!
- landros 2

Thank you for being the voice of reason on this one...
I have to agree. Coburn will bounce back. He's solid defensively and paired with Timmonen or Grossmann can be a very, very good player. He's not a #1 because he can't pick up and carry his partner and still be amazing. What he can do is play his position well against top lines and eat monster minutes.
Anyone is tradeable for the right price. But don't discount the hole he'd leave.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Cause for Concern in Re-Signing Free Agents Next Summer
- bmeltzer

Bill, I usually find myself supporting your line of thinking, but I'm not nearly as optimistic about the cap situation moving forward as you.

Just one or more of the following could really throw a wrench into the long-term outlook:

- Giroux gets paid in the $8-9M range,
- Any one of Couturier/Schenn have a breakout starts to the season ($$$),
- They decide to not CBO Bryz this summer, he goes on to have a great year, and they opt to stick w/ him long-term,
- Kimmo decides not to hang 'em up after all and wants to stay,
- They peddle value assets (like Read) for a higher-dollar contracts,
- They add any players via UFA or trade-deadline on a multi-year deal,
- They throw another big-$ offer-sheet at an RFA defenseman,
- An existing high-dollar player gets a long-term injury, and needs to be replaced (a la Pronger),
- The cap-limit doesn't go up by the full anticipated 8-9%.


Some of these are more likely to happen than others, but we know that Homer's never really set aside much cap space for future use... no matter what's on the horizon. Every spring/summer, there's tagging-space and off-season cap concerns... can we justifiably assume that it won't be the same next summer?