would love to hear it. listening to eskin this morning, he says the flyers desperate moves are all about trying to get one more cup for ed snider. of course, this has been speculated by others here.
- isaiah520

Which moves would you describe as desperate? Is trading it's top 2 players for 3 younger players, one unproven as an NHL player, and a 1st round pick, something that a team that is desperate for one more Cup, does? Especially coming off of a Cup finals appearance.

I still don't get the Bobby Ryan idea. We just had a player )hopefully) blossom into a top-line right wing in Voracek. Bobby Ryan would force him down a line, and while I'm fine with depth at forward, it will cost the Flyers on defense. With Meszaros and Grossmann as question marks right now, I'm not ready to move Coburn and other assets to acquire him.
- jmatchett383

Agreed. Given the chemistry between Giroux and Voracek, I think it's not so much Jake being forced down a line, but us acquiring a second-line RW.

It does appeal to roll these as the top two lines:

Simmonds-Giroux-Voracek
Hartnell-Schenn-Ryan

However, it doesn't appeal to roll these d-pairings:

Timonen-Schenn
Streit-Grossmann
Gustafsson-Lauridsen

We have bigger issues, and we need to address them first. Unless the price for Ryan is much, much less than we expect it to be, or we get a surprising additional asset with him, I'd rather stand put.

On an unrelated note, is it too soon to start female doging that Homer hasn't traded for James Reimer yet?

you mean locking in like that could be a bad strategy?
- isaiah520

Only if you do it consistently.

I'm just saying keep options open. You never know who will be available.

I'm not advocating for Bobby Ryan, I just wouldn't be surprised to see him dealt for. Although I think the preoccupation with Ryan stems mostly from the media and some vocal fans, there has been a lot of kicking tires with the Ducks for him over the past few years. Maybe Holmgren really likes him or something.
- NickTheKid87

Well like I said, I like him too. I just don't think acquiring him is in the best interests of the Flyers.

Only if you do it consistently.

I'm just saying keep options open. You never know who will be available.
- Jsaquella

Yea like luongo. He will be bought out and I say the flyers should sign him

Well like I said, I like him too. I just don't think acquiring him is in the best interests of the Flyers.
- jmatchett383

I agree with you kinda yea our d is bad but our 5 on 5 is equally as bad and maybe even worse then the d. Offense is def a need for this team

Which moves would you describe as desperate? Is trading it's top 2 players for 3 younger players, one unproven as an NHL player, and a 1st round pick, something that a team that is desperate for one more Cup, does? Especially coming off of a Cup finals appearance.
- MJL

Definitely when they moved Matt Clackson for that Bryzgalov bum. Clackson has untapped potential as a possible future Andrew Peters...you know, the guy who kinda sorta was able to fight Ray Emery...sorta.

Which moves would you describe as desperate? Is trading it's top 2 players for 3 younger players, one unproven as an NHL player, and a 1st round pick, something that a team that is desperate for one more Cup, does? Especially coming off of a Cup finals appearance.
- MJL

I don't think they have made any desperate moves. They've made some foolish ones, but nothing where they massively overpaid for a player that they could have gotten for less otherwise.

The issue is, that they seem to change their tactics every year. Deciding to walk away from Carle & Jagr last summer, and then reversing course to land Streit.

It's not well planned, but it's also not as desperate as say, trading Couturier for Rundblad would be.

In my opinion, I don't beleive that Bryzgalov is a systems Goalie. If solid team defense is played in front of him, there's no question in my mind that he can be a very good Goalie. And I beleive that if the Flyers don't improve their team defense, it's going to be very difficult for any Goalie to put up consistent numbers. But I agree with a comment Brad made. If the Flyers team defense doesn't improve. A quicker more agile Goalie would have a better shot at it.

So I slept on my thoughts of who the Flyers should target. Again, still not a very big fan of the addition of Mark Streit. He's getting paid top dollar to put up points but for whatever reason not to have a balanced two way game. I feel we jumped the gun...again!

We have an impressive core. My Core consists of Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Luke Schenn, Steve Mason, Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier. Over the years the Flyers have done a pretty good job of acquiring players that have past relationships together beyond being teammates for the Flyers. They've done it before within group of Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Brayden Coburn, Scott Hartnell, Joffery Lupul and Scottie Upshall. Reaching way back the same with Jeremy Roenick, John LeClair, Tony Amonte, Mark Recch, Keith Primeau, Eric Desjardins and Alex Zhamnov. They all knew each other somehow. They all looked like they were having fun together. I suppose it's just nice to have friends when you come to work.

I personally would target more young and likely to become future stars. Ryan Ellis might be a name at the right price. Chris Stewart always catches my eye. Zach Kassian I'm a fan of. These guys can play and they might even bring the same elements the Boston Bruins seem to being year after year.

Yea like luongo. He will be bought out and I say the flyers should sign him
- griouxmvp2012

If he is bought out, I'd be open to a 3 or 4 year deal for him.

they obviously had doubts about reimer and didn't want to hitch their wagon to him. needing goaltending during the season is a poor leverage situation, so they're getting out in front, i guess.
- isaiah520

It's not a terrible trade or anything, I just think they already had a similar option in Reimer.

A tweet that caught my attention:

James O'Brien @cyclelikesedins
Just the basics: Reimer's career save % - .915 in 104 GP; Bernier's: .912 in 62 GP; Scrivens': .910 in 32 GP.

I agree with you kinda yea our d is bad but our 5 on 5 is equally as bad and maybe even worse then the d. Offense is def a need for this team
- griouxmvp2012

Shore up the team-wide defense, stop having defensemen pinch constantly, and the transition game will help out the offense. Bobby Ryan is a want, a more efficient defense coupled with team-wide defense is a need. Needs take precedence over wants.

If he is bought out, I'd be open to a 3 or 4 year deal for him.
- Jsaquella

Yea I agree or we just see what masons got he looked like he could be a stud and I love the fact that he plays the puck and he does it well

It's not a terrible trade or anything, I just think they already had a similar option in Reimer.

A tweet that caught my attention:

James O'Brien @cyclelikesedins
Just the basics: Reimer's career save % - .915 in 104 GP; Bernier's: .912 in 62 GP; Scrivens': .910 in 32 GP.
- BulliesPhan87

I saw a similar stat over the weekend.

People complain about the pressure goaltenders are under in Philly.

No pressure in TO at all, amirite?

I don't think they have made any desperate moves. They've made some foolish ones, but nothing where they massively overpaid for a player that they could have gotten for less otherwise.

The issue is, that they seem to change their tactics every year. Deciding to walk away from Carle & Jagr last summer, and then reversing course to land Streit.

It's not well planned, but it's also not as desperate as say, trading Couturier for Rundblad would be.
- Jsaquella

I don't see that as changing tactics. I see that as being aggressive. They were willing to risk losing Carle to try and improve the team. It didn't work out. If they had landed Suter or Weber. The fanbase would be much happier and we'd be talking about how good of a plan it was. Each Season the roster needs to be tweaked. They identified a need and addressed it in signing Streit. In hind sight I'd rather they had kept Carle. But that's monday morning QB'ing. Just because they make additions to the team, doesn't mean they have abandoned a plan. Why would they not try to make the team better?

If he is bought out, I'd be open to a 3 or 4 year deal for him.
- Jsaquella

i don't think his agent would be

Definitely when they moved Matt Clackson for that Bryzgalov bum. Clackson has untapped potential as a possible future Andrew Peters...you know, the guy who kinda sorta was able to fight Ray Emery...sorta.
- jmatchett383

But only Emery with a bum hip. A fully healthy Emery, no way!

I agree with you kinda yea our d is bad but our 5 on 5 is equally as bad and maybe even worse then the d. Offense is def a need for this team
- griouxmvp2012

The offensive problems stem from the horrible transitional game. You can't expect to score if the forwards don't support and help out in their own end. The roster was utilized poorly by the coaching staff and it led to issues in all areas of the game.

The forward-defense gap was too great to generate offense on the rush, which killed them at 5 on 5. Too often the defense couldn't get the puck effectively to the forwards, because the scheme asked the defense to do more than it could.

This led to odd man rushes and turnovers that hemmed the Flyers in their own end, and forced them to waste energy and effort to get the puck out, rather than attack.

Combined with an overaggressive forecheck that routinely saw guys get caught deep in the offensive zone after the defenseman had no option but to dump the puck in led to the other team having a quick one pass breakout and wasted energy trying to get back and defend.

Correcting the systemic flaws will cure a lot of the 5 on 5 offensive issues this team has.

Which moves would you describe as desperate? Is trading it's top 2 players for 3 younger players, one unproven as an NHL player, and a 1st round pick, something that a team that is desperate for one more Cup, does? Especially coming off of a Cup finals appearance.
- MJL

I could see calling the mandate to solidify the goaltending, resulting in the Bryzgalov contract, as desperate. The three mega-contracts last summer seem desperate, especially in hindsight. It still sounds like Eskin is overstating it. I know, unexpected from his ilk.

If he is bought out, I'd be open to a 3 or 4 year deal for him.
- Jsaquella

Today could literally be the day. Today could be the day we say goodbye to Briere and Bryz too. Anyone else fired up?

In my opinion, I don't beleive that Bryzgalov is a systems Goalie. If solid team defense is played in front of him, there's no question in my mind that he can be a very good Goalie. And I beleive that if the Flyers don't improve their team defense, it's going to be very difficult for any Goalie to put up consistent numbers. But I agree with a comment Brad made. If the Flyers team defense doesn't improve. A quicker more agile Goalie would have a better shot at it.
- MJL

Yeah I think if he had a trustworthy team in front of him, he'd be better, regardless of system. How much better, I'm not sure.

So I slept on my thoughts of who the Flyers should target. Again, still not a very big fan of the addition of Mark Streit. He's getting paid top dollar to put up points but for whatever reason not to have a balanced two way game. I feel we jumped the gun...again!

We have an impressive core. My Core consists of Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Luke Schenn, Steve Mason, Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier. Over the years the Flyers have done a pretty good job of acquiring players that have past relationships together beyond being teammates for the Flyers. They've done it before within group of Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Brayden Coburn, Scott Hartnell, Joffery Lupul and Scottie Upshall. Reaching way back the same with Jeremy Roenick, John LeClair, Tony Amonte, Mark Recch, Keith Primeau, Eric Desjardins and Alex Zhamnov. They all knew each other somehow. They all looked like they were having fun together. I suppose it's just nice to have friends when you come to work.

I personally would target more young and likely to become future stars. Ryan Ellis might be a name at the right price. Chris Stewart always catches my eye. Zach Kassian I'm a fan of. These guys can play and they might even bring the same elements the Boston Bruins seem to being year after year.
- dingo8urbaby

Targeting those young and future stars is going to cost you some of that impressive core.

i don't think his agent would be
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I doubt any team goes more than 4 years on a 33 year old goalie who is already getting a check from Vancouver.

If I'm James reimer I'd be pretty ticked off rite now
- griouxmvp2012

i'd take him!