Several reports indicate that Kevin Shattenkirk is close to a 4 year deal with the Blues.

Per Andy Strickland, it's 4 years, $17mm
- Jsaquella

remember when the Shattenkirk/Stewart trade went down and Peter Stastny was blasting the organization for making such an outrageously horrible trade

When you have a player like Shattenkirk on you team getting his first RFA deal, it makes it easy. Flyers didnt have that option
- jak521

Semantics sir.

I'm not even a little bit convinced that even Jake Voracek is a game breaker. Yes, he is coming off a wonderful season and he's finally take big steps in his 5th season in the NHL. Some players such as Giroux, Richards and Carter have taken these steps much sooner within their careers. I still need to see more from Voracek. He piled up the points and finally hit 20 goals but I haven't seen very many clutch moments by anyone on this team. I'm talking stud. I'm talking star, if not super star. I hope the Flyers are ready to make a splash and bring back real star power to philly.
- dingo8urbaby

is this stud superstar Bobby Ryan or are you referring to someone else?

cause frankly I like Jake V better then Ryan.

ASF's latest blog has Snider's comments on the Bryz buyout, followed by the Bryzgalov statement released by Winter.

It closes with this tidbit -

"The statement concluded with a note from Winter in capital letters that said:

FOR FURTHER COMMENT, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO WALK UP TO ILYA BRYZGALOV NEXT YEAR AT TRAINING CAMP. HE AND HIS ADVISORS WILL HAVE NO FURTHER COMMENT UNTIL THAT TIME."

they are going to lock up those two studs on D, and they have an amazing pipeline of forwards coming in.

if they had managed to beat LA who knows how far they would have made it this year.
- Marc D

If they had managed to beat ________ is the story of the Blues franchise. I was rooting for them after the Flyers got eliminated from contention. Disappointing to see them blow the 2-0 lead.

Armstrong is a real good GM, but he's lacked decisiveness in the past, to make the move that puts his teams over the top.

I'm sorry I didn't read this post the whole way through, but I agree this team has a nice collection of young guy, but no players that can steal a game other then Giroux. So people saying to just sit back and do nothing and let the young guys grow, I'm afraid they wont grow into a special team.

That is why I think moving up and getting a Nichushkin or Barkov is important for the team. They also need to move someone at center to address a young defense. Then I think you can sit back and let the team develop, while filling out the team with needed role players and vets.
- youarewrong

I have to agree. Since the moment Giroux has become a full time Flyer, his play has been nothing short of magical. I look back at his very first playoff run, leading all Flyers in points and basically taking charge. Sadly we were knocked off early. I look back at goal Giroux set up for Pronger against the Black Hawks in the 09-10 regular season. What a pass! I look back at his role with the team in the 2010 playoffs, that might have been overshadows by Briere and his line of Ville Leino and Scott Hartnell. I think about the shootout goal that got us in the playoffs to start with. We have great young talent but I have yet to see that same game breaking. Same clutch play. The same magic from anyone else. I'm just hoping we can find a winger who's right up there with Giroux.

they are going to lock up those two studs on D, and they have an amazing pipeline of forwards coming in.

if they had managed to beat LA who knows how far they would have made it this year.
- Marc D

They have literally the perfect scenario. Good young goaltending (Jake Allen), great young d-men (AP, KS), and a crop of forwards in the NHL that are very good, and future forwards coming up.

They have drafted better than any team over the past 6 years.

is this stud superstar Bobby Ryan or are you referring to someone else?

cause frankly I like Jake V better then Ryan.
- Marc D

Maybe. Maybe not. The potenial is there though in my opinion for Bobby Ryan. The same way Neal has stepped up with Malkin.

If they had managed to beat ________ is the story of the Blues franchise. I was rooting for them after the Flyers got eliminated from contention. Disappointing to see them blow the 2-0 lead.

Armstrong is a real good GM, but he's lacked decisiveness in the past, to make the move that puts his teams over the top.
- Jsaquella

Yea, he always goes for the lower crop (Arnott, Langenbrunner)

If they had managed to beat ________ is the story of the Blues franchise. I was rooting for them after the Flyers got eliminated from contention. Disappointing to see them blow the 2-0 lead.

Armstrong is a real good GM, but he's lacked decisiveness in the past, to make the move that puts his teams over the top.
- Jsaquella

after the boston/chicago final (which was spectacular I thought) the blues/LA series was some of the best hockey I watched this year

Just for fun, not sure if any cred. He did list the Tor LA trade before it happened.

NHL Rumors ‏@NHLRumorsDaily 7m
Hearing as of now that the Flyers offer for Miller is Coburn+Read+1st for the All Star Goaltender
- ImThatGuy

no! no! no!!!!!!

after the boston/chicago final (which was spectacular I thought) the blues/LA series was some of the best hockey I watched this year
- Marc D

It was a great series, and they have a very good team...I just worry that Armstrong's the kind of guy that build you into a contender and leaves you there...like Clarke.

helpful home hints with Scoob
- Marc D

Just trying to help.

From what I gather (I wasn't there) HBuzzers + fire = not good

Nooooooooooooooo.....sounds like a fair deal though must be nice!
- flyerfan28

why cant we ever get these deals?
MTL got a great deal for PK too, in my view.

It was a great series, and they have a very good team...I just worry that Armstrong's the kind of guy that build you into a contender and leaves you there...like Clarke.
- Jsaquella

I'll do almost anything that you want me to, but i can't go for that
No can do

I have to agree. Since the moment Giroux has become a full time Flyer, his play has been nothing short of magical. I look back at his very first playoff run, leading all Flyers in points and basically taking charge. Sadly we were knocked off early. I look back at goal Giroux set up for Pronger against the Black Hawks in the 09-10 regular season. What a pass! I look back at his role with the team in the 2010 playoffs, that might have been overshadows by Briere and his line of Ville Leino and Scott Hartnell. I think about the shootout goal that got us in the playoffs to start with. We have great young talent but I have yet to see that same game breaking. Same clutch play. The same magic from anyone else. I'm just hoping we can find a winger who's right up there with Giroux.
- dingo8urbaby

I can go along with all of this.

A true sniper is a need for the Flyers.

But the bigger need is a replacement for Kimmo and a reliable goalie, at least right now.

They may not be able to trade for a Kimmo replacement, but I suppose if a true #1 D, ( who is under 29 or 30 years old) becomes available they have to make it happen and move one of their young centers.

why cant we ever get these deals?
MTL got a great deal for PK too, in my view.
- FlyersFirst

JvR. Giroux for $3.75mm for 3 years.

I'll do almost anything that you want me to, but i can't go for that
No can do
- MrBigglesworth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJiCUdLBxuI

nice version by Nicky Bluhm

I can go along with all of this.

A true sniper is a need for the Flyers.

But the bigger need is a replacement for Kimmo and a reliable goalie, at least right now.

They may not be able to trade for a Kimmo replacement, but I suppose if a true #1 D, ( who is under 29 or 30 years old) becomes available they have to make it happen and move one of their young centers.
- Marc D

i said get kovalchuck

I can go along with all of this.

A true sniper is a need for the Flyers.

But the bigger need is a replacement for Kimmo and a reliable goalie, at least right now.

They may not be able to trade for a Kimmo replacement, but I suppose if a true #1 D, ( who is under 29 or 30 years old) becomes available they have to make it happen and move one of their young centers.
- Marc D

I don't disagree. People can make their cases for Jake Voracek all they like, I myself have to see more. I felt James van Riemsdyk would have been the more perfect long term winger for Giroux but he's no longer an option. This isn't to say Voracek can't be the perfect compliment to Giroux, I just need to see more. There has been no shortage of magic from Giroux since the moment he enetered the league. Voracek on the other hand is finally coming into his own after a solid half season, which was also his 5th season in the NHL. Is Voracek on Giroux's level? We'll see but again, I would like to see a more. Right now I would like to see more of an elite sniper come to Philly and play with Giroux. Someone who can help Giroux take over games and score key goals at key times. This isn't a knock on Voracek.

I do agree we need a replacement for Timonen within the next year but I also feel signing Mark Streit might be a mistake. I also believe there is a much stronger need for another goalie.

Chicago won it twice without all-star goalies. Vancouver had both Loungo and Schneider and couldnt win. Goalie isnt the end all be all.
- youarewrong

While I don't disagree necessarily, every fan, every media type and every TV commentator have female doged and moaned about the Flyers lack of a #1 goaltender since Hextall. female doged and moaned about them going on the cheap and trying to build a stronger team in front of them. they go out and get the best available goalie and because it didn't work out people bring up the teams that have won without a #1.

Lupul-Richards-Jagr
Sharp-Carter-Williams
JvR-Handzus-Downie
Versteeg-Powe-Asham

Seidenberg-Sbisa
Eaton-Alberts
Vandermeer-Eminger

Bobrovsky
Emery

I think my highest hopes are in one Brayden Schenn. I don't mean to compare him to Mike Richards but Richards was able to become an important player offensively by his third season. Mind you if you total all his NHL games up (110), he has played just under a season and half. I won't be disappointed is he doesn't begin taking over games this season. I will however expect big things from him next season. I think all eyes should be on him this season. I think he can start doing it now.

Anytime someone says "murder", I imagine it being said in the voice of Jack Klugman as "Quincy".
- johndewar

I think of Max the chauffer from Heart to Heart. Yeah, showing my age.

"And when they met, it was murder.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJiCUdLBxuI

nice version by Nicky Bluhm
- Marc D

actually was spinning a Hull and Oats reference there