I watched some of his games this year in juniors. If you couple that with how impressive he was in his first 9 games as a Flyer... I have no doubt he will transition smoothly.

That being said, I think one of Couts or Laughton has to be moved for a young defenseman. Personally I think we can get more out of Couts, and I like Laughton's offensive game more. He was always moving to scoring postions, and hitting passes a kid on a 9 game trial should be scared to make. I was really impressed.
- youarewrong

I'd be down with moving one if we were 1 good defender away from a Cup run. I don't think we are, or will be for at least 2-3 years. I'd rather hold onto our young players, how a few young defenseman/goalies pan out, and have more of a home-grown team. We've been trading our young players and picks for more "veteran" players for about 15 years now, and it hasn't worked. I'm okay with not being good for a few years if it gets us a Cup in 5.

Steve Downie is UFA next year.

Would you guys want to bring him back?
- MrBigglesworth

I'm more focused on what happens this year.

Its gonna be tough but they need to figure out a way to deal Mez....total salary dump I dont care...I would take a 7th round pick just to get his cap number off the books
- nonpoint22

Won't happen until August. Not cleared until the end of the month. Don't know all the rules but can a team accept a trade even if he's injured (knowing that)?

Defense is horrific and they haven't had a goalie for years.
- stveshdy

I just think the Flyers should be careful in free agency and save some cap room. This is a terrible FA year. Next year should be better. Why not let Schenn and Coots see if they can turn things around? Next year the team will have much more cost certainty and have a better idea of team needs.

Vinny is overrated. He's the best free agent in one of the worst FA years. He had favorable matchups because Stamkos drew the tough ones, so it's not like he will come here with less of a burden.

People say he can put up 25 goals and 60 points. Well Matt Read can put up similar numbers while also playing the PK. Would you really want to let Matt Read walk after this season so that we could sign Vinny to a 5 year deal?

I watched some of his games this year in juniors. If you couple that with how impressive he was in his first 9 games as a Flyer... I have no doubt he will transition smoothly.

That being said, I think one of Couts or Laughton has to be moved for a young defenseman. Personally I think we can get more out of Couts, and I like Laughton's offensive game more. He was always moving to scoring postions, and hitting passes a kid on a 9 game trial should be scared to make. I was really impressed.
- youarewrong

I agree...and the return for a package with Coots should be pretty good

Won't happen until August. Not cleared until the end of the month. Don't know all the rules but can a team accept a trade even if he's injured (knowing that)?
- stveshdy

Yes. Player's health has no bearing on a trade. You could probably trade a dead guy somehow.

I'm more focused on what happens this year.
- youarewrong

trade to acquire Steve Downie ....?

That's always the case when it comes to free agency.
- stveshdy

I don't think all the holes can be addressed this summer. It's going to be a process.

Adv stats seem to indicate he was average across the board for the most part -- standard numbers for an average 2nd-line scoring forward who's not terrible defensively.
- Tomahawk

and isn't he pretty solid at the dot? add the fact that he's a former captain (tho he's had his share of issues with that spot) who DOES stick up for his teamates...i can't see Vinny doing anything but helping Giroux AND Coutourier as the teams second line center. he can still score goals, and he can still use his size to skate against the top big men/lines (think Malkin/Boston).

i dunno....seems like a pretty good price for that kind of player

I just think the Flyers should be careful in free agency and save some cap room. This is a terrible FA year. Next year should be better. Why not let Schenn and Coots see if they can turn things around? Next year the team will have much more cost certainty and have a better idea of team needs.

Vinny is overrated. He's the best free agent in one of the worst FA years. He had favorable matchups because Stamkos drew the tough ones, so it's not like he will come here with less of a burden.

People say he can put up 25 goals and 60 points. Well Matt Read can put up similar numbers while also playing the PK. Would you really want to let Matt Read walk after this season so that we could sign Vinny to a 5 year deal?
- PhillySportsGuy

I like to think we would get a roster player if we dealt Coburn
- nonpoint22

or we could get a good prospect and a pick... What kinda roster player are we going to get for him? The word going around the league is that teams are not willing to pay...

I watched some of his games this year in juniors. If you couple that with how impressive he was in his first 9 games as a Flyer... I have no doubt he will transition smoothly.

That being said, I think one of Couts or Laughton has to be moved for a young defenseman. Personally I think we can get more out of Couts, and I like Laughton's offensive game more. He was always moving to scoring postions, and hitting passes a kid on a 9 game trial should be scared to make. I was really impressed.
- youarewrong

I truly hope they don't rush to deal either player. Bring up Laughton and let him play this year - give him a bigger sample than 9 games. In the mean time Coots should rebound and command more in trade IF they decide to go that route. Look what 48 games did for guys like Bobrovsky and PK Subban's value

I just think the Flyers should be careful in free agency and save some cap room. This is a terrible FA year. Next year should be better. Why not let Schenn and Coots see if they can turn things around? Next year the team will have much more cost certainty and have a better idea of team needs.

Vinny is overrated. He's the best free agent in one of the worst FA years. He had favorable matchups because Stamkos drew the tough ones, so it's not like he will come here with less of a burden.

People say he can put up 25 goals and 60 points. Well Matt Read can put up similar numbers while also playing the PK. Would you really want to let Matt Read walk after this season so that we could sign Vinny to a 5 year deal?
- PhillySportsGuy

They may use Read to trade for a defenseman or goalie. Who the heck knows with this team.

Would you trade Coburn for Nurse ?

straight up? or addition(s) ?
- MrBigglesworth

No... to me, Nurse's most realistic upside five years from now is that he could be a similar player to Coburn -- hopefully a little more consistent version someday, but basically the same type of defenseman. But right now, Nurse is at the beginning of the learning curve whereas Coburn is in his prime years.

They may use Read to trade for a defenseman or goalie. Who the heck knows with this team.
- stveshdy

As long as they're able to trade Giroux for some defensive help. I'm fine with it.

or we could get a good prospect and a pick... What kinda roster player are we going to get for him? The word going around the league is that teams are not willing to pay...
- jak521

if there are not willing to pay then the flyers should not play.....cant take less cause they wont give it up....I have no problem holding onto Coburn...remember next year we lose Kimmo and Mez

Gagne and lecavalier. Are they buddies? Wonder if gagne has some potential pull here... Maybe both would take a touch less

As long as they're able to trade Giroux for some defensive help. I'm fine with it.
- jmatchett383

He'll get you the nicest return, I think it makes sense.

Gagne and lecavalier. Are they buddies? Wonder if gagne has some potential pull here... Maybe both would take a touch less
- Just5

Or does Lecavalier pull Gagne to the Habs with him?

I'd be down with moving one if we were 1 good defender away from a Cup run. I don't think we are, or will be for at least 2-3 years. I'd rather hold onto our young players, how a few young defenseman/goalies pan out, and have more of a home-grown team. We've been trading our young players and picks for more "veteran" players for about 15 years now, and it hasn't worked. I'm okay with not being good for a few years if it gets us a Cup in 5.
- jmatchett383

I'm just dont believe these group of players will get you a cup in 4-5 year. I think 1 will have to be moved to address a puck mover for when Timonen retires.

And I think whether or not we can win the cup depends on 2 things.

1. Will they sign Vinny or trade for a top scoring forward.
2. Will they sign or trade for a goalie that can start at a high level if Mason cant.

If they do those 2 things, I think this team can and will compete for the Cup. We are a deep team. Just a few tweaks gets it done.

Dark Souls joke, it's a really gothic looking action RPG. There's a multiplayer feature where you can literally invade another player's game and plunder their humanity (leaving them as a lowly zombie).
- BulliesPhan87

tyvm

trade to acquire Steve Downie ....?
- MrBigglesworth

Incidently... some Steve Downie trivia...

Downie was traded to the Avs for Kyle Quincey, then Quincey was flipped to the Wings for their 2012 1st rounder, that draft pick was Andrei Vasilevski (G) who was drafted exactly 1 spot before Scott Laughton!

and isn't he pretty solid at the dot? add the fact that he's a former captain (tho he's had his share of issues with that spot) who DOES stick up for his teamates...i can't see Vinny doing anything but helping Giroux AND Coutourier as the teams second line center. he can still score goals, and he can still use his size to skate against the top big men/lines (think Malkin/Boston).

i dunno....seems like a pretty good price for that kind of player
- eshake

Strictly average at the dot... had a good year, but was sub-50 the year before.

I think that's the crux w/ Vinny... he's got a solid gold name, but he's strictly league-average at this point in his career. Too bad he's still going to get paid like he's a 80-90 point player.

I just think the Flyers should be careful in free agency and save some cap room. This is a terrible FA year. Next year should be better. Why not let Schenn and Coots see if they can turn things around? Next year the team will have much more cost certainty and have a better idea of team needs.

Vinny is overrated. He's the best free agent in one of the worst FA years. He had favorable matchups because Stamkos drew the tough ones, so it's not like he will come here with less of a burden.

People say he can put up 25 goals and 60 points. Well Matt Read can put up similar numbers while also playing the PK. Would you really want to let Matt Read walk after this season so that we could sign Vinny to a 5 year deal?
- PhillySportsGuy

Matt Read can't provide the kind of size, leadership, and faceoff skill that Vinny would.

He would also be the 2C here behind Giroux so his burden wouldn't change much.

tyvm
- Flyskippy

No probalo, you should play it so we can muck up the boards with mindless off-topic chatter about it.