Do you guys consider Bouwmeister and adequate replacement for Timo next year?

Actually, both of these make my point. G was not even their top choice (obviously) and they went away from type to pick him. Vorachek as well. No one said... "Well gee, Bob, I can totally see why they targeted this kid in the trade. He has Flyers player written all over him". Read and Gus don't fit the typical mold either, same with Straka. Of course, others like Zherdev and Nodl don't work out, so yes, it does cut both ways.

And please don't get me wrong...I'm not against players like Scotty, and Simmonds, or Schenn (or even Rinaldo). We need some of them. But I would love to see more Giroux's and less Laughtons, more Eric Karllson (had to go off team for that one) and less Morin's, more Straka's and Less Nessmans.

Actually, in fairness to Holmgren, they really have seemed to change strategies on other fronts - trading young players for aging veterans, trading away draft picks, giving up on young players too soon (though we'll see on this one) etc.
- TheGreat28

I think it's a media creation that the Flyers always go for the physical tough player. The Flyers selected Morin because they felt he was the best player available. And actually Giroux and Voracek contradict your opinion. Both are skilled players that the Flyers targeted. And I think we're going to find out that Laughton has more skill then thought. Flyers drafted Sbisa in 08. Not exactly a tough stay at home type. Drafted Pitkanen in 02. Carter in 03. JVR is 07. Couturier in 11. Were they all drafted away from type also?
Flyers signed a puck moving defenseman in Free Agency in Streit. Traded for a player like Carle in the past. Flyers are about acquiring good players. If they have toughness and grit, all the better.

How many of those teams do I give a crap about
- TheGreat28

That's really irrelevant to the point.

Do you guys consider Bouwmeister and adequate replacement for Timo next year?
- jstross

Nope, not at all.

Actually Hagg does play a physical game despite being a puck mover as well.
- JAKEw1234

Good!

Do you guys consider Bouwmeister and adequate replacement for Timo next year?
- jstross

He's a very good player. Not the player that Timonen was in his prime. What's the cost?

Do you guys consider Bouwmeister and adequate replacement for Timo next year?
- jstross

I'd go as far as saying adequate, but I don't know that he is as solid as Timonen can be when he is at the top of his game.

He's a very good player. Not the player that Timonen was in his prime. What's the cost?
- MJL

Certainly not at his current cost, I was guessing 4/$21-$22. Who else as a 2014 FA makes sense.

Certainly not at his current cost, I was guessing 4/$21-$22. Who else as a 2014 FA makes sense.
- jstross

His cost won't go down, especially if the cap rises.

His cost won't go down, especially if the cap rises.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, I kind of figured he wouldn't be cheap. Long way to go before that bridge anyway.

Certainly not at his current cost, I was guessing 4/$21-$22. Who else as a 2014 FA makes sense.
- jstross

Phaneuf... he'd be a much better fit all around than JBo.

Certainly not at his current cost, I was guessing 4/$21-$22. Who else as a 2014 FA makes sense.
- jstross

I'd have interest at 5.5. But If he's one of the few top defenseman available. It could be higher.

Phaneuf... he'd be a much better fit all around than JBo.
- Tomahawk

I'd prefer Bouwmeester over Phaneuf.

Phaneuf... he'd be a much better fit all around than JBo.
- Tomahawk

Despite some of the supposed issues between Phaneuf and some of the Flyers(Hartnell, Luke Schenn) I would be OK with him.

I'd prefer Bouwmeester over Phaneuf.
- MJL

Phanuef and Jbo are very similar defensively... handle top competition, eat a ton of minutes in all situations, etc.

The thing you can say about Dion that you can't say about Jbo is that he's #3 in goals/game and #7 in points/game for dmen over the past 3 seasons. That's up there with Weber, Karlsson, Letang, etc.

And... it could be argued that they already have a Jbo in Coburn.

Despite some of the supposed issues between Phaneuf and some of the Flyers(Hartnell, Luke Schenn) I would be OK with him.
- Jsaquella

i'd be glad to have phanuef in O&B.

Looks like next years FA D class, if it stays as is, will be better than this year. That's not really saying much considering the lack of D talent this year.

Phaneuf... he'd be a much better fit all around than JBo.
- Tomahawk

Everywhere except the locker room. Like I said on another board, if that guy was on our team our locker room would be like an episode of real housewives every day

Phanuef and Jbo are very similar defensively... handle top competition, eat a ton of minutes in all situations, etc.

The thing you can say about Dion that you can't say about Jbo is that he's #3 in goals/game and #7 in points/game for dmen over the past 3 seasons. That's up there with Weber, Karlsson, Letang, etc.

And.. it could be argued that they already have a Jbo in Coburn.
- Tomahawk

Coburn doesn't have the offensive game

Phanuef and Jbo are very similar defensively... handle top competition, eat a ton of minutes in all situations, etc.

The thing you can say about Dion that you can't say about Jbo is that he's #3 in goals/game and #7 in points/game for dmen over the past 3 seasons. That's up there with Weber, Karlsson, Letang, etc.

And... it could be argued that they already have a Jbo in Coburn.
- Tomahawk

There's no question that Phaneuf is a more dynamic player. And is certainly better offensively. But I don't think they're similar defensively. I think Bouwmeester is considerably better defensively, then Phaneuf is. It really depends on what you're looking for. The Flyers already have Streit. So if I had a choice, I'd take Bouwmeester over Phaneuf.

Phanuef and Jbo are very similar defensively... handle top competition, eat a ton of minutes in all situations, etc.

The thing you can say about Dion that you can't say about Jbo is that he's #3 in goals/game and #7 in points/game for dmen over the past 3 seasons. That's up there with Weber, Karlsson, Letang, etc.

And... it could be argued that they already have a Jbo in Coburn.
- Tomahawk

Phaneuf also is more willing to use his size in a nasty manner than Bouwmeester. Both can be capable defensive players, though...I'd be fine with either ending up in Philadelphia

Phaneuf also is more willing to use his size in a nasty manner than Bouwmeester. Both can be capable defensive players, though...I'd be fine with either ending up in Philadelphia
- Jsaquella

Definitely more of a mean streak to his game.

There's no question that Phaneuf is a more dynamic player. And is certainly better offensively. But I don't think they're similar defensively. I think Bouwmeester is considerably better defensively, then Phaneuf is. It really depends on what you're looking for. The Flyers already have Streit. So if I had a choice, I'd take Bouwmeester over Phaneuf.
- MJL

The usage and shot-differential numbers would say otherwise. Neither are on the level of a Pronger defensively, they're both prone to some brain cramps, but they're both very effective top-line dmen who are capable of matching up against the other teams' best.

Phaneuf also is more willing to use his size in a nasty manner than Bouwmeester. Both can be capable defensive players, though...I'd be fine with either ending up in Philadelphia
- Jsaquella

Well the Flyers will have the $6 million for Timo coming off the books so they should both be in play unless they resign.

Well the Flyers will have the $6 million for Timo coming off the books so they should both be in play unless they resign.
- jstross

$4.5 of that is going right to Giroux.