This scouting report from THN indicates Timonen's shot blocking as an asset:

http://forecaster.thehock...ews/hockey/player.php?123

Timonen's body and ice positioning are superior so I'm not really sure where the stick checking criticism comes from.
- johndewar

It wasnt criticism, and I'm wondering how old that report is. Timonen's play has taken a change in the last 3 seasons. He is a little slower, and he is not really a shot blocker. He gets called for a lot of stick penalities too. His positioning is good, but he is more likely to poke a puck or lift a stick these days then lay down in front of a shot.

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 1m
Phil places Y.Danis, B.Holmstrom, KNewbury, M.A. Bourdon on Waivers.
- phatpat44

huh. Feel terrible for MAB. They will all clear

Sure we would be happy to have the depth, but its not feasable to keep that. If one goes down, then Gil or Gervais comes in. If 2 then Manning or Laurdesen or Alt comes up until one of them returns. Or at that time you trade for someone that will help if its a long term issue.
- youarewrong

I disagree that it's not feasible to keep that. I don't want Gill or Gervais playing full time. Nor do I want any of the kids up playing full time. Maybe one will be ready later in the Season. But for now, unless a really good deal comes along. I'd keep it as is.

I dont think Grossman's contract in the future is an advantage. Esp with Lauridsen and possibly Morin banging down the door. Grossman has injury problems, they are in the same basket with regards to injury concern as far as I'm concerned. I'm comfortable moving forward with Lauridsen so I'm more willing to deal Grossman. I realize I might be the only one.
- Just5

If his contract was a plus 35 deal, or over 5 million I would agree. But its not, so the term is a good thing.

A player like Ference is made to look a whole lot better then he is, due to the team structure and defensive support that he got playing on that Boston team. In the same way that defenseman such as Coburn was made to look worse then he is, playing on a poor defensive team. Not saying that he didn't play poorly at times. And by the same token, some look at Lauridsen and overrate his readiness for the NHL, based on a handful of games, where the Flyers drastically simplified their style of play, to a far less aggressive and more defensively responsible style. Perspective is everything.
- MJL

Guys at Coburn's size and reach who move like he does (which is, "pretty well")....there's not a ton of them out there, regardless of the system they play.

I cant believe Gill has lasted this long. If I remember I think Guerin lasted right up til the end of camp too. We smoked Gill in 2010 playoffs. He was a dead horse then. Crazy

Guys at Coburn's size and reach who move like he does (which is, "pretty well")....there's not a ton of them out there, regardless of the system they play.
- johndewar

Agreed.

I disagree that it's not feasible to keep that. I don't want Gill or Gervais playing full time. Nor do I want any of the kids up playing full time. Maybe one will be ready later in the Season. But for now, unless a really good deal comes along. I'd keep it as is.
- MJL

Why would they be playing long term. They would only come in if there is an injury. Most minor injuries last 1-3 weeks, between 3-10 games. That is not a long strech. If someone goes down for a season, then you can look at trading for a longer term solution at a cheaper price then Meszaros at 4 million. That is IF.

Why would they be playing long term. They would only come in if there is an injury. Most minor injuries last 1-3 weeks, between 3-10 games. That is not a long strech. If someone goes down for a season, then you can look at trading for a longer term solution at a cheaper price then Meszaros at 4 million. That is IF.
- youarewrong

I'd would be fine with Gervias playing a game here or there, as a part timer. Doesn't change anything. I still have no problem keeping the defense as is. Who are you going to get that is as good or better then Meszaros, that is cheaper? And what do you have to give up to get it?

I cant believe Gill has lasted this long. If I remember I think Guerin lasted right up til the end of camp too. We smoked Gill in 2010 playoffs. He was a dead horse then. Crazy
- Just5

I'm guessing they feel they've got to give Gill (over 1100 games) every benefit of the doubt before telling him he's done.

I don't think it hurts to give him some ice in the last few pre-season games to determine if he's got anything left.

It seems like the roster is going to come down to Raffl or Laughton.

I need someone to answer a few questions.

Laughton CANNOT play anymore NHL games without starting his ELC, right?

Who makes the decisions for when a player can be eligible for the AHL? Does the NHL/players union make that decision?

If Hal Gill does not find an NHL job, can the Flyers sign him to a two-way contract and have him start in the AHL? This is assuming they have a contract slot available. I think it would be great to have a mentor like him in the AHL. It would also give them a veteran that can be called up later in the season when defenseman really start to wear down.

Can the Flyers go into the season 'as is' without unloading a contract because of Pronger's LTIR status? I know it wouldn't be ideal, but is it possible?

I'm guessing they feel they've got to give Gill (over 1100 games) every benefit of the doubt before telling him he's done.

I don't think it hurts to give him some ice in the last few pre-season games to determine if he's got anything left.
- johndewar

Plus it allows to show himself for other teams in case a dman goes down elsewhere.

How can they waive Bourdon? I thought injured players couldn't be waived.
- BiggE

I'm no expert but I thought the same thing. I thought they were saying last week he'd have to go on IR if he couldn't play. Maybe this has changed somehow under the new CBA?

I'd would be fine with Gervias playing a game here or there, as a part timer. Doesn't change anything. I still have no problem keeping the defense as is. Who are you going to get that is as good or better then Meszaros, that is cheaper? And what do you have to give up to get it?
- MJL

I'm not playing a hypathical game with you today. Flyers are too close to the cap. They have more high priced defenseman then they can afford. One has to be moved.

I'm not playing a hypathical game with you today. Flyers are too close to the cap. They have more high priced defenseman then they can afford. One has to be moved.
- youarewrong

You know right when they tried one, another will get injured long term.

It seems like the roster is going to come down to Raffl or Laughton.

I need someone to answer a few questions.

Laughton CANNOT play anymore NHL games without starting his ELC, right?

Correct

Who makes the decisions for when a player can be eligible for the AHL? Does the NHL/players union make that decision?

I believe it was spelled out in an agreement between the NHL and CHL, I don't think the NHLPA has a say in it.

If Hal Gill does not find an NHL job, can the Flyers sign him to a two-way contract and have him start in the AHL? This is assuming they have a contract slot available. I think it would be great to have a mentor like him in the AHL. It would also give them a veteran that can be called up later in the season when defenseman really start to wear down.

Yes, if no other team offers him a contract that would be his only option other than trying to find work in Europe or retirement

Can the Flyers go into the season 'as is' without unloading a contract because of Pronger's LTIR status? I know it wouldn't be ideal, but is it possible?
- PhillySportsGuy

Yes, they could send B Schenn and Couturier to the Phantoms, both are waiver exempt, then a few hours later, after putting Pronger on LTIR, they could bring both back up.

It seems like the roster is going to come down to Raffl or Laughton.

I need someone to answer a few questions.

Laughton CANNOT play anymore NHL games without starting his ELC, right?

Who makes the decisions for when a player can be eligible for the AHL? Does the NHL/players union make that decision?

If Hal Gill does not find an NHL job, can the Flyers sign him to a two-way contract and have him start in the AHL? This is assuming they have a contract slot available. I think it would be great to have a mentor like him in the AHL. It would also give them a veteran that can be called up later in the season when defenseman really start to wear down.

Can the Flyers go into the season 'as is' without unloading a contract because of Pronger's LTIR status? I know it wouldn't be ideal, but is it possible?
- PhillySportsGuy

We were talking about Laughton's eligibility yesterday, a question went out to Capgeek, not sure how it was resolved.

The decision is made between NHL, NHLPA, and the CHL. The rule wasn't really made to benefit the player. It was made so that teams wouldn't send the players that sell CHL tickets to the AHL

It seems like the roster is going to come down to Raffl or Laughton.

I need someone to answer a few questions.

Laughton CANNOT play anymore NHL games without starting his ELC, right?

Who makes the decisions for when a player can be eligible for the AHL? Does the NHL/players union make that decision?

If Hal Gill does not find an NHL job, can the Flyers sign him to a two-way contract and have him start in the AHL? This is assuming they have a contract slot available. I think it would be great to have a mentor like him in the AHL. It would also give them a veteran that can be called up later in the season when defenseman really start to wear down.

Can the Flyers go into the season 'as is' without unloading a contract because of Pronger's LTIR status? I know it wouldn't be ideal, but is it possible?
- PhillySportsGuy

If the Flyers send Laughton down and trade Meszaros they will have 2.873 million in cap space without placing Pronger on the LTIR. That means they will have a lot of money to aquire a significant roster piece at the TDL.

If you keep Laughton and dont trade a defenseman then Pronger goes on LTIR and the Flyers have no room to do anything at the TDL.

Yes, they could send B Schenn and Couturier to the Phantoms, both are waiver exempt, then a few hours later, after putting Pronger on LTIR, they could bring
both back up.
- BiggE

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't they have to report for 24hrs and Pronger can't go on LTIR till puck drop of first game therefore we would not have Schenn or Couts for the first game

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't they have to report for 24hrs and Pronger can't go on LTIR till puck drop of first game therefore we would not have Schenn or Couts for the first game
- AGL_91

You can demote Couturier or B. Schenn the day before the season (in a paper move), then after you put Pronger on LTIR the next day, you can call him back up (another paper move).

Confident that Laughton could play the nine games this year, return to his junior team, and not lose a year on his ELC.

I know we are all talking the big club. But I'm very interested in seeing Cal Heeter perform with the Phantoms this year. I liked him in Preseason and really want him to make a statement with the Phantoms this year taking the reins and maybe jumping up to the 3rd Goalie spot.

I'm a huge Ference fan. I like everything he brings to the game and his team. He would have been a great acquisition if we had the room. I'd have dropped Rosehill, Newbury and Hall if I could have wedged him in. He's a great fit on a young Oilers team though.
- mayorofangrytown

How would dropping three fourth line (at best) forwards help the Flyers sign another $3+ million defensemen?

If the Flyers send Laughton down and trade Meszaros they will have 2.873 million in cap space without placing Pronger on the LTIR. That means they will have a lot of money to aquire a significant roster piece at the TDL.

If you keep Laughton and dont trade a defenseman then Pronger goes on LTIR and the Flyers have no room to do anything at the TDL.
- youarewrong

The Flyers can demote Schenn/Couturier/Rosehill until they're right under the cap, use closer to the full LTIR for Pronger, and recall those 3 and still have significant room to add a player at the TDL. Remember, acquiring a player means you only have to pay the pro-rated portion tot he cap, not a full one.

overrated imo. wouldn't take him over any of our top guys. maybe as a sixth man over Gus, but I'd still rather see what Gus can do this year, and he costs less than Ference would.
- BringBack25

Well obviously you don't like him. I'd hardly call him over rated. It's not like people are screaming his name from the turrets. He is what he is. He's a very solid defenseman with some limited offensive skill. He's certainly not a turnstile as you described. While I like him and probably over value what he brings to a team a little as a defenseman and a team leader you certainly undervalue him.

I would never tout him as a replacement for Grossmann. They aren't the same player. I'm not sure if I would trade him out for any of our defenders but what I said was, if we could have added him, that would have been a great addition.