their best home grown is probably Jim Watson. its really not good when you have to go back like 40 years to find your best.
- nastyflyergirl

well holmgren wasn't the GM 40 years ago, so why go back that far? all that matters is what's happened since the richards/carter trades. there's an obvious plan that's being executed.

You can see the offensive potential starting to bubble up slowly as well.

A truly special player who should not be traded.
- bradleyc4

No doubt.

But the fact they are drafting D men now says they are changing their plans a bit...and it will be a few years before it pans out...we finish in the top half of the leage almost every year, so you almost have to catch lightning in a bottle every year with your picks to not have a lot of guys that just won't crack the roster...otherwise, you end up like PIT, CHI, COL, CGY, and EDM who just suck for a while while they rebuild...Ed won't do that, he will put a competitive team on the ice and hope they gel for a long playoff run and get a hot goalie...if you make the playoffs, you have a chance...but your draft selction is not as optimal as you would like...
- JW98FlyerFan

Well, most would agree that their 1st round drafting has been amongst the best in the league. Every year they seem to pick in the late teens or 20s, and those players (Giroux and Richards being the 2 best examples) always end up being reranked as top-10 or at leats higher. But that's forwards, and they just use FA to get their defense. Drafting defenseman is a whole different beast though. A defenseman picked at 23 has a chance to be a top-pair defender or a bottom-pair ECHL player.

Well, most would agree that their 1st round drafting has been amongst the best in the league. Every year they seem to pick in the late teens or 20s, and those players (Giroux and Richards being the 2 best examples) always end up being reranked as top-10 or at leats higher. But that's forwards, and they just use FA to get their defense. Drafting defenseman is a whole different beast though. A defenseman picked at 23 has a chance to be a top-pair defender or a bottom-pair ECHL player.
- jmatchett383

Agree on the success of the forwards, but if we lose those 4 games at the end of the year, we are watching Jones, vice talking about Morin ...which would you rather have...The higher up you get on the D men, the less of a crap shoot I think it becomes...with the number of forwards you can really find some good picks that will work in your system throughout the first round...

Well, most would agree that their 1st round drafting has been amongst the best in the league. Every year they seem to pick in the late teens or 20s, and those players (Giroux and Richards being the 2 best examples) always end up being reranked as top-10 or at leats higher. But that's forwards, and they just use FA to get their defense. Drafting defenseman is a whole different beast though. A defenseman picked at 23 has a chance to be a top-pair defender or a bottom-pair ECHL player.
- jmatchett383

they have done quite well with their first rounders. interesting though that so many of them have been shipped out after a few years. richards, carter, downie and jvr come to mind.

I get your point but honestly, I care more about who ends up being the best choice rather than how soon they will be here. Time will of course tell all
- nastyflyergirl

Common sense thinking!

True, but the Bruins and Canadiens have to look even further back.
- jmatchett383

Imagine having drafted Bourque AND Orr. 2 of the all time greatest.

Agree on the success of the forwards, but if we lose those 4 games at the end of the year, we are watching Jones, vice talking about Morin ...which would you rather have...The higher up you get on the D men, the less of a crap shoot I think it becomes...with the number of forwards you can really find some good picks that will work in your system throughout the first round...
- JW98FlyerFan

Well, Jones is probably going to end up as the best of this year's D crop, but I still think Pulock will emerge as the second best if I had to bet money. That kid is flat-out amazing. I was never sold on Nurse; seems like a more mature version of Morin with less room for growth. Also, for every Pronger/Pietrangelo superstar you pick high, there's a Schenn/Hamrlik who never quite gets there (Schenn still has somewhat of a chance), and there's a Weber/Subban who comes out of the later rounds.

Well, most would agree that their 1st round drafting has been amongst the best in the league. Every year they seem to pick in the late teens or 20s, and those players (Giroux and Richards being the 2 best examples) always end up being reranked as top-10 or at leats higher. But that's forwards, and they just use FA to get their defense. Drafting defenseman is a whole different beast though. A defenseman picked at 23 has a chance to be a top-pair defender or a bottom-pair ECHL player.
- jmatchett383

Think Morrissey's going to be the guy from that 1st-round that people are going to look back and wonder how did teams pass on such a supremely skilled player... like Erik Karlsson in 2008.

Imagine having drafted Bourque AND Orr. 2 of the all time greatest.
- nastyflyergirl

what are you talking about? orr was a blackhawk and bourque was an avalanche.

Imagine having drafted Bourque AND Orr. 2 of the all time greatest.
- nastyflyergirl

That's just not fair. They are probably the 2 best defensemen ever (I guess Harvey and Potvin could be thrown in there too) and only had a handful of years separating them.

well holmgren wasn't the GM 40 years ago, so why go back that far? all that matters is what's happened since the richards/carter trades. there's an obvious plan that's being executed.
- hammarby31

well I will say I don't know what the plan is for the direction of the team but I do like the fact they have drafted A LOT of dmen over the last few years. lets hope several pan out

Think Morrissey's going to be the guy from that 1st-round that people are going to look back and wonder how did teams pass on such a supremely skilled player... like Erik Karlsson in 2008.
- Tomahawk

But does he also have a slapshot that could take down a full-grown African elephant?

But does he also have a slapshot that could take down a full-grown African elephant?
- jmatchett383

If I didn't like elephants so much, I'd pay to see that...

I wouldn't even think about getting Brian Campbell.. what are they, the Wings?

True, but the Bruins and Canadiens have to look even further back.
- jmatchett383

Canadians embarrassed themselves in the 1971 draft.

what are you talking about? orr was a blackhawk and bourque was an avalanche.
- hammarby31

That's just not fair. They are probably the 2 best defensemen ever (I guess Harvey and Potvin could be thrown in there too) and only had a handful of years separating them.
- jmatchett383

well technically speaking Orr wasn't draft but still signed and developed.

Canadians embarrassed themselves in the 1971 draft.
- PLindbergh31

By picking Guy LaFleur and Larry Robinson?

By picking Guy LaFleur and Larry Robinson?
- jmatchett383

No by picking Larry Wright, and Pierre Plante

By picking Guy LaFleur and Larry Robinson?
- jmatchett383

Milbury would have found a way to trade those two to Ottawa for Alexei Yashin.

Milbury would have found a way to trade those two to Ottawa for Alexei Yashin.
- Tomahawk

and beaten them both with his shoe in the process.

No by picking Larry Wright, and Pierre Plante
- PLindbergh31

yeah, well at least glen irwin and ted scharf made an impact.

I wouldn't even think about getting Brian Campbell.. what are they, the Wings?
- justahockeyguy2

Let's be honest here. Next year Timonen is retiring. Even if he doesnt, I dont want him back. The only Top Pairing UFA defenseman are Phaneuf and Markov. Montreal will resign Markov. Do you want the Flyers to get into a bidding war for Phaneuf? Do you want to take the chance that you put all your eggs in the Phanuef basket and he decides to go to Detroit instead?

There aren't very many options for top pairing defensemen on the market. I think you can get Campbell for a lower trade value then Buff because of his age and contract. Florida is looking to make the transition from rebuilding to contending much like Islanders are doing. They are struggling offensively and need a young forward like SImmonds. Include Coburn and maybe a 2nd and I think you have enough to get Campbell and FLA 1.

So next year, Yes Campbell is 35 and Streit is 37 or whatever but Timonen wont be back. Campbell will be able to hold down that top pairing spot until our young defenseman are ready to take over... 3-4 years. And can you imagine if the FLA and Flyers 1st become lottery picks..... Now that would be incredable.

Florida is looking to make the transition from rebuilding to contending much like Islanders are doing. They are struggling offensively and need a young forward like SImmonds. Include Coburn and maybe a 2nd and I think you have enough to get Campbell and FLA 1.

So next year, Yes Campbell is 35 and Streit is 37 or whatever but Timonen wont be back. Campbell will be able to hold down that top pairing spot until our young defenseman are ready to take over... 3-4 years. And can you imagine if the FLA and Flyers 1st become lottery picks..... Now that would be incredable.
- youarewrong

HFBoards would so love you.