And no-one has mentioned that even if he does begin to break down as your top defenseman you could always move him to wing and use him there... Less skating...
- youarewrong

Yep. Putting that big ass in front of a goalie worked out really well for Chicago when Byfuglien tied for the team lead in playoff goals when the won the 2010 Stanley Cup.

The funny thing is, Byfuglien isn;t even my first choice. I'd rather have a guy like Yandle, or Bouwmeester.

But I'm not about to simply dismiss a guy with his production and abilities out of hand because he's fat.
- Jsaquella

I read that earlier. The Flyers either need to find "that guy" (puck moving d-man that can get them out of the D zone and/or into the O zone with regularity) from within or go get him via trade.

I saw something recently on the NHL Network from the Bruins training camp. Chara did 39 chin ups. And benched 250 pounds like 20 times.

For a dude that has arms as long as he does, that is amazing.
- PLindbergh31

He used the same chin up bar as everyone else and only had to go onto his tippie toes.... camera just didnt show that...

Do you strictly measure players in terms of points? None of the prospects will likely give you the point output of Byfuglien, but they may have a few guys who are better all around defenseman than him.
- PhillySportsGuy

Nope. But Byfuglien produces points, he's a good skater and he's very good at moving the puck up ice. He's no worse defensively than a guy like Yandle.

I'm also not saying to trade Morin or Hagg or Alt for him. I'd suspect that the Jets want NHL level players.

Do you strictly measure players in terms of points? None of the prospects will likely give you the point output of Byfuglien, but they may have a few guys who are better all around defenseman than him.
- PhillySportsGuy

If you're a puck mover, whether via pass or skate, you're bound to get secondary assists at the very least.

He might not. But I doubt the decline happens in the next year or two, when you have guys like Alt, Morin, Hagg and Gostisbehere ready to start pushing for jobs.

It's also possible that he can be convinced to start taking better care of himself, to ease the decline.
- Jsaquella

why would he care if he got a contract?

I think Gostisbehere has that potential. But yes, that's 3-4 years down the line (for him to be able to do that). Kid is incredibly fast.
- jmatchett383

A lot of folks see Gostisbehere's ceiling as a second pair guy who can QB a power play. That's not a bad get for a third rounder.

why would he care if he got a contract?
- 2Real

'Cause his contract ends in three years, and he'd probably like another one

Nope. But Byfuglien produces points, he's a good skater and he's very good at moving the puck up ice. He's no worse defensively than a guy like Yandle.

I'm also not saying to trade Morin or Hagg or Alt for him. I'd suspect that the Jets want NHL level players.
- Jsaquella

So would you trade B Schenn or courts for him straight up?

A lot of folks see Gostisbehere's ceiling as a second pair guy who can QB a power play. That's not a bad get for a third rounder.
- Jsaquella

That's where I see him. Kind of a Timonen lite. He's kind of the same player as Hagg, but with more offense. For a guy his size, he's not afraid to play physical hockey, and has a bit of an edge.

I wasn't poiting fingers, just a caveat.
- jmatchett383

I'm with you. I'd like Yandle. He's not elite. I'd like Fowler. Wouldn't call him elite, either.

They need more mobility and puck skills on defense, if they can get elite that's great. But I'd settle for real good at this point.

I read that earlier. The Flyers either need to find "that guy" (puck moving d-man that can get them out of the D zone and/or into the O zone with regularity) from within or go get him via trade.
- Flyskippy

I don't think one guy is necessarily going to do it... even Pronger had good Kimmo and Carle to help carry the mail... if you put 35-year-old Pronger in with this current group, I dare say that things wouldn't exactly be too terribly different.

So would you trade B Schenn or courts for him straight up?
- PhillySportsGuy

Nope. But I'd be happy to move a Simmonds led package to get him. Say something like Simmonds & Luke Schenn+ for him and a decent 3rd line winger

If you're a puck mover, whether via pass or skate, you're bound to get secondary assists at the very least.
- Flyskippy

Yes, but he gets out of position quite a bit. My problem with him is that he's not a thinker. He's the type of player that would sacrifice defense for offense at any point.

That's where I see him. Kind of a Timonen lite. He's kind of the same player as Hagg, but with more offense. For a guy his size, he's not afraid to play physical hockey, and has a bit of an edge.
- jmatchett383

I don;t think he'll have Kimmo's all around game, but yeah, if he's a poor man's Kimmo, that's great

Nope. But Byfuglien produces points, he's a good skater and he's very good at moving the puck up ice. He's no worse defensively than a guy like Yandle.

I'm also not saying to trade Morin or Hagg or Alt for him. I'd suspect that the Jets want NHL level players.
- Jsaquella

My guess is Coburn, Simmonds, and Cousins gets it done. And I would do it.

Nope. But I'd be happy to move a Simmonds led package to get him. Say something like Simmonds & Luke Schenn+ for him and a decent 3rd line winger
- Jsaquella

That I'd do. I think Simmonds has become expendable when it comes to upgrading the defense. Which is a shame, because he showed in the past he has offensive ability. It just went away.

Nope. But I'd be happy to move a Simmonds led package to get him. Say something like Simmonds & Luke Schenn+ for him and a decent 3rd line winger
- Jsaquella

That'd be too much for me. I'd do L. Schenn and maybe a 2nd.

Yes, but he gets out of position quite a bit. My problem with him is that he's not a thinker. He's the type of player that would sacrifice defense for offense at any point.
- PhillySportsGuy

So are most offensive defensemen. That's why they're paying Grossmann & Luke Schenn $3.5mm a year, and Coburn $4.5mm a year.

That I'd do. I think Simmonds has become expendable when it comes to upgrading the defense. Which is a shame, because he showed in the past he has offensive ability. It just went away.
- jmatchett383

He's played much better since Berube took over. He was a mess for a while though.

That'd be too much for me. I'd do L. Schenn and maybe a 2nd.
- PhillySportsGuy

I like Simmonds, but he's hardly Tim Kerr.

My guess is Coburn, Simmonds, and Cousins gets it done. And I would do it.
- youarewrong

I'd be on the edge, only because (Coburn's been a very good puck mover, skater, and defender over the last 10+ games. If he can regain his pre-2011 form, he's a fine 2nd pair guy. Just wish we could have the 2007/2008 Coburn back.

That I'd do. I think Simmonds has become expendable when it comes to upgrading the defense. Which is a shame, because he showed in the past he has offensive ability. It just went away.
- jmatchett383

Simmonds is every bit as inconsistent as the folks who rail against Byfuglien say that Big Buf is. Simmonds runs hot or cold, and does a lot of damage on the PP.

Not that he's a bad player at all, but he's streaky, especially at 5 on 5.

I don't think one guy is necessarily going to do it... even Pronger had good Kimmo and Carle to help carry the mail... if you put 35-year-old Pronger in with this current group, I dare say that things wouldn't exactly be too terribly different.
- Tomahawk

I think the effort and execution would have been different the first 12 games. That shores up a lot of problems. In the words of Fred Shero, "Execution is the deciding factor," in winning games.

At any rate, I did not imply that there is "one sure fix" to cure the Flyers' ails and somehow make them invincible.

So are most offensive defensemen. That's why they're paying Grossmann & Luke Schenn $3.5mm a year, and Coburn $4.5mm a year.
- Jsaquella

Pushing the issue in the game against the Flyers (down a goal in the third) was fine. But I would want him playing it a little closer to the vest when ahead or tied late in the third. He's also not very good in his own zone.