The group is a mess, no doubt. If I could, I'd get rid of everybody outside of Coburn, Luke Schenn and Gus, and slowly rebuild from there.

I'm not looking for them to take a wild stab at contention in the near future... I want them to build a real foundation of talent on the back-end to compliment what they have up front and in net... and then wait for the entire thing to come together as one.
- Tomahawk

In total agreement.

Byfuglien is signed for two years. They will not be competing for a cup in the next two years. Do you want to sign Byfuglien to a large extension at age 30?

It has been reported that Buff came into camp slimmed down and more committed to working on his game...but many ignore things like that and choose to still think of him as a fat, lazy guy who has this and that issue...meanwhile, he's consistently been one of the top producing blueliners in the league.
- exlund

He's looked like the same ole' Buff to me this year

Pronger would make this team a stanley cup contender. There is no replacement for a guy who can run the PP, match up against top lines, start the breakout and lead the team.
- PhillySportsGuy

There's no doubt when they turned over this team with tradepocalypse that Pronger was part of the core. Losing him left the blueline in shambles, and kind of led to the whole "bad mix" issue they've had. I don't know if I'd go as far as to say they'd be Cup contenders, but they'd be a hell of a lot closer.

Didn't you hear? Grossmann's terrible, old, broken down, and stinks. Worst defenseman in the league. We need to dump him ASAP.
- jmatchett383

I know you're being sarcastic there, but I have a high level of appreciation for Grossmann's game. I think he's one of the better defensive D men in the league...and I don't think he's strictly one dimensional...not saying he's a producer, but he makes good basic plays to move the puck, makes some good o-zone keep ins and gets pucks deep..and he's not slow for his size...he may not be an offensive catalyst, but he's not limiting the offense when he's out there imo. I'm a fan.

I have one question for the people who want Byfuglien. Does he make this team a stanley cup contender this year?
- PhillySportsGuy

Not likely.

But it probably makes them a significantly better team this year & in the immediate future. Their biggest need is a good transitional defenseman that can add offense. Byfuglien does that. It does depend on the cost & if that's Simmonds & Luke Schenn ( plus a mid tier prospect) for Buf & a decent 3rd liner, it's acceptable to me

There's no doubt when they turned over this team with tradepocalypse that Pronger was part of the core. Losing him left the blueline in shambles, and kind of led to the whole "bad mix" issue they've had. I don't know if I'd go as far as to say they'd be Cup contenders, but they'd be a hell of a lot closer.
- BulliesPhan87

It's always bad to do the what if game, but JVR is still on this team if Pronger is healthy.

It has been reported that Buff came into camp slimmed down and more committed to working on his game...but many ignore things like that and choose to still think of him as a fat, lazy guy who has this and that issue...meanwhile, he's consistently been one of the top producing blueliners in the league.
- exlund

it was reported that hartnell came into camp out of shape, FWIW

For a guy that doesn't take care of his body, he sure plays a lot of minutes at a very high level.
- Jsaquella

People keep telling me he's fat and lazy and doesn't work out... and yet he plays 26:36 per game. Fifth most in the league.

For those who care Bryz will be wearing #80 in Edmonton

Not likely.

But it probably makes them a significantly better team this year & in the immediate future. Their biggest need is a good transitional defenseman that can add offense. Byfuglien does that. It does depend on the cost & if that's Simmonds & Luke Schenn ( plus a mid tier prospect) for Buf & a decent 3rd liner, it's acceptable to me
- Jsaquella

I would do that trade. I doubt the Jets would.

For those who care Bryz will be wearing #80 in Edmonton
- Jsaquella

Why? Is there any significance?

I have one question for the people who want Byfuglien. Does he make this team a stanley cup contender this year?
- PhillySportsGuy

No. But he would likely make them more of a threat should they get into the post season...at 28, I'd see him more as an addition for the next 5-6 years than a piece to try and push them to overachieve this season.

In total agreement.

Byfuglien is signed for two years. They will not be competing for a cup in the next two years. Do you want to sign Byfuglien to a large extension at age 30?
- PhillySportsGuy

I wouldn't, but that's me hoping the Flyers would operate more like the Kings, Sharks, 'Hawks or Pens, instead of doing the whole Biggest Name Available thing that we're used to.

I'm secretly hoping Hextall can bring substantive change to the front-office, even as an assistant, where they're more methodical and more analytical and take a longer view of the roster... but I'm not holding my breath.

It has been reported that Buff came into camp slimmed down and more committed to working on his game...but many ignore things like that and choose to still think of him as a fat, lazy guy who has this and that issue...meanwhile, he's consistently been one of the top producing blueliners in the league.
- exlund

For a fanbase that would defend Mason & Downie against their past knocks, some hurdles are just too big to overcome. Because we're fat too.

Why? Is there any significance?
- PhillySportsGuy

No idea

I'd take Coburn out and replace him with Luke Schenn. I;d be trading for Byfuglien to pair him with Coburn
- Jsaquella

If I'm sending Simmonds 24 and Schenn 24 for Buff, Little better be coming with him.... Too much youth going that way.

For a fanbase that would defend Mason & Downie against their past knocks, some hurdles are just too big to overcome. Because we're fat too.


- Flyskippy

Maybe he's not as fat anymore, but he certainly hasn't developed his defensive game over the years.

Gaining as much weight as he did just shows that he has very little discipline. It's not like he was just 10 pounds overweight during the lockout. He must have been 40-50 pounds overweight. I don't even think I could get that big over such a short period of time even if I tried.

No idea
- Jsaquella

He could have probably gotten #30 away from Bachman, if he wanted to. It's a good sign that he chose to avoid making any waves in the room... or maybe it's a sign of just how low his prestige is right now.

Why? Is there any significance?
- PhillySportsGuy

Might also be his save percentage there.

I would do that trade. I doubt the Jets would.
- PhillySportsGuy

Even if it was Simmonds & Schenn for just Byfuglien, I'd think long and hard...not trading a bunch of kids & picks.

It's also not a knock in Simmonds or Schenn, it's adding a piece that the team lacks at the expense of pieces they can more easily replace

In total agreement.

Byfuglien is signed for two years. They will not be competing for a cup in the next two years. Do you want to sign Byfuglien to a large extension at age 30?
- PhillySportsGuy

prognostications like this are pretty ballsy IMO. first off, no one can see the future without use of magic mirrors...teams have made full season turn arounds from one to the next. who's different from the team that went to the ECSF and blew it against the devils which leaves us at MORE of a disadvantage?

second, there is NO WAY that the flyers brass could or should feel the same way...they wouldn't be doing their jobs. i can see this team being 2-3 pieces away from being a legit contender. who says they can't do that over 18 months?

everyone enjoy MANOWAR MONDAY

Why? Is there any significance?
- PhillySportsGuy

It's the temperature he's keeping his apartment.

Maybe he's not as fat anymore, but he certainly hasn't developed his defensive game over the years.

Gaining as much weight as he did just shows that he has very little discipline. It's not like he was just 10 pounds overweight during the lockout. He must have been 40-50 pounds overweight. I don't even think I could get that big over such a short period of time even if I tried.
- PhillySportsGuy

What does it say about the Flyers current defense core, that a lazy, fat, out of shape Byfuglien who lacks discipline is head and shoulders better than anyone on the Flyers roster?

Even if it was Simmonds & Schenn for just Byfuglien, I'd think long and hard...not trading a bunch of kids & picks.

It's also not a knock in Simmonds or Schenn, it's adding a piece that the team lacks at the expense of pieces they can more easily replace
- Jsaquella

I wouldn't do both for him straight up.

Maybe he's not as fat anymore, but he certainly hasn't developed his defensive game over the years.

Gaining as much weight as he did just shows that he has very little discipline. It's not like he was just 10 pounds overweight during the lockout. He must have been 40-50 pounds overweight. I don't even think I could get that big over such a short period of time even if I tried.
- PhillySportsGuy

Meh. Still 5th in TOI. Still a cog in WPG's offense and would look good on point with Jake & G feeding him 1-timers like the one he tied the game with on Friday.

Still, the Flyers don't need him -- they need a dman that can get them out of their zone, up the ice, & into the o-zone with his four ice-mates' assistance.