I wouldn't move him unless it was as part of a crazy trade for a true Elite defenseman (there's about 6 league-wide), and I don't see that happening. Guy is 4th in the OHL in pts/GP.
- jmatchett383

He is doing what he is supposed to be doing as an over-ager, dominating. If his stock is rising that much, I would definatley consider moving him.

Are you serious? He's the worst negotiator I've ever seen. I feel like the Player's agent lays out a contract and he just says "Ok, I'll take it"
- PhillySportsGuy

3 years at 9 million per for a 35 year old catcher. Comical.

Rundblad's had trouble sticking in the NHL despite multiple shots, Fowler's taken 2-3 steps back since his rookie year. I wouldn't go that low for him.
- jmatchett383

And just a few short months ago, Steve Mason was on the NHL scrapheap...

Are you serious? He's the worst negotiator I've ever seen. I feel like the Player's agent lays out a contract and he just says "Ok, I'll take it"
- PhillySportsGuy

Don't worry.. we got Marlyn Byrd in the outfield now. Instead of getting a young stud outfielder, they went the Flyer approach and got an old vet who really hasn't done much outside of the last 1.5 years.

And just a few short months ago, Steve Mason was on the NHL scrapheap...
- Tomahawk

The Flyers barely gave anything at all to get him, though. Think they can get a Rundblad at a similarly discounted price?

But he doesn't score two goals every night. You can put up with the bad stuff when he produces, but what happens when he goes into a slump. Like 1 goal in 20 games? Then you're paying/giving up a lot for a useless player.

Maybe not useless, but certainly not worth the headaches.

If he were available for very little, then why not? But, the Jets will want a legitimate prospect(s).
- PhillySportsGuy

If it was only one game, fine...but the guy has averaged more points per game of the past few seasons than several talented forwards, which I named. It's not as if he had one good game, the guy produces a load of offense from the blueline, for all his other faults.

And yes, a guy who puts up elite offensive numbers for a defenseman will cost a lot. He shouldn't be the primary target, but to dismiss him out of hand is foolish

He is doing what he is supposed to be doing as an over-ager, dominating. If his stock is rising that much, I would definatley consider moving him.
- youarewrong

Laughton's not an overager...

He is doing what he is supposed to be doing as an over-ager, dominating. If his stock is rising that much, I would definatley consider moving him.
- youarewrong

He's not an overager. That would be next year. He's only 19.

Don't worry.. we got Marlyn Byrd in the outfield now. Instead of getting a young stud outfielder, they went the Flyer approach and got an old vet who really hasn't done much outside of the last 1.5 years.
- Flyersgod

The Flyers at least get talented players. Vinny and Streit may be older and signed for too long, but they can perform at decent levels. Byrd is going to be a travesty.

And just a few short months ago, Steve Mason was on the NHL scrapheap...
- Tomahawk

If they can get Rundblad for the equivalent of what the gave up for Mason, I'd do it.

Not sure how you get that guy without drastically overpaying.
- PLindbergh31

Doesn't make it any less of a pressing need. Is it better to trade from an area of depth and maybe lose Laughton or to have Laughton stuck at 4th line center?

3 years at 9 million per for a 35 year old catcher. Comical.
- PLindbergh31

Not as bad as A-Rods 10 year 275.5 mil contract. Think his contract expires when he's like 43.

Now that was a comical contract.

Don't worry.. we got Marlyn Byrd in the outfield now. Instead of getting a young stud outfielder, they went the Flyer approach and got an old vet who really hasn't done much outside of the last 1.5 years.
- Flyersgod

Older player entering what could be his last contract has magical offensive outburst of a season. Seems legit.

The Flyers at least get talented players. Vinny and Streit may be older and signed for too long, but they can perform at decent levels. Byrd is going to be a travesty.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't consider Vinny an older guy until he turns 35. I still believe that signing Vinny was the right move.

The Flyers barely gave anything at all to get him, though. Think they can get a Rundblad at a similarly discounted price?
- BulliesPhan87

It would be a relative discount, considering how dmen are pretty valuable. Myers might cost you NHL player(s), whereas Rundblad might only cost you a good pick or a good prospect.

Older player entering what could be his last contract has magical offensive outburst of a season. Seems legit.
- jmatchett383

Doesn't make it any less of a pressing need. Is it better to trade from an area of depth and maybe lose Laughton or to have Laughton stuck at 4th line center?
- Jsaquella

If you get a legit top-pair guy for him, then yes I'd be willing to listen. But I'm not willing to lose the top prospect in the fairly thin system for a guy who may/may not fit that.

If it was only one game, fine...but the guy has averaged more points per game of the past few seasons than several talented forwards, which I named. It's not as if he had one good game, the guy produces a load of offense from the blueline, for all his other faults.

And yes, a guy who puts up elite offensive numbers for a defenseman will cost a lot. He shouldn't be the primary target, but to dismiss him out of hand is foolish
- Jsaquella

I'm just not really a fan of inconsistency. This team is made up of very young players and will have several young defenseman coming soon.

A guy like Streit may have his limitations, but at least he's a true professional. What are the kids going to learn if their number 1 D-man is Buff?

I just don't see him being worth it, unless the deal is for maybe one prospect straight up.

He's not an overager. That would be next year. He's only 19.
- jmatchett383

Sorry... his 3rd year.... same point though.

3 years at 9 million per for a 35 year old catcher. Comical.
- PLindbergh31

There is a very short list of things Phillies fans can be thankful for, looking ahead. One of those things is the lack of a salary cap.

C.C. Sabathia's Contract is pretty hilarious too. 8yrs 186mil contract.

It would be a relative discount, considering how dmen are pretty valuable. Myers might cost you NHL player(s), whereas Rundblad might only cost you a good pick or a good prospect.
- Tomahawk

Rundblad himself is no longer considered a good prospect. He's been given 4 chances to stick and hasn't. He's not old (23) but he's no longer a prospect either. So I would not give up one for him.

Gut had ONE GOOD YEAR in the SEL, and people fell all over him. Never got it.

Sorry... his 3rd year.... same point though.
- youarewrong

So every 3rd year junior player should be capable of being top-5 in pts/GP simply because they're older?

If you get a legit top-pair guy for him, then yes I'd be willing to listen. But I'm not willing to lose the top prospect in the fairly thin system for a guy who may/may not fit that.
- jmatchett383

A lot of it boils down to team needs. Yeah, Laughton's tearing up the OHL right now. But Couturier did the same in the Q, and Brayden Schenn did the same in the OHL.

Laughton comes in and plays 4th line center. How long does he stay there? Does he surpass Couturier? The Flyers have a ton of center depth and a real need on defense.

Keeping prospects is admirable. But ignoring a serious organizational need in the name of "patience" is not really making progress. If they trade Laughton, and get a good, mobile defenseman in his mid twenties, I'd have a hard time being angry about it.

I'm not saying move him for Byfuglien or Brian Campbell.

Doesn't make it any less of a pressing need. Is it better to trade from an area of depth and maybe lose Laughton or to have Laughton stuck at 4th line center?
- Jsaquella

It's definitely a need. Not arguing that. I think Laughton has much better potential than a 4th line center, I wouldn't want to sell low on him just because their is a logjam at the Center position. Laughton may be another Mike Richards.