I agree. There's nobody in UFA that fills their need, unless they go after a guy like Boyle or Markov on an over 35 deal. Even Girardi, who is a very good defenseman, isn't a top guy. They're gonna have to make a trade.
- Jsaquella

I was under the impression that Girardi is a top pairing shutdown guy

What would you trade for him?

He's no leper, but i sure as hell wouldn't part with BSchenn for a Dmen who is a forward made to play D aka not the answer to the Flyers D.
- Yosimar89

He actually would be a very good fit with the Flyers defense, would actually step in an be their best defenseman.

Give a forward spot or 2 to cheap rookies and maybe one D spot to a rookie.
- JAKEw1234

I don't want to bank on guys like McGinn, Cousins, Straka or Akeson being in the top 9 before training camp. I'd like to find a top 9 guy to play with Read and Couturier. Possibly, Downie.

I was under the impression that Girardi is a top pairing shutdown guy
- JAKEw1234

Not IMO. He's like a slightly better Coburn. He doesn't have Coburn's physical gifts, but he rarely shows the lack of hockey sense that Coburn does, which makes him more reliable.

But he's going to get a huge payday, if he gets to UFA, so he'd have to be your top defenseman.

He actually would be a very good fit with the Flyers defense, would actually step in an be their best defenseman.
- Jsaquella

I don't know how he would be their 'best' defenseman. I sure as hell wouldn't want him on the ice in the final 5 minutes of a game when the Flyers are ahead by a goal. To me, that's not a top defenseman.

I don't want to bank on guys like McGinn, Cousins, Straka or Akeson being in the top 9 before training camp. I'd like to find a top 9 guy to play with Read and Couturier. Possibly, Downie.
- PhillySportsGuy

Laughton almost certainly will take a forward spot. Hall is a no brainer resigning. That's 2 cheap forwards.

Not IMO. He's like a slightly better Coburn. He doesn't have Coburn's physical gifts, but he rarely shows the lack of hockey sense that Coburn does, which makes him more reliable.

But he's going to get a huge payday, if he gets to UFA, so he'd have to be your top defenseman.
- Jsaquella

He's a top pairing guy when paired with someone pretty good. He can't carry the defense.

Laughton almost certainly will take a forward spot. Hall is a no brainer resigning. That's 2 cheap forwards.
- JAKEw1234

I don't think Hall is a no brainer. Laughton will probably start as 4th line center.

I don't know how he would be their 'best' defenseman. I sure as hell wouldn't want him on the ice in the final 5 minutes of a game when the Flyers are ahead by a goal. To me, that's not a top defenseman.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's fine, I don't want Grossmann out in that situation, either. Or Streit. But there they are.

The thing with Byfuglien is, everyone picks on his warts. Fat, bad defensively, he's a forward...he's playing for a coach that has no clue on a team that is an abject disaster.

Put him under a coach like Berube that demands more out of his guys and a team like the Flyers that has everyone rowing in the same direction, and he's not as much of a risk.

He's a top pairing guy when paired with someone pretty good. He can't carry the defense.
- PhillySportsGuy

He won't be worth the cap hit if he goes to UFA...and if the Rangers get a taker for MDZ, they might end up keeping him.

Not really, just wondering why people don't feel Byfuglien would be a very good addition to the Flyers.

It reminds me of Jay Bouwmeester. When he was a Flame, most people on this board wouldn't have touched him for anything. He goes to St Louis and people are saying he'd be a great fit.

Byfuglien's strengths are exactly what the Flyers lack on the blueline.
- Jsaquella

Here's the thing: We need SOMEBODY.

I have no idea how much to pay, how many assets. Yeah, I can guess, and we all know the names.

I have been concerned about Byfuglien's fitness level in the past, and that's pretty much where my concern ends.

Because other than that, the guy is a physical force out there. Production freaking matters in this world, and that guy is productive.

And, again: We need SOMEBODY. At some point, if we're seriously talking about trying to take a run this year or next -- and remember, we won't have Kimmo Timonen next year -- then we are gonna need SOMEBODY.

And from the way the Flyers have looked the last six weeks...maybe, just maybe, we should try to make a run for this effing thing. Why not us?

That's fine, I don't want Grossmann out in that situation, either. Or Streit. But there they are.

The thing with Byfuglien is, everyone picks on his warts. Fat, bad defensively, he's a forward...he's playing for a coach that has no clue on a team that is an abject disaster.

Put him under a coach like Berube that demands more out of his guys and a team like the Flyers that has everyone rowing in the same direction, and he's not as much of a risk.
- Jsaquella

I'm not saying I wouldn't take Byfuglien for free, but I don't want to give up young talent for a guy who needs to be taught positioning and discipline at age 28.

He won't be worth the cap hit if he goes to UFA...and if the Rangers get a taker for MDZ, they might end up keeping him.
- Jsaquella

It would behoove them to keep both of those guys and hope MDZ comes around and works things out with the coaching staff.

Here's the thing: We need SOMEBODY.

I have no idea how much to pay, how many assets. Yeah, I can guess, and we all know the names.

I have been concerned about Byfuglien's fitness level in the past, and that's pretty much where my concern ends.

Because other than that, the guy is a physical force out there. Production freaking matters in this world, and that guy is productive.

And, again: We need SOMEBODY. At some point, if we're seriously talking about trying to take a run this year or next -- and remember, we won't have Kimmo Timonen next year -- then we are gonna need SOMEBODY.

And from the way the Flyers have looked the last six weeks...maybe, just maybe, we should try to make a run for this effing thing. Why not us?
- AllInForFlyers

I have massive concerns about Byfuglien. He doesn't top my list, but he's definitely a guy I'd consider. He's a very good player who gets scapegoated by some of the Winnipeg media. Most of the smart bloggers who cover the Jets admit he's had issues, but also are quick to note that he gets a bad rap, because the rest of the team is completely a mess.

The goalie is inconsistent, they coach is clueless, the forwards are all going rogue and trying to win games by themselves...it's a mess in Winnipeg.

Some team will land Byfuglien, and be very happy tyhey did

Here's the thing: We need SOMEBODY.

I have no idea how much to pay, how many assets. Yeah, I can guess, and we all know the names.

I have been concerned about Byfuglien's fitness level in the past, and that's pretty much where my concern ends.

Because other than that, the guy is a physical force out there. Production freaking matters in this world, and that guy is productive.

And, again: We need SOMEBODY. At some point, if we're seriously talking about trying to take a run this year or next -- and remember, we won't have Kimmo Timonen next year -- then we are gonna need SOMEBODY.

And from the way the Flyers have looked the last six weeks...maybe, just maybe, we should try to make a run for this effing thing. Why not us?
- AllInForFlyers

You can't be willing to give up anything to fill a need. great teams are built through patience and good drafting.

I'm not saying I wouldn't take Byfuglien for free, but I don't want to give up young talent for a guy who needs to be taught positioning and discipline at age 28.
- PhillySportsGuy

It depends on the cost. But I would trade for Byfuglien at the right price. Because he would help, a great deal.

You can't be willing to give up anything to fill a need. great teams are built through patience and good drafting.
- PhillySportsGuy

Bullpoop. The Bruins weren't built solely through patience and good drafting. There most important guys, especially on defense, were free agents or trades.

It depends on the cost. But I would trade for Byfuglien at the right price. Because he would help, a great deal.
- Jsaquella

I don't think he would help enough to offset what the Jets would want for him.

Byfuglien has been on the Jets for a while now. They have tried several things with him. I don't know what makes you think he will come here and Berube will control his faults while not hurting his greatest assets. The reason Byfuglien scores so much is because he sacrifices offense for defense.

I don't think Hall is a no brainer. Laughton will probably start as 4th line center.
- PhillySportsGuy

Hall is one of the best PKers in the league, and he happily takes a league minimum salary. He's a no brainer in my mind.

You can't be willing to give up anything to fill a need. great teams are built through patience and good drafting.
- PhillySportsGuy

But what if we're locked in right now? What if Baby Schenn's breaking through right now, like Richards and Carter did the one year when they just went off in the second half of their breakout seasons? The year they went to the conference final, after The Season That Shall Not Be Named?

After this horrific start, the Flyers are on pace for 95-97 points -- think about it. That's with a defense that doesn't scare anybody.

What if we're better than we think we are, because we see all the flaws?

If Baby Schenn is going off like he has been, and Simmonds and Giroux and Voracek and Hartnell...holy hell.

They could be good enough to freaking win this thing, if you go all-in for a defenseman and maybe a scoring forward for insurance.

And I am totally, dead serious.

Bullpoop. The Bruins weren't built solely through patience and good drafting. There most important guys, especially on defense, were free agents or trades.
- Jsaquella

Byfuglien isn't chara. I'm not opposed to trading for a dman. I just don't want to trade young talent for a one-way defenseman.

It would behoove them to keep both of those guys and hope MDZ comes around and works things out with the coaching staff.
- PhillySportsGuy

The Rangers have $31mm in projected space, but have a TON of guys to re-sign. Right now they have Nash, Richards, Stepan, Hagelin, Dorsett & JT Miller under contract up front, McDonagh & Staal on D and Lundqvist & Talbot in goal.

That's needing 6 forwards & 5 defensemen, bare minimum.

Callahan, Brassard, Boyle & Kreider need to be re-signed and on defense they have Stralman, Girardi, MDZ & Moore to lock up.

But what if we're locked in right now? What if Baby Schenn's breaking through right now, like Richards and Carter did the one year when they just went off in the second half of their breakout seasons? The year they went to the conference final, after The Season That Shall Not Be Named?

After this horrific start, the Flyers are on pace for 95-97 points -- think about it. That's with a defense that doesn't scare anybody.

What if we're better than we think we are, because we see all the flaws?

If Baby Schenn is going off like he has been, and Simmonds and Giroux and Voracek and Hartnell...holy hell.

They could be good enough to freaking win this thing, if you go all-in for a defenseman and maybe a scoring forward for insurance.

And I am totally, dead serious.
- AllInForFlyers

Baby Schenn or Couturier won't be here if we trade for Byfuglien, Yandle or any high scoring defenseman.

Hall is one of the best PKers in the league, and he happily takes a league minimum salary. He's a no brainer in my mind.
- JAKEw1234

Not saying I wouldn't want him back but he's not a no-brainer. If he was, the Flyers would have re-signed him already. They may feel guys like Giroux, Read, Couts, Raffl and Laughton will take care of PK.

The Rangers have $31mm in projected space, but have a TON of guys to re-sign. Right now they have Nash, Richards, Stepan, Hagelin, Dorsett & JT Miller under contract up front, McDonagh & Staal on D and Lundqvist & Talbot in goal.

That's needing 6 forwards & 5 defensemen, bare minimum.

Callahan, Brassard, Boyle & Kreider need to be re-signed and on defense they have Stralman, Girardi, MDZ & Moore to lock up.
- Jsaquella

I would really like to see Hagelin with Couturier and read on the 3rd line.