If they are trading anything I want them to fix the D first, improve team speed second.
- Marc D

Defense and pure goal scoring winger....i agree with defense first but they would have to subtract dman to add one of better quality....I actually hope this team stays put this year I might be overly pessimistic but short of a blockbuster ( Weber )...I think this is a process and they are not a cup contender this year but are on the right track, but this is just my humble opinion...

Well the expectation is that Laughton fills that sport next year (assuming we still have at least 3 of Giroux, Schenn, Coots, Lecavalier). But for the most part, the 4th round is going to produce a guy like Tye McGinn more than a guy like Simmonds or even Bordon. Yes, every now and then, you find a diamond in the rough down there, but if you want to take a run this year (once you get in, anything can happen), I'm not opposed to trading a low pick for Malholtra type.
- jmatchett383

I'm not opposed to trading a 4th round pick either.

Picking late in the draft is more of a numbers game. You hit every once in a while, but your chances of hitting on one goes up with more picks.

I'm more in the mindset to only make a move if it will help the long term of the team. If it helps the short term as well, then go ahead. If they trade for someone with picks, I'd like to see them re-sign the guy at least.

The proper fix to those problems (short term) will require moving significant assets.
- jmatchett383

that's the big question
wait three years for Morin and Haag and Ghost, and who knows

or trade some assets to contend sooner

that's the big question
wait three years for Morin and Haag and Ghost, and who knows

or trade some assets and who knows
- Marc D

FTFY

I'm not opposed to trading a 4th round pick either.

Picking late in the draft is more of a numbers game. You hit every once in a while, but your chances of hitting on one goes up with more picks.

I'm more in the mindset to only make a move if it will help the long term of the team. If it helps the short term as well, then go ahead. If they trade for someone with picks, I'd like to see them re-sign the guy at least.
- PhillySportsGuy

There are very few guys who will be an upgrade on the 4th line that they'll be able to resign. Heck, Steve Ott and Dave Bolland will be looking for at least $2.25M next year. Malholtra's got one good run left in him and then will probably try to cash in. And like I said, Laughton's slotted to play there next year. So I doubt they'll acquire a 4th line-type guy and resign him. They have some guys (McGinn being one) who will be pushing for full-time winger duty next year.

Defense and pure goal scoring winger....i agree with defense first but they would have to subtract dman to add one of better quality....I actually hope this team stays put this year I might be overly pessimistic but short of a blockbuster ( Weber )...I think this is a process and they are not a cup contender this year but are on the right track, but this is just my humble opinion...
- nonpoint22

I wonder how Vinnie would do with G and Jake?

I'm not really eager to bust up the first line, but Vinnie and Couts together isn't great.

With G and Jake feeding VL, well he still has a terrific shot.

Not sure if he has the wheels to keep up with those guys.

He does play with them on the 2 man up PP unit (which has been less then stellar so far), so maybe not.

FTFY
- PhillySportsGuy

what we know for sure is whoever they trade will go on to a big NHL career

what we know for sure is whoever they trade will go on to a big NHL career
- Marc D

My point is that you don't know anything for sure

that's the big question
wait three years for Morin and Haag and Ghost, and who knows

or trade some assets to contend sooner
- Marc D

The problem is that the big fish is probably a pipe dream. The team we're best equipped to trade with is Pittsburgh, and that ain't gonna happen. Even the second tier guys like Enstrom/Phaneuf/etc. are locked up. Their best hope is that Lauridsen and Alt are able to come in next year and contribute.

Should be a colorful game tonight, Sabres going with these beauties

I wonder how Vinnie would do with G and Jake?

I'm not really eager to bust up the first line, but Vinnie and Couts together isn't great.

With G and Jake feeding VL, well he still has a terrific shot.

Not sure if he has the wheels to keep up with those guys.

He does play with them on the 2 man up PP unit (which has been less then stellar so far), so maybe not.
- Marc D

I think healthy Vinny could keep up.

I'm not so sure about VL with a broken back.

There are very few guys who will be an upgrade on the 4th line that they'll be able to resign. Heck, Steve Ott and Dave Bolland will be looking for at least $2.25M next year. Malholtra's got one good run left in him and then will probably try to cash in. And like I said, Laughton's slotted to play there next year. So I doubt they'll acquire a 4th line-type guy and resign him. They have some guys (McGinn being one) who will be pushing for full-time winger duty next year.
- jmatchett383

Laughton may play wing on the 3rd line. Hard to tell at this point though. I would be ok with them moving a 4th rounder for a 4th line center. He better be able to kill penalties though.

Should be a colorful game tonight, Sabres going with these beauties


- Marc D

GAAAH!! MY EYES!

My point is that you don't know anything for sure
- PhillySportsGuy

I sure don't

Laughton may play wing on the 3rd line. Hard to tell at this point though. I would be ok with them moving a 4th rounder for a 4th line center. He better be able to kill penalties though.
- PhillySportsGuy

So, using Malholtra as an example. If you could get him for, say, a 2014 4th and a 2015 5th, and the Flyers didn't intend to resign him, are you for/against it?

GAAAH!! MY EYES!
- johndewar

I'm hoping Flyers go with the orange jerseys

I sure don't


- Marc D

That came out wrong.

So, using Malholtra as an example. If you could get him for, say, a 2014 4th and a 2015 5th, and the Flyers didn't intend to resign him, are you for/against it?
- jmatchett383

Against. I don't think Malhotra makes this team a contender. He would marginally improve them. He's not going to help our defenseman move the puck on an opposing forecheck.

I'm hoping Flyers go with the orange jerseys
- Marc D

Actually, I think that would be awesome.

Actually, I think that would be awesome.
- johndewar

As a colorblind person, I'd be against it!

Against. I don't think Malhotra makes this team a contender. He would marginally improve them. He's not going to help our defenseman move the puck on an opposing forecheck.
- PhillySportsGuy

What if they Flyers extended him 1 year at a 10% raise?

As a colorblind person, I'd be against it!
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't see color. I just see a fine woven mesh with several plates and logos sewn on. I'm quite progressive.

What if they Flyers extended him 1 year at a 10% raise?
- jmatchett383

Then that would be ok. I just hate the idea of giving up two picks for 30 games of Malhotra. A fair share of decent goalies are selected in the 4th and 5th round.

I would have them higher than 19th. I would say their record is a fair assessment of where they are. You can put the Flyers, Rangers, Red Wings, Habs and Capitals all pretty close to each other.
- PhillySportsGuy

i thought i would too but i couldn't say they are better than any of the teams above them. that was why i posted it in the context of having hope but needing to balance it against reality. the reality is they are not close to the top-echelon teams. the loss of pronger was devastating but i think that 2010 cup run was a false positive to the actual talent on the team. my question is this: no matter what your position is on what strategy they should employ (wait for young guys to develop or try to improve thru trades etc. now) do we really want paul holmgren in charge of doing it?

I don't see color. I just see a fine woven mesh with several plates and logos sewn on. I'm quite progressive.
- jmatchett383

That sounds like a Stephen Colbert comment. Except the "I'm quite progressive" part.