*rubs eyes*



- -davies-

I think the point is that hiding a defenseman on the third pair shouldn't cost $5M per year for 4 years.
- PhillySportsGuy

On this team, for how this team is constructed, it does. It's that simple. If the guy isn't killing you, which he isn't, then why go out of your way to kill him?

I don't get that. I'm sorry, I just don't understand that.

It's not a short-view -- it's how the guy is playing now. We can all project decline, but you can't be angry at the guy until you actually see the decline.

Neutral might be all he is, but until we have a more mobile and responsive defense, how do we know that Streit isn't capable of playing at a higher level? I think that if you pair him with a more mobile defenseman, Streit would look a little better -- again, it's tough to move the puck with our defense, as a whole, because of its lack of collective foot speed. It's not impossible, it's just tougher.

By definition, Coburn and Timonen are getting the toughest starts. But they're not hiding Streit -- though I acknowledge that would be best -- because he has to play 20 minutes a night on this team.
- AllInForFlyers

I think there's definitely a way to get the most out of him while mitigating his shortcomings... he could be a very useful (if overpaid) player then. But yeah, with the players currently at their disposal, they probably couldn't hide him even if they wanted to.

Without a trade, best case scenario is that Schenn turns a corner, they can pair him up with Kimmo again, the Grossmann/Coburn tandem can be reunited, pushing Streit to the bottom pair to better shelter him from some of the defensive pressure.

That's an extremely short-view of the situation... Streit's like a volatile mortgage-backed security... you might be able to make a dollar off him today, but he's almost assuredly going to drag you down tomorrow.

The short-term payoff is even in doubt... yes he's got 6G and 20P now... but he's been on the ice (and been the direct culprit) in a LOT of goals against. From my perspective, his net impact on the team has seemed to be pretty close to neutral so far... that's not good enough for $5.25M. And then you consider that it's all downhill from here as he gets older? Yikes.
- Tomahawk

I think if you're just looking at the numbers he's put up is a short-sighted view. He brings so much more than goals and assists.

He's such an offensive catalyst when he has the puck on his stick. Whether he's carrying the puck out of the defensive zone, or into the offensive zone, or making great stretch passes, or quarterbacking the power play, or firing bullets from the point that actually get on net -- this team would be such a disaster offensively without him.

Yes, he's "overpaid". But I think the Flyers are viewing him as a bridge guy until they can acquire someone better. The final years of his deal can always be bought out and have less an impact on the team's cap situation. Also, the cap is going to rise rapidly over the coming years.

Finally, outside of the true greats, every single puck-moving defenseman in the league has defensive deficiencies.

On this team, for how this team is constructed, it does. It's that simple. If the guy isn't killing you, which he isn't, then why go out of your way to kill him?

I don't get that. I'm sorry, I just don't understand that.
- AllInForFlyers

He was killing them earlier. When he hits a cold streak, he will kill them again.

Mark Streit at $6M > Bruno Gervias @ free.

That is all.

On this team, for how this team is constructed, it does. It's that simple. If the guy isn't killing you, which he isn't, then why go out of your way to kill him?

I don't get that. I'm sorry, I just don't understand that.
- AllInForFlyers

It's also just the reality of the defenseman market, and the salary cap era. There's not a lot available that we're looking for, and one way or another we're going to pay out the nose for it. I don't love it either.

He's a bit overpaid and I'd prefer one less year, but I really don't think the Streit contract is going to be an albatross that prevents the Flyers from making the moves they want to. They've had the cap space/flexibility to pursue the defensemen they want to over the past couple years, the difficult part is actually acquiring them, imo.

I think if you're just looking at the numbers he's put up is a short-sighted view. He brings so much more than goals and assists.

He's such an offensive catalyst when he has the puck on his stick. Whether he's carrying the puck out of the defensive zone, or into the offensive zone, or making great stretch passes, or quarterbacking the power play, or firing bullets from the point that actually get on net -- this team would be such a disaster offensively without him.

Yes, he's "overpaid". But I think the Flyers are viewing him as a bridge guy until they can acquire someone better. The final years of his deal can always be bought out and have less an impact on the team's cap situation. Also, the cap is going to rise rapidly over the coming years.

Finally, outside of the true greats, every single puck-moving defenseman in the league has defensive deficiencies.
- bradleyc4

Yup, I tell you whhhaaaat. Well said.

I think if you're just looking at the numbers he's put up is a short-sighted view. He brings so much more than goals and assists.

He's such an offensive catalyst when he has the puck on his stick. Whether he's carrying the puck out of the defensive zone, or into the offensive zone, or making great stretch passes, or quarterbacking the power play, or firing bullets from the point that actually get on net -- this team would be such a disaster offensively without him.

Yes, he's "overpaid". But I think the Flyers are viewing him as a bridge guy until they can acquire someone better. The final years of his deal can always be bought out and have less an impact on the team's cap situation. Also, the cap is going to rise rapidly over the coming years.

Finally, outside of the true greats, every single puck-moving defenseman in the league has defensive deficiencies.
- bradleyc4

I actually think he gets bought out with 2 years left. It would be a little over $2M cap penalty for that 1st year, but with the cap expected to skyrocket, they could handle it.

It's also just the reality of the defenseman market, and the salary cap era. There's not a lot available that we're looking for, and one way or another we're going to pay out the nose for it. I don't love it either.

He's a bit overpaid and I'd prefer one less year, but I really don't think the Streit contract is going to be an albatross that prevents the Flyers from making the moves they want to. They've had the cap space/flexibility to pursue the defensemen they want to over the past couple years, the difficult part is actually acquiring them, imo.
- BulliesPhan87

Yup, coupled with the fact that the cap is projected to rise to about $71.4M

I think if you're just looking at the numbers he's put up is a short-sighted view. He brings so much more than goals and assists.

He's such an offensive catalyst when he has the puck on his stick. Whether he's carrying the puck out of the defensive zone, or into the offensive zone, or making great stretch passes, or quarterbacking the power play, or firing bullets from the point that actually get on net -- this team would be such a disaster offensively without him.

Yes, he's "overpaid". But I think the Flyers are viewing him as a bridge guy until they can acquire someone better. The final years of his deal can always be bought out and have less an impact on the team's cap situation. Also, the cap is going to rise rapidly over the coming years.

Finally, outside of the true greats, every single puck-moving defenseman in the league has defensive deficiencies.
- bradleyc4

Yes, this exactly. Especially the bolded part.

Yup, coupled with the fact that the cap is projected to rise to about $71.4M
- Flyers_V88

I don't think the new Canadian TV deal is included in this year's increase either, which means next year should boast another significant bump to the ceiling.

I actually think he gets bought out with 2 years left. It would be a little over $2M cap penalty for that 1st year, but with the cap expected to skyrocket, they could handle it.
- jmatchett383

Lol, only with the Flyers are future buyouts not only assured, but already figured into the equation.

Just about every player has stretches where they underperform for whatever reason...around here those players tend to fall out of favor pretty quickly, with the criticism ranging from, "xxxx really needs to get it going" to "he sucks, trade him for anything, now!" (usually more toward the latter).

I recall earlier this season, according to the peanut gallery, G sucked and just isn't that elite player, Jake was to be traded, Hartnell was to be given away for anything, B Schenn was a bust, Read just wasn't that player we thought, Simmonds past performance was a fluke and he was to be traded, Streit was a useless sieve, Mez was washed up, Timonen was done, Coburn was horrible and to be traded, L Schenn was a bust...then things changed, most of these players got it going and it's a different story, but now it's other guys that suck...Downie, Vinny, Rinaldo, Hall, Grossmann, Mez, Couturier...

Hockey players are human...it's not like a video game where a player always plays to his rating...players will have their slumps and their good runs...good teams get through times when players have tough stretches..other players pick it up and they're able to compete and win games despite this...as a fan, I'm usually pretty patient with good players who are slumping, as it usually turns around before too long...it's comical, and somewhat pathetic/frustrating to see how fickle some of the fans and members of the media are when it comes to this kind of thing.
- exlund

what???? they aren't robots?

I don't think the new Canadian TV deal is included in this year's increase either, which means next year should boast another significant bump to the ceiling.
- BulliesPhan87

Exactly, which essentially means the Flyers can add another contract in excess of $5M without much of an issue. People need to chill out lol.

Mark Streit at $16M > Bruno Gervias @ free.

That is all.
- jmatchett383

Mark Streit at $6M > Bruno Gervias @ free.

That is all.
- jmatchett383

Also, this. In retrospect, I'm glad they added a less than ideal offensive defenseman at Streit's rate rather than, say, a Bruno Gervais at any cost, or another Grossmann style defender (at a Grossmann price point).

Especially with Kimmo on the way out, we had to have somebody on the blueline with offensive/puck moving skills, and Gustaffson wasn't going to provide that all on his own. Not this year, not next year, and probably not ever.

Also, Erik Gustafsson should be playing every day.

Lol, only with the Flyers are future buyouts not only assured, but already figured into the equation.
- Tomahawk

Also, Erik Gustafsson should be playing every day.
- bradleyc4

Instead of Mez?

Sarah Baicker ‏@sbaickerCSN now

The Flyers have a mandatory full-team meeting in a bit, we're told.
- MBFlyerfan

Wonder what this is about....

One thing about Streit that took me a while to realize.
He is not a particularly good puck moving defenseman, the kind that can make great transitions by skating or crisp tape to tape passing.

He gets criticized because of this, maybe because of unmet expectations.

I hoped the Flyers were getting that guy when the signed him but he is not adept in that part of the game. He is an average skater and quite deliberate with the puck.

What he is very good at is offense from the blue line which is another thing entirely.
It also was a huge need when they signed him, something they have lacked, well, since Pronger went down. Teams did not have to respect a shot from the blue line and could collapse on the forwards. Streit does help them with this side of his game.

Did they pay too much for this?
Of course, but anytime you fill a core spot with an UFA you overpay.
Especially a defenseman who puts up points, they cost a lot.

Instead of Mez?
- PhillySportsGuy

Instead of Mesz. Instead of L. Schenn. Instead of Grossmann. Rotate.

I don't care, just get him in.

Instead of Mez?
- PhillySportsGuy

Not with the way Mesz has played the past 10 games or so. The old Mesz is back, for now.

Also, Erik Gustafsson should be playing every day.
- bradleyc4

I weep internally when he doesn't.