If so, move on.

Sometimes it's better to end up empty-handed, than get locked into the wrong guy.
- Tomahawk

I agree with you. It's just not the Flyer way.

Or just a solid 1-6.
- jmatchett383

give me an example of a Cup winning team that just had a solid 1-6

I agree with you. It's just not the Flyer way.
- PhillySportsGuy

Ain't that the truth.

Emery has played well lately. The games the Flyers have lost with him in there wasn't his fault. He was superb in St. Louis.
- PLindbergh31

The only thing Ray Emery didn't do in that game was score and fight the other goalie.

He was awesome in that game.

We don't know that for sure. If you pay a steep enough price, most players would be available. The key is to try and pillage a team that has a big time dman, who is close to becoming a UFA. For the right package a team that has a lot of building to do might make that type of defenseman available.
- PLindbergh31

The only player close to matching your description is Subban. Im not sure he's the #1 dman the team will be willing to pay for.

Any deal involving a top dman starts with Couts. I'm thinking Couts, Coburn, Morin and 1st rounder.

The only thing Ray Emery didn't do in that game was score and fight the other goalie.

He was awesome in that game.
- johndewar

Yes he was. Miller happened to be a little bit better.

give me an example of a Cup winning team that just had a solid 1-6
- Marc D

Those Carolina Whalercanes in 2006 didn't have anyone special.

Those Carolina Whalercanes in 2006 didn't have anyone special.
- johndewar

The Canucks got within 1 game of a cup without a true #1. They had several 2-4 defenseman though.

The only player close to matching your description is Subban. Im not sure he's the #1 dman the team will be willing to pay for.

Any deal involving a top dman starts with Couts. I'm thinking Couts, Coburn, Morin and 1st rounder.
- PhillySportsGuy

I really like Giordano from Calgary. He's under contract for 2 more years at a bargain of 4.2. He would instantly be the best dman on the Flyers by a good margin. Calgary is light years from competing, and they may not want to pay him in the 6.5 range.

I know +/- is a skewed stat, but Giordano is a +13 on a team that has a -26 goal differential. That is pretty damned impressive.

The only player close to matching your description is Subban. Im not sure he's the #1 dman the team will be willing to pay for.

Any deal involving a top dman starts with Couts. I'm thinking Couts, Coburn, Morin and 1st rounder.
- PhillySportsGuy

Think they just have to set their sights a little lower and take on a bit more risk... like they did w/ Mason.

If you give up a ton, even if you get a ton out of the player you traded for, you're still at zero sum long-term.

The Canucks got within 1 game of a cup without a true #1. They had several 2-4 defenseman though.
- PhillySportsGuy

Losing Hamhuis towards the end of that series absolutely killed them

The only player close to matching your description is Subban. Im not sure he's the #1 dman the team will be willing to pay for.

Any deal involving a top dman starts with Couts. I'm thinking Couts, Coburn, Morin and 1st rounder.
- PhillySportsGuy

give me an example of a Cup winning team that just had a solid 1-6
- Marc D

2005-2006 Carolina Hurricanes (top D: ???)
2003-2004 Tampa Bay Lightning (top D: Boyle)
1998-1999 Dallas Stars (top D: D. Hatcher)
1995-1996 Colorado Avalanche (top D: Foote)
1992-93 Montreal Canadiens (top D: Desjardins???)

I really like Giordano from Calgary. He's under contract for 2 more years at a bargain of 4.2. He would instantly be the best dman on the Flyers by a good margin. Calgary is light years from competing, and they may not want to pay him in the 6.5 range.
- PLindbergh31

He's only 30 and Calgary isn't a cap floor team. I don't see why they'd get rid of him. They have the money to sign him.

The Canucks got within 1 game of a cup without a true #1. They had several 2-4 defenseman though.
- PhillySportsGuy

Don't forget the 11-12 Devils.

I really hope there is some sort of plan in place to get a legit first pairing stud on board. Paying fringe guys between 4-5.5 range isn't working.
- PLindbergh31

They already have one in Brayden Coburn.

Those Carolina Whalercanes in 2006 didn't have anyone special.
- johndewar

good choice

look at these guys:
Glen Wesley
Aaron Ward
Frank Kaberle
Bret Hedican
Niclas Wallin
Anton Babchuk
Andrew Hutchinson
Mike Commodore
Oleg Tverdovsky

Think they just have to set their sights a little lower and take on a bit more risk... like they did w/ Mason.

If you give up a ton, even if you get a ton out of the player you traded for, you're still at zero sum long-term.
- Tomahawk

I'm telling you guys, I think Brian Campbell is the best bet. He's one of the few dmen who can be had for a deal not involving Coots, and he's still a legit top-pair defenseman (although not the "elite/#1" type).

Edit: I'm right, you're wrong.
Literally.

good choice

look at these guys:
Glen Wesley
Aaron Ward
Frank Kaberle
Bret Hedican
Niclas Wallin
Anton Babchuk
Andrew Hutchinson
Mike Commodore
Oleg Tverdovsky
- Marc D

Ward was out of his mind in those playoffs.

2005-2006 Carolina Hurricanes (top D: ???)
2003-2004 Tampa Bay Lightning (top D: Boyle)
1998-1999 Dallas Stars (top D: D. Hatcher)
1995-1996 Colorado Avalanche (top D: Foote)
1992-93 Montreal Canadiens (top D: Desjardins???)
- jmatchett383

great list

seems harder to do now, no one has since Carolina 8 seasons ago

the game has changed
can't clutch and grab, and you need transition and some offense from the D more then ever these days

I feel like someone will give Boyle a second year.
- PhillySportsGuy

Most likely. And Boyle isn't a good fit for the Flyers anyway.

great list

seems harder to do now, no one has since Carolina 8 seasons ago
- Marc D

Well, the thing all of those teams have in common is a goalie who played great throughout the playoffs. I have faith than Mason can match the likes of Khabibulin and Ward. Not so much Belfour and Roy.

2005-2006 Carolina Hurricanes (top D: ???)
2003-2004 Tampa Bay Lightning (top D: Boyle)
1998-1999 Dallas Stars (top D: D. Hatcher)
1995-1996 Colorado Avalanche (top D: Foote)
1992-93 Montreal Canadiens (top D: Desjardins???)
- jmatchett383

There are some exceptions sure, but looking at that list Boyle, Hatcher, Foote, and Desjardins were better than anyone the Flyers currently have.

2005-2006 Carolina Hurricanes (top D: ???)
2003-2004 Tampa Bay Lightning (top D: Boyle)
1998-1999 Dallas Stars (top D: D. Hatcher)
1995-1996 Colorado Avalanche (top D: Foote)
1992-93 Montreal Canadiens (top D: Desjardins???)
- jmatchett383

Tampa had Kubina when he was still pretty darned good. Dallas had Zubov and Sydor. Avs had Ozolinsh. Habs had Schneider.

I agree with your premise though... I'd take a competent 1-6 versus over a top-heavy group if I had faith in my goalie.

There are some exceptions sure, but looking at that list Boyle, Hatcher, Foote, and Desjardins were better than anyone the Flyers currently have.
- PLindbergh31

That's true. But my point is that you don't need that elite #1 guy if you have a good, solid mix.