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.
- jmatchett383

Wouldn't mind Campbell, since he only has 2-years left. But you think Tallon would trade him? He plays like 1/2 the game for them.

Wouldn't mind Campbell, since he only has 2-years left. But you think Tallon would trade him? He plays like 1/2 the game for them.
- Tomahawk

It would most likely costs picks/prospects, but yes. I think Florida knows they won't contend until his contract runs out, so Tallon may trade him for the right package. What that package is remains to be seen.

That's true. But my point is that you don't need that elite #1 guy if you have a good, solid mix.
- jmatchett383

Probably fair. But it seems majority of teams have a true # 1 guy, and a solid mix behind him.

Wouldn't mind Campbell, since he only has 2-years left. But you think Tallon would trade him? He plays like 1/2 the game for them.
- Tomahawk

I think he'd want a young dman in return. Once you remove Campbell, their defense is pretty bad.

He would be sacrificing next season.

That's true. But my point is that you don't need that elite #1 guy if you have a good, solid mix.
- jmatchett383

2010 Flyers had a really good 1-4, crappy third pair and a journeyman goalie, and came that close

Probably fair. But it seems majority of teams have a true # 1 guy, and a solid mix behind him.
- PLindbergh31

Well, I'll say this: it definitely helps. Also, having that #1 guy has a trickle-down effect to allow everyone else to slide into a better spot. But really, if the Flyers want that elite guy, it's gonna have to either be via draft, or via some crazy overpayment in a trade. They had their 2 shots (Weber/Suter), and they took their best swings.

I think he'd want a young dman in return. Once you remove Campbell, their defense is pretty bad.

He would be sacrificing next season.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, trading Campbell wouldn't make much sense after they just traded for Luongo. They need butts in seats.

Probably fair. But it seems majority of teams have a true # 1 guy, and a solid mix behind him.
- PLindbergh31

Most teams also have strong forward depth too.

Theres more than one way to win a cup.

2010 Flyers had a really good 1-4, crappy third pair and a journeyman goalie, and came that close
- Marc D

A third pair that weren't even NHL players. Couldn't even put those guys on the ice without a Chinese fire drill ensuing.

Yeah, trading Campbell wouldn't make much sense after they just traded for Luongo. They need butts in seats.
- Tomahawk

Their season tix start at $8. I don't think anything short of a bona fide superstar forward will get many more people out. There just isn't a fan base.

A third pair that weren't even NHL players. Couldn't even put those guys on the ice without a Chinese fire drill ensuing.
- PLindbergh31

How dare you speak ill of the multiple Oskars and Mr. Canada, Ryan Parent.

Yeah, trading Campbell wouldn't make much sense after they just traded for Luongo. They need butts in seats.
- Tomahawk

It would be a tough sell (Literally). I just think its good for players' development to have veterans on the team. Even if you can trade them for assets, they may mean more to development than any asset you get back.

Forcing guys like Kulikov or Gudbranson to take the reigns on defense could destroy them. Neither of them are equipped to do it from a skill standpoint anyway.

Man, I wish I had the day off to go to the games.

A third pair that weren't even NHL players. Couldn't even put those guys on the ice without a Chinese fire drill ensuing.
- PLindbergh31

I held my breath for every one of their shifts

Kulikov
- PhillySportsGuy

Speaking of lower-cost, potentially value-packed additions...

It would be a tough sell (Literally). I just think its good for players' development to have veterans on the team. Even if you can trade them for assets, they may mean more to development than any asset you get back.

Forcing guys like Kulikov or Gudbranson to take the reigns on defense could destroy them. Neither of them are equipped to do it from a skill standpoint anyway.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree with you. But for Campbell, you'd still have to overpay. The thing is, the overpayment isn't as crippling (because the return isn't as dramatic). So yes, you'd have to give them a reason to suck short-term.

Speaking of lower-cost, potentially value-packed additions...
- Tomahawk

That's an option too, I suppose. Assuming he wants to stay in the NHL.

so you would do it, for the right guy?
a pronger sized deal that included couts and two first rounders going for a legit #1D
- Marc D

No. We have Morin.

No. We have Morin.
- mayorofangrytown

Morin and Ghost

It will be like Chara and Krug out there

I agree with you. But for Campbell, you'd still have to overpay. The thing is, the overpayment isn't as crippling (because the return isn't as dramatic). So yes, you'd have to give them a reason to suck short-term.
- jmatchett383

Does Campbell put this team over the top? Does he make the team Cup contenders? I'm still not sure he does.

Speaking of lower-cost, potentially value-packed additions...
- Tomahawk

You love him. I'm not as enamored.

Morin and Ghost

It will be like Chara and Krug out there
- Marc D

But better, much better.

I held my breath for every one of their shifts


- Marc D

Their ice time in game 6:

Krajicek 7:18 11 shifts
Bartulis 3:47 6 shifts

Essentially played with 4 defenseman.

I agree that the Flyers rely heavily on their PP, but other teams are heavy PP teams as well, and they don't seem to have any issues winning at MSG. The Flyers have to break through and win a game there to get the place out of their heads.
- PLindbergh31

This is true. They're not different than other teams in the NHL, but I think for one reason or another, this team relies on its PP to at least feed the team momentum at worst. Against the Rangers, for whatever reason, if we don't come out strong from the beginning, there's no chance in winning at MSG. Possibly psychological factors? I don't know.