Wow, 5 years!!!!! I like to think Hexy is pretty committed to at least one of the young bucks to crack the top 6 next season. I believe they really hope Kimmo wants to play one more year and use MacDonald to eat up a lot of even strength and PK work to limit Kimmo to about 17 minutes/gm.
- ravishingone

Yeah, and he'd be an over 35 deal. He's been healthy the last two years, but the guy's medical record takes 3 hours to download...

Boudreau is doing something desperate. The Kings are getting better goaltending, but it's not the biggest reason why the Ducks are losing
- Jsaquella

well yea that's why gibson is playing just watch if corey perry is invisible the rest of the way they're done

Agreed, and it's what they should do.

You don't want to get too "soft" for lack of a better word, but the one dimensional make-up of their defense means you can get burned if it comes to match ups. It's like the Gus vs Grossmann conversation...they lacked the speed and puck skills Gus brings. Obviously he can't be the physical guy Grossmann can, but the Flyers really needed somebody that can move the puck.

Ideally, you have guys that can do a bit of both. I'd rather have a couple Josh Georges than Grossmann and Gustafsson
- Jsaquella

I think thats one of the primary issues with the entire team. They have way too many situational players. A good hockey team shouldn't be forced to shelter their 2nd line the way the Flyers do. A good team shouldn't have so many defenseman who are well below average on one side of the ice.

It's one of the reasons I hated to lose Carle. For all of his warts, he was competent in both ends of the ice. The Flyers don't have many guys like that. Guys who can be deployed in ANY situation without holding your breath.

I think thats one of the primary issues with the entire team. They have way too many situational players. A good hockey team shouldn't be forced to shelter their 2nd line the way the Flyers do. A good team shouldn't have so many defenseman who are well below average on one side of the ice.

It's one of the reasons I hated to lose Carle. For all of his warts, he was competent in both ends of the ice. The Flyers don't have many guys like that. Guys who can be deployed in ANY situation without holding your breath.
- PhillySportsGuy

Niskanen might be available, but what are you willing to pay him? People weren't comfortable paying Carle 5.5M.

I think thats one of the primary issues with the entire team. They have way too many situational players. A good hockey team shouldn't be forced to shelter their 2nd line the way the Flyers do. A good team shouldn't have so many defenseman who are well below average on one side of the ice.

It's one of the reasons I hated to lose Carle. For all of his warts, he was competent in both ends of the ice. The Flyers don't have many guys like that. Guys who can be deployed in ANY situation without holding your breath.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think thats one of the primary issues with the entire team. They have way too many situational players. A good hockey team shouldn't be forced to shelter their 2nd line the way the Flyers do. A good team shouldn't have so many defenseman who are well below average on one side of the ice.

It's one of the reasons I hated to lose Carle. For all of his warts, he was competent in both ends of the ice. The Flyers don't have many guys like that. Guys who can be deployed in ANY situation without holding your breath.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yep. It's more prevalent in the defense corps, but it happens up front, too. That second line was shielded in terms of usage and they still struggled.

Among the things I liked about Hexy was his noting that the mix needed attention. There's talent, but how well does it fit together

Niskanen might be available, but what are you willing to pay him? People weren't comfortable paying Carle 5.5M.
- MJL

It's hindsight and I'll admit I wasn't on the Carle $5.5M bandwagon. It's just a move I wish they would have made.

The best teams are made up of strong two-way depth. Its fine to have a couple defenseman who are situational, but your entire lineup can't be made up of them.

They could use Timonen back, and add another minutes eater.
- MJL

It is going to be a very important summer for Luke Schenn. Now is his time to take the next step in his progression and be able to handle more responsibility. In particular, less is more with him when he has the puck on his stick. He can be effective with a good first pass out of the zone, he gets into trouble a little too much when over handling the puck.

That Southern Comfort commercial is scary.
- Giroux_Is_God

Dude, put the game on mute, put some Electric Guest on and have one of my brownies right now. Everything will get better.

Agreed, and it's what they should do.

You don't want to get too "soft" for lack of a better word, but the one dimensional make-up of their defense means you can get burned if it comes to match ups. It's like the Gus vs Grossmann conversation...they lacked the speed and puck skills Gus brings. Obviously he can't be the physical guy Grossmann can, but the Flyers really needed somebody that can move the puck.

Ideally, you have guys that can do a bit of both. I'd rather have a couple Josh Georges than Grossmann and Gustafsson
- Jsaquella

what are your thoughts on bringing timonen back? if so, at what price and in what role?

It's hindsight and I'll admit I wasn't on the Carle $5.5M bandwagon. It's just a move I wish they would have made.

The best teams are made up of strong two-way depth. Its fine to have a couple defenseman who are situational, but your entire lineup can't be made up of them.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, Andy MAcDonald gets just $500K less a year and suddenly Matt Carle looks like Kate Upton on stage during lunch hour at a strip club

It's hindsight and I'll admit I wasn't on the Carle $5.5M bandwagon. It's just a move I wish they would have made.

The best teams are made up of strong two-way depth. Its fine to have a couple defenseman who are situational, but your entire lineup can't be made up of them.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree, and I think the Flyers are one player too heavy on the stay at home physical type. Coburn is the best of the 3, and has the best mobility. So that leaves Grossmann and Schenn. Which one goes? I wouldn't trade either unless they could get the right player to replace them, whether in that deal, or a separate move.

what are your thoughts on bringing timonen back? if so, at what price and in what role?
- Crimsoninja

Huge pay cut ($2mm ideally) and 3rd pair role with Schenn. I like that Berube limited his 5 on 5 time, but I'd like to limit the PK time and move him to 2nd PP in favor of Streit.

Huge pay cut ($2mm ideally) and 3rd pair role with Schenn. I like that Berube limited his 5 on 5 time, but I'd like to limit the PK time and move him to 2nd PP in favor of Streit.
- Jsaquella

ty

Yep. It's more prevalent in the defense corps, but it happens up front, too. That second line was shielded in terms of usage and they still struggled.

Among the things I liked about Hexy was his noting that the mix needed attention. There's talent, but how well does it fit together
- Jsaquella

I pretty much liked everything he said. Whether he follows through and Ed lets him do his thing is a different story.

It is going to be a very important summer for Luke Schenn. Now is his time to take the next step in his progression and be able to handle more responsibility. In particular, less is more with him when he has the puck on his stick. He can be effective with a good first pass out of the zone, he gets into trouble a little too much when over handling the puck.
- ravishingone

Looking for some consistency from him. I thought he had a solid playoffs. But looking for him to escalate his game even further up from that. I thought he handled the puck well in the playoffs, for a player who is not known as a puck mover.

Huge pay cut ($2mm ideally) and 3rd pair role with Schenn. I like that Berube limited his 5 on 5 time, but I'd like to limit the PK time and move him to 2nd PP in favor of Streit.
- Jsaquella

Hopefully Teemu can preach to him over the summer about taking a deal like that, and enjoying the 2nd-round+ of the PO's.

Yeah, Andy MAcDonald gets just $500K less a year and suddenly Matt Carle looks like Kate Upton on stage during lunch hour at a strip club
- Jsaquella

I know. Its damn near impossible to account for NHL inflation. By the end of Giroux's deal, he'll be getting paid as a 3rd line checker.

frenchies getting clowned

I pretty much liked everything he said. Whether he follows through and Ed lets him do his thing is a different story.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yep. I hope he tells Ed that he appreciates his input, but he's got a plan that is going to bring a Cup to Philly.

Snider's passion is a double edged sword. It's awesome that he'll basically give the GM the tools & cash needed to win, but he can't be out making public comments and meddling.

Hopefully Teemu can preach to him over the summer about taking a deal like that, and enjoying the 2nd-round+ of the PO's.
- Tomahawk

Yep, if he does return, I'd spell him like the Ducks did with Selanne...3 games in 4 nights? Well, Teemu, you;re sitting at least one of them, if not two.

I agree, and I think the Flyers are one player too heavy on the stay at home physical type. Coburn is the best of the 3, and has the best mobility. So that leaves Grossmann and Schenn. Which one goes? I wouldn't trade either unless they could get the right player to replace them, whether in that deal, or a separate move.
- MJL

Coburn should definitely be kept unless they're blown away by a deal.

I would rather trade Grossmann than Schenn. I know Bill has always taken to Grossmann, but Schenn has the higher upside because he's better with the puck.

I think they'll be underwhelmed with the offers for Schenn too. It would be a tough pill to swallow if you trade JVR then get a late first or a couple of 2nds

Hopefully Teemu can preach to him over the summer about taking a deal like that, and enjoying the 2nd-round+ of the PO's.
- Tomahawk

Would you mind him coming back midseason?

Coburn should definitely be kept unless they're blown away by a deal.

I would rather trade Grossmann than Schenn. I know Bill has always taken to Grossmann, but Schenn has the higher upside because he's better with the puck.

I think they'll be underwhelmed with the offers for Schenn too. It would be a tough pill to swallow if you trade JVR then get a late first or a couple of 2nds
- PhillySportsGuy

Good thing with Coburn is, if you get him with a solid partner, he's great. But when he tries to do too much, he makes mental mistakes and has issues with the puck.

Great Robin, Lousy Batman

Coburn should definitely be kept unless they're blown away by a deal.

I would rather trade Grossmann than Schenn. I know Bill has always taken to Grossmann, but Schenn has the higher upside because he's better with the puck.

I think they'll be underwhelmed with the offers for Schenn too. It would be a tough pill to swallow if you trade JVR then get a late first or a couple of 2nds
- PhillySportsGuy

I think they could get more then that for Schenn, but that's besides the point. It's a trade off. Schenn has more upside, but Grossmann is steadier and more consistent. If Schenn can step up his game, then I keep Schenn. Lot's a variables that could come into play.