While Tomahawk has found a clip on Byfuglien showcasing his impressive speed, one of the knocks on him is that he gives up on plays defensively and stops moving his legs. Many are so impressed that he plays wing too, except he gets switched to wing when he isn't cutting it on defense.
- SuperSchennBros

His 20 goals and 36 assists for 56 points put him 12 above the Flyers leading point producing dman.

Like I said, he isn't a legit number 1 but as long as the Flyers are not moving Giroux , Voracek or Couturier to get him I would have no issues in making a trade for him.

While Tomahawk has found a clip on Byfuglien showcasing his impressive speed, one of the knocks on him is that he gives up on plays defensively and stops moving his legs. Many are so impressed that he plays wing too, except he gets switched to wing when he isn't cutting it on defense.
- SuperSchennBros

Byfuglien is an elite offensive defenseman. But I use the term defenseman loosely. I agree that while he possesses top offensive skill from the back end, he is not a very good defenseman. Maybe if we didn't have Striet, and didn't have to trade assets to acquire him, I'd have some interest. But not a player I want to see the Flyers pursue.

His 20 goals and 36 assists for 56 points put him 12 above the Flyers leading point producing dman.

Like I said, he isn't a legit number 1 but as long as the Flyers are not moving Giroux , Voracek or Couturier to get him I would have no issues in making a trade for him.
- opeth_pa

Just have to consider that the Flyers have limited assets both in terms of cap space, and trade-able assets. Have to ask is this the player you want as the anchor of the defense going forward?

Just have to consider that the Flyers have limited assets both in terms of cap space, and trade-able assets. Have to ask is this the player you want as the anchor of the defense going forward?
- MJL

Agreed, would not want him anchoring the d at all but if you put him at the top he adds a dynamic that has an impact on all of our dmen.

The only people I want anchoring the d are a Webber/OEL/Subban type player.

His 20 goals and 36 assists for 56 points put him 12 above the Flyers leading point producing dman.

Like I said, he isn't a legit number 1 but as long as the Flyers are not moving Giroux , Voracek or Couturier to get him I would have no issues in making a trade for him.
- opeth_pa

He wouldn't top my list, and he's not ideal, but he does fill a need. He'd immediately step in and be the team's best transitional defenseman, puts up elite offensive numbers from the point and also has size. There are warts, for sure, but depending on cost he'd be a good addition.

I wouldn't dismiss a guy that produces like Byfuglien does, or who can play like he does in transition, out of hand-unless the cost is too extravagant.

Agreed, would not want him anchoring the d at all but if you put him at the top he adds a dynamic that has an impact on all of our dmen.

The only people I want anchoring the d are a Webber/OEL/Subban type player.
- opeth_pa

That's part of the scenario. What does it cost to acquire him? And if you do, he is it. He is the player your building the defense around. I'd pass. Not that I think the Flyers can wait, they really can't. But he's not a good choice in my opinion.

He wouldn't top my list, and he's not ideal, but he does fill a need. He'd immediately step in and be the team's best transitional defenseman, puts up elite offensive numbers from the point and also has size. There are warts, for sure, but depending on cost he'd be a good addition.

I wouldn't dismiss a guy that produces like Byfuglien does, or who can play like he does in transition, out of hand-unless the cost is too extravagant.
- Jsaquella

There is no denying his offensive ability. But there is a flip side. He's not a very good defenseman. The warts are too big to mess with. I pray that the rumors are just that.

that's laughably awful we're better off with boyle for 1-2 years than coburn
- 2Real

No.

Maybe Mason is taking the concussion he suffered a bit too seriously...

Byfuglien is an elite offensive defenseman. But I use the term defenseman loosely. I agree that while he possesses top offensive skill from the back end, he is not a very good defenseman. Maybe if we didn't have Striet, and didn't have to trade assets to acquire him, I'd have some interest. But not a player I want to see the Flyers pursue.
- MJL

I think you just nailed it. If we didn't already have Streit or if we were trading Streit for him, I'd be fine with Byfuglien. Heck, I'd go wild at the joy of possiblely having a third black player but if we really wanna talk about bad fits for this team while possibly trying to move Lecavalier, Dustin Byfuglien might be even worse.

I think you just nailed it. If we didn't already have Streit or if we were trading Streit for him, I'd be fine with Byfuglien. Heck, I'd go wild at the joy of possiblely having a third black player but if we really wanna talk about bad fits for this team while possibly trying to move Lecavalier, Dustin Byfuglien might be even worse.
- SuperSchennBros

Except he isn't. He's big & a good skater, good with the puck and very good in transition...which are all things the Flyers lack on the blueline.

Yes, Streit's presence does bring a bit of redundancy, but given the lack of puck skills the rest of the defensemen (at least those under contract) possess, callign Byfuglien a "bad fit" is really not correct.

The conditioning concerns, work ethic and two way play are all concerns. But he's far from a bad fit.

Except he isn't. He's big, a good skater, good with the puck and very good in transition...which are all things the Flyers lack on the blueline.

Yes, Streit's presence does bring a bit of redundancy, but given the lack of puck skills the rest of the defensemen (at least those under contract) possess, callign Byfuglien a "bad fit" is really not correct.

The conditioning concerns, work ethic and two way play are all concerns. But he's far from a bad fit.
- Jsaquella

Not worth what (I'm guessing) the Jets are asking for him though.... Brayden Schenn and high picks for this guy? No thank you.

Not worth what (I'm guessing) the Jets are asking for him though.... Brayden Schenn and high picks for this guy? No thank you.
- Giroux_Is_God

That's the big concern, and obviously if the price is too high, you walk away. He's not a guy I'd break the bank for.

I'd just be open to adding him for the right price. That price might not be feasible. I fully realize that.

That's the big concern, and obviously if the price is too high, you walk away. He's not a guy I'd break the bank for.

I'd just be open to adding him for the right price. That price might not be feasible. I fully realize that.
- Jsaquella

My thoughts exactly. So, I've been saying no to him since last spring.

A former Caps front office guy working for TSN isn't too impressed with their new GM

Shawn Simpson @TSNSimmer · 34m

Shocking hiring of Brian MacLellan. I've never met a lazier/less passionate hockey man. @washcaps At times you shake your head. #Laughable

My thoughts exactly. So, I've been saying no to him since last spring.
- Giroux_Is_God

I don't know what the price would be. We can suppose it'd be Schenn, but the Jets really don't need his skill set-they're fairly deep with young centers both on roster & in system.

A former Caps front office guy working for TSN isn't too impressed with their new GM

Shawn Simpson @TSNSimmer · 34m

Shocking hiring of Brian MacLellan. I've never met a lazier/less passionate hockey man. @washcaps At times you shake your head. #Laughable


- Jsaquella

Trotz is kind of a headscratcher too, simply because I'm imagining the Caps playing a defensive style of play and I'm just not seeing it.

Makes you wonder if Trotz is gonna take any of Ovechkin's poop.

I don't know what the price would be. We can suppose it'd be Schenn, but the Jets really don't need his skill set-they're fairly deep with young centers both on roster & in system.
- Jsaquella

I mean I never thought the Flyers and Jets were good trading partners exactly for this reason.

I mean sure, 29 other teams in the NHL would want Couturier, but he's not going to be moving anywhere. That really leaves Schenn as bait.

Unless of course we give them Vinny, eat half his salary, and give them 2 1sts and 2 2nds

Trotz is kind of a headscratcher too, simply because I'm imagining the Caps playing a defensive style of play and I'm just not seeing it.

Makes you wonder if Trotz is gonna take any of Ovechkin's poop.
- Giroux_Is_God

Trotz says he will coach to the roster he is given. There's an example of it, when the Preds had Kariya and finished in the top ten in goals for one year and 11th the next.

Still, it's going to be a big adjustment for him.

I wonder about that tweet. Either sour grapes or some kind of personal dislike might be the cause, but that's unprofessional

I mean I never thought the Flyers and Jets were good trading partners exactly for this reason.

I mean sure, 29 other teams in the NHL would want Couturier, but he's not going to be moving anywhere. That really leaves Schenn as bait.

Unless of course we give them Vinny, eat half his salary, and give them 2 1sts and 2 2nds
- Giroux_Is_God

Ugh.

Yeah, I'm more commenting on how Byfuglien would fit, not especially the feasibility of it. I'm not a fan of trading Schenn unless it's part of a package for a guy who is more of a sure thing as a number one defenseman, or for a young guy who has potential to be a top pair defenseman in a few years.

It never seemed right seeing Peter Zezel (or many of those guys from the 80's Flyers teams) in jerseys other than Flyers jerseys.

Good post, Bill.

A former Caps front office guy working for TSN isn't too impressed with their new GM

Shawn Simpson @TSNSimmer · 34m

Shocking hiring of Brian MacLellan. I've never met a lazier/less passionate hockey man. @washcaps At times you shake your head. #Laughable


- Jsaquella

Wow.

That's good bridge burnin' right there.

It never seemed right seeing Peter Zezel (or many of those guys from the 80's Flyers teams) in jerseys other than Flyers jerseys.

Good post, Bill.
- johndewar

I did enjoy seeing Doug Crossman in another jersey.

Except he isn't. He's big & a good skater, good with the puck and very good in transition...which are all things the Flyers lack on the blueline.

Yes, Streit's presence does bring a bit of redundancy, but given the lack of puck skills the rest of the defensemen (at least those under contract) possess, callign Byfuglien a "bad fit" is really not correct.

The conditioning concerns, work ethic and two way play are all concerns. But he's far from a bad fit.
- Jsaquella

Timonen vs. Byfuglien, I don't think Byfuglien suits this team well for Timonen's replacement at all. I don't think Byfuglien helps improve our team defensively. Streit also doesn't kill penalties much, if at all. I assume Byfuglien won't either. I also do not feel he improves the mobility of the team.

I did enjoy seeing Doug Crossman in another jersey.
- Jsaquella

Fair enough....