While I agree with most of bill's blogs I gotta admit I think he's way off on the coburn issue. If we can move him for a decent return ( whatever it may be) I think Philly does it. With the lack of a true #1 dman just what is there to worry about to replace with coburn? This team has a ton of 3-4 5-6 dman. Replacing anyone of them is no big deal. It's not going to make or break this team this season. Playing better team defense will help the d more than retaining coburn or grossman or schenn or any of our d. Bring up a young guy to replace anyone of those guys. Not going to make a huge difference IMO
- Sms401

The only way they move Coburn is if the return is too good to pass up. And if he's not replaced, that would be a big loss for the Flyers.

The only way they move Coburn is if the return is too good to pass up. And if he's not replaced, that would be a big loss for the Flyers.
- MJL

It really is as simple as that.

But at this point its been written out just about every way possible and well explained why moving him would be a horrible idea and still people dont get it. Did these people even watch the Flyers in the 90's thru the mid 00's? You cant ham and egg an entire D group and expect results. And that includes expecting anything more than 3rd pairing minutes for Morin and Ghost in their first year.

The only way they move Coburn is if the return is too good to pass up. And if he's not replaced, that would be a big loss for the Flyers.
- MJL

There would need to be a young defensemen coming back that can play 20 minutes a game right now. I'm not with the rest saying Coburn absolutely should not be traded. As a matter of fact, this is probably our last opportunity to trade him and maximize the return. I don't see how we can keep Coburn long term, although it's not impossible.

The problem is I don't think a deal exists out there that warrants us moving Coburn right now seeing as how were not rebuilding. We need to remain competitive. The only deals I see Coburn involved in are....

1. Lateral moves that change the personal up on the back end (not necessarily a bad idea)
2. A high risk trade that we likely end up losing

I just dont see it happening

The strength of this team is mason and our forwards. Not d. Also another factor to consider is coburn has 2 years left on his contract. In 2 years ghost and hagg will be on the roster. Possibly morin too. We have streit and McDonald lock up for 4-5 years. Coburn will want a raise. I wouldn't give it to him with the depth well have plus any other moves that are made in that time. Just saying.

There would need to be a young defensemen coming back that can play 20 minutes a game right now. I'm not with the rest saying Coburn absolutely should not be traded. As a matter of fact, this is probably our last opportunity to trade him and maximize the return. I don't see how we can keep Coburn long term, although it's not impossible.

The problem is I don't think a deal exists out there that warrants us moving Coburn right now seeing as how were not rebuilding. We need to remain competitive. The only deals I see Coburn involved in are....

1. Lateral moves that change the personal up on the back end (not necessarily a bad idea)
2. A high risk trade that we likely end up losing

I just dont see it happening
- mochoson

That's the kicker there. Yes we will be competitive just by the fact of mason and our forwards. Being a legit contender in the next few years I don't see so keeping coburn for the stay competitive angle doesn't fly with me

That's the kicker there. Yes we will be competitive just by the fact of mason and our forwards. Being a legit contender in the next few years I don't see so keeping coburn for the stay competitive angle doesn't fly with me
- Sms401

I would rather just go into a rebuild at that point...

The strength of this team is mason and our forwards. Not d. Also another factor to consider is coburn has 2 years left on his contract. In 2 years ghost and hagg will be on the roster. Possibly morin too. We have streit and McDonald lock up for 4-5 years. Coburn will want a raise. I wouldn't give it to him with the depth well have plus any other moves that are made in that time. Just saying.
- Sms401

There is no guarantee any of those guys are on the roster in two years. Morin was/is viewed as a huge project. Ghost is undersized for the NHL and Hagg just received some pretty damning remarks from one of his coaches in Europe. There are no sure things.

Let Coburn play out his deal and see what the cap situation is then and how the prospects are progressing at that point.

The only way they move Coburn is if the return is too good to pass up. And if he's not replaced, that would be a big loss for the Flyers.
- MJL

It is often said that no one is untouchable. Coburn in my opinion is untouchable unless we're getting Coburn or better in return.

The strength of this team is mason and our forwards. Not d. Also another factor to consider is coburn has 2 years left on his contract. In 2 years ghost and hagg will be on the roster. Possibly morin too. We have streit and McDonald lock up for 4-5 years. Coburn will want a raise. I wouldn't give it to him with the depth well have plus any other moves that are made in that time. Just saying.
- Sms401

I think this boils down to you viewing Coburn as easily replaceable and most of us feel he's not.

Timonen and Coburn were our best defenseman last year. Without Coburn, the Flyers have one of the 5 worst defensive units in hockey. Even if they added a guy like Stralman who would cost about the same amount Coburn makes.

The strength of this team is mason and our forwards. Not d. Also another factor to consider is coburn has 2 years left on his contract. In 2 years ghost and hagg will be on the roster. Possibly morin too. We have streit and McDonald lock up for 4-5 years. Coburn will want a raise. I wouldn't give it to him with the depth well have plus any other moves that are made in that time. Just saying.
- Sms401

Right now, outside of Timonen with his new deal, it's pretty fair to say the only guy who is underpaid for what he does on the entire defense is Coburn. I'd rather give Coburn a raise than have to keep Streit & MacDonald as the bedrock vets of the defense.

Outside of Coburn, the rest of the defensemen are 3-4-5 guys. You call Mason & the forwards the strength of the team, and then suggest dumping the best player from the weak spot? Makes no sense from a team building perspective, unless you have a replacement in mind or on his way

It is often said that no one is untouchable. Coburn in my opinion is untouchable unless we're getting Coburn or better in return.
- SuperSchennBros

Agreed. If you package him with the 1st or 2nd or Laughton or something and get a legit number 1 D man that's when you move him.

Right now, outside of Timonen with his new deal, it's pretty fair to say the only guy who is underpaid for what he does on the entire defense is Coburn. I'd rather give Coburn a raise than have to keep Streit & MacDonald as the bedrock vets of the defense.

Outside of Coburn, the rest of the defensemen are 3-4-5 guys. You call Mason & the forwards the strength of the team, and then suggest dumping the best player from the weak spot? Makes no sense from a team building perspective, unless you have a replacement in mind or on his way
- Jsaquella

Morin-Embiid

Right now, outside of Timonen with his new deal, it's pretty fair to say the only guy who is underpaid for what he does on the entire defense is Coburn. I'd rather give Coburn a raise than have to keep Streit & MacDonald as the bedrock vets of the defense.

Outside of Coburn, the rest of the defensemen are 3-4-5 guys. You call Mason & the forwards the strength of the team, and then suggest dumping the best player from the weak spot? Makes no sense from a team building perspective, unless you have a replacement in mind or on his way
- Jsaquella

The problem is assuming that Hagg Morin and Ghost all come in next year fully developed and without flaws. That just isn't going to happen.

I dont think people realize it will be another 2 to 3 years before any of those guys are making a significant contribution to the team. It could be even longer that that tbh.

There is no guarantee any of those guys are on the roster in two years. Morin was/is viewed as a huge project. Ghost is undersized for the NHL and Hagg just received some pretty damning remarks from one of his coaches in Europe. There are no sure things.

Let Coburn play out his deal and see what the cap situation is then and how the prospects are progressing at that point.
- hereticpride

If those guys don't play some type of roll then for sure we're looking at some type of rebuild.

Right now, outside of Timonen with his new deal, it's pretty fair to say the only guy who is underpaid for what he does on the entire defense is Coburn. I'd rather give Coburn a raise than have to keep Streit & MacDonald as the bedrock vets of the defense.

Outside of Coburn, the rest of the defensemen are 3-4-5 guys. You call Mason & the forwards the strength of the team, and then suggest dumping the best player from the weak spot? Makes no sense from a team building perspective, unless you have a replacement in mind or on his way
- Jsaquella

Trade Schenn Schenn Coburn Leier Our 1st and 2015 3rd for Myers and Ehrhoff.

Ehrhoff Myers
Kimmo Streit
MacD Grossmann

Problem solved.

Edit: All you need to do is sign Grabovski and our team actually doesn't look so bad...

Right now, outside of Timonen with his new deal, it's pretty fair to say the only guy who is underpaid for what he does on the entire defense is Coburn. I'd rather give Coburn a raise than have to keep Streit & MacDonald as the bedrock vets of the defense.

Outside of Coburn, the rest of the defensemen are 3-4-5 guys. You call Mason & the forwards the strength of the team, and then suggest dumping the best player from the weak spot? Makes no sense from a team building perspective, unless you have a replacement in mind or on his way
- Jsaquella

Shane Ghostisbehere

Trade Schenn Schenn Coburn Leier Our 1st and 2015 3rd for Myers and Ehrhoff.

Ehrhoff Myers
Kimmo Streit
MacD Grossmann

Problem solved.
- FlyersSteve118

Can we please stop reaping defense from the worst teams in the league?

Right now, outside of Timonen with his new deal, it's pretty fair to say the only guy who is underpaid for what he does on the entire defense is Coburn. I'd rather give Coburn a raise than have to keep Streit & MacDonald as the bedrock vets of the defense.

- Jsaquella

Most people would agree with you. The reality is Streit and AMac already are the bedrock vets of this defense for the foreseeable future.

Can we please stop reaping defense from the worst teams in the league?
- mayorofangrytown

Say what you want, I'd kill to have Tyler Myers

The problem is assuming that Hagg Morin and Ghost all come in next year fully developed and without flaws. That just isn't going to happen.

I dont think people realize it will be another 2 to 3 years before any of those guys are making a significant contribution to the team. It could be even longer that that tbh.
- hereticpride

I think making significant contributions in 2-3 years is being optimistic. I think it might be longer, like 3-5 before they are more than 3rd pair guys or PP specialists(Gostisbehere )

Shane Ghostisbehere
- mayorofangrytown

He's played a whopping 1 game of pro hockey

I think this boils down to you viewing Coburn as easily replaceable and most of us feel he's not.

Timonen and Coburn were our best defenseman last year. Without Coburn, the Flyers have one of the 5 worst defensive units in hockey. Even if they added a guy like Stralman who would cost about the same amount Coburn makes.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think a lot of that has to do with team defense too. I just don't see the loss of coburn as team shattering. I don't see if we traded anyone of our d in itself as team shattering. Team defense ( an area we all agree on) would make up for the loss of any single dman moved in a deal. IMO

Trade Schenn Schenn Coburn Leier Our 1st and 2015 3rd for Myers and Ehrhoff.

Ehrhoff Myers
Kimmo Streit
MacD Grossmann

Problem solved.

Edit: All you need to do is sign Grabovski and our team actually doesn't look so bad...
- FlyersSteve118

Meh.

I think a lot of that has to do with team defense too. I just don't see the loss of coburn as team shattering. I don't see if we traded anyone of our d in itself as team shattering. Team defense ( an area we all agree on) would make up for the loss of any single dman moved in a deal. IMO
- Sms401

I agree. I don't see the loss of Coburn as team shattering either, as long as we get a body in return that can play similar minutes.

And that doesn't even have to be in the same deal.

Most people would agree with you. The reality is Streit and AMac already are the bedrock vets of this defense for the foreseeable future.
- mochoson

Maybe. Hextall might have different plans.