But RAJ's team is still in the playoff hunt
- Deasr1

The flaw here is having an expectation of Ott being a difference maker. He's a role player. And expecting Ott to be a difference maker on a team that has as many holes as Buffalo has. That's not why you sign a player like Ott. We'll start there.
- MJL

Ha! That's awesome. Tell me more about how me not wanting a bad role player on the fourth line means I have unreasonable expectations that he will be good and makes your opinion correct.

But RAJ's team is still in the playoff hunt
- Deasr1

Yeah they'll play just well enough for Rube the Boob to think they're a contender so he trades even more youth away at the deadline.

Then they'll slump in August and finish with 75 wins

Ha! That's awesome. Tell me more about how me not wanting a bad role player on the fourth line means I have unreasonable expectations that he will be good and makes your opinion correct.
- AllInForFlyers

There's nothing here. There's a big difference between being a good role player on a lower line, and being a difference maker. The Blues went into a tail spin down the stretch last Season. Blame it on Ott!

Ha! That's awesome. Tell me more about how me not wanting a bad role player on the fourth line means I have unreasonable expectations that he will be good and makes your opinion correct.
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah they'll play just well enough for Rube the Boob to think they're a contender so he trades even more youth away at the deadline.

Then they'll slump in August and finish with 75 wins


- BiggE

spot on

There's nothing here. There's a big difference between being a good role player on a lower line, and being a difference maker. The Blues went into a tail spin down the stretch last Season. Blame it on Ott!
- MJL

Kinda stunning that Ott's "leadership" didn't inspire the Blues to play better, just like it didn't inspire Buffalo out of last place. I'm totally amazed.

Tell us more about where Ott's "leadership" was so evident last season that he's capable of helping the Flyers. Or where his checking and defensive prowess were on display during his not-entirely-his-fault -38 campaign...but where his performance surpassed those of the wretched players who surrounded him all season.

- Jsaquella

Sorry, man...Steve Ott was effing awful last season. It's just one of those times where at some point, you just have to make it known that you actually watch these guys play.

- Jsaquella

Sorry, man...Steve Ott was effing awful last season. It's just one of those times where at some point, you just have to make it known that you actually watch these guys play.
- AllInForFlyers

I'm with you. I don't think Ott has exceptional leadership skills and he's had two pretty bad years in a row. Add in the cash he'll likely demand and there's no real way the Flyers should consider him.

The handful of games I watched him last season, he didn't do much that stood out as good

- Jsaquella

This is like the hypno-toad from Futurama.

I'm with you. I don't think Ott has exceptional leadership skills and he's had two pretty bad years in a row. Add in the cash he'll likely demand and there's no real way the Flyers should consider him.

The handful of games I watched him last season, he didn't do much that stood out as good
- Jsaquella

Honestly...whatever EK writes..I believe the opposite.

Honestly...whatever EK writes..I believe the opposite.
- Deasr1

I could see them kicking the tires. But I'd rather see Downie come back if they feel they need a physical, nasty presence on the third line

Forsberg got traded on his birthday?
- Tomahawk

Turned out to be a nice gift.

This is like the hypno-toad from Futurama.
- Deasr1

Kinda stunning that Ott's "leadership" didn't inspire the Blues to play better, just like it didn't inspire Buffalo out of last place. I'm totally amazed.

Tell us more about where Ott's "leadership" was so evident last season that he's capable of helping the Flyers. Or where his checking and defensive prowess were on display during his not-entirely-his-fault -38 campaign...but where his performance surpassed those of the wretched players who surrounded him all season.
- AllInForFlyers

Maybe they shouldnt of been such a hurry to trade Max last year, then we wouldnt be having this conversation because we would have a better player with a better contract still on the roster

I could see them kicking the tires. But I'd rather see Downie come back if they feel they need a physical, nasty presence on the third line
- Jsaquella

Personally, if we can't find a cheaper version of Matt Moulson for the 3rd line, then let Raffl or Bellemare or even Akensson get a shot there. I really don't want any big names, unless they are can't miss signings. Which, there really aren't that many. With a few good signings and some luck with injuries, we are back into the playoffs next season. Who knows what can happen then. We just need to get there.

I could see them kicking the tires. But I'd rather see Downie come back if they feel they need a physical, nasty presence on the third line
- Jsaquella

I want no parts of Downie ever again

- 2Real

All hail Hypno-toad.....

Maybe they shouldnt of been such a hurry to trade Max last year, then we wouldnt be having this conversation because we would have a better player with a better contract still on the roster
- nonpoint22

Meh. Downie did a great job with Couturier and Read after he came over, until he got hurt. Once he got the first concussion, he struggled.

Max Talbot is a $1.75mm contract for a guy you can find for less.

I could see them kicking the tires. But I'd rather see Downie come back if they feel they need a physical, nasty presence on the third line
- Jsaquella

Ugh almost as bad as Ott

Give me a guy like Pouliot for 3rd line LW

Personally, if we can't find a cheaper version of Matt Moulson for the 3rd line, then let Raffl or Bellemare or even Akensson get a shot there. I really don't want any big names, unless they are can't miss signings. Which, there really aren't that many. With a few good signings and some luck with injuries, we are back into the playoffs next season. Who knows what can happen then. We just need to get there.
- Deasr1

I agree. There's good quality deoth forwards out there and some of them should be cheap. I'd go after Brian Gibbons. He made $550K last year, has good wheels and did a good job for the Pens on the PK. Dominic Moore might also be a fairly cheap addition who can play 3C or 4C, does well on the PK and is a pain in the ass to play against.

Meh. Downie did a great job with Couturier and Read after he came over, until he got hurt. Once he got the first concussion, he struggled.

Max Talbot is a $1.75mm contract for a guy you can find for less.
- Jsaquella

Maybe Setoguchi? Declined points this season, but only 27. Probably could get him for $3 million or less.

Ugh almost as bad as Ott

Give me a guy like Pouliot for 3rd line LW
- BiggE

Pouliot played well, but he was prone to dumb penalties in the playoffs.

I agree. There's good quality deoth forwards out there and some of them should be cheap. I'd go after Brian Gibbons. He made $550K last year, has good wheels and did a good job for the Pens on the PK. Dominic Moore might also be a fairly cheap addition who can play 3C or 4C, does well on the PK and is a pain in the ass to play against.
- Jsaquella

I'd be fine with Gibbons on the 4th line or even Malhotra who is basically a faster, slightly more skilled version of Hall and perhaps even better than Hall at faceoffs