I don't see Gudbranson putting up any more than 25-35 points in a season while playing well defensively. Which, by any measure, is a valuable player, but no where near a top 3 pick player.

Fowler looks like he's going to peak as a guy that puts up 55 point seasons while being able to shut guys down.

That's what I'd be looking for from a top 3 pick.

But hey- we all know defensemen are fickle.
- Giroux_Is_God

Yeah, he's never going to be a guy that puts up points. Might be a Coburn type guy. Fowler is definitely more dynamic, and getting better in his own end

huberdeau really regressed last year. i thought he was going to be a stud by now.
- stayinthefnnet

He played well under Gallant with St. John. This year should tell a lot.

Yeah, he's never going to be a guy that puts up points. Might be a Coburn type guy. Fowler is definitely more dynamic, and getting better in his own end
- Jsaquella

We could use another ' Coburn" type of guy.
It just seems like there has been too many rumours involving Flyers, Oilers/ Flyers Jets over the last couple years. Both of those teams are off to poor starts.
I just want to see our team upgraded ( easier said than done, I know)
Winnipeg can afford to trade a Dman.

I don't think they needed MacDonald. He was an upgrade, yes, but it wasn't like they upgraded from Karl Dykhuis to Brian Leetch. MacDonald gets credit for helping Schenn step his game up, but in actuality Schenn's game improved when he was paired with Gustafsson, too.

All things considered, I'd rather have the picks back and Stralman or Gilbert signed to a lesser contract.
- Jsaquella

I hope and truly believe this cycle has ended. Seems Hexy will stick to his script of not trading away the future.

I hope and truly believe this cycle has ended. Seems Hexy will stick to his script of not trading away the future.
- jstross

That's my bigger issue with MacDonald. He's not that bad a defenseman. But it's a major commitment and price for a guy who, IMO, is better suited to a secondary role.

The thing about Holmgren's last few seasons seemed to be, "Let's get to the playoffs and anything can happen", Where Hextall seems to be viewing it as the having a deep team and system that can sustain itself, and then looking to make final touches to get it over the top.

We could use another ' Coburn" type of guy.
It just seems like there has been too many rumours involving Flyers, Oilers/ Flyers Jets over the last couple years. Both of those teams are off to poor starts.
I just want to see our team upgraded ( easier said than done, I know)
Winnipeg can afford to trade a Dman.
- 3flyerkids

If it's for a solid guy who will be here in 3 or 4 years, sure.

My issue is, if you're trying to solidfy your defense, does it make sense to deal with teams whose defense has been an issue the past few seasons themselves?

If it's for a solid guy who will be here in 3 or 4 years, sure.

My issue is, if you're trying to solidfy your defense, does it make sense to deal with teams whose defense has been an issue the past few seasons themselves?
- Jsaquella

Is that the system or the player? U put any player in the system that fits their style and they look like rock stars.

Is that the system or the player? U put any player in the system that fits their style and they look like rock stars.
- huks99

Could be both. If you look at the names on Winnipeg, they should have a good, solid defense. But it's not. Meanwhile Boston plays great team defense and has a system where guys like Seidenberg can bounce around and get plugged in and be highly effective guys for a Cup team.

But Winnipeg/Atlanta, Edmonton, the Isles...these teams have had issues on D for years, under different coaches & managers(in most cases).

You can also find a gem from a team with a bad defense. Maybe a guy like Bogosian leaves that organization and reaches his potential. Maybe there's a young guy who hasn't been fully utilized like Coburn was in Atlanta.

The trouble has been, the Flyers are adding the guys who played serious minutes for those teams and did so at a relatively advanced age or who had been in the system/organization for years, such as Schenn or MacDonald

Could be both. If you look at the names on Winnipeg, they should have a good, solid defense. But it's not. Meanwhile Boston plays great team defense and has a system where guys like Seidenberg can bounce around and get plugged in and be highly effective guys for a Cup team.

But Winnipeg/Atlanta, Edmonton, the Isles...these teams have had issues on D for years, under different coaches & managers(in most cases).
- Jsaquella

So, I guess you look at some of those players on Winnipeg/Atlanta , edm, isles, etc.... And see how well they performed with previous team(if there was a prev team) or use stats and see how well the player does with his responsibilities. My guess is talent evaluators ---- know how well a player will fit their system and if he's going to improve his play on a better team....I really don't care if u get all your dmen from the worst team in the league.....in the right system they can be like bruins

Great schedule. Very logical

One thing I'd like to see Berube do is change up the d zone coverage scheme.
- MJL

Please.... stop sending two freaking D behind the goal line, Randy Carlyle.

Or at the very least, tazer the damned wingers that fail to cover the net front when the C goes to support the two D when they are down there.

Gormley is apparently not happy playing in the AHL. Might force them to trade him.
- Roytastic

not for a second round pick they wont....

- Tomahawk

Jesus

- Tomahawk

holy SH!T how do we get him LOL

Brayden Schenn on the Block?:
http://www.letsgoflyers.n...yden-schenn-on-the-block/

Surprisingly, he leads the team in scoring chance generation.

- Tomahawk

Holy hell!

Brayden Schenn on the Block?:
http://www.letsgoflyers.n...yden-schenn-on-the-block/

Surprisingly, he leads the team in scoring chance generation.
- Tomahawk

Well, those stats should help his value, if they are indeed looking to move him for a good young defenseman.

Brayden Schenn on the Block?:
http://www.letsgoflyers.n...yden-schenn-on-the-block/

Surprisingly, he leads the team in scoring chance generation.
- Tomahawk

I also read a report that Branden Gromley of the Coyotes is unhappy in AHL and wants a trade. Would be awesome if we could swap Schenn for Bogossian. Could be a solid part of the D moving forward when our prospects are ready. Also it would allow for us to move a dman because it seems teams all over need them.

I agree. Schenn has not been good and I would not be at all surprised if Shultz stayed in the lineup over him when Coburn returns. As for Coburn it is the same thing as you said. He is good on the coverage but he's weak on the puck and constantly turns the puck over. I feel as if he's #2 on the team because there is no better option not because he deserves it.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I disagree on Coburn. He's not weak on the puck, nor does he constantly turn the puck over. He's a solid defenseman.

- Tomahawk

Wow! Was a penalty called?

Speaking for myself, I feel one person will give a long convincing opinion about one or two players and everyone else soaks it up like a sponge. Then moving forward, the new whipping boy of choice becomes the only thing that's wrong with this team.

- SuperSchennBros

You are so right about this. Absolutely true.

I don't think they needed MacDonald. He was an upgrade, yes, but it wasn't like they upgraded from Karl Dykhuis to Brian Leetch. MacDonald gets credit for helping Schenn step his game up, but in actuality Schenn's game improved when he was paired with Gustafsson, too.

All things considered, I'd rather have the picks back and Stralman or Gilbert signed to a lesser contract.
- Jsaquella

They absolutely needed MacDonald or a similar player. They needed to upgrade the mobility and puck movement of the defense. Easy to say you'd rather have the picks back and Stralman. But there's no guarantee that you can sign him.

That's my bigger issue with MacDonald. He's not that bad a defenseman. But it's a major commitment and price for a guy who, IMO, is better suited to a secondary role.

The thing about Holmgren's last few seasons seemed to be, "Let's get to the playoffs and anything can happen", Where Hextall seems to be viewing it as the having a deep team and system that can sustain itself, and then looking to make final touches to get it over the top.
- Jsaquella

A team needs solid defenseman for the 2nd pair. And to get a player of that caliber, you have to make a commitment. The Flyers upgraded their defense with MacDonald. Well worth the cost.

Please.... stop sending two freaking D behind the goal line, Randy Carlyle.

Or at the very least, tazer the damned wingers that fail to cover the net front when the C goes to support the two D when they are down there.


- Tomahawk

Streit leaving the front of the net, uncovered, is not part of the Flyers D zone scheme. And by the way, there are many successful teams who play it that way.