I think some of it is he also is relied on as the vet on the team so sometimes he gets involved in things protecting maybe a younger player. Some of the games I have watched he takes on that role with the Phantoms.
- J35Bacher

Yeah that would make sense. It's a really small sample size, but he had 0 PIMs in his 3 games with Philly this year. So that's positive, I suppose

That's a fine deal
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm fine with that; they didn't go three and I wouldn't have jumped off the Walt Whitman if it was $2.5

Quiet TDL for the Flyers incoming.
- Tomahawk

One guy's gonna go -- there's a market out there

It can't be the same defense core next season. Can't sell that.
- PLindbergh31

You flat-out can't miss the playoffs (which is the most likely outcome) and bring that same defense back

I would egg their practice facility
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd make the time to go with you

At some point, MDZ goes from "found money" to "part of the solution" -- right?

I'd make the time to go with you

At some point, MDZ goes from "found money" to "part of the solution" -- right?
- AllInForFlyers

I agree. My worry is that he is the most enticing to other teams, maybe other than Coburn. Cap friendly deal, has played very well of late and he's an RFA.

I'd make the time to go with you

At some point, MDZ goes from "found money" to "part of the solution" -- right?
- AllInForFlyers

I would rather have MDZ than Schultz at 2 years, $2.25m. But what if Hextall is getting much better trade offers for MDZ than he was for Schultz? Or maybe he's going to resign MDZ, too, and move Coburn instead? Things should be a lot clearer 11 days from now.

You flat-out can't miss the playoffs (which is the most likely outcome) and bring that same defense back
- AllInForFlyers

Tell that to Edmonton.

I would rather have MDZ than Schultz at 2 years, $2.25m. But what if Hextall is getting much better trade offers for MDZ than he was for Schultz? Or maybe he's going to resign MDZ, too, and move Coburn instead? Things should be a lot clearer 11 days from now.
- Feanor

Grossmann 8-year extension, $6.5M per

That's a fine deal
- PhillySportsGuy

I wouldn't go that far...it's not a bad deal, but it's not exactly a great deal. Hextall's sure cornering the market on 3rd pair defensemen.

I would rather have MDZ than Schultz at 2 years, $2.25m. But what if Hextall is getting much better trade offers for MDZ than he was for Schultz? Or maybe he's going to resign MDZ, too, and move Coburn instead? Things should be a lot clearer 11 days from now.
- Feanor

People will laugh, but I wouldn't move MDZ for less than a first right now

When you look at the ice time, the assignments, the production, he's playing like a first-rounder, and there's no reason to believe he can't continue

Tell that to Edmonton.
- jmatchett383

Hell, even they brought in Nikitin and Fayne

Didn't work, but even they tried

People will laugh, but I wouldn't move MDZ for less than a first right now

When you look at the ice time, the assignments, the production, he's playing like a first-rounder, and there's no reason to believe he can't continue
- AllInForFlyers

I don't think people will laugh at that. Many nights, he's been the best defender for this team, also he's an RFA.

I don't think people will laugh at that. Many nights, he's been the best defender for this team, also he's an RFA.
- VladDrag

and only 24

I wouldn't go that far...it's not a bad deal, but it's not exactly a great deal. Hextall's sure cornering the market on 3rd pair defensemen.
- Jsaquella

Personally, I think Schultz has played his way into the top four at this point. That's also a testament to how poorly this team's defensive corps has been, but I'm fine with a 5th defenseman making $2.25 per

Edit: that is, if we don't consider Schultz a top four, which he wouldn't be on many teams

I would rather have MDZ than Schultz at 2 years, $2.25m. But what if Hextall is getting much better trade offers for MDZ than he was for Schultz? Or maybe he's going to resign MDZ, too, and move Coburn instead? Things should be a lot clearer 11 days from now.
- Feanor

I think if Coby does move, then he gets dealt at the deadline. I think that is where most/the biggest move, if any deals, will be made by the Flyers.

The problem is no one knows whats going to happen with the cap and the fall of the Candian Dollar. No one wants to take on salary for next year without knowing what the cap is. Most of our Dmen are not UFAs this season.

I think if Coby does move, then he gets dealt at the deadline. I think that is where most/the biggest move, if any deals, will be made by the Flyers.

The problem is no one knows whats going to happen with the cap and the fall of the Candian Dollar. No one wants to take on salary for next year without knowing what the cap is. Most of our Dmen are not UFAs this season.
- VladDrag

Another reason why I think MDZ gets dealt. It sucks, but he gets you the best return based on the circumstances. Teams can opt to not qualify him if they don't want to fit him under their cap next season

Personally, I think Schultz has played his way into the top four at this point. That's also a testament to how poorly this team's defensive corps has been, but I'm fine with a 5th defenseman making $2.25 per
- mcefalu

They have several 5th defensemen, making more than Schultz. I just hope it's a precursor to a deal that sees some of these guys shipped out

I don't think people will laugh at that. Many nights, he's been the best defender for this team, also he's an RFA.
- VladDrag

Exactly, I wouldn't even move him for a 1st unless it's a lottery pick. In my opinion he should be resigned. What's the point of trading him for a late 1st rnd pick? Are we then going to draft a defenseman who may or may not end up an nhl regular a few years down the line. When we have a 25 yr old, soon to be rfa, puck moving defenseman right now.

I wouldn't go that far...it's not a bad deal, but it's not exactly a great deal. Hextall's sure cornering the market on 3rd pair defensemen.
- Jsaquella

Unlike the other guys commonly called 3rd pairing defensemen on here (MacDonald, Schenn and Grossmann) Schultz faces the hardest competition and gets 45% ES OZ starts. He's been used as a top 4 shutdown guy and done well.

They have several 5th defensemen, making more than Schultz. I just hope it's a precursor to a deal that sees some of these guys shipped out
- Jsaquella

I agree. Although I'm trying to think of a team with enough cap space who would be willing to take on Grossmann's contract and send back even a 3rd round pick. Or even a forward if they the other team wants to shed some salary. Winnipeg? San Jose?

Exactly, I wouldn't even move him for a 1st unless it's a lottery pick. In my opinion he should be resigned. What's the point of trading him for a late 1st rnd pick? Are we then going to draft a defenseman who may or may not end up an nhl regular a few years down the line. When we have a 25 yr old, soon to be rfa, puck moving defenseman right now.
- flyav

Exactly -- at some point, all you're doing is looking to replace the guy you just traded

I agree. Although I'm trying to think of a team with enough cap space who would be willing to take on Grossmann's contract and send back even a 3rd round pick. Or even a forward if they the other team wants to shed some salary. Winnipeg? San Jose?
- mcefalu

I look at a team like Calgary, with a fairly small defense and cap room

Don't know if they're willing to come off a pick, but they haven't made the playoffs since 2008 or 2009, so I'd hope so

Another reason why I think MDZ gets dealt. It sucks, but he gets you the best return based on the circumstances. Teams can opt to not qualify him if they don't want to fit him under their cap next season
- mcefalu

UGH

What you say makes sense, and I don't disagree with the premise

I just would hate it, because I'm not necessarily certain that MDZ isn't the best defenseman they have, all things considered

Streit's more consistent and more experienced, but MDZ's been right there of late

Some turnovers, sure. But nobody's perfect, and along with Schultz, those two have been very helpful

I wouldn't go that far...it's not a bad deal, but it's not exactly a great deal. Hextall's sure cornering the market on 3rd pair defensemen.
- Jsaquella

I guess I should have made it clear what fine I was referring to.

I meant fine as in ok. Not fine as in fine dining