To quote MJL -- and I'm sure he's loving that -- you can do both.

It's not an "either/or" question.

You don't have to trade Sanheim or Morin any more than you have to trade Coburn or Grossmann.

Your first priority should be to make the playoffs. And if there's a hockey deal out there that can help you do that and not weaken you for the future, then to me, that is a deal that should be made. Not trading Morin for a 34-year-old fourth-liner, for example.

But at the same time, if you are four points out of the playoffs on March 2 and your evaluation is that you have the best chance of making the playoffs with Braydon Coburn in your lineup, then (frank) no, you don't trade him on March 2 just because the draft is coming in three months and you don't have a second-round pick in it.

He's under contract. You can move him at the draft for a pick. You can move him in a player-for-player deal.

But you damn sure don't have to weaken your chances of making the playoffs this year because you want to lock in a damn draft pick on March 2!

It's not either/or!
- AllInForFlyers

Sounds like good old fashion logic to me.

it's the media hyping up his value so hopefully someone will overpay
- 2Real

I don't think the media pick who gets the Colby hat.

As you said before, can't be scared to make bold decisions, and that includes cutting your losses on a tough year and trying to position yourself better in the draft for a brighter future.

Yes, there's something to be said about Detroit.... but they are a complete and utter outlier. It's not just winning that allows them to stay in it year after year... their patience, management, coaching, scouting, and their knack for consistently being ahead of the curve and leveraging competitive advantages on and off the ice... their secret sauce is really unique in hockey.

I believe winning culture is like a spontaneous reaction -- when all the ingredients are at hand, it just happens. It's not like a torch you have to keep nursing to keep alight.
- Tomahawk

Detroit is certainly a solid franchise that I think does things the right way, but they also have their warts like any team does. It's not about trying to mirror Detroit exactly, it's about setting a course of action and having a philosophy and a plan. That's also fluid because you don't know what's going to come your way. You don't need to have Mike Babcock as the coach in order to create a winning environment. And it definitely just doesn't happen. Sit back and wait for it to happen and see where that gets you. Have to make it happen. There is no doubt that a team can draft and develop and build for the future, along with trying to maximize current seasons and trying to win now, without sacrificing the future. How can a team ask players like Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds to give their all on the ice, and then send a signal that management is bailing on that season? Not a team I'd want to play for.

I know what the present is and its mediocrity. It's been that way for 3 years. I see no point in keep doubling down on this group.

Hextall attempted to make moves last offseason and only traded Hartnell for Umberger. So making moves in the offseason isn't guarenteed
- psuhockey

i commend hextall for not doing more just for the sake of doing more. i think he was under the impression they would be a lock for the playoffs so the same players weren't in play at that time. now that they have some defensive prospects and guys that seemed to stabilize the back end guys like coburn, grossmann and schenn can be dealt if the return is worth it

Philadelphia Flyers blue line, deadline dilemma: Part 2

http://alongtheboards.com...-deadline-dilemma-part-2/

Detroit is certainly a solid franchise that I think does things the right way, but they also have their warts like any team does. It's not about trying to mirror Detroit exactly, it's about setting a course of action and having a philosophy and a plan. That's also fluid because you don't know what's going to come your way. You don't need to have Mike Babcock as the coach in order to create a winning environment. And it definitely just doesn't happen. Sit back and wait for it to happen and see where that gets you. Have to make it happen. There is no doubt that a team can draft and develop and build for the future, along with trying to maximize current seasons and trying to win now, without sacrificing the future. How can a team ask players like Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds to give their all on the ice, and then send a signal that management is bailing on that season? Not a team I'd want to play for.
- MJL

Fans in Detroit are worried they're gonna lose Babcock. Maybe even under appreciate Nick Kronwall. The biggest knock from the locals is the lack of physical play and they are overly loyal to players long past their prime. I believe Dan Cleary was resigned this year and I'm not so sure he's even played. I wouldn't mirror the Red Wings. At least not right now.

When you answer that one, make sure you follow with how many teams have picked in the Top 5 who not only haven't won a Cup, but have missed the playoffs after making that Top 5 selection
- AllInForFlyers

A lot of that has to do with quality of draft classes and how well your team drafts to begin with.

'Hawks, Bruins, Kings have traditionally drafted pretty well, and have been lucky to have high picks in good years. Pens have had theirs in virtual can't-miss years.

Oilers, the example everybody's thinking of when it comes to hockey, cant draft to save their lives and have had the misfortune of having their lotto picks in drafts where the top-end talent was of relatively poor quality. With that said, wouldn't shut the book on them yet. They could still end up turning it around in a hurry, with a shrewd move or two.

A lot of that has to do with quality of draft classes and how well your team drafts to begin with.

'Hawks, Bruins, Kings have traditionally drafted pretty well, and have been lucky to have high picks in good years. Pens have had theirs in virtual can't-miss years.

Oilers, the example everybody's thinking of when it comes to hockey, cant draft to save their lives and have had the misfortune of having their lotto picks in drafts where the top-end talent was relatively poor quality. With that said, wouldn't shut the book on them yet. They could still end up turning it around in a hurry, with a shrewd move or two.
- Tomahawk

Of course it has to do with how well you draft and develop players. Which is why numerous posters are saying selling and collecting draft picks doesn't guarantee anything.

Philadelphia Flyers blue line, deadline dilemma: Part 2

http://alongtheboards.com...-deadline-dilemma-part-2/
- Feanor

thanks for posting this

Let's go Flyers! Let's get two more points tonight!

I don't think the media pick who gets the Colby hat.
- Feanor

no but they can create a buzz

Yo, we got this.
- KGBflyers10

Bump

When you answer that one, make sure you follow with how many teams have picked in the Top 5 who not only haven't won a Cup, but have missed the playoffs after making that Top 5 selection
- AllInForFlyers

That doesnt refute my point. I am not in the lets tank section. My point is that the majority of teams who have won a cup over the past decade have also been in the basement right before that...

The Flyers had their window to stink. They drafted JVR. Had they stunk it up one more year, two at most, and let the young guys develop.. drafted in the top 2 the next year, they would have had Carter, Richards, Giroux, JvR and one of Doughty or Stamkos.. Following draft a top 5-10 and they could have had a shot at guys like OEL, Kadri, B Schenn..


There are times to check out. This year isnt one of them.

The flyers are making the playoffs, ACCEPT IT

That doesnt refute my point. I am not in the lets tank section. My point is that the majority of teams who have won a cup over the past decade have also been in the basement right before that...

The Flyers had their window to stink. They drafted JVR. Had they stunk it up one more year, two at most, and let the young guys develop.. drafted in the top 2 the next year, they would have had Carter, Richards, Giroux, JvR and one of Doughty or Stamkos.. Following draft a top 5-10 and they could have had a shot at guys like OEL, Kadri, B Schenn..


There are times to check out. This year isnt one of them.
- jak521

For me a lot is still dependent where they are come Monday. If the Bruins win their three games, and the Flyers lose theirs, it's a 10 point gap.

If they are 8 or more points out, I'd be looking hard at selling. Right now, it'd have to be an overpayment. But if worst comes to worst...

The flyers are making the playoffs, ACCEPT IT
- funmaster18

Ha! Their chances still aren't the best, but all they can do is try to get the four points this week and see where they are, go from there

It is entirely possible they won't, due to the hole they dug for themselves and their inconsistencies. But I do feel that the lineup they are currently using is close to optimal, could be slightly better if Timonen has anything left and is on the roster, and after their lulls, Giroux and Voracek are getting points again

Read today they likely need to go 14-5-3 the rest of the way to realistically have a chance. Call me crazy, but I think they will post that record

Then we will see

Ha! Their chances still aren't the best, but all they can do is try to get the four points this week and see where they are, go from there

It is entirely possible they won't, due to the hole they dug for themselves and their inconsistencies. But I do feel that the lineup they are currently using is close to optimal, could be slightly better if Timonen has anything left and is on the roster, and after their lulls, Giroux and Voracek are getting points again

Read today they likely need to go 14-5-3 the rest of the way to realistically have a chance. Call me crazy, but I think they will post that record

Then we will see
- AllInForFlyers

I like the cut of your jib, SC

Philadelphia Flyers blue line, deadline dilemma: Part 2

http://alongtheboards.com...-deadline-dilemma-part-2/
- Feanor

Stats from http://ownthepuck.blogspot.ca/
Our most played D are at the top (UA means Usage Adjusted):

First vertical line from the left marks bottom pairing performance, second vertical line shows top 4 performance, third vertical line shows top pairing performance. Macdonald is the known enemy of advanced stats, so clearly this was gonna be poor. The chart suggests that he is barely, if at all, an NHL defensman, being played like a top pairing guy. The chart exaggerates his poor play by a bit. Everyone knows that we lack a top pairing dman, but this suggests that even the guys who have played surprisingly well this season, aren't playing really close at all to top pairing quality. Del Zotto has been close on the offensive side.

I like the cut of your jib, SC
- BulliesPhan87

For me a lot is still dependent where they are come Monday. If the Bruins win their three games, and the Flyers lose theirs, it's a 10 point gap.

If they are 8 or more points out, I'd be looking hard at selling. Right now, it'd have to be an overpayment. But if worst comes to worst...
- Jsaquella

I can't believe the Bruins have played themselves into this situation. The win against Chicago was big but losing Krejci this weekend may be their end. If Florida makes a move and we stand pat it could very well be the Cats.

Ha! Their chances still aren't the best, but all they can do is try to get the four points this week and see where they are, go from there

It is entirely possible they won't, due to the hole they dug for themselves and their inconsistencies. But I do feel that the lineup they are currently using is close to optimal, could be slightly better if Timonen has anything left and is on the roster, and after their lulls, Giroux and Voracek are getting points again

Read today they likely need to go 14-5-3 the rest of the way to realistically have a chance. Call me crazy, but I think they will post that record

Then we will see
- AllInForFlyers

Two game winning streak! Booby must roll with the same lineup. More Ra-Ra Retard. Looking forward to see what garbage he has in store for this evening.

Two game winning streak! Booby must roll with the same lineup. More Ra-Ra Retard. Looking forward to see what garbage he has in store for this evening.
- PLindbergh31

Ha! That is why I said "close to optimal."

I swear, if I was in Ron Hextall's seat, I would go get a guy for that bottom line/12th forward who wouldn't screw me over

Ha! That is why I said "close to optimal."

I swear, if I was in Ron Hextall's seat, I would go get a guy for that bottom line/12th forward who wouldn't screw me over
- AllInForFlyers

Like Laughton? Oh wait, we sent him down.

Like Laughton? Oh wait, we sent him down.
- mayorofangrytown

Ha! That is why I said "close to optimal."

I swear, if I was in Ron Hextall's seat, I would go get a guy for that bottom line/12th forward who wouldn't screw me over
- AllInForFlyers

Yes sir. It enrages me. I understand not playing VLC, he's been an embarrassment. Call up Straka and let the kid play. He did fine in the small sample earlier.