How much interest would any of you have in David Beckes? Former Selke nominee. Can take some pressure of Couturier in defensive and checking roles. Proven leader. Adds to the toughness and grit that we lack. Good in the crease.

Depending on cost, I like this fit.
-Roenick97

None. He'll cost way too much for a 32 year old who is likely on the downside of his career.
- BiggE

Hang on. First let me say that I respect you not wanting Backes but the reason of cost always baffles me. Negotiation are always involved money wise but let's not pretend we are a group of GM's. We don't know how much this guy will cost and he's never been a huge scorer to begin with. I'm just looking to get relief off Coururier in a checking role, which older players are capable of and possible a fresh voice in the locker room due to lack of leadership. Dave Andrechuk in my mind wasn't this huge center peice to Tampa's single Stanley Cup but I thought he was necessary.

I'm not arguing that we should go out of our way to get him but man, I wouldn't underestimate what a vet means to a team. If the guy prices himself out, absolutely you don't sign him. With this said, some guys are natural born leaders and you cannot teach toughness and grit.

I can see the Devil's taking Hartnell.
- hereticpride

It isn't like his contract is remotely good, but he has shown zero decline in stats. He's still a bonafide top 6 player every bit as good as when he left. For a team able to protect him and willing to pay that last year or so, it's a great trade off. Bickell he is not.

Would you do the #3 and Hartnell for the #18 and one of the prospects?
- jak521

Um...YES.

More realistically, assuming we don't trade one of Provorov/Konecny/Gostisbehere (which would probably be a requisite), it would be #3 and Hartnell for B. Schenn, #18, 2017 1st, and Morin.

I thought a team with space and an open protection slot for a forward would give them a 2nd for Hartnell this summer. Maybe NJ.

But I guess not if CBJ are really linking him to the 3rd overall.
- Feanor

Another rumor from the Hockey News that they might try to deal Foligno, too.

Backes is 32 coming off 2 years off underlying metric decline. He wants something crazy like 6 per 5/6 years. Before the point drop comes the underlying stats drop. Never fails....take a peek at Vinny. It's a nonsense trade off for a team who won't be a contender for maybe 2-3 years.

Another rumor from the Hockey News that they might try to deal Foligno, too.
- Jsaquella

A rumor that Columbus is trying to get rid of the 4-5 bad contracts that will handicap them during the expansion process? Where there is smoke there is fire

Would you do the #3 and Hartnell for the #18 and one of the prospects?
- jak521

I worry about the contract moving forward. Three more years, plus he'd have to agree to waive the NMC for expansion, because there'd be no way I'd expose Raffl, Cousins or Laughton to keep him protected.

I lean towards no for the financial reasons, plus I'm fine with staying at 18

Friends, where do we get rumors from (sites) ? Genuinely am asking, it's been slow at work lately and would love some more reading material

A rumor that Columbus is trying to get rid of the 4-5 bad contracts that will handicap them during the expansion process? Where there is smoke there is fire
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah it's as surprising as waking up to the Sun in the eastern sky

Backes is 32 coming off 2 years off underlying metric decline. He wants something crazy like 6 per 5/6 years. Before the point drop comes the underlying stats drop. Never fails....take a peek at Vinny. It's a nonsense trade off for a team who won't be a contender for maybe 2-3 years.
- Mononoke

Unless he's cool with a really short deal, I have no interest in Backes.

Backes is 32 coming off 2 years off underlying metric decline. He wants something crazy like 6 per 5/6 years. Before the point drop comes the underlying stats drop. Never fails....take a peek at Vinny. It's a nonsense trade off for a team who won't be a contender for maybe 2-3 years.
- Mononoke

He's actually stayed pretty consistent over the years but would definitely not sign him for 5-6 years.

Unless he's cool with a really short deal, I have no interest in Backes.
- Jsaquella

This. And all other 30+ players. Hexy seems to get it so I'm not too worried.

Um...YES.

More realistically, assuming we don't trade one of Provorov/Konecny/Gostisbehere (which would probably be a requisite), it would be #3 and Hartnell for B. Schenn, #18, 2017 1st, and Morin.
- jmatchett383

So you essentially want to trade 4 1st rounders for 3rd overall?

Friends, where do we get rumors from (sites) ? Genuinely am asking, it's been slow at work lately and would love some more reading material
- arichardson22

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/chart.php

This. And all other 30+ players. Hexy seems to get it so I'm not too worried.
- coffee junkie

Would a guy like Backes or Hartnell help the Flyers? Certainly. But for how long? Guys that are in their early to mid 30's might turn out to be Steve Yzerman and stay good until age 39. Other might turn out to be Lecavalier and be pretty much washed up by 35.

With expansion on the horizon-and I doubt Vegas is the end of expansion-a long term deal to a guy who might be a huge liability in a few years,it's just bad business.

toss in the cap complications and that sort of thing and it's an area to avoid, especially for a team building like the Flyers.

I worry about the contract moving forward. Three more years, plus he'd have to agree to waive the NMC for expansion, because there'd be no way I'd expose Raffl, Cousins or Laughton to keep him protected.

I lean towards no for the financial reasons, plus I'm fine with staying at 18
- Jsaquella

Once it's waived to be dealt, as is reported, it's gone post trade unless both sides agree to put it back in place.

He's actually stayed pretty consistent over the years but would definitely not sign him for 5-6 years.
- Streit2ThePoint

In points. Go check Vinny's points the year or two before signing. Backes used to be outstanding in points AND possession stats. He was an outstanding player. 2 years in a row, doubtfully a random occurrence, his possession stats have started sinking by a decent amount, even if his points haven't yet. What I'm saying is that soon the points could dry up. It's not projecting his decline -- he's already starting it.

At the term and cost he's demanding...yikes. I mean St Louis is even having trouble resigning him. Compare to someone like Eriksson...he's seen no decline. Not really eager for him either, but I feel more comfortable with that if the money is burning a hole in Hexy's pocket.

Once it's waived to be dealt, as is reported, it's gone post trade unless both sides agree to put it back in place.
- dragonoffrost

I'm aware, but he could just agree to waive it for the trade and nix the trade if the new team doesn't agree to honor it afterward.

In points. Go check Vinny's points the year or two before signing. Backes used to be outstanding in points AND possession stats. He was an outstanding player. 2 years in a row, doubtfully a random occurrence, his possession stats have started sinking by a decent amount, even if his points haven't yet. What I'm saying is that soon the points could dry up. It's not projecting his decline -- he's already starting it.

At the term and cost he's demanding...yikes. I mean St Louis is even having trouble resigning him. Compare to someone like Eriksson...he's seen no decline. Not really eager for him either, but I feel more comfortable with that if the money is burning a hole in Hexy's pocket.
- Mononoke

this take is just waaaaaaaay too #fancy

Backes is 32 coming off 2 years off underlying metric decline. He wants something crazy like 6 per 5/6 years. Before the point drop comes the underlying stats drop. Never fails....take a peek at Vinny. It's a nonsense trade off for a team who won't be a contender for maybe 2-3 years.
- Mononoke

I want Backes, Ladd and Stamkos. Stop being such a hater.

Catherine Silverman, who works in the Hockey Development department of the Coyotes says decision has not been made whether or not they would send the newly acquired 4th rounder to the Flyers to complete the Pronger deal as yet.

So you essentially want to trade 4 1st rounders for 3rd overall?


- hereticpride

Nowhere did I say I want to do it.

Also, not all 1st rounders are equal. Mike Richards, Vinny Lecavalier, RJ Umberger, and Carlo Coliacovo were all 1st rounders. Would you rather have those 4 players or the #3 overall pick?

I'm aware, but he could just agree to waive it for the trade and nix the trade if the new team doesn't agree to honor it afterward.
- Jsaquella

With expansion coming Hartnell has to know not many teams are going to put it back in place post trade.

Catherine Silverman, who works in the Hockey Development department of the Coyotes says decision has not been made whether or not they would send the newly acquired 4th rounder to the Flyers to complete the Pronger deal as yet.
- Jsaquella

I know picks this year carry more weight than picks next year and usually at a round difference I think (i.e. to get a 2016 4th, you'd have to give up a 2017 3rd), but I'd be shocked if the Coyotes didn't give up the last pick of the 4th this year in lieu of a 3rd next year. I'd prefer the 3rd next year since it'll be a better pick and we already have 10 this year, but worst case scenario we get it this year and have more ammo. No problem with that.

this take is just waaaaaaaay too #fancy
- YuenglingJagr

There wasn't even a single stat in there. (frank), man. You probably think Golden Corral is too fancy an establishment too