Why not Voracek? He is a RFA who makes more money. Read is locked up on an EL deal and is a steal.

I wouldnt deal Voracek or Read for Gaustad by the way.
- stveshdy

Injury aside, Voracek would be the guy I'd shop, if anybody.

He's faking it so he doesn't get traded
- JoeRussomanno

Absolutely.

That stuff was so ridiculous.

Didn't you say earlier you wanted a center to play 20 minutes a game? Well Gaustad averages between 15-20 minutes a game. He is a PKer and is a beast on Faceoffs something we could use. Yes he'll be a UFA but do you think the Flyers can't resign him? I don't think he's average either but even if he is we need at least an average guy on the 4th line. I don't think Couturier is cut out for that spot and would be better utilized playing up on the 2nd or third line.
- JoeRussomanno

No I didn't say that. I said I wanted a 4th line defensive Center. Gaustad averages around 14 minutes a game. Gaustad makes 2.6M a year currently. What is he going to sign for, and are you going to pay him that to play on the 4th line. Gaustad is a very good faceoff guy and decent on the PK, but overall an average player, especially for his Cap hit.

How long before the Devils jump the Flyers in the standings? I actually think it would be better if the Flyers finished the 6th seed.
- stveshdy

agree big time

The Defensemen we have are fine. Yes we are missing Pronger so there is a void there. But you are gonna pay tooth and nail to get that guy with atrade and pay cash. WHy not just fix what you can without overturning the roster anymore and go after a dman in FA?
- JoeRussomanno

Well for one, the moves people are talking about for a defenseman don't generally involve any roster players, so that type of move certainly isn't overturning the roster in order to fix a deficiency. I think moving the type of players you've suggested for Gaustad causes more overturning than what it'd take to get a depth defenseman.

Gaustad may play 15-20 minutes in Buffalo, but does he play those minutes for the Flyers, and is he therefore worth that much to them?

Well for one, the moves people are talking about for a defenseman don't generally involve any roster players, so that type of move certainly isn't overturning the roster in order to fix a deficiency. I think moving the type of players you've suggested for Gaustad causes more overturning than what it'd take to get a depth defenseman.

Gaustad may play 15-20 minutes in Buffalo, but does he play those minutes for the Flyers, and is he therefore worth that much to them?
- eayost

2.6M for a fourth line player, too expensive. Pass.

$1.5-2M per year better than Carle?
- stveshdy

We will find out on July 1.

Is Shelley 300k per year better than Thornton, or Prust?

At the VERY MINIMUM I want someone like Gill or Grossman.

However, I wouldnt mind if the Flyers went out and got Selanne and Visnovsky from Anaheim.
- RooNosHockey

Didnt you read Bill's blog? If we get those guys in a few weeks people are gonna female dog about how they suck too. It's true and he should have probably included how people started turning on Desjardins too before his time was up. After reading what bill wrote about Grossman I am not sure I want him or Gill that badly.

The position that can easily and inexpensively be addressed that is a pressing need is the lack of a shutdown 3/4thline center. It's going unnoticed by the fanbase but I'm sure the people who actually make the decisions see that. You fix that one little spot on this team and i think things start looking better for our dmen. We made it to a SCF's with Cobie, Timmonen and Carle. What happened? They didn't start becoming poop defensemen all of a sudden. Other pieces are missing namely the shutdown center on the 3/4thline and mans the PK.
The PK is awful right now.

Well for one, the moves people are talking about for a defenseman don't generally involve any roster players, so that type of move certainly isn't overturning the roster in order to fix a deficiency. I think moving the type of players you've suggested for Gaustad causes more overturning than what it'd take to get a depth defenseman.

Gaustad may play 15-20 minutes in Buffalo, but does he play those minutes for the Flyers, and is he therefore worth that much to them?
- eayost

We don't need a depth defenseman that bad. we have one. Until these forwards start helping out on their assignments and on the pK we are gonna cry till the cows come home about these defensemen.

I would do JVR, Read, and Bob for Nash and Sanford.
- RooNosHockey

I do not share this sentiment. Nash is a player I'd like to have, don't get me wrong, but I don't see his price fitting the Flyers plans.

We will find out on July 1.

Is Shelley 300k per year better than Thornton, or Prust?
- PLindbergh31

I dont think Shelley is better than anyone period.

2.6M for a fourth line player, too expensive. Pass.
- stveshdy

Well you're going to be paying twice that for cooter when his EL deal is up maybe more. Do you want him still playing 4th line center or make some room up front to utilize his talents more and get a guy that really fills that role? If we are paying 1.1 mill for an enforcer than 2.6 is not that bad for a guy that does what we need on the 4th line. Its a lot more important than you are giving credit for.

I dont think Shelley is better than anyone period.
- stveshdy

Yet somehow he is paid more than guys who are drastically more valuable than him on winning teams like Shawn Thornton, and Brandon Prust.

All it takes is for one maniac to overpay a guy.

Well you're going to be paying twice that for cooter when his EL deal is up maybe more. Do you want him still playing 4th line center or make some room up front to utilize his talents more and get a guy that really fills that role? If we are paying 1.1 mill for an enforcer than 2.6 is not that bad for a guy that does what we need on the 4th line. Its a lot more important than you are giving credit for.
- JoeRussomanno

Couturier will not be a 4th line center when his EL contract is up. You can find another player other than Gaustad that does the same for less money, imo.

Yet somehow he is paid more than guys who are drastically more valuable than him on winning teams like Shawn Thornton, and Brandon Prust.

All it takes is for one maniac to overpay a guy.
- PLindbergh31

Are you saying that Homer overpaid for Shelley?

While there are defensemen out there who could help out the Flyers in certain ways, expectations have to be kept realistic.


Yea, right. That won't happen...this is HB.

I'm still thinking Oduya is a viable option. Not as much a big body, but can be both defensively responsible and move the puck some.

Well you're going to be paying twice that for cooter when his EL deal is up maybe more. Do you want him still playing 4th line center or make some room up front to utilize his talents more and get a guy that really fills that role? If we are paying 1.1 mill for an enforcer than 2.6 is not that bad for a guy that does what we need on the 4th line. Its a lot more important than you are giving credit for.
- JoeRussomanno

When were paying Couturier twice that, he's certainly not going to be a 4th line Center. Your not going to pay a 4th line Center 2.6M.

Are you saying that Homer overpaid for Shelley?
- stveshdy

Nope. That would be an uninformed opinion.

right now it's growing pains

add a piece that will not rock the youth movement

Couturier will not be a 4th line center when his EL contract is up. You can find another player other than Gaustad that does the same for less money, imo.
- stveshdy

You can always find a player that does something for less but are they available?

When were paying Couturier twice that, he's certainly not going to be a 4th line Center. Your not going to pay a 4th line Center 2.6M.
- MJL

Okay then make him 3rd line center.

Nope. That would be an uninformed opinion.
- PLindbergh31

I'd rather overpay for a 4th line center than an enforcer.

You can always find a player that does something for less but are they available?
- JoeRussomanno

Gaustad and his $2.6M does nothing for me. Our fourth line sees minimal minutes and even if he helps on special teams he will be lucky to see 13-15 mins a night. Why spend that kind of money on that? I dont disagree about getting a fouth line player who can help defensively and on special teams, im just not spending $2.6M to do it.

Nope. That would be an uninformed opinion.
- PLindbergh31

The bonus with Shelley is the Flyers have his 1.1M handy if needed.

Okay then make him 3rd line center.
- JoeRussomanno

I wouldn't pay him that to be a 3rd line Center either. We already have Giroux, Couturier, Briere, Schenn, and Talbot who are all Centers. I'd be looking for a veteran 4th line Center, who can play on the PK for around the 1M range.