Which is why Homer may overpay for Suter unless he can pull a trade off.
- stveshdy

I'm not the biggest Suter fan as it is. I like d-men with more of a physical game but paired with the right guy he could be good.

However he is the best available, and I dont want to pray that the #1 d-man they need will somehow appear out of nowhere or they steal him in a trade.

I dont think money will be the issue here really. Suter will get overpaid. However there are a lot of teams that will want his services.

Including Detriot and Pittsburgh.

Where we differ.

I think with the inconsistency of the d-men, and basically hoping Ilya returns to form thats even a worse gamble.

I also think as a forward group they do not have enough grit to play that way.

What I would like to see them do is get more grit up front by sacrificing some of the youth and scoring. Do that and improve the D.
- flyer_nutter

So trade some youth forwards for a young future Number 1 D, and then sign someone like Gaustad, Stoll, Konopka, Pandolfo, or Langenbrunner.

I have to say... I would be intrigued to see a Talbot, Konopka, Rinaldo line. Or maybe even Talbot, Konopka, Simmonds...

One year ago, we were discussing the rapidly closing window and restrictive salary situation for the Flyers. The forward corps was ok, but a bit heavy on salary. The defense corps had become expensive. The goaltending was flat out terrible. We had no talent pipeline, our draft picks were largely traded for immediate help, and to make it all worse these heavy salaries made it difficult to envision help in free agency.

In short, the window was closing on the Philadelphia Flyers, and many didn't see wiggle room to correct. To make it worse, our expensive 'win now' team just got their asses soundly kicked, setting us back an entire two playoffs rounds from where we'd left off prior.

Then last summer happened. Then this season happened, and here we are.

Today, the Philadelphia Flyers stand, again, eliminated and short of an Eastern Conference Final. Elimination is still a big disappointment. However, where last year the future seemed not so bright as the past, today the future is one of skyward potential.

A restrictive situation has been reversed to create a team with generous amounts of youthful talent. Management has proven that, with decisive action, anything can be accomplished, salaries and contracts be damned. There remains work to be done, especially on the blue line, but the time and resources are there to make it happen.

Leadership roles were assumed across the roster this season, as veterans and young players alike rose to the call. Scott Hartnell emerged as an emotional motor and Claude Giroux has really begun to emerge into a superstar leader to name a couple. Max Talbot, Danny Briere, and Kimmo Timonen (who will remain with us another season) deserve mention here as well.

Other big roles were also assumed, with impressive results. Young Sean Couturier stepped into the role of top checking center, and performed as naturally as an NHL veteran. Wayne Simmonds stepped into a bigger offensive role, even becoming and often effective part of the powerplay. Braydon Schenn, after a rocky start, became a comfortable and effective NHL player.

I could go on. But the kind of success this team had this season is not what one typically associates with a 'rebuilding year'.

Of course, the goaltending remains curious. Ilya Bryzgalov, the chosen solution to our woes, had a largely rough season. Arguably unfair expectations aside, he struggled at times, and for all the mitigating circumstances the fault for his underwhelming performances rests largely with himself. However, he proved over significant stretches late in the season that he can and will be our guy in the net. Next season, he'll be back with something to prove.

So, are we better off this season? Yeah, I guess so.
/rant

I'm not the biggest Suter fan as it is. I like d-men with more of a physical game but paired with the right guy he could be good.

However he is the best available, and I dont want to pray that the #1 d-man they need will somehow appear out of nowhere or they steal him in a trade.

I dont think money will be the issue here really. Suter will get overpaid. However there are a lot of teams that will want his services.

Including Detriot and Pittsburgh.
- flyer_nutter

I'm all in on Weber. That's the call I make. I'll spend more for him than Suter.

So trade some youth forwards for a young future Number 1 D, and then sign someone like Gaustad, Stoll, Konopka, Pandolfo, or Langenbrunner.

I have to say... I would be intrigued to see a Talbot, Konopka, Rinaldo line. Or maybe even Talbot, Konopka, Simmonds...
- RooNosHockey

As it stands I dont want Rinaldo here next season. A guy like lappy helped coach carcillo and mentor him. As soon as lappy was gone carcillo went back to being even more stupid. Rinaldo is too much of a liability.

I'll post this one more time before I head out, I would make the following moves.

Trade for Clutterbuck and sign Pahlsson cheaply to fill the need's on offense. Unfortunately be forced to overpay for Suter. Trade Bobrovksy, JVR and let Jagr walk.

Take a peek into Subban.

Thats what I'd be looking to do. With that off to go fishing. Take it easy hooligans.

I'm all in on Weber. That's the call I make. I'll spend more for him than Suter.
- stveshdy

One year ago, we were discussing the rapidly closing window and restrictive salary situation for the Flyers. The forward corps was ok, but a bit heavy on salary. The defense corps had become expensive. The goaltending was flat out terrible. We had no talent pipeline, our draft picks were largely traded for immediate help, and to make it all worse these heavy salaries made it difficult to envision help in free agency.

In short, the window was closing on the Philadelphia Flyers, and many didn't see wiggle room to correct. To make it worse, our expensive 'win now' team just got their asses soundly kicked, setting us back an entire two playoffs rounds from where we'd left off prior.

Then last summer happened. Then this season happened, and here we are.

Today, the Philadelphia Flyers stand, again, eliminated and short of an Eastern Conference Final. Elimination is still a big disappointment. However, where last year the future seemed not so bright as the past, today the future is one of skyward potential.

A restrictive situation has been reversed to create a team with generous amounts of youthful talent. Management has proven that, with decisive action, anything can be accomplished, salaries and contracts be damned. There remains work to be done, especially on the blue line, but the time and resources are there to make it happen.

Leadership roles were assumed across the roster this season, as veterans and young players alike rose to the call. Scott Hartnell emerged as an emotional motor and Claude Giroux has really begun to emerge into a superstar leader to name a couple. Max Talbot, Danny Briere, and Kimmo Timonen (who will remain with us another season) deserve mention here as well.

Other big roles were also assumed, with impressive results. Young Sean Couturier stepped into the role of top checking center, and performed as naturally as an NHL veteran. Wayne Simmonds stepped into a bigger offensive role, even becoming and often effective part of the powerplay. Braydon Schenn, after a rocky start, became a comfortable and effective NHL player.

I could go on. But the kind of success this team had this season is not what one typically associates with a 'rebuilding year'.

Of course, the goaltending remains curious. Ilya Bryzgalov, the chosen solution to our woes, had a largely rough season. Arguably unfair expectations aside, he struggled at times, and for all the mitigating circumstances the fault for his underwhelming performances rests largely with himself. However, he proved over significant stretches late in the season that he can and will be our guy in the net. Next season, he'll be back with something to prove.

So, are we better off this season? Yeah, I guess so.
/rant
- BulliesPhan87

+1

Great post.

Well written.

I'm all in on Weber. That's the call I make. I'll spend a little more for him than Suter.
- stveshdy

The thing with Weber, is you will have to trade for his rights.

The bidding war for Weber will be a lot of a lot more than it will be for Suter.

I'm all in on Weber. That's the call I make. I'll spend a little more for him than Suter.
- stveshdy

If there's a chance to get Weber, all in.

I think our future is bright. We are definately better off then we were last year. But am I the only one afraid of the dreaded sophmore slump?

The thing with Weber, is you wll have to trade for his rights.

The bidding was for Weber will be a lot of a lot more than it will be for Suter.
- flyer_nutter

Take the chance. Nashville might not even shop him but if you offer a lot he can be had. If not he can be an UFA after next year.

Take the chance. Nashville might not even shop him but if you offer a lot he can be had. If not he can be an UFA after next year.
- stveshdy

I know there's other teams in the east that'd be interested in Weber, but at least the Flyers have that going for them. Weber's the kind of guy you really wouldn't want to trade within your conference (though with realignment looming, maybe in the longrun you just want to keep him out of your alleged "division")

Ummm, I would think Mezzy could be on a top pair with Kimmo.

My concern is can Kimmo be counted on to be a #1 again this year?

I don't think so.

Mezzy is not a #1 D-man so if he isn't anchored by a #1 d-man he can't be the lead dog on the top pairing.

I think Mezzy is a little to inconsistent to be a #1.


*this is all my opinion and is subject to change*
- ggunky

I don't think anybody is a #1 on this team.. Dont think Timonen ever was a true #1 for us. I know that I will get a lot of poop for that.. but honestly I think he was always a very good #2 d-man. Pronger came in.. and was a true #1.

So ultimately, I know we wont have a true #1 again this season.. but i am ok with that. make sure the rest of the defense is more than capable. Meszy and Timonen dont need to be #1.. neither do Coburn or Grossmann. But honestly.. both of those groups would be fine playing extended minutes against top teams.

I dont buy into the whole #1 thing... unless its a Chara, Weber, Lidstrom type player.

If there's a chance to get Weber, all in.
- BulliesPhan87

Giroux?

Flyers really fell apart after Game 1, I think they will be fine for next year.

Just me but I think hoping to land Pietrangelo is a fart in a windstorm. The Blues saw what happened when he went down.

The problem with all of these young d-men is as promising as they are none of them are really guys I would look to as being top pairing guys, let alone #1 d-men in a playoff series. They may become so, but with the condition of Kimmo they dont fill the glaring need for a top pairing war horse imo.

This team is young, but all those young promising kids will need new contracts eventually. I'd like to make a really strong push for the cup next season, and take advantage of whatever #44 has left.
- flyer_nutter

Honestly.. I would take Pietrangelo over Timonen in a heartbeat.

Giroux?
- jak521

Ok, not that all in. Duh, what kind of idiot takes an absolute statement so absolutely?

Giroux?
- jak521

I think you start with JvR and Read/Schenn then go from there.

I don't think anybody is a #1 on this team.. Dont think Timonen ever was a true #1 for us. I know that I will get a lot of poop for that.. but honestly I think he was always a very good #2 d-man. Pronger came in.. and was a true #1.

So ultimately, I know we wont have a true #1 again this season.. but i am ok with that. make sure the rest of the defense is more than capable. Meszy and Timonen dont need to be #1.. neither do Coburn or Grossmann. But honestly.. both of those groups would be fine playing extended minutes against top teams.

I dont buy into the whole #1 thing... unless its a Chara, Weber, Lidstrom type player.
- jak521

I am ok with not having a true #1, what I want the Flyers to aquire is someone who runs a PP!!!

And I would love for the Flyers to have 6 guys who they are comfy with rolling out and sharing minutes evenly, for the most part. Granted the top 4 will get the most minutes, but I would prefer for them to not have the huge drop off from d-man #4 to d-man #5 & 6.

I think you start with JvR and Read/Schenn then go from there.
- stveshdy

Ill tell you right now, if I were Nashville, it would start and end with G.

+1

Great post.

Well written.
- ggunky

tyvm, I will treasure this +1

Where we differ.

I think with the inconsistency of the d-men, and basically hoping Ilya returns to form thats even a worse gamble.

I also think as a forward group they do not have enough grit to play that way.

What I would like to see them do is get more grit up front by sacrificing some of the youth and scoring. Do that and improve the D.
- flyer_nutter

I realize where the inconsistency of the D men comes from, or at least a large part of it. Play committed team defense as a 5 man unit, and see what a difference it would make with the iconsistency of the defenseman. Far too mnay poeple don't look at the full picture. They just look at the end result, and sayu it must be the defense. It's a team game. I think they need to add one type of grit player, that brings a solid physical presence and can play both ends of the ice, in place of Jagr. Even without that, they certainly have the players who can play that style.

I am ok with not having a true #1, what I want the Flyers to aquire is someone who runs a PP!!!

And I would love for the Flyers to have 6 guys who they are comfy with rolling out and sharing minutes evenly, for the most part. Granted the top 4 will get the most minutes, but I would prefer for them to not have the huge drop off from d-man #4 to d-man #5 & 6.
- ggunky

Oh I agree we need a d-man that is a threat from the point.. not only on the PP, but 5v5 as well. We need that shot.. and we lacked it in the 2nd rd.

Unfortunately, I dont see us getting it.

I think the Philly and la/Columbus trade was a win worn for at least la and Philly. You guys will keep getting better as schenn couturier and Simmonds get more experience. Voracek too. Giroux is a superstar and I'd take Hartnell on my team anyday. I think you guys should go hard after Suter a d you have a really good chance at acquiring him especially if pronger retires. this season showed me that jvr is expendable as well. If I'm Philly I trade jvr for a few high picks ,to keep the cupboard full, if you land Suter. If you don't get Suter I'd trade jvr for an NHL ready defenseman. I think you guys could use a veteran guy who keeps composure in the dressing room. Hartnell and Giroux are passionate but took some dumb penalties. Pronger would've been good for that but he wasn't on the bench in the heat of battle

I am omitting Grossmann.

Out of 60 minutes he will only take up so much compared to the collective minutes of Carle/Coburn/Mez.

You said it right there though. If Kimmo isn't going to be the #1 who is? I do not feel confident that Flyers have anyone in the organization that comes anywhere close to filling that need other than #44.
- flyer_nutter

Who is the #1 defenseman on the Devils who just whipped the Flyers ass?

Grossmann can certainly play in the 18-20 minute range.