JVR? Where have you read that?
- MJL

There's poop out there on it

"... the
- kprimo25[type of player the] Flyers need to step onto their top pairing and better compete with the New York Rangers' extremely deep and talented blueline for years to come. "

The New York Rangers only have two defensemen committed beyond this year (Staal and Girardi). They've gort four depth D-men who are UFA's this summer, Stralman and DelZotto are RFA's this summer, and McDonagh and Sauer are RFA's after next summer. Girardi only has two years left before he's a UFA.

So yes, the Rangers have a deep and talented blue line, but I don't know how deep or for how many years to come, given their need to sign a back-up goalie this summer, along with the pending UFA status of Lundquist, Callahan and Gaborik in 2014. And those are just the major pieces to be managed (e.g., Fedotenko and Prust are UFA's this summer and Zucarello will be looking for a raise as an RFA).

Rule of thumb is always consider RFA's as returning. Signing a back up Goalie is never an issue.

My article on Jagr is now online at the Flyers' official site:

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=631504
- bmeltzer

Nice writeup. The timing was right for Jagr to come aboard this year, given the 'culture change' approach. I'd like another year, but we'll see what develops.

There's poop out there on it
- Just5

Well feel free to provide the poop that you say is out there.

Well here is a sample Roster with the rumored 69M Cap ceiling. You'll see that it leaves them plenty of room. I estimated for Voracek and Carle.

James Van Riemsdyk ($4.250m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Wayne Simmonds ($1.750m)
Scott Hartnell ($4.200m) / Danny Briere ($6.500m) / Matt Read ($0.900m)
Jakub Voracek ($3.500m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m)
Eric Wellwood ($0.580m) / Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.544m)
Jody Shelley ($1.100m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen ($6.333m) / Matt Carle ($5.000m)
Braydon Coburn ($4.500m) / Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m)
Erik Gustafsson ($0.900m) / Andrej Meszaros ($4.000m)
Andreas Lilja ($0.738m) /
GOALTENDERS
Ilya Bryzgalov ($5.667m)
Sergei Bobrovsky ($1.750m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $65,696,944; BONUSES: $3,555,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $3,303,056
- MJL

So this team is supposed to go where next year adding no D men? Not to mention losing Jagr in that scenario? If the cap goes to 69 mil I'm ok with keeping Carle at a fair deal, but they need to land a legit stud on D. (and it would be unwise to sit around hope that guy is Pronger before anyone mentions him.)

So this team is supposed to go where next year adding no D men? Not to mention losing Jagr in that scenario? If the cap goes to 69 mil I'm ok with keeping Carle at a fair deal, but they need to land a legit stud on D. (and it would be unwise to sit around hope that guy is Pronger before anyone mentions him.)
- hereticpride

No one is hoping that Pronger is coming back. And that Defense is a solid unit, and very capable. Plus as you can see, there is still room to make some more moves. Plus, with Pronger going on LTIR. They still have that to play with. The in Season Cap isn't the issue. The Flyers have tons of room there. It's the Off Season Cap that is the issue.

No one is hoping that Pronger is coming back. And that Defense is a solid unit, and very capable. Plus as you can see, there is still room to make some more moves. Plus, with Pronger going on LTIR. They still have that to play with. The in Season Cap isn't the issue. The Flyers have tons of room there. It's the Off Season Cap that is the issue.
- MJL

I think you will find most Flyers fans to a bit moody if there are no major changes on D this offseason... Just a hunch.

No one is hoping that Pronger is coming back. And that Defense is a solid unit, and very capable. Plus as you can see, there is still room to make some more moves. Plus, with Pronger going on LTIR. They still have that to play with. The in Season Cap isn't the issue. The Flyers have tons of room there. It's the Off Season Cap that is the issue.
- MJL

I don't see Lavi really changing the style of play much, so would this team benefit more to change some of its defensive group or keep most of it in tact? I understand the part where the forwards need to help out more but im talking specifically about the defensive group.

I think you will find most Flyers fans to a bit moody if there are no major changes on D this offseason... Just a hunch.
- hereticpride

It really doesn't matter if the Flyers fans are moody about that. That is a solid group of defenseman. There are 5 top 4 quality defenseman on that roster.

I think you will find most Flyers fans to a bit moody if there are no major changes on D this offseason... Just a hunch.
- hereticpride

when aren't philadelphia fans moody?

I don't see Lavi really changing the style of play much, so would this team benefit more to change some of its defensive group or keep most of it in tact? I understand the part where the forwards need to help out more but im talking specifically about the defensive group.
- stveshdy

I think we all would like a #1 defenseman added. we'll see if that happens. But if they resign Carle, I'm comfortable heading into the Season with what they'd have.

I think we all would like a #1 defenseman added. we'll see if that happens. But if they resign Carle, I'm comfortable heading into the Season with what they'd have.
- MJL

So your a believer in this core of players on defense?

I'm not saying they cant get the job done but their inconsistent play is what makes me question this current group. Every team has those issues but at times the Flyers struggle with making good decisions in their own end. I'm also worried about teams that do pressure the puck, not so much during the regular season but more in the playoffs when teams tighten it up.

It really doesn't matter if the Flyers fans are moody about that. That is a solid group of defenseman. There are 5 top 4 quality defenseman on that roster.
- MJL

And they'd look a lot better in fans' eyes if the forwards would help out more in their own zone, and stop rushing out to the offensive side of the red line while the puck is still below the hash marks.

will wellwood and rinaldo be subject to waivers next season?

And they'd look a lot better in fans' eyes if the forwards would help out more in their own zone, and stop rushing out to the offensive side of the red line while the puck is still below the hash marks.
- tangent_man

Another concern is they play back on their heels at times and dont challenge the fowards. I dont know if its more of the style Lavi wants them to play or more based on not giving up odd man rushes. I would like to see those guys challenge more than just keep skating backwards and giving the opponent free ice. Thats something that can be worked on imo.

So your a believer in this core of players on defense?

I'm not saying they cant get the job done but their inconsistent play is what makes me question this current group. Every team has those issues but at times the Flyers struggle with making good decisions in their own end. I'm also worried about teams that do pressure the puck, not so much during the regular season but more in the playoffs when teams tighten it up.
- stveshdy

if your questioning the inconsistency of the defense, then you also have to question the inconsistency of the Forwards. And the team as a whole, in my opinion. I think it's a whole lot more to it then the defenseman struggling to make good decisions in their own end. The 5 core guys, if Carle comes back, are all very good NHL Defenseman.

And they'd look a lot better in fans' eyes if the forwards would help out more in their own zone, and stop rushing out to the offensive side of the red line while the puck is still below the hash marks.
- tangent_man

It all ties together. It's not easy making a good decision with the puck when you have no where to go with it, and not much support.

Another concern is they play back on their heels at times and dont challenge the fowards. I dont know if its more of the style Lavi wants them to play or more based on not giving up odd man rushes. I would like to see those guys challenge more than just keep skating backwards and giving the opponent free ice. Thats something that can be worked on imo.
- stveshdy

Here's another thing that irks me. No offense. A defenseman can't step up and challenge and play aggressively without the team support behind them. If they're backing up, it's for a reason. That has to be recognized instead of just blindly criticizing the defenseman when they do back up. Laviolette's style is to attack.

if your questioning the inconsistency of the defense, then you also have to question the inconsistency of the Forwards. And the team as a whole, in my opinion. I think it's a whole lot more to it then the defenseman struggling to make good decisions in their own end. The 5 core guys, if Carle comes back, are all very good NHL Defenseman.
- MJL

I do question the team as a whole as far as playing defense in their own end. However, when the puck is carried and dumped into the zone the defenseman are the first players to get to the puck. The forwards then need to get into a better position to make an easy outlet pass. Sometimes the forwards are going to be covered and the defense needs to skate the puck and make a chip or puck off the glass. I dont always see that happening rather than turning the puck over. The Flyers can be very inconsistent at that where the defenseman dont make the right read or play. You may disagree but thats my opinion. I think if Carle is resigned and they come back with basically the same defense does it improve their chances to accomplish the organizational goal? I like this team but I dont think it would hurt to add another player or two on the blueline, just an opinion though.

Here's another thing that irks me. No offense. A defenseman can't step up and challenge and play aggressively without the team support behind them. If they're backing up, it's for a reason. That has to be recognized instead of just blindly criticizing the defenseman when they do back up. Laviolette's style is to attack.
- MJL

That I agree with. This is an area that the Flyers need to improve on. I understand Lavi likes to attack but I find it rather odd that this teams forwards cant back check. I watched the Devils play aggressive and yet their forwards were able to get back with ease. Just my observation though.

will wellwood and rinaldo be subject to waivers next season?
- FlyerMike18

No and no!

I do question the team as a whole as far as playing defense in their own end. However, when the puck is carried and dumped into the zone the defenseman are the first players to get to the puck. The forwards then need to get into a better position to make an easy outlet pass. Sometimes the forwards are going to be covered and the defense needs to skate the puck and make a chip or puck off the glass. I dont always see that happening rather than turning the puck over. The Flyers can be very inconsistent at that where the defenseman dont make the right read or play. You may disagree but thats my opinion. I think if Carle is resigned and they come back with basically the same defense does it improve their chances to accomplish the organizational goal? I like this team but I dont think it would hurt to add another player or two on the blueline, just an opinion though.
- stveshdy

Well said.

I think they will be on the search for a big name this offseason given their play but also with Kimmo probably only having one more year in him. You don't want to wait til Kimmo hangs them up either. That gives UFAs a ton of leverage next year if we're without any true 1-2 guys.

I do question the team as a whole as far as playing defense in their own end. However, when the puck is carried and dumped into the zone the defenseman are the first players to get to the puck. The forwards then need to get into a better position to make an easy outlet pass. Sometimes the forwards are going to be covered and the defense needs to skate the puck and make a chip or puck off the glass. I dont always see that happening rather than turning the puck over. The Flyers can be very inconsistent at that where the defenseman dont make the right read or play. You may disagree but thats my opinion. I think if Carle is resigned and they come back with basically the same defense does it improve their chances to accomplish the organizational goal? I like this team but I dont think it would hurt to add another player or two on the blueline, just an opinion though.
- stveshdy

I don't agree totally with that. Many times the play is to keep the puck to the outside, and put the puck in a 50/50 puck battle high up in the zone. If a defenseman is stripped of the puck skating it out, then there's nothing but the goaltender left. Sometimes the play is to chip it out high off the glass. But a defenseman is not always in a position to do so. So many times I see a defenseman blamed for a giveaway, when that's not correct. A forward was in the wrong position. When a defenseman is pressured down low, he knows where his help is supposed to be. Where the support is supposed to be. He knows where the puck is supposed to be sent. I recognize a true giveaway versus one that isn't.

Of course it wouldn't hurt to add a top defenseman, and it would improve their chances. But don't make a move just to make one. Make the right move.

That I agree with. This is an area that the Flyers need to improve on. I understand Lavi likes to attack but I find it rather odd that this teams forwards cant back check. I watched the Devils play aggressive and yet their forwards were able to get back with ease. Just my observation though.
- stveshdy

Their forwards played a disciplined 5 man game. When you have two guys in the zone forechecking, and one pass beats them both, well that ends that.

No and no!
- MJL

good news