I don't know the answer - but what is the average salary of the highest paid 6 d-men and the average salary of the highest paid 12 forwards?

My gut tells me that D has always been a priority, especially after we traded for Grossmann, Pronger, Timmo, Mezaros, Kubina, Carle, Coburn, etc.

Truth of the matter is that we lack an elite forward for Giroux. Don't give him that clip on tie. Plenty of 1-2 punches (2 elite forwards) through NHL history that have won cups.

Crosby - Malkin
Zetterburg - Datsyuk
Kane - Toews
Gretzy - Messier
Jagr - Lemieux

Let's make history in Philadelphia sports. I agree with getting Weber if at all possible, but otherwise Parise should be the only option.
- Daman

I like where this is going. I could only imagine what Parise and Giroux could do....

I don't know the answer - but what is the average salary of the highest paid 6 d-men and the average salary of the highest paid 12 forwards?

My gut tells me that D has always been a priority, especially after we traded for Grossmann, Pronger, Timmo, Mezaros, Kubina, Carle, Coburn, etc.

Truth of the matter is that we lack an elite forward for Giroux. Don't give him that clip on tie. Plenty of 1-2 punches (2 elite forwards) through NHL history that have won cups.

Crosby - Malkin
Zetterburg - Datsyuk
Kane - Toews
Gretzy - Messier
Jagr - Lemieux

Let's make history in Philadelphia sports. I agree with getting Weber if at all possible, but otherwise Parise should be the only option.
- Daman

I wouldn't be against that idea. I think Parise is a great player. They could sign him and move a depth forward for another defenseman.

I don't know the answer - but what is the average salary of the highest paid 6 d-men and the average salary of the highest paid 12 forwards?

My gut tells me that D has always been a priority, especially after we traded for Grossmann, Pronger, Timmo, Mezaros, Kubina, Carle, Coburn, etc.

Truth of the matter is that we lack an elite forward for Giroux. Don't give him that clip on tie. Plenty of 1-2 punches (2 elite forwards) through NHL history that have won cups.

Crosby - Malkin
Zetterburg - Datsyuk
Kane - Toews
Gretzy - Messier
Jagr - Lemieux

Let's make history in Philadelphia sports. I agree with getting Weber if at all possible, but otherwise Parise should be the only option.
- Daman

One more "clip on tie" reference and you're outta here.

One more "clip on tie" reference and you're outta here.
- funmaster18

ty

One more "clip on tie" reference and you're outta here.
- funmaster18

- BulliesPhan87

Can't you
Losers
Identify with
Parise?

OK
Nutjobs?

- BulliesPhan87

http://upload.wikimedia.o...a/en/5/50/Clip-On_Tie.jpg

Can't you
Losers
Identify with
Parise?

OK
Nutjobs?
- Daman

Can't you
Losers
Identify with
Parise?

OK
Nutjobs?
- Daman

I think Wellwood makes the Flyers team next season.

I think Wellwood makes the Flyers team next season.
- Thehabsfan93

I like Wellwood, but he would be considered a clip on tie if put on the first line. Overall, you need to find a place in the lineup for a guy with that speed.

I think Wellwood makes the Flyers team next season.
- Thehabsfan93

I have my doubts he will ever be more than a role player.

I have my doubts he will ever be more than a role player.
- funmaster18

He's definitely a useful guy to have around, though. Maybe his offensive upside is limited, but he's a young, hard working player that can at least do the yeoman's work for a minimal cap hit.

I have my doubts he will ever be more than a role player.
- funmaster18

Speaking of doubts,

He's definitely a useful guy to have around, though. Maybe his offensive upside is limited, but he's a young, hard working player that can at least do the yeoman's work for a minimal cap hit.
- BulliesPhan87

The kid's gonna be part of a package deal for a defenseman. I would say by Thanksgiving.

He's definitely a useful guy to have around, though. Maybe his offensive upside is limited, but he's a young, hard working player that can at least do the yeoman's work for a minimal cap hit.
- BulliesPhan87

I'm hoping I'm wrong, because his speed is scary. Just get the feeling he's one of those guys that you keep hoping will break out, but never seems to put it all together. If he can continue to improve his defense, he will be extremely useful. His hands/knack for finishing his opportunities offensively is where my concerns lie. I know there's plenty of time for him to improve and he's basically just had a field trip to the NHL, it's just the vibe I get.

Speaking of doubts,


- Daman

Speaking of overkill

The kid's gonna be part of a package deal for a defenseman. I would say by Thanksgiving.
- tangent_man

He and Hartsy? I can see that.

He and Hartsy? I can see that.
- funmaster18

You ain't the funmaster for nothin'. Sharp as a tack, you are.

I agree with the assessment that defense is the priority, but I'll open a can of worms here, for discussion's sake...

Does "defense" mean the position that Suter, Chara, and Pronger play?

I think Parise would be huge. He has Selke Trophy caliber defensive prowess, and- on separate lines- he and Cooter would make for huge fits against teams both matchup and offense wise. Lavy's options concerning matchups would be wide open against other high octane offenses. And the added bonus to all this, like I said, is that (presumably) both these lines could roll out good to above average offensive outputs. We also have Talbot for "offensive defense" too.

I also want to say that our defense is definitely manageable. Though we lack that true #1 that everyone rants and raves about, we do have a mess of quality #2s and #3s in Carle, Mez, Grossmann, Timonen, and Coburn. A lot of people get caught up in the #1 Defensmen hoopbla and forget that this defense corps is more than capable of holding its own.

Is Suter REALLY a priority? If we keep this D the same, or close to it, and we roll out someone like Parise who provides both elite offense and defense, not to mention work ethic and board work, I think we could be looking at a scary Flyers team.

Suter would be nice, but I'd rather see Mr. Parise don the Orange and Black. Justin Schultz too. Get it done Homer

I agree with the assessment that defense is the priority, but I'll open a can of worms here, for discussion's sake...

Does "defense" mean the position that Suter, Chara, and Pronger play?

I think Parise would be huge. He has Selke Trophy caliber defensive prowess, and- on separate lines- he and Cooter would make for huge fits against teams both matchup and offense wise. Lavy's options concerning matchups would be wide open against other high octane offenses. And the added bonus to all this, like I said, is that (presumably) both these lines could roll out good to above average offensive outputs. We also have Talbot for "offensive defense" too.

I also want to say that our defense is definitely manageable. Though we lack that true #1 that everyone rants and raves about, we do have a mess of quality #2s and #3s in Carle, Mez, Grossmann, Timonen, and Coburn. A lot of people get caught up in the #1 Defensmen hoopbla and forget that this defense corps is more than capable of holding its own.

Is Suter REALLY a priority? If we keep this D the same, or close to it, and we roll out someone like Parise who provides both elite offense and defense, not to mention work ethic and board work, I think we could be looking at a scary Flyers team.

Suter would be nice, but I'd rather see Mr. Parise don the Orange and Black. Justin Schultz too. Get it done Homer
- Giroux_Is_God

I am torn on the J. Shultz idea. This team has a legit chance at the cup next year and the following. Yes the window is more then 2 years but it will get a lot harder with Giroux's (and others) impending huge raise. Shultz has not show he can play at the NHL level yet. I don't see him as the answer to the question: how do we get over the top in the next 2 years? Which IMHO is the question at hand. Sure, I would kick the tires. In fact, I would target him. But I wouldn't bank on him to fix the D problem.

You ain't the funmaster for nothin'. Sharp as a tack, you are.
- tangent_man

That's because I haven't worn my helmet yet today

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings -- Talbot, Injury Updates, Prospect Signings
- bmeltzer

Tough choice really need to be made not only this summer but the next. Who wouldn't want a player like Zach Parise? I personally would welcome him with open arms but this is only if we have to move players like JvR or Voracek for an upgrade on defense. I know it's odd that I would only take Parise to replace one of our young guns but Parise will cost a pretty Penny.

At the same time Suter will be a UFA this summer and Weber the next's. Who wouldn't want these 2 Dmen? The Flyers could use either one or both.

I just hope the Flyers don't vastly over pay for Suter like someone will. It is of my opinion that at 5.5-6, Suter is a very good defenseman. But at 6.5-7.5, he is an overpaid cap busting defenseman. And if the Flyers pay him that , the moment they see that he is of course a solid all around player, but not overly physical, and not really a "shut down" guy, they will turn on him faster than you can say Matt Carle.

I would still love to have him on the Flyers. But most people who are not HB posters seem to think Suter is something he is not. Sure he played great in the Olympics without Weber, but the other d-men Team USA had were no slouches either. I just wonder legitimately how much of his great play is because he is great, and how much of it is because he is the partner of the arguably most dominating d-man in hockey. It is basically the Carle argument, but for 2 million dollars more per season lol.

The answer for both is somewhere in the middle. And we have seen Carle play long stretches without Pronger and be very good. Personally, Ill take Carle at 5-5.5, over Suter at 6.5-7.5.

I just hope the Flyers don't vastly over pay for Suter like someone will. It is of my opinion that at 5.5-6, Suter is a very good defenseman. But at 6.5-7.5, he is an overpaid cap busting defenseman. And if the Flyers pay him that , the moment they see that he is of course a solid all around player, but not overly physical, and not really a "shut down" guy, they will turn on him faster than you can say Matt Carle.

I would still love to have him on the Flyers. But most people who are not HB posters seem to think Suter is something he is not. Sure he played great in the Olympics without Weber, but the other d-men Team USA had were no slouches either. I just wonder legitimately how much of his great play is because he is great, and how much of it is because he is the partner of the arguably most dominating d-man in hockey. It is basically the Carle argument, but for 2 million dollars more per season lol.

The answer for both is somewhere in the middle. And we have seen Carle play long stretches without Pronger and be very good. Personally, Ill take Carle at 5-5.5, over Suter at 6.5-7.5.
- MBFlyerfan

If it's possible to get Weber at the draft, I'm all for bringing Carle back.