I think its obvious they need to buy into better team defense after losing this year to the Devils. If they dont fix that they have no chance of winning the Stanley Cup.
- stveshdy

That's what I've been saying all along. Without better team defense, one new addition won't mean a lot.

That's what I've been saying all along. Without better team defense, one new addition won't mean a lot.
- Jsaquella

And trading Couturier for Weber actually makes the team worse defensively.

well Timonen and Lilja really skew the average age. Coburn, Carle (if he re-signs), Meszaros and Grossmann are all 27 and under
- nastyflyergirl

True. I would expect Lilja to be the 7th d-man to start the season, but he will probably be pressed into playing at least 25 games due to injury.

Flyers could get bold, and move on from Carle and really remake the defense. That's what I would do.

That's what I've been saying all along. Without better team defense, one new addition won't mean a lot.
- Jsaquella

Well Homer is going to add a defenseman. Theres no way he doesnt add a piece. The real issue is stressing defense and punishing players who dont do it by limiting their ice time or possible being scratched. Have to send a message that it wont be tolerated.

That's what I've been saying all along. Without better team defense, one new addition won't mean a lot.
- Jsaquella

Focus on getting better with what you have with some tweaks (hopefully minor) and focus on the draft.

Well Homer is going to add a defenseman. Theres no way he doesnt add a piece. The real issue is stressing defense and punishing players who dont do it by limiting their ice time or possible being scratched. Have to send a message that it wont be tolerated.
- stveshdy

I'm sure he will add at least one defenseman. That's not really going to be debatable. The Flyers will again try to improve their team. I'm just saying that it can't end there.

And trading Couturier for Weber actually makes the team worse defensively.
- bradleyc4

Agreed.

Focus on getting better with what you have with some tweaks (hopefully minor) and focus on the draft.
- ob18

thats what I want to see them do. I'm ok with adding thru free agency if the players are there and reasonable but i really would rather them hold onto the kids and picks they have.

I'm sure he will add at least one defenseman. That's not really going to be debatable. The Flyers will again try to improve their team. I'm just saying that it can't end there.
- Jsaquella

I agree. However, do you see Lavi forcing this team to be more defensive minded?

thats what I want to see them do. I'm ok with adding thru free agency if the players are there and reasonable but i really would rather them hold onto the kids and picks they have.
- nastyflyergirl

I think the only untouchables on the roster should be Giroux, Couturier, and Read (due to his cap friendly contract) other than that if I'm Holmgren I would listen to trades regarding anyone else on the roster.

Hopefully this first round pick they hit on a d-man who can become a solid NHL player, I fear due to the inability to develop homegrown defensemen, they will shy away and draft a forward. Which isn't the end of the world, I'm a proponent of drafting best available, and not area of need per say.

I agree. However, do you see Lavi forcing this team to be more defensive minded?
- stveshdy

If he wants to remain employed.

thats what I want to see them do. I'm ok with adding thru free agency if the players are there and reasonable but i really would rather them hold onto the kids and picks they have.
- nastyflyergirl

Some moves have to be made. We have too many top 6 guys on forward, and if Carle is resigned we have too many 2-4 defenseman. Some moves will have to be made just to get guys the ice time they need. And you might as well use those guys to trade up for something you need.

If he wants to remain employed.
- PLindbergh31

Will see.

Some moves have to be made. We have too many top 6 guys on forward, and if Carle is resigned we have too many 2-4 defenseman. Some moves will have to be made just to get guys the ice time they need. And you might as well use those guys to trade up for something you need.
- RooNosHockey

I'd rather have too many top 6 forwards then too many bottom 6 forwards. It's a weak free agent market the costs to make a trade will likely cost too much.

I agree. However, do you see Lavi forcing this team to be more defensive minded?
- stveshdy

The hurricanes played a solid defensive game when they won the cup under Lavi. You just have to have the players capable of doing that... Like Francis and Brind'amour.

The hurricanes played a solid defensive game when they won the cup under Lavi. You just have to have the players capable of doing that... Like Francis and Brind'amour.
- RooNosHockey

And lets not forget Cam Ward coming out of nowhere providing elite level goaltending.

Teams very rarely win without the goaltening being elite, of course the one recent example that goes against this trend is the 2010 Blackhawks.

I'd rather have too many top 6 forwards then to many bottom 6 forwards. It's a weak free agent market the costs to make a trade will likely cost too much.
- ob18

To each his own. I would rather take a couple of those top 6 that are going to play bottom 6, and 1-2 of those 2-4 d-men and turn them into 1 #1 d-man, and a top line winger. Then fill the bottom 6 spots with a defensive forward line, and fill the d-spots with servicable 5-6 defender and one of our rookies.

Focus on getting better with what you have with some tweaks (hopefully minor) and focus on the draft.
- ob18

They have a few picks this year right?

They have a few picks this year right?
- jak521

They have all their picks except the two second rounders I believe.

You are also right. Note that "Briere" wasn't in my core.

What you are describing is discipline. To be honest, it can be boriing.

Watching a lot of these playoff games you see first D-man flip puck to 2nd D-man (often behind the net).

Then to a forward in the middle.

Then a quick pass or dump into other zone. Other team repeats.

Not a lot of space in the playoffs. I think over time, having a guy like G will be invaluable.

Good day to all.
- Daman

It's your basic D to D Center breakout. But notice that the Forward is down around the circles to get the outlet pass from the defenseman, not up around the blue line where the pass has to go through forecheckers and who knows how many sticks.

ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun sees an all-or-nothing proposition for the Predators this offseason with Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. What happens with Suter, who will be an unrestricted free agent, could dictate what goes on with Weber, a restricted free agent. Nashville's goal right now is getting Suter signed before July 1. LeBrun wonders whether Weber would want to stay long-term if Suter bolts, and he doesn't think it's worth it to keep Weber another year before he becomes a UFA if he doesn't want to ink a long-term extension. "Either Suter and Weber both sign extensions to stay in Nashville or they’re both gone this summer. There doesn’t seem to be any in-between, in my mind," Lebrun says.
Source: ESPN.com

Wow.

Some moves have to be made. We have too many top 6 guys on forward, and if Carle is resigned we have too many 2-4 defenseman. Some moves will have to be made just to get guys the ice time they need. And you might as well use those guys to trade up for something you need.
- RooNosHockey

Moves don't have to be made to get players the icetime they need. There is plenty of that to go around for the current roster.

Some moves have to be made. We have too many top 6 guys on forward, and if Carle is resigned we have too many 2-4 defenseman. Some moves will have to be made just to get guys the ice time they need. And you might as well use those guys to trade up for something you need.
- RooNosHockey

I have heard ppl talk this way before, but I just dont get it..

How is having too many top 6 forwards and too many 2-4 d-men a bad problem to have?

We have to understand that in all likely-hood we will not land a true #1A d-man.

So does it make sense to trade a top 6 forward and a 2-4 d-man for a #1B guy.. or a guy thats just a bit better than the 2-4 guy? I dont think so. Hell if anything.. Id LOVE to add another 2-4 d-man..

It's your basic D to D Center breakout. But notice that the Forward is down around the circles to get the outlet pass from the defenseman, not up around the blue line where the pass has to go through forecheckers and who knows how many sticks.
- MJL

The other thing that is so important that the Kings do so well, and the Flyers did not... is that the kings forwards are moving to the puck... Our d-men would get stuck and have to make a 45 foot pass to a forward who would be waiting for the puck between the blue line and red line.

The kings forwards go back and are skating when they receive the pass.. which translates to a smoother faster break out.

They have a few picks this year right?
- jak521

Yes

http://www.prosportstrans...tTrades/Future/Flyers.htm