Nothing but rumor and speculation, likely on the part of Flyer's fans trying to dump JVR and unite the Schenn bro's.

Answer this. Would you rather have an unachieving Luke Schenn that is playing OR an underachieving JVR who has been on the IR and has had a serious concussion and requires hip surgery in only a few years into his career?

Both players have great upside, but I think the Leafs are content to keep the player that actually plays and continuing his development.
- As_I_See_It

I think the Leafs would make that trade in a second even with JvR's injury history. Schenn at best becomes a second pairing player. JvR can be a first line player and has the potential to score 30+ goals per year. I'm not knocking Schenn because I think defenseman take time to develop. I just think JvR is the better overall player in general.

Nothing but rumor and speculation, likely on the part of Flyer's fans trying to dump JVR and unite the Schenn bro's.

Answer this. Would you rather have an unachieving Luke Schenn that is playing OR an underachieving JVR who has been on the IR and has had a serious concussion and requires hip surgery in only a few years into his career?

Both players have great upside, but I think the Leafs are content to keep the player that actually plays and continuing his development.
- As_I_See_It

I would rather have JVR to be honest, I think his ceiling is higher. If he continues being injury prone, and doesn't become a consistent 25-30 scorer, than the Flyers made a mistake giving him the contract they did. It was a calculated risk that he would reach his potential. The biggest mistake would be trading him now while his stock is at an all-time low.

Eskin is somewhat of a buffoon, no?
- Daman

Yes, but he's also usually not wrong. He was the one that said that the Flyers could move both Richards and Carter, and has been spot on with the injury news about Pronger

Eskin is somewhat of a buffoon, no?
- Daman

He obviously has a source within the Flyers room, but this seems far fetched to me. I think it is despicable that the Flyers have a rat in their room that feeds Eskin information that should be confidential.

While I do not want such a trade to happen. I'm not about to doubt Eskin's Flyer contacts. He was the only one mentioning that Richards and Carter would likely get dealt before it all went down.

This type of trade I don't think is very outlandish, from a hockey or financial standpoint for a few reasons...

1. It gives the Flyers a bona fide winger, a known quantity to pair with Giroux for a very long time. Can't count on Hartnell to duplicate past season, while Nash has put up solid numbers for a long time playing with.....Umberger?

2. It gives the Flyers a ferocious, big, and talented top line in the short term that will rival that line out in Anaheim as the best in the league.

3. Nash's trade value is down. Why? Columbus has very little leverage as there's no chance he's staying. Nash had a poor season along with the team last year. You say JVR's value is down why trade him? You can also say Nash's trade value is down why not trade for him.

4. Nash's cap hit is bad, but it essentially could be an advantage for the trading team. The Flyers can cite his cap hit along with recent production and potentially make a JVR, Bob, and Flyers #1 pick trade work.
- Just5

The first 3 points are solid, but I don't think a young injury prone winger, a mediocre back-up goalie that is MAYBE an upgrade to Mason and 20th overall pick gets it done for Nash.

I think that if Philly wants to land Nash then Columbus would want to be discussing B. Schenn and/or Couturier, maybe +

Yes, but he's also usually not wrong. He was the one that said that the Flyers could move both Richards and Carter, and has been spot on with the injury news about Pronger
- Jsaquella

I'm also concerned about this report by Ek (if you take him seriously).

On Travis Moen
Keep an eye ion the Sharks. The Flyers could also get involved if the Flyers were to decide to move Voracek at the draft to move up...a distinct possibility.

I don't want to trade Voracek but I see it happening because I have this feeling his contract could be an issue.

Nothing but rumor and speculation, likely on the part of Flyer's fans trying to dump JVR and unite the Schenn bro's.

Answer this. Would you rather have an unachieving Luke Schenn that is playing OR an underachieving JVR who has been on the IR and has had a serious concussion and requires hip surgery in only a few years into his career?

Both players have great upside, but I think the Leafs are content to keep the player that actually plays and continuing his development.
- As_I_See_It

Don't really want a defenseman who was a healthy scratch at times during the season.

The first 3 points are solid, but I don't think a young injury prone winger, a mediocre back-up goalie that is MAYBE an upgrade to Mason and 20th overall pick gets it done for Nash.

I think that if Philly wants to land Nash then Columbus would want to be discussing B. Schenn and/or Couturier, maybe +
- As_I_See_It

Nash isnt worth all that. His cap hit hurts his value imo. If I'm Columbus I would ask for the same (Couturier or Schenn +) the problem is the Flyers have other needs so its not going to happen.

I would rather have JVR to be honest, I think his ceiling is higher. If he continues being injury prone, and doesn't become a consistent 25-30 scorer, than the Flyers made a mistake giving him the contract they did. It was a calculated risk that he would reach his potential. The biggest mistake would be trading him now while his stock is at an all-time low.
- PLindbergh31

I think this is the hang-up on any potential trade JVR for L. Schenn as both player's value are down at the moment and their comparative values are tough to gauge.

There's usually a fire from Eskin's smoke....
- Just5

Carter to Columbus was widely rumored (and denied) for months right up until the time it happened. Eskin was not the only one who heard rumblings of the Flyers also being willing to trade Richards but he was the only one who ran with it. Give him credit for that.

Weeks after that, he reported the Flyers were going to put in an offer sheet for Stamkos. If you go back in years past, he's batted about .400 on his Flyers scoops, ranging from misses such Lindros to Toronto being "a lead pipe cinch done deal" (his words) to ones that proved accurate such as the Flyers players mutinying against Barber and the club being about to fire him.

His injury scoops this past season were about 75 percent accurate.

I don't doubt the Flyers have continued to have discussions with the Blue Jackets about Nash -- Howson and Holmgren absolutely had talks before the trade deadline -- but I also don't think the Flyers are where he'll end up.

I also don't think JVR's hip surgery delay has much if anything to do with it, although I wouldn't be surprised if the club wished the surgery had already been done. As I wrote in the blog, the date of JVR's re-scheduled surgery is largely at the mercy of the schedule-makers at the surgicenter where he'll have the procedure.

The reason for the delay is almost certainly something mundane and legitimate, and has nothing to do with the player trying to avoid a trade.

While I do not want such a trade to happen. I'm not about to doubt Eskin's Flyer contacts. He was the only one mentioning that Richards and Carter would likely get dealt before it all went down.

This type of trade I don't think is very outlandish, from a hockey or financial standpoint for a few reasons...

1. It gives the Flyers a bona fide winger, a known quantity to pair with Giroux for a very long time. Can't count on Hartnell to duplicate past season, while Nash has put up solid numbers for a long time playing with.....Umberger?

2. It gives the Flyers a ferocious, big, and talented top line in the short term that will rival that line out in Anaheim as the best in the league.

3. Nash's trade value is down. Why? Columbus has very little leverage as there's no chance he's staying. Nash had a poor season along with the team last year. You say JVR's value is down why trade him? You can also say Nash's trade value is down why not trade for him.

4. Nash's cap hit is bad, but it essentially could be an advantage for the trading team. The Flyers can cite his cap hit along with recent production and potentially make a JVR, Bob, and Flyers #1 pick trade work.
- Just5

If Scott Howson took that bag of poop for Nash, I'd crawl to Columbus and carry Nash on my back to Philadelphia.

Nash is the face of the franchise. He's literally the only true star they have, and they're getting ready to host the ASG. If they do trade Nash, they're going to be after guys who they can market.

JvR's a talented kid, but he's not Nash, or even Jeff Carter. Bob could be a decent starter, but he could also be Niittymaki, Part2. Given the Jackets first round history, hard to see getting the 20th pick inspiring the fanbase.

I would like Nash but agree 7m is way too much.
- Daman

You want the Flyers to pursue Parise. What do you think that's going to cost?

Carter to Columbus was widely rumored (and denied) for months right up until the time it happened. Eskin was not the only one who heard rumblings of the Flyers also being willing to trade Richards but he was the only one who ran with it. Give him credit for that.

Weeks after that, he reported the Flyers were going to put in an offer sheet for Stamkos. If you go back in years past, he's batted about .400 on his Flyers scoops, ranging from misses such Lindros to Toronto being "a lead pipe cinch done deal" (his words) to ones that proved accurate such as the Flyers players mutinying against Barber and the club being about to fire him.

His injury scoops this past season were about 75 percent accurate.

I don't doubt the Flyers have continued to have discussions with the Blue Jackets about Nash -- Howson and Holmgren absolutely had talks before the trade deadline -- but I also don't think the Flyers are where he'll end up.

I also don't think JVR's hip surgery delay has much if anything to do with it, although I wouldn't be surprised if the club wished the surgery had already been done. As I wrote in the blog, the date of JVR's re-scheduled surgery is largely at the mercy of the schedule-makers at the surgicenter where he'll have the procedure.

The reason for the delay is almost certainly something mundane and legitimate, and has nothing to do with the player trying to avoid a trade.
- bmeltzer

The other thing is, if it was anyone but Eskin reporting it, would this many people take it this seriously? The tone and timbre of the aired report differed from the tweets that followed.

He obviously has a source within the Flyers room, but this seems far fetched to me. I think it is despicable that the Flyers have a rat in their room that feeds Eskin information that should be confidential.
- PLindbergh31

I don't understand where this Eskin stuff is coming from. Did Bill mention Eskin in this blog?

I don't understand where this Eskin stuff is coming from. Did Bill mention Eskin in this blog?
- Dkos

Eskin reported last night that the Flyers were upset with JvR for not having his surgery and hinted it was holding up a JvR + for Nash trade

I don't understand where this Eskin stuff is coming from. Did Bill mention Eskin in this blog?
- Dkos

No, Eskin tweeted the information about JVR.

Great read Bill. I have to agree 100%. Nash isn't the guy for us right now. I would much rather trade for that #1 d-man, and replace what we lose at forward with a UFA winger.

As for JVR, again you are right again. I also believe if you trade him now, your selling low. Unless he is part of a package for said defenseman above, then I think you have to hold onto him, at least until the deadline.

Of course if he doesn't do well this year, the bottom could fall out on any market for JVR. He needs to have a good season.

Eskin reported last night that the Flyers were upset with JvR for not having his surgery and hinted it was holding up a JvR + for Nash trade
- Jsaquella

Who else could be in this deal? There's noway its a straight up deal. I won't rule out the possibility that this is true but the odds just seem low to me.

I'm also concerned about this report by Ek (if you take him seriously).

On Travis Moen
Keep an eye ion the Sharks. The Flyers could also get involved if the Flyers were to decide to move Voracek at the draft to move up...a distinct possibility.

I don't want to trade Voracek but I see it happening because I have this feeling his contract could be an issue.
- stveshdy

Personally, I'd like to see them add a solid 4th/5th defenseman and a 4th line vet with a Stanley Cup ring, maybe move Bob and get a solid vet backup. And that is it.

Also, how does Travis Moen replace Jake Voracek? Moen is a perfect 4th line grinder, but he doesn't replace Voracek in any realm, offensively

That's right, I forgot that Philly's D was in awesome shape with Pronger retiring and Carle going UFA...

I'm guessing that Holmgren would jump at any number of these D:

- Phaneuf
- Schenn
- Gunnarson
- Liles
- Franson
- komisarek
- GARDINER

Prospects:
- Holzer
- Blacker
- Percy

Or maybe the 5th overall would be something Philly might be interested in?
- As_I_See_It

You still have your first round pick this year?.....I thought you traded the next 10 years worth for Kessel

Great read Bill. I have to agree 100%. Nash isn't the guy for us right now. I would much rather trade for that #1 d-man, and replace what we lose at forward with a UFA winger.

As for JVR, again you are right again. I also believe if you trade him now, your selling low. Unless he is part of a package for said defenseman above, then I think you have to hold onto him, at least until the deadline.

Of course if he doesn't do well this year, the bottom could fall out on any market for JVR. He needs to have a good season.
- RooNosHockey

Very big season for JVR. First year of the big contract. For the first time in his career there is pressure on him to perform, he no longer can be a supporting player, he must be a top 6 winger.

Who else could be in this deal? There's noway its a straight up deal. I won't rule out the possibility that this is true but the odds just seem low to me.
- stveshdy

Supposedly the Jackets wanted Schenn or Couturier as part of the deal last season, and that was the killer. I see no reason why that would change.

Who else could be in this deal? There's noway its a straight up deal. I won't rule out the possibility that this is true but the odds just seem low to me.
- stveshdy

Nash will 90% be traded to the Rags. The injury to Gaborik makes them all the more desperate for offense.

Personally, I'd like to see them add a solid 4th/5th defenseman and a 4th line vet with a Stanley Cup ring, maybe move Bob and get a solid vet backup. And that is it.

Also, how does Travis Moen replace Jake Voracek? Moen is a perfect 4th line grinder, but he doesn't replace Voracek in any realm, offensively
- Jsaquella

I don't think Moen replaces Voracek either but I'm sure Homer will find another forward if he trades Jake. I rather keep Voracek because I think he is one of their better players. I just think his contract (and agent) could be an issue.

I don't think Moen replaces Voracek either but I'm sure Homer will find another forward if he trades Jake. I rather keep Voracek because I think he is one of their better players. I just think his contract (and agent) could be an issue.
- stveshdy

You mean his agent, former Flyer Petr Svoboda? The guy who just said he expects Voracek to be signed by the Flyers with very few issues?