I'm not trying to pull you into to anything silly. I was just interested in your opinion of what you think Bouwmeester is now. I think Bouwmeester was a very promising young player with Florida, with a lot of upside. And I was never a fan of him, and always thought he was overrated, when there were rumors a number of years ago that the Flyers were interested in him. And it seems my thoughts on Bouwmeester have come true.
- MJL

Bouwmeester isn't worth half his cap hit imo.

Just me, but for a crazy salary like that, I cannot take such a gamble.

J-Bow had every chance to become a star in Calgary. He is far too soft and questionable defensively for his salary. Let alone giving up assets to get him.

if they are going the trade route I would much rather prefer a guy like Giordano or Murray.
- flyer_nutter

Actually, defensively Bouwmeester is a solid defenseman. He just doesn't bring enough to the table at the Cap hit. He lacks the offensive game that he should have, and he doesn't play that physical.

In your opinion, what was Bouwmeester with the Panthers? I'm not going to be pulled into one of your silly little debates because you disagree with me. I've made a case for the guy and that's all I need to do.
- Schenn2shine

He brings up a good point. You made a case but a poor one in my opinion. He has been poop with the Flames. He was good with Florida, but that was three seasons ago. And for the player he is now, the cap hit is hilarious.

Actually, defensively Bouwmeester is a solid defenseman. He just doesn't bring enough to the table at the Cap hit. He lacks the offensive game that he should have, and he doesn't play that physical.
- MJL

I think Grossmann is better than Bouwmeester. I rather the Flyers spend around that $3.5M on another defenseman if its not Enstrom, Weber, etc.

What bad contracts would those be?
- JoeRussomanno

Walker, Shelly... I dont have an up to date list in front of me of exactly who is on NHL level deals but we don't need to be at the max like we were last year.

I have no problem going after Ryan. Hes younger and has big time skills.
- stveshdy

I have never been too excited about Ryan.

He is a good player but when I look at the general make-up of the team I have a hard time fitting him in.

While Ryan does use his body I would not really call him a physical guy. I also would like a player that is better defensively if I am going to dish out assets and a good amount of salary to get a player.

Guys like Nash, and Ryan they are talented players. However I believe if the Flyers are adding to the offense they need to look for players who bring a consistently physical game and are above average defensively. Leadership and experience would be a bonus as the team is young enough as it is.

Parise would be the only one I'd consider if I wanted to add a big money player up front.

(frank) is this place weird
- flyer_nutter

Did you mean Nutty?

I know I'm on an island here but Bouwmeester had many good years with the Florida Panthers, so it isn't out of realm of impossibility that he could improve on a different team. In my opinion Bouwmeester could only thrive from playing with a core which features Timonen, Coburn, Carle, Grossmann and Meszaros.

If I had to choose between keeping our young core intact by picking up J-Bo and giving up for our young core for a top defenseman, that to me would be a really tough choice to make. Especially seeing how Bouwmeester is a roughly young player still, healthy and only has 2 more years on his contract.

Again, I think Bouwmeester could go either way. He could either be what he was with the Panthers or continue to be what he is with the Flames. A lot of players have benefited from being traded. I think Jay Bouwmeester could very well be one of those players.

If J-Bo plays too soft, a coach has to take him a side and push him to play harder. Not just accept that he is what he is.
- Schenn2shine

can't say i agree with the move, but i see your point. many were critical of the meszaros acquisition when it went down. and he's been better here than he was in tampa (imo)

just don't know if i'd be willing to take such a big leap of faith for the guy

Walker, Shelly... I dont have an up to date list in front of me of exactly who is on NHL level deals but we don't need to be at the max like we were last year.
- hereticpride

I don't think the Flyers could give Walker away for pucks.

I'm not trying to pull you into to anything silly. I was just interested in your opinion of what you think Bouwmeester is now. I think Bouwmeester was a very promising young player with Florida, with a lot of upside. And I was never a fan of him, and always thought he was overrated, when there were rumors a number of years ago that the Flyers were interested in him. And it seems my thoughts on Bouwmeester have come true.
- MJL

Your thoughts always come true. You're right about everything. The fact of the matter is Calgary has plenty of issues they need to hammer out. They were there before Bouwmeester got there and they'll probably be there after he's traded away. The Calgary Flames were expecting Olli Jokinen to be their number 1 center not only once but twice within the last 3 seasons. The league still mistakes Kiprusoff of being one of the better goaltenders in the league (Or at least TSN does). The Flames need a shake up and that might start with their Captain. I'm not seeing how Bouwmeester can fail with our supporting cast.

Actually, defensively Bouwmeester is a solid defenseman. He just doesn't bring enough to the table at the Cap hit. He lacks the offensive game that he should have, and he doesn't play that physical.
- MJL

An overpaid Carle?

I think Grossmann is better than Bouwmeester. I rather the Flyers spend around that $3.5M on another defenseman if its not Enstrom, Weber, etc.
- stveshdy

I don't know that I would say that Grossmann is better. But Grossmann is certainly better value for the buck.

I have never been too excited about Ryan.

He is a good player but when I look at the general make-up of the team I have a hard time fitting him in.

While Ryan does use his body I would not really call him a physical guy. I also would like a player that is better defensively if I am going to dish out assets and a good amount of salary to get a player.

Guys like Nash, and Ryan they are talented players. However I believe if the Flyers are adding to the offense they need to look for players who bring a consistently physical game and are above average defensively. Leadership and experience would be a bonus as the team is young enough as it is.

Parise would be the only one I'd consider if I wanted to add a big money player up front.
- flyer_nutter

Don't mind having Parise either. All these players are very talented. I would have no issues with any of them on my team.

Your thoughts always come true. You're right about everything. The fact of the matter is Calgary has plenty of issues they need to hammer out. They were there before Bouwmeester got there and they'll probably be there after he's traded away. The Calgary Flames were expecting Olli Jokinen to be their number 1 center not only once but twice within the last 3 seasons. The league still mistakes Kiprusoff of being one of the better goaltenders in the league (Or at least TSN does). The Flames need a shake up and that might start with their Captain. I'm not seeing how Bouwmeester can fail with our supporting cast.
- Schenn2shine

Do you think he's out to destroy you too? just curious....

An overpaid Carle?
- flyer_nutter

No, I would not consider them the same type of players. Carle is an offensive defenseman. Bouwmeester is a defensive defenseman.

I don't think the Flyers could give Walker away for pucks.
- stveshdy

If we're taking JBo off their hands theyre taking some trash back to Calgary or I have no interest in him at all.

Did you mean Nutty?
- bird_dog

I'd rather they go after Bobby Ryan at half the money. You're going to have to shell out serious money in a few years to keep guys like Giroux and Couturier on the roster. Once that's done you still need a roster of players to compliment them. There is a plethora of offense on this team I really hope the management isn't foolish enough to add a contract like that now.

Go get Nash and the flyers will have the same problem they had in the 90's one line and a center(maybe) that can score night in and night out. Remember what happened with that team, take Lindros out of the equation and the rest fell like dominoes. No thanks, been there done that. I prefer to have a well rounded team that has two or three lines which pose a scoring threat everynight.
- JoeRussomanno

Ryan is a guy they have coveted from day 1... maybe more than Nash regardless of the $$ involved.

can't say i agree with the move, but i see your point. many were critical of the meszaros acquisition when it went down. and he's been better here than he was in tampa (imo)

just don't know if i'd be willing to take such a big leap of faith for the guy
- FlyerMike18

I could very well be wrong but I don't see how 2 seasons is a huge leap of faith. If we can't pick up Weber or a player of his status, someone has to fill the hole that Pronger and Timonen leave behind. The season between losing Eric Desjardins and picking up Kimmo Timonen was a last place season. I'd rather have J-Bo then nothing at all.

Your thoughts always come true. You're right about everything. The fact of the matter is Calgary has plenty of issues they need to hammer out. They were there before Bouwmeester got there and they'll probably be there after he's traded away. The Calgary Flames were expecting Olli Jokinen to be their number 1 center not only once but twice within the last 3 seasons. The league still mistakes Kiprusoff of being one of the better goaltenders in the league (Or at least TSN does). The Flames need a shake up and that might start with their Captain. I'm not seeing how Bouwmeester can fail with our supporting cast.
- Schenn2shine

You make some valid points but I would like the Flyers to explore elsewhere first before even considering adding Bouwmeester through a trade.

No, I would not consider them the same type of players. Carle is an offensive defenseman. Bouwmeester is a defensive defenseman.
- MJL

A defensive d-man with no physical game.

My worst nightmare.

Your thoughts always come true. You're right about everything. The fact of the matter is Calgary has plenty of issues they need to hammer out. They were there before Bouwmeester got there and they'll probably be there after he's traded away. The Calgary Flames were expecting Olli Jokinen to be their number 1 center not only once but twice within the last 3 seasons. The league still mistakes Kiprusoff of being one of the better goaltenders in the league (Or at least TSN does). The Flames need a shake up and that might start with their Captain. I'm not seeing how Bouwmeester can fail with our supporting cast.
- Schenn2shine

I still don't know what you think Bouwmeester is. Bouwmeester is a good player. He's just not as good as his Cap hit suggests he should be.

A defensive d-man with no physical game.

My worst nightmare.
- flyer_nutter

You don't have to be physical to play well defensively.

Do you think he's out to destroy you too? just curious....
- JoeRussomanno

What? Where did this come from?

Brian Burke ‏@BrianBurkeGM

To all the douchebag #Leafs bloggers out there: Yes, I am getting Nash, Suter, Luongo, Ryan, & Parise. Im also trading up to get the #1 pick