Your right, but we are also playing with rookies- 3-4 year players. The team should be much better next year even if it stays the same.
- RooNosHockey

Unfortunately, two of the rookie forwards were two of the better defensive forwards (Coots and Wellwood), and one was pretty sufficient (Read). Schenn struggled at times.

I talking more about guys like G, Simmonds, Jvr, etc.

I think the Flyers may be in on J Bo who could be had a lot cheaper then Weber (with good reason)......I also think JVR is in serious play....The Flyers have a glutten at wing...they had others step up and play well when JVR was sidelined.
I have not been a big fan of Matt Carle, mostly for his lack of physicality and sometimes lacadasical play in his own end.....But the pickins are slim....I am becoming more receptive to his return.
As far as Jagr, if he signs fo 3.3.....he will probably make only the pro-rated amount when the salary cap drops....as well they may not even play until December....so I understand Jagr position.
I thinks the "smoking gun" with Holmgren is that both players are still in Limbo....No comments...like "we have a deal in Principle , but have to wait" comments ....That says the Flyers are gearing to TRY and add a high priced talent....debate whether his name is Nash, Weber or Parise!!!
- landros 2

I'm not crazy about moving JVR. I hate to move a kid with a package of size, speed and skill.

I'm not crazy about moving JVR. I hate to move a kid with a package of size, speed and skill.
- nastyflyergirl

That's my biggest worry. Seeing JvR become a 40 goal scorer and hear people female doging about trading him away

They do have options, obviously. I think that they'll be involved with Weber if he becomes available, and that everything else is taking a back seat to that right now. They don;t want to make a move that would prevent them from fitting Weber.
- Jsaquella

Yup, but I think there is a window Homer has on Weber. He can't afford to wait until July 1 for a Weber deal. He cant put all his eggs in Weber's basket, cause if Suter doesn't sign in Nashville I think they keep Weber, at least until the deadline.

I personally wouldn't go that far. Adding a defenseman such as Weber is certainly going to make a big difference in a lot of areas. But your basic point that is has to be a team wide effort to improve defensively is definitely correct.
- MJL

I would also focus on team offense. If you play team offense and team defense, your team has a better chance of winning.

Also helps if you can score more than your opponent.

That's my biggest worry. Seeing JvR become a 40 goal scorer and hear people female doging about trading him away
- Jsaquella

If they trade JvR, it will be a mistake.

That's my biggest worry. Seeing JvR become a 40 goal scorer and hear people female doging about trading him away
- Jsaquella

It all depends on how Weber turns out. I dont hear anyone female doggin about Lupul and his good year, or Versteeg and his good year.

That's my biggest worry. Seeing JvR become a 40 goal scorer and hear people female doging about trading him away
- Jsaquella

And the talk of moving JVR and Voracek in the same deal for Weber really makes me cringe. they would be so small up front.

If they trade JvR, it will be a mistake.
- jak521

That's totally dependent upon what the return is tho, isn't it?

If the right deal is there you make it.

Hockey Buzz Eklund ‏@Eklund
There are very real reasons the flyers aren't giving jagr what he wants yet. will write on it if I get clearance.

If they trade JvR, it will be a mistake.
- jak521

If it gets them a Tyler Myers, I wouldn't balk.

Hockey Buzz Eklund ‏@Eklund
There are very real reasons the flyers aren't giving jagr what he wants yet. will write on it if I get clearance.
- flyerscup2011

They have big name UFAs they want to talk to July 1st. It's no secret.

If they trade JvR, it will be a mistake.
- jak521

Depends on the return, if he's part of a package that lands Weber, E. Kane, Bogosian, I think people will be happy, if it's for Luke Schenn people will go apepoop.

I think it would be a mistake to trade him NOW because I believe his value is at an all-time low. If you want to trade him to address areas of need, do it when his stock is high.

Hockey Buzz Eklund ‏@Eklund
There are very real reasons the flyers aren't giving jagr what he wants yet. will write on it if I get clearance.
- flyerscup2011

Hopefully he gets clearance to let everyone know Jagr is an old man.

Lecavalier has 8 more years at 7.7


Sorry its random but good god.


I was just envying Victor Hedmans 4 mil for the next 5 years

You can improve Team Defense without making a single player move.
- MJL

Indeed, it's 100% about discipline... not just with regard to penalties, but having discipline to forgo a risky pass/play that could result in a turnover, having the discipline to stay within the system at all times, having the discipline to stay in defensive position come hell or high water, having the discipline to maintain proper gaps, and having the discipline to show up at the rink ready to compete for each and every game.

Bringing in an elite defender, bringing in a top-flight goaltender, changing the system to play more defensively... that stuff is all window dressing. The teams that went deep in the playoffs this year were the most disciplined in all the above aspects -- the undisciplined teams were prone to mistakes and meltdowns and were bounced early.

For the Flyers, a lot of it has to do with experience... young guys are still trying things that might have been their bread and butter in lower leagues but are ill-advised at the NHL level... guys are still trying to figure out what it takes to get to that game-in-game-out consistency... teammates are still building chemistry and trust in each other. Some of it has to do with coaching, but a lot of it has to do with the team needing more time to mature and come together as a group.

Weber's not going to magically bring the team together... it's just going to a step sideways at best, like all the big name moves of years past.

Indeed, it's 100% about discipline... not just with regard to penalties, but having discipline to forgo a risky pass/play that could result in a turnover, having the discipline to stay within the system at all times, having the discipline to stay in defensive position come hell or high water, having the discipline to maintain proper gaps, and having the discipline to show up at the rink ready to compete for each and every game.

Bringing in an elite defender, bringing in a top-flight goaltender, changing the system to play more defensively... that stuff is all window dressing. The teams that went deep in the playoffs this year were the most disciplined in all the above aspects -- the undisciplined teams were prone to mistakes and meltdowns and were bounced early.

For the Flyers, a lot of it has to do with experience... young guys are still trying things that might have been their bread and butter in lower leagues but are ill-advised at the NHL level... guys are still trying to figure out what it takes to get to that game-in-game-out consistency... teammates are still building chemistry and trust in each other. Some of it has to do with coaching, but a lot of it has to do with the team need time to mature and come together as a group.

Weber's not going to magically bring the team together... it's just going to a step sideways at best, like all the big name moves of years past.
- Tomahawk

I generally agree with you but lets not undercut the best defenseman in the league either. He would be a HUGE addition to any team.

Even with Weber, the weaker defensive players are going to be exposed, albeit to a lesser extent. But he's not going to be playing 60 minutes a night. As good as he is, he can't cover 3 guys in his own end if a forward's lazy getting back.
- Jsaquella

That has to happen regardless of whatever moves are made. But you don't stop trying to improve your roster because you still might have that problem even with the moves made.

I generally agree with you but lets not undercut the best defenseman in the league either. He would be a HUGE addition to any team.
- hereticpride

100 mph slapshot from the point....lets see the rags break their feet blocking that one. LOL

I think the Flyers are in a position that they can go in any direction they want. They can try and get the big defenseman, they can stay with the defense they have and address it next year when Timonen's and Hartnells cap hits are off the books. They can keep all thier forwards, or they can spare 1-2 for a trade. I bet Homer has about 4 different senarios in his mind, and will take which ever one plays itself out first.
- RooNosHockey

There's probably a very good chance that Hartnell never reaches Free Agency. And who know's Timonen might be back also. But probably at a lower Cap hit.

They should make a move for the 8th overall pick and select potential draft-day tumbler, F Mikhail Grigorenko (who suffered through a bout of mono), with the pick.

It worked in 2011.
- bradleyc4

This is really going to be one of the more interesting drafts in recent memory with such a huge lack of consensus after #1. Though still the remote possibility that the Oilers completely eff up and select a future #4 dman in Ryan Murray remains.

I generally agree with you but lets not undercut the best defenseman in the league either. He would be a HUGE addition to any team.
- hereticpride

On paper, yes.

I would also focus on team offense. If you play team offense and team defense, your team has a better chance of winning.

Also helps if you can score more than your opponent.
- Daman

Goal scoring wasn't an issue for this team.

I would also focus on team offense. If you play team offense and team defense, your team has a better chance of winning.

Also helps if you can score more than your opponent.
- Daman

Goal scoring wasn't an issue for this team.

This is really going to be one of the more interesting drafts in recent memory with such a huge lack of consensus after #1. Though still the remote possibility that the Oilers completely eff up and select a future #4 dman in Ryan Murray remains.
- OrangeBlack27

Should be an interesting Friday evening...