Just read the blog by Bill. It brings up one real big point to me. The organization needs to rely a lot more on drafting players throughout the lineup. Its getting harder and harder to buy a solid team.

On another note, have we signed the necromancer that is Douglas Murray to save the d-core yet?
- flyer_nutter

Dan Rosen ‏@drosennhl 1m
Spoke to Flyers GM Paul Holmgren today and he offered some interesting comments. Coming up in the following tweets...

Holmgren said Briere has not been asked to waive his no-trade clause and the Flyers' GM said he hasn't spoken to other teams about him.

I asked Holmgren if he would look to add this season to bolster his lineup for a playoff push. His answer, "Probably not."

Holmgren: "If there is something there that will help us now and in the future I'd probably do that, but I'm not looking for anything."

Holmgren on Flyers' playoff chances: "You've got to jump over a lot of teams. I'm not saying it's insurmountable but it's a difficult task."

Holmgren could be playing possum here, but these were his comments to me today. I'm not making any predictions on what Philly could do.
- Jsaquella

Expect some trades.

Expect some trades.
- stveshdy

That was tweeted like ten minutes ago, I'm amazed we haven't seen a deal yet

That was tweeted like ten minutes ago, I'm amazed we haven't seen a deal yet
- Jsaquella

Whenever Homer talks calm that usually means something is on the burner.

Whenever Homer talks calm that usually means something is on the burner.
- stveshdy

Bob for Coots.

Expect some trades.
- stveshdy

BYE BYE BRIERE!!!!!!

when is the TDL?

when is the TDL?
- 2Real

April 3rd

I haven't been around much. But are the Stars really looking to rid themselves of Jagr? Aren't they close enough to the playoffs to be buyers, not sellers?
- bodiva88

I've been meaning to ask Bill about this, but haven't gotten around to it...

Saw a bit of a Stars game a couple weeks ago, and Jagr didn't seem to be having as good a time as he had last year in Philly; he wasn't smiling on the bench (nor on the ice), and there was no laughter at all.

Maybe it was just 'one of those games' - and they were up- by 2 goals, btw - so i was wondering if anyone else had noticed this. He may not be happy there.

I haven't been around much. But are the Stars really looking to rid themselves of Jagr? Aren't they close enough to the playoffs to be buyers, not sellers?
- bodiva88

Stars have been burned each of the last two years by standing pat at the deadline because they were in the thick of the chase (actually in first place in the Pacific for much of 2010-11 and right in the thick of hunt for the three seed last year) and then ended up narrowly missing the playoffs; following by losing their impending UFAs they could have dealt for assets.

This time around, the Stars appear to be operating under idea they are in a transitional phase despite being on playoff bubble.

I've been meaning to ask Bill about this, but haven't gotten around to it...

Saw a bit of a Stars game a couple weeks ago, and Jagr didn't seem to be having as good a time as he had last year in Philly; he wasn't smiling on the bench (nor on the ice), and there was no laughter at all.

Maybe it was just 'one of those games' - and they were up- by 2 goals, btw - so i was wondering if anyone else had noticed this. He may not be happy there.
- tangent_man

Jagr's been quiet the last couple weeks but was having a real good year up to that point. He's been an asset to the Stars on and off the ice the same way he was here, but I do get the sense he enjoyed being in Philly a lot more because it's more his kind of place and hockey atmosphere.

I think he knows his stay in Dallas will be a short one, that may not even last the lockout-shortened year. I do know he legitimately loved it in Philly and was really hoping to finish his NHL career here before pride got the best of him heading into free agency (the team wouldn't promise him the same role he had last year -- he wanted a pledge that he'd stay with Giroux line this year and/or get an opportunity to return to the top power play unit).

Jagr's been quiet the last couple weeks but was having a real good year up to that point. He's been an asset to the Stars on and off the ice the same way he was here, but I do get the sense he enjoyed being in Philly a lot more because it's more his kind of place and hockey atmosphere.

I think he knows his stay in Dallas will be a short one, that may not even last the lockout-shortened year. I do know he legitimately loved it in Philly and was really hoping to finish his NHL career here before pride got the best of him heading into free agency (the team wouldn't promise him the same role he had last year -- he wanted a pledge that he'd stay with Giroux line this year and/or get an opportunity to return to the top power play unit).
- bmeltzer

Do you think there's enough in the tank for one more season? If so, do you think the desire is there to bring him back? (not exactly easy to read without ESP, I know)

Stars have been burned each of the last two years by standing pat at the deadline because they were in the thick of the chase (actually in first place in the Pacific for much of 2010-11 and right in the thick of hunt for the three seed last year) and then ended up narrowly missing the playoffs; following by losing their impending UFAs they could have dealt for assets.

This time around, the Stars appear to be operating under idea they are in a transitional phase despite being on playoff bubble.
- bmeltzer

Bill, I feel like you are cheating on us with the Stars

Do you think there's enough in the tank for one more season? If so, do you think the desire is there to bring him back? (not exactly easy to read without ESP, I know)
- BulliesPhan87

I do think he'll try to play at least one more 82-game season. There's a chance he could come back here, but here's the thing: The spot he covets is now occupied by Jakub Voracek, and it doesn't make sense to step backward. He might be willing to play 2nd line at 5-on-5 but he'd probably still want a shot at regaining the 1st PP unit time he lost to Simmonds midway through last season.

For those reasons, I suspect he won't be coming back despite his many friendships on the team.

Bill, I feel like you are cheating on us with the Stars
- vejim

- bodiva88

x2 lol

I do think he'll try to play at least one more 82-game season. There's a chance he could come back here, but here's the thing: The spot he covets is now occupied by Jakub Voracek, and it doesn't make sense to step backward. He might be willing to play 2nd line at 5-on-5 but he'd probably still want a shot at regaining the 1st PP unit time he lost to Simmonds midway through last season.

For those reasons, I suspect he won't be coming back despite his many friendships on the team.
- bmeltzer

i have to agree

also, im sorry but i have to ask.
my pops has been into TNA for a while now and ive been watching for the last few months whenever i'd stop over.
some is terrible but some i actually enjoy. Is that promotion even on your radar or is it widely considered garbage?

BYE BYE BRIERE!!!!!!
- 2Real

Jagr's been quiet the last couple weeks but was having a real good year up to that point. He's been an asset to the Stars on and off the ice the same way he was here, but I do get the sense he enjoyed being in Philly a lot more because it's more his kind of place and hockey atmosphere.

I think he knows his stay in Dallas will be a short one, that may not even last the lockout-shortened year. I do know he legitimately loved it in Philly and was really hoping to finish his NHL career here before pride got the best of him heading into free agency (the team wouldn't promise him the same role he had last year -- he wanted a pledge that he'd stay with Giroux line this year and/or get an opportunity to return to the top power play unit).
- bmeltzer

That doesn't make sense.

Why wouldn't Jagr be given at least an opportunity to play on the top PP unit? Riding shotgun for Giroux could've conceivably been an issue with the Flyers wanting to move Jake up to the first line, but the PP?

Personally, I wouldn't have had a problem with his requests with the caveat that the line remain productive. I have a suspicion, however, that $ played a bit of a part in the decision also.

i have to agree

also, im sorry but i have to ask.
my pops has been into TNA for a while now and ive been watching for the last few months whenever i'd stop over.
some is terrible but some i actually enjoy. Is that promotion even on your radar or is it widely considered garbage?
- Crimsoninja

TNA is at its best when it differentiates itself from WWE and at its worst when it is pale imitation with awful backstage sketches, inane angles, etc. All in all, I prefer Ring of Honor to TNA but TNA has the much bigger budget. They do a pretty good job also of being fan friendly. I've covered a couple TNA events for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, and had an enjoyable experience.

That doesn't make sense.

Why wouldn't Jagr be given at least an opportunity to play on the top PP unit? Riding shotgun for Giroux could've conceivably been an issue with the Flyers wanting to move Jake up to the first line, but the PP?

Personally, I wouldn't have had a problem with his requests with the caveat that the line remain productive. I have a suspicion, however, that $ played a bit of a part in the decision also.
- 77rams

Jagr discussed the money component some months ago and his perspective on it was that level of money commitment is part and parcel to a player's projected role and ice time but a player ultimately has to trust his own instincts about what will be the best situation for himself.

Jagr probably would have stayed in Philly -- even for a little less money than he got from Dallas -- if the Flyers hadn't basically told him to wait until they dealt with things they considered higher immediate priorities. Also, the team would not promise his role this season would not be reduced at some point.

TNA is at its best when it differentiates itself from WWE and at its worst when it is pale imitation with awful backstage sketches, inane angles, etc. All in all, I prefer Ring of Honor to TNA but TNA has the much bigger budget. They do a pretty good job also of being fan friendly. I've covered a couple TNA events for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, and had an enjoyable experience.
- bmeltzer

thanks.
i know of ROH but never really seen it. I'll try to seek it out. havent watched WWE in years so i wasnt sure how TNA stacked up these days.
i guess i enjoy watching guys from the ecw years (taz, dudleys, rvd, etc) still being involved. never thought i'd see the day where Buh Buh Ray of all people lost weight like he has and is now a main eventer and world champ.

I do think he'll try to play at least one more 82-game season. There's a chance he could come back here, but here's the thing: The spot he covets is now occupied by Jakub Voracek, and it doesn't make sense to step backward. He might be willing to play 2nd line at 5-on-5 but he'd probably still want a shot at regaining the 1st PP unit time he lost to Simmonds midway through last season.

For those reasons, I suspect he won't be coming back despite his many friendships on the team.
- bmeltzer

i don't know that his presence on an off the ice could have helped this team remain in the playoff hunt and at least have a shot, but in quasi-restrospect, it seems a miscalculation by both sides. he had great success with giroux last year...they should have just given him the f'ng money.

i'm so disgusted with how things have played out this year.

i don't know that his presence on an off the ice could have helped this team remain in the playoff hunt and at least have a shot, but in quasi-restrospect, it seems a miscalculation by both sides. he had great success with giroux last year...they should have just given him the f'ng money.

i'm so disgusted with how things have played out this year.
- hammarby31

Agree on both counts.

That was tweeted like ten minutes ago, I'm amazed we haven't seen a deal yet
- Jsaquella

I believe Briere was asked to consider waiving it but that they will not pressure him to do so.