Also....RE: The Draft.

Consider the possibility that, no matter where the Flyers are actually picked to draft tonight, that they won't try to trade up.
- johndewar

And also consider the possibility and its a good one, they wont have a 1st rounder at all when they trade it for a defenseman.

Problem is, no matter what round, you actually have to pick a defenseman
- SuperSchennBros

They drafted 4 last year, and traded for another who is a former 2nd round pick.

This is true, but you are not gonna get a Nick Lidstrom type in the second round.
- jak521

Very true. Lidstrom was originally a third round pick

I think the Flyers are in a prime position to draft Ryan Poluck. He seems to be rated right around where they'd be selecting (11th-12th) and is the type of d-man they'd covet. However I know the Flyers, and rightfully so, will follow BPA with their 1st pick.

Question for anyone with higher knowledge of the 1st round prospects....If for some reason Sean Monahan fell to them (doubtful), you think Flyers run to draft table to select him without thought or would they still go with Poluck? Have to admit, I'm in love with what Poluck brings to the table.
- SeaIslelandLush

depends on who they have ranked higher... they will go with the best available (according to their scouts and FO) no matter what.

Also....RE: The Draft.

Consider the possibility that, no matter where the Flyers are actually picked to draft tonight, that they won't try to trade up.
- johndewar

They don't need to, they're going to get a really solid prospect at 11 or 12.

And also consider the possibility and its a good one, they wont have a 1st rounder at all when they trade it for a defenseman.
- flyerfan28

Yup. Good point.

Very true. Lidstrom was originally a third round pick
- Jsaquella

(an alley-oop of epic proportions)

I like when he talks, I dont see a correlation to his play on the ice. Like he said when he talked yesterday, the crap just doesnt bother him anymore.
- Just5

I think it does distract him or he wouldn't be interested in how they report him or take them to task for being bad. By limiting his exposure it would force him to get out of the competition with them and refocus him back onto the ice (or so I would hope). Bryz seems to crave that attention or wants to win against the reporters. And since they write the stories he never will.
I'll give up the drama if it means he pays more attention to his play on the ice versus what the reporters are doing. The reporters will scream for about 2 weeks of not being able to get to him and grumble for about 2 months. Then they wouldn't care.
Personally, I'm franking sick of both Bryz and the media squabbling.

They don't need to, they're going to get a really solid prospect at 11 or 12.
- Jsaquella

I agree with you....

The Flyers do tend to be aggressive, however, when they covet a player.

If they get a translator, it should be a woman.

And she should look like Brigitte Neilson, circa Rocky IV.....right down to the haircut.
- johndewar

I want exactly this to happen.

EDIT: On second thought, perhaps we could get Pronger to put on a wig and play the role?

And also consider the possibility and its a good one, they wont have a 1st rounder at all when they trade it for a defenseman.
- flyerfan28

If it's the right defenseman, I 'm cool with that.

Very true. Lidstrom was originally a third round pick
- Jsaquella

And that Shea Weber guy was a second rounder. And Kimmo Timonen was the 250th overall pick of his draft year. Kim Johnsson was Mr. Irrelevant -- the 286th and final pick of the 1994 Draft -- and went on to win a couple of Ashbee Trophies when he came over to the Flyers from the Rangers.

I could keep going but the point is that defensemen are generally harder to project than forwards. While a D-man drafted in the first round is the most likely to make it the NHL in the first place, he is only slightly more likely to become a star than a D picked anywhere else (or even undrafted) who makes it to the top level. Over time, a draft position is merely a number and little else.

sure it's been discussed on this thread, but just have to say the local beat writers continue to flabbergast me with their "work". i love how bryz responded. love it. i also love homer's reponse.

anyway....not a whole lot of hope for the #1 pick tonight, but it's possible. dumb and dumber and all that.
- hammarby31

link to homer's response?

I think it does distract him or he wouldn't be interested in how they report him or take them to task for being bad. By limiting his exposure it would force him to get out of the competition with them and refocus him back onto the ice (or so I would hope). Bryz seems to crave that attention or wants to win against the reporters. And since they write the stories he never will.
I'll give up the drama if it means he pays more attention to his play on the ice versus what the reporters are doing. The reporters will scream for about 2 weeks of not being able to get to him and grumble for about 2 months. Then they wouldn't care.
Personally, I'm franking sick of both Bryz and the media squabbling.
- FlyersGrace

I don't know that it 'bothers' Bryz, or in what way it impacts him, but with a 'team leak' situation (re: Sleepgate 2013) in the rearview, it does seem to be a distraction for the team.

I also don't know that I'd say Bryz 'craves' the attention, but he does play into it. And if it's a distraction for him, or for teammates, or both, I'd prefer to see it stopped. How this comes about, I don't know.

Regardless, I'm sick of this situation too. It was a little comical for a bit, in the 'here we go again, cue eyeroll' sort of way, but it's irritating on the whole now.

And that Shea Weber guy was a second rounder. And Kimmo Timonen was the 250th overall pick of his draft year. Kim Johnsson was Mr. Irrelevant -- the 286th and final pick of the 1994 Draft -- and went on to win a couple of Ashbee Trophies when he came over to the Flyers from the Rangers.

I could keep going but the point is that defensemen are generally harder to project than forwards. While a D-man drafted in the first round is the most likely to make it the NHL in the first place, he is only slightly more likely to become a star than a D picked anywhere else (or even undrafted) who makes it to the top level. Over time, a draft position is merely a number and little else.
- bmeltzer

Agreed.

If the Flyers are sitting at 11, and Ryan Pulock is the top guy left on their board, or Nikita Zadorov or Hunter Shinkaruk or Max Domi they should take that guy.

In the second round, if there's a winger who you rate a little bit ahead of the defenseman next on the list, maybe you reach a bit. Reaching in the top ten means Thomas Hickey or Hugh Jessiman far too often to chance it, IMO

I hope every player the Flyers draft this year is a center, just for the epic meltdown that would ensue in here.

I hope every player the Flyers draft this year is a center, just for the epic meltdown that would ensue in here.

- BringBack25

I hope every player the Flyers draft this year is a center, just for the epic meltdown that would ensue in here.

- BringBack25

In the post season wrap up meetings, the management told coach Lavi he would be playing a new 2-3 system, utilizing 3 players on the back end. The "center" position will be key in this line up. So it completely fits their plan of taking all "two way centers" in this and every previous draft.

Bill, sometimes the best player available is a player of need. In my opinion, the flyer shouldn't draft another young Center, No matter what the circumstances are. I feel our D is hurting that much
- SuperSchennBros

So if the best player on the board is a Center, and is far away a better prospect then the defenseman on the board. You want them to pass on the Center and draft the defenseman?

And that Shea Weber guy was a second rounder. And Kimmo Timonen was the 250th overall pick of his draft year. Kim Johnsson was Mr. Irrelevant -- the 286th and final pick of the 1994 Draft -- and went on to win a couple of Ashbee Trophies when he came over to the Flyers from the Rangers.

I could keep going but the point is that defensemen are generally harder to project than forwards. While a D-man drafted in the first round is the most likely to make it the NHL in the first place, he is only slightly more likely to become a star than a D picked anywhere else (or even undrafted) who makes it to the top level. Over time, a draft position is merely a number and little else.
- bmeltzer

I call all of this getting lucky. You don't want to get lucky.You want to put the most focus into a young talent you expect to succeed since day one. After the draft you won't try to sell your maybe picks

In my opinion, there aren't very many available talented defenseman. In fact every team in the league is always looking out for one. If the flyers aren't lucky today in being handed the first overall pick, they should push to acquire it. Obviously much easier said then done but I would be more then happy to walk away from Matt Read or Scott Laughton and our own pick if it means getting Seth Jones. All my ideas could be unlikely but all Homer can do is try. I would be okay with settling for Darnell Nurse if unsuccessful
- SuperSchennBros

Matt Read or Scott Laughton plus the Flyers pick, isn't going to get you the top pick.

I wish Bryz would go all Lefty Carlton and stop talking to the press.

You know......So, we can all stop killing the messenger because our $6 million dollar goalie plays like a $2.5 million dollar goalie.
- johndewar

And the $60 million team plays like a $25 million team.

Yep and it felt like they closed the door on the tiger's tail. Too little too late.
I do think that beginning next season that Bryz should not be allowed interviews from the start and let's see how he plays.
- FlyersGrace

There are NHL rules involved in providing Media access to players. You just can't forbid a player to speak to the Media.

I hope every player the Flyers draft this year is a center, just for the epic meltdown that would ensue in here.

- BringBack25

Barry Gibbs, Rick Pagnutti, Denis Potvin, Greg Joly, Rick Green, Rob Ramage, Gord Kluzak, Roman Hamrlik, Ed Jovanovski, Bryan Berard, Chris Phillips, Erik Johnson.

all 1st overall picks... same amount of hall of famers as guys who never played an NHL game

Having the number 1 pick and choosing a d-man is the furthest thing from a lock.

Not me though!
- FlyersGrace