It'll be a tough decision no doubt.
- JoeRussomanno

i'm a fan of both schenns. hope we keep em

We'll see what happens. I think it's going to be very fast paced, in terms of the Cup Finals ending. Buyout waivers, draft and trades. And then Free Agency. It's going to be a whirlwind.
- MJL

For sure. It feels like yesterday we were discussing what Nashville should do with weber before free agency starts.

i'm a fan of both schenns. hope we keep em
- moylander

I'm with you on that. I think both are gonna be top caliber players while read is what he is going to be an a heckuva forward that can play in all situations but not rely an elite player per say. I think he has a ton of value to a team with cap restrictions that needs to add depth to their forward corps.

Read's situation really depends on how much he will cost to re-sign. He's an extremely useful player, who right now has a bargain cap hit. But he will be a UFA and in all likelihood is looking at a 300% raise at least, if not more.

If Read is traded, it had better be to address the need for a top pair defenseman.

I'm with you on that. I think both are gonna be top caliber players while read is what he is going to be an a heckuva forward that can play in all situations but not rely an elite player per say. I think he has a ton of value to a team with cap restrictions that needs to add depth to their forward corps.
- JoeRussomanno

i don't think brayden is as bad on d as some make him out to be... what he needs to improve on are his faceoffs. love his speed and tenacity to hit... i think his scoring will improve greatly.

i don't think brayden is as bad on d as some make him out to be... what he needs to improve on are his faceoffs. love his speed and tenacity to hit... i think his scoring will improve greatly.
- moylander

Schenn's biggest issue on defense is breakdowns. When he focuses, he's solid enough, but there's times when he just gets lost out there and seems to be unsure what to do.

I'd rather see him work on his board game and shift to wing, where he can go bang and not worry about defense.

Read's impending Free Agent status is definitely a factor. I'd be okay with trading B Schenn for the right return. He probably has more trade value then Read. I think Read has more value in keeping him, then trading him. If that makes sense.
- MJL

But we can't trade a young player, still years away from his prime for a mid-aged guy (Edler). I can only support trading someone so young as B Schenn if it's for someone similarly young. Read for Edler makes more sense, even if he ends up being another patrick sharp or whatever. Still makes sense for our situation. Read was a free agency signing, you can justify it in that we won this one. Homer took an undrafted player, and made him have enough value to almost get a top-pairing defenseman by himself. He turned value that was non-existent 2 years ago, and turned it into a top pairing defenseman; and he's doing the same thing with Gus, and hopefully now Alt. That's a win imo, even if Readster does get traded.

P.S. I really like this undrafted player-poacher approach to adding value, it really seems to be working.

But we can't trade a young player, still years away from his prime for a mid-aged guy (Edler). I can only support trading someone so young as B Schenn if it's for someone similarly young. Read for Edler makes more sense, even if he ends up being another patrick sharp or whatever. Still makes sense for our situation. Read was a free agency signing, you can justify it in that we won this one. Homer took an undrafted player, and made him have enough value to almost get a top-pairing defenseman by himself. He turned value that was non-existent 2 years ago, and turned it into a top pairing defenseman; and he's doing the same thing with Gus, and hopefully now Alt. That's a win imo, even if Readster does get traded.

P.S. I really like this undrafted player-poacher approach to adding value, it really seems to be working.
- JAKEw1234

I disagree that we can't trade a younger player for an older player like Edler. If you get a defenseman back, that is similar in age. That's a crapshoot. The Flyers need an established top defenseman. Not a prospect. It's not about winning this one. It's about making the team better. Edler is not that old. He's 28.

But we can't trade a young player, still years away from his prime for a mid-aged guy (Edler). I can only support trading someone so young as B Schenn if it's for someone similarly young. Read for Edler makes more sense, even if he ends up being another patrick sharp or whatever. Still makes sense for our situation. Read was a free agency signing, you can justify it in that we won this one. Homer took an undrafted player, and made him have enough value to almost get a top-pairing defenseman by himself. He turned value that was non-existent 2 years ago, and turned it into a top pairing defenseman; and he's doing the same thing with Gus, and hopefully now Alt. That's a win imo, even if Readster does get traded.

P.S. I really like this undrafted player-poacher approach to adding value, it really seems to be working.
- JAKEw1234

The problem with Read for Edler is that Vancouver has no need for Read. They need grit and size on the wings, not another smallish, skill player on the wings. For a deal to work, it has to make sense for both teams involved, not just because it'd be better for the Flyers to trade an older player.

If the Flyers could get Edler for Simmonds, it'd be hard for me to say no, because it fills an immediate need and does so for several years moving forward.

Signing undrafted free agents is a good idea, but as I mentioned earlier, for every Matt Read and Erik Gustafsson, there's others like Mike Testwuide, Blake Kessel, Tyler Brown or Niko Hovinen that do nothing but take up contract slots.

In the case of Read, there were several teams in the bidding, and who liked Read a great deal. That fine, when the guy steps in and plays, but when the guy doesn't sniff the NHL, it burns a contract slot.

Also, FWIW, Mark Alt was not a free agent. His rights were acquired in the trade with Carolina, that saw the Flyers trade Luke Pither for Brian Boucher and Alt.

I disagree that we can't trade a younger player for an older player like Edler. If you get a defenseman back, that is similar in age. That's a crapshoot. The Flyers need an established top defenseman. Not a prospect. It's not about winning this one. It's about making the team better. Edler is not that old. He's 28.
- MJL

So B Schenn theoretically has 7 more years to play for the Flyers than Edler does. We have a youth core. Trading away the youth core for mid-aged players defeats the purpose of having a youth core. We have to have patience with this youth core, and try to acquire a top dman either through trading midaged players (Read, Hartnell) for them, drafting a future top dman, or both. There's no point in throwing away high-caliber young guys when there are other assets to use. Imo Read is what he is. His production won't go up substantially. B Schenn still has miles to grow.

I disagree that we can't trade a younger player for an older player like Edler. If you get a defenseman back, that is similar in age. That's a crapshoot. The Flyers need an established top defenseman. Not a prospect. It's not about winning this one. It's about making the team better. Edler is not that old. He's 28.
- MJL

I just hope the FO does not overreact and reach for a player.... to me this season was lost mainly due to injuries. I'm not upset if we go into next season as so (buyout Briere, resign Lauridsen & Hall) and use the draft to refill the cupboards.


My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell / Claude Giroux / Jakub Voracek
Brayden Schenn / Sean Couturier / Wayne Simmonds
Maxime Talbot / Scott Laughton / Matt Read
Jay Rosehill / Adam Hall / Zac Rinaldo
Tye McGinn / Jason Akeson
DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen / Braydon Coburn
Nicklas Grossmann / Luke Schenn
Andrej Meszaros / Oliver Lauridsen
Bruno Gervais / Marc-Andre Bourdon
Matthew Konan / Chris Pronger
GOALTENDERS
Ilya Bryzgalov
Steve Mason
OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis
Buyout: Danny Briere
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $65,530,762; BONUSES: $3,167,500
CAP SPACE (26-man roster): $1,936,738

The problem with Read for Edler is that Vancouver has no need for Read. They need grit and size on the wings, not another smallish, skill player on the wings. For a deal to work, it has to make sense for both teams involved, not just because it'd be better for the Flyers to trade an older player.

If the Flyers could get Edler for Simmonds, it'd be hard for me to say no, because it fills an immediate need and does so for several years moving forward.

Signing undrafted free agents is a good idea, but as I mentioned earlier, for every Matt Read and Erik Gustafsson, there's others like Mike Testwuide, Blake Kessel, Tyler Brown or Niko Hovinen that do nothing but take up contract slots.

In the case of Read, there were several teams in the bidding, and who liked Read a great deal. That fine, when the guy steps in and plays, but when the guy doesn't sniff the NHL, it burns a contract slot.

Also, FWIW, Mark Alt was not a free agent. His rights were acquired in the trade with Carolina, that saw the Flyers trade Luke Pither for Brian Boucher and Alt.
- Jsaquella

I don't think Hovinen has proven himself a waste yet, but you did get me on the Alt thing

So B Schenn theoretically has 7 more years to play for the Flyers than Edler does. We have a youth core. Trading away the youth core for mid-aged players defeats the purpose of having a youth core. We have to have patience with this youth core, and try to acquire a top dman either through trading midaged players (Read, Hartnell) for them, drafting a future top dman, or both. There's no point in throwing away high-caliber young guys when there are other assets to use. Imo Read is what he is. His production won't go up substantially. B Schenn still has miles to grow.
- JAKEw1234

Edler is 28. The Flyers will have plenty of time to add to that youth core if Edler is traded for. Beginning with the 11th pick in June. You're assuming that you can get a top defenseman for one of those older players. Maybe you can, maybe you can't. A team needs to be a blend of players. A mix of young and veteran players. I'd trade B Schenn for a player like Edler in a heartbeat. And I think so would the Flyers.

As of now I'd rather keep Read over Brayden Schenn but thats just me. What about you?
- flyer_nutter

i think they need to keep read no mater what...guys like him are GREAT to have on your team...

i also think B Schenn is gonna be a better version than Richards...but hey, that's just MY opinion...

So B Schenn theoretically has 7 more years to play for the Flyers than Edler does. We have a youth core. Trading away the youth core for mid-aged players defeats the purpose of having a youth core. We have to have patience with this youth core, and try to acquire a top dman either through trading midaged players (Read, Hartnell) for them, drafting a future top dman, or both. There's no point in throwing away high-caliber young guys when there are other assets to use. Imo Read is what he is. His production won't go up substantially. B Schenn still has miles to grow.
- JAKEw1234

Uh, the point is to win the Stanley Cup. Trading from a strength to address a weakness gets the team closer to achieving that goal. Trading a 22 year old winger for a 28 year old top pair defensemen is hardly "throwing away" a high caliber young guy.

The Flyers once traded a 23 year old center, coming off a 92 point season, plus other assets for a 27 year old defenseman who had battled some injury issues and was coming off an up and down season.

That 23 year old center went on to have a very good NHL career. He never again scored 90 points in a season, but he did have a couple more seasons where he averaged a point per game.

The defenseman? He simply became the greatest defensemen in team history, was a three time Norris Finalist, was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame, and has his number hanging from the ceiling in the Wells Fargo Center.

I don't think Hovinen has proven himself a waste yet, but you did get me on the Alt thing
- JAKEw1234

Hovinen is no longer with the organization, and posted awful numbers for the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons(2.94/.892 Sv%).

The Flyers were actually going to terminate his contract before the Oilers claimed him on waivers.

I just hope the FO does not overreact and reach for a player.... to me this season was lost mainly due to injuries. I'm not upset if we go into next season as so (buyout Briere, resign Lauridsen & Hall) and use the draft to refill the cupboards.


My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell / Claude Giroux / Jakub Voracek
Brayden Schenn / Sean Couturier / Wayne Simmonds
Maxime Talbot / Scott Laughton / Matt Read
Jay Rosehill / Adam Hall / Zac Rinaldo
Tye McGinn / Jason Akeson
DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen / Braydon Coburn
Nicklas Grossmann / Luke Schenn
Andrej Meszaros / Oliver Lauridsen
Bruno Gervais / Marc-Andre Bourdon
Matthew Konan / Chris Pronger
GOALTENDERS
Ilya Bryzgalov
Steve Mason
OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis
Buyout: Danny Briere
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $65,530,762; BONUSES: $3,167,500
CAP SPACE (26-man roster): $1,936,738
- moylander

I can get behind this, actually. If we resign Gagne, though, and trade Readster + for Edler, than we have someone in the lineup so when Kimmo retires it doesn't leave our D with such a drastic need for a top-pair guy. We'll have another great guy coming up through the pipes, and we'll not have gone into our top 6 to achieve this.

Uh, the point is to win the Stanley Cup. Trading from a strength to address a weakness gets the team closer to achieving that goal. Trading a 22 year old winger for a 28 year old top pair defensemen is hardly "throwing away" a high caliber young guy.

The Flyers once traded a 23 year old center, coming off a 92 point season, plus other assets for a 27 year old defenseman who had battled some injury issues and was coming off an up and down season.

That 23 year old center went on to have a very good NHL career. He never again scored 90 points in a season, but he did have a couple more seasons where he averaged a point per game.

The defenseman? He simply became the greatest defensemen in team history, was a three time Norris Finalist, was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame, and has his number hanging from the ceiling in the Wells Fargo Center.
- Jsaquella

Look at Timonen. He was 32 I believe when the Flyers acquired him. And he has given the team 6 very good years. Edler is 4 years younger.

Uh, the point is to win the Stanley Cup. Trading from a strength to address a weakness gets the team closer to achieving that goal. Trading a 22 year old winger for a 28 year old top pair defensemen is hardly "throwing away" a high caliber young guy.

The Flyers once traded a 23 year old center, coming off a 92 point season, plus other assets for a 27 year old defenseman who had battled some injury issues and was coming off an up and down season.

That 23 year old center went on to have a very good NHL career. He never again scored 90 points in a season, but he did have a couple more seasons where he averaged a point per game.

The defenseman? He simply became the greatest defensemen in team history, was a three time Norris Finalist, was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame, and has his number hanging from the ceiling in the Wells Fargo Center.
- Jsaquella

Howe is this possible?!

How much would you go to resign Read? Just curious, so much chatter about him being a chip due to his pending UFA status, was curious to how much people value him contract wise.

Look at Timonen. He was 32 I believe when the Flyers acquired him. And he has given the team 6 very good years. Edler is 4 years younger.
- MJL

Defense men unlike a lot power forwards can play at a high level into their late 30's.

I just hope the FO does not overreact and reach for a player.... to me this season was lost mainly due to injuries. I'm not upset if we go into next season as so (buyout Briere, resign Lauridsen & Hall) and use the draft to refill the cupboards.


My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell / Claude Giroux / Jakub Voracek
Brayden Schenn / Sean Couturier / Wayne Simmonds
Maxime Talbot / Scott Laughton / Matt Read
Jay Rosehill / Adam Hall / Zac Rinaldo
Tye McGinn / Jason Akeson
DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen / Braydon Coburn
Nicklas Grossmann / Luke Schenn
Andrej Meszaros / Oliver Lauridsen
Bruno Gervais / Marc-Andre Bourdon
Matthew Konan / Chris Pronger
GOALTENDERS
Ilya Bryzgalov
Steve Mason
OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis
Buyout: Danny Briere
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $65,530,762; BONUSES: $3,167,500
CAP SPACE (26-man roster): $1,936,738
- moylander

I think the biggest culprit was the coaching staff not making necessary adjustments to better suit the players on hand. Injuries were a factor, as was the front office's inability to provide a capable backup or augment the defense to better suit the coach's system.

The proof of that, to me, was how much better the team played after the veteran defensemen went out and Laviolette was forced to go to a more simplified system and demand better two way play from the forwards.

I'd still love to get another top 4 defenseman with mobility, because they need more speed back there and also the uncertain injury status of Grossmann and Meszaros.

I think the biggest culprit was the coaching staff not making necessary adjustments to better suit the players on hand. Injuries were a factor, as was the front office's inability to provide a capable backup or augment the defense to better suit the coach's system.

The proof of that, to me, was how much better the team played after the veteran defensemen went out and Laviolette was forced to go to a more simplified system and demand better two way play from the forwards.

I'd still love to get another top 4 defenseman with mobility, because they need more speed back there and also the uncertain injury status of Grossmann and Meszaros.
- Jsaquella

do you think Laviolette finally 'realized' that this after he was forced to play a more simplified system?

Uh, the point is to win the Stanley Cup. Trading from a strength to address a weakness gets the team closer to achieving that goal. Trading a 22 year old winger for a 28 year old top pair defensemen is hardly "throwing away" a high caliber young guy.

The Flyers once traded a 23 year old center, coming off a 92 point season, plus other assets for a 27 year old defenseman who had battled some injury issues and was coming off an up and down season.

That 23 year old center went on to have a very good NHL career. He never again scored 90 points in a season, but he did have a couple more seasons where he averaged a point per game.

The defenseman? He simply became the greatest defensemen in team history, was a three time Norris Finalist, was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame, and has his number hanging from the ceiling in the Wells Fargo Center.
- Jsaquella

As solid as Edler is, I don't think he'll be one of the greatest Dmen in team history . And Vancouver doesn't want Read apparently, because he's small and soft. So they instantly will want B Schenn because he's what? A big ol' power forward? Hartnell + makes sense to me, as well, and he does fit the bill for alot of what VAN needs.

Look at Timonen. He was 32 I believe when the Flyers acquired him. And he has given the team 6 very good years. Edler is 4 years younger.
- MJL

Timonen is an excellent example of a veteran who came in later in his career and managed to play for a long time.