I agree about Cleary being a better fit. This team could use more defensively minded forwards. I don't hate the signing. I like Cleary, but I don't think he's going to be much of a contributor during the regular season. I could see him missing several games due to chronic injuries then returning for the playoffs (Assuming the Flyers make it).
- PhillySportsGuy

That's about right. He's definitely the kind of guy that will put it in another gear once the playoffs start (injured or not).

That's an outlier. If the Flyers are trading Talbot at this point, teams know why they are. Flyers wouldn't have much leverage.
- MJL

For the record, unless it's a blockbuster deal, trading Talbot is a horrible idea. He's the kind of guy you need to win in the playoffs. I'm not referring to his Game 7 goals, I'm referring to his overall style of play. He's like Lappy, with less fighting and a little more offense. Same type of mold though.

They thought they were in a position to make a run (not a position they have been in often) so they overpaid. They also sucked it up and brought Radulov in for the same reason. In the end it fell apart, but if it had worked everyone would have called him a genius.
- noffsin6

I have a feeling he wanted to show Suter and Weber that the team would make moves at the deadline to get better for the playoffs. In the end, it really didn't make a difference as neither of them wanted to sign long term. (There is a good chance Weber would be a Flyer or Red Wing had he not signed the offer sheet).

For the record, unless it's a blockbuster deal, trading Talbot is a horrible idea. He's the kind of guy you need to win in the playoffs. I'm not referring to his Game 7 goals, I'm referring to his overall style of play. He's like Lappy, with less fighting and a little more offense. Same type of mold though.
- jmatchett383

I agree. It's not like the Flyers won't have injuries. They can always move Read up to play in the top 6 then move Talbot up to play in the top 9. He has more value on the Flyers than he would net in a trade.

@BroadStBull: Homer confirms that Cleary will be here on tryout contract. "But there are no promises" on a deal, he insisted. #flyers

????????

@BroadStBull: Homer confirms that Cleary will be here on tryout contract. "But there are no promises" on a deal, he insisted. #flyers

????????
- FLYERSROCK!

He has to say that because they can't officially sign him until Prongles is on LTIR.

I'm really surprised that this signing has brought out the trolls more so even than the Streit and Vinny signings.
- jmatchett383

i was thinking the same thing... maybe because it's closer to the season

He has to say that because they can't officially sign him until Prongles is on LTIR.
- bradleyc4

i miss prongles so much

i miss prongles so much
- -davies-

So does Mrs. jmatchett383. She liked seeing him without a shirt.

i miss prongles so much
- -davies-

I like the Cleary deal. A gritty player you can trust in big games that will do the little things well. Continues to balance out the forward group.

Would've loved a 2 yr deal for $500k less a year but I like the signing.

In the past, Homer has seemed to keep players like Gagne waiting, seemingly asking them to wait while he deals with cap issues. When guys like Carle or Knuble split, Homer gets all, "but I asked them to wait". But then when guys like Gags do wait around they get passed over, what does that do to Homer's Credibility and "Handshake deals".

Nabakov still has third degree burns on his neck from the red light in last years playoffs.
- PLindbergh31

And where were the Flyers in these playoffs...

I like the Cleary deal. A gritty player you can trust in big games that will do the little things well. Continues to balance out the forward group.

Would've loved a 2 yr deal for $500k less a year but I like the signing.
- flyguy12

To be honest I would take Mason over Nabby as my starting goalie.
- DDM-Coga

Not a chance....this is Steve facking Mason were talking about

I'm good with the Cleary signing. He brings some grit and size to the forward lines which is something they can use. I do think this signing will make it very tough for Laughton to make the roster. However if he clearly out plays Hall, I think he will open the season as the 4th line center. Hall would then be a spare forward and Rosehill would likely be waived and on his way to Adirondack.

On D-there are still some teams out there who are thin on D and have some cap space. As long as he plays ok in the preseason, I think Mezaros will be the guy that gets traded. With only one year left on his deal, some team will be willing to part with a low round draft pick and take a shot on him.

My guess on the final roster is as follows:

Forwards:
Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lacavalier-Read (Read will make this a better balanced line)

Cleary-Couturier-Simmonds (This will not be fun line to play against, and Cleary
and Couturier will make up for Simmonds defensive
shortcomings)
Talbot-Hall or Laughton-Rinaldo
Spare forward: Hall or Rosehill

D:
Timonen-Schenn
Streit-Coburn
Grossmann-Gustafsson
spare D: Gervais

Goal
Emery
Mason

Now lets just get the season started already!!

For the record, unless it's a blockbuster deal, trading Talbot is a horrible idea. He's the kind of guy you need to win in the playoffs. I'm not referring to his Game 7 goals, I'm referring to his overall style of play. He's like Lappy, with less fighting and a little more offense. Same type of mold though.
- jmatchett383

I agree wholeheartedly.

Not a chance....this is Steve facking Mason were talking about
- kcNYI

Even if you think Mason is flat out terrible, I'd rather pay $1m for poop goaltending than $3.25 m.

So does Mrs. jmatchett383. She liked seeing him without a shirt.
- jmatchett383

You're married to an escort? wow!

i miss prongles so much
- -davies-

So do I.
So do I.

You're married to an escort? wow!

- FlyersGrace

damn straight.

Not a chance....this is Steve facking Mason were talking about
- kcNYI

His numbers with the Flyers were solid, it was a 10 game glimpse with him, but I think he will have a respectable campaign this season.

Timmy Thomas is to sign with a team shortly, could he be back with you guys, what a tandem of him and Nabby

And where were the Flyers in these playoffs...
- kcNYI

Same place this Isles were for the previous 5 playoffs.

Kelly = champ

I guess I'm kind of in the middle on the Cleary signing. Don't love it, don't hate it. I'd rather have seen the Flyers use a roster spot for one of the kids, to see what they have there. Rather then commit to a 3 year deal with a 34 year old player.