What if they lose that bidding war and Niskanen decides to go elsewhere?
- MJL

Then I look for a less expensive option.

I don't think Amac is nearly as good as Carle, so I don't want to even compare the situations. I imagine thats where this is heading.

No, they don't need to...but I'd be disappointed if that was the defense come opening night.
- Jsaquella

They do need to. This defense without Timonen and no upgrade would be (even more) atrocious.

One full year away from what? To contribute and make the team in a lesser and protected role? I really think there needs to be some context here. Those young players are likely years away from having a large role on the team, if at all.
- MJL

From being NHL-ready, whether it be top-4 of bottom pair. I'd hate to have some NHL ready guys who are stuck in the AHL because we have our top-6 locked up for the next 4 years.

Then I look for a less expensive option.

I don't think Amac is nearly as good as Carle, so I don't want to even compare the situations. I imagine thats where this is heading.
- PhillySportsGuy

If only Carter didn't always score meaningless insurance goals and Lecavalier could backcheck. It's really Carle's fault for being soft and for riding Pronger's coat tails because Richards drank too much.

They do need to. This defense without Timonen and no upgrade would be (even more) atrocious.
- bradleyc4

Well, in terms of numbers...Yeah, they do need to do something.

I think the Flyers need to make a move. Not sure that it will be available, but they need to make one.
- MJL

I think they should focus more on improving the forwards. I feel they can make tweaks that will make the group much better as a whole.

The defense needs major changes. It can't be fixed over one summer. I would like to see the team move one of Grossmann or Schenn (Preferably Grossmann) for a more mobile dman.

If only Carter didn't always score meaningless insurance goals and Lecavalier could backcheck. It's really Carle's fault for being soft and for riding Pronger's coat tails because Richards drank too much.
- jmatchett383

I think you covered everything. Keep it up and the beat guys may lose their jobs.

I think they should focus more on improving the forwards. I feel they can make tweaks that will make the group much better as a whole.

The defense needs major changes. It can't be fixed over one summer. I would like to see the team move one of Grossmann or Schenn (Preferably Grossmann) for a more mobile dman.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, there's no one sensible move they can make this year that will magically fix the defense. It can be improved, but it won't rival Boston or Chicago's. If they can get a solid forward group that can play effective 2-way hockey, that would help to conceal some of the weaknesses.

I think you covered everything. Keep it up and the beat guys may lose their jobs.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, I don't feel like doing the stat digging that proves things like the Flyers are better when Giroux plays less.

Well, in terms of numbers...Yeah, they do need to do something.
- Jsaquella

They really could use a right-handed shooter, too.

My top-3 UFA choices would be Tom Gilbert, Anton Stralman and Mark Fayne.

But ideally, they can acquire a top pairing guy via trade. Because Gilbert's the only one of the group who should even be sniffing top pair duties - and that's a downgrade from Kimmo.

Outside of trading for Subban, Byfuglien type, best case scenario for me is:

- Kimmo comes back for a year
- Trade away Grossmann
- Find another mobile, depth guy in free agency to replace him, preferably right-handed.

Yeah, there's no one sensible move they can make this year that will magically fix the defense. It can be improved, but it won't rival Boston or Chicago's. If they can get a solid forward group that can play effective 2-way hockey, that would help to conceal some of the weaknesses.
- jmatchett383

Exactly

They really could use a right-handed shooter, too.

My top-3 UFA choices would be Tom Gilbert, Anton Stralman and Mark Fayne.

But ideally, they can acquire a top pairing guy via trade. Because Gilbert's the only one of the group who should even be sniffing top pair duties - and that's a downgrade from Kimmo.

Outside of trading for Subban, Byfuglien type, best case scenario for me is:

- Kimmo comes back for a year
- Trade away Grossmann
- Find another mobile, depth guy in free agency to replace him, preferably right-handed.
- bradleyc4

We could always bring back Kurtis Foster. Right handed, a hell of a slap shot and...well, that's about it. He's like a bad, half-crippled Joe Corvo.

Well, I don't feel like doing the stat digging that proves things like the Flyers are better when Giroux plays less.
- jmatchett383

It's holding you back from greatness

I think they should focus more on improving the forwards. I feel they can make tweaks that will make the group much better as a whole.

The defense needs major changes. It can't be fixed over one summer. I would like to see the team move one of Grossmann or Schenn (Preferably Grossmann) for a more mobile dman.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agreed
move Grossmann, re-sign Timonen for 4 million or less (I'd rather have a skilled slow guy, than an unskilled one), and let the prospects and kids fight it out for the 6th spot.

Yep, rush a kid and sign the biggest, most expensive free agent name on the market!!

No need to look at the deeper names on the UFA list or consider a trade.
- Jsaquella

It's CSN Philly... that leaves just two bylines unless Bourk is weighing in with his shiny face.

They really could use a right-handed shooter, too.

My top-3 UFA choices would be Tom Gilbert, Anton Stralman and Mark Fayne.

But ideally, they can acquire a top pairing guy via trade. Because Gilbert's the only one of the group who should even be sniffing top pair duties - and that's a downgrade from Kimmo.

Outside of trading for Subban, Byfuglien type, best case scenario for me is:

- Kimmo comes back for a year
- Trade away Grossmann
- Find another mobile, depth guy in free agency to replace him, preferably right-handed.
- bradleyc4

yes please

It's CSN Philly... that leaves just two bylines unless Bourk is weighing in with his shiny face.
- mayorofangrytown

How much time does John Boruk stand in front of a mirror everyday?

They really could use a right-handed shooter, too.

My top-3 UFA choices would be Tom Gilbert, Anton Stralman and Mark Fayne.

But ideally, they can acquire a top pairing guy via trade. Because Gilbert's the only one of the group who should even be sniffing top pair duties - and that's a downgrade from Kimmo.

Outside of trading for Subban, Byfuglien type, best case scenario for me is:

- Kimmo comes back for a year
- Trade away Grossmann
- Find another mobile, depth guy in free agency to replace him, preferably right-handed.
- bradleyc4

Yeah, that sounds solid. Hopefully Timonen would agree to a 50% or higher pay cut, because I could see him & Stralman eating most of the cap

Agreed
move Grossmann, re-sign Timonen for 4 million or less (I'd rather have a skilled slow guy, than an unskilled one), and let the prospects and kids fight it out for the 6th spot.
- BiggE

Yeah, that sounds solid. Hopefully Timonen would agree to a 50% or higher pay cut, because I could see him & Stralman eating most of the cap
- Jsaquella

As long as he fit everyone in with a little room to spare, I don't care about Kimmo's cap hit. It's only a 1 year deal.

As long as he fit everyone in with a little room to spare, I don't care about Kimmo's cap hit. It's only a 1 year deal.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's my concern, fitting everyone in. If they can do that paying Kimmo $6mm, great, pay him $6mm

That's my concern, fitting everyone in. If they can do that paying Kimmo $6mm, great, pay him $6mm
- Jsaquella

If they can move VL and Grossmann, it leaves them with so many more options. As it stands now, they have enough to re-sign Schenn and Timonen without going into Pronger's LTIR.

Love the heart he has, but if all you can do as an NHL player is hit, you don't belong..

Every player on the team matters, especially when the stars get shut down in the playoffs.

With every asset the Flyers have as an organization its pretty bad when Rinaldo is the best you can do.

Just another in a line of Sestito, Shelley, Cote, Rosehill, etc. Warm bodies with a pulse.

We could always bring back Kurtis Foster. Right handed, a hell of a slap shot and...well, that's about it. He's like a bad, half-crippled Joe Corvo.
- jmatchett383

Want the real thing?

Love,

The Ottawa Senators

If they can move VL and Grossmann, it leaves them with so many more options. As it stands now, they have enough to re-sign Schenn and Timonen without going into Pronger's LTIR.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, moving those two without retaining any cash opens up up a lot more options.