That depends on the target. We have had this conversation before. You can say what you want. Let me make my feelings on the matter clear. This move to acquire a big minute, solid veteran defenseman (not too old and preferably RH) has to be made and it will be costly. With other smart moves taken into account, the cost affect can be minimized. I, in no way, think this move will jeopardize the future. Rather the opposite, we don’t want a repeat of this season’s struggles on defense if multiple of our young defenseman struggle at the same time again-next season or the next few seasons. Pay to make the wonderful and cost effective pieces we do have work. Build a championship team. This move has nothing to do with the ability to sustain that level of compete, it is all about getting there in the first place.
- NC Flyers Fan

The best way to get that player, is to develop one. Tell me which NHL team has that player to spare, especially RH? I think you're drastically underestimating what the cost would be.

It's a travesty. Cost the Flyers the season.
- MJL

You want to defend every decision made by the Flyers brass, but since even you can't come up with any way to defend exiling Weise and forcing Lehtera into the lineup, all you have left is a straw man.

You want to defend every decision made by the Flyers brass, but since even you can't come up with any way to defend exiling Weise and forcing Lehtera into the lineup, all you have left is a straw man.
- Feanor

I'm not happy seeing Lehtera and I hope we never see him again, but with the recent injuries to the forwards in LHV, other than dressing 7 Dmen (which would have been just as bad IMO), I don't think they really had any other options.

Obviously, if they were in a playoff race, it's a different situation, but alas....

You want to defend every decision made by the Flyers brass, but since even you can't come up with any way to defend exiling Weise and forcing Lehtera into the lineup, all you have left is a straw man.
- Feanor

It doesn't need to be defended. You continue to harp on issues that in the big picture are inconsequential and really are minor to what the Flyers have to do to get better. We know that players like Lehtera and Weise were bought in as stop gap players. They have filled that role. They will not be part of the future. It's a closed case.

Yes he should not be playing but who is he going to use in his spot. The Phantoms are playing games with 10 forwards. Read that again. Do you want them using 9?
- dragonoffrost

Lehtera and Weise could play for them while prospects with upside get to develop at the next level. It's actually quite common for washed up NHL vets to get sent down to the AHL.

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/sam-gagner
https://www.capfriendly.com/players/matt-moulson

The best way to get that player, is to develop one. Tell me which NHL team has that player to spare, especially RH? I think you're drastically underestimating what the cost would be.
- MJL

I agree but its pretty obvious we need a better veteran than amac or gudas. Tyler Myers and Alex edler among free agent opportunities. Or since not every prospect can make the Nhl roster maybe we trade one in a package for a guy who fits our need.

It doesn't need to be defended. You continue to harp on issues that in the big picture are inconsequential and really are minor to what the Flyers have to do to get better. We know that players like Lehtera and Weise were bought in as stop gap players. They have filled that role. They will not be part of the future. It's a closed case.
- MJL

If they are not part of the future there is no reason for them to be getting minutes on a team that is already out of playoff contention.

I'm not sure that there will be any vet RH Dman available, unless you're willing to massively overpay, that are any better than Gudas. I like the thought, I'm just not sure it's a reasonable possibility.
- BiggE

Myers and Stralhman are the only 2 in free agency I would go after if they make it to free agency. I would look at getting Keith if the Flyers are talking about getting Q in the offseason.

I'm not sure that there will be any vet RH Dman available, unless you're willing to massively overpay, that are any better than Gudas. I like the thought, I'm just not sure it's a reasonable possibility.
- BiggE

Just sayin.

I'm not happy seeing Lehtera and I hope we never see him again, but with the recent injuries to the forwards in LHV, other than dressing 7 Dmen (which would have been just as bad IMO), I don't think they really had any other options.

Obviously, if they were in a playoff race, it's a different situation, but alas....
- BiggE

The other option was not all of a sudden sending Weise to hockey purgatory.

I'm not sure that there will be any vet RH Dman available, unless you're willing to massively overpay, that are any better than Gudas. I like the thought, I'm just not sure it's a reasonable possibility.
- BiggE

Good, just keep an open mind. I don’t want any trades to be viewed alone. They are just a piece of the puzzle. Let’s wait and look back after next season begins and reserve judgment until we see how it plays out.

Myers and Stralhman are the only 2 in free agency I would go after if they make it to free agency. I would look at getting Keith if the Flyers are talking about getting Q in the offseason.
- youarewrong

Myers is 28 right handed and has great size. Hes about as consistent of a top 4 as you could want. Been in the nhl since he was 19. We can afford to pay some veterans everyone just wants it to be duchene or panarin. A defenseman might actually do us better and be cheaper.

Myers and Stralhman are the only 2 in free agency I would go after if they make it to free agency. I would look at getting Keith if the Flyers are talking about getting Q in the offseason.
- youarewrong

No interest in Keith at his age and term, plus what it would likely cost to get him.

Tyler Myers is a tricky one. He's got size and tools, but has had major injury issues. But I'd have interest.

If they are not part of the future there is no reason for them to be getting minutes on a team that is already out of playoff contention.
- Feanor

I hate to somewhat defend MJL but I think I would rather Player X and Y get top AHL minutes vs 4th line NHL minutes, unless you can get the coach to buy into rolling the lines evenly, aka possibly losing more then they should... which I don't support. So just let Lehtera play out 5 minutes a game plus PK time. Its about equal in development terms.

If they are not part of the future there is no reason for them to be getting minutes on a team that is already out of playoff contention.
- Feanor

What the Flyers think is best for developing players takes precedent.

No interest in Keith at his age and term, plus what it would likely cost to get him.

Tyler Myers is a tricky one. He's got size and tools, but has had major injury issues. But I'd have interest.
- jmatchett383

Adding a second Myers is interesting, but surely it would make sense to find out whether the right handed defenseman named Myers that is already under contract is ready to play in the NHL first.

There are 34 games left in 18-19. How does it help the Flyers "get better" by giving any of them to Folin or MacDonald?

What the Flyers think is best for developing players takes precedent.
- MJL

Just doing what the Flyers think is best is how they ended up near the bottom of the league in the 5th year of a rebuild.

Going in to 19-20 having no idea if a 2nd round pick from 2014 like Aube-Kubel can be a top 9 forward in the NHL is an abject failure in prospect development.

One Ronald Jeffrey Hextall rumored to be on the list to replace Peter Chiarelli:

https://twitter.com/JSpor...tatus/1088069455773683713

Adding a second Myers is interesting, but surely it would make sense to find out whether the right handed defenseman named Myers that is already under contract is ready to play in the NHL first.

There are 34 games left in 18-19. How does it help the Flyers "get better" by giving any of them to Folin or MacDonald?
- Feanor

I don't disagree.

Just doing what the Flyers think is best is how they ended up near the bottom of the league in the 5th year of a rebuild.

Going in to 19-20 having no idea if a 2nd round pick from 2014 like Aube-Kubel can be a top 9 forward in the NHL is an abject failure in prospect development.
- Feanor

You think they have no idea. I bet they have an idea. On a number of players.

Who cares if some fans want to lose for Hughes? They have no power and are just shouting into the wind.

Meanwhile the GM is playing forcing a guy charged with drug offenses in his native country into the lineup, even though he would be a strong contender for Worst Forward in the NHL.
- Feanor

I agree with this part, and at this point, I'd be fine with seeing Vecchione here instead of Lehtera.

I agree with this part, and at this point, I'd be fine with seeing Vecchione here instead of Lehtera.
- johndewar

So the Phantoms play with 9 forwards next game?

The best way to get that player, is to develop one. Tell me which NHL team has that player to spare, especially RH? I think you're drastically underestimating what the cost would be.
- MJL

We are developing top defensemen. It takes time and may have an increased chance of success with a better mix including the aforementioned vet. It takes a lot of pressure off them as they develop and gives them a role model. I also think it would greatly benefit Hart, much more than a wise but subpar veteran goalie that most seem to want.

So the Phantoms play with 9 forwards next game?
- jmatchett383

Ther's nothing stopping Weise or Lehtera playing in the AHL.

The Phantoms only have 4 veterans and you can dress 5 or 6.

I agree with this part, and at this point, I'd be fine with seeing Vecchione here instead of Lehtera.
- johndewar

Vex is another forward prospect who's on his last year of waiver exemption and hasn't got a chance to show if he can be an NHL player.