I'm not going to penalize players who produce for not making bad teams better. If that is the case how much of a difference maker was McDavid the last two years when the Oilers have missed the playoffs. Kind of foolish to debate.
- PLindbergh31

You're missing the point. It's all about the TEAM. Even if you add a superstar, if the team itself isn't good enough, you aren't going anywhere.

And you didn't answer my question: If you were Chuck, would you trade a guy you just drafted in the first round in 2019 (which would be York, in Philly's case) plus a potential 2020 first round pick for whatever bump up Coleman adds to the mix?

I wouldn't. Those are luxury car prices in the trade market, and I'm just as happy in the short term with a tune-up to the mid-level one I'm driving now.

You're comparing Blake Coleman to a guy who has 2 Art Ross Trophies and one Hart Trophy in his back pocket? I get what you're trying to say, but there's a world of difference between the impact either of those players would have on a team.
- jmatchett383

Like I said, it's dumb to criticize players who produce who don't have an impact on bad teams. It's a team sport with 20 players. It's not the NBA.

Dillon was the only rental type player that would have made any sense for the Flyers. Was hoping for him but understand why Fletch didn't land him.

Either way, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Dillon feed Malkin a few solid uppercuts the other night.

Like I said, it's dumb to criticize players who produce who don't have an impact on bad teams. It's a team sport with 20 players. It's not the NBA.
- PLindbergh31

Exactly, I agree. So why give up 2 big assets for a mild bump-up in your team in the short term?

You're missing the point. It's all about the TEAM. Even if you add a superstar, if the team itself isn't good enough, you aren't going anywhere.

And you didn't answer my question: If you were Chuck, would you trade a guy you just drafted in the first round in 2019 (which would be York, in Philly's case) plus a potential 2020 first round pick for whatever bump up Coleman adds to the mix?

I wouldn't. Those are luxury car prices in the trade market, and I'm just as happy with a tune-up to the mid-level one I'm driving now.
- bmeltzer

I'd be using Gostisbehere as a trade chip. A 37 year old rental Andy Greene just netted a second round pick. Surely Gostisbehere is worth much more than him.

Like I said, it's dumb to criticize players who produce who don't have an impact on bad teams. It's a team sport with 20 players. It's not the NBA.
- PLindbergh31

You just said it: team sport.

Coleman is a nice add to a really good mix, but came at a very expensive price. If he contributes to a run to the Finals (or, even better, a Cup), then by all means you gladly live with the price tag.

Are there any guarantees? There are NONE. Does Coleman, on paper, move the needle on an already stacked team? I think he'll help. Enough to justify the price? The team outcome will dictate that, first and foremost.

Dillon was the only rental type player that would have made any sense for the Flyers. Was hoping for him but understand why Fletch didn't land him.

Either way, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Dillon feed Malkin a few solid uppercuts the other night.
- acd513

I would have liked him too. He's a nice player and supposedly great guy on and off the ice. I always loved his mic'd up videos. Cracks me up

I'd be using Gostisbehere as a trade chip. A 37 year old rental Andy Greene just netted a second round pick. Surely Gostisbehere is worth much more than him.
- PLindbergh31

See, I agree with you here. But I think teams are going try to push that price down given last year and his start to this season, and now even, coming off a knee surgery.

The Kovalchuk rental for Washington is going to cripple them for decades.
- PLindbergh31

Even a Russian website that usually toots every Russian player's horn states that Kovy does not make Caps better. Additionally, they stipulate that, despite no fit or need for Kovy on the team, the trade was Ovi's friendly favor to Kovy (opportunity to win the Cup).

https://www.sports.ru/tri...s/iceraccoon/2736851.html

See, I agree with you here. But I think teams are going try to push that price down given last year and his start to this season, and now even, coming off a knee surgery.
- Bryz's Buyout Fund

Which is the perfect reason NOT to trade him right now.

Even a Russian website that usually toots every Russian player's horn states that Kovy does not make Caps better. Additionally, they stipulate that, despite no fit or need for Kovy on the team, the trade was Ovi's friendly favor to Kovy (opportunity to win the Cup).

https://www.sports.ru/tri...s/iceraccoon/2736851.html
- missingmike

I would have liked to read this, but sadly, I don't understand Spanish.

I'd be using Gostisbehere as a trade chip. A 37 year old rental Andy Greene just netted a second round pick. Surely Gostisbehere is worth much more than him.
- PLindbergh31

Why is the assumption that they haven't tried to do this or something similar?

It takes multiple willing parties to make a trade not just one group of posters on Flyersbuzz stomping their feet because they haven't.

I want no part in Kovy. Nice work Fletch.

Why is the assumption that they haven't tried to do this or something similar?

It takes multiple willing parties to make a trade not just one group of posters on Flyersbuzz stomping their feet because they haven't.
- opeth_pa

If you told a team you had an offensive d man, who career averages .59 points per game, 26 years old, 3 more year at 4.5 per...

The return should be significant, 1st round pick, prospect, player.

Why is the assumption that they haven't tried to do this or something similar?

It takes multiple willing parties to make a trade not just one group of posters on Flyersbuzz stomping their feet because they haven't.
- opeth_pa

Fletcher does not give up top-end assets for non-superstar player:
"OMG CHUCKLES DOES NOTHING HE SUCKS WHEN EVERY OTHER GM IS MAKING THEIR TEAM BETTER!!!"

Fletcher gives up multiple top-end assets for non-superstar player:
"OMG CHUCKLES OVERPAID FOR A GUY WHO'S NOT GOING TO MAKES UP TOP-CONTENDERS. WHY CAN'T WE EVER WIN A TRADE!!!"

It's a pre-cap example, but I'll go back to it. Neil Smith was so upset that the Flyers had landed Joel Otto as a UFA (his preferred target to go head-to-head with Lindros after Flyers swept Rangers the previous spring) and bothered by the rampant rumors that the Flyers were going to trade with LA for Jari Kurri and Marty McSorley that he got into a bidding war with Clarkie.

Well, Smith won the bidding war. He got Kurri, McSorley and Shane Churla. All it cost him was Ray Ferraro (with several 20+ goal seasons still left in him), Mattias Norström (who became a rock-solid fixture on the LA blueline for the next decade), a young Ian Laperriere (1,000+ NHL games, of which only 28 were with the Rangers), Nathan Lafayette (negligble loss there) and mid-round draft pick assets.

All of that to find out that the 36-year-old Kurri was an offensive shell of himself at that very late stage of his career and McSorley being matched against top lines often meant the red light going on behind the Rangers net.

Different era, different economic system. Same lesson: caveat emptor.
- bmeltzer

Thank you Bill for the morning laugh. I don't think I've ever seen "caveat emptor" on this site before.
For those who don't know that is "buyer beware" in latin.

Which ought to affect the Flyers... well, none. A club should approach the deadline to make the right moves for THEIR team, and not because Team A added so-and-so and Team B added so-and-so, so we'd better make a move to appease the fans.

How many deadline deals, especially for rentals, end up moving needle significantly that spring in and of themselves? A small percenetage. Even with non-rentals who make an impact, that impact often isn't evident until future season(s).

I have no issue with the Flyers making move(s) today, but I couldn't care less about who other teams added. Of the players you listed only Zucker (who came at a very expensive asset cost) and Dillon (a playoff warrior type on D) would be someone I'd say might be a difference maker in a playoff series, and both of those guys have some limitations.

I have no idea why the Caps felt they had a need for Kovalchuk. Reminds me of when the Rangers went out and got way-past-their-primes Kurri and McSorley (outbidding the Flyers, actually, to do it), except Kurri at least still was sound defensively and McSorley still brought toughness. Kovalchuk's main value at this point is that he's still got a heavy shot if someone feeds him the puck. If he's not scoring goals, he adds zero to a lineup anymore. And the Caps, I believe, may already have a player who likes to park himself in a favored spot and be fed pucks to shoot. Believe he wears No. 8.

Also, as JSaq pointed out on Twitter, Kovalchuk's production over the last 15 games or so has been equaled by Flyers fourth line rookie Nicolas Aube-Kubel. At this point, Kovalchuk is still a name in the way that Vinny Lecavalier was still a name near the end, but not an actual asset to a lineup for more than a game here and a game there when he's scoring.
- bmeltzer

that mofo

If you told a team you had an offensive d man, who career averages .59 points per game, 26 years old, 3 more year at 4.5 per...

The return should be significant, 1st round pick, prospect, player.
- Bryz's Buyout Fund

You do realize that any flaws we as fans see are seen by multiple people on every other NHL team, right?

If we want to move him so badly, why would another team give up prime assets for him?

Thank you Bill for the morning laugh. I don't think I've ever seen "caveat emptor" on this site before.
For those who don't know that is "buyer beware" in latin.
- FlyersGrace

JGP to isles!

Pageau to the Islanders.
Namestnikov to the Av's.

Pageau to the Islanders.
Namestnikov to the Av's.
- PLindbergh31

Man, if only we traded for them, we'd be guaranteed a Cup for the next 10 years. Would only cost us multiple top picks.

You do realize that any flaws we as fans see are seen by multiple people on every other NHL team, right?

If we want to move him so badly, why would another team give up prime assets for him?
- jmatchett383

lol speaking of the sharks...I am surprised, given where they are in the standings, and not having their 1st round pick, that they haven't made a deal..I mentioned meier before on a previous post, would love to acquire him.

Man, if only we traded for them, we'd be guaranteed a Cup for the next 10 years.
- jmatchett383

If only Lamoriello had half the resume of Fletcher. I bet he got fleeced by the Sens.

Pageau to the Islanders.
Namestnikov to the Av's.
- PLindbergh31

price for Pageau....1rst, 2nd and a 3rd....no thanks.

All these GM's out there making moves overreacting to what other teams are doing.