That would take so much from Carter as he would have SO MUCH defensive responsibility on that line. JvR and Zherdev are probably our two worst defensive forwards (with Briere) lol

Zherdev needs to be playing with two very defensively responsible forwards, which to me would be Richards and Giroux, to get the best out of Zherdev. What happens though, similar to last year with Giroux, is Carter gets left with the mediocre forwards.

JvR needs to make that next step this year.
- FlyersAreBackk

JVR is a defesnively responsible Forward. He made his share of rookie mistakes, no doubt. But he showed a willingness to play a 2 way game. Giroux was never left with mediocre forwards.

the flyers still need another 2 way forward who can score a little, so maybe carcillo no longer has a role here w/ the shelley signing...not that i would have gone in that direction. i think this is where one of these new guys like testiwede will get a look along w/ maroon, though the latter is more of a top 6 type.

it's a shame a guy like belanger couldn't fit into their plans, because he brings a lot that we could use...esp w/ betts missing time. i'd be willing to lose powe and carcillo to add a guy like him.

i agree w/ others here who see the middle fingers in goal and have to believe there's more to come. such a missed opportunity during the initial FA period. if there are no additions, it will be a costly, inexcusable mistake.

For me, Powe and Carcillo should not be part of the top 9 forwards. They are both good energy guys on the 4th line. I'm hoping someone steps up in training camp (Maroon or Testuide-my spelling is probably off) to take a top 9 spot. If one of these guys emerge, it could really help the cap in future years.
- Troxell88

i see great minds think alike

JVR is a defesnively responsible Forward. He made his share of rookie mistakes, no doubt. But he showed a willingness to play a 2 way game. Giroux was never left with mediocre forwards.
- MJL

I guess you forget him playing with Asham and JvR?

Try reading the responses already posted.
- FlyersAreBackk

Meaning what? Obviously, and I don't know why I need to point this out to you, but your post about Bartulis was before any other post responding to your misstatement. Which I'm entitled to reply to. You should try informing yourself of the situation.

JVR is a defesnively responsible Forward. He made his share of rookie mistakes, no doubt. But he showed a willingness to play a 2 way game. Giroux was never left with mediocre forwards.
- MJL

i would say that asham and JVR were at or below the mediocre level for long stretches during the season. even okposo would have struggled w/ those two at times.

I guess you forget him playing with Asham and JvR?
- FlyersAreBackk

Their not medicore forwards. Giroux isn't this all great player that God forbid be playing with JVR and Asham. Two capable NHL players. One of them being the 2nd overall pick in the draft.

No need to waive Bartulis, as he is waiver exempt and can still be sent back and forth to the minors.

There is also really no need to waive Cote until the end of the preseason, both to have an extra player to dress and to extend the opportunity (however slim) that another NHL club -- presumably one that has an enforcer get injured in the preseason -- would be willing to trade for Cote (who makes a modest salary on the cap). If there are no takers, he will be waived and spend the season in the AHL.

Walker won't be waived. They will carry him as the 7th defenseman, stepping in occasionally for O'Donnell or when there are injuries in the top 5.

The Flyers insist that they are done looking for goalies and are no longer interested in Turco. Not sure I buy it, but that's the party line.
- bmeltzer

Why such and expensive #7?
I could see them wanting to give Walker the #6 and sitting O'Donnell so they can find out if they are going to be keeping Walker. I mean, at three years, he is in the long term plan and O'Donnell isn't

Try reading the responses already posted.
- FlyersAreBackk

Look everyone, the thread sheriff is here!

Meaning what? Obviously, and I don't know why I need to point this out to you, but your post about Bartulis was before any other post responding to your misstatement. Which I'm entitled to reply to. You should try informing yourself of the situation.
- MJL

I was trying to inform myself of the situation by asking Bill about it. He responded to it with a good response, and then you come in as you always do just plowing through the responses finding everything you can feel smarter then someone about. Hope this helped your confidence

The club will definitely miss Gagne's two-way play. I don't think he will ever again be a 35-plus goal scorer (I think he's lost a half-stride due to injury, and no longer gets nearly as many breakaways as he once did, in addition to goals where he gets open near the net). But he is clearly still a very valuable player.

I would be surprised if Nikolai Zherdev does not top Gagne's regular season offensive output from last season. However, sadly, I will be quite surprised if he comes close to scoring 9 playoff goals next spring. Add in the defensive question marks, and I am still unconvinced that he will be an adequate replacement.

Hopefully, added maturity and being on a yearlong UFA salary drive will enable Zherdev to elevate his game beyond what he's shown so far in the NHL.
- bmeltzer

i agree and that is still my issue with the Gagne salary dump (refuse to call it a trade any more) i do think 5 mil is a bit high at this point for him with his injury and i agree he has lost a step, but he has become one of those crafty veterans that add leadership and hard work to a playoff team, well since he's in Tampa maybe we can pick him up for the playoff run.

Why such and expensive #7?
I could see them wanting to give Walker the #6 and sitting O'Donnell so they can find out if they are going to be keeping Walker. I mean, at three years, he is in the long term plan and O'Donnell isn't
- nails

With the ages of O'Donnell, Pronger, Timonen... having a 7th d-man that can step in and play well is a good thing. To me, you can never have too many d-men and the depth is a great thing for this group. I am very excited to watch this defensive group this year. They are gonna be awesome.

i agree and that is still my issue with the Gagne salary dump (refuse to call it a trade any more) i do think 5 mil is a bit high at this point for him with his injury and i agree he has lost a step, but he has become one of those crafty veterans that add leadership and hard work to a playoff team, well since he's in Tampa maybe we can pick him up for the playoff run.
- flyersfan_92

So how else would you have shed the appropriate salary?

I guess the line-up questions are:

Can Giroux play wing or are we hurting his play by doing that? He seems like a better center than wing.

Same question regarding Carter?

Carter needs to play with some kind of playmaker to be effective...so JVR and Carcillo/Powe wont do it.

Do we break up the HBL line? Briere obviously is a much better player/point producer at center so he has to play there. He was wasted at wing.

Powe will have to play center on fourth line until Betts comes back.

i agree and that is still my issue with the Gagne salary dump (refuse to call it a trade any more) i do think 5 mil is a bit high at this point for him with his injury and i agree he has lost a step, but he has become one of those crafty veterans that add leadership and hard work to a playoff team, well since he's in Tampa maybe we can pick him up for the playoff run.
- flyersfan_92

Tampa will make the playoffs this year!

You can mark that down and call me on it in later if need be.

I guess the line-up questions are:

Can Giroux play wing or are we hurting his play by doing that? He seems like a better center than wing.

Same question regarding Carter?

Carter needs to play with some kind of playmaker to be effective...so JVR and Carcillo/Powe wont do it.

Do we break up the HBL line? Briere obviously is a much better player/point producer at center so he has to play there. He was wasted at wing.

Powe will have to play center on fourth line until Betts comes back.
- ant32

Personally, I would love to see Leino play with Carter. If Leino continues his play from the playoffs, he could be a great complement to Carter.

Tampa will make the playoffs this year!

You can mark that down and call me on it in later if need be.
- Buts16

With all 7 of their forwards

I guess the line-up questions are:

Can Giroux play wing or are we hurting his play by doing that? He seems like a better center than wing.

Same question regarding Carter?

Carter needs to play with some kind of playmaker to be effective...so JVR and Carcillo/Powe wont do it.

Do we break up the HBL line? Briere obviously is a much better player/point producer at center so he has to play there. He was wasted at wing.

Powe will have to play center on fourth line until Betts comes back.
- ant32

Carter had his best NHL season with Hartnell and Lupul as wingers.I wouldn;t say they're playmakers.

I think JVR would be a good winger for Carter, JVR is going to get better each year and with Carter the teams best faceoff man and center getting the puck to the net it would be good for him, get to the net and get some garbage goals, love them garbage goals (shout out to Knuble)

Why such and expensive #7?
I could see them wanting to give Walker the #6 and sitting O'Donnell so they can find out if they are going to be keeping Walker. I mean, at three years, he is in the long term plan and O'Donnell isn't
- nails

Even at his age, I think O'Donnell is still the superior defenseman to Walker. Frankly, Walker (at his salary and contract length) would not have been my choice for the #7, but now that he's here, it is what is.

With all 7 of their forwards
- FlyersAreBackk

They gotta fill out those 3rd and 4th lines but the top 6 and defense is very good and the goalies will be fine.

really like the 4th line of Powe-Betts-Lappy

really dislike the 4th line of Shelley-Betts-Lappy

but thats me

I guess the line-up questions are:

Can Giroux play wing or are we hurting his play by doing that? He seems like a better center than wing.

Same question regarding Carter?

Carter needs to play with some kind of playmaker to be effective...so JVR and Carcillo/Powe wont do it.

Do we break up the HBL line? Briere obviously is a much better player/point producer at center so he has to play there. He was wasted at wing.

Powe will have to play center on fourth line until Betts comes back.
- ant32

I think Giroux will be fine at wing (that's what he's been most of his hockey-playing life, anyway) but I'd like to see the club just leave him at one spot or the other.

JVR is a good passer, although I wouldn't call him a playmaker.

With Briere, it's a tough call. I agree that he seems more productive and comfortable at center. On the flip side, his defensive shortcomings are less of an issue when he's at wing rather than center.

really like the 4th line of Powe-Betts-Lappy

really dislike the 4th line of Shelley-Betts-Lappy

but thats me
- nastyflyergirl

i agree. the first forechecker has to get there w/ speed and shelley has none. this signing will never make sense.

I think Giroux will be fine at wing (that's what he's been most of his hockey-playing life, anyway) but I'd like to see the club just leave him at one spot or the other.

JVR is a good passer, although I wouldn't call him a playmaker.

With Briere, it's a tough call. I agree that he seems more productive and comfortable at center. On the flip side, his defensive shortcomings are less of an issue when he's at wing rather than center.
- bmeltzer

Through the long haul of the season, I agree with you. However, once the playoffs hit he brings his game to another level, and does it better playing center.

It will be interesting. A lot of interchangeable parts.

really like the 4th line of Powe-Betts-Lappy

really dislike the 4th line of Shelley-Betts-Lappy

but thats me
- nastyflyergirl

Why? When Shelley left the Rangers the fans and writers and all were pissed they didn't keep him. We just see Shelley as a fighter, because thats all we see of him. But from everything I have heard and read from his previous teams, he is more then that to a team.

I can't justify paying him what they paid him, but if he is here I want him in the lineup.