Very often with defensemen, unless a team is willing to live with up to five years of growing pains from his draft year to his third or fourth pro season, it will be the defenseman's SECOND NHL organization that reaps the benefits.

The Flyers simply are not willing to wait that long, so they pull the plug on a lot of young defensemen. But they've also been the beneficiaries a few times of other teams dealing too soon, such as acquiring Coburn right at the point where he was finally ready to compete for a full-time NHL job.
- bmeltzer

It is a two way street. However, the Flyers have never been especially patient with young players. Had Bourdon shown more promise before they were forced to dress him, they probably would have rushed him to the NHL too soon.

It is a two way street. However, the Flyers have never been especially patient with young players. Had Bourdon shown more promise before they were forced to dress him, they probably would have rushed him to the NHL too soon.
- Jsaquella

True, hopefully the concussions MAB have sustained will not impact his career moving forward

[quote=Jsaquella]


- tangent_man

What was rule 2...wasn't "double tap"...i forget

Off topic
tried this free golf app on my iPhone
even the app told me that i sucked.

Off topic
tried this free golf app on my iPhone
even the app told me that i sucked.
- phi1671

i know this goes against what your saying but i would like the flyers to trade up to get dumba but its a crapshoot like you said honestly the flyers should stockpile some ammo to move up next year and get seth jones

What was rule 2...wasn't "double tap"...i forget
- phi1671

http://zombieapocalypseac...emy.org/zombieland-rules/

http://zombieapocalypseacademy.org/zombieland-rules/
- tangent_man

A little off topic, but I like our "young" D - Grossman, Coburn, MAB.

I disagree that you shouldn't draft a D in the first round under any circumstances - Weber was a #2 in the deepest draft I can remember. Would have been better than Richards (although I'm getting picky).

Our D is fine when healthy, and so is our team. Maybe a couple moves here and there.....

A little off topic, but I like our "young" D - Grossman, Coburn, MAB.

I disagree that you shouldn't draft a D in the first round under any circumstances - Weber was a #2 in the deepest draft I can remember. Would have been better than Richards (although I'm getting picky).

Our D is fine when healthy, and so is our team. Maybe a couple moves here and there.....
- Daman

I don't think anyone has said you shouldn't draft a D in the first round under any circumstances.

A little off topic, but I like our "young" D - Grossman, Coburn, MAB.

I disagree that you shouldn't draft a D in the first round under any circumstances - Weber was a #2 in the deepest draft I can remember. Would have been better than Richards (although I'm getting picky).

Our D is fine when healthy, and so is our team. Maybe a couple moves here and there.....
- Daman

I see what you're saying but Bill was only pointing out that the Flyers give up on d-man way to early because they take a few more years to mature or grow into the position.
You draft the best player available...so if it's a d-man so be it.
now with the entry level contracts max at 3 the people that reap the rewards of the d-man as pointed out would be the second team he goes too.

A little off topic, but I like our "young" D - Grossman, Coburn, MAB.

I disagree that you shouldn't draft a D in the first round under any circumstances - Weber was a #2 in the deepest draft I can remember. Would have been better than Richards (although I'm getting picky).

Our D is fine when healthy, and so is our team. Maybe a couple moves here and there.....
- Daman

I think if the Flyers can get Garrison, they should be good to go on the blue line. I really think that getting Garrison and a few role players will be all that this team needs TBH. But yet again Homer always has a few cards up his sleeve and just never know what he is going to do.

A little off topic, but I like our "young" D - Grossman, Coburn, MAB.

I disagree that you shouldn't draft a D in the first round under any circumstances - Weber was a #2 in the deepest draft I can remember. Would have been better than Richards (although I'm getting picky).

Our D is fine when healthy, and so is our team. Maybe a couple moves here and there.....
- Daman

thats easy to say looking back....but at that time?

It was those 15 drifters he killed along the NJ Turnpike back in the 1990's. Stupid TSN and their "background" checks.
- Jsaquella

pfftttttt, only 15? meh

stupid question but what is the actual deadline to sign 2010 picks? is it by end of today or was it yesterday?

thats easy to say looking back....but at that time?
- Philly1980

My biggest issue with the Flyers in that draft was passing on Zach Parise at 11.

My biggest issue with the Flyers in that draft was passing on Zach Parise at 11.
- Jsaquella

Hindsight, it is easy.

My biggest issue with the Flyers in that draft was passing on Zach Parise at 11.
- Jsaquella

dont worry he will be a flyer soon enough

I don't think anyone has said you shouldn't draft a D in the first round under any circumstances.
- MJL

Great blog.

Don't know the source but saw a recent commentary saying a team should never use a first round pick to take a Dman unless it was for a #1 guy like a Doughty or Karlsson who had clear offensive upside. Great, stay at home Dmen are slow to develop and guys like Chara, Weber and Lidstrom often only begin to show their offensive edge once they get their defensive game in place.

The same comment suggested that you never waste an early round pick on a goalie. There will always be an exception (Cary Price). But, most top prospect goalies never actually make it to the elite level. On the other hand, if you look at the top goalies, how many we're taken in the late rounds.

A team should use their early picks to draft kids who can see and anticipate the game, who can skate, have size and good hand/eye coordination.

Hey Bill What do you think about Enstrom in Winnipeg, maybe the pp quarterback they need. 1 yr left on his deal at 3.25 and they say Winnipeg would be looking at a top 6 forward in return which we certainly have an abundance of. Would it take JVR to get Enstrom and is it worth it?

Hindsight, it is easy.
- kgrpitt

I had the issue at the time. I was following the draft while at a wedding, and when they didn't grab Parise I shouted out, Who the (frank) is Jeff Carter?!?!?

stupid question but what is the actual deadline to sign 2010 picks? is it by end of today or was it yesterday?
- nastyflyergirl

End of today.

Hey Bill What do you think about Enstrom in Winnipeg, maybe the pp quarterback they need. 1 yr left on his deal at 3.25 and they say Winnipeg would be looking at a top 6 forward in return which we certainly have an abundance of. Would it take JVR to get Enstrom and is it worth it?
- Daceroni

Im a big Enstrom fan, and he is a true offensive d-man (something we could use), but he is tiny, and really isnt a great 5v5 guy. He is a power play QB for sure though.

If I were trading JvR, it wouldnt be for a guy like Enstrom.

My biggest issue with the Flyers in that draft was passing on Zach Parise at 11.
- Jsaquella

at least the FLyers took Carter. the Rangers too Jessiman at 12, the Islanders too Nilsson at 15 and the Sharks took Bernier at 16.

crazy deep draft

End of today.
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill