We’ve already played the bruins 5x, so who cares.
- ClaudeFather

I would imagine the Pens care.

Thanks for offering your opinion on the matter. Since it wont be difficult what will the numbers look like term and $ wise.
- login

Prob close to 10 a year. And I agree with MJL, Couturier is not going anywhere.

Prob close to 10 a year. And I agree with MJL, Couturier is not going anywhere.
- MBFlyerfan

max years?

Prob close to 10 a year. And I agree with MJL, Couturier is not going anywhere.
- MBFlyerfan

I don’t think he gets 10, I’m saying at the top a little over 9. Flat cap is going to bring some of these contracts down.

I would imagine the Pens care.
- login

Who gives a sh!t, let’s win our games, I could care less who played who .

Who gives a sh!t, let’s win our games, I could care less who played who .
- ClaudeFather

ok I will keep that in mind.

The devils beat the Bruins twice this season. The Sabres beat the Flyers and the Capitals once. I don't think any teams are total pushovers. Every team will lose a game here and there against an inferior opponent. Not sure why we're worrying about it.

I don't think he will either. Term worries me a bit though as he'll be 30 during the 22-23 season. Flyers will probably be eating a few bad years on the end of his contract, as they likely already will be with the Hayes deal.
- Ftown19125

His offense may fall off but his size and his defensive ability will still make him a viable player.

I don’t think he gets 10, I’m saying at the top a little over 9. Flat cap is going to bring some of these contracts down.
- ClaudeFather

So we agree as I said close to 10 a year.

Sooooo....the current theme of this blog is that we should trade significant assets for a D-man because we "aren't competitive" enough for Boston, Washington and the Isles as constructed.

Solution: Trade prospects and draft picks for Ekholm

Rationale: He's a good, solid top 4 D-man and we cant be afraid of expansion

He plays left side...hasnt played right side in the NHL. So we expect him to learn on the fly, in mid season and this will make us a contender! or we are forced to move Sanheim and that isnt his favored side and we have evidence that he isnt as good over there.

Half the packages discussed would get us a right handed defender....

max years?
- login

I can see that.

I can see that.
- MBFlyerfan

when can they extend? This summer or January 2022?

His offense may fall off but his size and his defensive ability will still make him a viable player.
- MJL

Define a viable player.

First, why would we trade a young promising defenseman for another? It just doesn’t make sense, when we’re trying to improve the defense overall. We’re still trying to replace the hole Niskanen left.

Also, Sanheim may not rocking players with hits or outmuscling guys out there, he’s been probably our second best if not our very best defender this year.
- SuperSchennBros

So we disagree on Sanheim. I see an up and down young d man that has always and will always play a more soft game preferring to use his stick and position to defend. There are nights where’s he’s been very good. I thought he had a great weekend. Until now there’s no consistency to his play though...same goes for Myers. 9to be fair, they are still young).
Where the sense comes in is that Ekholm makes the Flyers better today and next year. I just think Flyer fans sometimes over value there own guys, so be it. There is the argument that D man sometimes don’t hit their stride till 24-25 and that’s true some don’t.... I see the Flyers as having a very deep roster. I think they are a contender, if not very very close , perhaps one or two moves away. I’m not sure if the Flyers will do anything, but I’m on the side of hoping they do.

I always get a big kick out of people posting that some Flyers fans over value their own players while at the same time overvaluing players on another team.

I don't agree that they're in a better situation than the Flyers are. They're waiting also. No different than the Flyers.Make the right moves, not just a move. This is getting the Flyers right back to the Holmgren days. Let Comcast push. Fletcher should stand his ground and run the hockey side as he sees fit. If you're going to pay a high price, do it for a difference maker. Not a player who just makes you marginally better. That's the point.
- MJL

I didnt say they are but if wait 2 years the very easily could be in the same position as us, they will grow and they have high end talent.

I don't support overpaying, I do support a good hockey trade. If Ekholm is the one, there will be a premium, pay it if it doesn't derail the long tern plan and helps the short term. I am ok going after someone else as long as the current squad is playing their system and good hockey.

When would you make a trade? Do you really think if they don't win this year they won't make a trade over the off-season?

So no faith in the Flyers top 4 as is constructed today? Is Ghost being undersold?

I don't agree that they're in a better situation than the Flyers are. They're waiting also. No different than the Flyers.Make the right moves, not just a move. This is getting the Flyers right back to the Holmgren days. Let Comcast push. Fletcher should stand his ground and run the hockey side as he sees fit. If you're going to pay a high price, do it for a difference maker. Not a player who just makes you marginally better. That's the point.
- MJL

It is possible the GM sees him as a diff maker no?

How many diff makers are available at trade deadlines? Waiting around a for diff maker may leave you waiting year after year.

The devils beat the Bruins twice this season. The Sabres beat the Flyers and the Capitals once. I don't think any teams are total pushovers. Every team will lose a game here and there against an inferior opponent. Not sure why we're worrying about it.
- Ftown19125

The Flyers have to keep getting better....they need only worry about their own game. Two of losses against Boston were games the Flyers deserved a better result. I think the D can play better, I think Hart can be better. There’s still room for this team grow.

So no faith in the Flyers top 4 as is constructed today? Is Ghost being undersold?
- login

I think the playoffs are a different animal. I have no use for Gus currently, that guy is as soft as soft can be. That leaves Hagg, if you want to go far, is it possible to upgrade hagg?

I didnt say they are but if wait 2 years the very easily could be in the same position as us, they will grow and they have high end talent.

I don't support overpaying, I do support a good hockey trade. If Ekholm is the one, there will be a premium, pay it if it doesn't derail the long tern plan and helps the short term. I am ok going after someone else as long as the current squad is playing their system and good hockey.

When would you make a trade? Do you really think if they don't win this year they won't make a trade over the off-season?
- wcorvette

Perhaps I'm reading what you're posting incorrectly but it seems as though to me you think they have an advantage over the Flyers. They're in the same boat. Having to wait. There are a number of teams in the league that have top high end talent but are average teams. Edmonton with McDavid and Draisaitl. Buffalo with Eichel. They aren't going anywhere soon. Why are the Devils and the Rangers going to surpass us? If you start making deals like this, you get back to the same point they were before Hextall. If Ekblom doesn't elevate them, then what? Make more deals in the Summer? If that doesn't work then what? Soon you're cap strapped and lacking future assets and that stream of ELC players. You've also given up your depth. Fletcher has made smart moves in his tenure. Let's hope that continues.

pens play sabres 8 x and devils 8x
- login

8 each left?

if so, you really hope those 2 are playing for pride and are real lose when the Pens play them.

I think the playoffs are a different animal. I have no use for Gus currently, that guy is as soft as soft can be. That leaves Hagg, if you want to go far, is it possible to upgrade hagg?
- wcorvette

Yes it is and that is why I am not fooled by Ghost playing well this weekend. Ghost can help but come playoffs top piar is not ideal.

If they acquire a dman and send Gus and Hagg to the press box is the best scenario.

8 each left?

if so, you really hope those 2 are playing for pride and are real lose when the Pens play them.
- wcorvette

Yes they have 16 games, I believe, against those 2. So they have it easier schedule wise is all I was saying.

Sooooo....the current theme of this blog is that we should trade significant assets for a D-man because we "aren't competitive" enough for Boston, Washington and the Isles as constructed.

Solution: Trade prospects and draft picks for Ekholm

Rationale: He's a good, solid top 4 D-man and we cant be afraid of expansion

He plays left side...hasnt played right side in the NHL. So we expect him to learn on the fly, in mid season and this will make us a contender! or we are forced to move Sanheim and that isnt his favored side and we have evidence that he isnt as good over there.

Half the packages discussed would get us a right handed defender....
- juiced

No one mentioned competitiveness with the Caps or Islanders as an issue, only Boston.