I agree. He has the tools to possibly develop into a 2nd pairing guy down the road.
- bradleyc4

who of the three (gus mab man) would you rather see get a real shot this season?

also, does anyone know if he had injury problems the last couple of years? he only played 53 and 50 games the last two seasons

At the end of the day, I wouldn't be surprised to see Manning leapfrog both MAB and Gus... he's a much closer analog to Mez... physical, aggressive, nice shot.
- Tomahawk

I like Manning, but feel that MAB, if healthy, has the tools to develop into a legit top 4 D man. I also thought Gusty was fairly impressive in the playoffs for a rook. Ultimately, I'd like to see the Flyers give all three a legit shot to develop and prove themselves.

who of the three (gus mab man) would you rather see get a real shot this season?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Honestly, this feels a bit too similar to the days when we were all getting excited about the collective upsides of Alexandre Picard, Freddy Meyer and Randy Jones.

season starts on time, book it
- Crimsoninja

Agreed.

At the end of the day, I wouldn't be surprised to see Manning leapfrog both MAB and Gus... he's a much closer analog to Mez... physical, aggressive, nice shot.
- Tomahawk

Possibly. I'm fine letting them all compete and see who really sticks. I think of all of them last year, MAB shouldered the most minutes and seemed to impress Lavy the most. I think having the Coaches confidence will give MAB more opportunities to prove himself. With Carle, Pronger & Meszaros out or gone there will be openings on the second unit PP.

We kind of assumed the same with Bartulis... there's a penchant for fans to overrate homegrown prospects. Did MAB fill in admirably last season? Yes. Is he at the level where another NHL team would want to devote a roster spot/contract slot on him? Harder to say. Waiver status be damned, he's still a long way from having a spot in the top-7 sewn up.
- Tomahawk

I don't think it's hard to say at all. He's shown he can play in the NHL. The odds of him getting claimed are very good. I haven't overrated anyone.

Honestly, this feels a bit too similar to the days when we were all getting excited about the collective upsides of Alexandre Picard, Freddy Meyer and Randy Jones.
- Tomahawk

harsh bro

Chalk it up to more careless negotiating by the Flyers on July 1... for some reason they really wanted to take Lilja off the market right away, and they willingly handcuffed themselves to his cap hit to make it happen. With all the comparable and superior players that were still on the board at that time, it was an odd decision at best.
- Tomahawk

There wasn't an careless negotiations. You labeleing as such just because you don't like the 2 year deal. If you like the player, and want to get him for 2 years. Then at that Cap hit, it's a good deal. Lilja hasn't handcuffed the Flyers one bit. Who are the comparable and superior players that you speak of?

I like Manning, but feel that MAB, if healthy, has the tools to develop into a legit top 4 D man. I also thought Gusty was fairly impressive in the playoffs for a rook. Ultimately, I'd like to see the Flyers give all three a legit shot to develop and prove themselves.
- phantasm

I see potential of MAB to be a full time NHL defenseman. Saying he has the tools and potential to be a legit top 4 D man is a stretch.

Honestly, this feels a bit too similar to the days when we were all getting excited about the collective upsides of Alexandre Picard, Freddy Meyer and Randy Jones.
- Tomahawk

tomahawk, destroyer of dreams



but seriously i hope at least ONE of them could be an NHL regular at at some point... who gets the shot this year? i don't want a half rookie top 6.

I don't think it's hard to say at all. He's shown he can play in the NHL. The odds of him getting claimed are very good. I haven't overrated anyone.
- MJL

Bartulis had 66-games of NHL experience where he acquitted himself adequately and he wasn't claimed... there wasn't a single one among us that thought he would survive initial waivers, much less multiple waiver instances including re-entry... just saying.

who of the three (gus mab man) would you rather see get a real shot this season?

also, does anyone know if he had injury problems the last couple of years? he only played 53 and 50 games the last two seasons
- Don'tForgetTocchet

the numbs work against Manning to start the season

i'm fine with Gus and MAB getting the first crack, they deserve it.

Bartulis had 66-games of NHL experience where he acquitted himself adequately and he wasn't claimed... there wasn't a single one among us that thought he would survive initial waivers, much less multiple waiver instances including re-entry... just saying.
- Tomahawk

imo, mab and gus were more than adequate/better than oskars at least

that was a lot of three letter abbreviations... sry

I dont get 2 years deals at all for guys who are 6/7 depth d-men playing in that role. I dont get why Gervais is getting two years either..
- jak521

It's very simple. Due to the injuries, he will likely play a bigger role this year. But next year, with Lilja done after this year. Gervais is your veteran 6/7 defenseman, next Season.

I see potential of MAB to be a full time NHL defenseman. Saying he has the tools and potential to be a legit top 4 D man is a stretch.
- MJL

I disagree. I think he's been fullfilling his potential to be a full time NHL Defensemen. I think he is still adjusting and was only just starting to do more than "Keep it Simple". He was starting to look around and start trying take control a bit more before he was hurt. I really feel that without his Concussion, we would have had a much clearer vision of what he could bring.

Grossmann will probably get hurt

@TGfireandice:The average NHL ticket price has increased 39% since 2004 when Gary Bettman promised fans a salary cap would lower ticket prices.

@TGfireandice:The average NHL ticket price has increased 39% since 2004 when Gary Bettman promised fans a salary cap would lower ticket prices.
- stveshdy

What else did you expect? Bettman is an idiot....

There wasn't an careless negotiations. You labeleing as such just because you don't like the 2 year deal. If you like the player, and want to get him for 2 years. Then at that Cap hit, it's a good deal. Lilja hasn't handcuffed the Flyers one bit. Who are the comparable and superior players that you speak of?
- MJL

The 'Hawks got SOD for 1-year on July 1 and now have the freedom to move on this summer. There's no reason why the Flyers needed to trigger 35+ restrictions for a player like Lilja, with so many depth dmen still on the market. There were guys like Hannan and Colin White still unsigned into August that summer.

@TGfireandice:The average NHL ticket price has increased 39% since 2004 when Gary Bettman promised fans a salary cap would lower ticket prices.
- stveshdy

This is also the 3rd potential lockout under his reign.

Bartulis had 66-games of NHL experience where he acquitted himself adequately and he wasn't claimed... there wasn't a single one among us that thought he would survive initial waivers, much less multiple waiver instances including re-entry... just saying.
- Tomahawk

It certainly possible that MAB could clear Waivers. Bartulis had injury concerns. Teams may not like MAB concussion history. But there's a chance he would get claimed also.

im in on jbow IF we get him for peanuts
- mydoglicks

Ralph: PEANUTS ALICE! WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH PEANUTS!!?

Alice: Eat em. Like any other elephant....

This is also the 3rd potential lockout under his reign.
- canadianpenfan

Has to be among the worst commissioners in sports history.

[quote=Don'tForgetTocchet]who of the three (gus mab man) would you rather see get a real shot this season?

manning, the kid seems to be super strong and very physically fit, he stands tall with the puck if you know what i mean