It would be great if Gustafsson could carry over his playoff work from the Pens' series.

I wonder if Laviolette will make tweaks to compensate for the losses this summer
- Jsaquella

He might not have a choice.

Wade Redden is likely available.

You must have not watched Hjalmarsson much -- he's a very adept puck-mover and his game is a bit of a hybrid between Carle and Coburn.

He's got a very efficient and dependable first-pass out of the zone, has the speed to skate the puck up the ice and out of trouble, and is very handy in the transition game. He's a very heady player and has good awareness in all three zones.

Like Coburn, the limited point production can be attributed to a lack of PP time, not being a natural playmaker with the puck and sticking to a more conservative game. Like Carle, he's more of a positional/stick guy defensively, will break up a lot of plays and block a lot of shots, but taking the body regularly isn't part of his M.O. and he catches flak for that in Chicago.

As a second-pairing option, he would bring much more value than Bouwmeester. I'm not convinced that the 'Hawks are really looking to move him, though.
- Tomahawk

I've watched Hjamarsson plenty. And maybe your not aware of what makes a defenseman classified as a puck moving defenseman. Joe's post was dead on. A lot of defenseman in the League are capable of making a good first pass. Doesn't make a player a puck mover. Luke Schenn makes a nice first pass. There's a reason why he doesn't get PP time. Joe didn't say that Hjamarsson wasn't a good all around player. He simply said he's not the type of defenseman were looking for. And he's totally correct.

If CBA negotiations look promising, he might be tempted to make a move. If the start of the season looks to be delayed, I think he'll stand pat.
- Tomahawk

I don't think that's going to play into it at all in my opinion. GM's are going to approach the off season as if the Season is starting on time. The upcoming CBA negotiations had zero affect on how teams approached Free Agency. And that won't change. If Holmgren finds a deal he likes, he'll make it.

I wonder if the Flyers have any plans on taking a page out of the GB Packers book.

I can see this being marketed to fans to represent the current defense core.

Exactly. Jay-bo is far from cheap and I don't see that much of an upgrade from what they have. Not worth overpaying for IMO. The Flyers will be able to move the puck and when did Jay Bo become Bourque as far as moving the puck? Is he that great at it? Why would the Flames be interested in moving him?
- stveshdy

Bouwmeester would be a definite upgrade over Bourdon, Gustafsson, Manning, or Gervais.

I wonder if the Flyers have any plans on taking a page out of the GB Packers book.

I can see this being marketed to fans to represent the current defense core.


- PLindbergh31

a little cheesy

Well the NHLPA answered back today. And just based on the very basic outline of their counter proposal. I think we'll find out how united the Owners are. The players are willing to cut back their share over the next 3 Seasons. Where their proposal according to their estimates, will cut the players salaries, by 465M, to as much as 800M over the next 3 Seasons. But they are also asking the Owners of the richer clubs to share in helping out the smaller markets, by expanding revenue sharing to as much as 250M per year. So they are asking to share the cutbacks with the owners, rather then the player footing the whole bill. Their response in my opinion, was a much fairer one, then the owners first proposal.

Bouwmeester would be a definite upgrade over Bourdon, Gustafsson, Manning, or Gervais.
- MJL

Never said he wouldn't be an upgrade just don't see him being that much better than what we have. Going to cost a lot to get him plus take on that ridiculous cap hit.

I've watched Hjamarsson plenty. And maybe your not aware of what makes a defenseman classified as a puck moving defenseman. Joe's post was dead on. A lot of defenseman in the League are capable of making a good first pass. Doesn't make a player a puck mover. Luke Schenn makes a nice first pass. There's a reason why he doesn't get PP time. Joe didn't say that Hjamarsson wasn't a good all around player. He simply said he's not the type of defenseman were looking for. And he's totally correct.
- MJL

Erm, puckmovers are just guys who can get the puck up to the forwards and/or move it from zone to zone via skating/passing. Gervais and Coburn are puckmovers as much as Timonen and Pronger are.

Now, guys who can put up points and run a PP go above and beyond the puckmover description. They're offensive defensemen, PP quarterbacks, elite point-producing defensemen. Those are the rare breed.

Hjalmarsson was drafted as an offensive dman... he's settled in as a puckmover.

I wonder if the Flyers have any plans on taking a page out of the GB Packers book.

I can see this being marketed to fans to represent the current defense core.


- PLindbergh31

I wonder if the Flyers have any plans on taking a page out of the GB Packers book.

I can see this being marketed to fans to represent the current defense core.


- PLindbergh31

That will all change soon enough!

Erm, puckmovers are just guys who can get the puck up to the forwards and/or move it from zone to zone via skating/passing. Gervais and Coburn are puckmovers as much as Timonen and Pronger were.

Now, guys who can put up points and run a PP go above and beyond the puckmover description. They're offensive defensemen, PP quarterbacks, elite point-producing defensemen. Those are the rare breed.

Hjlarmarsson was drafted as an offensive dman... he's settled in as a puckmover.
- Tomahawk

A large majority of defenseman in the NHL can make an outlet pass and move the puck to the forwards efficiently. A puck moving defenseman is one who excels at it, makes plays with the puck in all 3 zones, provides offense, and can play on the PP, in my opinion

Matt Carle is an example of a puck moving defenseman. And Gervais and Coburn aren't puckmovers as much as Timonen and Pronger are. Not even close.

The bottom line regardless of how you want to classify a player, really doesn't matter. Joe was dead on when he stated that Hjamarsson wasn't the type of player were looking for. Now if you want to upgrade on Grossmann, then you've got the right player. But to help offset the losses of Carle and Meszaros. He's not the right player, in my opinion.


That being said, would Hjamarsson be an upgrade over the kids, sure he would be. But he doesn't help with the offense and on the PP, which are the biggest needs.
The Flyers are fine with solid defenders in their own end with Timonen, Grossmann, Coburn, and Schenn.

Never said he wouldn't be an upgrade just don't see him being that much better than what we have. Going to cost a lot to get him plus take on that ridiculous cap hit.
- stveshdy

Again, if your talking about the 3 kids and Gervais. He's a very significant upgrade over those players.

Again, if your talking about the 3 kids and Gervais. He's a very significant upgrade over those players.
- MJL

That's your opinion. People are making assumptions about the kids and Gervais without even being in camp yet. How do we know that Bouwmeester is going to be a very significant upgrade? We basing that on the fact he is healthy and can move the puck? Who's to say he won't crap the bed here? I'm not willing to overpay for a player who's cap hit is ridiculous and doesn't put them at another level at the asking price. Stand pat and see what happens its August!

That's your opinion. People are making assumptions about the kids and Gervais without even being in camp yet. How do we know that Bouwmeester is going to be a very significant upgrade? We basing that on the fact he is healthy and can move the puck? Who's to say he won't crap the bed here? I'm not willing to overpay for a player who's cap hit is ridiculous and doesn't put them at another level at the asking price. Stand pat and see what happens its August!
- stveshdy

The more you say the more I like bouwmeester.

That's your opinion. People are making assumptions about the kids and Gervais without even being in camp yet. How do we know that Bouwmeester is going to be a very significant upgrade? We basing that on the fact he is healthy and can move the puck? Who's to say he won't crap the bed here? I'm not willing to overpay for a player who's cap hit is ridiculous and doesn't put them at another level at the asking price. Stand pat and see what happens its August!
- stveshdy

Bouwmeester hasn't crapped the bed anywhere in his career. He hasn't reached the hype and you can say he's underachieved. But he's been a very good player in both Florida and Calgary. I completely understand not wanting to overpay both in terms of cost to acquire the player, or as far as his cap hit. I agree with that. But to say he's not a significant upgrade on what they have now, just isn't true.

The more you say the more I like bouwmeester.
- moylander

He's a stud. Wait and see.

Bouwmeester hasn't crapped the bed anywhere in his career. He hasn't reached his hype and you can say he's underachieved. But he's been a very good player in both Florida and Calgary. I completely understand not wanting to overpay both in terms of cost to acquire the player, or as far as his cap hit. I agree with that. But to say he's not a significant upgrade on what they have now, just isn't true.
- MJL

He's doing wonders in Calgary. Playing to the exact level they like.

He's doing wonders in Calgary. Playing to the exact level they like.
- stveshdy

He's player the 6th most minutes in the League last year for defenseman. He plays top minutes in all situations. A player who has poop the bed, doesn't play that much. I'm not advocating dealing for him. But I'm not going to let that cloud my judgement on what kind of player he is.

A large majority of defenseman in the NHL can make an outlet pass and move the puck to the forwards efficiently. A puck moving defenseman is one who excels at it, makes plays with the puck in all 3 zones, provides offense, and can play on the PP.
- MJL

You were dead on before you started conflating puck moving with offensive output.

Common usage of the term by hockey writers and scouts refers to any dman who can transition the puck with a high degree of success. 99% of the league's blueliners are capable of making an outlet pass, but as you said, puck movers are the guys who can be counted on to do it w/ aplomb and regularity.

Offensive production is not a requirement for being a puck mover -- driving the play up the ice is.

Matt Carle is an example of a puck moving defenseman
- MJL

I would agree.

Timonen, Pronger, Coburn, Gus and Gervais are also examples.

MAB, Lilja, Schenn and Grossmann are currently too limited by their decision making and/or puck skills to qualify as puckmovers, although Schenn and MAB have the potential to be decent puck movers.

Now if you want to upgrade Grossmann, then you've got the right player. But to help offset the losses of Carle and Meszaros. He's not the right player, in my opinion.
- MJL

If you understood Hjalmarsson's game, you wouldn't be so quick to dismiss him. He's no Carle with the puck, nor does he replace Meszaros' point shot, but as far as driving the play up the ice and putting the puck in the hands of guys who are better suited to making the plays that lead to scoring chances, he's a good candidate. Just watch the Blackhawks breakout and transition up the ice while Hjalmarsson's on the ice... then tell me he's only a suitable replacement for Grossmann.

He's player the 6th most minutes in the League last year for defenseman. He plays top minutes in all situations. A player who has poop the bed, doesn't play that much. I'm not advocating dealing for him. But I'm not going to let that cloud my judgement on what kind of player he is.
- MJL

My judgement is just fine. You see it differently. All good.

That's your opinion. People are making assumptions about the kids and Gervais without even being in camp yet. How do we know that Bouwmeester is going to be a very significant upgrade? We basing that on the fact he is healthy and can move the puck? Who's to say he won't crap the bed here? I'm not willing to overpay for a player who's cap hit is ridiculous and doesn't put them at another level at the asking price. Stand pat and see what happens its August!
- stveshdy

The thing is, Bouwmeester is a good player, he's just not elite. He could easily revert back to his Florida levelsbof offense and be a really solid piece for the Flyers.

IMO, if he was added to the roster right now, he'd be their second best defenseman

The thing is, Bouwmeester is a good player, he's just not elite. He could easily revert back to his Florida levelsbof offense and be a really solid piece for the Flyers.

IMO, if he was added to the roster right now, he'd be their second best defenseman
- Jsaquella

I like Timonen and Coburn over Bouwmeester. I also like grossmann but I'm not in the mood to argue over Jay Bo anymore. He's not even on the team.

The thing is, Bouwmeester is a good player, he's just not elite. He could easily revert back to his Florida levelsbof offense and be a really solid piece for the Flyers.

IMO, if he was added to the roster right now, he'd be their second best defenseman
- Jsaquella

They gonna want a top six forward and a first.
He'd fit great on the Flyers no question.