He was regularly putting up 40+ points a season with Florida, which would have put him in the top-15 (to 20) in the NHL this past season.

And more points than offensive defenseman like Yandle, Keith, Del Zotto, Jack Johnson, Matt Carle, Brent Burns, Drew Doughty (to name a few).
- bradleyc4

Yes he was, but that was how many Seasons ago. What is the problem in Calgary? He's getting regular PP time. Nobody is saying Bouwmeester isn't a good player. But I don't feel he's as good of a player as you make him out to be. And certainly not worth that Cap hit.

And since were using past Season point totals for Bouwmeester, let's do the same for the players you named!

Keep in mind, if he can be had, I'd much rather snag Edler. If Doan signs in Vancouver they may have no choice but to move him.

You don't need nash but Jbo is conceivably a player that brings something this roster might otherwise not have. There's no guarantee Mab and Gus become more than bottom pairing defensemen.
- JoeRussomanno

True. No guarantees. But I'd much rather give them a real chance, and then reassess at the deadline than add JayBo's cap hit now. Especially now that our forward corps is not as deep as it was. We can't afford to send any top 9 forwards back the other way even if we decide to swallow that horrible cap hit.

True. No guarantees. But I'd much rather give them a real chance, and then reassess at the deadline than add JayBo's cap hit now. Especially now that our forward corps is not as deep as it was. We can't afford to send any top 9 forwards back the other way even if we decide to swallow that horrible cap hit.
- BringBack25

Let it play out before making a move on Bouwmeester.

True. No guarantees. But I'd much rather give them a real chance, and then reassess at the deadline than add JayBo's cap hit now. Especially now that our forward corps is not as deep as it was. We can't afford to send any top 9 forwards back the other way even if we decide to swallow that horrible cap hit.
- BringBack25

I agree. I don't want to settle and have a player become available that makes more sense later in the Season such as at the Trade deadline. Flyers need to avoid using LTIR if at all possible.

Keep in mind, if he can be had, I'd much rather snag Edler. If Doan signs in Vancouver they may have no choice but to move him.
- mayorofangrytown

Or... they could just accept a lesser package in return for Luongo, or look to move Ballard and/or Raymond. Since when was option 1 to deal your franchise defenseman?

The more I think about it, the more I hope Homer looks into Ballard. He's a virtual Meszaros clone -- skates well, decent puck-mover, hits like a train, blocks shots w/ aplomb, under-30, can play in all situations. He had a lot of kinks in his game when he first got to Vancouver (overhandled the puck, poor gap-control and positioning), but he's made strides despite injuries and emerged as one of the Canucks' better dmen during this past playoffs. The contract is a bit ugly, with 3-years left, but at this point the Flyers don't exactly have many options that won't cost them prime assets. Great time to buy low on him.

Keep in mind, if he can be had, I'd much rather snag Edler. If Doan signs in Vancouver they may have no choice but to move him.
- mayorofangrytown

If thats the case, I think they move Bo Lu for anything so they have enough to resign Edler

Edit: yeah, what Hawk said before me

55 will always be Daniel Markov!
- bodiva88

Yes.

But Calgary wouldn't.
- bradleyc4

Not much of a poll. But perhaps you are right, that Calgary wouldn't do that.

What is interesting is that Flyer fans don't seem to want to give a 1st and Read.

Cheers!

Or... they could just accept a lesser package in return for Luongo, or look to move Ballard and/or Raymond. Since when was option 1 to deal your franchise defenseman?

The more I think about it, the more I hope Homer looks into Ballard. He's a virtual Meszaros clone -- skates well, decent puck-mover, hits like a train, blocks shots w/ aplomb, under-30, can play in all situations. He had a lot of kinks in his game when he first got to Vancouver (overhandled the puck, poor gap-control and positioning), but he's made strides despite injuries and emerged as one of the Canucks' better dmen during this past playoffs. The contract is a bit ugly, with 3-years left, but at this point the Flyers don't exactly have many options that won't cost them prime assets. Great time to buy low on him.
- Tomahawk

It wouldn't be what I would do but the rumour is floating that they don't think they can resign him at the $$$ he wants and the Flyers are in the running because they aren't Detroit.

They're going to have a hard time moving Luongo because the only logical place is Toronto and Burke knows it. I don't think they're ready to give up on Raymond. I hear what you're saying about Ballard but he had a bad year on a big contract and he was beaten repeatedly by LA in the playoffs (not that any of the Canucks D shone in that series). Maybe you're right and he's ready for a big season but I'm not taking that gamble.

I agree. I don't want to settle and have a player become available that makes more sense later in the Season such as at the Trade deadline. Flyers need to avoid using LTIR if at all possible.
- MJL

Dropping knowledge.

I agree. That seems like even more of an argument for giving MAB and Gus every chance to play their way into a regular role. Much rather do that and if necessary, make a move at the deadline. Just don't see a reason to take on that cap hit now, especially for that player.

Also, I don't get it - You (and many others) were against making a move for Nash because of his cap hit. JayBo's cap hit is almost as bad as Nash's, and he isn't anywhere near the caliber of player Nash is. And yet you are okay with adding him?
- BringBack25

Big difference between the needs on offense and needs on defense. Plus, a much bigger pool of impact forwards to pick from usually.

Or... they could just accept a lesser package in return for Luongo, or look to move Ballard and/or Raymond. Since when was option 1 to deal your franchise defenseman?

The more I think about it, the more I hope Homer looks into Ballard. He's a virtual Meszaros clone -- skates well, decent puck-mover, hits like a train, blocks shots w/ aplomb, under-30, can play in all situations. He had a lot of kinks in his game when he first got to Vancouver (overhandled the puck, poor gap-control and positioning), but he's made strides despite injuries and emerged as one of the Canucks' better dmen during this past playoffs. The contract is a bit ugly, with 3-years left, but at this point the Flyers don't exactly have many options that won't cost them prime assets. Great time to buy low on him.
- Tomahawk

That's probably a great analysis but what do you assess the odds of the Flyers landing him (Ballard)?

No love for Geoff Sanderson at #8?

Is it hockey season yet?

True. No guarantees. But I'd much rather give them a real chance, and then reassess at the deadline than add JayBo's cap hit now. Especially now that our forward corps is not as deep as it was. We can't afford to send any top 9 forwards back the other way even if we decide to swallow that horrible cap hit.
- BringBack25

First, I agree JBo's contract is prohibitive. Second, to acquire him would cost too much so, realistically speaking, he's out.

However, I do not like going into the season, abbreviated or otherwise, with the mindset of giving MAB's and Mannings and Gustafsson, a real chance. That's a recipe for disaster. I'd rather make a move for a more experienced d-man and let the youngins grow at the right pace.

The Flyers have ruined enough d-men over the years by throwing them into situations that they aren't yet ready to handle.

No love for Geoff Sanderson at #8?
- shifty28

C'mon man.... everyone knows Dale Kushner was 10 times the forward Sanderson ever was. Remember that game where he potted two on the North Stars and sent them home with their tails between their legs?

First, I agree JBo's contract is prohibitive. Second, to acquire him would cost too much so, realistically speaking, he's out.

However, I do not like going into the season, abbreviated or otherwise, with the mindset of giving MAB's and Mannings and Gustafsson, a real chance. That's a recipe for disaster. I'd rather make a move for a more experienced d-man and let the youngins grow at the right pace.

The Flyers have ruined enough d-men over the years by throwing them into situations that they aren't yet ready to handle.
- 77rams

agree

That's probably a great analysis but what do you assess the odds of the Flyers landing him (Ballard)?
- Daman

Vigneault's not likely to ever put him before Edler and Hamhuis on the left-side so I'd say his days in Vancouver are numbered, but I don't think Gillis will want to just give him away based on what he cost to acquire to begin with (Grabner, Bernier, 1st). If there's some added pressure from a Doan signing or Edler extension or Luongo deadlock, then the chances of him getting dealt go up considerably.

IMO, he'd be a much better fit in Lavi's system than Vigneault's... Ballard loves to rush the puck up the ice and pinch in the o-zone. And with Carle and Meszaros out of the picture, he'd have a chance to sink his teeth into special teams and get a fair shot at a top-4 role.

Homer loves his reclamation projects -- Ballard may be a worthy one.

Vigneault's not likely to ever put him before Edler and Hamhuis on the left-side so I'd say his days in Vancouver are numbered, but I don't think Gillis will want to just give him away based on what he cost to acquire to begin with (Grabner, Bernier, 1st). If there's some added pressure from a Doan signing or Edler extension or Luongo deadlock, then the chances of him getting dealt go up considerably.

IMO, he'd be a much better fit in Lavi's system than Vigneault's... Ballard loves to rush the puck up the ice and pinch in the o-zone. And with Carle and Meszaros out of the picture, he'd have a chance to sink his teeth into special teams and get a fair shot at a top-4 role.

Homer loves his reclamation projects -- Ballard may be a worthy one.
- Tomahawk

All this Ballard talk is intriguing. I think Van would love to get rid of his contract, and maybe Homer can get him without including a roster player. 2nd round pick and a prospect? I'd take a shot and do it.

First, I agree JBo's contract is prohibitive. Second, to acquire him would cost too much so, realistically speaking, he's out.

However, I do not like going into the season, abbreviated or otherwise, with the mindset of giving MAB's and Mannings and Gustafsson, a real chance. That's a recipe for disaster. I'd rather make a move for a more experienced d-man and let the youngins grow at the right pace.

The Flyers have ruined enough d-men over the years by throwing them into situations that they aren't yet ready to handle.
- 77rams

I would argue that it is the Flyers unwillingness to let young d-men play through their struggles and learn that is their biggest problem developing defensemen, not coaching or rushing them to the NHL. I don't think it's a recipe for disaster, it's how you develop defensemen in the NHL. You have to let them learn from their mistakes and develop confidence. Rangers are a perfect example of that. If we ever want to have a defense corps as deep as NY has now, and be able to afford it, we have to develop some young d-men. Might as well start now.

EDIT - basically, we need to find a few Matt Reads on defense. Same sort of thing Rangers did in finding Girardi (undrafted).

All this Ballard talk is intriguing. I think Van would love to get rid of his contract, and maybe Homer can get him without including a roster player. 2nd round pick and a prospect? I'd take a shot and do it.
- Marc D

Plus, if Bryz ever gets into one of his loony spells, Ballard can be counted on to knock him out of it:

Plus, if Bryz ever gets into one of his loony spells, Ballard can be counted on to knock him out of it:


- Tomahawk

This would be a more solid argument if we had someone other than Leighton to take Bryzgalov's place after Ballard knocked him out.

I'm personally hoping the season gets shortened enough so Bryz can play every game.

Plus, if Bryz ever gets into one of his loony spells, Ballard can be counted on to knock him out of it:




- Tomahawk

Two hander to the ear, wow.

Vigneault's not likely to ever put him before Edler and Hamhuis on the left-side so I'd say his days in Vancouver are numbered, but I don't think Gillis will want to just give him away based on what he cost to acquire to begin with (Grabner, Bernier, 1st). If there's some added pressure from a Doan signing or Edler extension or Luongo deadlock, then the chances of him getting dealt go up considerably.

IMO, he'd be a much better fit in Lavi's system than Vigneault's... Ballard loves to rush the puck up the ice and pinch in the o-zone. And with Carle and Meszaros out of the picture, he'd have a chance to sink his teeth into special teams and get a fair shot at a top-4 role.

Homer loves his reclamation projects -- Ballard may be a worthy one.
- Tomahawk

Mr. Hawk,

Clearly, I am always Da Man. However, today, you have illustrated that you are "the man".

Thanks for the great and though invoking posts.