Plenty of time to add another defenseman before the deadline (if theres hockey). Lets see what our current group can do before making a big trade. Nshich ow if they can get a good defenseman for just a pick and prospect thats something to consider otherwise lets roll with what we have to start.
- stveshdy

Can Giroux's wingers help G dominate?
How strong is our D without more then 2 legit puck movers?
Will Bryz bounce back?
Which impressive rookie will have the sophomore jinx?

Is Timonen really an elite defenseman?
Should we expect a Scott Hartnell to score 40 this season?
should we expect Max Talbot to score more then 19?

Bouemeester is a gamble, so question. I just think he needs a fresh start. The same way I expect a more consistent season from Bryz moving forward.
- SuperSchennBros

No. But we should expect increased production out of Brayden Schenn, Sean Couturier, Danny Briere, Jakub Voracek and we should expect others to perform as they have in past years.

If worries about Hartnell and Talbot are genuine, why trade offense in the form of Read or Voracek?

Timonen is closer to elite than Bouwmeester. The problem with Bouwmeester is, he has all the tools to be an elite player, he just never has put them all together. We're not talking about a 23 year old, who can reasonably be expected to develop further. Bouwmeester's 28. He might be able to increase his offense, but he's not likely to suddenly have all the pieces fall into place.

He's got great size, but he doesn't play physical. He's a great skater and a good passer, but his offensive stats have dropped since going to Calgary, despite playing a ton of minutes.

Other players have labelled him as easy to play against. I'm not trading a guy I'd consider a core piece in Voracek for him. I'd be hesitant to lose a guy like Read, making peanuts, who scored 20+ goals last year, worked on the PP and PK and who is a very solid two way guy who can play on the 2nd or 3rd line.

If I'm trading a roster guy, I'm going after a Subban or Carlson.

If Bouwmeester is only 28, wouldn't this be the time to grab him? I would think he is entering his prime.

If Bouwmeester is only 28, wouldn't this be the time to grab him? I would think he is entering his prime.
- SuperSchennBros

Prime of what?

If Bouwmeester is only 28, wouldn't this be the time to grab him? I would think he is entering his prime.
- SuperSchennBros

He's entering his prime of being a good, but not great defenseman getting paid like he's a great defenseman.

I'm not against getting Bouwmeester. I am against taking on that cap hit AND overpaying to acquire the guy.

There's other guys, with smaller cap hits, that can fill the holes the Flyers have.

Is Timonen really an elite defenseman?
Should we expect a Scott Hartnell to score 40 this season?
should we expect Max Talbot to score more then 19?

Bouemeester is a gamble, so question. I just think he needs a fresh start. The same way I expect a more consistent season from Bryz moving forward.
- SuperSchennBros

Re: Timonen, yes, he's an elite defenseman. Not quite a Norris candidate but the next half-step down. Five NHL All-Star Game selections (four appearances -- had to withdraw from one due to injury) and three Ashbee Trophies speak to that.

No, I don't think Hartnell will score 40 this season. I think 30 is a reasonable expectation, and if he gets 40, fantastic. I do see Giroux topping 30 for the first time in his career and Voracek topping 20 for first time in his. Of course, all this assumes a full season -- take the prorated equivalent in a shortened season.

No, I don't think Talbot will score more than 19. I'd be happy with 12-15.

Flyers should go into the season with the D that they have. There is a nice mixture of vets and young guys that a team needs. I know Jay-Bo sounds tantalizing, but I'm unwilling to move Read or any forward for him. He might only be 28, but his contract is huge, and could cause quite the headache in the future with the many RFA's we'll have.

This team needs to grow, they will have some ups and downs, just like any young team--but they sure as hell won't be boring.

If Bouwmeester is only 28, wouldn't this be the time to grab him? I would think he is entering his prime.
- SuperSchennBros

Not all humans are the same. Some peak athletically at 21. Some 31. Some older.

Anyone that thinks they can tell you the potential of another human being is either God, a liar, or Tony Horton.

Flyers should go into the season with the D that they have. There is a nice mixture of vets and young guys that a team needs. I know Jay-Bo sounds tantalizing, but I'm unwilling to move Read or any forward for him. He might only be 28, but his contract is huge, and could cause quite the headache in the future with the many RFA's we'll have.

This team needs to grow, they will have some ups and downs, just like any young team--but they sure as hell won't be boring.
- KGBflyers10

I'd rather stand pat, too. Unless they can get a decent, experienced NHL vet for picks/mid-level prospects, like Grossmann/Kubina at the TDL last year.

Re: Timonen, yes, he's an elite defenseman. Not quite a Norris candidate but the next half-step down. Five NHL All-Star Game selections (four appearances -- had to withdraw from one due to injury) and three Ashbee Trophies speak to that.

No, I don't think Hartnell will score 40 this season. I think 30 is a reasonable expectation, and if he gets 40, fantastic. I do see Giroux topping 30 for the first time in his career and Voracek topping 20 for first time in his. Of course, all this assumes a full season -- take the prorated equivalent in a shortened season.

No, I don't think Talbot will score more than 19. I'd be happy with 12-15.
- bmeltzer

I agree. If I had to bet...

Harts, Simmonds, Talbot, Read down
briere, giroux, voracek, schenn, coots up

Flyers should go into the season with the D that they have. There is a nice mixture of vets and young guys that a team needs. I know Jay-Bo sounds tantalizing, but I'm unwilling to move Read or any forward for him. He might only be 28, but his contract is huge, and could cause quite the headache in the future with the many RFA's we'll have.

This team needs to grow, they will have some ups and downs, just like any young team--but they sure as hell won't be boring.
- KGBflyers10

I'm open to considering a Jbo trade but Read or Voracek is redonkulous. If you're gonna move them you need to do a lot better than Jbo, like what Jsaq said earlier; Carlson, Subban etc.

I'm open to considering a Jbo trade but Read or Voracek is redonkulous. If you're gonna move them you need to do a lot better than Jbo, like what Jsaq said earlier; Carlson, Subban etc.
- JoeRussomanno

I wish I had Eddie the Eagle's hair. Wowzers.

You're right. Carle's cap hit wasn't 6.8 million. It was 3 plus million at a time where we had a much lower cap sealing, plus both Briere's and Timonen were only in the middle of their contracts with no end in site. The space will come and we only need it for two seasons. Who replaces Timonen we he moves on? Like I said, I am also interested in Down to add to the forwards because if we traded for Bouwmeester, once everyone is healthy, a defenseman may have to go anyway or we could use a dman to trade for another forward around deadline time. I just feel we need another puck mover
- SuperSchennBros

I don't disagree at all that there is a need for another puck mover. I'm just not willing to take on Bouwmeester's Cap hit. He's a good player but he is drastically overpaid.