Maybe, but I think we need another D man to contend. Right now we have what for Dmen. Coby Timo Mesz Gervais Schenn Grossman Lilja/Gus? I think we need 1 more solid guy in that mix. I was kinda thinking Colaiacuovo before he was signed by Det but he is injury prone.
- Hextall271

I was thinking Weber before Nashville matched :/

I agree it'd be nice to get another solid D man. Going to cost money though, and the cap is shrinking.

You literally think he can't be good for three more years due to age?
- BulliesPhan87

Wouldn't be the first hockey player whose production declined as he aged, would he?

Wouldn't be the first hockey player whose production declined as he aged, would he?
- OrangeBlack27

It is not atypical for aging to take its toll on a player. But I don't think that's the same as saying he can't be good at age 35, that he doesn't have even three seasons (or even two) left in the tank.

Bettman and Hobbes.

http://withleather.uproxx...s-why-the-internet-exists

It is not atypical for aging to take its toll on a player. But I don't think that's the same as saying he can't be good at age 35, that he doesn't have even three seasons (or even two) left in the tank.
- BulliesPhan87

With what we saw from him last season, there's reason to be skeptical that he can be a league average goaltender this season, IMO. Hopefully it was just a weird year and he regresses back to what he was the previous few years in Phoenix. Either way, I'd prefer to start the new era of next CBA without an albatross of a contract, which is how I view Bryz's. I honestly believe you can get similar value for a much cheaper price elsewhere over the next couple seasons until maybe/hopefully one of the goaltending prospects is ready.

With what we saw from him last season, there's reason to be skeptical that he can be a league average goaltender this season, IMO. Hopefully it was just a weird year and he regresses back to what he was the previous few years in Phoenix. Either way, I'd prefer to start the new era of next CBA without an albatross of a contract, which is how I view Bryz's. I honestly believe you can get similar value for a much cheaper price elsewhere over the next couple seasons until maybe/hopefully one of the goaltending prospects is ready.
- OrangeBlack27

I agree with most of this except I find it a hilarious concept that you're hoping he "regresses." How many times will you hear someone hope a player regresses?

I, though, have no hope for any of the goalies in our system developing. I'll keep Stolarz out of the mix because I haven't seen him play but the one game.

I agree with most of this except I find it a hilarious concept that you're hoping he "regresses." How many times will you hear someone hope a player regresses?

I, though, have no hope for any of the goalies in our system developing. I'll keep Stolarz out of the mix because I haven't seen him play but the one game.
- mayorofangrytown

I think he meant returns to form...

Bettman and Hobbes.

http://withleather.uproxx...s-why-the-internet-exists
- tangent_man

Sweet...!

I think he meant returns to form...
- jak521

I know, I just thought it was funny how it was worded. Knew exactly what he had in mind.

I agree with most of this except I find it a hilarious concept that you're hoping he "regresses." How many times will you hear someone hope a player regresses?

I, though, have no hope for any of the goalies in our system developing. I'll keep Stolarz out of the mix because I haven't seen him play but the one game.
- mayorofangrytown

regression to the mean, which in this case would be progress from last year!

With what we saw from him last season, there's reason to be skeptical that he can be a league average goaltender this season, IMO. Hopefully it was just a weird year and he regresses back to what he was the previous few years in Phoenix. Either way, I'd prefer to start the new era of next CBA without an albatross of a contract, which is how I view Bryz's. I honestly believe you can get similar value for a much cheaper price elsewhere over the next couple seasons until maybe/hopefully one of the goaltending prospects is ready.
- OrangeBlack27

Well, I won't argue that his contract isn't a burden. In fact, I might even go so far as to say those knee-jerk reacting to the suggestion of amnestying him are understating the commitment his contract represents, especially given the loss of cap space we're headed towards. On the other hand, I think you're overselling the effect age will have on him in the immediate and intermediate future. I also think his performance last season, on the whole, isn't indicative of less-than-average starter potential.

So as far as cap and contract implications go, and even value per salary cap dollar, I think you may end up being right. But I'm not seeing much in the ways of alternatives in net, and given the question marks on the blueline a downgrade in net could really spell disaster for this team.

regression to the mean, which in this case would be progress from last year!
- OrangeBlack27

Yeah. man, I'm with you. Not trying to make fun of you but it made me chuckle.

Yeah. man, I'm with you. Not trying to make fun of you but it made me chuckle.


- mayorofangrytown

Been so long since hockey that when I try to piece together our blue line in my mind, I consistently forget about Luke Schenn and Nick Grossmann.

Well, I won't argue that his contract isn't a burden. In fact, I might even go so far as to say those knee-jerk reacting to the suggestion of amnestying him are understating the commitment his contract represents, especially given the loss of cap space we're headed towards. On the other hand, I think you're overselling the effect age will have on him in the immediate and intermediate future. I also think his performance last season, on the whole, isn't indicative of less-than-average starter potential.

So as far as cap and contract implications go, and even value per salary cap dollar, I think you may end up being right. But I'm not seeing much in the ways of alternatives in net, and given the question marks on the blueline a downgrade in net could really spell disaster for this team.
- BulliesPhan87

Although everyone's happy with Couturier and not to deflate his value but everyone on here is going to be wishing they took Dougie Hamilton this time next season. With the depth we have up front and the chance for a top ten pick it would have been wise for once to spend that pick on a need. I'm sure they thought they had some time with Pronger on the roster but when you're loaded front line talent after those trades getting solid young defense couldn't have hurt.

Been so long since hockey that when I try to piece together our blue line in my mind, I consistently forget about Luke Schenn and Nick Grossmann.
- OrangeBlack27

They both better be tremendous the next few years. We're going to need it.

Anyone else here Gostisbhere (?) compared to Duncan Keith? I heard/read that somewhere and can't remember.

Although everyone's happy with Couturier and not to deflate his value but everyone on here is going to be wishing they took Dougie Hamilton this time next season. With the depth we have up front and the chance for a top ten pick it would have been wise for once to spend that pick on a need. I'm sure they thought they had some time with Pronger on the roster but when you're loaded with young depth up front after those trades getting solid young defense couldn't have hurt.
- mayorofangrytown

Won't regret it when Hamilton progresses slowly and the Bruins trade him for TJ Galiardi in 2015.

They both better be tremendous the next few years. We're going to need it.

Anyone else here Gostisbhere (?) compared to Duncan Keith? I heard/read that somewhere and can't remember.
- mayorofangrytown

Even if L Schenn and Grossmann are tremendous, I'm still concerned about how the hell we'll get the puck out of our end.

I had not heard the Duncan Keith comparison and I wish I had not read it right now.

Won't regret it when Hamilton progresses slowly and the Bruins trade him for TJ Galiardi in 2015.
- OrangeBlack27

I seriously doubt that. Not that they won't trade him for Galiardi but that his progression will be slow...

sources?

Although everyone's happy with Couturier and not to deflate his value but everyone on here is going to be wishing they took Dougie Hamilton this time next season. With the depth we have up front and the chance for a top ten pick it would have been wise for once to spend that pick on a need. I'm sure they thought they had some time with Pronger on the roster but when you're loaded with young depth up front after those trades getting solid young defense couldn't have hurt.
- mayorofangrytown

I don't know much about Hamilton, is he NHL ready? The Flyers need NHL caliber help on the back end in an immediate way, so I really wasn't surprised or upset they didn't look for it at the draft. Of course, I really wish the organization were better (significantly better) at developing defensemen, but that's another story.

Even if L Schenn and Grossmann are tremendous, I'm still concerned about how the hell we'll get the puck out of our end.

I had not heard the Duncan Keith comparison and I wish I had not read it right now.
- OrangeBlack27

Did I say Duncan Keith? I meant Toby Keith, boy can jam yo!

Even if L Schenn and Grossmann are tremendous, I'm still concerned about how the hell we'll get the puck out of our end.
- OrangeBlack27

Yeah, I'm having visions of getting pinned in our end like we did against the Devils.

Did I say Duncan Keith? I meant Toby Keith, boy can jam yo!
- mayorofangrytown

Honestly, this is worse for me.

Anyone else here Gostisbhere (?) compared to Duncan Keith? I heard/read that somewhere and can't remember.
- mayorofangrytown

I haven't watched him much, but from what I saw in his WJC games, his upside seems somewhere between Gustafsson and Timonen. Smooth skater, offensively gifted, and a cannon. But he's not that big; in the Russian game, he had Yakupov stopped dead in the slot, but Yak still got a shot off by powering it through him. While he can work on building strength, I don't think he'll have Keith's physical strength. I think he projects as best a strong #3 and PP point man.

I don't know much about Hamilton, is he NHL ready? The Flyers need NHL caliber help on the back end in an immediate way, so I really wasn't surprised or upset they didn't look for it at the draft. Of course, I really wish the organization were better (significantly better) at developing defensemen, but that's another story.
- BulliesPhan87

He would be playing for the Bruins this season I'm sure. He was a year away at the draft and everyone knew it. I thought he was a better pick than Adam Larsson and he played as a rookie. NJ needed immediate help there though and the Bruins had time to let Hamilton go back for a year.