Those lines look about right.....I really think this is the year Brayden Schenn shows why the Flyers traded Mike Richards for him......I also have read prior to this blog that you feel Matt Read will be a gonner for cap resrictions after next year (you or Eklund..my apologies if not you).....I see a Patrick Sharp type scenario with this kid....I think he has first line potential....Hopefully Homer finds away to make the #s work.
The D is thin for sure ....and that may be where Homer feels the need to deal a talented forward for more help on the backend....Finally ....saw the logic in Homer kicking the tires on Luongo....If true it is very telling what the Flyers actually think of Bryz....(I too can't get my head around the buyout #s though)...
great read again...thx

The fact the question has to be asked which Bryz do the Flyers get indicates it is a poor signing. When you sign a guy to that type of contract, you better know damn well what you are getting.
I'm keeping an open mind this year with him. I could care less about all the off the ice stuff that the media blows out of proportion, everything else besides him stopping the puck should mean nothing to anyone.
- PLindbergh31

It doesn't at all indicate a poor signing. That is yet to be determined. What determines a good signing is how the player actually plays. Questions asked on an internet forum doesn't determine that. So if Bryzgalvo goes out and plays really well this Season and in the future, what does that say about the questions being asked? It would mean they meant squat! And you're right, stopping the puck is all that matters. So let's see if he does that.

None of the guys out there are great shakes by any means, it's just the fact that you need another experienced body. Just say Meszaros is still 3-4 weeks away, you are going to have Gervais, and Lilja in there every night, with Brandon Manning likely the first call up. That scares the hell out of me.
- PLindbergh31

Foster's lack of speed scares me more than Manning. I agree that they have to look hard at the FAs and perhaps make a trade to provide more options. I'd feel better if Gus was healthy

Campoli SUCKS
- muffin_man

A week before the season you aren't plucking any Norris contenders off the street. These guys aren't employed for a reason right now. But it doesn't mean they can't help a team.

Foster's lack of speed scares me more than Manning. I agree that they have to look hard at the FAs and perhaps make a trade to provide more options. I'd feel better if Gus was healthy
- Jsaquella

Agreed. If MAB and Gustafsson were options right now, I wouldn't be as concerned.

I guess this and the career years are where i had my question marks...

anyway, was just curious
- muffin_man

They did have a couple of career years, too. Hartnell & Simmonds obviously set career highs, but they're in good position to repeat or approach those levels. I doubt Talbot scores 19 again, given his expected role.

A week before the season you aren't plucking any Norris contenders off the street. These guys aren't employed for a reason right now. But it doesn't mean they can't help a team.
- PLindbergh31

having "cheered" for him in his last season ever in the NHL, I can tell you your 7th dman on th ephantoms is a better option

Your line ideas are similar to mine. I wish that Ben Holmstrom hadn't wrecked his knee. He'd be a solid fit at 4th line center, freeing Talbot for wing and allowing the Flyers to ignore the impulse to rush Laughton.

After a few exchanges with CHL/OHL guys, I'm really onboard with the keep Laughton in Oshawa camp.

The overall sense I get from the roster is one of solidity, not "spectacularity". The top 9 is at least solid, more likely pretty strong. Each of the top three lines has at least one guy capable of scoring 20 goals and another capable offensive player.

The top four is also solid. The concern is obviously depth, because that top four is going to be asked to do a lot of heavy lifting, at least until Meszaros is ready to play and even then he's unlikely to be at 100%.

Still the Flyers should have some wiggle room cap wise to add defensive help if need be, and hopefully will get some good news on Erik Gustafsson. I'm not crazy about the defense, but it's not as bad as some paint it.
- Jsaquella

There has to be a 4th line center available for trade. Talbot should be on the 3rd line wing.

They did have a couple of career years, too. Hartnell & Simmonds obviously set career highs, but they're in good position to repeat or approach those levels. I doubt Talbot scores 19 again, given his expected role.
- Jsaquella

Hartnell, Giroux (though he will almost surely have more career years) Simmonds, talbot, the rookies, Jake.

My comparison is Hab fans who think all of Cole-DD-Pacioretty will improve on last year's career years. aint gonna happen.

Your line ideas are similar to mine. I wish that Ben Holmstrom hadn't wrecked his knee. He'd be a solid fit at 4th line center, freeing Talbot for wing and allowing the Flyers to ignore the impulse to rush Laughton.

After a few exchanges with CHL/OHL guys, I'm really onboard with the keep Laughton in Oshawa camp.
Still the Flyers should have some wiggle room cap wise to add defensive help if need be, and hopefully will get some good news on Erik Gustafsson. I'm not crazy about the defense, but it's not as bad as some paint it.
- Jsaquella

It may be a good idea to keep this kid for the rest of the year in Jrs...true...but he has the game now to play in Philly....a tough two way center who will develop his offence as he goes forward....I have seen 6 or so of his games on TV this year and one live up in Barrie where he was easily the best player on the ice...it was a 3 point night for him. Holmgren was at that game.
Its all about how much ice time he would get here....Couturier is young and needs his ice time ....and obviously Briere and Giroux are going to get theres...

Those lines look about right.....I really think this is the year Brayden Schenn shows why the Flyers traded Mike Richards for him......I also have read prior to this blog that you feel Matt Read will be a gonner for cap resrictions after next year (you or Eklund..my apologies if not you).....I see a Patrick Sharp type scenario with this kid....I think he has first line potential....Hopefully Homer finds away to make the #s work.
The D is thin for sure ....and that may be where Homer feels the need to deal a talented forward for more help on the backend....Finally ....saw the logic in Homer kicking the tires on Luongo....If true it is very telling what the Flyers actually think of Bryz....(I too can't get my head around the buyout #s though)...
great read again...thx
- landros 2

I've had the same thoughts. But I w thinking the same thing. I don't know if Read will quite reach the level that Sharpe has. But Read is a very good player that I think the Flyers should try and keep. I'd deal Simmonds before I dealt Read. Not that I don't like Simmonds. But I just see Read as a more valuable player.

There has to be a 4th line center available for trade. Talbot should be on the 3rd line wing.
- bradleyc4

we have 4 available if you want one.

There has to be a 4th line center available for trade. Talbot should be on the 3rd line wing.
- bradleyc4

I agree. Talbot should be on the Wing with Couturier. Fedetenko can Center the 4th line.

we have 4 available if you want one.
- muffin_man

I do want one, ty.

having "cheered" for him in his last season ever in the NHL, I can tell you your 7th dman on th ephantoms is a better option
- muffin_man

I disagree with you. Right now I would prefer Campoli who has 450 games of NHL experience under his belt as 6/7 dman as opposed to a kid like Brandon Manning.

I disagree with you. Right now I would prefer Campoli who has 450 games of NHL experience under his belt as 6/7 dman as opposed to a kid like Brandon Manning.
- PLindbergh31

I think the Flyers should go with what they got right now. If Manning has to play a few games, so be it. Not the end of the World. Gustafsson shouldn't be out that long. Rather then sign a veteran and waste Cap space.

I disagree with you. Right now I would prefer Campoli who has 450 games of NHL experience under his belt as 6/7 dman as opposed to a kid like Brandon Manning.
- PLindbergh31

The difference between playing Campoli in a handful of games vs. playing Manning in a handful of games is not worth a contract slot and lost cap space.

The difference between playing Campoli in a handful of games vs. playing Manning in a handful of games is not worth a contract slot and lost cap space.
- bradleyc4

If they signed Campoli who is to say he would play a "handful" of games? He's a better play than both Lilja and Gervais right now imo.

Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole (all 3 had career years. cant expect that)
Bourque - Plekanec - Gionta (sigh)
Moen - Gomez - Armstrong
Prust - Eller - White

What do you think my take is? Price may just do well enough on his own to ruin a lottery pick but thats it
- muffin_man

I think Pacioretty can duplicate what he did last year. He's young and full of potential. I think last year was more of a precursor than an anomaly for him.

Also, apparently all non-playoff teams have a shot to "win the lottery" now but of course the chances will increase the more a team sucks.

The difference between playing Campoli in a handful of games vs. playing Manning in a handful of games is not worth a contract slot and lost cap space.
- bradleyc4

Exactly. And if Gustafsson comes back, we then have two veteran 7th defenseman sitting, not to mention whatever they do with Walker.

I think Pacioretty can duplicate what he did last year. He's young and full of potential. I think last year was more of a precursor than an anomaly for him.

Also, apparently all non-playoff teams have a shot to "win the lottery" now but of course the chances will increase the more a team sucks.
- NickTheKid87

yup.

Exactly. And if Gustafsson comes back, we then have two veteran 7th defenseman sitting, not to mention whatever they do with Walker.
- MJL

Gustafsson is on crutches right now, he's nowhere close to playing, Walker is a waste of skin.

I disagree with you. Right now I would prefer Campoli who has 450 games of NHL experience under his belt as 6/7 dman as opposed to a kid like Brandon Manning.
- PLindbergh31

See, now that's just silly.

Seriously though, MAB and Campoli on the same team is worse than Kaberle and Yannik Weber

Gustafsson is on crutches right now, he's nowhere close to playing, Walker is a waste of skin.
- PLindbergh31

You don't know how close Gustafsson is to playing. Everytime someone is injured you act like it's career threatening and he may never play again. You missed the point on Walker.

It's probably been said before, maybe even today, but I'd love to see Jason Arnott get a camp invite. He'd be great for the 4th line center role so Talbot can move up. Plus he'd be capable of playing on the third line as well in the event of an injury.