Just imagine if they hadn't traded JVR for Luke Schenn. They likely would have made another move, but no guarantee you're getting someone close to Schenn's pedigree/potential.
- bradleyc4

Seriously. I thought they should have gotten slightly more for JVR but imagine had they had to make that move after Carle walked, they didn't get Weber and the injuries to Meszaros, Gus and MAB happened.

It's not really a good point. It's unfair.

You won't find anyone more against the Bryz contract than me, but to base the outcome of the signing on one season is short-sighted and wrong.
- bradleyc4

I disagree, when you are talking about that kind of money you should know exactly what you are getting game in and game out. Either way, should be a big year for him. Almost impossible not to buy him out with that type of cap hit for ~7 more years this summer.

Excellent point. With that said, I hope he just needed a season to adjust. Again, when you use hope, probably not great.
- fnmjoe13

It's not that Bryzgalov was terrible last year, he wasn't. I'm just looking for more consistency is all. If he can cut back on some of the soft goals it will go a long way.

There's a handful of open spots. Syvret could end up in the mix, considering his small cap hit and being signed for two more years

Also, let's not forget they might be in on-ugh-Kurtis Foster

http://www.delcotimes.com...0ef9bc073b41302670243.txt
- Jsaquella

I'd be up for them to call in anyone for a look see. can't hurt. but as far as signing anyone, I'll cringe if they sign what is left for anything over 900K (the magic burying number)

It's not really a good point. It's unfair.

You won't find anyone more against the Bryz contract than me, but to base the outcome of the signing on one season is short-sighted and wrong.
- bradleyc4

Amen. Let's see how he fares this year. If he is terrible, we can buy him out for sure.

Seriously. I thought they should have gotten slightly more for JVR but imagine had they had to make that move after Carle walked, they didn't get Weber and the injuries to Meszaros, Gus and MAB happened.
- nastyflyergirl

It seems like both the Leafs & Flyers both had the same amount of leverage. On one hand TOR needed a forward & PHI needed a dman. But on the other hand, TOR had a log jam on the blueline & PHI had a log jam in the top 6 so both teams more or less needed to get rid of a guy. Both guys are brimming with potential too so I don't know how much more either team could have gotten.

It's not that Bryzgalov was terrible last year, he wasn't. I'm just looking for more consistency is all. If he can cut back on some of the soft goals it will go a long way.
- PLindbergh31

I feel the soft goals were just a byproduct of everything that went on last year - from the team shutting him up in front of the media, to 24/7, to the change in systems and even the move itself from the southwest to the northeast. I don't think we'll see them like we did last year but we will find out soon enough.

I'd be up for them to call in anyone for a look see. can't hurt. but as far as signing anyone, I'll cringe if they sign what is left for anything over 900K (the magic burying number)
- nastyflyergirl

The problem with Foster is, to be blunt, he looked like a Pylon with a heavy slap shot last year. He was never fast to begin with, but now he looks like Jody Shelley.

Perhaps he had some other issues last year that impeded him further, but there's better options that actually fit the needs of the team better. One thing the Flyers are not short on is big, lumbering defensemen

The problem with Foster is, to be blunt, he looked like a Pylon with a heavy slap shot last year. He was never fast to begin with, but now he looks like Jody Shelley.

Perhaps he had some other issues last year that impeded him further, but there's better options that actually fit the needs of the team better. One thing the Flyers are not short on is big, lumbering defensemen
- Jsaquella

Bill tweeted this 10 minutes ago on Foster to add some perspective:

‏@billmeltzer:

Foster still has that cannon shot. Effort is there but lack of mobility exposed. Last yr, he was Derian Hatcher-on two-worn-out-knees slow.

It seems like both the Leafs & Flyers both had the same amount of leverage. On one hand TOR needed a forward & PHI needed a dman. But on the other hand, TOR had a log jam on the blueline & PHI had a log jam in the top 6 so both teams more or less needed to get rid of a guy. Both guys are brimming with potential too so I don't know how much more either team could have gotten.
- NickTheKid87

I am really excited to see how L Schenn develops here. The Leafs put far too much pressure on him and prob asked him to do things that weren't his strengths. If he can become a steady Defensive D man that can move the puck well out of his zone and make the smart and timely big hit, I am happy with the pickup.

You know what I always think about with JVR (even though I liked him) was that we should have had Pat Kane. Such a difference between 1 and 2 in that draft.

It seems like both the Leafs & Flyers both had the same amount of leverage. On one hand TOR needed a forward & PHI needed a dman. But on the other hand, TOR had a log jam on the blueline & PHI had a log jam in the top 6 so both teams more or less needed to get rid of a guy. Both guys are brimming with potential too so I don't know how much more either team could have gotten.
- NickTheKid87

Point being minus Schenn now and the state of the defense as far as injuries, Homer wouldn't be dealing from a position of strength

Looking at the farm I truly hope the Flyers hold onto their top picks and re-grow the farm. its going to be vital

Amen. Let's see how he fares this year. If he is terrible, we can buy him out for sure.
- Hextall271

I'm willing to give him this year. I'm expecting he will be more consistent. I think he might have got shocked with how the media blows everything up, he knows what to expect now and is more acclimated to his surroundings.

Bill tweeted this 10 minutes ago on Foster to add some perspective:

‏@billmeltzer:

Foster still has that cannon shot. Effort is there but lack of mobility exposed. Last yr, he was Derian Hatcher-on two-worn-out-knees slow.
- NickTheKid87

I ally myself with Bill.

If the Flyers didn't have so many bigger, slower guys on the back end, I'd be a lot more open. I just don't see Foster as being an improvement. If he comes in, I will root for him.

Point being minus Schenn now and the state of the defense as far as injuries, Homer wouldn't be dealing from a position of strength

Looking at the farm I truly hope the Flyers hold onto their top picks and re-grow the farm. its going to be vital
- nastyflyergirl

You would hope so. Ed Snider just turned 80, the guy desperately wants to win a Cup. I hope he shows some patience.

I am really excited to see how L Schenn develops here. The Leafs put far too much pressure on him and prob asked him to do things that weren't his strengths. If he can become a steady Defensive D man that can move the puck well out of his zone and make the smart and timely big hit, I am happy with the pickup.

You know what I always think about with JVR (even though I liked him) was that we should have had Pat Kane. Such a difference between 1 and 2 in that draft.
- Hextall271

One glaring difference: JVR doesn't ask for change.

Plus Kane is like an even wilder version of Carter and Richards in his spare time (His mom even lived with him in Switzerland during the lockout) which wouldn't have boded well with the management.

On Schenn, I hope a fresh start will serve him well although the pressures of Philly aren't exactly a reprieve from the pressures of Toronto. At least here he is not the "failing prospect" and has less expectations as such.

Point being minus Schenn now and the state of the defense as far as injuries, Homer wouldn't be dealing from a position of strength

Looking at the farm I truly hope the Flyers hold onto their top picks and re-grow the farm. its going to be vital
- nastyflyergirl

Agreed. The JVR for Schenn deal looks a lot better than it did 6 months ago.

One glaring difference: JVR doesn't ask for change.

Plus Kane is like an even wilder version of Carter and Richards in his spare time (His mom even lived with him in Switzerland during the lockout) which wouldn't have boded well with the management.

On Schenn, I hope a fresh start will serve him well although the pressures of Philly aren't exactly a reprieve from the pressures of Toronto. At least here he is not the "failing prospect" and has less expectations as such.
- NickTheKid87

Schenn will love that the media will be focused on calling for Bryz to be bought out after every goal he lets in or rebound he doesn't control correctly LOL

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Projected Line Combinations; Phantoms and Titans
- bmeltzer

there's work to be done, but i like this group. i think bryz will be what we need this year. players have a way of playing their best when their backs are against the wall.

it hasn't sunken in yet that there is actually going to be a season. it's still a dream.

Point being minus Schenn now and the state of the defense as far as injuries, Homer wouldn't be dealing from a position of strength

Looking at the farm I truly hope the Flyers hold onto their top picks and re-grow the farm. its going to be vital
- nastyflyergirl

The next couple of drafts appear to be fairly deep. I defer to OB18 on that, but he's of the opinion that right now of not trading picks.

Agreed. The JVR for Schenn deal looks a lot better than it did 6 months ago.
- NickTheKid87

JVR came off an injury ravaged season last year. Between two concussions, a broken foot and didn't he also have an abdominal tear as well? I can't keep track of all the injuries.

I think his value was probably at an all time low when he was traded.

Schenn will love that the media will be focused on calling for Bryz to be bought out after every goal he lets in or rebound he doesn't control correctly LOL
- Hextall271

Definitely less of a spotlight on Schenn's game. Plus he's a big hitter which the fans will love. I try not to read into that whole "playing with your brother will make you better" idea. I'm haven't seen enough examples to see if there is any correlation.

JVR came off an injury ravaged season last year. Between two concussions, a broken foot and didn't he also have an abdominal tear as well? I can't keep track of all the injuries.

I think his value was probably at an all time low when he was traded.
- PLindbergh31

That may be true but at the end of the day, he was expendable. Also a good thing to get his contract off the books before Giroux, B. Schenn & Couts' contracts run out.

The next couple of drafts appear to be fairly deep. I defer to OB18 on that, but he's of the opinion that right now of not trading picks.
- Jsaquella

I really want them to hold onto the picks. at least the first few rounds. If our farm was strong I could see moving one or two but seeing them ranked 30 out of 30 by the hockey news and hockey prospects really doesn't instill much hope.

I have not seen the OHL at all and Laughton just once and nothing of Cousins this year. All I can see are stats so I have no idea how either of them have looked, so my question is, why Laughton and not Cousins as far as a look see at camp?

Definitely less of a spotlight on Schenn's game. Plus he's a big hitter which the fans will love. I try not to read into that whole "playing with your brother will make you better" idea. I'm haven't seen enough examples to see if there is any correlation.
- NickTheKid87

If nothing else, it should help Luke's transition. Looking at Rich Sutter's career numbers, he seemed to put up better stats when Ron was a teammate than when they were apart

I really want them to hold onto the picks. at least the first few roungs. If our farm was strong I could see moving one or two but seeing them ranked 30 out of 30 by the hockey news and hockey prospects really doesn't instill much hope.

I have not seen the OHL at all and Laughton just once and nothing of Cousins this year. All I can see are stats so I have no idea how either of them have looked, so my question is, why Laughton and not Cousins as far as a look see at camp?
- nastyflyergirl

I think they feel Laughton is more ready for the role he'd be asked to assume. A lot of folks think Cousins projects as a winger at the NHL level.