Bingo. In short, drafting defensemen is a long term solution to a problem that's both short and long term. I'd like to see them develop 'that' defenseman, but it won't help us in the right now, and right now I'd like to see a Flyers team that has both Claude Giroux and a #1 defenseman.
- BulliesPhan87

A guy I'd really look into this offseason is Zach Bogosian. He'll be an RFA & has the potential to be a franchise defenseman although he hasn't quite lived up to expectations in Atlanta/Winnipeg (but he's still only 22). If it would be possible for them to trade for his rights, I'd be very much open to it. However, I expect the Jets to re-sign him.

So to start the season his hit is 3,110,000 and if he doesn't hit the bonuses it is reduced? so confusing. seems to me if they bonuses count against the cap, they are over the cap (Including the hurt players Pronger, Walker and Bourdon)
- nastyflyergirl

The Flyers are going be operating well over the Upper Limit, with those players on LTIR. But they can use the LTIR exemption and the bonus cushion for more Cap space if needed. However, that is a double edge sword. Because you could be looking at carry over Cap penalties for next Season. And it also means the team isn't banking any Cap space for use later.

It's cool how Doug Hamilton is already an NHL superstar apparently. I must have missed the season where Couturier made the team and contributed in numerous ways to the success of the team during the regular season and then even upped the ante in the playoffs against top players in the game.

It's cool how Doug Hamilton is already an NHL superstar apparently. I must have missed the season where Couturier made the team and contributed in numerous ways to the success of the team during the regular season and then even upped the ante in the playoffs against top players in the game.
- eayost

Scott Niedermayer 2.0 and hasn't played a game! That's quite a feat!

You hit the nail on the head. The fact the team hasn't won in forever doesn't allow both Flyers Management and the fans to have any patience at all.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, tough to be patient when you're competing year in and year out (except that one year, but we won't go there). I really don't mind the cost of being competitive each year, but I'd like to see the organization make just a bit more of an effort to stock the defensive pipeline.

A guy I'd really look into this offseason is Zach Bogosian. He'll be an RFA & has the potential to be a franchise defenseman although he hasn't quite lived up to expectations in Atlanta/Winnipeg (but he's still only 22). If it would be possible for them to trade for his rights, I'd be very much open to it. However, I expect the Jets to re-sign him.
- NickTheKid87

Bogosian might have been had while the team was still in Atlanta, but the new management team in Winnipeg loves him and his potential.

Scott Niedermayer 2.0 and hasn't played a game! That's quite a feat!
- NickTheKid87

Maybe we should just hand the Bruins the cup and complete his (pre-)NHL success. Throw in a Norris trophy for good measure.

poop, let's give the kid the Vezina while we're at it, I mean why not?

Bogosian might have been had while the team was still in Atlanta, but the new management team in Winnipeg loves him and his potential.
- Jsaquella

I remember reports came out a few years ago that he wanted out of Atlanta. He got his wish!

Subban might end up being a greater possibility than we previosuly imagined by the way things seemed to be going with the Habs. Although, I expect they'll get a deal done today.

It's cool how Doug Hamilton is already an NHL superstar apparently. I must have missed the season where Couturier made the team and contributed in numerous ways to the success of the team during the regular season and then even upped the ante in the playoffs against top players in the game.
- eayost

There's people that wouldn't trade Sean Couturier for Shea Weber and now moan about not drafting Dougie Hamilton.

I like Hamilton and he might turn out to be an absolute steal at number 9. I think he could possibly be the best defenseman out of that 1st round, even better than Larsson. But I'm very happy the Flyers got Couturier.

Maybe we should just hand the Bruins the cup and complete his (pre-)NHL success. Throw in a Norris trophy for good measure.

poop, let's give the kid the Vezina while we're at it, I mean why not?
- BulliesPhan87

Imagine if Toronto had picked him? We'd never hear the end of how he's the second coming of Bobby Orr. Now we'll just have to hear that about Morgan Rielly.

I remember reports came out a few years ago that he wanted out of Atlanta. He got his wish!

Subban might end up being a greater possibility than we previosuly imagined by the way things seemed to be going with the Habs. Although, I expect they'll get a deal done today.
- NickTheKid87

They might. Who knows. There's been so many reports on Subban, Benn & Reilly that who knows how it'll turn out. I'm sure if they make him available, the Flyers will be involved.

There's people that wouldn't trade Sean Couturier for Shea Weber and now moan about not drafting Dougie Hamilton.

I like Hamilton and he might turn out to be an absolute steal at number 9. I think he could possibly be the best defenseman out of that 1st round, even better than Larsson. But I'm very happy the Flyers got Couturier.
- Jsaquella

But we're getting Weber anyway. According to Cloutier they NEED to trade him. Besides, if EDM can give up Hemsky, Klefbom & 2 1sts, we should have no trouble trading Briere, Read & 2 1sts for him.

That's the other issue. Defensemen generally take longer to develop than forwards. Look at how some folks rode JvR or Carter for their "slow" development. Think that they would have patience for a guy like Chara, who had a lot of ups and downs in New York, before being traded to Ottawa?
- Jsaquella

coburn/Atlanta. thankfully they weren't very patient

They might. Who knows. There's been so many reports on Subban, Benn & Reilly that who knows how it'll turn out. I'm sure if they make him available, the Flyers will be involved.
- Jsaquella

The only issue is that MTL would want a king's ransom for him and I would be somewhat put off if the Flyers moved B. Schenn as a centerpiece when they wouldn't do that for Weber (although I believe that is partially due to the fact that they thought the offer sheet was unmatchable). There will also be other teams to compete with in acquiring him.

coburn/Atlanta. thankfully they weren't very patient
- nastyflyergirl

Don Waddell was a poopshow as a NHL GM

The only issue is that MTL would want a king's ransom for him and I would be somewhat put off if the Flyers moved B. Schenn as a centerpiece when they wouldn't do that for Weber (although I believe that is partially due to the fact that they thought the offer sheet was unmatchable). There will also be other teams to compete with in acquiring him.
- NickTheKid87

It's very true, PK Subban will not come cheap, either in trade or contract.

There's people that wouldn't trade Sean Couturier for Shea Weber and now moan about not drafting Dougie Hamilton.

I like Hamilton and he might turn out to be an absolute steal at number 9. I think he could possibly be the best defenseman out of that 1st round, even better than Larsson. But I'm very happy the Flyers got Couturier.
- Jsaquella

I guess it'd be nice to see him play 1 NHL game before coming to the conclusion that the Flyers somehow blew that pick or something. The next best thing (or even better) to a good all around D-man with size is a good all around center who will have size when fully matured.

It's very true, PK Subban will not come cheap, either in trade or contract.
- Jsaquella

There was a report that Montreal balked at Subban wanting 5 years/$24 million. He'd most likely get more on the open market, so I wouldn't be shocked if we see him sign an offer sheet if a deal isn't done today. I think Montreal would match immediately though. It's not like they can't afford to keep him.

I guess it'd be nice to see him play 1 NHL game before coming to the conclusion that the Flyers somehow blew that pick or something. The next best thing (or even better) to a good all around D-man with size is a good all around center who will have size when fully matured.
- eayost

Thank goodness for mono. Otherwise, Couturier is long gone by the time the Flyers pick

There was a report that Montreal balked at Subban wanting 5 years/$24 million. He'd most likely get more on the open market, so I wouldn't be shocked if we see him sign an offer sheet if a deal isn't done today. I think Montreal would match immediately though. It's not like they can't afford to keep him.
- NickTheKid87

They'd probably match it if the rumored asking price from Subban was an offer sheet.

There was a report that Montreal balked at Subban wanting 5 years/$24 million. He'd most likely get more on the open market, so I wouldn't be shocked if we see him sign an offer sheet if a deal isn't done today. I think Montreal would match immediately though. It's not like they can't afford to keep him.
- NickTheKid87

I think the Del Zotto deal is a comparable for Subban. I don't know how likely an Offer Sheet is at this point in time.

If Hamilton turns out to be a stud so be it. Look at the season Couturier has under his belt at 19. The sky is the limit for this kid.

I'm surprised people are upset at the Flyers drafting Couturier over Hamilton. It's not like Hamilton is a lock or even likely to win a Norris Trophy or even be a contender for one. While Couturier has a legit shot at being a Selke winner while putting up 55-60 points while doing so.

If Hamilton turns out to be a stud so be it. Look at the season Couturier has under his belt at 19. The sky is the limit for this kid.

I'm surprised people are upset at the Flyers drafting Couturier over Hamilton. It's not like Hamilton is a lock or even likely to win a Norris Trophy or even be a contender for one. While Couturier has a legit shot at being a Selke winner while putting up 55-60 points while doing so.
- PLindbergh31

A 2 way player like Couturier is an important player. If all goes well, the Flyers are going to have a solid 1-2 punch at Center with Giroux and Couturier for a long time. That is very important to building a potential Cup Winner. Not as important as Goaltending and Defense, but right up there. I see Couturier as somewhere between J Staal and J Toews.

I think the Del Zotto deal is a comparable for Subban. I don't know how likely an Offer Sheet is at this point in time.
- MJL

I don't think it is likely unless this drags into the start of the season. But I think it would be futile unless a team grossly overpays him to the point where Montreal doesn't want to match. Can't see that happening though.

I think Subban could get more than Del Zotto. MDZ has only really had one good year (last year) so his deal was fair. Subban has a better resume plus I think most people view him as a better player in the long run. I wouldn't go a ton over MDZ's $2.55m cap hit but $3m-$3.5m would be fair.

I don't think it is likely unless this drags into the start of the season. But I think it would be futile unless a team grossly overpays him to the point where Montreal doesn't want to match. Can't see that happening though.

I think Subban could get more than Del Zotto. MDZ has only really had one good year (last year) so his deal was fair. Subban has a better resume plus I think most people view him as a better player in the long run. I wouldn't go a ton over MDZ's $2.55m cap hit but $3m-$3.5m would be fair.
- NickTheKid87

I don't know about that. If you look at both players, they're pretty even statistically. Del Zotto has had 2 good years, including his first year in the League. I see them as pretty equal.