I think you are exactly right in how Garrioch does it. I think he just checks out teams to see who they might be talking to. All the speculation is based on a telephone profiling of a GMs outgoing calls.
- spatso

He's always had a rumors section. Makes for fun debate and discussion. I don't have issue with guys like Eklund at all, you just have to take it with a grain of salt.

I really really hope they sit tight.
- ob18

80 year old owner, long Cup drought, passionate fan base, pressure cooker City... Odds are slim to none.

80 year old owner, long Cup drought, passionate fan base, pressure cooker City... Odds are slim to none.
- PLindbergh31

I'm going with it's a short season and any panic move in this time is just going to be lost assets current & future.

I'm going with it's a short season and any panic move in this time is just going to be lost assets current & future.
- ob18

I agree with your premise. I don't think the owner or GM will.

I agree with your premise. I don't think the owner or the GM will.
- PLindbergh31

And that's the frustrating part

http://www.ottawasun.com/2013/02/02/philadelphia-flyers-gm-paul-homgren-looking-for-help-for-struggling-team

Is Holmgren in panic mode? Are there some desperation deals coming?
- spatso

Reading the Ottawa Sun daily up here, Bruce is usually spot on about the Sens. For all other teams, he and the other Sun Sports writers like to stir the pot, fan the flames (no pun intended) to his Sens fans readers. Just like Don Cherry tweeted the other day that Philly's goaltending woes continue, and is to blame for the 2-6 start. Cleary hasn't been watching Flyers games this season...

Bruce is good friends with Timmy, so like one poster already said, they likely just drummed up Iginla to Philly for an easy story and hits. I wouldn't doubt that Homer would be interested, and maybe even had a talk with Feaster about things, but nothing serious at this time.

I'm not opposed to adding Iginla, but I'd wait to see if he goes UFA this summer. I also would wait and see if Perry goes UFA as well, make a big run at him AND try to shore up our defense going into next season.

80 year old owner, long Cup drought, passionate fan base, pressure cooker City... Odds are slim to none.
- PLindbergh31

The Flyers need to be better defensively first IMO. The scoring will come that part doesn't concern me as much. Defensively this team can be a mess and struggle to get the puck out of its own end.

And that's the frustrating part
- ob18

With Simmonds and Hartnell gone indefinitely, there is a glaring need for a big winger who can score some goals. That isn't debatable, but the cost would be pretty high.

I'm starting to think Voracek might just be a run of the mill player. If he doesn't pan out to something above average that trade doesn't look as great.

The Flyers need to be better defensively first IMO. The scoring will come that part doesn't concern me as much. Defensively this team can be a mess and struggle to get the puck out of its own end.
- stveshdy

Defensively they are a mess. Schenn has regressed the last two games. Hasn't played well.

I really really hope they sit tight.
- ob18

I think they will. The Laughton/Iginla rumor mskes zero sense just from a salary cap standpoint...

With Simmonds and Hartnell gone indefinitely, there is a glaring need for a big winger who can score some goals. That isn't debatable, but the cost would be pretty high.

I'm starting to think Voracek might just be a run of the mill player. If he doesn't pan out to something above average that trade doesn't look as great.
- PLindbergh31

Exactly the cost is way too high and may not even help at all. Stick and stay and hope things turn around, if not focus on this incredibly deep draft class.

With Simmonds and Hartnell gone indefinitely, there is a glaring need for a big winger who can score some goals. That isn't debatable, but the cost would be pretty high.

I'm starting to think Voracek might just be a run of the mill player. If he doesn't pan out to something above average that trade doesn't look as great.
- PLindbergh31

Hartnell will be back in a month. And I don't expect Simmonds to be out that long. But you never know with concussions. I would stay the course, and only make a move if it makes sense for the long term.

He's always had a rumors section. Makes for fun debate and discussion. I don't have issue with guys like Eklund at all, you just have to take it with a grain of salt.
- Jsaquella

When Al Morganti used to be on NHL2Nite during its ESPN2 run, he did a lot of trade rumor stuff, too, with a similar batting average on the ones that actually came to fruition. A lot of it is guesswork and tea-leaf reading.

It should also be said that there is a lot of misdirection put out there by teams and especially by player agents about this or that team being interested in their clients.

Defensively they are a mess. Schenn has regressed the last two games. Hasn't played well.
- PLindbergh31

Schenn rebounded with a strong 3rd period last night. That's what you look for when a young player has a period of subpar play. How he responds to it.

Defensively they are a mess. Schenn has regressed the last two games. Hasn't played well.
- PLindbergh31

It's time to call up Gustafsson. They need a puck mover right now and not having Mez is hurting them.

Exactly the cost is way too high and may not even help at all. Stick and stay and hope things turn around, if not focus on this incredibly deep draft class.
- ob18

I have read it is a very deep draft, so a top 10 pick would be a nice building block. I don't see them trading their first round pick. The second round pick is as good as gone, and I have a feeling B. Schenn could be traded. He got less ice time last night than any forward not named Sestito, or Rinaldo.

With Simmonds and Hartnell gone indefinitely, there is a glaring need for a big winger who can score some goals. That isn't debatable, but the cost would be pretty high.

I'm starting to think Voracek might just be a run of the mill player. If he doesn't pan out to something above average that trade doesn't look as great.
- PLindbergh31

even w/o voracek they still got couturier and cousins for carter, not too shabby

It's time to call up Gustafsson. They need a puck mover right now and not having Mez is hurting them.
- stveshdy

Foster at least adds some offense. He's not very good defensively, and his mobility isn't good. I would give Gustafsson a look.

I have read it is a very deep draft, so a top 10 pick would be a nice building block. I don't see them trading their first round pick. The second round pick is as good as gone, and I have a feeling B. Schenn could be traded. He got less ice time last night than any forward not named Sestito, or Rinaldo.
- PLindbergh31

They don't even need a top 10 pick but I'd really hope they hang on to at least their picks in the 1st 3 rounds.

Schenn rebounded with a strong 3rd period last night. That's what you look for when a young player has a period of subpar play. How he responds to it.
- MJL

Two egregious turnovers that lead directly to goals the last two nights. He did play better in the third period last night. Overall he's been good. Ups and downs aren't unexpected.

I have read it is a very deep draft, so a top 10 pick would be a nice building block. I don't see them trading their first round pick. The second round pick is as good as gone, and I have a feeling B. Schenn could be traded. He got less ice time last night than any forward not named Sestito, or Rinaldo.
- PLindbergh31

I'm also guessing here but it seems they aren't sure what role to put B. Schenn in and that's leading to his inconsistent play.

even w/o voracek they still got couturier and cousins for carter, not too shabby
- Don'tForgetTocchet

What is the skinny on Cousins legal issues? Are those behind him?

I have read it is a very deep draft, so a top 10 pick would be a nice building block. I don't see them trading their first round pick. The second round pick is as good as gone, and I have a feeling B. Schenn could be traded. He got less ice time last night than any forward not named Sestito, or Rinaldo.
- PLindbergh31

Regarding Brayden Schenn last night, he got hobbled by a shot he blocked. Took it full brunt in, I think, his hip (padded area but still hurt like hell I'm sure by the way he went off the ice). Also don't forget that the Flyers had to kill four penalties in the third period, which meant that was nearly eight minutes he was out of the rotation.

He only got 16 seconds of PP time yesterday, as the first unit bagged 3 PPGs. So add the general lack of need for the 2nd PP unit to Schenn not killing penalties and missing one five-on-five shift while being tended to on the bench, and you get a night with ice time under 10 mins.

Two egregious turnovers that lead directly to goals the last two nights. He did play better in the third period last night. Overall he's been good. Ups and downs aren't unexpected.
- PLindbergh31

The second biggest issue for the Flyers besides defense is staying out of the box. Taking too many penalties.

What is the skinny on Cousins legal issues? Are those behind him?
- PLindbergh31

Not yet. The court hearing has been postponed a couple times.