My opinion is if they get Meszaros back, and have the rest of the blueline playing in the right spots. Along with improved overall team defense. This blueline is better then you think. Not championship quality on paper. But certainly better.
- MJL

This defense will struggle. We been asking for improved overall team defense for two years. Not in Lavi's system to do that. To worried about attacking and hes not going to change that.

Not for Couturier. Yandle is as very good offensive defenseman, who is adequate in his own end. I don't think he's a Pietrangelo/Karlsson level player.
- Jsaquella

I wouldn't even entertain offers on Coots until the year is over and NSH assesses their team and Weber's roll on it. That's a trade I could still very much see happening.

Would you trade Voracek and 2nd rounder for Yandle?
- stveshdy

Yes. Doubt Phoenix would at this point.

Yes. Doubt Phoenix would at this point.
- MJL

How about Schenn and 2nd?

This defense will struggle. We been asking for improved overall team defense for two years. Not in Lavi's system to do that. To worried about attacking and hes not going to change that.
- stveshdy

This team has shown it can play solid team defense in Laviolette's system. His system does not stop a team from being solid defensively.

How about Schenn and 2nd?
- stveshdy

Yes. Doubt Phoenix would at this point.

Just look at the top five picks over the last ten years. They all had potential to be close to, or franchise players. The trick is to forecast whose talent will translate into good NHL players over the long haul.
- 77rams

Even then, there's still misses. Patrik Stefan was the top pick in his draft class. So was Rick DiPietro.

Even guys who became very good NHLers, like MA Fleury or Erik Johnson can be second guessed. I'm sure if the 2003 draft were to be held again, Shea Weber gets picked long before 49th overall, and Toews probably is the top pick or at worst number two behind Weber.

I wouldn't even entertain offers on Coots until the year is over and NSH assesses their team and Weber's roll on it. That's a trade I could still very much see happening.
- hereticpride

By the time Nashville can trade Weber, he will have been paid $26mm. There's no way they trade him after paying him $26mm in one calendar year.

Not for Couturier. Yandle is as very good offensive defenseman, who is adequate in his own end. I don't think he's a Pietrangelo/Karlsson level player.
- Jsaquella

I just have this guy feeling he's the guy teams will want. If the flyers are gonna get anything close to a number one Dman, that's IMO the price they're gonna have to pay. Maybe B Schenn will work but not getting that vibe. It's funny people rip voracek then turn around and come up with a scenario of him being traded for an elite defenseman. I unno I'm bored and this is remotely entertaining.

This team has shown it can play solid team defense in Laviolette's system. His system does not stop a team from being solid defensively.
- MJL

The Flyers lack puck moving defenseman. IMO they will struggle to move the puck up ice. This team gives up too many odd man rushes and even worse they are shorthanded too much. I hope I'm wrong but even with Mez coming back I still think this defense isn't good enough.

Would you trade Voracek and 2nd rounder for Yandle?
- stveshdy

I'd probably say yes. Doubt Phoenix would.

My guess is Phoenix wants 2 roster guys and a pick for him. They seem to feel he's worth the kind for return one would pay for a legitimate elite defenseman.

By the time Nashville can trade Weber, he will have been paid $26mm. There's no way they trade him after paying him $26mm in one calendar year.
- Jsaquella

We'll see. 26 mil for a guy who hasnt put a single point up yet on a small market team. I think they'll listen.

I'd probably say yes. Doubt Phoenix would.

My guess is Phoenix wants 2 roster guys and a pick for him. They seem to feel he's worth the kind for return one would pay for a legitimate elite defenseman.
- Jsaquella

Overpayment is the only way to placate the fickle fan.

They Flyers lack puck moving defenseman. IMO they will struggle to move the puck up ice. This team gives up too many odd man rushes and even worse they are shorthanded too much. I hope I'm wrong but even with Mez coming back I still think this defense isn't good enough.
- stveshdy

Is it giving up odd man rushes due to the defenseman? Good enough to win the Cup, no! But we knew that going in. If this team was 7-2 right now, that would still be the case. So in the big picture, what has changed? Why the panic? This is about the long term future, not now. We knew coming in this team wasn't complete and more moves were needed. That is not a new revelation.

Does adding Keith Yandle to this D core change any of that? Does it make their Defense Cup caliber?

We'll see. 26 mil for a guy who hasnt put a single point up yet on a small market team. I think they'll listen.
- hereticpride

Did they allow for cash to be used in trades again? I remember it being discussed...

I'd probably say yes. Doubt Phoenix would.

My guess is Phoenix wants 2 roster guys and a pick for him. They seem to feel he's worth the kind for return one would pay for a legitimate elite defenseman.
- Jsaquella

If I'm going to overpay I would offer that type of deal to Chicago for Seabrook

I just have this guy feeling he's the guy teams will want. If the flyers are gonna get anything close to a number one Dman, that's IMO the price they're gonna have to pay. Maybe B Schenn will work but not getting that vibe. It's funny people rip voracek then turn around and come up with a scenario of him being traded for an elite defenseman. I unno I'm bored and this is remotely entertaining.
- JoeRussomanno

If I have to trade Couturier, it's not going to be for close to a number one defenseman. It's going to be in a deal where I get a legit number one defenseman. I realize I'd probably have to give more than Couturier for that, but if it's the right guy, fine.

The only guy I would trade for on the Flames would be Giordano.

Who could essentially replace Meszaros in the future.

I love Andrej, but the injuries are really starting to make me question his future on the team. He will have one year left after this season, so the team will need to find a taker.

If I'm going to overpay I would offer that type of deal to Chicago for Seabrook
- stveshdy

I'd very much prefer Seabrook or Keith to Yandle. Doubt the Hawks move either, though, with the way they're playing.

Is it giving up odd man rushes due to the defenseman? Good enough to win the Cup, no! But we knew that going in. If this team was 7-2 right now, that would still be the case. So in the big picture, what has changed? Why the panic? This is about the long term future, not now. We knew coming in this team wasn't complete and more moves were needed. That is not a new revelation.
- MJL

I'm not in panic mode at all. Actually I have said to stay the course for another 10-15 games before considering a move. I just think expectations should be lowered if the current team is in tact bc defensively the blueline isn't good enough IMO.

Did they allow for cash to be used in trades again? I remember it being discussed...
- JoeRussomanno

Yes, teams can trade cap space and money. I forget the exact rules, but IIRC it's half the cap hit at max.

Did they allow for cash to be used in trades again? I remember it being discussed...
- JoeRussomanno

Not cash, but retaining salary in a deal. Wouldn't help in a deal for Weber.

If I'm going to overpay I would offer that type of deal to Chicago for Seabrook
- stveshdy

I like Seabrook, but I dont know if I would trade Cooties for him.

I think Duncan Keith is the real star of that D. At the same time, Chicago has a good thing going on with those two for the next decade if they choose to.

The only guy I would trade for on the Flames would be Giordano.

Who could essentially replace Meszaros in the future.

I love Andrej, but the injuries are really starting to make me question his future on the team. He will have one year left after this season, so the team will need to find a taker.
- flyer_nutter

The one silver lining with Mesz is that his string of injuries has been different things. Back, then leg, then shoulder. He's not getting the same injury over and over.

Is it giving up odd man rushes due to the defenseman? Good enough to win the Cup, no! But we knew that going in. If this team was 7-2 right now, that would still be the case. So in the big picture, what has changed? Why the panic? This is about the long term future, not now. We knew coming in this team wasn't complete and more moves were needed. That is not a new revelation.

Does adding Keith Yandle to this D core change any of that? Does it make their Defense Cup caliber?
- MJL

Not worried about this year, but wasting a good season from Bryz would suck. They do have kimo declining/ leaving, need to find a number one dman or at least I'd like to see them do so.