It's more about defense depth, cohesion and getting a good mix of stay at home guys and puck movers than it is about having a "true" #1/big name player.
- NickTheKid87

The one concern that trumps injury concerns is the mix. But if Gustafsson is healthy, he certainly would help.

He got hobbled early in last night's game, but returned.

I thought he would be at one point. I think we all did. Another disappointment.
- NickTheKid87

He was always a big question mark here -- mostly because that's what his skating pattern was in the offensive zone: Skate down wing, circle behind the net, come out the other side and either turn the puck over or shoot wide.

I know what you mean.. I have the best kind of cup you can buy and I got a close range slapper in the junk the other day.. dear God I felt sick for like 5 mins.
- Hextall271

what kind do you use?

It's more about defense depth, cohesion and getting a good mix of stay at home guys and puck movers than it is about having a "true" #1/big name player.
- NickTheKid87

I think the perfect example is Mtl right now.. They are the "surprise" team so far this season... and they really shouldnt be. They have no true stars on offense, but plenty of 30-60 point guys..

They have a great combo of d-men.

Markov, Subban, Emelin, Gorges, Diaz, Kaberle.. Puck movers, a few defensive d-men, a few two guys... That defense, with Price, and the the gritty forwards will make for a pretty damn good team. Having Markov obviously is a huge boost, but its the combo that really makes them who they are.

Alexei Emelin might be my favorite non-flyer right now. That dude hits everything. EVERYTHING.


EDIT: I guess NJ would be an even better suggestion because of their absolute lack of a top end d-man.

what kind do you use?
- hammarby31

The one concern that trumps injury concerns is the mix. But if Gustafsson is healthy, he certainly would help.

He got hobbled early in last night's game, but returned.
- Jsaquella

Thats my biggest concern.. and also why I dont mind the return of Kimmo

Anyone ever get up to the Prudential Center for Flyers - Devils games? Thinking of heading up next Friday and wanted to know if anyone had been to the Prudential Center and what they thought of it as a Flyers fan.
- johndewar

i was there a few years ago - when the flyers started 0-3-3, and beat the devils badly for their first win of the season (08-09?). it's a nice arena, good sight lines, etc. Easy to get to via public transportation, but there's plenty of nearby parking if you drive. Other than the horrible devils fans and insanely loud music (especially during the pre-game skate), it's a good place to watch a game.

I think the perfect example is Mtl right now.. They are the "surprise" team so far this season... and they really shouldnt be. They have no true stars on offense, but plenty of 30-60 point guys..

They have a great combo of d-men.

Markov, Subban, Emelin, Gorges, Diaz, Kaberle.. Puck movers, a few defensive d-men, a few two guys... That defense, with Price, and the the gritty forwards will make for a pretty damn good team. Having Markov obviously is a huge boost, but its the combo that really makes them who they are.

Alexei Emelin might be my favorite non-flyer right now. That dude hits everything. EVERYTHING.
- jak521

EVERYTHING?

EVERYTHING?
- hammarby31

He even hits his grandmother. Kinda rude, but at least he is consistent

what are the prices compared to flyers?
- Flyers4Life88

Cheapest are around $40 and we were about 20 odd rows off the ice behind the Devils main net and they were about $70-$75 I want to say

The year before last he was voted as the Flyers best d-man. Yes, last year was a tough one for him, but this isnt a chronic issue. Back injury, fixed, played well until the achilles injury, fixed, looks fantastic, tears his deltoid.

If he had played a full 82 game season his stats expanded would have looked like this:
9 goals 24 assists 33 points.. coming off of back surgery.

Also 5 of his 7 full seasons he has been an absoloute iron man.. missing two games.
- jak521

This is all history. In my opinion his health and play could go either way. Maybe I am alone on this but I'm not not interested in what he could have done if not for the injury, I am more interested in what's happened. I hope for the best for Meszaros but even before his injuries started a year ago, he struggled next to Lilja. He had real mojo with O'Donnell. I guess we will have to wait and see. I hope the injury doesn't take it's roll on his slapshot

EVERYTHING?
- hammarby31

EVERYTHING!

Timmo @ 6 is too much.

I have money on Flyers prepare for a Panthers win.

No, still am not happy about the price anyway you slice it. Timonen has money, he doesn't have a cup. You hear about players willing to take a pay cut prior to the salary cap to get more help on the I've all the time. This situatom should be no different.
- SuperSchennBros

Timmo @ 6 is too much.
- Philly1980

Its virtually the same as this year.

Its virtually the same as this year.
- jak521

It's actually less against the salary cap than this year

Its virtually the same as this year.
- jak521

I would be ok if it didnt have a NMC.

I like the cap hit. As others have said, I'd rather have Kimmo at $6M than anyone else in the FA market at $5M+. When you look at what Carle got last year, there is no reason to think that FA's like Hainsey or others won't get at least that much if not more. Timonen is better than any of them by quite a bit. So we essentially got the best FA defensemen on the market for what, in retrospect, will probably be a comparatively reasonable cap hit. I like the move, and I like the fact that it was done now and Kimmo's pending free agency will not be a distraction this season.

As for those of you that seem to be upset because he didn't sign here for less than market just to "give himself a good chance to win the Cup", or because he already has enough money, please take a picture of the unicorns and rainbows in your fantasy world and post them here. I'm sure we'd all love to see them.

- BringBack25

He was always a big question mark here -- mostly because that's what his skating pattern was in the offensive zone: Skate down wing, circle behind the net, come out the other side and either turn the puck over or shoot wide.
- Flyskippy

haven't backread enough to know for sure of whom you speak... but ima guess pitkanen by this description... we called that his Round The World move.

This is all history. In my opinion his health and play could go either way. Maybe I am alone on this but I'm not not interested in what he could have done if not for the injury, I am more interested in what's happened. I hope for the best for Meszaros but even before his injuries started a year ago, he struggled next to Lilja. He had real mojo with O'Donnell. I guess we will have to wait and see. I hope the injury doesn't take it's roll on his slapshot
- SuperSchennBros

I dont remember him struggling at all to be honest.

When healthy, he is easily our second best all around D-man. Kimmo then Meszy.

I dont think shoulder injury will have any lasting effect.

I would be ok if it didnt have a NMC.
- Philly1980

Why would he sign a contract with out one?

If Kimmo doesn't require some other surgery this offseason I think he'll come out of the gate much better next year than this year. I've got no problem with this deal

I dont remember him struggling at all to be honest.

When healthy, he is easily our second best all around D-man. Kimmo then Meszy.

I dont think shoulder injury will have any lasting effect.
- jak521

he was great with grossmann, his offensive game seemed to be blossoming

coburn and gross becoming a successful pair in the playoffs killed that though

I dont remember him struggling at all to be honest.

When healthy, he is easily our second best all around D-man. Kimmo then Meszy.

I dont think shoulder injury will have any lasting effect.
- jak521

here's hoping