Grossman belongs nowhere near the top pairing. Theyre going to have to break up that duo.

Mezzy Schenn
Kimmo Coburn
Grossman Gus/Bourdon/Please God Seth Jones
- hereticpride

Grossmann (pre first knee injury) did just fine on the Dallas top pairing with Stephane Robidas in 2010-11. They were quite effective together; unfortunately, then Grossmann had a pair of MCL injuries within a few months of each other.

Last year, though, he did fine here as half the main shutdown pairing with Coburn playing against all the opposition top lines -- and same again this season in the two games against the Rangers.

Not saying he's ideal for a top pairing but he'll pretty much do a decent job most nights (everyone has their bad nights) regardless of where he's placed. Grossmann is one player I don't worry about. He is the same reliable defensive D night after night regardless of partner or pairing number.

That said, I prefer him in his current role as the "second defensive D" beneath Luke Schenn. There have been a couple games this year where Schenn has been a force defensively and, coupled with Grossmann on a different pairing, the one area where the Flyers are actually well set for years to come is in terms of big defensive D who can block shots and take the body.

One player makes the Flyers defense look a whole lot better. Easier said then done obviously. But I look at over time, how Holmgren has shown that he can acquire quality defenseman. I say give the guy a chance. He's earned that.
- MJL

ill say this- Murray oversaw a potential disaster in OTT and he did a 180. it is nowhere near as bad here, but there are obvious fundamental flaws homer needs to correct. personally, I'm ready to move on, but I can't argue w/ letting him sire a change of course.

Is Luke Schenn getting better?Looks like everytime I see highlights of him he coughs up the puck, leaving the goalie in a bad spot. He still has some growth to do but has upside.

You must love hyperbole more than life itself.
- BulliesPhan87

Is Luke Schenn getting better?Looks like everytime I see highlights of him he coughs up the puck, leaving the goalie in a bad spot. He still has some growth to do but has upside.
- Orpik44

He's made some mistakes, but he's played well for the most part.

I don't see Timonen as hitting a home run. And even solid 3/4 defensemen are expensive now. Look at Dennis Wideman. As a 4th guy he's fine. Now he's making $5.25mm

- Jsaquella[img][/img]

I'm hoping with the new salary landscape, we won't see as many ridiculous contracts doled out (sure).

The home run reference was the Weber, Suter-esq offer sheets. Signing Timmo isn't what I'd consider a home run - more like hitting the ball to the right side to move the runner into scoring position

Is Luke Schenn getting better?Looks like everytime I see highlights of him he coughs up the puck, leaving the goalie in a bad spot. He still has some growth to do but has upside.
- Orpik44

He's good for a bad turnover here and there, but he's been pretty good for us thus far otherwise.

EDIT: Leight

Is Luke Schenn getting better?Looks like everytime I see highlights of him he coughs up the puck, leaving the goalie in a bad spot. He still has some growth to do but has upside.
- Orpik44

Overall, Luke Schenn has been very solid. I'm very excited for his future here.

Tortorella is the biggest jerk in the NHL.
- PLindbergh31

By far. He is a good coach except when he starts to undermine his own team by overcoaching and starts doing the bully boss routine to excess. But in terms of getting his team ready to play and having a definite identity in mind (and if you don't buy into that identity, you're not playing for him) he's very good.

My gut feeling on Tortorella is that he's actually lucky this year is a shortened season.

He's either a non-Cup season in 2013 or a full regular season away from reaching the "tuned out" stage among his players. Just like Mike Keenan in his heyday, Tortorella is very effective until his shelf life runs out and he burns the candle at both ends in terms of his own shelf life.

He's made some mistakes, but he's played well for the most part.
- PLindbergh31

He'll be a staple in Philly just like Coburn.

Is Luke Schenn getting better?Looks like everytime I see highlights of him he coughs up the puck, leaving the goalie in a bad spot. He still has some growth to do but has upside.
- Orpik44

brayden looking better luke is fine for his age

Depending on how long Timonen is out, I am gravely concerned about the blueline group (and calling up Gustafsson doesn't alleviate that much, if at all).

Tonight's projected starting D would be fine for the DEL; in the NHL, it looks like something the Flyers might have had to had to use in the early 1990s. Just swap the names Yves Racine, Corey Foster and Ric Nattress for Bruno Gervais, Kurtis Foster and Andreas Lilja.
- bmeltzer

Still don't want to make a move via trade.

Is Luke Schenn getting better?Looks like everytime I see highlights of him he coughs up the puck, leaving the goalie in a bad spot. He still has some growth to do but has upside.
- Orpik44

He's had maybe two outright bad games. Some bad moments amidst generally solid play in the majority of games, and two downright monster games (game in Florida, second game against Canes) where he was the best defenseman on the ice for either team.

Overall, Luke Schenn has been very solid. I'm very excited for his future here.
- MJL

His brother is already showing what scouts saw in him. Tenacity and now is scoring. Could turn out to be a 60-70 point guy easily.

They were counting on Meszaros for a lot this year. Unfortunately, he suffers the off season Achillies injury. And then gets hurt again. Look at the numbers he has. Even without being put in a top spot on the PP, and in offensive situations, he produced good offensive support from the back end. He's shown the ability to move up on the play and provide offense. He's been a 20+ minute a night defenseman, who won the Barry Ashbee Award as the team's top defenseman. That is a big piece out of the lineup. He has the ability. Just needs to get and stay healthy.
- MJL

After the amount and type of injuries he has had, I'm not willing to bet on Mezaros' health IF I can get an upgrade to fill his spot.

By far. He is a good coach except when he starts to undermine his own team by overcoaching and starts doing the bully boss routine to excess. But in terms of getting his team ready to play and having a definite identity in mind (and if you don't buy into that identity, you're not playing for him) he's very good.

My gut feeling on Tortorella is that he's actually lucky this year is a shortened season.

He's either a non-Cup season in 2013 or a full regular season away from reaching the "tuned out" stage among his players. Just like Mike Keenan in his heyday, Tortorella is very effective until his shelf life runs out and he burns the candle at both ends in terms of his own shelf life.
- bmeltzer

Absolutely. Coaching with the players fearing you isn't the best way to go about it imo. The way he deals with the media is an embarrassment, squirting water on fans is something only a clown would do.

His brother is already showing what scouts saw in him. Tenacity and now is scoring. Could turn out to be a 60-70 point guy easily.
- Orpik44

brayden started off the season brutal but now he's settled down

He'll be a staple in Philly just like Coburn.
- Orpik44

I think there is a good chance he could be better than Coburn. If JVR turns out to be a 30+ goal scoring power forward, Holmgren better hope Schenn turns out to be better than Coburn.

His brother is already showing what scouts saw in him. Tenacity and now is scoring. Could turn out to be a 60-70 point guy easily.
- Orpik44

He seems to have finally figured out what his purpose is. It's nice to see him starting to round out into the player everyone believed he had the potential to be.

I think there is a good chance he could be better than Coburn. If JVR turns out to be a 30+ goal scoring power forward, Holmgren better hope Schenn turns out to be better than Coburn.
- PLindbergh31

and if jvr turns out to be a bust homer looks like a genius whats your point

After the amount and type of injuries he has had, I'm not willing to bet on Mezaros' health IF I can get an upgrade to fill his spot.
- BiggE

Understandable and I would agree for the most part. But if the Flyers can get him and Hartnell back, it's a big boost to the lineup.

I think there is a good chance he could be better than Coburn. If JVR turns out to be a 30+ goal scoring power forward, Holmgren better hope Schenn turns out to be better than Coburn.
- PLindbergh31

True. It's always nice to see a family reunion but the price was steep. JVR is doing well in Toronto.

Discussed this with my pressbox buddy Anthony Mingioni (who was first to bring up the name). Yannick Weber has been in Therrien's doghouse in Montreal all year. I could see him being moved for a modest return.

Considering the Flyers' needs, I'd be fine with the team trading a third-round or later draft pick for him.

Yes, I know there would instantly be a zillion "Flyers couldn't get Shea Weber, so they got Yannick Weber" jokes. The latter is undersized and not very good defensively, but he's at least an upgrade on Bruno Gervais offensively.

Still don't want to make a move via trade.
- ob18

I'll always listen to offers.

Discussed this with my pressbox buddy Anthony Mingioni (who was first to bring up the name). Yannick Weber has been in Therrien's doghouse in Montreal all year. I could see him being moved for a modest return.

Considering the Flyers' needs, I'd be fine with the team trading a third-round or later draft pick for him.

Yes, I know there would instantly be a zillion "Flyers couldn't get Shea Weber, so they got Yannick Weber" jokes. The latter is undersized and not very good defensively, but he's at least an upgrade on Bruno Gervais offensively.
- bmeltzer

the poor man's weber i love it Bill