Age, mobility and the ability to control the offensive attack. Not as good as Weber defensively. Next to Eric Karlsson, OEL is best young Dman in the league. Remember he has nothing up front to play with on the attack. Imagine the result if you had a guy like OEL who could get the puck to Giroux at full speed.
- spatso

Pietranelo I would put 2nd. Oel close 3rd. I love myers in buff too. Think he is wasted there and would be great in Philly system. Subban too

I will predict it until he does.

Available is relative term. Availability is influenced by what an offer might be.

As a starting point, I hope Holmgren is having regular discussions with Phoenix. They have a strong roster of Dmen. Maybe Holmgren can find a formula of players and $000 that would see him consider OEL as his first target.
- spatso

Over paying for a #1 doesn't make it a good move. For ONCE i would like to see this organization remain patient. Build a team through the draft, sign free agents to suppliment the team and let the team grow. I get that sometimes it works (Pens) and sometimes it doesn't (Edmonton still hasn't become a contender) but this team just never seems to stay patient.

I liked both Carter and Richards. I don't like that either was traded, but I do like the returns for each, and I understand why the moves were made. I also understand it from fans of a rival.
- Jsaquella

Do you think Holmgren could have just traded Carter for the pick and Jake? I just think that wouldnt have sat well with Richards and the locker room. I was ok with carter going but didnt want to see Richards go but i like the haul they got back for him.

Over paying for a #1 doesn't make it a good move. For ONCE i would like to see this organization remain patient. Build a team through the draft, sign free agents to suppliment the team and let the team grow. I get that sometimes it works (Pens) and sometimes it doesn't (Edmonton still hasn't become a contender) but this team just never seems to stay patient.
- nastyflyergirl

Trading Couturier for a guy like OEL creates a bigger hole than the one you're filling.
- bradleyc4

one that i could live with if laughton's the real deal. OEL will be a special plyr...already very good.

Do you think Holmgren could have just traded Carter for the pick and Jake? I just think that wouldnt have sat well with Richards and the locker room. I was ok with carter going but didnt want to see Richards go but i like the haul they got back for him.
- Stinkfitz

I take Simmonds, Schenn and Grossmann for Richards 10 days a week.

[quote=SMS4016]

I'm always nervous about players who have a good rookie year and then start to struggle the next couple of years like Myers. His return would have to be considerable and it might not be that he is being wasted in Buffalo, but that his rookie season was an anomaly.

one that i could live with if laughton's the real deal. OEL will be a special plyr...already very good.
- isaiah520

I can't see Laughton putting up offensive numbers in the NHL. Like Bill said yesterday, if a guy doesn't produce in juniors, he rarely produces in the NHL. No offense to Laughton of course. I think he could be a good defensive center.

Over paying for a #1 doesn't make it a good move. For ONCE i would like to see this organization remain patient. Build a team through the draft, sign free agents to suppliment the team and let the team grow. I get that sometimes it works (Pens) and sometimes it doesn't (Edmonton still hasn't become a contender) but this team just never seems to stay patient.
- nastyflyergirl

Instead of having a bonafide #1 why not try to get two solid #3-4 type guys who maybe lean toward the offensive side of the game to compliment the plethera of stay at home defenseman we have.

I'm always nervous about players who have a good rookie year and then start to struggle the next couple of years like Myers. His return would have to be considerable and it might not be that he is being wasted in Buffalo, but that his rookie season was an anomaly.
- NickTheKid87

Myers early career invokes memories of Pronger's early career. Great rookie season followed by disappointment. It is a pretty standard profile.

For OEL, maybe. But that's a lot. But in order to get OEL who I don't think is readily available, you're going to have to overpay.
- MJL

Not to mention opening up other holes on this team. People female dog now about lack of scoring so the Flyers should trade 2 more offensive forwards?

as far as having too many centers.......I'd sooner part pays with Briere in the offseason (and I love Briere) than move a 20 year old Couturier

one that i could live with if laughton's the real deal. OEL will be a special plyr...already very good.
- isaiah520

there's a big trickle down effect up front if you trade Couturier

i'd have to get a guy like Boyd Gordon back to help out defensively down the middle and on the PK

Do you think Holmgren could have just traded Carter for the pick and Jake? I just think that wouldnt have sat well with Richards and the locker room. I was ok with carter going but didnt want to see Richards go but i like the haul they got back for him.
- Stinkfitz

I think had he traded just Carter that Richards would have been fine with it, but that ship has sailed.

I like the team they have. They still have a few missing pieces, but dealing for them now is buying high.

Myers early career invokes memories of Pronger's early career. Great rookie season followed by disappointment. It is a pretty standard profile.
- spatso

How many Pronger's have there been though? There's also Bryan Berard, who had a good career by any standard, but would not be worth what you'd probably need to part with for Myers.

How many Pronger's have there been though? There's also Bryan Berard, who had a good career by any standard, but would not be worth what you'd probably need to part with for Myers.
- NickTheKid87

I think that a bad person to use in a comparison. Guy lost vision in his eye..

Instead of having a bonafide #1 why not try to get two solid #3-4 type guys who maybe lean toward the offensive side of the game to compliment the plethera of stay at home defenseman we have.
- Stinkfitz

That makes as much sense as getting a bona fide #1 guy. In fact, being able to roll three solid pairs that complement the forwards makes more sense to me than landing one guy and doing the all the eggs in one basket approach.

I think that a bad person to use in a comparison. Guy lost vision in his eye..
- jak521

Yeah but he had played 4.5 years before that and still had a couple good years after.

How many Pronger's have there been though? There's also Bryan Berard, who had a good career by any standard, but would not be worth what you'd probably need to part with for Myers.
- NickTheKid87

I like Myers a lot. But he is not in the same class as OEL. If Buffalo would do Couturier or Schenn even up for Myers you might want to think about it. But, we have not seen anything ongoing to demonstrate that Myers has the talent that he flashed in his rookie season.

That makes as much sense as getting a bona fide #1 guy. In fact, being able to roll three solid pairs that complement the forwards makes more sense to me than landing one guy and doing the all the eggs in one basket approach.
- Jsaquella

Its exactly what ive been preaching for a while now. We dont need to go out and get OEL or the like.

Look at the devils. They have any big time names? Those players are not the norm.

I like Myers a lot. But he is not in the same class as OEL. If Buffalo would do Couturier or Schenn even up for Myers you might want to think about it. But, we have not seen anything ongoing to demonstrate that Myers has the talent that he flashed in his rookie season.
- spatso

I wouldn't give up Couturier for Myers. MAYBE Schenn but I'd rather watch the team grow.

For the last time you do NOT need a #1 defenseman to win a cup
For example:
Philly in 74 and 75 did not have a number one.
Edmonton in the 80s did not have a number one. Coffey was a phenomenal offensive talent, but he was NOT a number one. He rarely killed penalties and he was NEVER on the ice late in a game where Edmonton was leading. Kevin Lowe was a great shutdown guy, but didnt have the offense to be a real number one

Pittsburgh had a deep solid D in 91 and 92, but no number one.
Tampa had no one in 2004
Carolina had no one in 2006 and
Pittsburgh had no one in 2009

Finally, the jury is still out on LA's Doughty, so LA may have also won a cup without a number one defenseman.

As I have said before, Timonen, Coburn, Mezaros, Schenn and Grossman are a very solid top 5. Trade 2014's 2nd and a prospect for another solid guy and with Gus and Gervais as your depth, the D will be fine.

I wouldn't give up Couturier for Myers. MAYBE Schenn but I'd rather watch the team grow.
- NickTheKid87

I wouldn't give up either for him. Guy flashed a ton of skill, got paid and now he's a mess. Can he recover and have a solid career? Absolutely. But you don't trade a Schenn or Couturier on a question mark that big.

Good job last year thats for sure you destroyed us, but lets not kid ourselves we are still the best team in PA. After we beat you in the playoffs we went on to win the Cup. You guys went on to get dismantled by the Devils. Until you guys win it all we are the team to beat, you are the team that gets beat.
- nbartley9

These fools on here don't understand this. Yes Philly beat Pitt last year but I think it was more of matter that Pitt had a meltdown. That won't happen again. PiTTs core is still young too but these fools think we can win cup with average bryz no top puck moving dman or top winger. Realistic flyer fans as myself see through the smoke and mirrors. Funny how holmgren was swinging for the fences in free agency. Suter weber parise. But this fools think we can be cup contenders. Not to mention nj bos nyr. Joke. These fools will cry when homer makes the move then love it when it works. Just like when they traded Ritchie and carts.

Bryz .911 2.42. Not even in top 20 point? Bryz is playing great. Bob is playing very well on crappy Columbus. Have you watched him? Just saying. Soo we should show patience with our young guys but throw bob to the wind after touting him to the fan base? Just saying I would have liked to see what bob could have done cause we went young with the team. Think it would have been smart.
- SMS4016

What was smart was bringing in a legitimate #1 Goalie in Bryzgalov.

Over paying for a #1 doesn't make it a good move. For ONCE i would like to see this organization remain patient. Build a team through the draft, sign free agents to suppliment the team and let the team grow. I get that sometimes it works (Pens) and sometimes it doesn't (Edmonton still hasn't become a contender) but this team just never seems to stay patient.
- nastyflyergirl

Yes!