Why is everyone so certain Anaheim lets these players walk? They have quite a bit of cap space themselves.
- JoeRussomanno

Its more of a dream, and there is no need to ruin it for me old man

Realistically I dont see why either one would leave as they have a good thing going in Anaheim.

The second tier department isn't too hot. Led by Semin, Ribeiro, Horton, Clowe, Pierre Marc Bouchard, Filpulla and our old friend Gagne as probably the most realistic guys.

RFa's include Chris Stewart and Paajarvi.

I'd try to keep Getzlaff over Perry. Getzlaff is a big dominant center. Perry's an outstanding winger, but Getzlaff makes guys around him better.
- Jsaquella

I agree. All things being equal, choose the Center over the Winger.

Look at the defense without Timmo. They have a lot of size but need a bit more top end skill.

Grossmann and Luke Schenn are pretty similar players. Physical, so so skaters, not a ton of offense. Definitely two I'd like to keep.

Coburn is a big guy, not as physical, can go back and retrieve pucks well, solid skater, but not really an offensive kind of guy who can quarterback a PP, very inaccurate shot.

Mez (when healthy) is a decent skater, pretty good shot, kind of a hybrid. Better offense then Coburn but not really a top 1-2 offensive defenseman.

They need one or two (when Kimmo is finished) defenseman who can transition the puck from D to attack and can lead a PP.

They may need to explore moving one of these four defenseman for a puck mover type.

May have to add to the package for a really good puck moving type of defenseman.

Look at the defense without Timmo. They have a lot of size but need a bit more top end skill.

Grossman and Luke Schenn are pretty similar players. Physical, so so skaters, not a ton of offense. Definitely two I'd like to keep.

Coburn is a big guy, not as physical, can go back and retrieve pucks well, solid skater, but not really an offensive kind of guy who can quarterback a PP, very inaccurate shot.

Mez (when healthy) is a decent skater, pretty good shot, kind of a hybrid. Better offense then Coburn but not really a top 1-2 offensive defenseman.

They need one or two (when Kimmo is finished) defenseman who can transition the puck from D to attack and can lead a PP.

They may need to explore moving one of these four defenseman for a puck mover type.

May have to add to the package for a really good puck moving type of defenseman.
- Marc D

With the FA market led by Streit, Visnovksy and Hainsey they will more than likely have to go the trade route if they want someone long term.

I'd try to keep Getzlaff over Perry. Getzlaff is a big dominant center. Perry's an outstanding winger, but Getzlaff makes guys around him better.
- Jsaquella

I been reading articles online and trying to follow what the word is and most say that Anaheim would choose Perry over Getzlaf. Now things could change but Perry is a dominate player also. I like Getzlaf also but if the Flyers were going to get one it would be Perry b/c we could use another stud winger.

With the FA market led by Streit, Visnovksy and Hainsey they will more than likely have to go the trade route if they want someone long term.
- flyer_nutter

That is what I was thinking, trading for someone for now and the next 4-5 years.

After Kimmo they have a big hole on the blue line as far as providing offense.

I guess if Mez comes back healthy he helps a bit in that regard. His health is a question mark though.

Its more of a dream, and there is no need to ruin it for me old man

Realistically I dont see why either one would leave as they have a good thing going in Anaheim.

The second tier department isn't too hot. Led by Semin, Ribeiro, Horton, Clowe, Pierre Marc Bouchard, Filpulla and our old friend Gagne as probably the most realistic guys.

RFa's include Chris Stewart and Paajarvi.
- flyer_nutter

Ill have you know I've been 21 years old for well over a decade, sir. In a few more years my wife will be a bona fide cougar.

That is what I was thinking, trading for someone for now and the next 4-5 years.

After Kimmo they have a big hole on the blue line as far as providing offense.

I guess if Mez comes back healthy he helps a bit in that regard. His health is a question mark though.
- Marc D

I am a little more in favour of drafting one of Morrissey, Pulock or Nurse and going with a short term stop-gap like Streit.

Dont see too many teams dealing away quality d-men without the Flyers having to truly overpay. If the Flyers trade pieces of that young forward core it better be for a damn good d-man, and not some second tier guy.

I am a little more in favour of drafting one of Morrissey, Pulock or Nurse and going with a short term stop-gap like Streit.

Dont see too many teams dealing away quality d-men without the Flyers having to truly overpay. If the Flyers trade pieces of that young forward core it better be for a damn good d-man, and not some second tier guy.
- flyer_nutter

I'd be fine with Streit as a stop gap, but you know the Flyers will give him either too many years or too much money for his age.

I'd be fine with Streit as a stop gap, but you know the Flyers will give him either too many years or too much money for his age.
- Marc D

Or you see an offer-sheet for OEL.

Which I dont think is too far out of the picture.

Or you see an offer-sheet for OEL.

Which I dont think is too far out of the picture.
- flyer_nutter

The last successful offer sheet where the player signed and the team did not match?
Dustin Penner in 2007.

Phoenix would match the Flyers offer for OEL.

Great, Rinaldo, jr
- Jsaquella

a rinaldo that scores like crazy?

i'll take it

I've been really impressed with Rinaldo. Clearly he isn't one of the teams best players, but he might be one of the best at knowing his role and playing it well. I think he is a key player and piece on this team.

This year he has done a much better job at not taking stupid penalties and getting others to.
- LJF

Yeah, there are difficult decisions on the horizon. Do you think the team is ready to be turned over to Giroux and Cooter etc for the leadership?
- Hextall271

Think that process is already underway -- Giroux, Hartnell, Coburn are already wearing letters, and the Schenn bros will probably emerge as team leaders as well.

With the cap limit decreasing sharply, Briere's leadership (and clutch scoring) are a luxury the team can't afford.

Think that process is already underway -- Giroux, Hartnell, Coburn are already wearing letters, and the Schenn bros will probably emerge as team leaders as well.

With the cap limit decreasing sharply, Briere's leadership (and clutch scoring) are a luxury the team can't afford.
- Tomahawk

Wonder where he would sign...

Crosby's wing?

I think it's far more fun to talk about potential player moves, traded, free agent signings, etc. But in my opinion the biggest area where the team needs to get better is internally. Right now, regardless of what you want to blame it on, they need to get better in how they play on the ice. Other then when they have the fore check going, and with the individual offensive talent they have, they can score goals. But they need to get much better in how they play in a lot of areas. It's not that they don't have good players. They just don't play the right way in a lot of ways. That in itself would make them a better team then adding other players.

I think it's far more fun to talk about potential player moves, traded, free agent signings, etc. But in my opinion the biggest area where the team needs to get better is internally. Right now, regardless of what you want to blame it on, they need to get better in how they play on the ice. Other then when they have the fore check going, and with the individual offensive talent they have, they can score goals. But they need to get much better in how they play in a lot of areas. It's not that they don't have good players. They just don't play the right way in a lot of ways. That in itself would make them a better team then adding other players.
- MJL

i agree to some extent. they give up their own blue line way too easily. they could improve in this area as a group, but a smart addition to the bottom-six forwards and another dman with wheels would certainly help.

I think it's far more fun to talk about potential player moves, traded, free agent signings, etc. But in my opinion the biggest area where the team needs to get better is internally. Right now, regardless of what you want to blame it on, they need to get better in how they play on the ice. Other then when they have the fore check going, and with the individual offensive talent they have, they can score goals. But they need to get much better in how they play in a lot of areas. It's not that they don't have good players. They just don't play the right way in a lot of ways. That in itself would make them a better team then adding other players.
- MJL

More than anything I'd like to see the forwards back-check consistently.

Whether that takes Snider spanking every guy who doesn't so be it.

The last successful offer sheet where the player signed and the team did not match?
Dustin Penner in 2007.

Phoenix would match the Flyers offer for OEL.
- Marc D

I'm not crazy about offer sheeting guys, but this is Phoenix we're talking about. If there were a team not in a position to match it would be them.

That said, OEL is still a great year or two away for me to just fork over a bunch of 1st rounders.

a rinaldo that scores like crazy?

i'll take it
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Scoring like crazy in the OHL isn't scoring like crazy in the NHL, though

Think that process is already underway -- Giroux, Hartnell, Coburn are already wearing letters, and the Schenn bros will probably emerge as team leaders as well.

With the cap limit decreasing sharply, Briere's leadership (and clutch scoring) are a luxury the team can't afford.
- Tomahawk

Given Briere's family situation I wonder if he were to be bought out if he'd be willing to sign a 1 yr deal somewhere and then return to Philly on the cheap for a few more years. That one year would suck for him but in the long run it's win-win.

Panaccio just tweeted that Al Morganti says if the Flyers become "sellers", Boston would be willing to take on Danny Briere.

If he'd be willing to waive his NMC, I think I might try to move him now anyhow, sellers or not.

Scoring like crazy in the OHL isn't scoring like crazy in the NHL, though
- Jsaquella

obvi it's no guarantee but i don't exactly think leading the OHL in scoring is a bad thing...

Yeah, I'm starting to feel a good 4th liner who can win draws is getting to be a vital need.

I was kicking around stuff on capgeek, and would love to see them look long and hard at Steckel from the LEafs, who is a UFA this summer.
- Jsaquella

how about eric belanger?