Sure its Leight but Flyers recall wellwood
- nastyflyergirl

I wonder if he will play instead of Knuble. Probably just another healthy body to have around.

Sure its Leight but Flyers recall wellwood
- nastyflyergirl

finally

I get the idea of there being a log jam, but I honestly think that Schenn will be a winger.. G-Couts-Laughton down the middle... Couts to me will eventually bring similar offense to Schenn, with Schenn getting just a bit more. But it isnt even close in regards to their all around play.

Laughton, while a decent defensive center himself.. will NEVER have the size, skill, or defensive mind that Couts has.

The only way I move Couts in a deal... is if Im blown away and its a 1-1 deal
- jak521

Based on my own speculation, I see Schenn being a 65-75 point guy in his prime while Couts will be a 55-65 type of player. Couts' defensive play makes up for his lesser offense obviously.

If Schenn can be as effective on the wing as he is at center than I would prefer to keep Couturier as well, but if Schenn stays more effective at center than I would definitely consider moving Couts. Obviously not for a guy like Sbisa (no offense to Luca) but for a more talented player like OEL, Pietrangelo ( ), or maybe Bogosian or Shattenkirk. All these players would be part of a larger deal also (not a 1 for 1).

Humongous beeg offer sheetgate part II?
- JoeRussomanno

A lot of RFAs out there. If we gave OEL $6 million a year for 7 years, there's no way Phoenix would match, right?

1-1-1 isn't good enough, imho.

I figure they need 54 points to get into the playoffs. That's an average of 1.12 points per game.

They've played 23 games and have 23 points. That's an average of 1.00 points per game.

With 25 games to go they need 31 points. That's an average of 1.24 points per game.

Going 1-1-1 is below that pace (putting them further in the hole) and doesn't seem like a good momentum builder.
- Scoob

Correct, the Flyers need to make headway. These teams aren't world beaters at all. I'm not happy with anything less than 4 pts.

I just read Dustin Leed's piece from the weekend. Incredibly thought provoking and it sort of changed my mind in a way. Before, I didn't want to move Couturier at all but with Schenn putting up offensive numbers and Laughton having looked solid as a shutdown guy, maybe dealing Couts for a top young dman isn't so bad after all.

Here's the article if you haven't read it and would like to: http://thehockeyguys.net/...-at-the-forward-position/
- NickTheKid87

Good article. The only thing I take issue with is the discussion on Briere's trade value and the return. A big part of it is the future Cap flexibility gained. Not so much the actual return in the trade.

That Kaleta play was a little careless but honestly Richards needs to protect himself better.

Going forward I feel strongly that the Flyers will simply be a better team without Briere. He's been great for the young kids, but they are growing up fast and no longer need their hand held. So regardless of where the Flyers are at at the deadline, if they can move him for some value (2nd and solid prospect) I would hope they pull the trigger.

Regarding Couts, I'm not ready to move him. He is 20 YOA. His growth won't be hurt one bit by playing defensive minded hockey. He is getting a ton of minutes and is getting better every day. Injuries will happen and he will see plenty of top 6 time in the next couple of years. His value should only increase. I realize we need a young top 4 dman. I'm ok with going the UFA way this summer and/or maybe trading a Laughton/draft pick package to get a Rundblad type.
- Just5

My first preference would be to take on a reclamation project like Rundblad. I think that would be the cheapest route.

As for Briere, who knows what we could get for him? I've heard some writers/bloggers/journos toss around anything from an NHL player to a mid-round pick/prospect package. I guess it depends on how desperate teams are.

He could have played the body, but you know... its Matt Carle.
- jak521

He was going for that. But Malkin made a great move. A sharp last second turn while shooting all in the same motion, using the D man as a screen. A world class move by a world class player. Not much Carle could do there. The turnover is the cause of the goal.

Good article. The only thing I take issue with is the discussion on Briere's trade value and the return. A big part of it is the future Cap flexibility gained. Not so much the actual return in the trade.
- MJL

I wouldn't be surprised to see Briere dealt for a 3rd and maybe a mid-level, Tye McGinn type prospect. I doubt he fetches the team a player like Ian Cole, unless the Blues get REALLY desperate.

I just read Dustin Leed's piece from the weekend. Incredibly thought provoking and it sort of changed my mind in a way. Before, I didn't want to move Couturier at all but with Schenn putting up offensive numbers and Laughton having looked solid as a shutdown guy, maybe dealing Couts for a top young dman isn't so bad after all.

Here's the article if you haven't read it and would like to: http://thehockeyguys.net/...-at-the-forward-position/
- NickTheKid87

It's a nice article but full of assumptions. One is the Briere would be reluctant to accept a trade, which is based on a factually incorrect tweet by Frank Sev, and that he wouldn't return anything of value. I didn't know Dustin Leed was on conference calls with GMs. The other big assumption is that any of the defensemen that he mentioned would be available for a package around Couturier ("none of these names are a stretch with Couturier involved"). OEL and Piertangelo are going nowhere. Same with Shattenkirk. So your left with 2nd tier guys who would not necessary be an upgrade on what the Flyers have if they are available at all. The last assumption which I have seen many flyers fans make is that Laughton can step right in and perform as good as Couturier in a shutdown role. Look at the numbers of Crosby and Ovechkin against the Flyers with the last shutdown center the Flyers had, Mike Richards. Crosby was close to 2 points a game and Ovechkin was close to a goal a game. Couturier has been way better than Richards as a 19-20 year old yet a guy who has played 5 NHL games to date can come in and fill the role without a significant downgrade.

That Kaleta play was a little careless but honestly Richards needs to protect himself better.
- Pixote Andolini

I don't know, Doesn't seem like Richards should have to be expecting a hit like that.

I expect a Big game tonight for the Jedi master cosmonaut!
- Hextall271

hopefully its this

and not this

As for Briere, who knows what we could get for him? I've heard some writers/bloggers/journos toss around anything from an NHL player to a mid-round pick/prospect package. I guess it depends on how desperate teams are.
- NickTheKid87

I was watching the Carnival on and off, and saw an interview with him. In it, he basically said, "There's no way I'm leaving Philadelphia." His kids have roots here, he likes the area, just likes the entire lifestyle he has going on right now. So I doubt he waives his NTC, unless the Flyers straight up tell him they'll use an amnesty clause on him.

Also, if you're a playoff bound team, that is exactly the right reason to KEEP him. Now, if the TDL approaches and the Flyers are in 11th/12th place, then maybe you talk to him about a trade and try to get some value back for him instead of using an amnesty on him. I'm a big Briere fan, but if they're not going to the play-offs, it may be better to get a return for him.

A lot of RFAs out there. If we gave OEL $6 million a year for 7 years, there's no way Phoenix would match, right?
- NickTheKid87

I sure as hell hope not. Hopefully Emperor er I mean Mr Snider can force choke er I mean coax Bettman into a trade of reasonable worth.

A lot of RFAs out there. If we gave OEL $6 million a year for 7 years, there's no way Phoenix would match, right?
- NickTheKid87

We've been down the "no way they'll match" road before. Did you see how quick Colorado matched the O'Reilly OS? 6M for 7 years is cheap for a player of OEL's potential.

I was watching the Carnival on and off, and saw an interview with him. In it, he basically said, "There's no way I'm leaving Philadelphia." His kids have roots here, he likes the area, just likes the entire lifestyle he has going on right now. So I doubt he waives his NTC, unless the Flyers straight up tell him they'll use an amnesty clause on him.

Also, if you're a playoff bound team, that is exactly the right reason to KEEP him. Now, if the TDL approaches and the Flyers are in 11th/12th place, then maybe you talk to him about a trade and try to get some value back for him instead of using an amnesty on him. I'm a big Briere fan, but if they're not going to the play-offs, it may be better to get a return for him.
- jmatchett

Did you read the part about Briere being on the ice for many more goals against in the playoffs over the last 2 years? I realize you are a big Briere fan but these are just facts.

I think Couts is going to be a top talent in the league. You better get one hell of a d-man in return...

Right now, among Flyers forwards in avg. ice time... he is second only to Giroux.
- jak521

Agreed. I think he will see more PP and offensive time soon. He is still very young. Let him build a strong defensive game, I'm absolutely fine with where he is right now with the understanding that he'll get more opportunity later.

It's a nice article but full of assumptions. One is the Briere would be reluctant to accept a trade, which is based on a factually incorrect tweet by Frank Sev, and that he wouldn't return anything of value. I didn't know Dustin Leed was on conference calls with GMs. The other big assumption is that any of the defensemen that he mentioned would be available for a package around Couturier ("none of these names are a stretch with Couturier involved"). OEL and Piertangelo are going nowhere. Same with Shattenkirk. So your left with 2nd tier guys who would not necessary be an upgrade on what the Flyers have if they are available at all. The last assumption which I have seen many flyers fans make is that Laughton can step right in and perform as good as Couturier in a shutdown role. Look at the numbers of Crosby and Ovechkin against the Flyers with the last shutdown center the Flyers had, Mike Richards. Crosby was close to 2 points a game and Ovechkin was close to a goal a game. Couturier has been way better than Richards as a 19-20 year old yet a guy who has played 5 NHL games to date can come in and fill the role without a significant downgrade.
- psuhockey

I think it's fair to say that all the dman he listed could be had in a package in Couturier. Obviously, you'd have to pay more for some (i.e. Pietrangelo, who I agree is going nowhere unless the Blues are blown away).

But you also have to take into account team needs. The Coyotes have a plethora of young, talented dman (Yandle, OEL, Rundblad, Gormley, etc) making one of them expendable. What they don't have is a good forward prospect or at least not one of Couturier's potential. I could easily seeing a "hockey trade" between these teams happening.

Carter with the natural hatty last night
- PLindbergh31

I hate him... truly.

We've been down the "no way they'll match" road before. Did you see how quick Colorado matched the O'Reilly OS? 6M for 7 years is cheap for a player of OEL's potential.
- MJL

Had Colorado not matched, where do you think O'Reilly would have ended up when he went through waivers? I'm guessing Columbus might have scooped him up in a second.

I was watching the Carnival on and off, and saw an interview with him. In it, he basically said, "There's no way I'm leaving Philadelphia." His kids have roots here, he likes the area, just likes the entire lifestyle he has going on right now. So I doubt he waives his NTC, unless the Flyers straight up tell him they'll use an amnesty clause on him.

Also, if you're a playoff bound team, that is exactly the right reason to KEEP him. Now, if the TDL approaches and the Flyers are in 11th/12th place, then maybe you talk to him about a trade and try to get some value back for him instead of using an amnesty on him. I'm a big Briere fan, but if they're not going to the play-offs, it may be better to get a return for him.
- jmatchett

I saw the interview (I believe it was with Morganti or Clement) and while he did say he loved being in Philly and wanted to stay, he never said anything like "there's no way I'm leaving". He was asked about the rumors and said he was used to them now.

Had Colorado not matched, where do you think O'Reilly would have ended up when he went through waivers? I'm guessing Columbus might have scooped him up in a second.
- jmatchett

Who was first?

We've been down the "no way they'll match" road before. Did you see how quick Colorado matched the O'Reilly OS? 6M for 7 years is cheap for a player of OEL's potential.
- MJL

I know, that's why I added "right?" at the end. Sort of an allusion to the whole Weber ordeal.

Did you read the part about Briere being on the ice for many more goals against in the playoffs over the last 2 years? I realize you are a big Briere fan but these are just facts.
- Just5

No, I'm just stating my views on Briere, I haven't looked at his stats. I know his best days are behind him, but he was probably our top forward the year we went to the SCF in 2010, and that was the only SCF I was able to attend. So yes, part of it is having the blinders on and remembering that season as well as the 2008 playoffs. Still, I think the only way he agrees to waive is if they come out and tell him they'll amnesty him.