bill,

if they flyers were to go after stephane robidas in the offseason, what do you think it would take to acquire him?

Bill
On your assessment of last nights game...you are pretty much right on. Bryz played what Bill Clement called a "relaxed" game for the first time in a while. He made the difficult look routine by simply being in position and when he had too his reflexes didn't let him down. The difference that Luke Schenn makes in the lineup is pretty amazing. The rest of the blue line really did yeoman work.

The 3rd period was still worrisome as was the seeming lack of impact Giroux had as compared to Voracek. It may just be that Giroux was playing the "high" spot with more of an eye on defense...but he just didn't seem to have his killer instincts last night. His shoot out goal was sweet.

Now, as for the Bill's assessment of the blue line to date. It is actually fairer than they may deserve. Personally I think Bill has been kinder to Grossmann at times than others but that is also more to do with familiarity with his game. There is no denying that Mez has had 3 major injuries in less than 12 months and that is a concern. There is no denying that he is best suited playing in the third pair and as a swing man on PP. Coburn has been maybe worse than Bill states depending on how you rate his game.

The biggest thing that everyone should be aware of is that after next season the already thready puck moving skills of the blueline will take a huge hit. The team has to address it. The more that is recognized and discussed intelligently (like by Bill) the better.

In all actuality, I'm thinking Briere has an undisclosed injury. The guy has just been flat in every facet in his game. There's no way he could have regressed that badly in less than one season.

I could see the Flyers trading Briere as a rental, the team he goes to buying him out in the offseason and then resigning in Philly for a MUCH lower cap hit
- Pyzik

That's probably what Briere would want, I can't see the acquiring team trading for then buying Danny out. I also can't see us offering him a contract, no matter what the price, if he gets traded then bought out. We don't need him as a centre, and he stinks as a winger.

I could see the Flyers trading Briere as a rental, the team he goes to buying him out in the offseason and then resigning in Philly for a MUCH lower cap hit
- Pyzik

once he's gone , i don't see danny returning.

bill,

if they flyers were to go after stephane robidas in the offseason, what do you think it would take to acquire him?
- FlyerMike18

I believe Bill said the Stars would open up Daley trade talks by asking for Read, so I'm not sure what they'd want for Robidas. I'm not sure I would even do Read for either Daley or Robidas.

once he's gone , i don't see danny returning.
- isaiah520

I think it's going to be very difficult to trade Briere. Not impossible, but difficult.

I believe Bill said the Stars would open up Daley trade talks by asking for Read, so I'm not sure what they'd want for Robidas. I'm not sure I would even do Read for either Daley or Robidas.
- Rocktane

i'd agree. no interest if that's the type of return they are seeking

In Ottawa Mez played split times between Phillips and Volchenkov, depending on the time and situation, he was either a 2nd or 3rd pairing defenseman up there as well. He was never a 1st pair and when he was like Bill pointed out in Tampa it was atrocious. The only thing you need to look at is the play of the individual not what the teams churns out. In Ottawa there was only 1 first pairing guy, Redden, he was usually paired with Volchenkov, but he saw many different guys with him as well. (Post Chara)
- Pyzik

Mesz is a 5th defenseman, no higher. At a 4mil cap hit, he needs to be a top 4. A huge reason he was very solid a few years back was being insulated on the 3rd pairing playing with O'Donnell. IMO not re-signing O'Donnell for another year, and going for the human pylon Lilja, was a huge mistake.

That included a lengthy 5-on-3 kill in the first period and a pair of crucial kills in the third period and overtime after Scott Hartnell and Brayden Schenn took extremely undisciplined penalties in the offensive zone.

That call on Rinaldo was f'n horrible, especially given that Carter apparently didn't get a phone call from Toronto regarding his blatant kneeing. F'n absurd.

It was great when Grossmann tripped up Carter on the false faceoff... Carter didn't really have much to say, and Grossmann barely looked at him.

edit: woops...I misread the above...need more coffee...

Mesz is a 5th defenseman, no higher. At a 4mil cap hit, he needs to be a top 4. A huge reason he was very solid a few years back was being insulated on the 3rd pairing playing with O'Donnell. IMO not re-signing O'Donnell for another year, and going for the human pylon Lilja, was a huge mistake.
- Rocktane

If he's healthy, Meszaros is a top 4 NHL defensman in my opinion.

I think it's going to be very difficult to trade Briere. Not impossible, but difficult.
- MJL

It comes down to what sort of return the Flyers are looking for, or if the cap space is return enough.

You figure the only teams likely to even consider adding Briere are playoff contenders wanting his post-season scoring touch, and those are obviously teams that are almost certainly not going to give up any roster players before heading into the playoffs, it just doesn't make sense. So we're talking prospects and draft picks.

Anybody see a slow-motion replay of the B Schenn hit? Did he leave his feet (again) prior to contact?

It comes down to what sort of return the Flyers are looking for, or if the cap space is return enough.

You figure the only teams likely to even consider adding Briere are playoff contenders wanting his post-season scoring touch, and those are obviously teams that are almost certainly not going to give up any roster players before heading into the playoffs, it just doesn't make sense. So we're talking prospects and draft picks.
- wolfhounds

I'm ok with a prospect and a pick, and relief from that 6.5mil cap hit.

Great right up, Bill ... you're write on target as per usual. Us Flyers fans are lucky to have a righter like you.


First, that was easily Bryz's best game as a Flyer. It was so good that I actually thought we were going to win the shootout before it started. lol The only thing that would have made it better is if he had punched Timmy P. in the mouth after the game.

Second, I made a point of paying special attention to Grossmann last night. The guy almost always makes the right (write?) play. Very few mistakes in any of the zones. He is fast becoming my favorite D man ... though I also love what Luke brings to the team.

Third, we need less Stupid on this team. I love Hartnell, but he's really been acting like an idiot recently. And Schenn? How can he even think of throwing that kind of hit with 2 minutes left in a tie game? He left his feet and definitely deserves a game or two. Just pure idiocy on both their parts.

Simmer had a bad penalty too, but at least he usually knows how to walk the line. The other two I'm getting tired of seeing be so dumb. As someone once said, you can't fix stupid.

It comes down to what sort of return the Flyers are looking for, or if the cap space is return enough.

You figure the only teams likely to even consider adding Briere are playoff contenders wanting his post-season scoring touch, and those are obviously teams that are almost certainly not going to give up any roster players before heading into the playoffs, it just doesn't make sense. So we're talking prospects and draft picks.
- wolfhounds

The NMC and that he has two more years remaining on his deal, with a 6.5M Cap hit is going to make him difficult to trade. I really don't see many teams willing to trade for him, and then take on the financial cost of the buyout, just to rent him for a playoff run. Certainly possible. The return is really not the issue.

Great right up, Bill ... you're write on target as per usual. Us Flyers fans are lucky to have a righter like you.


First, that was easily Bryz's best game as a Flyer. It was so good that I actually thought we were going to win the shootout before it started. lol The only thing that would have made it better is if he had punched Timmy P. in the mouth after the game.

Second, I made a point of paying special attention to Grossmann last night. The guy almost always makes the right (write?) play. Very few mistakes in any of the zones. He is fast becoming my favorite D man ... though I also love what Luke brings to the team.

Third, we need less Stupid on this team. I love Hartnell, but suddenly he's really been acting like an idiot recently. And Schenn? How can he even think of throwing that kind of hit with 2 minutes left in a tie game? He left his feet and definitely deserves a game or two. Just pure idiocy on both their parts.

Simmer had a bad penalty too, but at least he usually knows how to walk the line. The other two I'm getting tired of seeing be so dumb. As someone once said, you can't fix stupid.

- FlyerGuy

Grossmann has been really good. Even better then expected. The undisciplined penalties are an issue. But Schenn's hit isn't a suspendable hit in my opinion.

The NMC and that he has two more years remaining on his deal, with a 6.5M Cap hit is going to make him difficult to trade. I really don't see many teams willing to trade for him, and then take on the financial cost of the buyout, just to rent him for a playoff run. Certainly possible. The return is really not the issue.
- MJL

Yeah, 2 more years after this season is going to make it troublesome...

Great right up, Bill ... you're write on target as per usual. Us Flyers fans are lucky to have a righter like you.


First, that was easily Bryz's best game as a Flyer. It was so good that I actually thought we were going to win the shootout before it started. lol The only thing that would have made it better is if he had punched Timmy P. in the mouth after the game.

Second, I made a point of paying special attention to Grossmann last night. The guy almost always makes the right (write?) play. Very few mistakes in any of the zones. He is fast becoming my favorite D man ... though I also love what Luke brings to the team.

Third, we need less Stupid on this team. I love Hartnell, but he's really been acting like an idiot recently. And Schenn? How can he even think of throwing that kind of hit with 2 minutes left in a tie game? He left his feet and definitely deserves a game or two. Just pure idiocy on both their parts.

Simmer had a bad penalty too, but at least he usually knows how to walk the line. The other two I'm getting tired of seeing be so dumb. As someone once said, you can't fix stupid.

- FlyerGuy

I just noticed there has been some humour on the Board regarding a dumb spelling I used this morning (which Bill kindly highlighted in his reply).
I believe everyone should be excused some misspellings in this day and age. Am I write or rong?

Anybody see a slow-motion replay of the B Schenn hit? Did he leave his feet (again) prior to contact?
- wolfhounds

He left his feet. It wasn't a result of the momentum of the hit

I just noticed there has been some humour on the Board regarding a dumb spelling I used this morning (which Bill kindly highlighted in his reply).
I believe everyone should be excused some misspellings in this day and age. Am I write or rong?
- strongsupporter

Absolutely rite. We's just havin' a little fun, is all.

I just noticed there has been some humour on the Board regarding a dumb spelling I used this morning (which Bill kindly highlighted in his reply).
I believe everyone should be excused some misspellings in this day and age. Am I write or rong?
- strongsupporter

bunch of animals round here

He left his feet. It wasn't a result of the momentum of the hit
- Just5

He did.

He deserves 2 games. One for the hit, and one for being stupid.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bryzgalov Shines, Defense Expectations vs. Realities
- bmeltzer

Bill, Really enjoyed your take on the expectations vs reality blogs, not sure if your still tuning in, but the thing that's getting me moving forward is how we look next season & the one after that, would it "behoove" us to dangle Courturier & see what we would be able to get?
our top 6 seems somewhat set up front, we have committed to Voracek, Simmonds & Hartnell long term, Giroux isn't going anywhere, that would leave either Schenn, Read, etc to fill out up front, should we continue to hang on to Courturier, who looks to be slotted in the 3rd line center role, when we already have Talbot signed long term & is pretty much being wasted on the 4th line.
The reason I see dangling him is that our Defense will need another solid piece within another year or 2, (think how bad we would be if we never made that JVR for Luke Schenn trade), yes, we all knew that JVR was a good bet to produce in Toronto's top 6, but in another year or so, we will badly need another defenseman to go with our top 3 whom are already signed long term (Coburn, Grossman & L. Schenn), Mez may not stay (given his injury issues), & I don't see Kimmo getting any healthier in another year given his age & the pounding he takes, ( we are very fortunate that he's playing at the level he is for now).
Don't get me wrong, I am a Courturier fan, but this is looking like more of a situation where it's easier to to fill in your bottom 6 up front, than to build your top 4 on the back, and it doesn't seem free agency will be available to do this moving forward.

I just noticed there has been some humour on the Board regarding a dumb spelling I used this morning (which Bill kindly highlighted in his reply).
I believe everyone should be excused some misspellings in this day and age. Am I write or rong?
- strongsupporter

good natured wribbing