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

rong. we take our spelling very seriously around here, which you'll be able to tell rather quickly.

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.
- puckhead17

i don't think we should sell low on couts, which is more likely than a fair deal given his poor performance. it's likely just a soph slump and while he certainly needs to work on his game, I'm still bullish on his future. if we received a solid offer for him, like bogosian, i would make the deal, however. don't think that scenario is likely.

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

There is a big financial incentive for Briere to not accept any trade, unless the team trading for him guarantees that they will buy him out this summer.

For those interested...

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger

CAR claimed A.Hall off Waivers from TB

i don't think we should sell low on couts, which is more likely than a fair deal given his poor performance. it's likely just a soph slump and while he certainly needs to work on his game, I'm still bullish on his future. if we received a solid offer for him, like bogosian, i would make the deal, however. don't think that scenario is likely.
- isaiah520

No, it has nothing to do with his slump, nor would I sell him for cheap, look at next years defense if Mez is hurt here & there, & what if Kimmo's age & minutes start to catch up quicker, who want talbot on the 4th line & Bruno or Gus in yout top 4 on the back end?
I would only dangle him for a top 4 defenseman in his 20's thats it, we will need another JVR for Luke Schenn trade

i don't think we should sell low on couts, which is more likely than a fair deal given his poor performance. it's likely just a soph slump and while he certainly needs to work on his game, I'm still bullish on his future. if we received a solid offer for him, like bogosian, i would make the deal, however. don't think that scenario is likely.
- isaiah520

I thought Coots looked better last night than he has in weeks ... a game in which the Flyers, as a team, also played much better in their own zone. Which leads me to believe that a lot of his struggles were directly related to how the team as a whole has played this year.

I'm also bullish on him, and when we get some of these areas cleaned up I fully believe he'll become the shut down guy we all think he can be.

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.
- puckhead17

There is no doubt for the right defenseman in the right deal. I would trade Couturier. But not because he's a 3rd line Center. His potential is much more then that. I see him as the 2nd line Center behind Giroux.

No, it has nothing to do with his slump, nor would I sell him for cheap, look at next years defense if Mez is hurt here & there, & what if Kimmo's age & minutes start to catch up quicker, who want talbot on the 4th line & Bruno or Gus in yout top 4 on the back end?
I would only dangle him for a top 4 defenseman in his 20's thats it, we will need another JVR for Luke Schenn trade
- puckhead17

It would need to be a much better player then a top 4 defensman. It needs to be a top pair defenseman, or at least a young player with that pedigree and potential.

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

well played

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

Totally wrong.

Misspelling is never, and should be never, tolerated on this board. It's a disgrace to even attempt to write an opinion and misuse proper spelling and/or syntax in your thoughts.

How anybody could've been able to pass the rigid grammar requirements necessary to be allowed on here is inexcusable. I, for one, applaud those who rub such oversights in that poster's face and ridicule him/her publicly. They take up too much time away from reading all the other brilliantly composed, well thought out, and (most importantly) properly spelled narratives that are posted here.

But spelling blunders aside, how could the overseers of this board even allow someone to continue posting after (GASP) disagreeing with Bill Meltzer!!! Are they asleep at the wheel?

We all know that sharing opinions are certainly encouraged here WITH THE STRICT EXCEPTION that they blindly adhere to whatever Bill opines. The rules and regulation clearly state to deviate subjects one to be either permanently banned or required to join the Steve Eminger fan club.

Appalling. Simply appalling.

There is no doubt for the right defenseman in the right deal. I would trade Couturier. But not because he's a 3rd line Center. His potential is much more then that. I see him as the 2nd line Center behind Giroux.
- MJL

maybe he's in the top 6 but i see Schenn as a 2nd line center, therefore we would need another D man, (I dont see trading anyone else to get us that)

It would need to be a much better player then a top 4 defensman. It needs to be a top pair defenseman, or at least a young player with that pedigree and potential.
- MJL

Right I see that too, but worse case, we need another significant piece on the back line

maybe he's in the top 6 but i see Schenn as a 2nd line center, therefore we would need another D man, (I dont see trading anyone else to get us that)
- puckhead17

I'm not sure I see Schenn that high anymore.

Totally wrong.

Misspelling is never, and should be never, tolerated on this board. It's a disgrace to even attempt to write an opinion and misuse proper spelling and/or syntax in your thoughts.

How anybody could've been able to pass the rigid grammar requirements necessary to be allowed on here is inexcusable. I, for one, applaud those who rub such oversights in that poster's face and ridicule him/her publicly. They take up too much time away from reading all the other brilliantly composed, well thought out, and (most importantly) properly spelled narratives that are posted here.

But spelling blunders aside, how could the overseers of this board even allow someone to continue posting after (GASP) disagreeing with Bill Meltzer!!! Are they asleep at the wheel?

We all know that sharing opinions are certainly encouraged here WITH THE STRICT EXCEPTION that they blindly adhere to whatever Bill opines. The rules and regulation clearly state to deviate subjects one to be either permanently banned or required to join the Steve Eminger fan club.

Appalling. Simply appalling.
- 77rams

Sir, should there not be a comma after "but"?


edit: maybe not, and I also don't care.

I'm not sure I see Schenn that high anymore.
- FlyerGuy

I didn't either at one time, but I think his upside is pretty good, 50-60 points & he back checks way more than Danny B ever did.

teams don't win with a patchwork D & thats where we are headed.

I didn't either at one time, but I think his upside is pretty good, 50-60 points & he back checks way more than Danny B ever did.

teams don't win with a patchwork D & thats where we are headed.
- puckhead17

agreed ... I just value Coots more than Schenn at this time, and I see Coots at 2nd center behind G.

agreed ... I just value Coots more than Schenn at this time, and I see Coots at 2nd center behind G.
- FlyerGuy

I once did more so, but I like Schenn's physical nature, as well I see him producing more in a top 6 role.
imagine this next year:

Kimmo injured age, etc. Mez another injury, your D will be?

Coburn - Grossman

Schenn - Gus?

Bruno - Foster? - or any other 6th or 7th D men we would acquire similar to the ? guys

Thats scary. who else will get you a descent D man in trade? that isn't in your top 6 up front next year?

There is no doubt for the right defenseman in the right deal. I would trade Couturier. But not because he's a 3rd line Center. His potential is much more then that. I see him as the 2nd line Center behind Giroux.
- MJL

Homer will draft a center anyway, so no worries

I'm hoping the Flyers get Pulock, Nurse or Ristolainen in the draft. Time to draft a defenseman in the first round.

Homer will draft a center anyway, so no worries
- vejim

I think the Flyers need alittle more mobility back on the blueline inorder to run Lavi's system to perfection. Unless of course he is willing to emphasize defense from everyone.

I'm hoping the Flyers get Pulock, Nurse or Ristolainen in the draft. Time to draft a defenseman in the first round.
- Feanor

Have to take a defenseman. The have ZERO in the farm system and it's time to start improving that aspect.

Bill, I gotta tell you, I love your psuedo win references "even if a shootout isn't a true hockey win.", I have the same sentiment and chuckle everytime I see them.
Thanks!

Have to take a defenseman. The have ZERO in the farm system and it's time to start improving that aspect.
- stveshdy

Which means we'll pick another center like sean monahan

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

Be strong my friend.

I've had "protypical" thrown in my face on and off ever since the great Zherdev/Russian debate.

I'm hoping the Flyers get Pulock, Nurse or Ristolainen in the draft. Time to draft a defenseman in the first round.
- Feanor

Not high on Morrissey?

The Flyers may also have a decent chance at Zadorov. Rated higher than any d-man in this draft. Amazing size, he has already somewhat grown into. All round d-man.