IMO, Shatenkirk and Carle are about the same
- nails

Shattenkirk doesn't have noodle wrists.

God bless whoever it was that posted that line about Carle from a disgruntled TB fan in here a few weeks ago.

Shattenkirk doesn't have noodle wrists.

God bless whoever it was that posted that line about Carle from a disgruntled TB fan in here a few weeks ago.
- Feanor

Nothing against Carle but I would rather have Shattenkirk.

Grossmann.

Timonen-Schenn
Coburn-Mez
Buff-Grossmann

That would be the answer if all these guys are here and healthy.
- stveshdy

For all the roaming around he does, I'd want a better skater with Buff.

I don't get all the bryz talk. I've got no problem getting mason in here for a look. Bryz is playing up to that contract. That is the going rate for a starting UFA goalie who logs a ton of games and has kept a poop show team in playoffs reach for a couple months now
- Just5

Actually, you can get a goalie for much cheaper who puts up much better save percentage numbers, even with a similarly bad defense in front of him.

For example, Dubnyk in Edmonton.

For all the roaming around he does, I'd want a better skater with Buff.
- bradleyc4

They could play him with Mez or Coburn.

Not that I want Buff but I think Homer does like him because of his size and ability to skate. He would add some offense from the blueline and be a threat on the PP.

For all the roaming around he does, I'd want a better skater with Buff.
- bradleyc4

yes. if we somehow wound up with him I think you'd almost have to pair him with Coburn. He's the only one fast enough to cover for all of Buf's aimless wanderings into the offensive zone. personally, i'd pass on Buf. He does have more offensive skill than our current d-men, but he's basically a forward playing defense.

yes. if we somehow wound up with him I think you'd almost have to pair him with Coburn. He's the only one fast enough to cover for all of Buf's aimless wanderings into the offensive zone. personally, i'd pass on Buf. He does have more offensive skill than our current d-men, but he's basically a forward playing defense.
- BringBack25

They could look at Brent Burns if they wanted to go that way.

He's terrible defensively though. SJ has been playing him at forward.

yes. if we somehow wound up with him I think you'd almost have to pair him with Coburn. He's the only one fast enough to cover for all of Buf's aimless wanderings into the offensive zone. personally, i'd pass on Buf. He does have more offensive skill than our current d-men, but he's basically a forward playing defense.
- BringBack25

Exactly. When the focus needs to be on team defense, you don't go out and acquire Byfuglien. Same goes for Brent Burns.

Exactly. When the focus needs to be on team defense, you don't go out and acquire Byfuglien. Same goes for Brent Burns.
- bradleyc4

The Flyers need to decide on style of play. Now if they play like they have lately you can get away with having less talent.

Lavi goes back to the old style they dont have enough speed and puck moving defenseman imo.

IMO, Shatenkirk and Carle are about the same
- nails

Exactly. When the focus needs to be on team defense, you don't go out and acquire Byfuglien. Same goes for Brent Burns.
- bradleyc4

Or Yandle IMO.

I was talking about perception.

Venting frustration is one thing... break your stick, throw your water bottle, look up at the sky, whatever. But gesturing in the direction of your teammates, no matter how innocuous your intentions? That's always going to be open to some negative connotations.


That would be true if it didn't fall into a larger pattern of Bryz putting himself above the team, both here and in Phoenix.

.
- Tomahawk

I tend to agree. Bryz seems to me to be insensitive in some fashion to how some of his actions and words could be perceived negatively by his teammates. I previously chalked it up in part to cultural differences and the like but I'm not sure. Regardless, there does seem to be a pattern of alienating himself from his teammates through his actions/words to some extent. Some might recall this from when the Flyers were in town to play Phoneix in the first game since Bryz left them:

"On Thursday night the Coyotes will be getting their first look at Bryzgalov from the other side when they travel to Philadelphia, and a couple of veteran defensemen, Derek Morris and Adrian Aucoin, had some pretty strong words regarding their former teammate.

Said Morris in a pre-game discussion with Coyotes broadcaster Todd Walsh, via Broad Street Hockey, "First of all we have to throw a lot of pucks at Bryz. He's known for letting in bad goals, you know, so I think our mindset is going to be get the puck down behind the net and hopefully he comes out and plays a few because he doesn't like to do that. We have to put some pressure on Bryz. We've gotta make it a tough night, we gotta have guys in front, we've gotta be banging away at rebounds. He gets frustrated that way."

Morris also added that he's "glad" that Bryzgalov is gone because Smith has fit in with the team better and made them closer, while there was "some animosity" at times between he and the rest of the team.

Added Aucoin, when asked if there was, in fact, animosity in the locker room, "Absolutely. I honestly haven't met almost any hockey player that's really a bad person. I think he was different as a player, obviously he was a great player, more as a person. Sometimes he just did things that aren't very typical of hockey players or teammates, but he's a good goalie."

full article:
http://www.cbssports.com/...s/entry/27694626/33354625

This would likely all be irrelevant if Bryz was playing up to expectations but I don't think he has. I haven't ragged in Bryz too much. Certainly the team in front of him, for the most part, hasn't done him any favors, but I think he's been pretty underwhelming and has put together only intermittent stretches of good solid play with lots of inconsistent, even shaky performances in between. He's had a game here and there where he'll be among the reasons the Flyers were able to win or at least be close, but also had many where he lacked confidence and let in questionable goals that contributed to losses. I am ok with trading him in the offseason if someone will take him (doubtful), but am also ok with keeping him into next season to see if he can be more consistent and confident behind what should hopefully be a better team. If he still sports a GAA and SV% toward the bottom of the starting goalie pack, while being paid near the top of the starting goalie pack, I think an amnesty buyout would most likely be warranted imo.

Or Yandle IMO.
- jak521

I'd have far fewer concerns about Yandle than Byfuglien. He plays with more discipline than Buf (even though he is an "offensive defenseman". And as far as I know he's never reported to camp weighing over 300 lbs.

If we are going to give up a top asset like Couturier, I want a more complete defenseman than either Yandle or Buf or Shattenkirk.

If we can get say, Yandle or Shattenkirk for some combination of lesser players and pics/prospects, then I might be okay with that. I just don't see that as a very likely possibility. But I'm not giving up on Couturier unless the return is a complete, top pair, all situations d-man.

Nothing against Carle but I would rather have Shattenkirk.
- stveshdy

Agered...a lot more dynamic, better puck mover/better skating with the puck, better shooter.

Put him in adirondack Save cap space.
- JoeRussomanno

Wade Redden rule Joe! That would still cost the Flyers $3,000,025 on the Cap.

I don't see st Louis dealing him. I think shattenkirk is a practical target. I disagree with you assessment in that the team absolutely needs a weber, peitrangelo (who has worse numbers than shatty this year but I agree is a better player). If L schenn keeps this up, you don't need the physicality of a weber but just an exceptional puck moving defenseman. That's shatty.
- Just5

I don't mind Shattenkirk. But I feel that St. Louis will not take anything less than a Coots or B. Schenn +, and to me, Shattenkirk's potential upside isn't going to be what Coots or Schenn's will be. Hence, if we have to deal a Coots, I feel we can aim higher than Shattenkirk.

[
Put him in adirondack Save cap space.
- JoeRussomanno
Wade Redden rule Joe! That would still cost the Flyers $3,000,025 on the Cap.

Joe is considering applying for the Calgary GM job.
Just kidding.

Also quickly, for those who have mentioned Buf's weight being an issue, has it shown on the ice? Never. Every year it seems the pics pop up, or the stories, but his play on the ice is virtually untouched. He could be an amazing asset to have. He can play forward, he can play D, has a booming shot, and very mobile for a guy his size.

I don't mind Shattenkirk. But I feel that St. Louis will not take anything less than a Coots or B. Schenn +, and to me, Shattenkirk's potential upside isn't going to be what Coots or Schenn's will be. Hence, if we have to deal a Coots, I feel we can aim higher than Shattenkirk.
- Flyers_V88

I think I would trade B Schenn for Shattenkirk. But not Couturier.

Also quickly, for those who have mentioned Buf's weight being an issue, has it shown on the ice? Never. Every year it seems the pics pop up, or the stories, but his play on the ice is virtually untouched. He could be an amazing asset to have. He can play forward, he can play D, has a booming shot, and very mobile for a guy his size.
- Flyers_V88

Not the type of player the team needs in my opinion. The questions about his fitness level are really secondary to what type of player he is. But still a concern.

I'd have far fewer concerns about Yandle than Byfuglien. He plays with more discipline than Buf (even though he is an "offensive defenseman". And as far as I know he's never reported to camp weighing over 300 lbs.

If we are going to give up a top asset like Couturier, I want a more complete defenseman than either Yandle or Buf or Shattenkirk.

If we can get say, Yandle or Shattenkirk for some combination of lesser players and pics/prospects, then I might be okay with that. I just don't see that as a very likely possibility. But I'm not giving up on Couturier unless the return is a complete, top pair, all situations d-man.
- BringBack25

I agree with you. Your not getting either Yandle or Shattenkirk without trading Schenn, Couturier, or Read with picks/prospects.

I think I would trade B Schenn for Shattenkirk. But not Couturier.
- MJL

I probably would, but I wanna keep the Schenn's together if possible.

I think I would trade B Schenn for Shattenkirk. But not Couturier.
- MJL

I agree. Hard to find a 24 year old defenseman with those skills.

Not the type of player the team needs in my opinion. The questions about his fitness level are really secondary to what type of player he is. But still a concern.
- MJL

Very fair, I can see that argument. But his weight isn't issue, however heavy or light he is, always seems to be able to keep up with the play.

I don't mind Shattenkirk. But I feel that St. Louis will not take anything less than a Coots or B. Schenn +, and to me, Shattenkirk's potential upside isn't going to be what Coots or Schenn's will be. Hence, if we have to deal a Coots, I feel we can aim higher than Shattenkirk.
- Flyers_V88

I don't see schenn or cooter ever becoming a bonafide #1. We can disagree on their potential. Shattenkirk right now is a bonafide top 4. His numbers you could argue top pairing d man. I would hesitate to include anything other than a mid round pick or prospect in the deal