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 think that overrates Coots a bit. An established #1 D man better than Shatty, Yandle or Buf, in today's market ,is worth alot more than a struggling second year prospect even if the upside potential is significant, it is only potential. This is not to slight Couturier. I like him a lot, and think he will be a very good player in time. I just think many seem to take the full fulfillment of his potential upside for granted...long way to go for that. As I said, considering fair value, I'd flip him straight up for those types of players (Yandle, Shatty, maybe Buf).

But Coots uses the red laser! Blue laser can suck it!

Who's more overrated on this board? Couturier or Shattenkirk?

If STL called and offered Shattenkirk straight up for Couturier, I'd drive Couturier all the way to STL.

Holmgren knows forwards. He can get another Couturier 100x before he will ever get another Shattenkirk.

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
- Just5

I don't think they'll be Crosby or Malkin-type #1's, but I do feel their upside is rather big with some maturity and time.

I'd be happy with Read, prospect(s), and a picjk for Shattenkirk. Anything more and it's just digging one hole and filling another.

I think that overrates Coots a bit. An established #1 D man better than Shatty, Yandle or Buf, in today's market ,is worth alot more than a struggling second year prospect even if the upside potential is significant, it is only potential. This is not to slight Couturier. I like him a lot, and think he will be a very good player in time. I just think many seem to take the full fulfillment of his potential upside for granted...long way to go for that. As I said, considering fair value, I'd flip him straight up for those types of players (Yandle, Shatty, maybe Buf).
- exlund

Couturier's current defensive value as the guy who can take many of the tough d-zone and PK face-offs (relieving Giroux of some of those duties), while having the potential to add 50-70 points of offense down the line makes him much more valuable (to the Flyers) than adding a one-dimensional defenseman to a team struggling with team defense.

Regarding Shattenkirk.

I would be comfortable dealing for him, but not if it costs Coots. Especially when the kid is getting his game back. Its not the time to deal him imo, unless its for a true #1 which Shattenkirk is not.

We can disagree but I see Shattenkirk as a Liles in his prime.

for the love of god let this young team grow together

I think Couturier OR B. Schenn straight up for Shattenkirk or Yandle is probably a good deal.

In their respective positions all four are 2nd Tier guys if we consider Crosby/Malkin/Stamkos to be 1st tier forwards and Weber/OEL/Doughty to be 1st tier Dmen I think we'd have to agree that all the guys listed up top are 2nd tier.


Swapping 2nd tier players straight up would come down to the needs of your team so honestly the Flyers SHOULD be trying to make that deal.


Then as a fan I'm allowed to add the emotional argument and I don't want Couturier to NOT be on this team. I like the kid a lot. I've not been a huge fan of Schenn until recently, but I'd like him to stay focused a little more. He's got a little bit of "celebrates the sack when your team is losing by 30 points" to him.


*Edited to clear up confusion. Couts OR Schenn, not both.

Regarding Shattenkirk.

I would be comfortable dealing for him, but not if it costs Coots. Especially when the kid is getting his game back. Its not the time to deal him imo, unless its for a true #1 which Shattenkirk is not.

We can disagree but I see Shattenkirk as a Liles in his prime.
- flyer_nutter

That's exactly how I see him. Just not what I think we need right now. Gustaffson is even picking his game up and has all the raw tools Shattenkirk has, Shatty's just come along faster.

I think Couturier and B. Schenn straight up for Shattenkirk or Yandle is probably a good deal.

In their respective positions all for a 2nd Tier guys if we consider Crosby/Malkin/Stamkos to be 1st tier forwards and Weber/OEL/Doughty to be 1st tier Dmen I think we'd have to agree that all the guys listed up top are 2nd tier.


Swapping 2nd tier players straight up would come down to the needs of your team so honestly the Flyers SHOULD be trying to make that deal.


Then as a fan I'm allowed to add the emotional argument and I don't want Couturier to NOT be on this team. I like the kid a lot. I've not been a huge fan of Schenn until recently, but I'd like him to stay focused a little more. He's got a little bit of "celebrates the sack when your team is losing by 30 points" to him.
- shekkie

Both guys for Shattenkirk Ouch... Better be getting Yandle for that price lol. Even then, ouch...

Both guys for Shattenkirk Ouch... Better be getting Yandle for that price lol. Even then, ouch...
- Flyers_V88

hahaha...no, 1 for 1, sorry for the mistake.

I think Couturier and B. Schenn straight up for Shattenkirk or Yandle is probably a good deal.

In their respective positions all for a 2nd Tier guys if we consider Crosby/Malkin/Stamkos to be 1st tier forwards and Weber/OEL/Doughty to be 1st tier Dmen I think we'd have to agree that all the guys listed up top are 2nd tier.


Swapping 2nd tier players straight up would come down to the needs of your team so honestly the Flyers SHOULD be trying to make that deal.


Then as a fan I'm allowed to add the emotional argument and I don't want Couturier to NOT be on this team. I like the kid a lot. I've not been a huge fan of Schenn until recently, but I'd like him to stay focused a little more. He's got a little bit of "celebrates the sack when your team is losing by 30 points" to him.
- shekkie

Sorry Shek, but I cant agree with any of this.

for the love of god let this young team grow together
- Crimsoninja

Couturier's current defensive value as the guy who can take many of the tough d-zone and PK face-offs (relieving Giroux of some of those duties), while having the potential to add 50-70 points of offense down the line makes him much more valuable (to the Flyers) than adding a one-dimensional defenseman to a team struggling with team defense.
- bradleyc4

Yeah, that's pretty much my take as well. I don't really have anything bad to say about Yandle or Shattenkirk - they're both good players. But neither is an all situations type of player, and if I give up Couturier, that's what I want to see coming back. I think what this team needs on the blue line is someone to replace Timonen when he retires. I realize that it will be hard to acquire such a player, and that it will likely cost a lot, possibly Couturier +. I just don't see either Yandle or Shattenkirk as having the full set of skills needed to replace Timonen in all situations. So I don't want to 'waste' our most tradeable assets on someone who won't be able to that.

Couturier's current defensive value as the guy who can take many of the tough d-zone and PK face-offs (relieving Giroux of some of those duties), while having the potential to add 50-70 points of offense down the line makes him much more valuable (to the Flyers) than adding a one-dimensional defenseman to a team struggling with team defense.
- bradleyc4

Agree 100%. Yandle and Shattenkirk are nice players, that I would love to have. But I'm not including Couturier in a deal for a defenseman unless that defenseman is a true, all situations player. And there isn't a single young forward on this team that I would trade straight up for Byfuglien.

That's exactly how I see him. Just not what I think we need right now. Gustaffson is even picking his game up and has all the raw tools Shattenkirk has, Shatty's just come along faster.
- Flyers_V88

I would be cool dealing for Shattenkirk. Just not involving Coots.

I'd be alright if its Brayden Schenn.

I'd more more than alright keeping both guys however, and choosing to deal Hartnell instead.

Sorry Shek, but I cant agree with any of this.
- jak521

its ok man, we're allowed to have opinions, you don't have to be sorry.

Yeah, that's pretty much my take as well. I don't really have anything bad to say about Yandle or Shattenkirk - they're both good players. But neither is an all situations type of player, and if I give up Couturier, that's what I want to see coming back. I think what this team needs on the blue line is someone to replace Timonen when he retires. I realize that it will be hard to acquire such a player, and that it will likely cost a lot, possibly Couturier +. I just don't see either Yandle or Shattenkirk as having the full set of skills needed to replace Timonen in all situations. So I don't want to 'waste' or tradeable assets on someone who won't be able to that.
- BringBack25

Draft one of Ristolainen, Nurse, Pulock, Zadorov or Morrissey.

Attempt a stop gap like Streit.

Use Hartnell to shore up the D, perhaps for Giordano + for example.

Keep the kids, and roll out.

Sorry Shek, but I cant agree with any of this.
- jak521

same here.

only I'm not sorry.

Draft one of Ristolainen, Nurse, Pulock, Zadorov or Morrissey.

Attempt a stop gap like Streit.

Use Hartnell to shore up the D, perhaps for Giordano + for example.

Keep the kids, and roll out.
- flyer_nutter

Nurse might go top 5. He is gonna be a monster.

Draft one of Ristolainen, Nurse, Pulock, Zadorov or Morrissey.

Attempt a stop gap like Streit.

Use Hartnell to shore up the D, perhaps for Giordano + for example.

Keep the kids, and roll out.
- flyer_nutter

Hartnell isnt going anywhere...

Agree 100%. Yandle and Shattenkirk are nice players, that I would love to have. But I'm not including Couturier in a deal for a defenseman unless that defenseman is a true, all situations player. And there isn't a single young forward on this team that I would trade straight up for Byfuglien.
- MJL

Not even Matt Read and a pick/prospect(s)? I think Buf could be unreal for the Flyers... No joke, I'd even move him back up front. Tell him he has to be a dominant player out there and destroy with his size. I think he could. Just my little fantasy though lol.

for the love of god let this young team grow together
- Crimsoninja

I think you're overrating patience.

Draft one of Ristolainen, Nurse, Pulock, Zadorov or Morrissey.

Attempt a stop gap like Streit.

Use Hartnell to shore up the D, perhaps for Giordano + for example.

Keep the kids, and roll out.
- flyer_nutter

No interest in Streit, nor in trading Hartnell. But you do bring up a good point - that being that as long as Feaster is still in control in Calgary, we should be pestering him all summer to see if he'll trade us Giordano for 2 dozen Tim Horton's glazed and some marginal prospects and late round picks. If he was willing to let Iginla go for that (more or less), Giordano should be a no-brainer!

Just because I love posting line-ups haha

Voracek-Giroux-Jagr (or other veteran forward)
Read-Schenn-Simmonds
Laughton-Coots-Talbot
Hall-Gordon-Rinaldo

Timonen-Schenn
Streit-Grossman
Giordano-6th