Possible. But Florida could pick Jones as well, and have two really outstanding young defensemen in Jones and Gudbranson.

There's still no way I'd pass up Nichushkin, Barkov or Monahan if they're on the board at 5, to go off the board for a defenseman.
- Jsaquella

I wouldn't reach for Nurse at 5, but would you be willing to draft Barkov for example at 5 and trade his rights to a team picking Nurse at 7 or 8 for nurse plus a 2nd or 3rd round pick, or maybe a prospect? Just using Nurse as an example....could be another top D.

something like nurse/ristolainen + this zaitsev guy wouldn't be enough? you think they have to go after something more proven via trade?
- FlyerMike18

No. Nurse and Ristolainen are probably at least a couple years away, maybe longer.

Zaitsev played well in the KHL, but that doesn't mean he's more than a 4th or 5th defenseman in the NHL. They need somebody who can play now and future help.

you never know he might get mono and teams might realize he can't score for crap and drop to 7th
- 2Real

if we some how win the lottery (the NHL owes us anyway) would we get 1st overall?
- 2Real

Yes. Whichever team wins the lottery gets the top pick.

No. Nurse and Ristolainen are probably at least a couple years away, maybe longer.

Zaitsev played well in the KHL, but that doesn't mean he's more than a 4th or 5th defenseman in the NHL. They need somebody who can play now and future help.
- Jsaquella

yea, i dunno. i'd love to see them add a top guy right now, but i'm not so sure i'd say they absolutely have to. the right deal? of course. but i think trying to restock the cupboard is the primary concern. and if all they wind up doing is adding to the prospect depth, i'd be ok with that. with a new coach/philosophy, i think you can win with this d corp. might not be tops in the league or anything, but it CAN be good enough

No. Nurse and Ristolainen are probably at least a couple years away, maybe longer.

Zaitsev played well in the KHL, but that doesn't mean he's more than a 4th or 5th defenseman in the NHL. They need somebody who can play now and future help.
- Jsaquella

Holmgren has his work cut out this summer.

Timonen-Schenn
Coburn-Grossmann
Mez-Gervais, Gus, or Laurdisen

Still think it would be wise to get a puck moving defenseman. Any chance they move Mez (even at low value)? Hes on the last year of his deal. I can see the Flyers moving forward without him.

you never know he might get mono and teams might realize he can't score for crap and drop to 7th
- 2Real

what a disaster

something like nurse/ristolainen + this zaitsev guy wouldn't be enough? you think they have to go after something more proven via trade?
- FlyerMike18

Depends I guess if Zaitsev can actually play top 4 minutes and/ or quarterback a PP.

To me they badly need an offensive defenseman right away.
Maybe they overpay for Yandle, or give Streit too many years.
Or find a better option somehow in a trade.

I can't see Homer not getting one for next year, unless he decides to go another season with the bad mix of guys on D they have now and hope they stay healthy.

Depends I guess if Zaitsev can actually play top 4 minutes and/ or quarterback a PP.

To me they badly need an offensive defenseman right away.
Maybe they overpay for Yandle, or give Streit too many years.
Or find a better option somehow in a trade.

I can't see Homer not getting one for next year, unless he decides to go another season with the bad mix of guys on D they have now and hope they stay healthy.
- Marc D

Now that's interesting. He'd be worth in a trade for Couturier.

Possible. But Florida could pick Jones as well, and have two really outstanding young defensemen in Jones and Gudbranson.

There's still no way I'd pass up Nichushkin, Barkov or Monahan if they're on the board at 5, to go off the board for a defenseman.
- Jsaquella

I didn't put them picking Jones because they already have Kulikov and Campbell.

Depends I guess if Zaitsev can actually play top 4 minutes and/ or quarterback a PP.

To me they badly need an offensive defenseman right away.
Maybe they overpay for Yandle, or give Streit too many years.
Or find a better option somehow in a trade.

I can't see Homer not getting one for next year, unless he decides to go another season with the bad mix of guys on D they have now and hope they stay healthy.
- Marc D

yea, a top four offensive d-man would definitely be nice.. i'd rather see them trade a current d man for good value in picks/prospects and then add a more offensive minded guy like streit via FA than see them overpay for a guy like yandle in a trade

Everyone seems to be against trading Couturier but if you want a fix to the defense that is about the only thing of value we may have to trade. Hypothetically if you can trade Couts for Yandle and sign Streit a lot of your D problems may be solved. With a top pick in the draft you could also get someone like Drouin, Jones or Mackinnon which could help as well. If you can pick up a Drouin while trading Couts for an established veteran D-man I'm not sure a lot is lost when you have the likes of Drouin, Laughton and Cousins possibly coming in next season.

Now that's interesting. He'd be worth in a trade for Couturier.
- Orpik44

seems like most pens fans advocate the flyers trading couturier for d help. that SHOULD tell us something

Everyone seems to be against trading Couturier but if you want a fix to the defense that is about the only thing of value we may have to trade. Hypothetically if you can trade Couts for Yandle and sign Streit a lot of your D problems may be solved. With a top pick in the draft you could also get someone like Drouin, Jones or Mackinnon which could help as well. If you can pick up a Drouin while trading Couts for an established veteran D-man I'm not sure a lot is lost when you have the likes of Drouin, Laughton and Cousins possibly coming in next season.
- FreshFlyer

I would ask for more than Yandle if I was trading a 20 year old Couturier.

I would ask for more than Yandle if I was trading a 20 year old Couturier.
- stveshdy

Of course you would, but you probably won't get it. A straight up Couturier for Yandle trade fills a need for both teams. Its a good hockey trade in my opinion.

I know I was just kidding
I am impressed with the Pens winning without all their top guys
Playoffs might be different but it has to be encouraging for you to see other players step up.
- Marc D

True. We have to thank Shero for bringing high character guys to this team. The newbies (Murray,Morrow, Iginla and Jokinen) have been great lately. They are experienced and adding to an already good group, just makes the thought of a cup much more attainable.

Of course you would, but you probably won't get it. A straight up Couturier for Yandle trade fills a need for both teams. Its a good hockey trade in my opinion.
- FreshFlyer

I like Yandle in fact im all about getting him but if its a straight up deal I would decline and look elsewhere.

I didn't put them picking Jones because they already have Kulikov and Campbell.
- Orpik44

So? They also have Huberdeau. Campbell is 33. Outside of Gudbranson and Kulikov, the only young defenseman they have on the roster is TJ Brennan.

I like Yandle in fact im all about getting him but if its a straight up deal I would decline and look elsewhere.
- stveshdy

I see your point, but I would do the deal just based on the fact that our need for a top end defenseman is substantial

seems like most pens fans advocate the flyers trading couturier for d help. that SHOULD tell us something
- FlyerMike18

haha I get what you're thinking but I really think you'd be a better team with Yandle. As someone mentioned, a good hockey trade for both teams. I'm sure Couturier would thrive in Phoenix and Yandle is a known commodity.

Of course you would, but you probably won't get it. A straight up Couturier for Yandle trade fills a need for both teams. Its a good hockey trade in my opinion.
- FreshFlyer

my issue with it is that it's only "a good hockey trade" for the flyers in the immediate short term. in my opinion, of course

i make that trade if yandle is the missing piece to make the flyers a true contender. i'm not confident (at all, actually) saying that, so i'd rather hang on to couturier

So? They also have Huberdeau. Campbell is 33. Outside of Gudbranson and Kulikov, the only young defenseman they have on the roster is TJ Brennan.
- Jsaquella

Huberdeau and MacKinnon together? Their future version of the 2-headed monster.

..+ they've got Mike Weaver..

I see your point, but I would do the deal just based on the fact that our need for a top end defenseman is substantial
- FreshFlyer

Your idea is one that has legs no question about it. Yandle would help this blueline with his ability to skate the puck/move it and his offensive on PP.

I just dont know if its worth Couturier straight up. Its really a gamble bc you dont know what Couturier will become when you have an idea of what Yandle pretty much is.

haha I get what you're thinking but I really think you'd be a better team with Yandle. As someone mentioned, a good hockey trade for both teams. I'm sure Couturier would thrive in Phoenix and Yandle is a known commodity.
- Orpik44

It fills a need for both teams, and the possibility of a top 5 pick for the Flyers is looking good so, there is a chance you may be able to replace Couturier with another good offensive player. Possibly Drouin

Huberdeau and MacKinnon together? Their future version of the 2-headed monster.

..+ they've got Mike Weaver..
- Orpik44

Yes, it'd be tempting, but if Brian Campbell is why you wouldn't take Seth Jones...