I seem to remember on more than one occasion this being used to describe bob when we first learned about him
- Just5

Yeah, decent size, elite movement in the crease, but had a number of technical problems attributed to lack of specialized coaching. And, nobody was sure what was going on in his head because he couldn't speak a lick of English, lol.

Wouldn't be anywhere near as big a bust as Ryan Sittler or Jason Bowen.
- Jsaquella

At least bowen suited up for a few games, sittler never did.

I wasn't advocating for it. What I wrote was that it wouldn't surprise me if the Flyers did something like that because they always seem to pull something out of left field (or, I suppose in Thomas' case, right field).
- bmeltzer

LOL.

are we in a position where we should draft risky or take the safe pick?
- 2Real

To me, it depends who is on the board.

If they're picking at 7 and Monahan or Nichushkin is on the board, they should take that guy. If they're at 9 or 10 and it's between guys like Pulock or Zadorov or Ristolainen and forwards like Hunter Shinkaruk or Anthony Mantha, I'd go with the defnseman.

The thing is, ever year we see a kid or two rise or fall. Kids like Cam Fowler & Couturier fell. Others, like Schiefele and Slater Koekkoek rose. If there's a team that feels really strong that Nurse could become the next Pronger, they might jump and take him at number 4. That could push down potential first liners like Barkov, Nichushkin or Monahan.

I wasn't advocating for it. What I wrote was that it wouldn't surprise me if the Flyers did something like that because they always seem to pull something out of left field (or, I suppose in Thomas' case, right field).
- bmeltzer

If he can leave the bunker and stop pucks, I don't care if he sets up an allotment to have half his check go to Glenn Beck

I worry about the distraction factor, the year off and honestly his age. If they buy out Bryz, I'd hope for a one year deal with a solid vet time splitter and give Mason a shot to claim the job or go with a kiddie tandem, and get another youngster to push/split time with Mason

I wasn't advocating for it. What I wrote was that it wouldn't surprise me if the Flyers did something like that because they always seem to pull something out of left field (or, I suppose in Thomas' case, right field).
- bmeltzer

Pronger still hopes comeback is in the cards

http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...667165&navid=nhl:topheads

Surprising.

I wasn't advocating for it. What I wrote was that it wouldn't surprise me if the Flyers did something like that because they always seem to pull something out of left field (or, I suppose in Thomas' case, right field).
- bmeltzer

i know i hear ya, i was just messing around. i don't even really know if i want that, but if they were giving odds on it i'd probably drop a little wager

Say that trade happens. And we resign Gagne, This is next year:
Harts-G-Jake
Gagne-Schenn-Simmonds
McGinn-Laughton-???
Rinaldo-Talbot-Rosehill

Timonen-Pietrangelo
Schenn-Coburn
Grossmann-Mezzy
Gervais/Gus/Lauri

Our FW group is considerably weaker... but our defense is totally shored up now. we'd probably go fishing in the UFA market and sign maybe even Jagr (plz???)/Ryder

Thats the problem with trade Read=COuts+likely FW pick...
I would offer Couts+Cousins+Ghost+mid prospect like Manning/Bourdon/Akeson/Noebels+ 2013 1st
St Louis would probably say no and then i'd be saying "(frank)"

- FLYERSROCK!

See, the problem is that we have so many growing centers. How is it worth it to keep a player with as much potential as coots on our 3rd line. With Schenn here he doesn't really have a shot at getting to the top 6 (in the next 5+ seasons even), unless he's converted to a wing or Schenn is. We're growing him for our 3rd line. Read, although good, is even older than Giroux. Last year I was so impressed that he led all rookies in scoring until I found out that he was the oldest of our youth core, being 25 or 26 now. It'd be worth it in my opinion to go Coots + Read + ghost + 1st rounder +2nd rounder for pietrangelo. From there I say make Gus the #6, and trade Coburn + our 1st rounder, get the 3rd/4th overall, and go for Drouin or Shinkaruk.

Hart - Cloud - Jake
Gagne - Schenn - Simmer
Drouin/Shinkaruk - Talbot - Rinaldo
Mcginn/UFA - Laughton/UFA - Hall/Rosehill
Rosehill/Hall

Schenn - Peter
Kimmo - Mezz
Gross - Gus
Gervais

Mason - Bryz

I didn't figure out the cap for that, but if we could make that work, assuming Harty picks up his game again, our top 6 is still awesome. Our bottom 6 is a good mix of role players and developing rooks. Our D, atleast on paper, is amazing. Our goaltending carousel causes both Bryz and Mason to be competitive for starts, which theoretically increases performance from both of them, and provides more enriching development for Mason.

Pronger still hopes comeback is in the cards

http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...667165&navid=nhl:topheads

Surprising.
- wolfhounds

i was looking for a glimmer of hope in there as well. he didn't seem to say a whole lot though

Pronger still hopes comeback is in the cards

http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...667165&navid=nhl:topheads

Surprising.
- wolfhounds

I'm still curious what it woud entale for him to pass a baseline test for the sole purpose of getting him eligible to be bought out, unlikely as that may be.

Neal buries Despres. Clean. Maybe that wussy Cooke will fight Neal next time to answer for the hit on Karlsson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_G7USf0O6o

To me, it depends who is on the board.

If they're picking at 7 and Monahan or Nichushkin is on the board, they should take that guy. If they're at 9 or 10 and it's between guys like Pulock or Zadorov or Ristolainen and forwards like Hunter Shinkaruk or Anthony Mantha, I'd go with the defnseman.

The thing is, ever year we see a kid or two rise or fall. Kids like Cam Fowler & Couturier fell. Others, like Schiefele and Slater Koekkoek rose. If there's a team that feels really strong that Nurse could become the next Pronger, they might jump and take him at number 4. That could push down potential first liners like Barkov, Nichushkin or Monahan.
- Jsaquella

If the Flyers miss out on the top three of Jones Drouin and MacKinnon(which is fairly likely) and Nurse or Nichushkin are on the board I take one of those guys. If those 5 are off the board I seriously consider trading the pick depending on who is available.

i was looking for a glimmer of hope in there as well. he didn't seem to say a whole lot though
- FlyerMike18

Just the fact that Pronger is still working for a possible return is the glimmer. But I really don't expect much for 3 reasons: he's hurt, he hasn't played in well over a year, and he's that much older. Even if he returns, it's very likely he won't be the same player.

If the Flyers miss out on the top three of Jones Drouin and MacKinnon(which is fairly likely) and Nurse or Nichushkin are on the board I take one of those guys. If those 5 are off the board I seriously consider trading the pick depending on who is available.
- hereticpride

Trading a top 10 pick?

I take Ristolainen in a heartbeat.

Probably leight but...

@NHLFlyers: ROSTER UPDATE: #Flyers recall (F) Akeson, Laughton, McGinn & (D) Konan from Adirondack. MORE INFO… http://t.co/smw3SnoxAA

Why Laughton??? Plz don't burn an ENTIRE yr for meaningless games
That's be stupid
- FLYERSROCK!

Nice to see Akeson getting some love...dude has serious skill and produced at every level...he deserves a chance to see if he can do it in the NHL...thing is, he's a top 6 type player and would likely need those types of linemates to make the most of his talents...not sure he's going to get that type of look (if any) in this little callup stint here...regardless hopefully it does something for his confidence and readiness coming into camp next season, where he may have a chance to make the big club.

Just the fact that Pronger is still working for a possible return is the glimmer. But I really don't expect much for 3 reasons: he's hurt, he hasn't played in well over a year, and he's that much older. Even if he returns, it's very likely he won't be the same player.
- wolfhounds

I don't think he's working on a return. I think he just has to say that so they can keep him on injury reserve.

It's fairly obvious that he's never playing another minute in the NHL ever again.

He's very raw.
- Jsaquella

I think the substantial spike in production versus last season (went from 10 pts -15 to 41 pts +15) should make him a little less "raw" in many scouts eyes. He seems like a determined kid...the size (6'5" 195) and athletic ability is there, the hockey part seems to be coming together.

I've changed my mindset for D after Jones

Ristolainen, Pulock, & Nurse and you can really put them in any order.
- ob18

Pretty much where I'm at...I'd go Nurse, Pulock, Risto, then a bit further down, Morrissey

Interesting...I'd think he'd be drafted and stay a defenseman, right?

Nothing a little patience can't solve. Seasoning in Juniors....I've seen his name dropped a lot around here. Have to say he seems like he'd be a good compliment to Luke Schenn in 5 years!

Any word about how that D game is progressing? Do scouts think he'll be adequate in his own end?
- Giroux_Is_God

Here's a recent writeup on him:

"Pulock’s biggest asset is an absolute rocket of a slapshot and fantastic one timer which make him an extremely feared shooter on the Powerplay. His shot was measured at 101 MPH in a skills competition this season. Other teams are certainly shading their PK to try to minimize Pulock’s shot at this point, but despite that, and the wrist injury which limited his effectiveness even after his return, he still scored 14 goals this season. A natural PP Quarterback, Pulock makes smart crisp passes and sees the ice extremely well. He also understands the importance of getting the puck on net, and is able to utilize a good wrist shot and quick release when teams try to take away his big bomb. On the rush, he has decent stickhandling and can be the lead man with the puck or can join the attack as the trailer, ready to unleash his rocket slapper or that very good wrist shot."

"Pulock is an above average skater with good mobility on the blue line. He has a very good skating stride and good top end speed, both forwards and backwards. His edgework, pivots and agility are excellent, allowing him to easily cover a lot of ice, and quickly change directions to react and keep the play in front of him. He has solid balance and is difficult to knock off the puck."

"Defensively, Pulock uses his good hockey sense and strong positioning and has really improved his defensive game over the last two years. He keeps his opponent to the outside off the rush and is rarely beaten one on one. In the defensive zone he cuts down passing and shooting lanes. Pulock does play physically willing to throw hits in open ice or if an opponent tries to get by him along the boards. He could stand to work on his upper body strength which would help him to win more board battles and be more of a force in front of the net, and clearing the crease. Pulock’s first pass is excellent, and he helps his team start their transition game by moving the puck quickly out of the zone."

"Stylistically, we’d compare Pulock to Shea Weber in that he has the great powerplay shot, is a smart defenceman, and plays a smart and physical defensive game. Remember that this is a style comparison and not saying he will ever be a Norris trophy caliber player like Weber. In terms of potential, he can be a top pairing defenceman who will lead an NHL team on the powerplay, and play big minutes if he can reach his ceiling."

I think the substantial spike in production versus last season (went from 10 pts -15 to 41 pts +15) should make him a little less "raw" in many scouts eyes. He seems like a determined kid...the size (6'5" 195) and athletic ability is there, the hockey part seems to be coming together.
- exlund

His draft stock has risen a good bit in the past year as a reflection of that showing. The physical tools are definitely tantalizing.

i really want the red wings to miss the playoffs. a lot.
- hammarby31

Then, as part of the thank you for spending the last three decades or more out west, they win the lottery

If the Flyers miss out on the top three of Jones Drouin and MacKinnon(which is fairly likely) and Nurse or Nichushkin are on the board I take one of those guys. If those 5 are off the board I seriously consider trading the pick depending on who is available.
- hereticpride

imagine if the flyers win the lottery jones or mackinnon

Pronger still hopes comeback is in the cards

http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...667165&navid=nhl:topheads

Surprising.
- wolfhounds

is it possible to "try and play" and get amnestied?

Then, as part of the thank you for spending the last three decades or more out west, they win the lottery
- KINGKENZO

which is exactly what will happen and they get their next lidstrom. meanwhile, we'll get the second coming of ryan parent.