ok..maybe i shouldve asked the question differently...

it's UFA day...which players (outside of Philadelphia) would you sign?
- sarmen25

I agree with Tomahawk, for the most part. Gritty guy who has good size for the third/fourth lines, young defenseman reclaimation projects, Sanguinetti or Ty Wishart.

The UFA market is like shopping for good wine or cigars at 7-11

I think the question everyone is waiting to see answered is will Homer make another JVR/Luke Schenn type deal.

The need for a top puck moving defenseman for next season is huge.

The costs are really high.

I have no doubt Homer will try to pull off something.

Gusty's recent play has thrown a mild wrench into the equation.
Can he continue to improve and take on the role of the 2nd pair puck mover, 2nd PP point defenseman next season? It is asking an awful lot of him. Also do they want Kimmo to continue to be slotted as the #1 guy with all those tough minutes next season.

Jagr, to me, embodies the drive needed to win the Cup. The fact he had a key to the practice rink, that he was the first on and last off the ice. That type of personality is key, especially for a team that has had a pretty major roster turnover with a young young nucleus.

On the ice, Jagr and Giroux were pretty dominant 5 on 5. It seemed to me this year a lot of teams had a game plan to deny G space which only makes sense, I think having Jagr there would have opened up more space then say Hartsy/Voracek would. And I'm not even saying that Voracek isn't as good as a forward, just that Jagr would command more respect.

And on the PP, our 2nd unit is pretty awful so I don't see how bumping Simmonds or Hartnell down to the 2nd PP would have been such an issue.

Simmonds-G-Jagr
Hartnell-Schenn-Read
- GirouxForTheShow

I think all of that is true. But at some point, your younger players have to step up and take on bigger roles. having a player like Jagr around blocks some of that from happening. He is 40 years old. Can't keep him around forever. And when a player like Giroux breaks out, like he did last year. He is going to see tighter, and tighter checking. He has to learn to deal with that, and overcome it. I can't say that Giroux has had a great Season. But he is still at a point a game pace. Shows you what kind of player he is. At some point the young players have to go through the growing pains and learn hard lessons. I think that was done this year, and it will pay dividends down the road. I agreed with the decision to not re-sign Jagr then, and I still do. It was the right call for the long term of this team. It's time for players like Voracek on the top line. And other young players to get bigger roles on the PP.

I think the question everyone is waiting to see answered is will Homer make another JVR/Luke Schenn type deal.

The need for a top puck moving defenseman for next season is huge.

The costs are really high.

I have no doubt Homer will try to pull off something.

Gusty's recent play has thrown a mild wrench into the equation.
Can he continue to improve and take on the role of the 2nd pair puck mover, 2nd PP point defenseman next season? It is asking an awful lot of him. Also do they want Kimmo to continue to be slotted as the #1 guy with all those tough minutes next season.
- Marc D

I'd like to see him go after a kid like Jamie McBain if the costs are too high. That's the kind of move that could be a solid long term move that fills the need and might not cost them an arm and a leg

I think the question everyone is waiting to see answered is will Homer make another JVR/Luke Schenn type deal.

The need for a top puck moving defenseman for next season is huge.

The costs are really high.

I have no doubt Homer will try to pull off something.

Gusty's recent play has thrown a mild wrench into the equation.
Can he continue to improve and take on the role of the 2nd pair puck mover, 2nd PP point defenseman next season? It is asking an awful lot of him. Also do they want Kimmo to continue to be slotted as the #1 guy with all those tough minutes next season.
- Marc D

I think Schenn slides into that #1 spot. And a lot also has to do with managements opinion on what to do with Coburn/Meszzy. I think Gusty can play 2nd PP easily, but if he was to be on the 2nd pair, you'd have to put him with Grossman or a bigger body at the least.

I agree with Tomahawk, for the most part. Gritty guy who has good size for the third/fourth lines, young defenseman reclaimation projects, Sanguinetti or Ty Wishart.

The UFA market is like shopping for good wine or cigars at 7-11
- Jsaquella

Anyone know what the story is with Latandresse? He's had some injuries, and his play has just fallen off. But he's still only 25. Will be a UFA, and he has really good size.

I will also go out on a limb and say the Flyers will make some sort of roster move. I will also go out on a limb and say, the sun should rise tomorrow, and if it does, it should rise in the East.
- GirouxForTheShow

I'll clarify. I'm not talking about the normal ho hum minor moves. I fully expect the Flyers to make some kind of major move.

I think Schenn slides into that #1 spot. And a lot also has to do with managements opinion on what to do with Coburn/Meszzy. I think Gusty can play 2nd PP easily, but if he was to be on the 2nd pair, you'd have to put him with Grossman or a bigger body at the least.
- GirouxForTheShow

Luke Schenn isn't a #1 defenseman, and isn't likely to ever be a #1 defenseman in this League. And I think Gustafsson is going to be a 3rd pair player on this team going forward, not a top 4.

Anyone know what the story is with Latandresse? He's had some injuries, and his play has just fallen off. But he's still only 25. Will be a UFA, and he has really good size.
- MJL

He's had injuries. 2010-11, he had a sports hernia and torn hip labrum. Then in 2011-12 he battled concussion issues and I believe he also re-injured the hip.

This season he suffered what was originally diagnosed as whiplash, not sure if that ever changed to concussion or not. If he can stay healthy, he's an intriguing guy. But he makes Meszaros look like Rod Brind'Amour or Doug Jarvis

I think all of that is true. But at some point, your younger players have to step up and take on bigger roles. having a player like Jagr around blocks some of that from happening. He is 40 years old. Can't keep him around forever. And when a player like Giroux breaks out, like he did last year. He is going to see tighter, and tighter checking. He has to learn to deal with that, and overcome it. I can't say that Giroux has had a great Season. But he is still at a point a game pace. Shows you what kind of player he is. At some point the young players have to go through the growing pains and learn hard lessons. I think that was done this year, and it will pay dividends down the road. I agreed with the decision to not re-sign Jagr then, and I still do. It was the right call for the long term of this team. It's time for players like Voracek on the top line. And other young players to get bigger roles on the PP.
- MJL

Possibly now going forward, I see your point. But to say that they made the right move this past year, is a stretch. Not say that they would have been a better team with Jagr, I just didn't buy the reason that they didn't sign him (ie top line minutes and PP time).

And a lot of that depends on the personalities of those younger guys, if they have that drive that Jags showed to better themselves and to learn from the many mistakes this year.

I'll clarify. I'm not talking about the normal ho hum minor moves. I fully expect the Flyers to make some kind of major move.
- MJL

Just hope they don't move any of: coots, read, b schenn

He's had injuries. 2010-11, he had a sports hernia and torn hip labrum. Then in 2011-12 he battled concussion issues and I believe he also re-injured the hip.

This season he suffered what was originally diagnosed as whiplash, not sure if that ever changed to concussion or not. If he can stay healthy, he's an intriguing guy. But he makes Meszaros look like Rod Brind'Amour or Doug Jarvis
- Jsaquella

Yea, I hear you. If he could get healthy, he's a player that could be a steal in Free Agency, if he can regain his game. But that would be taking a huge risk to anything but another one year deal.

I'd like to see him go after a kid like Jamie McBain if the costs are too high. That's the kind of move that could be a solid long term move that fills the need and might not cost them an arm and a leg
- Jsaquella

McBain took quite a step back this year. Last year from what I saw I really liked the kid. I agree and think that he could be an excellent buy low option. They scratched him at the trade deadline I think they'd like to find a partner. I think their trying to get bigger on the blueline. I would be interested in swapping Grossman and a prospect

I think Schenn slides into that #1 spot. And a lot also has to do with managements opinion on what to do with Coburn/Meszzy. I think Gusty can play 2nd PP easily, but if he was to be on the 2nd pair, you'd have to put him with Grossman or a bigger body at the least.
- GirouxForTheShow

Bill mentioned putting Gusty with Grossmann.
In theory it sounds great and probably we will get to see it next year, unless someone gets traded.

L Schenn to me could be on a top pair with the right partner.
He is not the true #1 guy in my understanding of that position, but more of a capable #2 (and even then he is not quite there yet, imo).

I think of the #1 guy as an elite puck mover, skater, great first pass, point quarterback of the PP, can go up against another teams's top line.

Pronger. Even a younger Kimmo.

Luke Schenn isn't a #1 defenseman, and isn't likely to ever be a #1 defenseman in this League. And I think Gustafsson is going to be a 3rd pair player on this team going forward, not a top 4.
- MJL

He's the #1 defenseman on this team warranted or nit. I'd agree about Gusty, but still would think you need to pair him with Grossman. Or a bigger body outside the system.

McBain took quite a step back this year. Last year from what I saw I really liked the kid. I agree and think that he could be an excellent buy low option. They scratched him at the trade deadline I think they'd like to find a partner. I think their trying to get bigger on the blueline. I would be interested in swapping Grossman and a prospect
- Just5

Luke Schenn had taken a big step backwards last year. With young defensemen, linear progression is rare. I do think if Pitkanen had not gotten hurt, that McBain would have been moved.

He's got a nice skill set, still needs work, though.

Possibly now going forward, I see your point. But to say that they made the right move this past year, is a stretch. Not say that they would have been a better team with Jagr, I just didn't buy the reason that they didn't sign him (ie top line minutes and PP time).

And a lot of that depends on the personalities of those younger guys, if they have that drive that Jags showed to better themselves and to learn from the many mistakes this year.
- GirouxForTheShow

They would've been a better team with Jagr. I don't think there's any doubt about that. Enough of a difference maker to make the playoffs, I don't know. I doubt it. If the young players on this team constantly need a 40 year old player to push them in terms of work ethic, then the Flyers have big problems. Jagr wanted too much money, and the Flyers wanted to move players such as Voracek into bigger roles.

Yea, I hear you. If he could get healthy, he's a player that could be a steal in Free Agency, if he can regain his game. But that would be taking a huge risk to anything but another one year deal.
- MJL

I think he's probably similar to what they can get out of Tye McGinn at this point. Not against a one year deal, because he's more proven than McGinn. Just don't feel he could be counted upon as more than a role player.

They would've been a better team with Jagr. I don't think there's any doubt about that. Enough of a difference maker to make the playoffs, I don't know. I doubt it. If the young players on this team constantly need a 40 year old player to push them in terms of work ethic, then the Flyers have big problems. Jagr wanted too much money, and the Flyers wanted to move players such as Voracek into bigger roles.
- MJL

No one said anything about constantly needing Jagr to push them, but I'd learn a lot more about what it takes to win from Jagr than I would from Hartsy showing me his signed Fartsmell jersey and showing me nudies of Sheena Parveen.

Luke Schenn isn't a #1 defenseman, and isn't likely to ever be a #1 defenseman in this League. And I think Gustafsson is going to be a 3rd pair player on this team going forward, not a top 4.
- MJL

Likely that is right about Gusty.
But if Homer can't find a top pair defenseman this summer, Gusty may be moved to a top 4 spot by default.

I really am encouraged by his play since his call up.
He is making better decisions, and has soem offensive flair.

When he first came up I saw a lot of panicky passes ending up in turnovers, but I think he is getting better each game.

He's the #1 defenseman on this team warranted or nit. I'd agree about Gusty, but still would think you need to pair him with Grossman. Or a bigger body outside the system.
- GirouxForTheShow

I don't think that he is. If any defenseman is, Timonen is the #1 this year, and will be again next year. And reality is even Timonen is not a true #1 anymore. In my opinion, and a player isn't a #1 defenseman by default. The player is either of that caliber or he isn't. Regardless of the makeup of the team.

No one said anything about constantly needing Jagr to push them, but I'd learn a lot more about what it takes to win from Jagr than I would from Hartsy showing me his signed Fartsmell jersey and showing me undies of Sheena Parveen.
- GirouxForTheShow

Learning from Jagr, or pushing them. It's the same thing. It was time to move on.

I honestly think the only safe players are G, Vorachek, and Luke. I think Holmgren would move anyone else for a good price. Although for what he brings I think Talbot is also pretty safe.

I agree with Tomahawk, for the most part. Gritty guy who has good size for the third/fourth lines, young defenseman reclaimation projects, Sanguinetti or Ty Wishart.

The UFA market is like shopping for good wine or cigars at 7-11
- Jsaquella

Both would help let them keep whomever they draft to be kept in whatever league the come from to develop.

I think he's probably similar to what they can get out of Tye McGinn at this point. Not against a one year deal, because he's more proven than McGinn. Just don't feel he could be counted upon as more than a role player.
- Jsaquella

Can't disagree with that. Although not sure McGinn will ever be a 25 goal scorer in this league. But McGinn does bring the size and grit on the forecheck on the Wing. And giving McGinn a shot is definitely the safer play. I was just curious what you thought.