At 11 you need to add a significant player or two to make that happen. 11th overall, Coots & Read or 11th overall and Jake would probably be the asking price.
- hereticpride

I would do 11 and couts. Prob won't be enough really don't want to throw read in there

Tim P made the excellent point about St Louis defenseman being possible trades.
They recently paid Jackman and Polak, have Bouwmeester on the books for another year at 6.6, and have Pietrangelo, Ian Cole, and Shattenkirk all RFA this year.
Leopold's deal is up and they aren't in cap trouble, but that is a lot of work to do to keep all those guys.
- Marc D

I'd actually like to pick up Jackman, as he might be more attainable. Solid #3/4 defenseman who you can put out there 20 minutes a game and not worry about.
Maybe not him, but that's the kind of defenseman I think they should target via FA/trade. I'm not sure this team is deep enough to be able to pry a #1/2 away.

I would do 11 and couts. Prob won't be enough really don't want to throw read in there
- Just5

Probably wouldn't Get it done then. EDM would offer their higher pick and RNH or Hall or something and get it done.

At 11 you need to add a significant player or two to make that happen. 11th overall, Coots & Read or 11th overall and Jake would probably be the asking price.
- hereticpride

Would've been easier to just lose the last 4 games if the Flyers were that concerned about their draft position. Teams like Nashville and Tampa know that if you aren't going to make the playoffs, go for the best draft pick possible. Nashville needs a stud forward and put themselves in great position to pick a stud forward who can play next year by pretty much losing every game the last month.

They did themselves, most likely, a great service by their horrendous slide at the end of the season. If they have a Stamkos or Tavares or Kane type player on their roster next year, this year will be forgotten more easily.

No guarantees but there's a reason that teams covet the slots at the top end of the draft.

I'd actually like to pick up Jackman, as he might be more attainable. Solid #3/4 defenseman who you can put out there 20 minutes a game and not worry about.
Maybe not him, but that's the kind of defenseman I think they should target via FA/trade. I'm not sure this team is deep enough to be able to pry a #1/2 away.
- jmatchett383

they have Patrik Berglund as RFA to re sign as well, and a ton of young talent coming up.

They are an interesting team, should be a great series with LA

And two million dollars isn't a lot of money? Remember he may have made that but didn't actually receive 49 million. Furthermore show me how there is any precedent set for a player retiring recently under these conditions leaving his team cash strapped?
- JoeRussomanno

Thomas would have been, until the Islanders decided they wanted to add a $4M cap hit. There is no precedent, but then again, there aren't many goalies who have ever had a deal that long for that much money. Also, due to the new terms of the CBA, there's never been a possibility for an $8M dead cap space penalty before.
No one's saying it will happen, but it's a scary possibility.

The thing this week that really bothered me the most was hearing our beloved and trusted blogger say Bryz was not liked by team mates for throwing other players under the bus. Also the reports that Lavi and Bryz don't see eye to eye.

I hate this kind of stuff.

It reminds me of the rumors of the divided locker room when Pronger came here, not getting along with Richards and Carter.

I don't remember Bryz's comments or what he said about his teammates. I do know he always seems to be brutally honest about his own performance when he is bad. He also is maybe too candid about how if they lost a certain game they were "done". I think it referred to the back to back games with the Devils in mid March. But I can't remember him backstabbing his teammates. Maybe it is how he reacts to goals with his exaggerated body language.

I think if there is truth to these things it makes it tough for Bryz's future here.
I know winning solves everything, but with the youth and holes on D they have, consistent winning may be 2-3 years away.
- Marc D

prob is that bryz has a track record as a flaky guy since his cincinnati days in the A according to kevin woodley. if the performance was any better, we could live w/ the warts, but i wouldn't be holding my breath. between these issues -if Bill cited them, i trust him- and his wretched contract, i would move on as long as we can bring in a guy to compete w/ mason....prob what they could have done w/ bob before they panicked and signed bryz.

Yandle is usually adequate defensively, just not physical at all. Unless Phoenix comes down significantly in the alleged trade returns they've demanded from other teams that have asked about Yandle -- not just the Flyers -- he's not going anywhere.

There's a possibility that Byfuglien will be available this summer, once Bogosian is re-signed. With Enstrom's extension kicking in next year, the Jets would have three big-ticket contracts on D but still glaring needs for more talent up front.

Ek thinks the Flyers will explore the Byfuglien possibility. I personally am NOT at all in favor of the Flyers even thinking down that avenue. If I am giving up valuable assets and paying a premium for a Dman to place in my top pairing, I want someone who can be counted on to produce consistent effort (not just talking desirable results -- I mean compete level) and be in reasonably good physical condition.
- bmeltzer

please don't trade for him Homer/Snider.

Yeah, I noticed that too, but apparently, he was not well liked in Phoenix. I don't think he ever threw his teammates under the bus, he's just too honest as you say. I think he was right about when the season was over. I felt it was after the loss to the Rangers.. collapse vs the Penguins at home then the loss to the Bruins in succession. That was it..
- Hextall271

Not well-liked in Anaheim either, especially when he was trying to usurp the starting role there and made it all too clear that he couldn't wait for them to get rid of Giguere... even went as far as to say Giguere would have been traded but "nobody wanted him".

Whether or not he's a good/great/elite goaltender is debatable, but what's not debatable is that he's always been a huge distraction on every team he's played on for a variety of reasons, including this summer in Russia where differences in language/culture couldn't be used as an excuse.

prob is that bryz has a track record as a flaky guy since his cincinnati days in the A according to kevin woodley. if the performance was any better, we could live w/ the warts, but i wouldn't be holding my breath. between these issues -if Bill cited them, i trust him- and his wretched contract, i would move on as long as we can bring in a guy to compete w/ mason....prob what they could have done w/ bob before they panicked and signed bryz.
- isaiah520

I can live with flaky, I mean he is a goalie

but if his coach has a problem with him and he is not liked by teammates then those are bigger issues that do bother me

the bad contract is what it is, and ultimately is what may decide it... and that is on the management, not the payer

Would've been easier to just lose the last 4 games if the Flyers were that concerned about their draft position. Teams like Nashville and Tampa know that if you aren't going to make the playoffs, go for the best draft pick possible. Nashville needs a stud forward and put themselves in great position to pick a stud forward who can play next year by pretty much losing every game the last month.

They did themselves, most likely, a great service by their horrendous slide at the end of the season. If they have a Stamkos or Tavares or Kane type player on their roster next year, this year will be forgotten more easily.

No guarantees but there's a reason that teams covet the slots at the top end of the draft.
- Flyers_01

I agree that the us tanking would have made for a better pick, but I have a philosophical issue with trying to lose. It's a matter of organizational pride IMO. I would never want to play things like Pittsburgh did. I'd rather get a mid level pick, and have the positive vibes for the young players and Mason going into the summer. Also, we tried the dead last strategy in 07 to no avail.

I agree. Just like Coburn and Timonen were a great pairing.

Yandle/Schenn
Coburn/Timonen
Grossmann/Gus

Let's roll with that.
- Rocktane

Because of Mez' injuries and one year contract status, he is here next year.
Unless he retires, no one will trade for him until his health status is clear.

If it is clear, he is an excellent defenseman and I believe will stay with Philly.

I look at other teams and nobody throws their injured players under the bus more than on this site.

Not well-liked in Anaheim either, especially when he was trying to usurp the starting role there and made it all too clear that he couldn't wait for them to get rid of Giguere... even went as far as to say Giguere would have been traded but "nobody wanted him".

Whether or not he's a good/great/elite goaltender is debatable, but what's not debatable is that he's always been a huge distraction on every team he's played on for a variety of reasons, including this summer in Russia where differences in language/culture couldn't be used as an excuse.
- Tomahawk

So is everyone now off of the "Bryz is a great guy who is just misunderstood" train? Because that train had a lot of passengers during the season.

I can live with flaky, I mean he is a goalie

but if his coach has a problem with him and he is not liked by teammates then those are bigger issues that do bother me

the bad contract is what it is, and ultimately is what may decide it... and that is on the management, not the payer
- Marc D

I disagree. The bad contract is on both of them. For the player to be blameless he'd have to be ignorant of the expectations that come with the contract. Bryz knew what was expected of him when he signed it. $51 million guaranteed regardless of performance is tough to swallow but Bryz and his great great grandchildren are well taken care of due to Holmgren so I doubt Bryz really gives a crap what anyone thinks.

Bill,

What if anything do you know on

Markus Söberg (LW) of Frolunda
Peter Cehlarik (LW) of Lulea
Marcus Högberg (G) of Linkopings
Robin Press (D) of Sodertalje
Niklas Hansson (D) of Rogle

Would've been easier to just lose the last 4 games if the Flyers were that concerned about their draft position. Teams like Nashville and Tampa know that if you aren't going to make the playoffs, go for the best draft pick possible. Nashville needs a stud forward and put themselves in great position to pick a stud forward who can play next year by pretty much losing every game the last month.

They did themselves, most likely, a great service by their horrendous slide at the end of the season. If they have a Stamkos or Tavares or Kane type player on their roster next year, this year will be forgotten more easily.

No guarantees but there's a reason that teams covet the slots at the top end of the draft.
- Flyers_01

And what if the Flyers win the lottery? The Flyers are a young team that will benefit from finishing strongly. Once they were out of the top 5 or 6, positioning became less relevant anyhow.

I don't think the Flyers are that far away from being a contender as it is. There were several veterans who can be expected to rebound, and the younger guys should be better.

There is a rumor that Thomas wants to play for the Flyers in 2013-2014. When he announced he was taking the yr off, his agent said he wanted to come back in 2013-2014, for a chance at making Team USA.


Snow traded a conditional 2nd to Boston for TT's rights. If he plays 1 game for the isles in either 2012-2013 or in 2013-2014, the Bruins get the NYI 2nd rounder. Snow has said he made the TT trade to make sure he'd be cap compliant all season and according to Newsday, Snow doesn't plan on tolling 39 yr old Thomas' contract. That would make Thomas a ufa this summer. I can't see any team giving up a 2nd rounder for TT on a crowded goalie market, making it worth Snow's trouble to trade him, instead of just letting him become a ufa.

Philly just gave Mason a 2 yr extension and the press is reporting, that the Flyers don't plan on buying out Bryz this sumnmer.The want to give him another yr. I don't see a spot for Thomas in Philly. But, his coming back would add another quality goalie, to a crowded market.

https://twitter.com/Randy...ller/sta...17099820859392
For what's it worth, i heard this week Tim Thomas wants to play for Flyers in '13-14. Also heard Flyers recently discussed Ryan Miller

So is everyone now off of the "Bryz is a great guy who is just misunderstood" train? Because that train had a lot of passengers during the season.
- Flyers_01

I have one foot off the train.

For me I want to see him succeed because of the deal and him being a Flyer.
I also want to root for him because of the child like treatment he receives from the local and national hockey media. The HNIC guys (with a few notable exceptions like Elliot Friedman) are worse then the local Philly guys, because you expect them to know more about the game.

He has been OK from a strictly goalie standpoint, at times their best player, other times just average.

If the coach and the other players have problems with him as a teammate, I am worried about his future.

I don't care about his personality but if it effect the team then that is too bad, but it seems this has become a real factor in the equation.

Ideally his play on the ice should be isolated from his quirks, but that is not the case anymore, or so it seems.

There is a rumor that Thomas wants to play for the Flyers in 2013-2014. When he announced he was taking the yr off, his agent said he wanted to come back in 2013-2014, for a chance at making Team USA.


Snow traded a conditional 2nd to Boston for TT's rights. If he plays 1 game for the isles in either 2012-2013 or in 2013-2014, the Bruins get the NYI 2nd rounder. Snow has said he made the TT trade to make sure he'd be cap compliant all season and according to Newsday, Snow doesn't plan on tolling 39 yr old Thomas' contract. That would make Thomas a ufa this summer. I can't see any team giving up a 2nd rounder for TT on a crowded goalie market, making it worth Snow's trouble to trade him, instead of just letting him become a ufa.

Philly just gave Mason a 2 yr extension and the press is reporting, that the Flyers don't plan on buying out Bryz this sumnmer.The want to give him another yr. I don't see a spot for Thomas in Philly. But, his coming back would add another quality goalie, to a crowded market.

https://twitter.com/Randy...ller/sta...17099820859392
For what's it worth, i heard this week Tim Thomas wants to play for Flyers in '13-14. Also heard Flyers recently discussed Ryan Miller
- Winning

Mason did not get a two year extension.
Fck Tim Thomas, he better never be a Flyer.
Ryan Miller I think would have a tough time being a goalie in Philly, but then again so would everyone.

And what if the Flyers win the lottery? The Flyers are a young team that will benefit from finishing strongly. Once they were out of the top 5 or 6, positioning became less relevant anyhow.

I don't think the Flyers are that far away from being a contender as it is. There were several veterans who can be expected to rebound, and the younger guys should be better.
- Jsaquella

I wouldn't complain if the Flyers won the lottery but that can hardly be factored into anything called a strategy. Also if the Flyers had lost their last 4 games (in regulation) they would be tied for 4th overall with Nashville, so they would've been in your Top 5 or 6 sweet spot.

I'm not sure how much "finishing strongly" factors into anything. Plenty of teams have finished strongly once they are out of playoff contention only to do the same thing the following year, finishing strongly after being eliminated. It makes fans and players feel better but does it translate into actual production? That I don't know.

I can't wait until one of PIT, CHI, or WSH wins the Cup so we can all start lusting after attack systems again.


- Tomahawk

go Blues

If the coach and the other players have problems with him as a teammate, I am worried about his future.

I don't care about his personality but if it effect the team then that is too bad, but it seems this has become a real factor in the equation.
- Marc D

I have a feeling they're all just tired of the constant circus and tired of having to answer questions about him over and over.

Its too bad a player like Seth Jones could be buried in a hockey hotbed like Florida.
- MBFlyerfan

maybe someday it'll be the quebec panthers

I have one foot off the train.

For me I want to see him succeed because of the deal and him being a Flyer.
I also want to root for him because of the child like treatment he receives from the local and national hockey media. The HNIC guys (with a few notable exceptions like Elliot Friedman) are worse then the local Philly guys, because you expect them to know more about the game.

He has been OK from a strictly goalie standpoint, at times their best player, other times just average.

If the coach and the other players have problems with him as a teammate, I am worried about his future.

I don't care about his personality but if it effect the team then that is too bad, but it seems this has become a real factor in the equation.

Ideally his play on the ice should be isolated from his quirks, but that is not the case anymore, or so it seems.
- Marc D

I dont how how many moves Holmgren is ideally planning to make in the summer. I lean toward patience regarding the kids, but also not to stand pat with some of the veterans.

I dont want the to see the same crew return next year, and basically just hope everything is better. That would be stupid imo, and may cost Holmgren his job.

Would prefer to cut ties with Bryzgalov now. What exactly are the Flyers going to lose? If it seems that there is a time splitting option out there (Emery/Backstrom), then I would be in for a buy-out now.

It would be such a flyer type of move to trade for him. I don't want this guy anywhere near us. But you know flyers brass still thinks about 2010
- Just5

"Enough of Buff: Get rid of him

Lacks commitment, discipline of true pro"

http://www.winnipegfreepr...992331.html?device=mobile