The Flyers are in a good position. If this season was 82 games this team would be in the playoffs. They started to play better hockey at the end.
- stveshdy

And I personally think unless Coburn and Mez both have major turnaround seasons next year as some have predicted here, then we'll still be in the same place we were in in the first 25 games of this season. Unless they really turn it around, our defense will be worse with them in it then it was at the end with all of our rookies in.

Quick question- laught played his max games before being sent back. Is the allowable amount a hard cap or is he allowed another batch in a new season?

I still stand by my belief that Read, Coburn, Mezaros, and 2 1st rounders have the capability of acquiring an elite defenseman or actually, Read, Coburn, and 3 1st rounders has much more value.
- JAKEw1234

It also creates more holes to fill and depletes the ability to draft to restock the farm system.

And I personally think unless Coburn and Mez both have major turnaround seasons next year as some have predicted here, then we'll still be in the same place we were in in the first 25 games of this season. Unless they really turn it around, our defense will be worse with them in it then it was at the end with all of our rookies in.
- JAKEw1234

Mez and Coburn were disappointing this year no doubt about it.

The Flyers did play better with both out.

Quick question- laught played his max games before being sent back. Is the allowable amount a hard cap or is he allowed another batch in a new season?
- KINGKENZO

It's a one season thing. It would have burned a year off his ELC had he played one more game this year. I believe the 9 game rule still applies to him this upcoming season

Yes he's dying I get out of that nightmare situation as the 2nd seed
- Just5

He doesn't see eye to eye with the management there. for the past year almost he's been on the list of players to be moved there because he doesn't want to be there. I'm sure being 2nd seed helps him out alittle bit, but still I would imagine he'd rather be on a different playoff team.

Nicklas Backstrom got hurt in warmups for the Wild, Josh Harding starting vs the Blackhawks
- Jsaquella

That's gotta hurt UFA status.....interesting

And I personally think unless Coburn and Mez both have major turnaround seasons next year as some have predicted here, then we'll still be in the same place we were in in the first 25 games of this season. Unless they really turn it around, our defense will be worse with them in it then it was at the end with all of our rookies in.
- JAKEw1234

The defense was better after they got hurt because Laviolette simplified the system and the forwards played much better team defense.

It wasn't that Lauridsen and Gustafsson were so great, it's that they were asked to fill roles they could handle.

Probably true. I'm looking to add another puck moving defenseman with some offensive ability.

Holmgren has his work cut out this summer.
- stveshdy

Yeah i agree, get a feeling we will see a solid d-man added this offseason at all or any costs. Kinda like a few years ago when they publicly said goaltending would be addressed.

The defense was better after they got hurt because Laviolette simplified the system and the forwards played much better team defense.

It wasn't that Lauridsen and Gustafsson were so great, it's that they were asked to fill roles they could handle.
- Jsaquella

Do you think we'll be keeping this same system next year?

Mez and Coburn were disappointing this year no doubt about it.

The Flyers did play better with both out.
- stveshdy

Mezaros was very good for three and a half games. He should never have came back after the first shoulder injury. He clearly wasn't right.

I did not know that, but it almost made my day
Realistically, Erik Johnson is a possibility with Seth Jones coming. If I were colorado I would keep both of my 1st overall defenseman, but Johnson has played like poop for the last couple of seasons. We could try going back to nashville for weber, hopefully by now they've realized that they need to scrap and restart a rebuild phase. By the time their youth is good enough to compete Weber will be a veteran and the rest of his career as an elite defenseman will have been all but wasted. We could try Pietrangelo, but I have a feeling St. Louis isn't taking offers. For future elite talent we could try to grab Jonas Brodin, but I think it will still be a few seasons until we will truly call him elite. We could attempt for Byfuglien, I hear he's not well liked in Winnipeg. I'm sure there are countless possibilities going through Homers mind that none of us have even considered, though. He's always been creative.
- JAKEw1234

Here's how I see it. It's one thing if a player like Pronger at 35 is being made available for the right price. And still look at what that cost.
But if you want a top veteran defenseman in his prime from another team. Be prepared for the price to be a top player from your team. That means Giroux or Voracek to start with.
If you want a top young developing defenseman from another team. Be prepared to pay with one of your top young developing players. That means Couturier or B Schenn to start with.
There's always a chance that a GM goes wacko and makes a bad deal, and you can steal a player. But it doesn't happen often. And I wouldn't be holding my breath.

The defense was better after they got hurt because Laviolette simplified the system and the forwards played much better team defense.

It wasn't that Lauridsen and Gustafsson were so great, it's that they were asked to fill roles they could handle.
- Jsaquella

I agree with your post but Lauridsen and Gustafsson played solid hockey.

Mezaros was very good for three and a half games. He should never have came back after the first shoulder injury. He clearly wasn't right.
- Feanor

That shoulder is a concern and I'm not sure the Flyers can count on him. I hope he comes back and plays well but who knows.

I still stand by my belief that Read, Coburn, Mezaros, and 2 1st rounders have the capability of acquiring an elite defenseman or actually, Read, Coburn, and 3 1st rounders has much more value.
- JAKEw1234

Is the alarm clock going off yet?

And I personally think unless Coburn and Mez both have major turnaround seasons next year as some have predicted here, then we'll still be in the same place we were in in the first 25 games of this season. Unless they really turn it around, our defense will be worse with them in it then it was at the end with all of our rookies in.
- JAKEw1234

But yet you expect another team to give you a top defenseman with those two as a big part of the package. Something doesn't add up here.

I won't even bother with the last statement.

Chris Bigras, D - Owen Sound (possible 2nd round target)

"A solid two-way defenceman. A smooth skater with great poise and high hockey IQ. Bigras knows when to join the rush but can be relied on defensively"

Quick question- laught played his max games before being sent back. Is the allowable amount a hard cap or is he allowed another batch in a new season?
- KINGKENZO

It does not carry over. But it's not likely that he's going back to Juniors.

He doesn't see eye to eye with the management there. for the past year almost he's been on the list of players to be moved there because he doesn't want to be there. I'm sure being 2nd seed helps him out alittle bit, but still I would imagine he'd rather be on a different playoff team.
- JAKEw1234

Where are you getting this information from?

Where are you getting this information from?
- MJL

Probably from last offseason.

http://www.broadstreethoc...6/bobby-ryan-trade-flyers

It's a one season thing. It would have burned a year off his ELC had he played one more game this year. I believe the 9 game rule still applies to him this upcoming season
- Jsaquella

So say during a "normal" season he plays all nine. The following year, he is still jr eligible, does he get another 9 games before his ELC kicks in, or does the clock start from the first game played?

I didn't learn anything new today, so I decided this would be it

Thanks

Edit: just read your first sentence

It does not carry over. But it's not likely that he's going back to Juniors.
- MJL

I'm more interested on the rule than the that example. Gotcha. Thanks

Probably from last offseason.

http://www.broadstreethoc...6/bobby-ryan-trade-flyers
- stveshdy

Much about nothing really.

Samuel Morin, D - Rimouski

ISS - "Minute-munching, shutdown D-man w/tons of long term upside. Emerging mean streak."

Because he's very likely not ready to be a full time NHL defenseman yet. Nurse has largely gotten by on his physical tools alone. That likely won't be enough at the NHL level. He needs to learn the nuances of playing defense, and he's not going to step in and be able to physically dominate the NHL like he has the CHL ranks.

Sbisa's outstanding camp led to him ending up at wing and being a healthy scratch quite a few times before being returned to juniors later in the season. It was a waste of a year on his ELC.

Some guys can step right into the NHL, there's a lot that can't. Nurse is generally assumed to be a guy that needs more time.
- Jsaquella

'I think for some guys, as to whether or not they are able to step into the NHL right away, the opinion is pretty subjective. Until you drop the kid into the game and see, it's mostly just educated speculation. I don't mind the Flyers taking an objective evaluation during camp, preseason and the 9 game look or whatever the case may be...if the kid looks like he belongs, he sticks, if he looks out of place and struggling, send him back for more seasoning. The key is, if he does stick, is being patient, not burdening the kid with too much responsibility and pressure right off the bat. Break him in steady as she goes, ramping up icetime slowly, over time, as he earns/deserves it.