Im not Bill, but the two names that I think have the best shot at nailing down a full time job are Holmstrom and Gusty.. This will be Gustys first full time job, from start to finish. I dont think we have many holes to fill really.. Most of the bigger ones will be addressed during the draft and FA.
- jak521

Agreed, I think at his salary and ability to move up and play well on even the top pairing for limited time at least. Gus is a lock at the 6th spot. Meaning 2 things. First, any Defensemen we bring in or target is going to have to be a potential #1 or nothing. Second that if that happens, someone on the Blueline is going to probably get moved to make room.

wouldn't it be great if pronger made this miraculous recovery and was able to play next year?
- hammarby31

it's horrendous. i keep throwing up in my mouth with every tweet and msm piece i'm seeing about the playoffs. unfamiliar and very dissatisfying position.
- hammarby31

i kind of feel that, but am actually interested in the draft, etc. with the anticipation of having a higher pick, been focusing on that. it's a shame to be at 11 to an extent, but I think the draft is deep enough, etc. they were not going to win the Cup with this team IMO even if they got in, so we'll just sit this one out and watch good hockey I hope.

wouldn't it be great if pronger made this miraculous recovery and was able to play next year?
- hammarby31

it would be, but he'd always be one Perogi from being back where he is. I hope for his sake he doesn't.

But we all know whose fault that series really was.
- Scoob

Keith Primeau

I also saw that Bob wont play at the Worlds, Russia coach said he was too tired?? Kinda weird, cant see how he is any more tired than Bryz.

i kind of feel that, but am actually interested in the draft, etc. with the anticipation of having a higher pick, been focusing on that. it's a shame to be at 11 to an extent, but I think the draft is deep enough, etc. they were not going to win the Cup with this team IMO even if they got in, so we'll just sit this one out and watch good hockey I hope.
- wilsonecho91

I'd rather be drafting 5th. No satisfaction at going 10-5-1 at the end.

Agreed, I think at his salary and ability to move up and play well on even the top pairing for limited time at least. Gus is a lock at the 6th spot. Meaning 2 things. First, any Defensemen we bring in or target is going to have to be a potential #1 or nothing. Second that if that happens, someone on the Blueline is going to probably get moved.
- flyler

The Flyers are either going to be extremely active or do nothing..

If they trade from the offense to add to the defense, they are going to need to replace that offense... Whether its in the form of a trade or FA will have to be determined...

A few UFA names that could come cheap and give us good offensive support...

Mason Raymond, Stephen Weiss, and Michael Ryder are about it...

The Flyers are either going to be extremely active or do nothing..

If they trade from the offense to add to the defense, they are going to need to replace that offense... Whether its in the form of a trade or FA will have to be determined...

A few UFA names that could come cheap and give us good offensive support...

Mason Raymond, Stephen Weiss, and Michael Ryder are about it...
- jak521

Raymond would be a fan favourite here. Doubt he gets to free agency.

Bill,
With several holes to fill, do you see any one of the following flyers prospects making the team full-time for next season?
Jason Akeson, Nick Cousins, Kyle Flanagan, Shayne Gostisbehere, Brandon Manning, someone else?
- MrBigglesworth

Bill addressed Akeson and Cousins in his blog today. He'll address the defenseman tomorrow. Watching Manning play this year, not likely.

I also saw that Bob wont play at the Worlds, Russia coach said he was too tired?? Kinda weird, cant see how he is any more tired than Bryz.
- flyerfan28

If everyone's been telling you that you're the lock to win the Vezina and be MVP of the league become the next Ken Dryden, would YOU want to fly to Finland and/or Sweden to back up Ilya Bryzgalov?

If everyone's been telling you that you're the lock to win the Vezina and be MVP of the league become the next Ken Dryden, would YOU want to fly to Finland and/or Sweden to back up Ilya Bryzgalov?
- johndewar

Oh no doubt I agree, but from what was said it was the Russian coach that considered him tired, Bob wanted to go.

Raymond would be a fan favourite here. Doubt he gets to free agency.
- mayorofangrytown

Thats why I had him first... id kill to add a guy like him.. He is like a more offensively gifted Talbot

If everyone's been telling you that you're the lock to win the Vezina and be MVP of the league become the next Ken Dryden, would YOU want to fly to Finland and/or Sweden to back up Ilya Bryzgalov?
- johndewar

I disagree.. Bob doesnt have that type of ego...

i kind of feel that, but am actually interested in the draft, etc. with the anticipation of having a higher pick, been focusing on that. it's a shame to be at 11 to an extent, but I think the draft is deep enough, etc. they were not going to win the Cup with this team IMO even if they got in, so we'll just sit this one out and watch good hockey I hope.
- wilsonecho91

i'm with you on the draft, and it's nice to have a high pick in a deep draft. we're just so conditioned to be in the playoffs and feel like we've got a reasonable chance to go deep, that's it difficult to be on the sidelines...that feeling of knowing it's possible to finally end the drought. and i live for the adrenaline roller-coaster experience - you know that better than anyone. on the flip side, it's nice to be able to watch the whole thing from start to finish without having the emotion and distraction...just enjoy it for what it is from a fan of the game's perspective.

knowing it will be an entire YEAR before we get back to this point of possibility and excitement again is also something i'm grappling with. that makes me tired just thinking about it.

Oh no doubt I agree, but from what was said it was the Russian coach that considered him tired, Bob wanted to go.
- flyerfan28

Oh, that is weird.

No idea what to make of that.

it would be, but he'd always be one Perogi from being back where he is. I hope for his sake he doesn't.
- wilsonecho91

i know, and i would worry about it too. it's obviously more important for him to live as healthy a life as possible than being a f'ng defenseman for 2 or 3 more years.

I disagree.. Bob doesnt have that type of ego...
- jak521

Who's to say, at this point, the way he got his tires pumped after a 48 games season?

Oh, that is weird.

No idea what to make of that.
- johndewar

i can make a hat, a broche, a pterodactyl.

apparently the league is giving out stanley cupcakes around north america today.

I'd rather be drafting 5th. No satisfaction at going 10-5-1 at the end.
- mayorofangrytown

At this point, Im not going to female dog about them gaining worthless points, my position is clear. Although, as Bill metioned, if they give up assets to move up to a position they easily could have been at, I will turn into a mushroom cloud laying mother seravallier

i'm with you on the draft, and it's nice to have a high pick in a deep draft. we're just so conditioned to be in the playoffs and feel like we've got a reasonable chance to go deep, that's it difficult to be on the sidelines...that feeling of knowing it's possible to finally end the drought. and i live for the adrenaline roller-coaster experience - you know that better than anyone. on the flip side, it's nice to be able to watch the whole thing from start to finish without having the emotion and distraction...just enjoy it for what it is from a fan of the game's perspective.

knowing it will be an entire YEAR before we get back to this point of possibility and excitement again is also something i'm grappling with. that makes me tired just thinking about it.
- hammarby31

at least it won't be a calendar yr before they start over

At this point, Im not going to female dog about them gaining worthless points, my position is clear. Although, as Bill metioned, if they give up assets to move up to a position they easily could have been at, I will turn into a mushroom cloud laying mother seravallier
- KINGKENZO

Yes. I'm afraid they'll use assets to move up. I was hoping we could gain assets by moving down. That last win was a kick to the crotch. It's all water under the bridge and we're sitting at 11.

I don't mind female doging about it. What else do I have to do?

at least it won't be a calendar yr before they start over
- isaiah520

5 months. woo. hoo.

Agreed, I think at his salary and ability to move up and play well on even the top pairing for limited time at least. Gus is a lock at the 6th spot. Meaning 2 things. First, any Defensemen we bring in or target is going to have to be a potential #1 or nothing. Second that if that happens, someone on the Blueline is going to probably get moved to make room.
- flyler

One thing is for sure. The Flyers have to improve their team puck movement on the backend. Whether that is in house, with having a healthy Meszaros. Or adding players through trade or whatever. That situation has to be improved. Especially if they're going to continue to play an ultra aggressive attack style under Laviolette.