our defense was better without them
- 2Real

I just think they want a different mix. Coburn in particular could be odd man out

What would you guys do if Danny Briere is a Flyer at the start of next season?
I'd love to see some answers
- FLYERSROCK!

I'd root for him knowing a healthy, effective Briere puts this team one step closer to getting back into a playoff run. And even if they stumble again next season, then a healthy, effective Briere with 1.5 years left on his contract come the trade deadline could be a nice trade piece if he was willing to waive his NTC. Do I like the cap hit? Of course not. But if Briere is back, like everyone who dons the orange and black, I'll be rooting for him.

Edit: now remember, I am on board with buying Danny out. This was just to answer if we didn't and he remained on the team next season.

NHL nailed it with this system. One fan base is excited while 13 others wonder why theyve wasted 30 minutes they'll never get back to see a fat bald man open cards
- Just5

Great article. I must say, I haven't seen much of the late in the season call up D-men, but I did like what I saw.
I really don't think that Homer should worry too much about the D, all things being considered.
I would be comfortable with the following D line-up: Gustafsson, Lauridsen, Manning, Grossman, Shenn, and Timonen. I would also keep Huskins as the #7 D-man. I was really worried about Gus, because it took a while for him to come around, but he did finish the season with some strong play. The line-up is not in any particular order, but I would place Timonen in the 2nd or 3rd paring just to keep him fresh. Manning looked a little rough the first couple of games, but I did see a lot of potential in him. This D line-up might not be fancy, but one it would save us cap money, two it would be younger and healthier (crossing fingers), and three it would represent a more stable D (in my opinion). I don't need a banged up, older, high priced, and flashy D. I just want a healthy, and stable D. That being said, dump Maszaros, Coburn, Foster, Gervais, and Lilja. This salary dump would might allow the other players to get the pay raises that they may deserve.
On the O side of things, I really liked Akeson, and McGinn. As mentioned, you can dump the older Vets like Knuble, Rusty, Briere, Hall, and Shelly. However, keep Gags. Gags, and Timonen could be your new line of Vets, and this line-up will keep the team young, and tough. If you really need some more Vet leadership, find a real leader, and not just a regular Vet. I would even invite Pronger to come in, and advise the younger D-men; when he feels good, of course.
When it comes to the draft, Homer draft for our future. Put them in the minors, and let them develop. Please, Homer. We always trade away, or rush our minor league players. Look at Nashville. They know D-men, and goalies. Look at Detroit for development methods as well. Be patient, and quit trying to get "rent-a-players" or Vets on the downside. You will save money, you will get to know your players, and you will allow them to develop into a player that you want them to be.
For our Goalie, I like what we have now. Nobody is going to pick up Bryz's contract in a trade, and you just don't want to throw all that money away. I like our two goalies. Bryz has experience, and wasn't the fault of this bad season. Mason will push Bryz, and provides better overall movement for his size. Yes, after we win the Cup we can dump him, and let Mason take over. Do you really want Boosh as a backup again? Do you want to dump some good players for a good back-up goalie? Let Bryz play. The Spaceman is better than anything out there right now.
Last thing. PLEASE, NO MORE LONG TERM CONTRACTS. If a contract has to be more than 2 years, then make it a maximum of 4 years. You maybe saving money in the long run with a longer contract, but if a player knows his contract may end soon, he plays harder through his contract.
Thanks for listening, and enjoy the off season. I really can't watch too much of the playoffs since we are not in them. Now we get a chance to hear more of how great the Pens, and Cindy are. Blah. If I hear one more thing about the Pens..... I want to hear about all the teams "Mr. NHL Channel", and not just about the Cry Baby. Sheesh.

^ Holy stream of consciousness...

I wish Coburn had the attitude of Lauridsen.

Can we mold them into 1?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Which Forwards Stay? Who Goes ? PLUS Draft Thoughts
- bmeltzer

As far as the UFAs go, outside of Gagne, all must go. I am on board for this. Players on the fence, again, keep Gagne. For the past two seasons I have felt it's Read vs. Voracek. Well the decision has been made, even though Read has a fantastic rookie season in his own right. Voracek is younger and more talented. I think now is the time to trade Matt Read because he is still young and in my opinion has some value. If we keep him, he'll either demand more money we can spend before he walks away from us or if he gets hurt next season, other teams might become less attracted. He's 27 and has only two seasons under his belt. Time to explore options on Matt Read.

I wish Coburn had the attitude of Lauridsen.

Can we mold them into 1?
- flyers2001

Broliver Laburnsen.

Works for me.

^ Holy stream of consciousness...
- Tomahawk

Know what's REALLY cool?

Paragraphs.

I wish Coburn had the attitude of Lauridsen.

Can we mold them into 1?
- flyers2001

That's about 13 feet of defenseman you'd have there.

Surely that's better than having Zdeno Chara.

Great article. I must say, I haven't seen much of the late in the season call up D-men, but I did like what I saw.
I really don't think that Homer should worry too much about the D, all things being considered.
I would be comfortable with the following D line-up: Gustafsson, Lauridsen, Manning, Grossman, Shenn, and Timonen. I would also keep Huskins as the #7 D-man. I was really worried about Gus, because it took a while for him to come around, but he did finish the season with some strong play. The line-up is not in any particular order, but I would place Timonen in the 2nd or 3rd paring just to keep him fresh. Manning looked a little rough the first couple of games, but I did see a lot of potential in him. This D line-up might not be fancy, but one it would save us cap money, two it would be younger and healthier (crossing fingers), and three it would represent a more stable D (in my opinion). I don't need a banged up, older, high priced, and flashy D. I just want a healthy, and stable D. That being said, dump Maszaros, Coburn, Foster, Gervais, and Lilja. This salary dump would might allow the other players to get the pay raises that they may deserve.
:
- OrangeAndBlack1

There is no way that the Flyers could go with that defense. Manning is not ready for the NHL. It is questionable if Lauridsen is ready for a full time NHL role. That defense lacks mobility and puck movement, along with offensive support. You can't win with it.

That's about 13 feet of defenseman you'd have there.

Surely that's better than having Zdeno Chara.
- johndewar

Theyd have the hardest shot in the NHL by far, but it would break glass more than it would go on net.

Theyd have the hardest shot in the NHL by far, but it would break glass more than it would go on net.
- jak521

OLIVDEN LAURIDBURN SMASH!!

I wish Coburn had the attitude of Lauridsen.

Can we mold them into 1?
- flyers2001

What attitude is that?

There is no way that the Flyers could go with that defense. Manning is not ready for the NHL. It is questionable if Lauridsen is ready for a full time NHL role. That defense lacks mobility and puck movement, along with offensive support. You can't win with it.
- MJL

That would pretty much secure a top pick for us next season!

Sam Reinhart HERE WE COME!

did we get seth jones yet?

What attitude is that?
- MJL

bad ass

As far as the UFAs go, outside of Gagne, all must go. I am on board for this. Players on the fence, again, keep Gagne. For the past two seasons I have felt it's Read vs. Voracek. Well the decision has been made, even though Read has a fantastic rookie season in his own right. Voracek is younger and more talented. I think now is the time to trade Matt Read because he is still young and in my opinion has some value. If we keep him, he'll either demand more money we can spend before he walks away from us or if he gets hurt next season, other teams might become less attracted. He's 27 and has only two seasons under his belt. Time to explore options on Matt Read.
- SuperSchennBros

Here's the one side of it that you didn't address. With the Cap going to 64.3M next Season. How do you expect the Flyers to replace what Read brings to the team, for an 800K cap hit? Do you place any value in the Cap hit versus production for the one Season in which the Cap is going to be artificially deflated?

OLIVDEN LAURIDBURN SMASH!!
- johndewar

BRALIVER COBIRDSEN HITS HARD poopS HARD

bad ass
- Crimsoninja

Coburn doesn't display the same?

Coburn doesn't display the same?
- MJL

no where near the level of tenacity that Oli has shown in his limited time.

Coburn lacks the snarl that Lauridsen has shown. That cannot even be argued

Coburn doesn't display the same?
- MJL

im going to start putting this: S
after my sarcastic posts

no where near the level of tenacity that Oli has shown in his limited time.

Coburn lacks the snarl that Lauridsen has shown. That cannot even be argued
- jak521

Are you serious here?

im going to start putting this: S
after my sarcastic posts
- Crimsoninja

Honestly, I should just really assume that any post you make is sarcasm.

Are you serious here?
- MJL

190% seriousness. As serious as they come.

EDIT: Full blown, myocardial infarction seriousness.