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.
- five4fighting10

Couldnt agree more, honestly.
I would buyout a 5.67M backup rather than a guy who can still contribute when healthy, and who ACTUALLY wants to be here, and LIKES it here

I am almost hoping they just keep him because he is my dads favorite player, and well the mood in the house wont be very kind this season...

We are too cap strapped, even if we buyout Bryz i believe, especially if we want to bring in a guy like Yandle/Shattenkirk. Danny would no doubt be gone after the 13/14 if he stays, due to BSchenn, Couts, Giroux and Mason having to be resigned.

I would like 1 more year of him but i'd 100% understand them buying him out. Unfortunately my dad wont

Great write up, Bill. Thanks.

Common theme among the keeper forwards: defensive issues
- Scoob

Yup, though it is remarkable that their best defensive forward is only 20 years old!

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

I'd agree. In the few games we've seen him, Lauridsen seems far more physical and plays with more of an edge to his game than Coburn does. Every once in a while Coburn comes up with a game or two where he plays with that type of edge, but he's not consistent with it.

That said, Coburn is still a much, much better d-man and player than Lauridsen is ever likely to become, so I certainly wouldn't advocate anything like dumping him in favor of Lauridsen or anything like that. There is room for both if Lauridsen continues to play like he did at the end of this year.

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

S

190% seriousness. As serious as they come.
- jak521

Not sure if you yanking my chain or not. But if not, I don't agree. I think Lauridsen has gone overboard trying to be aggressive after the whistle, to try and make an impression. If that continues, players are going to target him to try and draw penalties, as we've already seen. Coburn plays a nasty game and over the course of a season. I seriously doubt that Lauridsen would be a more physical nasty player to play against then Coburn is.

BRALIVER COBIRDSEN HITS HARD poopS HARD
- jak521

BRAYLIVERDON COBLAURURNIDSEN HIT SHOOT PUCK HARD MOVE FAST MAKE MONEY BANG WOMEN YES PLEASE

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

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?
- MJL

I think there are bigger holes that need to be filled out on the team. I think you stated yesterday, should the Flyers go after a high priced free agents, players like rusty and Adam Hall might have to be re signed after all

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

Jokes aside, Ollie plays in ill-humor. I like that too.

He's also trying to become an established NHL'er. He'd probably wash Paul Holmgren's car if asked.

Fact is, his game is just different from Coburn's. Lot's of teams would love to have a guy like Coburn, who just turned 28 and is entering what will the prime of his career. Like alot of players, Cobie had a rough one this year.

Also: If Lauridsen could skate like Brayden Coburn (Cobie moves pretty well), I think there'd be fewer questions about Lauridsen's ability to stick in the NHL.

BRAYLIVERDON COBLAURURNIDSEN HIT SHOOT PUCK HARD MOVE FAST MAKE MONEY BANG WOMEN YES PLEASE
- jmatchett383

Not even Sudsy Settlemyre can get that last name to fit on a jersey plate.

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

I disagree with Bill and anyone else that thinks Read is expendable *(I know Bill says only if a good trade is on the table- but that could be many players). Read is exactly what this team needs next year. A solid two way player with a low low cap hit. What are we going to get to replace that? Unless it is a good cheap, young D man then I say keep him.

I also don't think his trade value is enough to trade him based on his value to this team next year alone. I am only assuming his trade value is not that high so I could be wrong but I would only trade him if the offer addresses our glaring need for a puck moving D man.

I think there are bigger holes that need to be filled out on the team. I think you stated yesterday, should the Flyers go after a high priced free agents, players like rusty and Adam Hall might have to be re signed after all
- SuperSchennBros

Really didn't address the question. What about the hole to fill that is created by moving Read?
And Read is a scoring line player. Hall is a 4th line role player.

I think there are bigger holes that need to be filled out on the team. I think you stated yesterday, should the Flyers go after a high priced free agents, players like rusty and Adam Hall might have to be re signed after all
- SuperSchennBros

Feds is gone bro. Guy complained he wasn't used correctly and just signed with the KHL. G.O.N.E.

I would love to see Hall brought back if it is for cheap on a 1 year deal. I know it could cloud Laughton's ability to come up but it could also open up some trade options and this team NEEDS to be better on the dot. Fact.

I disagree with Bill and anyone else that thinks Read is expendable *(I know Bill says only if a good trade is on the table- but that could be many players). Read is exactly what this team needs next year. A solid two way player with a low low cap hit. What are we going to get to replace that? Unless it is a good cheap, young D man then I say keep him.

I also don't think his trade value is enough to trade him based on his value to this team next year alone. I am only assuming his trade value is not that high so I could be wrong but I would only trade him if the offer addresses our glaring need for a puck moving D man.
- coffee junkie

If trading Read over Couts, B Schenn and Laughton means getting a top notch dman im doing the trade 7 times a week, 365 days a year, 366 on leap years.
I lvoe Read but if he can be a centerpiece to us getting Shattenkirk, Yandle, etc that type of dman im doing that trade. Defense is more important than scoring right now.

Not even Sudsy Settlemyre can get that last name to fit on a jersey plate.
- johndewar

Still 2 letters short.

If trading Read over Couts, B Schenn and Laughton means getting a top notch dman im doing the trade 7 times a week, 365 days a year, 366 on leap years.
I lvoe Read but if he can be a centerpiece to us getting Shattenkirk, Yandle, etc that type of dman im doing that trade. Defense is more important than scoring right now.
- FLYERSROCK!

It's pretty much inferred in the conversation that Read isn't likely to be the centerpeice in a deal that nets the Flyers a top defenseman. He doesn't have that value.

There really aren't that many holes on this roster.
First it is a logical assumption that B Schenn and Couturier are only going to get better as they gain experience, so at center they are pretty well set:
Giroux-1st
Schenn-2nd
Couturier-3rd
Laughton-4th
Holmstrom-depth

As far as the top six wings go, they are also in pretty good shape with Hartnell, Voracek, Read, Simmonds, and Talbot. They just need to add one more be it Gagne, Morrow, Clowe, Horton etc.. For 4th wings, they have Rinaldo and Rosehill and if they have the cap space and can add 2 wings to the top 9, they could slot Talbot here. For depth they still have McGinn, Akeson and perhaps Noebels.

The big question of course is D, as they need to find someone to pair with Schenn on the shutdown pairing. I would offer St. Louis this years, 2nd, next years 1st, Cousins and Mez for JayBo. This would leave
JayBo-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Grossmann-Gus
And for depth you have Gervais on the roster and Lauridsen with the Phantoms

Finally in goal, to make this work, you may have to buyout Bryz, it depends on who you target on the wing. Either way Mason is going to be one of the goalies and he will compete with either Bryz or a new goalie to be the starter. Even if Bryz is kept, I don't think there is any guarantee that he will be the #1 guy, he will have to earn it. The contract will not be a factor, since if Mason beats him out, he will certainly be amnestied next off season.

Really didn't address the question. What about the hole to fill that is created by moving Read?
And Read is a scoring line player. Hall is a 4th line role player.
- MJL

If you resign Gagne, you could move Couturier up to the 2nd line and slot Gagne onto the 3rd (if you resign him), to give you a top 9 of:

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Couturier-Schenn-Simmonds
Talbot-Laughton-Gagne

Cap hit is another story, and you'd probably have to move one of Coburn or Meszaros to offset the hit that an established defenseman would bring.

That said, for his cap hit, I wouldn't move Read until (maybe) the deadline if he won't sign an extension.

Couldnt agree more, honestly.
I would buyout a 5.67M backup rather than a guy who can still contribute when healthy, and who ACTUALLY wants to be here, and LIKES it here

I am almost hoping they just keep him because he is my dads favorite player, and well the mood in the house wont be very kind this season...

We are too cap strapped, even if we buyout Bryz i believe, especially if we want to bring in a guy like Yandle/Shattenkirk. Danny would no doubt be gone after the 13/14 if he stays, due to BSchenn, Couts, Giroux and Mason having to be resigned.

I would like 1 more year of him but i'd 100% understand them buying him out. Unfortunately my dad wont
- FLYERSROCK!

I hate to be on the negative train today but I see no way Briere is brought back. If anyone has other ideas I would love to hear them because I am unable to think of any other options then buyingout Bryz and signing a cheaper vet and I think that is a scary option. Hope is a bad risk management plan. Wouldn't actually surprise me with the Flyers bold moves but I would be seriously concerned. Also what vet would they bring in? Thomas? Backstrom? Emery? Miller? How do you pay those guys less then 4M per to even make it worth it?

If trading Read over Couts, B Schenn and Laughton means getting a top notch dman im doing the trade 7 times a week, 365 days a year, 366 on leap years.
I lvoe Read but if he can be a centerpiece to us getting Shattenkirk, Yandle, etc that type of dman im doing that trade. Defense is more important than scoring right now.
- FLYERSROCK!

This post makes no sense. Do you actually think Read has more value then those three? Maybe Laughton.

It's pretty much inferred in the conversation that Read isn't likely to be the centerpeice in a deal that nets the Flyers a top defenseman. He doesn't have that value.
- MJL

I just asked on the board about a week or so ago if Read, Ghost, 2013 1st would be a good trade and Flyers fans said no thats not a good deal for the Flyers, and St. Louis fans thought they won that deal

This post makes no sense. Do you actually think Read has more value then those three? Maybe Laughton.
- coffee junkie

Absolutely not! I meant BSchenn,Couts, Laughton all have more trade value, and i'd keep those 3 over Read. What im saying is if say Phx or STL asks for Read to be a centerpiece in a deal for Yandle/Shattenkirk, im making that trade quickly because Couts, BSchenn or Laughton arent involved!

Really didn't address the question. What about the hole to fill that is created by moving Read?
And Read is a scoring line player. Hall is a 4th line role player.
- MJL

The Flyers had holes going into this season. Even Homer doesn't have all the answers

There really aren't that many holes on this roster.
First it is a logical assumption that B Schenn and Couturier are only going to get better as they gain experience, so at center they are pretty well set:
Giroux-1st
Schenn-2nd
Couturier-3rd
Laughton-4th
Holmstrom-depth

As far as the top six wings go, they are also in pretty good shape with Hartnell, Voracek, Read, Simmonds, and Talbot. They just need to add one more be it Gagne, Morrow, Clowe, Horton etc.. For 4th wings, they have Rinaldo and Rosehill and if they have the cap space and can add 2 wings to the top 9, they could slot Talbot here. For depth they still have McGinn, Akeson and perhaps Noebels.

The big question of course is D, as they need to find someone to pair with Schenn on the shutdown pairing. I would offer St. Louis this years, 2nd, next years 1st, Cousins and Mez for JayBo. This would leave
JayBo-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Grossmann-Gus
And for depth you have Gervais on the roster and Lauridsen with the Phantoms

Finally in goal, to make this work, you may have to buyout Bryz, it depends on who you target on the wing. Either way Mason is going to be one of the goalies and he will compete with either Bryz or a new goalie to be the starter. Even if Bryz is kept, I don't think there is any guarantee that he will be the #1 guy, he will have to earn it. The contract will not be a factor, since if Mason beats him out, he will certainly be amnestied next off season.
- BiggE

I agree with a lot of this. I think JBo should come a lot cheaper honestly. He netted a 1st and two poor prospects at the trade deadline. With STL's RFA situation on D I think he could be had for Cousins and a 2nd or a little more. Are you buying out Briere? Because JBO is making some serious cash.

Edit: I am not advocating getting JBO just saying I like the general thinking here.

There really aren't that many holes on this roster.
First it is a logical assumption that B Schenn and Couturier are only going to get better as they gain experience, so at center they are pretty well set:
Giroux-1st
Schenn-2nd
Couturier-3rd
Laughton-4th
Holmstrom-depth

As far as the top six wings go, they are also in pretty good shape with Hartnell, Voracek, Read, Simmonds, and Talbot. They just need to add one more be it Gagne, Morrow, Clowe, Horton etc.. For 4th wings, they have Rinaldo and Rosehill and if they have the cap space and can add 2 wings to the top 9, they could slot Talbot here. For depth they still have McGinn, Akeson and perhaps Noebels.

The big question of course is D, as they need to find someone to pair with Schenn on the shutdown pairing. I would offer St. Louis this years, 2nd, next years 1st, Cousins and Mez for JayBo. This would leave
JayBo-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Grossmann-Gus
And for depth you have Gervais on the roster and Lauridsen with the Phantoms

Finally in goal, to make this work, you may have to buyout Bryz, it depends on who you target on the wing. Either way Mason is going to be one of the goalies and he will compete with either Bryz or a new goalie to be the starter. Even if Bryz is kept, I don't think there is any guarantee that he will be the #1 guy, he will have to earn it. The contract will not be a factor, since if Mason beats him out, he will certainly be amnestied next off season.
- BiggE

That is an absolutely SEVERE overpayment for the Flyers!!!