In a word, he's undisciplined -- with nutrition, with fitness, with positioning, with playing outside of the system, with penalties, everything.

Like Hartnell, despite all that, he can still be a heck of a player. But for a team that's already had problems with discipline and consistency in all facets on and off the ice, is Byfuglien the kind of guy you want to throw into the mix?
- Tomahawk

That's a fair point...but it sounds like you're describing a lot of the players I cheered for growing up. Maybe we need a little more "bad assedness" out there. I think he could very likely be a "change of scenery" type guy who could come here, get a fresh start...he'd likely be a good soldier, at least for a while. I don't think he'd have to bear as much weight (pardon the pun) on this team as with WPG. He can be a top 4, offensive d man who plays pp...20-24 mins a game. Pair him with Schenn or Grossman to watch his backside...it could work.

You find the next Taro Tsujimoto yet?
- Jsaquella

Yes it's Viktor Crus-Rydberg or perhaps Wilhelm Westlund

You find the next Taro Tsujimoto yet?
- Jsaquella

You, sir, get all the points for making a Taro Tsujimoto reference.

You, sir, get all the points for making a Taro Tsujimoto reference.
- Tomahawk

OB has been a draft spelunker for months now. I figured if there was a guy in the phonebook, he'd know

That's a fair point...but it sounds like you're describing a lot of the players I cheered for growing up. Maybe we need a little more "bad assedness" out there. I think he could very likely be a "change of scenery" type guy who could come here, get a fresh start...he'd likely be a good soldier, at least for a while. I don't think he'd have to bear as much weight (pardon the pun) on this team as with WPG. He can be a top 4, offensive d man who plays pp...20-24 mins a game. Pair him with Schenn or Grossman to watch his backside...it could work.
- exlund

Consider the Flyers' history with "difficult" players... not very encouraging.

That's a fair point...but it sounds like you're describing a lot of the players I cheered for growing up. Maybe we need a little more "bad assedness" out there. I think he could very likely be a "change of scenery" type guy who could come here, get a fresh start...he'd likely be a good soldier, at least for a while. I don't think he'd have to bear as much weight (pardon the pun) on this team as with WPG. He can be a top 4, offensive d man who plays pp...20-24 mins a game. Pair him with Schenn or Grossman to watch his backside...it could work.
- exlund

I can't say I watched a lot of Jets game. Buff was third in plus/minus for blueline on the team -1. Only had 34 PIMs while playing 24+ minutes. I'm not against acquiring Buff for the right price. If he is being shed in a negative light this offseason, that is great in my opinion because the price to acquire will be lower.

And he plays reckless undisciplined Hockey. He's good offensively, but he's not a very good defenseman overall. Byfuglien is exactly the type of player the Flyers should avoid. I don't care how cheaply he'd come. Zero interest.
- MJL

You obviously have a "clear bias about the player"

can't wait.......









....to see what the flyers do this off season.

Consider the Flyers' history with "difficult" players... not very encouraging.
- Tomahawk

(joke)

I can't say I watched a lot of Jets game. Buff was third in plus/minus for blueline on the team -1. Only had 34 PIMs while playing 24+ minutes. I'm not against acquiring Buff for the right price. If he is being shed in a negative light this offseason, that is great in my opinion because the price to acquire will be lower.
- ravishingone

This is more or less what I'm saying...I have watched a fair amount of Jets games. It's not like he's a mess out there defensively...with the right partner it could work just fine...and I saw more "tough "behavior than I did reckless.

No need to get racial now...
- exlund

Huh?

I can't say I watched a lot of Jets game. Buff was third in plus/minus for blueline on the team -1. Only had 34 PIMs while playing 24+ minutes. I'm not against acquiring Buff for the right price. If he is being shed in a negative light this offseason, that is great in my opinion because the price to acquire will be lower.
- ravishingone

Let's not forget also, there have been numerous reports, including Ek a few months back, indicating the Flyers strong interest in acquiring Buff. Obviously, they think he has some things the team needs.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ost_id=49580&blogger_id=1

http://gcobb.com/2013/03/...to-flyers-in-trade-talks/

Huh?
- Tomahawk

"difficult"...c'mon everyone knows....ahh forget it.


::i was just PHking with you::


ill erase it now that joke's over...

"difficult"...c'mon everyone knows....ahh forget it.
- exlund

You kids and your internet memes...

This is more or less what I'm saying...I have watched a fair amount of Jets games. It's not like he's a mess out there defensively...with the right partner it could work just fine...and I saw more "tough "behavior than I did reckless.
- exlund

As someone who lives in the city I'll throw some stuff on the wall.

Buff has been known to fall out of favour with fans, but also more importantly with coaching staff. Not just once or twice either.

He can be dynamite. At the same time he can be lazy, take stupid penalties, not put in that extra effort, and be a liability on defense. For a player with that kind of contract, and in turn what the Flyers will expect from him as a top pairing d-man he is not good enough. On a team that suffers from far too much inconsistency, especially from their star players bringing in Buff is the wrong move imo.

That isnt going into his off-season lack of detail into conditioning, or lack-luster attitude which has been reported throughout this city.

Winnipeg knows they cannot bring in much talent via free agency, and they will ask for the moon. Be prepared to say goodbye to Coots or Brayden Schenn +. That plus will also be a lot more than a simple depth player. If the Flyers want to trade with Winnipeg, I'd look at Trouba and end there.

What is your feeling on why Button thinks the Flyers would go so far off the board?
- MBFlyerfan

To be honest, my immediate reaction was "He either spoke with a Flyers scout who seemed particularly high on Morin or he was just speculating that, since the Flyers are often enamored of big players, he'd be a potential pick."

Personally, I hope it's the latter. I'd be fine with Morin as their 2nd round pick but that's a pretty big reach for a strictly defensive D to take him at #11.

To be honest, my immediate reaction was "He either spoke with a Flyers scout who seemed particularly high on Morin or he was just speculating that, since the Flyers are often enamored of big players, he'd be a potential pick."

Personally, I hope it's the latter. I'd be fine with Morin as their 2nd round pick but that's a pretty big reach for a strictly defensive D to take him at #11.
- bmeltzer

Hey Bill.

I'm sure you will do a blog eventually, but just wondering if you think there are any FA the Flyers should target in FA. Under the right deals of course.

I lean more toward the side of players will real veteran leadership, that wont be expected to lead the team but will help to a degree.

Torres is having a good start in the playoffs for San Jose.

As someone who lives in the city I'll throw some stuff on the wall.

Buff has been known to fall out of favour with fans, but also more importantly with coaching staff. Not just once or twice either.

He can be dynamite. At the same time he can be lazy, take stupid penalties, not put in that extra effort, and be a liability on defense. For a player with that kind of contract, and in turn what the Flyers will expect from him as a top pairing d-man he is not good enough. On a team that suffers from far too much inconsistency, especially from their star players bringing in Buff is the wrong move imo.

That isnt going into his off-season lack of detail into conditioning, or lack-luster attitude which has been reported throughout this city.

Winnipeg knows they cannot bring in much talent via free agency, and they will ask for the moon. Be prepared to say goodbye to Coots or Brayden Schenn +. That plus will also be a lot more than a simple depth player. If the Flyers want to trade with Winnipeg, I'd look at Trouba and end there.
- flyer_nutter

Interesting insight. No player is perfect...if he didn't have some sort of knocks against him he probably wouldn't even be available. I still think, for all the supposed negatives, you're still getting the 50+ points from a blueliner. You work on the rest.

Do you think he could benefit from a change of scenery?

It sounds like the fans/press are just focusing on him as a scapegoat (they did it with Kane too, what was that all aboot?). Like I said, I wouldn't necessarily make him the #1 defenseman, but to be part of the top 4 mix. We have a couple of guys that could complement him well in a pairing and help cover for his (supposed) defensive shortcomings. I'm not saying he's my #1 target, but the Flyers covet the player and need a lot of the things he can provide, so like it or not, he's probably more likely an acquisition than Yandle or Shattenkirk at this point. I'm trying to be open minded and objective about the player based on his production and what I've seen on the ice.

Hey Bill.

I'm sure you will do a blog eventually, but just wondering if you think there are any FA the Flyers should target in FA. Under the right deals of course.

I lean more toward the side of players will real veteran leadership, that wont be expected to lead the team but will help to a degree.
- flyer_nutter

In that category of players, not that he would come here after all those years in NJ nor would it be cap-friendly but I certainly wouldn't mind adding a proven winner like Patrik Elias. Brenden Morrow is also of interest to a degree but I don't see a specific role for him on a team that has Hartnell and Simmonds already.

Now that I think about it, Homer did say he wants to "get bigger" (presumably up front, because the defense is already pretty damn big except for Timonen and Gustafsson). Could you see the Flyers bringing in Dainius Zubrus as a UFA this summer?

1) He's huge and hard to play against on the walls
2) He's an ex-Flyer (and you know how they love bringing back ex-Flyers)
3) He's a career-long Flyer-killer since leaving here
4) Signing him away from Devils would hurt NJ
5) He has played all three forward positions in his career and is comfortable moving around as needed, although he's primarily been a center in recent years after mostly playing wing in the earlier portion of his career
6) He's evolved into a good two-way player who can provide some support offense without being a featured offensive player.

Now that I think about it, Homer did say he wants to "get bigger" (presumably up front, because the defense is already pretty damn big except for Timonen and Gustafsson). Could you see the Flyers bringing in Dainius Zubrus as a UFA this summer?

1) He's huge and hard to play against on the walls
2) He's an ex-Flyer (and you know how they love bringing back ex-Flyers)
3) He's a career-long Flyer-killer since leaving here
4) Signing him away from Devils would hurt NJ
5) He has played all three forward positions in his career and is comfortable moving around as needed, although he's primarily been a center in recent years after mostly playing wing in the earlier portion of his career
6) He's evolved into a good two-way player who can provide some support offense without being a featured offensive player.
- bmeltzer

I'd actually love Zubrus, his versatility is always a plus, and more than being a big body, he uses it well along the walls. I think that grinding forechecking mentality is vital for Lavi's aggressive attack system. You need to have guys on every line that can win board battles.

Bill, Who do you like as the 11th overall? I'm particularly interested in Ryan Pulock. I watched one video where a tsn analyst likened him to Al MacInnis, albeit that was acknowledged as very high praise and max ceiling (almost unrealistic). But I love his mix of excellent passing, a booming slapshot and quick hard snap shot; the fact that he has such high hockey IQ also allows him to make the quick decisions with the puck. I also think his lack of physicality is somewhat overrated, although he could use some bulking up like 90% of teenage defenseman.

Now that I think about it, Homer did say he wants to "get bigger" (presumably up front, because the defense is already pretty damn big except for Timonen and Gustafsson). Could you see the Flyers bringing in Dainius Zubrus as a UFA this summer?

1) He's huge and hard to play against on the walls
2) He's an ex-Flyer (and you know how they love bringing back ex-Flyers)
3) He's a career-long Flyer-killer since leaving here
4) Signing him away from Devils would hurt NJ
5) He has played all three forward positions in his career and is comfortable moving around as needed, although he's primarily been a center in recent years after mostly playing wing in the earlier portion of his career
6) He's evolved into a good two-way player who can provide some support offense without being a featured offensive player.
- bmeltzer

What do you think he'd cost? His last deal was for $3.4M. Assuming he'd take less I wouldn't mind him coming back. He's still effective.

Now that I think about it, Homer did say he wants to "get bigger" (presumably up front, because the defense is already pretty damn big except for Timonen and Gustafsson). Could you see the Flyers bringing in Dainius Zubrus as a UFA this summer?

1) He's huge and hard to play against on the walls
2) He's an ex-Flyer (and you know how they love bringing back ex-Flyers)
3) He's a career-long Flyer-killer since leaving here
4) Signing him away from Devils would hurt NJ
5) He has played all three forward positions in his career and is comfortable moving around as needed, although he's primarily been a center in recent years after mostly playing wing in the earlier portion of his career
6) He's evolved into a good two-way player who can provide some support offense without being a featured offensive player.
- bmeltzer

Zubrus, provided the cost is right, would be a real good addition.

As someone who lives in the city I'll throw some stuff on the wall.

Buff has been known to fall out of favour with fans, but also more importantly with coaching staff. Not just once or twice either.

He can be dynamite. At the same time he can be lazy, take stupid penalties, not put in that extra effort, and be a liability on defense. For a player with that kind of contract, and in turn what the Flyers will expect from him as a top pairing d-man he is not good enough. On a team that suffers from far too much inconsistency, especially from their star players bringing in Buff is the wrong move imo.

That isnt going into his off-season lack of detail into conditioning, or lack-luster attitude which has been reported throughout this city.

Winnipeg knows they cannot bring in much talent via free agency, and they will ask for the moon. Be prepared to say goodbye to Coots or Brayden Schenn +. That plus will also be a lot more than a simple depth player. If the Flyers want to trade with Winnipeg, I'd look at Trouba and end there.
- flyer_nutter

Bottom line is that Byfuglien is not the player the Flyers should be looking at. Let alone trade Couturier or Schenn for him. And I'd question the knowledge of anyone who would do so. This team needs a defenseman. Not a player who is just going to free lance around the ice. He puts up points for sure. But there is nothing that is impressive about his all around game, or his Hockey smarts. I'd rather go with the defense we have then to give up quality assets for Byfuglien.