i'm with you on all of those except I don't think I want the Leafs to win (unless something occurs in-series that makes me change my mind) and I am solidly behind the Sens.
- wilsonecho91

can't stand boston, hate marchand, jack edwards and their coach

Every time someone suggest players, though, you're always right there to point out that those players are "untouchable", but I think no players are untouchable in this sport. Please explain though, why are Bogosian and Kulikov untouchable? And if so many players are untouchable, who is a viable option, in your opinion? Last offseason, would you have said the Luke Schenn was untouchable?
- JAKEw1234

Of course, nobody's truly untouchable... as the old saying goes, Oilers traded Gretzky, so it could happen to anybody. But it's pretty rare to see top-flight youngsters get traded, and definitely not for multiple odds and ends... it's either got to be for an equal/better youngster at the same stage of development (JvR for Schenn), or it has to be the kind of epic haul that the Flyers got for both Carter and Richards.

As of right now, outside of Simmonds and Voracek and Giroux, they don't have a whole heck of lot that would interest other teams in terms of equal-up youngsters.

The Flyers are also not in a position to be packaging too many of their kids and picks either, since without a constant influx of kids on ELCs, they'd have a tough time staying both competitive AND cap-compliant.

Of course, nobody's truly untouchable... as the old saying goes, Oilers traded Gretzky, so it could happen to anybody. But it's pretty rare to see top-flight youngsters get traded, and definitely not for multiple odds and ends... it's either got to be for an equal/better youngster at the same stage of development (JvR for Schenn), or it has to be the kind of epic haul that the Flyers got for both Carter and Richards.

As of right now, outside of Simmonds and Voracek and Giroux, they don't have a whole heck of lot that would interest other teams in terms of equal-up youngsters.

The Flyers are also not in a position to be packaging too many of their kids and picks either, since without a constant influx of kids on ELCs, they'd have a tough time staying both competitive AND cap-compliant.
- Tomahawk

Ha when trade hopes pop up in comment sections for other teams regarding the flyers, they very often involve Couturier

I think Leddy would be our best bet... They are stacked defensively.. and he is an RFA
- jak521

They rely pretty heavily on Leddy both at ES and on the PP... the only way he gets dealt, IMO, is if his agent has him holding out for crazy money. But with the way MDZ and Subban came out of their ELC's recently, I don't think there's a big chance of Leddy posturing like that.

They rely pretty heavily on Leddy both at ES and on the PP... the only way he gets dealt, IMO, is if his agent has him holding out for crazy money. But with the way MDZ and Subban came out of their ELC's recently, I don't think there's a big chance of Leddy posturing like that.
- Tomahawk

I just look at how much money they are spending already... and if Leddy wants more than 3 mill.. its gonna be tough on them.. Chicago is pretty crafty though, after they won the cup the last time around they totally blew that team up and revamped.

Ha when trade hopes pop up in comment sections for other teams regarding the flyers, they very often involve Couturier
- JAKEw1234

No doubt, but Pietrangelo, Carlson, Subban... those kinds of players are way ahead of Couturier/B Schenn in terms of development.

Couturier would have to be part of a package including high picks and other top prospects to make other teams even consider a trade, but that's going to be tough for the Flyers to do b/c of the cap considerations I mentioned and severe lack of depth in the pipeline.

despite Bill's reality check today the Flyers best hope is for Lauridsen to turn into Pronger Jr and Gusty into Kimmo

so its not looking too great for getting a #1 dman

I just look at how much money they are spending already... and if Leddy wants more than 3 mill.. its gonna be tough on them.. Chicago is pretty crafty though, after they won the cup the last time around they totally blew that team up and revamped.
- jak521

If I were Bowman, I wouldn't start cutting the fat with kids coming off ELC's... I'd be buying out Montador and Olesz, and then looking long and hard at guys like Oduya/Hjalmarsson/Frolik first. Maybe even try to move Bolland for a cheaper/bigger/younger model.

Leafs or Bruins?
- wilsonecho91

laffs. they've been out of the playoffs since before the first lockout. besides, i hate nathan horton's face.

can't stand boston, hate marchand, jack edwards and their coach
- Marc D

likewise. not necessarily in that order.

If I were Bowman, I wouldn't start cutting the fat with kids coming off ELC's... I'd be buying out Montador and Olesz, and then looking long and hard at guys like Oduya/Hjalmarsson/Frolik first. Maybe even try to move Bolland for a cheaper/bigger/younger model.
- Tomahawk

Was St. Louis planning on keeping J Bo around next season too?

Was St. Louis planning on keeping J Bo around next season too?
- JAKEw1234

Depends how well he and the team perform in the PO's, I'd imagine.

If I were Bowman, I wouldn't start cutting the fat with kids coming off ELC's... I'd be buying out Montador and Olesz, and then looking long and hard at guys like Oduya/Hjalmarsson/Frolik first. Maybe even try to move Bolland for a cheaper/bigger/younger model.
- Tomahawk

these two could fit with the Flyers I think

And does anyone think dougie hamilton is young enough at this point to still be obtainable?

these two could fit with the Flyers I think
- Marc D

But what solutions do these guys honestly bring to the flyers defense? I don't think getting either of them would upgrade our defense.

But what solutions do these guys honestly bring to the flyers defense? I don't think getting either of them would upgrade our defense.
- JAKEw1234

Neither guy puts up much in the way of numbers, but both are smart, mobile and decent puck-movers. I'd stick w/ Gus, though.

And does anyone think dougie hamilton is young enough at this point to still be obtainable?
- JAKEw1234

Do you think a similar swap to Schenn and JVR is possible? Maybe Coots plus a 2nd /1st rounder for Dougie?

Obviously rooting for the Isles, Leafs, and Caps

hard to decide between Habs and Sens
I guess Sens in a coin flip
- Marc D

I'm with you across the board but I'll probably root for whoever's behind with Montreal and Ottawa. If one goes up I'l jump to the other. More hockey for me ya know?

But what solutions do these guys honestly bring to the flyers defense? I don't think getting either of them would upgrade our defense.
- JAKEw1234

Oduya would immediately become the second best puck-mover on the Flyers if they acquired him. He's better at that aspect of the game than anyone we have except Timonen. He (or someone like him) is the kind of player we should be targeting if we can't land a true #1 - which seems pretty unrealistic at this point. As Bill points out, we have enough big, physical, stay-at-home types. We need some puck movers that are at least decent in their own end, and Oduya fits that bill. I believe he made the pass to Bickel that set up the gwg last night.

can't stand boston, hate marchand, jack edwards and their coach
- Marc D

Couldn't agree more.

Rooting Leafs in that series.

And does anyone think dougie hamilton is young enough at this point to still be obtainable?
- JAKEw1234

No. They aren't moving him. The Defense in Boston is nothing if not aging. They'll need him to develop into a corner stone long term. I can't envision what it would take to pry him loose but nothing reasonable.

Do you think a similar swap to Schenn and JVR is possible? Maybe Coots plus a 2nd /1st rounder for Dougie?
- JAKEw1234

What's in it for Boston?

Couturier's superfluous for them... they're deep up the middle, have Bergeron and Kelly to handle all the tough defensive assignments, they have a couple of really good center prospects in the system.

The draft pick might be nice, but they're built to win now... hard to see them moving such a critical piece out of the lineup for a kid who is 2-5 years away from contributing.

Most importantly, Hamilton is Chara's heir-apparent.

Alzner is not a struggling player.
- MJL

For a 5th overall pick (although be it was in the worst draft class in a long time) he is. I expect a 5th overall pick to be an All Star top-6 forward or top pair defenseman. Alzner is a solid 3/4, but he hasn't come close to replicating his junir numbers in the NHL (see; Schenn, Luke, a good top-4 player who hasn't met all of his expectations, at least yet).

Oduya would immediately become the second best puck-mover on the Flyers if they acquired him. He's better at that aspect of the game than anyone we have except Timonen. He (or someone like him) is the kind of player we should be targeting if we can't land a true #1 - which seems pretty unrealistic at this point. As Bill points out, we have enough big, physical, stay-at-home types. We need some puck movers that are at least decent in their own end, and Oduya fits that bill. I believe he made the pass to Bickel that set up the gwg last night.
- BringBack25

Almost, he made the flip out of the zone that turned into the pass to Bickell. Nice touch on that flip. High enough to avoid the forward and short enough to keep the play in stride.

funny chris pronger will be on the flyers roster until 2017, never play a game, and the flyers get cap relief by putting on injured reserve, and exactly how is this not circumventing the salary cap?