After next year the Flyers are going to be without Mez and Timonen. They can allow Gus and Oliver to play at the NHL level and gain more experience or send them down at the AHL level and try to work on issues.

Will see what happens.
- stveshdy

For sure.

I see both sides here. I'd simply lean more toward having them with regular spots this season because it allows one more year for them to grow with that young core up front, and a year of mentorship with Timonen.

I just dont want them sitting in the box after they have a bad game, or always having their D partner switched up.

Grabner has some serious speed, too bad he doesn't have better hands.

Sbisa struggled, and was benched.

Struggled and was playign with different linemates nightly.

Struggled and ended up playing 4th line wing.

Struggled and sat out doing nothing.

A better approach to me, is giving Guss and Oliver permanent roles, with more regular line partners. Sign veteran d-men for depth.
- flyer_nutter

And which veteran defenseman do you sign for depth? A string of Lilja types? Or guys that could possibly step in if Gus and Lauridsen can't handle their roles? Because that's going to be expensive.

Also, if you think that simply dumping Coburn and Meszaros for Lauridsen & Gus means consistent pairs for the two kids, I'd have to laugh. If anything it means they'd be playing far bigger roles and with different partners more often, as injuries and other factors occur

For sure.

I see both sides here. I'd simply lean more toward having them with regular spots this season because it allows one more year for them to grow with that young core up front, and a year of mentorship with Timonen.

I just dont want them sitting in the box after they have a bad game, or always having their D partner switched up.
- flyer_nutter

A player like Lauridsen would likely do much better with more AHL time. You're placing way too much value in Timonen mentoring players.

For sure.

I see both sides here. I'd simply lean more toward having them with regular spots this season because it allows one more year for them to grow with that young core up front, and a year of mentorship with Timonen.

I just dont want them sitting in the box after they have a bad game, or always having their D partner switched up.
- flyer_nutter

Tough situation but I think the Flyers will go with giving Gus a spot in the top 6. Oliver on the other hand will probably be playing at the AHL level and continue to develop.

Agreed. Just looking at Cap hits without looking at all the factors. Such as when the deal was signed, what stage of their career they're at. Shows a clear lack of understanding of the NHL Salary structure.
- MJL

My concern is less what they're paying, and more how much cap room do they have. I agree that the current top 5 likely isn't good enough. But you're not going to get better by simply plugging kids in

And which veteran defenseman do you sign for depth? A string of Lilja types? Or guys that could possibly step in if Gus and Lauridsen can't handle their roles? Because that's going to be expensive.

Also, if you think that simply dumping Coburn and Meszaros for Lauridsen & Gus means consistent pairs for the two kids, I'd have to laugh. If anything it means they'd be playing far bigger roles and with different partners more often, as injuries and other factors occur
- Jsaquella

I personally don't think you can dump both Coburn & Mez. However, they could move one of the two this summer or later in the year next season.

Not saying he has been. What I'm saying is simply handing him a top 4 role, which is what would be the case by dumping Meszaros and Coburn, would be rushing him.

I'm also saying it'd be more likely that Lauridsen is the one who'd struggle more
- Jsaquella

Oh ya I don't think most of us believe we should dump Mez AND Coburn. I am of the party who believes we should get rid of 1 of them this offseason, however big that party is

And which veteran defenseman do you sign for depth? A string of Lilja types? Or guys that could possibly step in if Gus and Lauridsen can't handle their roles? Because that's going to be expensive.

Also, if you think that simply dumping Coburn and Meszaros for Lauridsen & Gus means consistent pairs for the two kids, I'd have to laugh. If anything it means they'd be playing far bigger roles and with different partners more often, as injuries and other factors occur
- Jsaquella

Dumping Coburn and Meszaros essentially leaves you with Grossman, Timonen and Schenn.

Trading Coburn, leaves you with a top 4.

I'd be very much in favour of a lineup something along the lines of the following, which is building toward the future.

Giordano-Schenn
Timonen-Oliver
Guss-Grossman

7th veteran D

My concern is less what they're paying, and more how much cap room do they have. I agree that the current top 5 likely isn't good enough. But you're not going to get better by simply plugging kids in
- Jsaquella

I don't think so either. I just think it would be an asset to allow them to gain the experience at the NHL level on a consistent basis. Although, I don't believe both Gus and Oliver will be in the lineup next season.

Gus is more likely to get the opportunity to play regularly next year.

My concern is less what they're paying, and more how much cap room do they have. I agree that the current top 5 likely isn't good enough. But you're not going to get better by simply plugging kids in
- Jsaquella

Agreed.

My concern is less what they're paying, and more how much cap room do they have. I agree that the current top 5 likely isn't good enough. But you're not going to get better by simply plugging kids in
- Jsaquella

I think if there is a comfort level that one of the younger d-man can slide into a top 6 spot, it makes it a little easier to change the mix in the top 4 that is currently on the team. How that is accomplised via trade, I don't have any idea. Possibly a young forward along with an experienced d-man can upgrade the top 4.

A player like Lauridsen would likely do much better with more AHL time. You're placing way too much value in Timonen mentoring players.
- MJL

If the the flyers ask lauridsen to play the same way as last year, ahl time won't do anything more for him. He is primed for the #6 role

I personally don't think you can dump both Coburn & Mez. However, they could move one of the two this summer or later in the year next season.
- stveshdy

Honestly, if Meszaros stays healthy, and Gustafsson(who I do have in my top six, FWIW) & the top four they should add play well enough, Meszaros is a nice TDL trade chip.

I'm not against trading Coburn or Meszaros. I'm against bad asset management. Trading guys when their value is at it's lowest point is bad asset management. Making a move just to make a move is generally bad asset management.

Dumping Coburn and Meszaros essentially leaves you with Grossman, Timonen and Schenn.

Trading Coburn, leaves you with a top 4.

I'd be very much in favour of a lineup something along the lines of the following, which is building toward the future.

Giordano-Schenn
Timonen-Oliver
Guss-Grossman

7th veteran D
- flyer_nutter

This post would be complete if you included how they were going to get Giordano. Otherwise, hell, might as well throw anyone's name in there.

My concern is less what they're paying, and more how much cap room do they have. I agree that the current top 5 likely isn't good enough. But you're not going to get better by simply plugging kids in
- Jsaquella

You are 100% right.

You will not get better next season. You may have some trouble.

The organization has to be able to accept a bit of a rebuild on that defense. It seems all the hoopla is whether the team keeps Coburn.

Or trades him and gives a chance to Oliver now. I'd prefer the second.

Good showing by the islanders in that series. Damn Nabokov

I don't think so either. I just think it would be an asset to allow them to gain the experience at the NHL level on a consistent basis. Although, I don't believe both Gus and Oliver will be in the lineup next season.

Gus is more likely to get the opportunity to play regularly next year.
- stveshdy

I have Gus in my top six. Meszaros I see as a plug in and Lauridsen is the first guy I'd recall if there's an injury(and if he's going to play some minutes).

If the the flyers ask lauridsen to play the same way as last year, ahl time won't do anything more for him. He is primed for the #6 role
- Just5

Disagree completely. It's likely he needs more AHL time. And that plugging him into the lineup would be rushing him.

Final/OT

London - 5
Barrie - 4

Domi with a laser of a pass to Ryan Rupert for his 2nd of the game 90 seconds into OT.

Series tied at 3, game 7 Monday

Disagree completely. It's likely he needs more AHL time. And that plugging him into the lineup would be rushing him.
- MJL

Why does he need more ahl time?

Unless they ask him to work on certain things. He is perfectly capable of playing the same game

Honestly, if Meszaros stays healthy, and Gustafsson(who I do have in my top six, FWIW) & the top four they should add play well enough, Meszaros is a nice TDL trade chip.

I'm not against trading Coburn or Meszaros. I'm against bad asset management. Trading guys when their value is at it's lowest point is bad asset management. Making a move just to make a move is generally bad asset management.
- Jsaquella

I completely understand. What if the Flyers keep Mez the entire year next season the chances are they lose him for nothing anyways if he signs elsewhere.

I don't want to trade either for the sake of trading but I wouldn't be against one being moved to allow some younger defenseman to get experience (3rd pairing).

You are 100% right.

You will not get better next season. You may have some trouble.

The organization has to be able to accept a bit of a rebuild on that defense. It seems all the hoopla is whether the team keeps Coburn.

Or trades him and gives a chance to Oliver now. I'd prefer the second.
- flyer_nutter

Their attempts to obtain Suter and Weber last off season doesn't tell you that they know they need to improve the defense?

Why does he need more ahl time?
- Just5

Because he's not ready for a full time NHL role. There are areas of his game he needs to improve on. Such as his positional play.

Why does he need more ahl time?
- Just5

Wasting your time bud.

Best to ignore the BS, and those who contribute nothing new, just look for stuff to blah blah blah