I think the entire situation is unpredictable. Who knows what's going to happen.
- MJL

The punitive cap-recapture provision is going to give GMs a lot to think about.

It's not just the "new" NHL. When the Flyers acquired Mark Howe, they traded their leading scorer from the previous season, as well as a good prospect and draft picks.

Landing good defensemen has never been cheap. One summer where Holmgren didn't land one isn't a trend, because he's managed to land at least one solid one every summer previously.
- Jsaquella

I simply have my doubts with this approach, but I understand it.

It seems to be more and more that quality d-men aren't even available to begin with. Via trade or FA.

I think its foolish to rely on that FA, and while giving up forwards for D to make the team better makes sense, I dont see that strategy working too well going forward. Teams simply do not allow quality d-men to hit FA often, trade them, or if they do it costs an absolute premium.

The kind of guys that are available, are exactly what the majority of the Flyers defense is made up of. Guys best suited to secondary roles.

I understand that Holmgren has been able to upgrade that D in the past, but I wouldnt hang my hopes on trades/FA.

To me at the end of the day, the have to get a hell of a lot better at drafting and developing their own D. We will see just how easy it is to find another Timonen or top guy. I really have my doubts, and the league has been trending this way for a little while now.

I simply have my doubts with this approach, but I understand it.

It seems to be more and more that quality d-men aren't even available to begin with. Via trade or FA.

I think its foolish to rely on that FA, and while giving up forwards for D to make the team better makes sense, I dont see that strategy working too well going forward. Teams simply do not allow quality d-men to hit FA often, trade them, or if they do it costs an absolute premium.

The kind of guys that are available, are exactly what the majority of the Flyers defense is made up of. Guys best suited to secondary roles.

I understand that Holmgren has been able to upgrade that D in the past, but I wouldnt hang my hopes on trades/FA.

To me at the end of the day, the have to get a hell of a lot better at drafting and developing their own D.
- flyer_nutter

If the Flyers were to draft a defenseman in the first round. How long would it be before that player could realistically be expected to take on a top role? It's always been possible to find the right deal for the right player. It just takes some patience. The majority of every teams defense is best suited to secondary roles, if you want to call them that. I think that defensive defenseman that can play against top lines, and in defensive situations, such as on the PK, are imperative to a team's success. Every team has to supplement with trades and Free Agency. I'll believe that the availability of quality defenseman will become a rarity when I see it.

So, as we see, the Flyers have never really developed their own defensemen. While it'd be great if they could, it's always been that way, and they have had a lot of success in approaching things in this manner.

Does it matter if the Flyers drafted Mark Howe? Or is it OK that they traded assets that they did draft to acquire him? IMO, it's ultimately most that the player came in and contributed to the team's success rather than how he was acquired.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, the whole idea of having more guys you drafted on your team isn't going to guarantee anything; however, I think if a team can manage to draft/sign top defensemen, they're more likely to be in a better position. With the dearth of top pairing defensemen types available the premium placed on the type of defensemen the Flyers are going to need is pretty high. Other GMs will maintain high prices for established top 4 guys. Moving JVR straight up for Schenn was a reasonable move, as both players were kind of in the same realm development wise...so far the returns on Luke have been positive....but we need another deal or two if the help isn't coming from the pipeline. Complicating things is the guys coming off of injuries, like Mez, Coburn, Timonen, Grossmann, just how much they're going to be able to contribute. Not knowing that up front could make it quite a challenge to manage.

I simply have my doubts with this approach, but I understand it.

It seems to be more and more that quality d-men aren't even available to begin with. Via trade or FA.

I think its foolish to rely on that FA, and while giving up forwards for D to make the team better makes sense, I dont see that strategy working too well going forward. Teams simply do not allow quality d-men to hit FA often, trade them, or if they do it costs an absolute premium.

The kind of guys that are available, are exactly what the majority of the Flyers defense is made up of. Guys best suited to secondary roles.

I understand that Holmgren has been able to upgrade that D in the past, but I wouldnt hang my hopes on trades/FA.

To me at the end of the day, the have to get a hell of a lot better at drafting and developing their own D. We will see just how easy it is to find another Timonen or top guy. I really have my doubts, and the league has been trending this way for a little while now.
- flyer_nutter

I'm not disagreeing that they have to get better at drafting and developing defense.

What I am saying is, that every summer or trade deadline, Holmgren has been able to trade for or sign a top 4 caliber defenseman. Last summer was the first time he tried to upgrade the defense and failed.

Last summer was a strange one, too. With the CBA ending teams were rushing to re-sign pending RFAs, which led to a lot of guys re-upping early-before a new CBA restricted their ability to cash in.

Nobody knew what the new CBA would bring and few pending FAs were willing to wait and see what the new deal brought, lest they lose money.

The NHL has ALWAYS trended to good defensemen being hard to obtain. The cost for Howe was the team's leading scorer the previous year, a very good prospect and a couple high picks. Brad McCrimmon cost the Flyers a Vezina caliber goalie. Brad Marsh cost them a team captain & former number one overall pick.

It would be easier to draft a guy and develop him. But if you draft Aki Berg and not Chris Pronger you've set your team back a few years and then don't have the good forward to trade for a good defenseman.

I guess what I am saying is, focusing on defensemen to the extent some seem to be asking is worse than drafting a forward every year. If people say that they should take a defenseman 1st, regardless if there's a better forward on the board, then that's being idiotic.

Yeah, the whole idea of having more guys you drafted on your team isn't going to guarantee anything; however, I think if a team can manage to draft/sign top defensemen, they're more likely to be in a better position. With the dearth of top pairing defensemen types available the premium placed on the type of defensemen the Flyers are going to need is pretty high. Other GMs will maintain high prices for established top 4 guys. Moving JVR straight up for Schenn was a reasonable move, as both players were kind of in the same realm development wise...so far the returns on Luke have been positive....but we need another deal or two if the help isn't coming from the pipeline. Complicating things is the guys coming off of injuries, like Mez, Coburn, Timonen, Grossmann, just how much they're going to be able to contribute. Not knowing that up front could make it quite a challenge to manage.
- exlund

It could be challenging to manage. Fortunately in the case of Coburn, his injury is a fairly simple one. Meszaros seems to have some sort of chronic issue with his shoulder. Grossmann status is uncertain. That's why I scratch my head when people suggest dumping Coburn for a pick.

Top four or top pair defensemen will always command a high price. They always have.

I threw up in my mouth when I read Randy Jones.

Also, of all of the potential first round defenseman not named Seth Jones, Pulock has impressed me the most. Great IQ. What a bomb. Still growing and improving in skating. Would love to see the Flyers draft him.

I'm not disagreeing that they have to get better at drafting and developing defense.

What I am saying is, that every summer or trade deadline, Holmgren has been able to trade for or sign a top 4 caliber defenseman. Last summer was the first time he tried to upgrade the defense and failed.

Last summer was a strange one, too. With the CBA ending teams were rushing to re-sign pending RFAs, which led to a lot of guys re-upping early-before a new CBA restricted their ability to cash in.

Nobody knew what the new CBA would bring and few pending FAs were willing to wait and see what the new deal brought, lest they lose money.

The NHL has ALWAYS trended to good defensemen being hard to obtain. The cost for Howe was the team's leading scorer the previous year, a very good prospect and a couple high picks. Brad McCrimmon cost the Flyers a Vezina caliber goalie. Brad Marsh cost them a team captain & former number one overall pick.

It would be easier to draft a guy and develop him. But if you draft Aki Berg and not Chris Pronger you've set your team back a few years and then don't have the good forward to trade for a good defenseman.

I guess what I am saying is, focusing on defensemen to the extent some seem to be asking is worse than drafting a forward every year. If people say that they should take a defenseman 1st, regardless if there's a better forward on the board, then that's being idiotic.
- Jsaquella

Very well put, and the bolded part is the key as to why BPA is always the best course of action.

Very well put, and the bolded part is the key as to why BPA is always the best course of action.
- MBFlyerfan

No doubt about it. And even if they draft a defenseman with the #11 pick. It could be a number of years before that player is ready to take on a top role. And the Flyers would still have to make a move to shore up the defense. I'd rather they trade for an established defenseman, by trading a young forward. And then using that #11 pick to draft a forward to fill that hole.

On another note. Looking forward to the LA/Sharks game. Finally starting at a decent time.

Memorial Cup time

It's about the situation also. I bet if Hamilton was on the Flyers, with the Season they had. The talk would be about his struggles and he's a bust from some.
- MJL

probably

Memorial Cup time
- ob18

Is it on the NHL network?

Is it on the NHL network?
- pharcyde

yes, getting ready to start now

Is it on the NHL network?
- pharcyde

Yes this will be the only one they'll have put on that network.

do the mooseheads have any connection to the brewery that makes moosehead beer or is it just a coincidence?

Christ what a cluster(frank)

do the mooseheads have any connection to the brewery that makes moosehead beer or is it just a coincidence?
- monty burns

Yes they do

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Mooseheads

No way MacKinnon should go past #2 in the draft

Yes they do

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Mooseheads
- ob18

thanks for the info, it appears that jody shelley's #25 has been retired by the mooseheads, maybe they'll name their press box after him.

thanks for the info, it appears that jody shelley's #25 has been retired by the mooseheads, maybe they'll name their press box after him.
- monty burns

Yeah that is the biggest mystery in all of sports more than the game 6 puck of the 2010 finals.

Portland needs to wake up & fast or it will get even more out of control.

holy over half of those guys where from over twenty years ago, but you guys have done pretty well despite that

Just a matter of time on that one. LA needs to stay out of the box.

No way MacKinnon should go past #2 in the draft
- ob18

I wouldn't be surprised if Colorado takes him over Jones. I know they already have duchene and ror, but this kid just looks amazing. They could always trade one of the aforementioned for a defenseman

I, Dustin Brown, would like to thank my fans for voting for me, and I'd like to thank my Mom for always being such an inspiration, and finally the good sweet LORD Jesus for giving me this wonderful opportunity. Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!