Don't get me wrong, Erik Johnson is a quality offensive defenseman. I just think more was expected.
- bradleyc4

EJ was guilty of playing a "juniors" type of game when he first came up... over-handling the puck, forcing things left and right, not being responsible defensively... the last couple of years, he's improved leaps and bounds on that, becoming a pretty reliable defensive force, but he's lost some of his offensive swagger in the exchange.

The Avs probably aren't looking to move him, but if he was available, he'd probably be a better fit long-term than Edler... mostly because of him being 2-years younger, carrying a lower current cap-hit, being a bit bigger and being RH. Other than that, they're very similar players -- great skaters, great shots, mean/physical, all-situations top-pairing guys.

You don't think the goalie market's going to be tepid again?

I can count the number of teams that may possibly have a starting spot open on one hand (CGY, FLA, MIN, NYI, PHX) and that number could quickly fall to 1 depending on whether or not Kipper retires if a bunch of guys choose to stay put.

Then you have the possibly adding COB candidates (Luongo, Bryz, Miller, maybe even Fleury) to the present pool of UFAs, the possibility that the few teams with two starting-caliber goalies could look to leverage that depth, and Tim Thomas still being out there, and you're left with a pretty bleak outlook for UFA goalies for the third year running.

The Flyers might possibly have something in Mason, but this summer could present a one-time opportunity to pick and choose between a number of Vezina-level candidates and get them signed for low$/short-term.
- Tomahawk

The buy outs may add a ton more interest to the less then attractive UFAs this summer.

For teams with cap space they could pick up some veterans at good prices.

I meant if you kept all of the guys we have now...

No trading Meszy or Coburn.

Edler-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Meszy-Grossmann
Gusty

Gusty is ready for a full time spot...

We could move one of the two aforementioned players to help offset the loss of offense..
- jak521

If we trade Meszaros, do we have to include a roll of duct tape used to hold his shoulder to his body?

I meant if you kept all of the guys we have now...

No trading Meszy or Coburn.

Edler-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Meszy-Grossmann
Gusty

Gusty is ready for a full time spot...

We could move one of the two aforementioned players to help offset the loss of offense..
- jak521

Bring Back Ryan Parent.

in that scenario, wouldn't a guy like huskins make sense?
- isaiah520

I must have mistyped my initial post... Im not worried about a 7th d-man.. Im saying that if we were to land Edler and not move anyone from our current crop... Gusty would be our 7th... and I think he is ready and deserving of a full time top 6 role. Having Gusty as our 7th would be the problem (albeit a good one to have). I think if we land a top pairing d-man we would be saying goodbye to one of Meszy or Coburn.

Now on to the 7th d-man.. I wouldnt mind Huskins, but would prefer Mark Fistric or Ryan OByrne...

I like big physical 7th d-men

Speaking of trades when can they start happening? Is it like the CBO's as in can start 48hrs after season ends ie Cup finals are over?

Bring Back Ryan Parent.
- Jimmy_wiener

This should be offseason priority #1.
Shame about him (and Bartulis)...what could have been.

Speaking of trades when can they start happening? Is it like the CBO's as in can start 48hrs after season ends ie Cup finals are over?
- flyerfan28

I think you can make trades after you're eliminated. Pretty sure the Flyers traded for Timonen/Hartnell during the 2007 playoffs.

This should be offseason priority #1.
Shame about him (and Bartulis)...what could have been.
- jmatchett383

Bring back Lukas "The Norris Magnet" Krajicek

You don't think the goalie market's going to be tepid again?

I can count the number of teams that may possibly have a starting spot open on one hand (CGY, FLA, MIN, NYI, PHX) and that number could quickly fall to 1 depending on whether or not Kipper retires if a bunch of guys choose to stay put.

Then you have the possibly adding COB candidates (Luongo, Bryz, Miller, maybe even Fleury) to the present pool of UFAs, the possibility that the few teams with two starting-caliber goalies could look to leverage that depth, and Tim Thomas still being out there, and you're left with a pretty bleak outlook for UFA goalies for a third year running.

The Flyers might possibly have something in Mason, but this summer could present a one-time opportunity to pick and choose between a number of Vezina-level candidates and get them signed for low$/short-term.
- Tomahawk

True, we could see a tepid market, but if Bryz is indeed bought out, I could also see Holmgren bidding against himself, yet again.

This should be offseason priority #1.
Shame about him (and Bartulis)...what could have been.
- jmatchett383

Yep, Parent was your next Pronger, just had to rush him

Bring back Lukas "The Norris Magnet" Krajicek
- BulliesPhan87

If I could go out and sign any ONE player this offseason to a max contract, It would be a no brainer...

Mr. Jaroslav Modry

Very likely. I'd trade Simmonds in a deal for Edler, if necessary (depending on the other pieces).
- bradleyc4

same

I think you can make trades after you're eliminated. Pretty sure the Flyers traded for Timonen/Hartnell during the 2007 playoffs.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, teams are free to make trades for the 2013-14 season... although the real wheeling and dealing doesn't usually start happening until right before the draft.

Speaking of trades when can they start happening? Is it like the CBO's as in can start 48hrs after season ends ie Cup finals are over?
- flyerfan28

There's no official trade freeze, like during Christmas, but teams wait to announce them until the SCF is over, because they don't want to take the shine off the games.

I must have mistyped my initial post... Im not worried about a 7th d-man.. Im saying that if we were to land Edler and not move anyone from our current crop... Gusty would be our 7th... and I think he is ready and deserving of a full time top 6 role. Having Gusty as our 7th would be the problem (albeit a good one to have). I think if we land a top pairing d-man we would be saying goodbye to one of Meszy or Coburn.

Now on to the 7th d-man.. I wouldnt mind Huskins, but would prefer Mark Fistric or Ryan OByrne...

I like big physical 7th d-men
- jak521

I don't think that they can count on Meszaros to handle a full time top six role next season, or at least not with full confidence in his ability to stay healthy.

If I could go out and sign any ONE player this offseason to a max contract, It would be a no brainer...

Mr. Jaroslav Modry
- jak521

Felt so bad for him. He was dedicating the playoffs to his dying father and you pulled so hard for the guy but....damn.

Yeah, teams are free to make trades for the 2013-14 season... although the real wheeling and dealing doesn't usually start happening until right before the draft.
- Tomahawk

Good deal, thats what I thought but wasnt sure thanks for the clarication fellas!

EJ was guilty of playing a "juniors" type of game when he first came up... over-handling the puck, forcing things left and right, not being responsible defensively... the last couple of years, he's improved leaps and bounds on that, becoming a pretty reliable defensive force, but he's lost some of his offensive swagger in the exchange.

The Avs probably aren't looking to move him, but if he was available, he'd probably be a better fit long-term than Edler... mostly because of him being 2-years younger, carrying a lower current cap-hit, being a bit bigger and being RH. Other than that, they're very similar players -- great skaters, great shots, mean/physical, all-situations top-pairing guys.
- Tomahawk

Being 2 years younger doesn't come close to making him a better fit for the Flyers, in my opinion. Edler is a far superior player who is signed to a very good deal. That makes him a significantly better fit for the Flyers then Johnson.

Also, they share opposite nicknames....

JBo and JoeB

THIS IS SOME ALTERNATE UNIVERSE ISHH
- Giroux_Is_God

Ishy Thump

Is Mike Rathje ready to play yet? Pronger and Rathje would make a good shut down pairing. IMO.

Is Mike Rathje ready to play yet? Pronger and Rathje would make a good shut down pairing. IMO.
- Jimmy_wiener

Mike Rathje's time in the witness protection program hasn't been that great.

He ordered some spaghetti with marinara sauce, and all he got was egg noodles and ketchup.

Is Mike Rathje ready to play yet? Pronger and Rathje would make a good shut down pairing. IMO.
- Jimmy_wiener

Ultimate Flyers post-2004 lockout defense:
Lukas Krajicek - Mike Rathje
Ryan Parent - Jaroslav Modry
Lasse Kukkonen - Oskars Bartulis

I fully believe that Kukkonen and Bartulis has their careers ruined by Andy Sutton and Scottie Upshall. Neither were able to even fill the #6 role after those 2 hits.

I think Oskars Bartulis should get a mention on this page too

oops leight

Mike Rathje's time in the witness protection program hasn't been that great.

He ordered some spaghetti with marinara sauce, and all he got was egg noodles and ketchup.
- johndewar