It was current when Ryan was drafted. Bob Clarke.
- youarewrong

How was Bob Clarke infuential in Bobby Ryan's Hockey career? And Clarke is still part of Flyers Management.

I'm not dismissing anything. I want the best player available, who is the best fit. And out of the defenseman who we know are available. Or who are rumored to be available. That's Edler in my opinion. And I would pay a pretty high price to acquire him.
- MJL

I agree that he may be the best player available. That said, the price to acquire him might be driven up by many suitors. For all we know, there could be an even better player available next year. I don't know for sure, but it's possible.
At some point you have to bite the bullet, but at the same time, I wouldn't sell the farm for the guy. For a true #1 (he's the next step down), that's a different story.

They are giving him 8M and actually getting a service in return. That's Bryzgalov actually playing for the team. Versus paying him not to play for the team. What does the number crunching reveal? What I'm reading is a bias towards wanting him gone in every analysis offered.
- MJL

and...you are clearly not an accountant...nor are you less biased than me. most objective people don't think it was a good deal and would opt out.

He knows his hockey history in Philadelphia, was very close with Bobby Clarke growing up, and idolized guys like John LeClair growing up.

His favorite coach he’s ever played for was Kevin Dineen and he even used to play pickup basketball with Paul Holmgren at the age of 15.

That's just what I've read though. Not sure it counts as a "substantial impact" but it just means he's been around some guys who are still in the organization since he was a kid.
- jmatchett383

Pretty much every kid growing up that is into Sports, has heroes. I think in the overall picture, not sure how much of an impact that has had in Ryan becoming a Pro Hockey player. Certainly could have led to him wanting to be a Hockey player. I would say his Coaches, teammates, and himself have had the biggest impact.

and...you are clearly not an accountant...nor are you less biased than me. most objective people don't think it was a good deal and would opt out.
- isaiah520

I'm not biased at all. I'm open to both a buyout and the possibility of Bryzgalov playing at a high level and earning his contract. If he does so, then it's not a bad contract. what does being an accountant have to do with anything?

Enlighten me as to why Bieksa is so much better than one of the best defenseman to ever play for this team?
- JAKEw1234

I'm not talking career wise. In that situation there's no comparison and you're correct but at 40 I think they are comparable talents. Bieksa brings more physically and Timonen puts up more points. Bieksa had a bit of a down year this year with injuries but he can put up points.

He's a far better D-man than Schenn who's still learning the NHL game.

Pretty much every kid growing up that is into Sports, has heroes. I think in the overall picture, not sure how much of an impact that has had in Ryan becoming a Pro Hockey player. Certainly could have led to him wanting to be a Hockey player. I would say his Coaches, teammates, and himself have had the biggest impact.
- MJL

I'm not arguing with you, there's very little of a direct hockey connection. He has ties to the Flyers in several ways, none of them being directly involved with his development as a hockey player. It's more of a connection that most kids/fans have, but it's not like the Flyers were giving him free skating lessons.

Still please consider that Edler will be playing with similar talent here. He'll most likely play most of his time when Giroux's line is out, and he'll most likely be out there on a pair with either Kimmo or Schenn. I'd dare to say they're both better than Bieksa. If his stats are inflated from playing with great talent in Vancouver, they'll probably be equally inflated here.
- JAKEw1234

Yea, I'll take Edler's inflated number here in Philly.

Oh, I beg to differ. Have you seen their drafting record:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ado_Avalanche_draft_picks

First round picks:
Marc Denis
Peter Ratchuk
Kevin Grimes
Martin Skoula
Scott Parker
Mikhail Kuleshov
Vaclav Nedorost
Jonas Johansson
Joey Hishon

Granted, they've had some hits (Tanguay, Shattenkirk, Landeskog, the 2010 class), but they're not a top-notch drafting team. They almost make the Flyers look good.
- jmatchett383

I said worst not the only bad one. Like if Pittsburgh had chosen Ryan.

I agree that he may be the best player available. That said, the price to acquire him might be driven up by many suitors. For all we know, there could be an even better player available next year. I don't know for sure, but it's possible.
At some point you have to bite the bullet, but at the same time, I wouldn't sell the farm for the guy. For a true #1 (he's the next step down), that's a different story.
- jmatchett383

Of course there are limits to what you would play. He's not Chara or Weber. But I agree, he's the next step down.

I'm not biased at all. I'm open to both a buyout and the possibility of Bryzgalov playing at a high level and earning his contract. If he does so, then it's not a bad contract. what does being an accountant have to do with anything?
- MJL

I think it's 100% impossible for any sports fan to be absolutely unbiased towards any player, especially one on his favorite team. You can have an open mind, but for the most part, fans have a personal belief that a player either is or is not doing an adequate job and deserves to stay. Some lean more strongly one way or the other. You seem to believe that he's done a good job of living up to his contract and deserves at least another year to show that he is capable of helping the team succeed. Some lean the other way. I think he CAN play at the level expected of him and help the team, it's just a matter whether or not he can play at the level this team needs him to in order to be winners.

I agree that he may be the best player available. That said, the price to acquire him might be driven up by many suitors. For all we know, there could be an even better player available next year. I don't know for sure, but it's possible.
At some point you have to bite the bullet, but at the same time, I wouldn't sell the farm for the guy. For a true #1 (he's the next step down), that's a different story.
- jmatchett383

Getting tunnel-vision for the "best player available" at the time has bitten the Flyers in the behind time and time again... Lindros, Briere, Bryz... they avoided huge blunders in the Suter/Parise courtings and Weber O.S. w/o knowing that the CBA lowering the upper-limit and cap-recapture (not to mention lost Jagr and Carle in the shuffle).

Getting tunnel-vision for the "best player available" at the time has bitten the Flyers in the behind time and time again... Lindros, Briere, Bryz... they avoided huge blunders in the Suter/Parise courtings and Weber O.S. w/o knowing that the CBA lowering the upper-limit and cap-recapture (not to mention lost Jagr and Carle in the shuffle).
- Tomahawk

The Weber O.S. was not a blunder. To me, he's still the best all-around defender in the game. He had a down year, but no, that was not a blunder.

But you're right about the tunnel vision. Adam Oates is another one.

Imho he's as "connected" to the Avs as Bobby Ryan is "connected" to the Flyers.

Connection level = 0
- Scoob

But, this one goes to 11...

The Weber O.S. was not a blunder. To me, he's still the best all-around defender in the game. He had a down year, but no, that was not a blunder.
- jmatchett383

Imagine if the compensation involved multiple lottery picks... they would have lost good players to get out of cap-hell this summer, not to mention all the summers henceforth.... hard to stay competitive then.

It could have made the Kessel trade look like solid gold in comparison.

Enlighten me as to why Bieksa is so much better than one of the best defenseman to ever play for this team?
- JAKEw1234

He gets points just for being the reason behind this:

Enlighten me as to why Bieksa is so much better than one of the best defenseman to ever play for this team?
- JAKEw1234

Timonen is a good defender, one of the best... no. Probally just outside top ten.

But, this one goes to 11...
- BringBack25

Timonen is a good defender, one of the best... no. Probally just outside top ten.
- youarewrong

wait, are you seriously saying there are/were 10 other Flyers' D-men that are better than Timonen? I sure don't think so. In fact I think he's top 5 at least, possibly top 3 depending on how you rank Rico.

Howe
Pronger
Desjardins
Kimmo

then you have the rest...McCrimmon, Dailey, Galley, Duchesne, Bladon, etc., but none of those guys were the complete player that Kimmo is/was. And even if you put all of them ahead of Kimmo he's still in the top 10.

Imagine if the compensation involved multiple lottery picks... they would have lost good players to get out of cap-hell this summer, not to mention all the summers henceforth.... hard to stay competitive then.

It could have made the Kessel trade look like solid gold in comparison.
- Tomahawk

When you have a chance to get one of the game's top players, you take the hit and live with it.

How was Bob Clarke infuential in Bobby Ryan's Hockey career? And Clarke is still part of Flyers Management.
- MJL

Bob Clarke owned or still owns a gym Ryan went too. He is good friends with Ryan's Dad. There was abuse in thier family and the Flyers helped out big time during that time. Clarke vouched for him at the OHL draft. And on and one. BTW bet you didn't know his names was Bobby Stevensen.

Getting tunnel-vision for the "best player available" at the time has bitten the Flyers in the behind time and time again... Lindros, Briere, Bryz... they avoided huge blunders in the Suter/Parise courtings and Weber O.S. w/o knowing that the CBA lowering the upper-limit and cap-recapture (not to mention lost Jagr and Carle in the shuffle).
- Tomahawk

With Suter and Parise we might still be watching hockey right now....

Bob Clarke owned or still owns a gym Ryan went too. He is good friends with Ryan's Dad. There was abuse in thier family and the Flyers helped out big time during that time. Clarke vouched for him at the OHL draft. And on and one. BTW bet you didn't know his names was Bobby Stevensen.
- youarewrong

My dad grew up with his dad, truth be told I once played in the sandbox with Bobby (at the time then) Stevenson

The Flyers have some serious work to do.

The Flyers have some serious work to do.
- stveshdy

I disagree.