I think someone in here nailed the point perfectly that his back issues were from what, 2 years ago? With modern sports medicine, a back issue from a couple years ago should have little to no effect on him, and even if it is that noticeable, it's not enough for him to be a deal breaker. Even with his back issues I consider Edler > Yandle. Even if we were were limited to keeping him playing 20-25 mins/game, I think we have other dmen that have been proven able to eat big minutes. Gus, L Schenn, Kimmo, Grossmann are the major ones whom I think can handle any minutes Edler leaves behind.
- JAKEw1234

MJL is a big proponent of acquiring Edler and tried to say that Edler's back issues were two years ago. I've done my research on the player and watched him play enough games to know what he's about. In point of fact, Edler's back issues are ongoing. He had surgery in 2011, and it was hoped that his issues were addressed...but they resurfaced this season...in December there were rumors he was possibly headed back to surgery.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.co...60/ns/sports-player_news/

Here's a Vancouver Sun article describing some of Edler's (associated and other) issues

http://vansunsportsblogs....lve-a-problem-like-edler/

MJL is a big proponent of acquiring Edler and tried to say that Edler's back issues were two years ago. I've done my research on the player and watched him play enough games to know what he's about. In point of fact, Edler's back issues are ongoing. He had surgery in 2011, and it was hoped that his issues were addressed...but they resurfaced this season...in December there were rumors he was possibly headed back to surgery.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.co...60/ns/sports-player_news/

Here's a Vancouver Sun article describing some of Edler's (associated and other) issues

http://vansunsportsblogs....lve-a-problem-like-edler/
- exlund

If his back issues are a real factor then the Flyers should get him cheaper. Which I don't think is going to happen. Edler had no issues playing this season or in the playoffs. He would instantly upgrade the blue line on this roster.

MJL is a big proponent of acquiring Edler and tried to say that Edler's back issues were two years ago. I've done my research on the player and watched him play enough games to know what he's about. In point of fact, Edler's back issues are ongoing. He had surgery in 2011, and it was hoped that his issues were addressed...but they resurfaced this season...in December there were rumors he was possibly headed back to surgery.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.co...60/ns/sports-player_news/

Here's a Vancouver Sun article describing some of Edler's (associated and other) issues

http://vansunsportsblogs....lve-a-problem-like-edler/
- exlund

Which is why I might not over pay for him. It's still not a deal breaker for me. Remember that Hartnell is also coming off of a down year due to injury. Him and Edler are on similar ground. If we could acquire Edler for Hartnell +, then draft Pulock, then we'd have Edler here and ready so saying goodbye to Kimmo won't be quite so hard, and Pulock hopefully building himself up to be a responsible, intelligent, and offensive force. In other words, a suitable replacement to Kimmo.

Which is why I might not over pay for him. It's still not a deal breaker for me. Remember that Hartnell is also coming off of a down year due to injury. Him and Edler are on similar ground. If we could acquire Edler for Hartnell +, then draft Pulock, then we'd have Edler here and ready so saying goodbye to Kimmo won't be quite so hard, and Pulock hopefully building himself up to be a responsible, intelligent, and offensive force. In other words, a suitable replacement to Kimmo.
- JAKEw1234

I'm on board with that...for me and Edler, it would be mostly about the price which dictates the risk/reward ratio...secondarily, it would be about playing him the right way, not putting too much on his back, so to speak.

In a seller's market such as this for defensemen the Flyers may not be able to land a #1, so they have to look at things like a Edler and his back, or a Buff and his belly to help address their needs for offense from the blueline (not that they are necessarily available).

Which is why I might not over pay for him. It's still not a deal breaker for me. Remember that Hartnell is also coming off of a down year due to injury. Him and Edler are on similar ground. If we could acquire Edler for Hartnell +, then draft Pulock, then we'd have Edler here and ready so saying goodbye to Kimmo won't be quite so hard, and Pulock hopefully building himself up to be a responsible, intelligent, and offensive force. In other words, a suitable replacement to Kimmo.
- JAKEw1234

i dunno, homer said something about wanting to get bigger as part of the master plan...

I'm on board with that...for me and Edler, it would be mostly about the price which dictates the risk/reward ratio...secondarily, it would be about playing him the right way, not putting too much on his back, so to speak.

In a seller's market such as this for defensemen the Flyers may not be able to land a #1, so they have to look at things like a Edler and his back, or a Buff and his belly to help address their needs for offense from the blueline (not that they are necessarily available).
- exlund

Yup, I mean, I want no part of Buf, but Edler would still be an upgrade, even with his back. Plus, we'd have the most Swedish defense in the league between Gus, Gross, and Ed

i dunno, homer said something about wanting to get bigger as part of the master plan...
- isaiah520

Edler is 6'3", and Pulock, despite not being monsterous (he's 6'0"), is still known for his physical edge and scary center ice hits. Think Kris Letang physically when you think of Pulock.

is nichuskin really a possibility for us? would we have to trade down to get him, cuz im all aboard with this if its reality, he really does look a lot like Lindros out and will get bigger, the guys leg strength seems to be unbeleivable

Edler is 6'3", and Pulock, despite not being monsterous (he's 6'0"), is still known for his physical edge and scary center ice hits. Think Kris Letang physically when you think of Pulock.
- JAKEw1234

i think he was talking about the forwards and losing hartnell would seem to necessitate acquiring another big forward. besides that, i don't think harts is the guy who VAN would want to move a guy like edler. he has lots of hard miles on the odometer.

Edler is 6'3", and Pulock, despite not being monsterous (he's 6'0"), is still known for his physical edge and scary center ice hits. Think Kris Letang physically when you think of Pulock.
- JAKEw1234

Letang is a fake tough guy

is nichuskin really a possibility for us? would we have to trade down to get him, cuz im all aboard with this if its reality, he really does look a lot like Lindros out and will get bigger, the guys leg strength seems to be unbeleivable
- mydoglicks

Trade down?

He's going to go top 5.

I cant see it happening. The cost would likely be something like the 11th and B Schenn, maybe even more. We still need to trade for a D man. Would trading the 1st and BSchnn for Nichuskin and Simmonds plus picks for Edler really make us that much better?

Nichuskin Giroux Voracek
Hartnell Couturier Read
Talbot Laughton Gagne
?? Hall Rinaldo

Edler Schenn
Kimmo Grossman
Coburn Gus

Bryz
Mason

Looks ok, but keep in mind that leaves the system absolutely bone dry.

Edler is 6'3", and Pulock, despite not being monsterous (he's 6'0"), is still known for his physical edge and scary center ice hits. Think Kris Letang physically when you think of Pulock.
- JAKEw1234

I don't think I'd say like Kris Letang, not sure who I'd compare him to though........Craig Button in October said Al MacInnis which is probably too high for a comparison.

is nichuskin really a possibility for us? would we have to trade down to get him, cuz im all aboard with this if its reality, he really does look a lot like Lindros out and will get bigger, the guys leg strength seems to be unbeleivable
- mydoglicks

Imo Nich is going 3rd overall to Tampa.

I don't think I'd say like Kris Letang, not sure who I'd compare him to though........Craig Button in October said Al MacInnis which is probably too high for a comparison.
- ob18

Either way, he's not a soft player, and he's not really undersized, just a little bit smaller.

Trade down?

He's going to go top 5.

I cant see it happening. The cost would likely be something like the 11th and B Schenn, maybe even more. We still need to trade for a D man. Would trading the 1st and BSchnn for Nichuskin and Simmonds plus picks for Edler really make us that much better?

Nichuskin Giroux Voracek
Hartnell Couturier Read
Talbot Laughton Gagne
?? Hall Rinaldo

Edler Schenn
Kimmo Grossman
Coburn Gus

Bryz
Mason

Looks ok, but keep in mind that leaves the system absolutely bone dry.
- hereticpride

plus, we don't need young forwards. We've got oodles of them.

Either way, he's not a soft player, and he's not really undersized, just a little bit smaller.
- JAKEw1234

He's called undersized but he is over 6' and some teams have been taking players at that position who are in the area of 6'5'' but he has decent size and overall skill.

June 30 will hopefully be a really good day for the Flyers even if Pulock isn't in the plans.

plus, we don't need young forwards. We've got oodles of them.
- JAKEw1234

Injuries. Matt Read could leave next year as a UFA etc.

Brayden schenn and 11 pick won't get you to 3 in this draft I think

Brayden schenn and 11 pick won't get you to 3 in this draft I think
- Just5

I was thinking the 4th or 5th pick. I don't see Tampa taking him over Drouin tbh.

Count me out of the Nichuskin sweepstakes, thank you very much.

I was thinking the 4th or 5th pick. I don't see Tampa taking him over Drouin tbh.
- hereticpride

Not even sure that gets you inside the top 8

Which is why I might not over pay for him. It's still not a deal breaker for me. Remember that Hartnell is also coming off of a down year due to injury. Him and Edler are on similar ground. If we could acquire Edler for Hartnell +, then draft Pulock, then we'd have Edler here and ready so saying goodbye to Kimmo won't be quite so hard, and Pulock hopefully building himself up to be a responsible, intelligent, and offensive force. In other words, a suitable replacement to Kimmo.
- JAKEw1234

Everything runs through the back, and as far as I know (not a Dr., and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn last night) there's no real way to "fix" back issues, just mitigate them, therefore I would say back issues are second only to concussions as a threat to player longevity. And I wouldn't give up top prospects/roster players for a guy with back problems. But that's just me.

The Canucks can be thankful, however, that Edler has already shown he can perform with discomfort. There can also be positives drawn from the fact that they may now have an elite defender available at a discount.

http://bleacherreport.com...-affects-him-and-the-team

Hearing about the bulging disc in Edler's back makes me cringe though, as he already had major surgery for that in 2011. Edler, even though he struggled last season, is a physical beast. So in honor of his hurting back and his tenacity I would like to present to you the best of Edler's hits in no particular order.

And I'm guessing he's going to have to tone down the "physical beast" part of his game.

http://www.nucksmisconduc...on-of-edlers-biggest-hits

I think someone in here nailed the point perfectly that his back issues were from what, 2 years ago? With modern sports medicine, a back issue from a couple years ago should have little to no effect on him, and even if it is that noticeable, it's not enough for him to be a deal breaker. Even with his back issues I consider Edler > Yandle. Even if we were were limited to keeping him playing 20-25 mins/game, I think we have other dmen that have been proven able to eat big minutes. Gus, L Schenn, Kimmo, Grossmann are the major ones whom I think can handle any minutes Edler leaves behind.
- JAKEw1234

You're correct. He may have had a previous injury, in which his back may never be the same. But I think he's missed 1 game the last two Seasons. And he plays well over 20 minutes a game. And I think Yandle is very dynamic offensive puck mover. But Edler is a better all around defenseman who can play in all situations. He is by far my first choice of the rumored defenseman that might be available. Might being the key word.

Everything runs through the back, and as far as I know (not a Dr., and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn last night) there's no real way to "fix" back issues, just mitigate them, therefore I would say back issues are second only to concussions as a threat to player longevity. And I wouldn't give up top prospects/roster players for a guy with back problems. But that's just me.



http://bleacherreport.com...-affects-him-and-the-team



And I'm guessing he's going to have to tone down the "physical beast" part of his game.

http://www.nucksmisconduc...on-of-edlers-biggest-hits
- wolfhounds

Which is why I might not trade one of our young guns for him. But for Hartnell, it's totally reasonable imo.

Everything runs through the back, and as far as I know (not a Dr., and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn last night) there's no real way to "fix" back issues, just mitigate them, therefore I would say back issues are second only to concussions as a threat to player longevity. And I wouldn't give up top prospects/roster players for a guy with back problems. But that's just me.



http://bleacherreport.com...-affects-him-and-the-team



And I'm guessing he's going to have to tone down the "physical beast" part of his game.

http://www.nucksmisconduc...on-of-edlers-biggest-hits
- wolfhounds

The one article talks about how the Canucks may not sign him to a long term deal due to the previous back issues. They signed him to a 6 year deal worth 30M. Must not be that concerned about it.

So to sum it up. Canucks signed him to a long term deal. Surely they're aware of his Medical condition and prognosis. Secondly, he's missed I think one game in the last two Seasons. And he plays big minutes in all situations. I'll take that evidence over some media articles. Unless I hear otherwise. And I trust the FLyers to do due diligence and know what they're getting into. If they choose to pursue Edler.