Yeah, I was trying to make the point that 25 is too early to shut the book on a young NHL defender... and while McBain might not come cheaply, he'd be a lot more affordable than the bigger name players being bandied about, and there's always the chance that he goes on to have a better two-way career than EJ, Yandle, etc. For a team looking to add without subtracting too much, these are the kind of moves I would be most interested in.
- Tomahawk

There's no doubt about that. McBain could mature into exactly what the Flyers need. But it could also go the other way. He could continue to struggle and not get there. So it comes down to the price. Carolina certainly isn't going to give him away. In fact, If they were even looking to trade him. I would expect them to ask for someone like Brayden Schenn in return. So what kind of player would you be willing to trade a young player like Schenn for? An established top defenseman, or one who might get there. Unless you think he can be acquired for less.

There's no doubt about that. McBain could mature into exactly what the Flyers need. But it could also go the other way. He could continue to struggle and not get there. So it comes down to the price. Carolina certainly isn't going to give him away. In fact, If they were even looking to trade him. I would expect them to ask for someone like Brayden Schenn in return. So what kind of player would you be willing to trade a young player like Schenn for? An established top defenseman, or one who might get there. Unless you think he can be acquired for less.
- MJL

I think he can be had for less. He was being shopped last year at the TDL, prior to Pitkanen getting hurt and the reported reason was that he was in Mueller's doghouse. Generally a guy coming off a down year, where he butted heads with the coach, doesn't command a huge return in trade.

And if the cost is Brayden Schenn, then I tell them thanks for your time and go on to another option.

Keith gets a game, per everyone on twitter

I think he can be had for less. He was being shopped last year at the TDL, prior to Pitkanen getting hurt and the reported reason was that he was in Mueller's doghouse. Generally a guy coming off a down year, where he butted heads with the coach, doesn't command a huge return in trade.

And if the cost is Brayden Schenn, then I tell them thanks for your time and go on to another option.
- Jsaquella

I wouldn't consider Brayden Schenn a huge return. Maybe it was rumored he was being shopped, but he wasn't dealt. So if he was, that indicates that Carolina wasn't going to deal him cheaply. And teams generally don't give away young talented defenseman of his age cheaply, just because of a down year. He is still a bona fide NHL defenseman. They're going to want youth in return, that is also NHL quality. Ask yourself if you were Carolina, what you would trade him for?

I think he can be had for less. He was being shopped last year at the TDL, prior to Pitkanen getting hurt and the reported reason was that he was in Mueller's doghouse. Generally a guy coming off a down year, where he butted heads with the coach, doesn't command a huge return in trade.

And if the cost is Brayden Schenn, then I tell them thanks for your time and go on to another option.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, I think a Carle-esque package would be able to get the job done... NHL dman plus decent prospect. You'd still have your A1 assets available to make a move for that ideal #1 stud, if there was a still a need for it in the future, but in the meantime, you've rebalanced your bottom 2 pairings.

I wouldn't consider Brayden Schenn a huge return. Maybe it was rumored he was being shopped, but he wasn't dealt. So if he was, that indicates that Carolina wasn't going to deal him cheaply. And teams generally don't give away young talented defenseman of his age cheaply, just because of a down year. He is still a bona fide NHL defenseman. They're going to want youth in return, that is also NHL quality. Ask yourself if you were Carolina, what you would trade him for?
- MJL

Carolina didn't trade him because Pitkanen broke his foot the night before the TDL.

I would consider a guy with Schenn's potential, at age 21, a big cost for McBain. I like McBain, but I'm not willing to trade the main asset from the trade that sent the face of the franchise out a couple years ago.

Also, I'm not saying it would be cheap, but it would be less than it would cost to land Edler/Yandle, etc.

There's no doubt about that. McBain could mature into exactly what the Flyers need. But it could also go the other way. He could continue to struggle and not get there. So it comes down to the price. Carolina certainly isn't going to give him away. In fact, If they were even looking to trade him. I would expect them to ask for someone like Brayden Schenn in return. So what kind of player would you be willing to trade a young player like Schenn for? An established top defenseman, or one who might get there. Unless you think he can be acquired for less.
- MJL

whoa....yea count me out if that's true

i think he'd be cheaper than that though. that's the whole appeal of that kinda trade

Yeah, I think a Carle-esque package would be able to get the job done... NHL dman plus decent prospect. You'd still have your A1 assets available to make a move for that ideal #1 stud, if there was a still a need for it in the future, but in the meantime, you've rebalanced your bottom 2 pairings.
- Tomahawk

Agreed. He won't be given away. But it also shouldn't cost a guy who has played in the top 6 the past two years and is still a very good prospect himself.

whoa....yea count me out if that's true

i think he'd be cheaper than that though. that's the whole appeal of that kinda trade
- FlyerMike18

Exactly. Move on to the next guy. There's quite a few out there.

The idea is, if you can't land a bigger fish, pay less for a smaller one.

- jak521

So awesome!!

I've gotta say, I'm going for Boston every step of the way at this point. I've showed zero interest in the playoffs without the Flyers and haven't even caring who wins the Cup until now. After that first period against the Pens and the style the Big Bad Bruins play, I say go for it! I hate the Pens! I'm not a hater of Richards or Carter but we don't need anymore salt in the our collective wounds. Then there are the Chicago Black Hawks. I respect this team. I think the product they've finally placed on the ice in recent years is a thing of beauty. On the other, they've raised a Stanley Cup in our barn!

Go Bruins!!

Exactly. Move on to the next guy. There's quite a few out there.

The idea is, if you can't land a bigger fish, pay less for a smaller one.
- Jsaquella

i'm on board w/ this. they're in a major fix and they need to roll the dice a little and get creative. dmen and pwr forwards take longer as we all know and maybe mcbain or a guy like him is worth taking a chance on.

if they get into fixation mode like they have in the past, they will overpay or make a mistake.

So awesome!!

I've gotta say, I'm going for Boston every step of the way at this point. I've showed zero interest in the playoffs without the Flyers and haven't even caring who wins the Cup until now. After that first period against the Pens and the style the Big Bad Bruins play, I say go for it! I hate the Pens! I'm not a hater of Richards or Carter but we don't need anymore salt in the our collective wounds. Then there are the Chicago Black Hawks. I respect this team. I think the product they've finally placed on the ice in recent years is a thing of beauty. On the other, they've raised a Stanley Cup in our barn!

Go Bruins!!
- dingo8urbaby

Dingo!

Part of the old crew, nice to see you!

I am kind of rooting for Chicago. I really do love the hardcore teams that play physical and intimidate. However I do kind of agree with Vigneault that the league is turning a little too much toward the physical/defensive side, and away from the skilled side of the game.

I'd like to see Chicago take it. Mainly because of Hossa and Handzus.

If Chara does take it though, its all good. Just another one for the Slovaks.

So awesome!!

I've gotta say, I'm going for Boston every step of the way at this point. I've showed zero interest in the playoffs without the Flyers and haven't even caring who wins the Cup until now. After that first period against the Pens and the style the Big Bad Bruins play, I say go for it! I hate the Pens! I'm not a hater of Richards or Carter but we don't need anymore salt in the our collective wounds. Then there are the Chicago Black Hawks. I respect this team. I think the product they've finally placed on the ice in recent years is a thing of beauty. On the other, they've raised a Stanley Cup in our barn!

Go Bruins!!
- dingo8urbaby

i'm all bruins too

i'd be rooting them on over chicago either way (f them), but i feel like i'll owe it to them to root them on in the finals if they get there by beating the rags and pens (particularly if they embarass the pens). i dunno, consider it good karma or whatever. but after rooting for them so strongly in the ecf and ecsf, i'll want to see them win if they advance

Dingo!

Part of the old crew, nice to see you!

I am kind of rooting for Chicago. I really do love the hardcore teams that play physical and intimidate. However I do kind of agree with Vigneault that the league is turning a little too much toward the physical/defensive side, and away from the skilled side of the game.

I'd like to see Chicago take it. Mainly because of Hossa and Handzus.

If Chara does take it though, its all good. Just another one for the Slovaks.
- flyer_nutter

Hey Peanut!

Chicago is my second choice. I would rather not see the Pens go all the way, nor the kids...not that I hav a hate for the kids. They can be very fun to watch...

i'm all bruins too

i'd be rooting them on over chicago either way (f them), but i feel like i'll owe it to them to root them on in the finals if they get there by beating the rags and pens (particularly if they embarass the pens). i dunno, consider it good karma or whatever. but after rooting for them so strongly in the ecf and ecsf, i'll want to see them win if they advance
- FlyerMike18

A couple good points I over looked. F the Rangers too!!

Yeah, I think a Carle-esque package would be able to get the job done... NHL dman plus decent prospect. You'd still have your A1 assets available to make a move for that ideal #1 stud, if there was a still a need for it in the future, but in the meantime, you've rebalanced your bottom 2 pairings.
- Tomahawk

The package for Carle was for Eminger and Downie. Downie was already in the NHL, and was a #1 pick. And Eminger was still fairly young at that point. So who is the young NHL forward that the Flyers can trade for McBain? And which defenseman?

Carolina didn't trade him because Pitkanen broke his foot the night before the TDL.

I would consider a guy with Schenn's potential, at age 21, a big cost for McBain. I like McBain, but I'm not willing to trade the main asset from the trade that sent the face of the franchise out a couple years ago.

Also, I'm not saying it would be cheap, but it would be less than it would cost to land Edler/Yandle, etc.
- Jsaquella

I don't think there is any doubt that is what Carolina would be looking for. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what I see. yea, it may be cheaper, but the return is less also. If you're going to trade a top young asset. Get the established player. The Flyers have only so many bullets. Can't afford to miss the target.

i'm on board w/ this. they're in a major fix and they need to roll the dice a little and get creative. dmen and pwr forwards take longer as we all know and maybe mcbain or a guy like him is worth taking a chance on.

if they get into fixation mode like they have in the past, they will overpay or make a mistake.
- isaiah520

I think he is definitely worth taking a chance on. For the right price. I can't see Carolina trading him for what I feel is the right price. I think the cost is going to be higher then some think. And then, you might as well go after the right player, if it's available.

I don't think there is any doubt that is what Carolina would be looking for. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what I see. yea, it may be cheaper, but the return is less also. If you're going to trade a top young asset. Get the established player. The Flyers have only so many bullets. Can't afford to miss the target.
- MJL

...Which is why I'm against trading a top young asset. Not sure how to explain it any more completely than that. If I'm not willing to overpay for Edler or Yandle, I'm sure not willing to overpay for McBain.

I'm also not suggesting they have to do anything of the sort. It's a fall back option. There's several out there. They could very well stand pat, which of course does nothing to begin addressing the issues they face.

...Which is why I'm against trading a top young asset. Not sure how to explain it any more completely than that. If I'm not willing to overpay for Edler or Yandle, I'm sure not willing to overpay for McBain.

I'm also not suggesting, for a second that they have to do anything of the sort. It's a fall back option. There's several out there. They could very well stand pat, which of course does nothing to begin addressing the issues they face.
- Jsaquella

They're going to have to overpay within reason for a defenseman. I don't see any way around it. It's either that, or wait and hope in the next few years the right player hits Free Agency, and they can get him. Meanwhile, a year or two of prime is lost with players like Giroux and Voracek.

The package for Carle was for Eminger and Downie. Downie was already in the NHL. And Eminger was still fairly young at that point. So who is the young NHL forward that the Flyers can trade for McBain? And which defenseman?
- MJL

I feel this team has assets to part with, the question is should we? The Cap is coming down and contracts are only gonna get higher. It doesn't matter to me if we part with Matt Read this summer or the next but he probably deserves the same type of money Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are gonna command in their next deals. I personally would rather stick with the younger players with the higher upsides. Erik Gustafsson looked to me like a young guy who might only be an average young puck mover but he's certainly proving me wrong. The problem is, if he does become above average, that's more tough choices to make. I think we should only add and divide as little as possible.

They're going to have to overpay within reason for a defenseman. I don't see any way around it. It's either that, or wait and hope in the next few years the right player hits Free Agency, and they can get him. Meanwhile, a year or two of prime is lost with players like Giroux and Voracek.
- MJL

Yes, within reason, they will have to overpay. Even then, the cost for Edler or Yandle will still be significantly higher in terms of what assets they will have to give to acquire a defenseman.

And just like in those cases if the cost is too high, walk away. It's about options. It's not pointless. They do need a top pair puck mover. They also need a second or third pair puck mover, depending upon where one slots Timonen and Gustafsson.

It's entirely possible that Timonen stays on the top pair, with Gustafsson on the second pair...which leaves a need for a third pair guy. Gervais can probably handle it, but I'd rather him be the 7th defenseman. Not to mention the injury clouds hanging over Grossmann & Meszaros

is it old news that the flyers hired nitty as a euro scout? just saw that one on CSN...

is it old news that the flyers hired nitty as a euro scout? just saw that one on CSN...
- isaiah520

Not really old, but I don't know if anyone mentioned it. Saw it this afternoon on twitter

Not really old, but I don't know if anyone mentioned it. Saw it this afternoon on twitter
- Jsaquella

IT WAS MENTIONED