They have decent depth on the blueline in the system... they're actually hurting more for impact forwards, especially with Hishon's health being such a huge question mark.

In the end, though, it's going to be BAP. If that's Jones and he just so happens to have a feel-good story behind his selection, that's great. But it's not going to be the reason he goes first, nor are they looking to address current needs when they've made it clear that they're going to be patient with the rebuild.
- Tomahawk

I agree they are going to go with the Best availible player regardless. I'm not saying his relationship with the organization is going to be the reason he'd be chosen. But I do think the PR of having Popeye Jones' son playing for the Cities's Hockey team might help attendance while they rebuild. That could be 'A' factor in determining the pick, obviously not 'THE' factor. And that's obviously if the BAP is too close to call.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Couturier's Development and Future Potential
- bmeltzer

Fabulous read Bill, it really puts Couturier's season in a detailed perspective.

I don't want to put words into your mouth but from reading it I get the impression that you feel Lavi used Couturier where he was strongest, with lots of D zone starts against opponent's top scorers.

Because he didn't shine offensively, he saw fewer O-zone starts and was played on a bottom 6 checking line with the grinders.

More then a few posters, many of whose opinions I regard highly, have stated that Lavi misused Couts this season by playing him with the likes of Talbot/Knuble/Rinaldo.

Some have written that he was criminally misused and point this out as one of the reasons to consider firing Lavi this off season.

If you are around and reading this, do you feel Couts was mishandled by the coaches, or do you see the way things went as an acceptable part of his development process?

Always best to trade youth/potential/picks for established players.

Capitals trade:
Adam Oates

Flyers trade:
Maxime Ouellet, G. (AHL Phantoms)
1st round pick, 2002 NHL Entry Draft later traded to dallas to move up and pick Semin
2nd round pick, 2002 NHL Entry Draft (conditional) Daigneualt
3rd round pick, 2002 NHL Entry Draft (conditional)Derek Krestanovich
- jmatchett383

So we almost got more out of oates than the caps did with those four parts. Not really that bad of a deal.

I agree they really need to start drafting defenseman. It's the only way to break this cycle. But...the more I look at this draft, especially compared to 2012, there is no real standout after Jones. Maybe Nurse. I think I'm now more in the trade down camp, or trade the pick for a dman.

At some point the whole "draft the best player available because you can always trade that asset for a defenseman" strategy fails if you do not actually ever trade that asset for defenseman.
- TheGreat28

I'm comfortable going after Ristolainen, Zadorov or Pulock with #11. It's all a bit of a crapshoot.

These Bat-Questions and more will be answered next season.

- TheGreat28

These Bat-Questions and more will be answered next season.

Seriously, the important thing is to build a roster with complementary players, whatever that mix may be. I'm sure Homer will take this into consideration this offseason. Hopefully though he learned the risk/reward with the 2 grand slams with one swing of the bat strategy from last year.
- TheGreat28

I personally feel finding a Stud, Star, legit scoring winger is every bit as important as finding a top puck moving offensive Dman. Jake Voracek has been great and only can get better but I'm not sure I would call him legit yet.

I'll use the line of Heatley, Spezza and Alfredsson as an example. Spezza and Alfredsson were and are good player still good players. However, they were only dominate when Heatley were added to the mix. Not so much before and not so much after. They can carry their own weight but not with the same impact until Heatley was gone.

So we almost got more out of oates than the caps did with those four parts. Not really that bad of a deal.
- twotoekenn

Except for that Semin guy, yeah.

What do you think it's based on?

Regardless, if both reach their potential, they are both going to be very valuable to their squads, and hopefully that's the Flyers.
- wolfhounds

I think it's based on what the writers at Hockeyfutures think. I agree that they're both going to be very valuable. I just see Couturier as the better overall player.

Potential is not a measurable quantity. Really scouts look at what a player can do and guess if he can learn more at the NHL level...

I think potential is used too much. I like the word talent better.
- youarewrong

Is there really a difference? Hockey sense and natural defensive acumen is part of talent. And Couturier has it in spades.

Except for that Semin guy, yeah.
- jmatchett383

Haha, not to mention a guy named Duncan Keith went somewhere between those picks as well.

I personally feel finding a Stud, Star, legit scoring winger is every bit as important as finding a top puck moving offensive Dman. Jake Voracek has been great and only can get better but I'm not sure I would call him legit yet.

I'll use the line of Heatley, Spezza and Alfredsson as an example. Spezza and Alfredsson were and are good player still good players. However, they were only dominate when Heatley were added to the mix. Not so much before and not so much after. They can carry their own weight but not with the same impact until Heatley was gone.
- dingo8urbaby

I agree they need one more sniper caliber forward, though I think for the 2nd line. I'm ok with Hartnell-G-Jake for the 1st line, but Schenn needs a more creative offensive player for his line, along with Simmonds. Or move Jake there but give G the sniper.

I guess my rationale is that 1) defensemen need a couple of years to develop, so get defensemen now and then draft a forward next year or year after, and 2) more forwards seem to be available in FA or through trades so they're more easily picked up later.

Admittedly I'm looking 2 years out.

I agree they really need to start drafting defenseman. It's the only way to break this cycle. But...the more I look at this draft, especially compared to 2012, there is no real standout after Jones. Maybe Nurse. I think I'm now more in the trade down camp, or trade the pick for a dman.

At some point the whole "draft the best player available because you can always trade that asset for a defenseman" strategy fails if you do not actually ever trade that asset for defenseman.
- TheGreat28

They traded Luca Sbisa for Chris Pronger. Steve Downie for Matt Carle. And they drafted 4 defenseman in the last draft.

http://www.thehockeynews....the-2011-first-round.html
- bradleyc4

So who has this same article for Schenn's draft year? Then we can get a better value on him to compare Schenn and Couts.

- BulliesPhan87

Somehow as soon as I saw that I flashed to Jay & Silent Bob meeting the Scooby gang and having Doobie snacks

I agree they need one more sniper caliber forward, though I think for the 2nd line. I'm ok with Hartnell-G-Jake for the 1st line, but Schenn needs a more creative offensive player for his line, along with Simmonds. Or move Jake there but give G the sniper.

I guess my rationale is that 1) defensemen need a couple of years to develop, so get defensemen now and then draft a forward next year or year after, and 2) more forwards seem to be available in FA or through trades so they're more easily picked up later.

Admittedly I'm looking 2 years out.
- TheGreat28

If you could add one UFA player to fill that 2nd line wing who would it be? Clarkson, Iggy, Clowe, etc?

I think it's based on what the writers at Hockeyfutures think. I agree that they're both going to be very valuable. I just see Couturier as the better overall player.
- MJL

Could be. I just don't see the evidence for that right now.

I agree they are going to go with the Best availible player regardless. I'm not saying his relationship with the organization is going to be the reason he'd be chosen. But I do think the PR of having Popeye Jones' son playing for the Cities's Hockey team might help attendance while they rebuild. That could be 'A' factor in determining the pick, obviously not 'THE' factor. And that's obviously if the BAP is too close to call.
- flyler

Honestly, aside from the novelty of his lineage, an 18-year defender's not going to do much in terms of drawing in casual fans and recapturing ones from the Cup years. It's only really been forwards that have been able to jolt moribund franchises to life... Crosby/Malkin, Kane/Toews, Stamkos, Tavares, OV. Jones is going to be good, but like Pronger, it's going to be a couple of seasons before he really sells tickets for you based on what he does on the ice.

A middle-class Towes... so he is projected to be Mike Richards in 3-4 years, at best.

People keep saying they are 5-6 players away, blah blah... Well how do you expect to get those 5-6 players unless you go out and get them. They wont fall into your lap. In the time it takes these young guys to develop, your current guys are falling off and opening more holes.... that needs another 3-4 years to fill.

I say make the moves. Homer did a great thing in the Richards and Carter trade, He took 2 players and turned them into 4 players with slightly less to equal value in 2 years. So you keep 3 of those pieces and move 1 for a position you need.

In order for the Flyers to make a serious run for the Cup here is what I think they will need.

1. 2 puck moving d-men. 1 though trade, and 1 maybe your draft pick or UFA or a lesser trade.

2. Stable Goaltending. Whether its Bryz, Mason, or a traded for or signed goalie.

3. 2 forwards. A defensive Center with size, and a top 6 Center or Winger.

Is it too hard for this to happen? I dont think so. Can you get Shattenkirk or Yandle for a slight package with Couturier... yes.

Can you land Bernier for Read, plus maybe a pick. From what I heard, yes.

Can Homer with the Briere and Bryz buy-out sign either Horton/Weiss and Zubrus/Antripov? IMO yes.

Is the below a team that can compete for a Cup?

Hartnell-Giroux-Voacek
Horton-Schenn-Simmonds
Gagne-Zubrus/Antripov-Talbot
Raffl/McGinn-Laughton-Rinaldo

Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann-Yandle/Shattenkirk
Ristolenian/FA-Gustefsson or Meszaros


or

Hartnell-Giroux-Voacek
Schenn-Weiss-Simmonds
Gagne-Zubrus/Antripov-Talbot
Raffl/McGinn-Laughton-Rinaldo

Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann-Yandle/Shattenkirk
Ristolenian/FA-Gustefsson or Meszaros
- youarewrong

Maybe a blockbuster could be worked for Byfugien and Bogosian? It'd cost an arm and a leg though. I think Horton will be returning to Boston, why wouldn't he?

So who has this same article for Schenn's draft year? Then we can get a better value on him to compare Schenn and Couts.
- coffee junkie

http://www.thehockeynews....g-the-2009-NHL-draft.html

Craig Button did one too:
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=25979

Honestly, aside from the novelty of his lineage, an 18-year defender's not going to do much in terms of drawing in casual fans and recapturing ones from the Cup years. It's only really been forwards that have been able to jolt moribund franchises to life... Crosby/Malkin, Kane/Toews, Stamkos, Tavares, OV. Jones is going to be good, but like Pronger, it's going to be a couple of seasons before he really sells tickets for you based on what he does on the ice.
- Tomahawk

I think the JayZ representation might be huge in Denver. Those hippies love their HipHop. Don't under estimate good marketing.

Could be. I just don't see the evidence for that right now.
- wolfhounds

Just by going by Bill's blog, out of B Schenn and Couturier. One of them is playing at a high level, in a certain aspect of the game. Maybe we have a different opinion on what each players upside is. It's a hypothetical based on potential.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/32151-THNcom-Blog-Redoing-the-2009-NHL-draft.html

Craig Button did one too:
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=25979
- Tomahawk

I'd think Despres would be quite a bit higher now.

Maybe a blockbuster could be worked for Byfugien and Bogosian? It'd cost an arm and a leg though. I think Horton will be returning to Boston, why wouldn't he?
- JAKEw1234

Could Big Buff get bought out?

They traded Luca Sbisa for Chris Pronger. Steve Downie for Matt Carle. And they drafted 4 defenseman in the last draft.
- MJL

Kind of ironic the examples you gave, because I hated both the Pronger trade and the Downie pick. I do like the back end of last year's draft though. I don't know if any of those guys pan out or not, but it was a departure from picking the Klotz or Mathers kind of guys, which really ticks me off.

I agree they are going to go with the Best availible player regardless. I'm not saying his relationship with the organization is going to be the reason he'd be chosen. But I do think the PR of having Popeye Jones' son playing for the Cities's Hockey team might help attendance while they rebuild. That could be 'A' factor in determining the pick, obviously not 'THE' factor. And that's obviously if the BAP is too close to call.
- flyler

I'm still hoping they somehow dump Stastny for whatever D help they can get before the draft. It'd make their selection at #1 more unpredictable and put a lot of pressure on FLA to swap picks to get whatever player they may want (my guess is Mackinnon.) If it's even close to a coin-flip for them between Mac and Jones, the best course would be to drop and play off FLA's desire to grab the marquee center and satisfy their fan base.

If they can't trade, I'd go w/ Mackinnon. He's more of a sure thing that's likely NHL-capable now, and you can always dump O'Reilly for a need or just collect the RFA draft picks later on if Mac proves himself early.