I'd prefer they don't move Coburn. If they do, and Meszaros doesn't return to the lineup, then next offseason you'll be hunting for 2 top-6 defenseman again, and that's assuming everyone's healthy.

14/15
Schenn - Gustafsson
Streit - Grossmann
??? - ???
- jmatchett383

Next year as of now looks like a huge UFA year. Remember that Lauri will still be getting better and could prove himself ready for the final NHL jump by next offseason. I think we'll be ok

Personally, though, I think they will keep Mez in the lineup at the start of the season, and see how it pans out. If he can start to turn around, then great we have a solid defenseman in the lineup. If he gets injured again or his game nose-dives, then oh well. He's on the last year of his contract and he's easily replaceable at this point. We'd only be missing out on a low round pick we could potentially get from trading him. There's more reward from keeping him and seeing what happens than trading him now.

I still think Dangling Meszaros at the draft to move up to get Valeri Nichushkin is one of the best ideas I've heard.
- flyler

If your going to get the 5th overall here is the path I think your going to have to take.

Step 1: Trade Coburn, 11th overall, to Edmonton for 7th overall.
Step 2: Trade Meszaros, 7th overall, 2nd Rounder for 5th overall.

And that only guarentees you either Nichushkin or Barkov. But I think I like the idea.

The Malkin signing made me think a bit.

If it was 2004 and you had the first pick in the draft knowing what you know now, would you select Malkin or Ovechkin?
- 77rams

Ovechkin.

Why would the Flyers trade a good, young prospect for a young D prospect like Rundblad? Where does Rundblad fit into the lineup? Isn't the young offensive D spot in the lineup already occupied by Gustafsson? Tough to be considered a contender with two of those guys in your top-6.
- bradleyc4

Where does Laughton fit into the Lineup? 4th line center? Rundblad has a much higher ceiling then Gus, who I think will max out at 2nd pairing tops. Rundblad could be a top pairing guy.

Next year as of now looks like a huge UFA year. Remember that Lauri will still be getting better and could prove himself ready for the final NHL jump by next offseason. I think we'll be ok

Personally, though, I think they will keep Mez in the lineup at the start of the season, and see how it pans out. If he can start to turn around, then great we have a solid defenseman in the lineup. If he gets injured again or his game nose-dives, then oh well. He's on the last year of his contract and he's easily replaceable at this point. We'd only be missing out on a low round pick we could potentially get from trading him. There's more reward from keeping him and seeing what happens than trading him now.
- JAKEw1234

Agreed on that last part. I just don't want Gustafsson to not play.[/img]

So it is a contract year for Mez? Usually that brings out the best in players. He is still young enough and when healthy a solid 3/4 guy. Glad I don't have to sort through this mess on D.

If your going to get the 5th overall here is the path I think your going to have to take.

Step 1: Trade Coburn, 11th overall, to Edmonton for 7th overall.
Step 2: Trade Meszaros, 7th overall, 2nd Rounder for 5th overall.

And that only guarentees you either Nichushkin or Barkov. But I think I like the idea.
- youarewrong

Except then we're out 2 top 6 dmen, and only have 1 (gus) to fill the gap. Also, nothing guarantees Edmonton or Nashville takes those trades, they may want more, or something different. We could always go to the UFA market to get a top 6 shutdown guy for our 3rd pair. I personally think Grossmann could handle top 4 responsibilities. But yeah, if we could do that then I'd be on board.

The Malkin signing made me think a bit.

If it was 2004 and you had the first pick in the draft knowing what you know now, would you select Malkin or Ovechkin?
- 77rams

If by knowing what I know now means that I know we'll have Giroux as our #1C, then I'll take Ovechkin.

If I am just picking the better player, Malkin.

Bill! Thought the storm got ya...or US Open traffic...

Where does Laughton fit into the Lineup? 4th line center? Rundblad has a much higher ceiling then Gus, who I think will max out at 2nd pairing tops. Rundblad could be a top pairing guy.
- youarewrong

Laughton fits in with his junior club.

Ovechkin.
- JAKEw1234

really? i realize i may be at risk for bias, but i just dont see how. both have their obvious incredible talent and detriments, but i just dont see how you go with OV over malkin in nearly any situation

Where does Laughton fit into the Lineup? 4th line center? Rundblad has a much higher ceiling then Gus, who I think will max out at 2nd pairing tops. Rundblad could be a top pairing guy.
- youarewrong

Also consider the recent rumors of Rundblad going to the KHL. It'd be a shame to give an asset for a player who just ends up bailing.

Also consider the recent rumors of Rundblad going to the KHL. It'd be a shame to give an asset for a player who just ends up bailing.
- JAKEw1234

Yeah, that kinda made me nervous about him.

If by knowing what I know now means that I know we'll have Giroux as our #1C, then I'll take Ovechkin.

If I am just picking the better player, Malkin.
- jmatchett383

yeah, a situation in which you are considering an established team already stocked at center would be the only situation i think you could consider it, but even then, i would go with a one two of malkin and giroux over having OV

Also consider the recent rumors of Rundblad going to the KHL. It'd be a shame to give an asset for a player who just ends up bailing.
- JAKEw1234

Even more so, guys like Stone and Gormley have passed him on the depth chart. No thanks. Especially not for Laughton.

really? i realize i may be at risk for bias, but i just dont see how. both have their obvious incredible talent and detriments, but i just dont see how you go with OV over malkin in nearly any situation
- stayinthefnnet

That's because OV is just a sheer physical scoring machine. He's more one-dimensional than Malkin, but he's still the best in the game at what he does. It's close, but I still think I take OV. He carried the caps to the playoffs this year, and still won the Richard even after a pretty poor start to the season. I'd love to have either of them, but I might take OV over Malkin still.

The Malkin signing made me think a bit.

If it was 2004 and you had the first pick in the draft knowing what you know now, would you select Malkin or Ovechkin?
- 77rams

Malkin.

I still like OV, but he's got to be with the right mix of players.

really? i realize i may be at risk for bias, but i just dont see how. both have their obvious incredible talent and detriments, but i just dont see how you go with OV over malkin in nearly any situation
- stayinthefnnet

Goal scoring?

Except then we're out 2 top 6 dmen, and only have 1 (gus) to fill the gap. Also, nothing guarantees Edmonton or Nashville takes those trades, they may want more, or something different. We could always go to the UFA market to get a top 6 shutdown guy for our 3rd pair. I personally think Grossmann could handle top 4 responsibilities. But yeah, if we could do that then I'd be on board.
- JAKEw1234

Like I was saying, you would use Laughton to get a young defenseman to start developing on the 3rd pairing like Rundblad or M.Reiley or Brodin or Gormley.

No Next year would look like:

Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann-Streit
Gustefsson-One of the above. or Gervais

Laughton fits in with his junior club.
- bradleyc4

FWIW, many are projecting him to make the club this fall.

I don't know what the rush is, myself, but that's what I've read here and elsewhere.

Put me in the minority that thinks the flyers have more to be gained by trading Meszaros.

Say they get a 3rd rounder and open up cap space to sign a top 9 UFA forward. That on top of getting Gus more opportunity actually makes it a win win to trade him

FWIW, many are projecting him to make the club this fall.

I don't know what the rush is, myself, but that's what I've read here and elsewhere.
- johndewar

I hope not. Where does he fit? 4th line center? I'd love to waste a year of his ELC so he can play 7 minutes a night with Rosehill and Rinaldo.

FWIW, many are projecting him to make the club this fall.

I don't know what the rush is, myself, but that's what I've read here and elsewhere.
- johndewar

I'm not sure he has much more to prove at the OHL level.

FWIW, many are projecting him to make the club this fall.

I don't know what the rush is, myself, but that's what I've read here and elsewhere.
- johndewar

The Flyers have never been known as a patient organization, like NJ or Det, when it comes to allowing their prospects to develop.

Like I was saying, you would use Laughton to get a young defenseman to start developing on the 3rd pairing like Rundblad or M.Reiley or Brodin or Gormley.

No Next year would look like:

Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann-Streit
Gustefsson-One of the above. or Gervais
- youarewrong

Are we talking about the same Brodin who was on the Wild's top pairing with Ryan Suter for most of the season?