What do you think about Bernier for Read? LA needs the scoring wingers, and we will need a goalie.
- youarewrong

We need a scoring winger too, actually.

I'd be fine with some NHL career back up type coming in and giving up no assets rather than going for a guy like Bernier.

If they really are going to buy out Bryz, I'm good with them making a play for Bernier.

What do you think about Bernier for Read? LA needs the scoring wingers, and we will need a goalie.
- youarewrong

I would not trade Read for Bernier. If they buyout Bryzgalov, I'd go with Mason and bring in a backup.

What do you think about Bernier for Read? LA needs the scoring wingers, and we will need a goalie.
- youarewrong

I'm not aghast at it, and it is probably a fair trade. My issue with it is people reacting like it would be highway robbery for the Flyers. Matt Read is a damned good player. He can fill so many roles that he's really like a Swiss Army knife for the Flyers.

-Capable of scoring 20+ goals
-Can play all three forward spots at a high level
-Good two way player
-good PP guy and adept at playing a PP point
-Outstanding PK guy. Going off advanced stats, he's an elite or near elite PKer.
-Good speed and smarts
-Fitness nut. Read has his degree in exercise science and he's in top shape.

Bernier has a ton of potential and he's shown a lot of ability in his brief NHL career, but 62 games is a real small sample size. Read's shown he's a top 6 talent with benefits. At the very least, it's a risky deal of the known for the unknown.

I'm not sure whether to make fun of these guys or to ask if this woman has a sister:

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...luded-puts-144902410.html

Flyers needs (in order of preference):

1. Puck-moving defenseman (Streit)
2. Dynamic winger (have a lot of grit, need more skill)
3. Goaltender
4. 4th line center/depth
- bradleyc4

I'll agree with most of this. I would like to get 1 more puck mover in addition of Streit to groom to replace Timonen next year.

As far as the Dynamic winger, I feel Mason will be able to move the puck to our defenseman in a better position and with that addition of more puck moving skills, they will be able to move the puck to the attackers quicker and in stride. So our offense will be more like it was 2 years ago instead of last year.

But that ties into number 3. If we use Read to get Bernier, we are going to have to get another scoring winger. I would either think about moving up in the draft to get Nichushkin or Barkov or try and sign Weiss or Hornton.

I also like the idea of getting a Zubrus to play that 4th line checking and PK roll.

Alex Tanguay has not been discussed as far as I know. His 3.5m cap hit is very reasonable and his contract is good for 3 more seasons. He's 32, drafted in the same year as Gagne, and would fill our 2LW nicely. He finished 3rd on the Flames this season with 27 points in 40 games. Yes he has slowed down, but could fill that veteran skilled winger slot very nicely and I dont think we would have to give up too much assets to grab him in a trade.

thoughts? (other than "no thanks")
- MrBigglesworth

They'd have to trade for him. What are we going to give the Flames for Tanguay. I'd prefer a player with a harder edge to his game over a finesse offensive player.

I'm not aghast at it, and it is probably a fair trade. My issue with it is people reacting like it would be highway robbery for the Flyers. Matt Read is a damned good player. He can fill so many roles that he's really like a Swiss Army knife for the Flyers.

-Capable of scoring 20+ goals
-Can play all three forward spots at a high level
-Good two way player
-good PP guy and adept at playing a PP point
-Outstanding PK guy. Going off advanced stats, he's an elite or near elite PKer.
-Good speed and smarts
-Fitness nut. Read has his degree in exercise science and he's in top shape.

Bernier has a ton of potential and he's shown a lot of ability in his brief NHL career, but 62 games is a real small sample size. Read's shown he's a top 6 talent with benefits. At the very least, it's a risky deal of the known for the unknown.
- Jsaquella

Pretty much, this.

The only thing is, will they be able to afford Matt Read when his contract comes up?

I hope they do, for all the reasons you mention here.

I'll agree with most of this. I would like to get 1 more puck mover in addition of Streit to groom to replace Timonen next year.

As far as the Dynamic winger, I feel Mason will be able to move the puck to our defenseman in a better position and with that addition of more puck moving skills, they will be able to move the puck to the attackers quicker and in stride. So our offense will be more like it was 2 years ago instead of last year.

But that ties into number 3. If we use Read to get Bernier, we are going to have to get another scoring winger. I would either think about moving up in the draft to get Nichushkin or Barkov or try and sign Weiss or Hornton.

I also like the idea of getting a Zubrus to play that 4th line checking and PK roll.
- youarewrong

Zubrus isn't going to come cheaply. And that cost will price him out of a 4th line role.

Alex Tanguay has not been discussed as far as I know. His 3.5m cap hit is very reasonable and his contract is good for 3 more seasons. He's 32, drafted in the same year as Gagne, and would fill our 2LW nicely. He finished 3rd on the Flames this season with 27 points in 40 games. Yes he has slowed down, but could fill that veteran skilled winger slot very nicely and I dont think we would have to give up too much assets to grab him in a trade.

thoughts? (other than "no thanks")
- MrBigglesworth

He's got 3-years left @ $3.5M... the cap-hit is already skewing high for a guy who's production has been dropping steadily over the past 4-5 seasons despite consistently lining up with his team's best talent (Iginla) and getting prime offensive ice.

Gagne's a better value at this point and fits better into the budget.

I did not know that (thought they had only signed a memorandum of agreement so that they could get playing).

Thank you, kind sir.
- Atomic Wedgie

No probalo, I think it was only posted in the past week or so.

Pretty much, this.

The only thing is, will they be able to afford Matt Read when his contract comes up?

I hope they do, for all the reasons you mention here.
- johndewar

That is the lone concern. They will have flexibility, but at the same time they will have several holes to fill, and Giroux, Couturier and Schenn will need to be addressed as well.

Bernier has a ton of potential and he's shown a lot of ability in his brief NHL career, but 62 games is a real small sample size. Read's shown he's a top 6 talent with benefits. At the very least, it's a risky deal of the known for the unknown.
- Jsaquella

Then again, Cory Schneider only has about 30 more games under his belt and he's firmly ensconced as a legit NHL workhorse.

Bernier's had 3 full seasons of NHL duty to his credit, with an additional two seasons of AHL pro. He's ripened on the vine, has shown steady progress -- he's basically where Schneider was a season or two ago.

I would not trade Read for Bernier. If they buyout Bryzgalov, I'd go with Mason and bring in a backup.
- MJL

Buying out Bryz pretty much means they're taking a flyer (hehe) on Mason and/or some other goalie anyway, and Bernier, to me, is worth taking a chance on.

I would not trade Read for Bernier. If they buyout Bryzgalov, I'd go with Mason and bring in a backup.
- MJL

Woah Woah Woah!!! I think you're all forgetting one major thing, no matter what they decide to do, its not going to work. Worst case scenario - Buy out Bryz/Briere and trade Read for Bernier. Bryz, Briere, and Read all have MONSTER years, Bernier is a bust, and Mason falls flat on his face. You all know that's more likely to happen than not lol

That is the lone concern. They will have flexibility, but at the same time they will have several holes to fill, and Giroux, Couturier and Schenn will need to be addressed as well.
- Jsaquella

To me it comes down to 3 things.

1. Will you be able to resign Read at all if you decide to keep him.

2. Do you think Raed has more potential, or is what you see is what you get. And are you willing to pay for just that.

3. Do you trust Mason to put all your eggs in 1 basket? I would say between Bernier and Mason one will likely become a more then solid NHL starter. If both do, then you increase the trade value of both and the investment return will be higher on whichever one you trade. Where if you get a back-up and Mason remains inconsistant, you are in serious trouble going into next season with Giroux, Schenn, Couturier, and Read to resign, plus find a Timonen replacement, plus find a Number 1 goalie.

Then again, Cory Schneider only has about 30 more games under his belt and he's firmly ensconced as a legit NHL workhorse.

Bernier's had 3 full seasons of NHL duty to his credit, with an additional two seasons of AHL pro. He's ripened on the vine, has shown steady progress -- he's basically where Schneider was a season or two ago.
- Tomahawk

That's true, but I also have questions about Schneider.

Buying out Bryz pretty much means they're taking a flyer (hehe) on Mason and/or some other goalie anyway, and Bernier, to me, is worth taking a chance on.
- Scoob

An Emery/Mason tandem has the same likelihood of flopping as a Bernier/Mason one.

The upside to having two youngsters is that if both of them do well, you've got a valuable trade chip in your back pocket.

You could still sign a third vet goalie to act as a safety net, if needed.

Then again, Cory Schneider only has about 30 more games under his belt and he's firmly ensconced as a legit NHL workhorse.

Bernier's had 3 full seasons of NHL duty to his credit, with an additional two seasons of AHL pro. He's ripened on the vine, has shown steady progress -- he's basically where Schneider was a season or two ago.
- Tomahawk

I have no issues with acquiring Bernier. I feel he's ready and able to be an NHL starter. I just wouldn't trade Read for him. The team is already lacking a winger. I don't want to create another hole for a goaltender.

That's true, but I also have questions about Schneider.
- Jsaquella

To be fair, the only guy clear of question marks at the moment is Lundqvist... and maybe Rask.

To me it comes down to 3 things.

1. Will you be able to resign Read at all if you decide to keep him.

2. Do you think Raed has more potential, or is what you see is what you get. And are you willing to pay for just that.

3. Do you trust Mason to put all your eggs in 1 basket? I would say between Bernier and Mason one will likely become a more then solid NHL starter. If both do, then you increase the trade value of both and the investment return will be higher on whichever one you trade. Where if you get a back-up and Mason remains inconsistant, you are in serious trouble going into next season with Giroux, Schenn, Couturier, and Read to resign, plus find a Timonen replacement, plus find a Number 1 goalie.
- youarewrong

1. Yes, they can find a way to keep Read. It may mean other changes, but he could be kept.

2. I doubt he becomes a 40 goal scorer, but what he is now is very, very valuable. What he provides is worth $3.5mm or so, easily.

3. Trusting Mason is immaterial. If Bryz is gone, they have to get a second goalie. It could be an established guy, who pushes Mason to a back-up role, it could be a guy to split time with Mason or it could be a vet back-up like Biron.

To be fair, the only guy clear of question marks at the moment is Lundqvist... and maybe Rask.
- Tomahawk

True...but in Bernier's case my question is can he have the same success over 62 games in one season that he's had over 62 games in his career.

I'm not against Bernier, at all. I think he could be a very capable starter.

I have no issues with acquiring Bernier. I feel he's ready and able to be an NHL starter. I just wouldn't trade Read for him. The team is already lacking a winger. I don't want to create another hole for a goaltender.
- bradleyc4

What about moving Schenn to wing for good and adding Weiss for a 2nd line Center.

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Weiss-Simmonds
Gagne-Couturier-Talbot
Raffl/McGinn-Laughton/Holmstrom-Rinaldo

2 Solid scoring lines, a great defensive line that can chip in goals against other teams top lines, and an energy line also capable of playing against 2nd line and adding some offensive support.

An Emery/Mason tandem has the same likelihood of flopping as a Bernier/Mason one.

The upside to having two youngsters is that if both of them do well, you've got a valuable trade chip in your back pocket.

You could still sign a third vet goalie to act as a safety net, if needed.
- Tomahawk

1. While he looked great this season, Emery's hip could flare up at any time.

2. Kind of like LA now.

3. Leighton

True...but in Bernier's case my question is can he have the same success over 62 games in one season that he's had over 62 games in his career.

I'm not against Bernier, at all. I think he could be a very capable starter.
- Jsaquella

To be honest and look at this from both sides, is Bernier as good as he has looked. He is backstopping one of the best defensive teams in the league. Could his numbers and looks be inflated because of this?