I agree.

They tried to get that player last year, in Shea Weber. That didn't work.

That player isn't out there without ripping apart the existing structure on your team.
- johndewar

Fair point, but those guys are out there. It takes some luck to get them but they can be had. The Bruins found one in Dennis Seidenberg who they barely gave up anything for. The Kings found one in Rob Scuderi who they paid a reasonable price for. The list goes on....Dan Hamhuis, Beauchemin, etc. None of those players are Shea Weber (obviously), but I think they all would have fit the Flyers needs better than Streit.

That said, you know what you're getting from Streit and I don't know the Bruins or Kings knew quite what they were getting with Seid/Scuderi. It pays to get a little lucky.

Perhaps, but look at the teams that have had success in the SC playoffs the past few years. They are all built on big, physical defenses who clog the lanes, block shots, retrieve pucks by winning one on one battles in the corners, and, most importantly, wear down the opposition over the course of a best of 7 series by checking them relentlessly. Now of course there is more than one way to skin a cat, but if you ask me the Flyers defense has struggled to do all of the above (which I think we can all agree is critical for a d corpse to do) since losing Pronger. Streit brings a lot to the table, but none of the above.

I think the days of Scotty Bowman diffusing the Legion of Doom line by deploying puck movers to outlet the puck before they could engage their forecheck are over. That strategy is not what wins Cups anymore. So as good as Streit may be at breakout passes, I still think the Flyers could have allocated that 5 million cap hit better.
- TheGreatNumber8

Bill mentions better balance on the blueline if a healthy Grossmann returns. With Schenn, Grossmann (and to a bit of a lesser extent) Coburn on every pairing they should have good size to win physical battles in corners. Again this is all on paper... so who knows?

Yup. Just need to draft him in 12 days.
- wolfhounds

I mean, it'd be great to have had a Zdeno Chara fall into our laps, but that's not happening.

I am going to continue to respectfully disagree. The Bruins defenseman, much like the Kings and Hawks, are adept at retrieving pucks because they are physican and get good body position and win one on one battles. NOT because they skate fast and can get back, retrieve the puck, and break it out before the forecheck descends upon them. Forwards are very good these days at dumping pucks not only in deep but in a spot where they can go get body contact before the d-man can move the puck up the boards. A good D has to be able to win those one on one battles, which means you need, size, strength, and skill. I question whether Streit can do that consistently.

Streit is definitely the type of player that helps teams. But I think the Flyers as presently constituted could have benefitted more from a stronger player who can be physical.
- TheGreatNumber8

No one is saying that the physical game and the one on one battles have been eliminated from the game. That is still a very important part of the game. But it's a possession League. Maintaining possession leads to far more offense then dumping and chasing. Quick puck movement on breakouts beats the forecheck. You need a mixture of defenseman to compete in today's game. Which is a possession game.

That's the premise for the next Robert Rodriguez movie.
- johndewar

Lots of skate blade mayhem and hockey stick shotguns wielded by lovely but deadly ice girls. Oh yeah.

I think it is a little of both but this is another very good point. As we've seen in the playoffs, guys like Streit become quick targets for the opposing forecheck. The Bruins did this masterfully to Letang and turned a Norris finalist into a liability. Whereas guys like Boychuk or Ference (who is not nearly as good or as skilled as Letang) who can withstand the pounding continue to play their consistent role.
- TheGreatNumber8

boychuk is an unsung hero back there...

I watch them. The Bruins have a good D. They can do a lot of things right including everything you say but getting the puck to supporting forwards is the key to their transition game and they pass the puck well.
- mayorofangrytown

I think the more glaring difference is the support given by the forwards. Our forwards are normally floating around the red line.. the Broons are inside the blue line looking for the short pass.

If it's a possession league then your argument about Streit being an asset because he can retrieve pucks and move them out quickly is even less relevant.
- TheGreatNumber8

How so?

If Mez is traded, and Grossmann is still out... do we see Lauridsen on the roster at the beginning of the season?

so the ~350 other professional gms he played added zero wear-and-tear? good to know.
- isaiah520

Is that what I said?

I'd be happy to discuss this further with you, and point out exactly why my point was accurate.

Father Time is a cruel SOB.

Trust me on this one.
- Atomic Wedgie

i know, believe me...bet i'm older than you

I think the more glaring difference is the support given by the forwards. Our forwards are normally floating around the red line.. the Broons are inside the blue line looking for the short pass.
- jak521

sounds like my team.

Fair point, but those guys are out there. It takes some luck to get them but they can be had. The Bruins found one in Dennis Seidenberg who they barely gave up anything for. The Kings found one in Rob Scuderi who they paid a reasonable price for. The list goes on....Dan Hamhuis, Beauchemin, etc. None of those players are Shea Weber (obviously), but I think they all would have fit the Flyers needs better than Streit.

That said, you know what you're getting from Streit and I don't know the Bruins or Kings knew quite what they were getting with Seid/Scuderi. It pays to get a little lucky.
- TheGreatNumber8

Elite defensemen have a way of making those around them better.

Dennis Seidenberg is a beneficiary of that.

Matt Carle, when Pronger was healthy, was a better player when Pronger was here.

If Mez is traded, and Grossmann is still out... do we see Lauridsen on the roster at the beginning of the season?
- TrentKlatt

I hope not

boychuk is an unsung hero back there...
- isaiah520

With a rocket shot.

With a rocket shot.
- wolfhounds

speaking of which, i haven't seen krug unload one of those since scorching CSP in the 2nd round.

boychuk is an unsung hero back there...
- isaiah520

I hate Boychuk, which means he'd immediately be my favorite Flyer if Holmgren ever acquired him.

sounds like my team.
- hammarby31

And my team. Completely frustrating as a two way center... I take pride in playing in all three zones... yet guys are constantly on the wrong side of the red line waiting for the homerun pass.

I hope not
- jak521

And would you rather have Gervais? This is barring any trade or signing of another 6th or 7th defensemen...

I mean, it'd be great to have had a Zdeno Chara fall into our laps, but that's not happening.
- johndewar

Nope. And as good as he is, I'm not sure we need more over-35 contracts.

If Mez is traded, and Grossmann is still out... do we see Lauridsen on the roster at the beginning of the season?
- TrentKlatt

I like Ollie, but I don't think he makes the cut out of camp.

I hope he goes back to ADK (or wherever they are putting that team) and becomes the main guy on D that can be called up when they need a defenseman of his ilk.

And my team. Completely frustrating as a two way center... I take pride in playing in all three zones... yet guys are constantly on the wrong side of the red line waiting for the homerun pass.
- jak521

i should qualify - my regular team. the summer squad i'm with plays a much better defensive game with forward support. it's weird.

And would you rather have Gervais? This is barring any trade or signing of another 6th or 7th defensemen...
- TrentKlatt

You left that out originally.

Put it this way... if we go into the season with OL in the top six.... we will likely be picking in the top 15 again next season.

i should qualify - my regular team. the summer squad i'm with plays a much better defensive game with forward support. it's weird.
- hammarby31

Where do you play?

Still Disagree about Meszaros, but what are you going to do? If only he had stayed out the entire season like most Achillis ruptured players do, people might not think he was so fragile...

But I digress. I agree the Die may be cast on this one especially if everyone is supposed to be in camp and ready to go. It would look like Homer & Co are looking to go in another direction. I think Streit will be a good edition, my only concern now is that they get enough for Meszaros or Coburn in trade.