Considering how much I dislike both teams I am surprised at how much I have enjoyed watching this Finals.

It seems like there has been less embellishment this year, although I could be wrong on this.
- Marc D

they called a dive on zus the other night, but generally yeah i haven't seen much, and the refs are letting a lot of stuff go which makes for a more entertaining product for me

i expected to see a little more hate from both teams... marchand is being pretty quiet

I just don't see how addressing a key position on the ice, and a valid weakness on the team. By signing who they felt was the best player available,is desperate. Aggressive, absolutely. But not desperate. If he played to the level that he is capable of playing at, his cap hit is not outrageous. It's the Cap recapture added after the fact that makes it a potentially bad contract. There is always risk when going into the Free Agent market.
- MJL

I thought it was fairly desperate. Think about all that happened. They traded for Bryz. Signed him to a huge contract when, by his own agent's admission, no other team expressed much interest. Then, in order to make room for the contract the team had to move money. That money ended up being the contracts of Richards and Carter.

The team was desperate to acquire what they believed was a long term solution in net.

It's not HockeyBuzz without at least one semantical argument.

I thought it was fairly desperate. Think about all that happened. They traded for Bryz. Signed him to a huge contract when, by his own agent's admission, no other team expressed much interest. Then, in order to make room for the contract the team had to move money. That money ended up being the contracts of Richards and Carter.

The team was desperate to acquire what they believed was a long term solution in net.
- PhillySportsGuy

To be fair, the Richards and Carter trades ended up being pretty damn good value for the Flyers, so it's not like the only benefit from that was getting Bryz. The emergence of Claude Giroux as a player to build around was a factor in shipping Frick and Frack out

I hadn't heard about the lack of interest elsewhere, myself.

I thought it was fairly desperate. Think about all that happened. They traded for Bryz. Signed him to a huge contract when, by his own agent's admission, no other team expressed much interest. Then, in order to make room for the contract the team had to move money. That money ended up being the contracts of Richards and Carter.

The team was desperate to acquire what they believed was a long term solution in net.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't see how other teams could express interest if the Flyers beat everyone else to the punch. Like you said, they traded for his rights and gave him this huge contract. All of which were before he could hit the open market.

It's not HockeyBuzz without at least one semantical argument.
- NickTheKid87

I didn't think it was that semantic. Better than the (EDIT) 'definition of soft' debate, anyways

Isnt Bolland still there?

EDIT:Leight
- jak521

Bolland's still there, but Shaw has his role from 2010.

Bolland's still there, but Shaw has his role from 2010.
- bradleyc4

Ahh.. I had a feeling thats where you were going. Shaw has been one hell of a find for them.

I don't see how other teams could express interest if the Flyers beat everyone else to the punch. Like you said, they traded for his rights and gave him this huge contract. All of which were before he could hit the open market.
- dingo8urbaby

Look at the contacts of the other available goalies. Bryz would have still set the market, but I think the Flyers overpaid. It's just my opinion. I don't think they did their due diligence. I believe they acted rashly.

To be fair, the Richards and Carter trades ended up being pretty damn good value for the Flyers, so it's not like the only benefit from that was getting Bryz. The emergence of Claude Giroux as a player to build around was a factor in shipping Frick and Frack out

I hadn't heard about the lack of interest elsewhere, myself.
- BulliesPhan87

I know. I wouldnt take them back. I have a feeling that Homer put out feelers on several of his players and realized that the only way to move salary and get a good deal was to deal both of them.

It's been a good final. I like the Hawks and respect what they've done to turn their franchise around, as well as what they've done all season long. However, not big on how cocky like Kane can become during a game. I have a much greater respect for the Bruins who keep their game simple. Great goaltending, sound defense, physical play and hard work in my mind could still get it done.

With this said though, I just want the Cup to be handed out and I just wanna focus on the draft and UFA.
- dingo8urbaby

Kane can be a db thats for sure but I just think thats his personality....Hoping Hawks close it out tonight so we can get started on some buyouts and trades

I didn't think it was that semantic. Better than the (EDIT) 'definition of soft' debate, anyways
- BulliesPhan87

The best are the who's "elite" debates.

Look at the contacts of the other available goalies. Bryz would have still set the market, but I think the Flyers overpaid. It's just my opinion. I don't think they did their due diligence. I believe they acted rashly.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yes but none of which explains why you believe no other team would have expressed interest. They couldn't. The Flyers didn't give him the chance. Signing a goaltender of Bryzgalov's caliber was a good idea at the time. Prior to coming to Philly, Bryz has had a lot of success and a pretty track record. He was a Vezina and Hart Trophy nominee. We had all the reason in the world to believe he could be good here.

I'm glad Homer stood pat and didn't overpay for Bernier. I still expect major moves at the draft and the addition of Read to the mix might make things interesting.

Can you imagine a Read-Coburn 11th overall for Ryan-Hiller-26th overall?

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Ryan-Schenn-Simmonds
Gagne-Couturier-Talbot
McGinn-Laughon-Rinaldo

Timonen-Schenn
Streit-Meszaros
Grossmann-Gustefsson

Hiller
Mason

Agreed. Given the chemistry between Giroux and Voracek, I think it's not so much Jake being forced down a line, but us acquiring a second-line RW.

It does appeal to roll these as the top two lines:

Simmonds-Giroux-Voracek
Hartnell-Schenn-Ryan

However, it doesn't appeal to roll these d-pairings:

Timonen-Schenn
Streit-Grossmann
Gustafsson-Lauridsen

We have bigger issues, and we need to address them first. Unless the price for Ryan is much, much less than we expect it to be, or we get a surprising additional asset with him, I'd rather stand put.

On an unrelated note, is it too soon to start female doging that Homer hasn't traded for James Reimer yet?
- dilbert719

I am not a huge proponent of trading for Ryan. I dont think a top line RW is more pressing for this team than acquiring a top-pairing Dman. I also have zero interest in moving the 11th pick (with a few exceptions, of course). That said, playing Ryan and Voracek on the first line together is but one of many options for him. Remember he played a lot of LW on a line with Perry & Getzlaf so acquiring Ryan would not, in my opinion, disrupt the roster or Voracek's continued progress.

The best are the who's "elite" debates.
- NickTheKid87

Zac Rinaldo is an "elite" 4th liner...

Kane can be a db thats for sure but I just think thats his personality....Hoping Hawks close it out tonight so we can get started on some buyouts and trades
- flyerfan28

Total Douche! I think you nailed it on the head that it's just his personality. The incident with the Cab Driver, that had to be all him and his cousin.

It's not HockeyBuzz without at least one semantical argument.
- NickTheKid87

you obviously dont read CNN comments

To be fair, the Richards and Carter trades ended up being pretty damn good value for the Flyers, so it's not like the only benefit from that was getting Bryz. The emergence of Claude Giroux as a player to build around was a factor in shipping Frick and Frack out

I hadn't heard about the lack of interest elsewhere, myself.
- BulliesPhan87

We don't know if the trades will be good in the long run yet. Schenn and Couts haven't produced enough to say that the Flyers got good value IMO.

Zac Rinaldo is an "elite" 4th liner...
- youarewrong

Michael Leighton is an elite bench door jockey?

I can't see Boston winning two games without Bergeron.
Unless Toews is out two games also.
Even then it wil be very tough.

Bergeron and Krejci are their two key cogs up front,
Chara on D.

When Richards broke Krejci's wrist in 2010
the series turned for the Flyers.
- Marc D

They won game 6 and game 7 the last time. Toews has a concussion so I wonder how much time he gets even if he dresses.

We don't know if the trades will be good in the long run yet. Schenn and Couts haven't produced enough to say that the Flyers got good value IMO.
- Jimmygrazz

I dont think LA is complaining though. They have a Cup. They are saying Schenn, Simmonds, and Johnson who?

We don't know if the trades will be goo in the long run yet. Schenn and Couts haven't produced enough to say that the Flyers got good value IMO.
- Jimmygrazz

But Simmonds and Voracek have really come into their own.

I am not a huge proponent of trading for Ryan. I dont think a top line RW is more pressing for this team than acquiring a top-pairing Dman. I also have zero interest in moving the 11th pick (with a few exceptions, of course). That said, playing Ryan and Voracek on the first line together is but one of many options for him. Remember he played a lot of LW on a line with Perry & Getzlaf so acquiring Ryan would not, in my opinion, disrupt the roster or Voracek's continued progress.
- BOSS_TWEED

Day after day we talk about getting a top defenseman to soon replace Kimmo Timonen. This silly Mark Streit signing I believe doesn't help out cap situation, not to mention we have to extend Giroux. The biggest pressing question is, who is this top defender we are suppose to trade for? There'e nobody out there!!

Day after day we talk about getting a top defenseman to soon replace Kimmo Timonen. This silly Mark Streit signing I believe doesn't help out cap situation, not to mention we have to extend Giroux. The biggest pressing question is, who is this top defender we are suppose to trade for? There'e nobody out there!!
- dingo8urbaby

To be fair, nothing has changed from day to day because the offseason hasn't started yet. Gotta think some salary is going to be moved off the blueline.