I think he's done well so far.

I'd like to see a young d-man with some pedigree, or at least potential pedigree, brought in who will be able to help this team in the long run. He hasn't brought in anyone in the peak of freshness as of yet. All are either older and/or declining (Vinny and Street), stopgaps (Hall), or on a trial bases (Mason and Em).

He played it well, however, by not moving any youth to acquire these players and signed them to workable (but perhaps too long with Vinny and Street) contracts.
- 77rams

These are all good points!

I would say it's a bit of a stretch that no teams are interested in Simon Gagne. For starters all of Philly wants Gagne back and happy to have him back in a trade that brought him here this past season. I think Montreal would offer Gagne a deal if they haven't already. Briere is older then Gagne and they both had the same amount of points this season. Gagne was more the healthy player this season. If Briere can find a home, so can Gagne. The Jagr and Gagne comparison is a similar situation.
- dingo8urbaby

Exactly. And I'm not saying Simon = Jagr. Just that I hope he is still available when we are ready. And I would go as far as 3 years at $4.5 MM. Let him retire here.

Ok, the offseason is far from over, but most of the big free agents are gone. So how would you rank the teams in the eastern conference?

coby's the best of the three as a value
- isaiah520

Agreed. But, if a top pairing guy isn't coming back for Coburn +, then I probably try to dump Andres for a pick.

If Gagne can get more money and more years elsewhere he should do that. It might be his last NHL contract. I love the guy, but there's no room here for a two year, $6 million contract.
- Feanor

Who reported that Simon Gagne was looking for 6 million? He's never made 6 million his entire career, even when he was great. He's already reported willing to take a hair cut to stay, so I'm a little lost in what you are getting at.

I honestly think Homer is looking for the home run trade. too many centers playing out of position. Too many Dman with health ?'s. I'm looking for Homer to make a move in the next 48 hours. Big one,

Ok, the offseason is far from over, but most of the big free agents are gone. So how would you rank the teams in the eastern conference?
- TheGreat28

Detroit did really well. We got good value as well.

Exactly. And I'm not saying Simon = Jagr. Just that I hope he is still available when we are ready. And I would go as far as 3 years at $4.5 MM. Let him retire here.
- section32

Let's hope Gagne stays true to the reported 2 - 2.5, two seasons rumour.

Who reported that Simon Gagne was looking for 6 million? He's never made 6 million his entire career, even when he was great. He's already reported willing to take a hair cut to stay, so I'm a little lost in what you are getting at.
- dingo8urbaby

I had heard 3 for 2 yrs speculated. I'm more inclined to pay 4.5 for 3 or 3 for two... Since its my money

I wouldn't expect movement on the blue line. I've been on an island alone with the feeling since the Marc Streit trade of his rights. This is our D. Any adjustments are likely to go down during the regular season if there are any injuries or inconsistencies.

Fair point about keep everyone. The righting was on the way for Briere and Bryzgalov. Meszaros should be the target player to move. Gagne is still a fit here.

Go Flyers!!
- dingo8urbaby

I don't really expect too much change on the blue line THIS season.
Likely have to move one contract off still, guessing Mez.
Hopefully they can have a relatively healthy year, but not counting on that.

I think Homer would make a move to get a top pair younger defenseman if he can do a trade for what he feels is fair value. Last year there just was no fair value out there. Price for a top D is too steep.

Look at Phoenix's price for Yandle.
Couts + a top prospect + a first.
So there was no deal that made sense.
Likely not much will happen this year either.
Maybe there will be something better next off season.
Or Maybe he sits tight and hopes a player who they drafted can come in (but that seems less likely for 3-4 yr at least).

Let's hope Gagne stays true to the reported 2 - 2.5, two seasons rumour.
- dingo8urbaby

Homer literally can't sign Gagne for anything over $2.8m/year right now.

Anything over 1.5 for Simon is an overpayment. Love the guy, but thats the reality.

I tend to agree with the statement that this is likely the Flyers defense minus Meszaros. However, I think the Flyers could make or have made substantial offers to acquire a young defenseman like Bogosian, OEL, Pietrangelo that is more than kicking tires- but the likelihood of a trade of that magnitude is very small.
- sulshawn

I don't like the Marc Streit signing but he helps the puck movement and offense coming from the defense. I think we should have waited and focused on acquiring someone much younger but it is what it is. If the Flyers can reach out and grab a young defenseman with a lot of potential without hurting what we already have, I am fine with that. Seems unlikely though. I just wanna sign Gagne and call it a summer.

Could the Flyers wait until after pre-season when they put pronger on LTIR to sign gagne?
- PhillySportsGuy

As long as Gagne's willing to wait 2 1/2 months with nothing but a verbal agreement in place...yes.

I don't really expect too much change on the blue line THIS season.
Likely have to move one contract off still, guessing Mez.
Hopefully they can have a relatively healthy year, but not counting on that.

I think Homer would make a move to get a top pair younger defenseman if he can do a trade for what he feels is fair value. Last year there just was no fair value out there. Price for a top D is too steep.

Look at Phoenix's price for Yandle.
Couts + a top prospect + a first.
So there was no deal that made sense.
Likely not much will happen this year either.
Maybe there will be something better next off season.
Or Maybe he sits tight and hopes a player who they drafted can come in (but that seems less likely for 3-4 yr at least).
- Marc D

Once we clear Mez for cap space, I could see up standing pat. I would like to think that Gus can step in and that Laurisden and MAB will be reliable call ups. Live how mean and nasty Laurisden can be.

Anything over 1.5 for Simon is an overpayment. Love the guy, but thats the reality.
- ShayneHirter

agreed

I don't like the Marc Streit signing but he helps the puck movement and offense coming from the defense. I think we should waited and focused on acquiring someone much younger but it is what it is. If the Flyers can reach out and grab a young defenseman with a lot of potential without hurting what we already have, I am fine with that. Seems unlikely though. I just wanna sign Gagne and call it a summer.
- dingo8urbaby

Very unlikely. Whos willing to give up a young defencemen with potential? Nobody. Can't afford what Pietroangelo is going to want contract wise so... the only actual play philly has would be a package for Yandle and ofcourse...Schenn or Couts would be gone.

How about coots, mez and morin for pk subban
- huks99

hockey trivia for all you puck heads......have the reigning Norris Trophy winner ever been traded ?

Agreed. But, if a top pairing guy isn't coming back for Coburn +, then I probably try to dump Andres for a pick.
- section32

i'd dump mez either way

I personally believe the big change on the blueline doesnt happen till next offseason. We arent going to see these huge deals that involve Schenn of Couturier. Next year we will be getting 6 million from Timonen along with cap rising. I think people are going to have to accept this defense for what it is right now because with the exception of possibly dumping Mezs this is who is going to start the season.

Anything over 1.5 for Simon is an overpayment. Love the guy, but thats the reality.
- ShayneHirter

Gagne has been counted out many times before he originally left Philly. I think he has what it takes to surprise us again. The game isn't all goals scored and points. His play away from the puck and Hockey sense is still stellar. I would be willing. Give him 2.5 for no more then 2 seasons.

Flyers new division has

Columbus
Carolina
NJD
NYI
NYR
PITT
Flyers
WASH

Only 4 make the playoffs.

With Columbus and NYI looking better, it is going to be a struggle to get in.

When I look at some of the contracts to Weiss, Elias, Clarkson, Nabokov, Ference, etc, I think the cap hits with Vinny and Streit aren't off- in fact Vinny seems like a bargain. In order to get them, they had to give more years in term and I can understand them doing so.

It is very likely the cap will continue to rise- especially next off season when it is likely to increase slightly over 6 million. In the long run, I don't think the term will be much of an issue with both players
- sulshawn

Sometimes, as bright and shiny as the player may seem, it's best to walk away even though the cap hit fits but the years of the contract don't.

Breeze would probably still be here if he had signed for 4 years.

Homer reportedly dropped everything he was working on to pursue Vinny when he became available. I like Vinny. The length of his contract, not so much. I felt the same with Pronger.

Same with Street. I absolutely hate the length.

And I understand the market. But there was no 2013 FA market to speak of at the time both of these players were signed. Homer just gave them both an offer they couldn't refuse. What if Vinny becomes Gagne after two more years? Do we really want to pay Gagne 4.5 for three more years?

Refresh me again if healthy (the slogan for Flyers D it seems) what does MAB bring to the Flyers. Who could he be compared to?

Vinny will be on 97.5 w/ Startare between now and 11...curious to hear what he has to say.