Toews, Kane, Keith, god the list goes on of elite talent. Us? Maybe g. Oh and while we wait and build through the draft we would have to beat teams suCH as Boston Chicago Pittsburgh la yep. Look at these teams elite players and look at ours. At best we are the misted overall talented of the 2nd tier. Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cup!!!! Those teams aren't going to get worse? But teams like Edmonton islander blue jackets etc pass us by. Look at these teams young talent with elite potential. Look at ours.
- SMS4016

The talent base won't get much better by trading massive chunks of it to get 1 elite player, and depending on him to carry the load through 2 or 3 years of rebuilding, especially if you trade away a couple first rounders in the trade.

I'm willing to do all that as well. I'm not against trading for elite talent, but I am against making a trade just because it means elite talent will come in immediately at a high cost.

Also, if this team is as bad as some folks feel, then you're not going to get much value, unless you trade a LOT of the youth to acquire the elite players that we keep talking about.
- Jsaquella

I agree with this wholly. My main thing is without the elite talent we aren't winning. It's just that simple. Until we get it whether it be through free agency ( big risk) draft( bigger risk and longer time frame) We aren't winning cup so go get. I could care less if they trade every single player in their entire organization. Who cares if they gut the team as long as they get the talent to truly win a cup

Not true. Just for giggles say we traded b schenn coots coburn 2 1st for subban? So what? That solves our#1 dman need. Our d would noe be slotted correctly. Even if you added read to the package so what? Were plenty deep at forward. Plus we have morin ghost cousins Laughton coming stolarz all coming in the next few years. Plus we wouldn't have to pay schenn coots coburn read so more cap room to fill in free agency. And were a few years off anyways.
- SMS4016

Did I seriously just read Couts, Schenn, Coburn and 2 1st rd picks for Subban? That's crazy talk.

I agree with this wholly. My main thing is without the elite talent we aren't winning. It's just that simple. Until we get it whether it be through free agency ( big risk) draft( bigger risk and longer time frame) We aren't winning cup so go get. I could care less if they trade every single player in their entire organization. Who cares if they gut the team as long as they get the talent to truly win a cup
- SMS4016

What is your definition of elite talent? The Flyers have a bunch of young talent on it's roster. As well as potential prospects that could be pretty good players.

Did I seriously just read Couts, Schenn, Coburn and 2 1st rd picks for Subban? That's crazy talk.
- jstross

It's been going on all night. People need to start realizing!

Probably close to what it'd take. I'd further add that I'd probably be totally on board with it.
- Jsaquella

With our luck Weber would take a puck to his non-visor protected eyes within a year or two and spend the next dozen on LTIR.

The talent base won't get much better by trading massive chunks of it to get 1 elite player, and depending on him to carry the load through 2 or 3 years of rebuilding, especially if you trade away a couple first rounders in the trade.
- Jsaquella

The talent base actually gets better if you stay away from high-priced elite talent... just look at how they had to deal Bob away because they went out and got that big name goaltender, and the other salary-cap juggling that was direct fall-out from that move... sometimes the best course of action is just sit pretty with what you have.

I agree with this wholly. My main thing is without the elite talent we aren't winning. It's just that simple. Until we get it whether it be through free agency ( big risk) draft( bigger risk and longer time frame) We aren't winning cup so go get. I could care less if they trade every single player in their entire organization. Who cares if they gut the team as long as they get the talent to truly win a cup
- SMS4016

I agree. I root for the team, not the individuals. Once Richards stopped wearing the O&B I really didn't feel the need to root for him any longer.

At the same time, I'm just saying that patience is required, unless you're getting a great deal that you can't turn down...especially if you think you're a couple few years away.

I don't know if they can make the playoffs with this team, but I do feel that moving a big chunk of the future right now for even a Subban level guy is a risk, because not only will you lose a part of the current roster, you'll sacrifice future pieces, which means less depth.

I agree with this wholly. My main thing is without the elite talent we aren't winning. It's just that simple. Until we get it whether it be through free agency ( big risk) draft( bigger risk and longer time frame) We aren't winning cup so go get. I could care less if they trade every single player in their entire organization. Who cares if they gut the team as long as they get the talent to truly win a cup
- SMS4016

Just an input here, so who do the Devils have that is "elite talent"? Id venture to say probably Schneider and in a few years maybe Larsson. But Salvador and Zajac are not elite talent. I dont think you need elite talent to be a good team. Maybe to win a cup but I think the system is equally as important as the talent.

Try making this line play a defensive system: Vanek - Roy - (goal scorer/defensive liability that i cant think of)

Thats why I think the system is really important

I agree with this wholly. My main thing is without the elite talent we aren't winning. It's just that simple. Until we get it whether it be through free agency ( big risk) draft( bigger risk and longer time frame) We aren't winning cup so go get. I could care less if they trade every single player in their entire organization. Who cares if they gut the team as long as they get the talent to truly win a cup
- SMS4016

Problem with your theory is that the best players don't win the Cup every year... if that were the case, the Pens would be a dynasty.

Getting the most out of the talent you have is more important than constantly trying to add more talent and hitting the reset button on team chemistry every year.

Just an input here, so who do the Devils have that is "elite talent"? Id venture to say probably Schneider and in a few years maybe Larsson. But Salvador and Zajac are not elite talent. I dont think you need elite talent to be a good team. Maybe to win a cup but I think the system is equally as important as the talent.

Try making this line play a defensive system: Vanek - Roy - (goal scorer/defensive liability that i cant think of)

Thats why I think the system is really important
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

It takes more then just talent to make a good team. The best collection of players doesn't win. The best team does.

The talent base actually gets better if you stay away from high-priced elite talent... just look at how they had to deal Bob away because they went out and got that big name goaltender, and the other salary-cap juggling that was direct fall-out from that move... sometimes the best course of action is just sit pretty with what you have.
- Tomahawk

That's the other consideration. We live in a cap world. In a couple years, that elite player is going to be getting elite money...to me, the elite guy you trade for is the guy you get when you need that one, final piece to get over the hump.

I agree with this wholly. My main thing is without the elite talent we aren't winning. It's just that simple. Until we get it whether it be through free agency ( big risk) draft( bigger risk and longer time frame) We aren't winning cup so go get. I could care less if they trade every single player in their entire organization. Who cares if they gut the team as long as they get the talent to truly win a cup
- SMS4016

Im kind of in the middle of where you are.

I do think the core of a team, needs to be solid. I have questions about the current one, and if it really does have enough of that top end game changing talent.

Its a balance though. You wait for the opportune moments. I dont think that time is now. EVentually though, I do agree with you, the straw will have to break, and a move will have to be made.

Just dont do it blindly, and for the sake of doing so. It has to be a smart deal, and still trying to hang on to as many picks as possible.

It takes more then just talent to make a good team. The best collection of players doesn't win. The best team does.
- MJL

Exactly what I was thinking but couldnt find the words to say.

Toews, Kane, Keith, god the list goes on of elite talent. Us? Maybe g. Oh and while we wait and build through the draft we would have to beat teams suCH as Boston Chicago Pittsburgh la yep. Look at these teams elite players and look at ours. At best we are the misted overall talented of the 2nd tier. Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cup!!!! Those teams aren't going to get worse? But teams like Edmonton islander blue jackets etc pass us by. Look at these teams young talent with elite potential. Look at ours.
- SMS4016

G maybe? G definitely. That's not even a question. Also, over the past 82 games, Voracek has scored 9 less points than Kane. If that's the difference between elite talent and 2nd tier talent, I'd rather have a team loaded with 2nd tier talent than one with one or two elite players. And how far does the list go on? Last I checked, that is their trio of elite talent. End of list. The Islanders and Blue Jackets will not "pass us by" with their young talent. If you think that, than you overestimate their young talent. Teams that might pass us by are Edmonton, Colorado, and Florida.

Problem with your theory is that the best players don't win the Cup every year... if that were the case, the Pens would be a dynasty.

Getting the most out of the talent you have is more important than constantly trying to add more talent and hitting the reset button on team chemistry every year.
- Tomahawk

So incredibly true. I tried to make that point to him earlier. When Boston won the Cup, Lucic led them in scoring with 30 goals and 62 points. Last year TB had Stamkos and St Louis, 1-2 in the League in scoring. They missed the playoffs.

G maybe? G definitely. That's not even a question. Also, over the past 82 games, Voracek has scored 9 less points than Kane. If that's the difference between elite talent and 2nd tier talent, I'll load my team up with 2nd tier talent. And how far does the list go on? Last I checked, that is their trio of elite talent. End of list. The Islanders and Blue Jackets will not "pass us by" with their young talent. If you think that, than you overestimate their young talent. Teams that might pass us by are Edmonton, Colorado, and Florida.
- JAKEw1234

You know your elite talent when going 48 points in 48 games is bad

Just an input here, so who do the Devils have that is "elite talent"? Id venture to say probably Schneider and in a few years maybe Larsson. But Salvador and Zajac are not elite talent. I dont think you need elite talent to be a good team. Maybe to win a cup but I think the system is equally as important as the talent.

Try making this line play a defensive system: Vanek - Roy - (goal scorer/defensive liability that i cant think of)

Thats why I think the system is really important
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

Not to be an ass, but I do think you need elite talent.

Sure luck strikes here and there, but the consistently top teams, do have the elite talent.

You know your elite talent when going 48 points in 48 games is bad
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

amen

Not to be an ass, but I do think you need elite talent.

Sure luck strikes here and there, but the consistently top teams, do have the elite talent.
- flyer_nutter

I actually think you need some form of elite talent or a collection of above average players (one tier under elite) to win a cup but im trying to say that the system is also important. You need both.

And I think that some of SMS's trades wouldnt really help our team play

Gutty win by the Blues...Damn, Halak is really riding that contract year horse right now

Answer me this SMS how do you know MONTREAL wanted to trade Subban? Rumors? Insider Connections?

Come on

I'd love to know where you get your information. Montreal was trying to trade Subban. And the Flyers almost traded Giroux to Florida? For who? Subban was never made available by Montreal. Subban had no leverage, and wasn't going anywhere.
- MJL

The #2 pick, next years 1st, Campbell, Markstrom and $3 million dollars per season on Campbell's contract would be the starting point.

Not to be an ass, but I do think you need elite talent.

Sure luck strikes here and there, but the consistently top teams, do have the elite talent.
- flyer_nutter

There are also teams top-heavy with elite talent that have a hard time getting anywhere b/c they don't have the cap-room/assets to fill the roster out... Ducks, Wild, and Lightning come to mind. Pens and Canucks are probably headed in that direction.

I actually think you need some form of elite talent or a collection of above average players (one tier under elite) to win a cup but im trying to say that the system is also important. You need both.

And I think that some of SMS's trades wouldnt really help our team play
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

You need a team is what you need. The Flyers have a solid roster, that isn't going to play to it's potential until it plays as a team. It's what Berube talks about when he says 5 men to a zone. Sure they have some holes that need to be filled at some point. But overall, they have a team that should be a playoff team.