Thy can do both. The Blackhawks did, after they won the Cup in 2010, they lost a lot of pieces due to the cap. They retooled on the fly and won another, last year season
- Jsaquella

thank you

I think the big point in all of this, is whether the current core is solid enough. Whether it can compete with the other big dogs.

I'd venture a pretty solid guess at "No". Could it be? Maybe with the further emergence of Coots/Schenn. I have my questions there though.

On defense though, its not even close.

We all have our thoughts, but I would say that as currently constructed they need more of the "top end", and less of the "secondary".

Something I think which was the issue with Richards/Carter.

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

Come on
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

And that the Flyers almost traded Giroux to Florida. He's simply speculating because of the contract squabble they had. Subban wasn't going anywhere. Just like Pietrangelo wasn't going anywhere.

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

I feel like a deal that good would have been accepted...

I think the big point in all of this, is whether the current core is solid enough. Whether it can compete with the other big dogs.

I'd venture a pretty solid guess at "No". Could it be? Maybe with the further emergence of Coots/Schenn. I have my questions there though.

On defense though, its not even close.

We all have our thoughts, but I would say that as currently constructed they need more of the "top end", and less of the "secondary".

Something I think which was the issue with Richards/Carter.
- flyer_nutter

I was thinking about this the other day, so if you could lets say redo the Richards trade and instead of B Schenn get a young defenseman with the same upside would you? I would in a heart beat. Just a thought

I was thinking about this the other day, so if you could lets say redo the Richards trade and instead of B Schenn get a young defenseman with the same upside would you? I would in a heart beat. Just a thought
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

Say Voynov instead of B Schenn?

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.
- Tomahawk

Definately.

Its about building a solid foundation with that elite talent, and sorrounding it with the right players to make a solid team. All of our collective points basically in one line.

The big question here, is whether the current foundation is strong enough. I dont think it is, but thats also what this evaluation year is for.

And that the Flyers almost traded Giroux to Florida. He's simply speculating because of the contract squabble they had. Subban wasn't going anywhere. Just like Pietrangelo wasn't going anywhere.
- MJL

Exactly. Most teams that is part of the negotiating process. Now for montreal this is a learning experience. That bridge deal is really nice Bergevin eh?

You can't possibly know if the core of this team is good enough until it develops, and gets to what it's going to be.

Say Voynov instead of B Schenn?
- MJL

Exactly. I would do that in a second. Well the past is the past

Exactly. Most teams that is part of the negotiating process. Now for montreal this is a learning experience. That bridge deal is really nice Bergevin eh?
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

Subban had no leverage.

Speaking of trades, I do see Holmgren finally pulling a trigger on a package centering around Yandle/Coots.

If things dont change that as. Flyers will probably have to give up more than just Couturier though.
- flyer_nutter

They would for salary cap purposes and because Phoenix have no reason to sell low on Yandle.

And Holmgren should be fired if he trades for Yandle after just spending $21 million on Mark Streit i.e. the same player but older and not as good.

Subban had no leverage.
- MJL

Completely. Im just saying that deal kinda backfired

I feel like a deal that good would have been accepted...
- JAKEw1234

Interesting. Would you do it if no$$ came back for Campbell?

They would for salary cap purposes and because Phoenix have no reason to sell low on Yandle.

And Holmgren should be fired if he trades for Yandle after just spending $21 million on Mark Streit i.e. the same player but older and not as good.
- Feanor

You know, as the Cap goes up, 5M for a player is going to become middle ground. As long as Streit doesn't fall off a cliff with his play, the contract isn't a big deal.

I was thinking about this the other day, so if you could lets say redo the Richards trade and instead of B Schenn get a young defenseman with the same upside would you? I would in a heart beat. Just a thought
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

The Carter trade I would do in a heartbeat yes.

Richards in hindsight probably not. If it meant Voynov coming back maybe, but even then.

Its all BS now because they are gone but I think putting the "C" on Richards so early was a mistake, and eventually helped in him being dealt. He was the face of the franchise, and took a lot of the heat. Even from me.

At the time I wish they went with Timonen, and I wish they went with Kimmo again instead of Giroux. Management learned nothing from the Richards fiasco.

The Carter trade I would do in a heartbeat yes.

Richards in hindsight probably not. If it meant Voynov coming back maybe, but even then.

Its all BS now because they are gone but I think putting the "C" on Richards so early was a mistake, and eventually helped in him being dealt. He was the face of the franchise, and took a lot of the heat. Even from me.

At the time I wish they went with Timonen, and I wish they went with Kimmo again instead of Giroux. Management learned nothing from the Richards fiasco.
- flyer_nutter

As long as whatever they do satisfies the gut test...

The Carter trade I would do in a heartbeat yes.

Richards in hindsight probably not. If it meant Voynov coming back maybe, but even then.

Its all BS now because they are gone but I think putting the "C" on Richards so early was a mistake, and eventually helped in him being dealt. He was the face of the franchise, and took a lot of the heat. Even from me.

At the time I wish they went with Timonen, and I wish they went with Kimmo again instead of Giroux. Management learned nothing from the Richards fiasco.
- flyer_nutter

I think I would do it if Voynov is coming back. Given Voynov can produce the same kind of season as last year and even grow upon it.

Putting the C on Richards was a mistake and time will tell if it was for Giroux. I agree that Timonen should have been made captain. Great natural leader

Interesting. Would you do it if no$$ came back for Campbell?
- jstross

Nah, Campbell's deal is a monster. I'd do it if only $1 mil came back, though. But one of (if not the) top young goalie under the age of 25 in Markstrom, one of the top puck moving Dmen in the league for $4 mil per year in Campbell, Seth Jones, and a very good chance at a top 15 pick next year seems like a very good deal for G.

I think I would do it if Voynov is coming back. Given Voynov can produce the same kind of season as last year and even grow upon it.

Putting the C on Richards was a mistake and time will tell if it was for Giroux. I agree that Timonen should have been made captain. Great natural leader
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

There is just no need for it.

There wasnt at the time with Richards, and wasnt with Giroux.

I like what Edmonton did with giving it to Ference.

There is just no need for it.

There wasnt at the time with Richards, and wasnt with Giroux.

I like what Edmonton did with giving it to Ference.
- flyer_nutter

Yeah good choice on their part. I dont like what they did with the alternates giving them to virtually everybody though

Also on that note I think what Buffalo did with their C was stupid

At least some one gets it. Elite talent is what this team and fan base needs. Look at what we gave up for lindros. Now debatable whether we won that trade but the principle is the same. I get roasted alot but I know if we had traded coots,read,1rst for subban 10 months ago we'd be laughing today
- SMS4016

Well Montreal do have Subban, but they are 1-2 but have a lot of issues up front and a question mark in goal. The Flyers would have had similar issues if they traded their best defensive forward and their most versatile and reliable winger.

So they're not laughing in Montreal right now. Nor were they laughing in Nashville last year when Weber and co. were the second worst team in the West. Having a #1 defenseman doesn't guarantee anything.

Yeah good choice on their part. I dont like what they did with the alternates giving them to virtually everybody though

Also on that note I think what Buffalo did with their C was stupid
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

I personally think the "C" is overrated. You don't have to have a letter on your sweater to lead. And far too much is made out of it, and the effect on teams.

Yeah good choice on their part. I dont like what they did with the alternates giving them to virtually everybody though

Also on that note I think what Buffalo did with their C was stupid
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

Interesting when you look at what a lot of the issues with this team have been since the "new nhl", that they all stem from management.

Off for the night hooligans.

Goodnight, and good hockey

Well Montreal do have Subban, but they are 1-2 but have a lot of issues up front and a question mark in goal. As the Flyers would have been if they traded their best defensive forward and their most versatile and reliable winger.

So they're not laughing in Montreal right now. Nor were they laughing in Nashville last year when Weber and co. were the second worst team in the West. having a #1 defenseman doesn't guarantee anything.
- Feanor

Neither does having that "sniper" that some claim we need to have. What has TB done with Stamkos? Or Washington with Ovechkin?