best was Favell for Parent
- vejim

We also received Rick MacLeish as a result of the Parent to TO move (we turned over Mike Walton, who we acquired in the deal, to Boston), and also selected Izzy Goodenough through the pick we got in the return deal for Bernie.

Not a bad haul.

The best TO ended up with was Rick Kehoe (nice player - most production was with the Pens), Bob Neely (serviceable d-man) and Favy.

.

I just think it's important to not underestimate a coaches' system and the positive effect it could have on the players buying into it. That's not to say Berube's system will magically turn two of our defensemen into Norris candidates, but maybe it gives one of them the jump they need.
- mcefalu

The more I thought I about it, the more clear it became. I think it's pretty evident that the players on this team, lacked any confidence in playing the way that Laviolette wanted them to, and it led to a lot of dysfunction on the ice. They didn't beleive that they could play that way.This team not only lacks playing as a team, I also think there's a lack of swagger and confidence. And it might be hard to get it back. We'll see. Berube has his hands full, no doubt.

I like all of this. In the preseason games I got to watch Mez looked marginally better then Gus. I haven't seen anything but highlights of the reg season so far, and am sad to read this about Mez. When he is playing with confidence he gives the team some things they need, a good quick point shot and the ability to move the puck up the ice. He at times can lost in his own zone, but that year he was paired with Sean O'Donnell and played against lesser competition he was pretty good.
- Marc D

Meszaros has made a lot of strides since the Pre Season. He looks better and better every game. I thought he was the teams best defenseman in the last game against Florida.

But here is what I keep coming back to: I realize that Peter DeBoer is a great coach and the Devils really bought into his defensive system the last couple of years, but you look at who they have on the blueline, especially when they made it to the stanley cup finals in 2011-2012 and you don't see a franchise defenseman capable of moving the puck AND clearing the crease AND quarter backing the PP, etc. As good as Adam Larsson is going to be one day, he ain't there yet. They made do with what they had at the time and fully bought into the system.

I'm not saying that Berube is going to get the Flyers to the stanley cup finals with the defense that we have this year, but there's enough talent on the flyers blue line to make the playoffs provided they execute a more defensively responsible system, IMVHO.

I would rather see them stand pat for now, get the system going and reevaluate whether a trade is necessary or not later on
- mcefalu

Agree 100%

See, to me, Edmonton should do that, and we should do that. But from what I gather, Edmonton feels Eberle is worth more than that, and we shouldn't offer more than that.
- AllInForFlyers

That's a bad trade for the Flyers in my opinion. Not what the Flyers need. I'm going to save assets to upgrade what really needs to be upgraded. The defense.

But here is what I keep coming back to: I realize that Peter DeBoer is a great coach and the Devils really bought into his defensive system the last couple of years, but you look at who they have on the blueline, especially when they made it to the stanley cup finals in 2011-2012 and you don't see a franchise defenseman capable of moving the puck AND clearing the crease AND quarter backing the PP, etc. As good as Adam Larsson is going to be one day, he ain't there yet. They made do with what they had at the time and fully bought into the system.

I'm not saying that Berube is going to get the Flyers to the stanley cup finals with the defense that we have this year, but there's enough talent on the flyers blue line to make the playoffs provided they execute a more defensively responsible system, IMVHO.

I would rather see them stand pat for now, get the system going and reevaluate whether a trade is necessary or not later on
- mcefalu

And as a fan of the team, I have absolutely no problem with this happening -- I want them to make the playoffs.

I want Steve Mason to be the goaltender of the future, and I want them to play sound hockey. I want the young players to improve, be better.

I have no problem if that cat gets skinned Craig Berube's way, anybody else's way. I've been wrong before, will be again, and have no problem saying that if Berube flips this team, as constructed, around, I'll be back on this board saying "I was wrong about this roster."

See, to me, Edmonton should do that, and we should do that. But from what I gather, Edmonton feels Eberle is worth more than that, and we shouldn't offer more than that.
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, I think Giroux and Eberle would be a deadly first line combination for the rest of the decade.

And as a fan of the team, I have absolutely no problem with this happening -- I want them to make the playoffs.

I want Steve Mason to be the goaltender of the future, and I want them to play sound hockey. I want the young players to improve, be better.

I have no problem if that cat gets skinned Craig Berube's way, anybody else's way. I've been wrong before, will be again, and have no problem saying that if Berube flips this team, as constructed, around, I'll be back on this board saying "I was wrong about this roster."
- AllInForFlyers

It comes down to perspective. It's absolutely correct in my opinion, that if this team is going to reach the status of becoming a true Cup contender, it needs to upgrade in areas. Most notably on the back end. But to say that this team can't be a playoff team, or won't be able to score without making moves, that's false in my opinion. So it all depends on what perspective you're looking at to determine right or wrong about a roster.

That's a bad trade for the Flyers in my opinion. Not what the Flyers need. I'm going to save assets to upgrade what really needs to be upgraded. The defense.
- MJL

It's absolutely a good trade for the Flyers. They add some much-needed skill up front.

It gets Gustafsson in the lineup. It does not improve the defense at the player level, but it does make the mix better.

Main issue is that MacTavish would be laughing maniacally at the offer.

Yeah, I think Giroux and Eberle would be a deadly first line combination for the rest of the decade.
- Feanor

My thought is that Giroux and Voracek can be a deadly first line combination for the rest of the decade. So let's use our trade chips for what they really need. Upgrade the defense if possible.

It's absolutely a good trade for the Flyers. They add some much-needed skill up front.

It gets Gustafsson in the lineup. It does not improve the defense at the player level, but it does make the mix better.

Main issue is that MacTavish would be laughing maniacally at the offer.
- bradleyc4

You think MacTavish would laugh? Edmonton's so bad right now -- I'd change that mix for them in a heartbeat, if I was him.

It's absolutely a good trade for the Flyers. They add some much-needed skill up front.

It gets Gustafsson in the lineup. It does not improve the defense at the player level, but it does make the mix better.

Main issue is that MacTavish would be laughing maniacally at the offer.
- bradleyc4

The Flyers don't need that skill. They have plenty of skill up front. If they want Gustafsson in the lineup, then just put him in there. Save the assets for a real need.

Simmonds + Grossmann for Eberle?
- Feanor

I think I'd probably do that, doubt Edmonton would be willing, but I would.

You lose some toughness and grit in Simmonds, but also skill. However, Eberle is a very skilled offensive player, who could possibly be an elite offensive player with Giroux.

And, while I like Nik Grossmann, he's hardly a vital piece of the puzzle. You can find a physical, stay at home type for less money than they're paying him

Four, including this one.

Who's really going to want a 37-38-year old declining d-man for that cap hit or salary?
- 77rams

I can see them potentially buying out Streit in his last year, if they feel the need.

The Flyers don't need that skill. They have plenty of skill up front. If they want Gustafsson in the lineup, then just put him in there. Save the assets for a real need.
- MJL

I would prefer to upgrade the defense, but I think landing Eberle would be a major coup. And could also allow you to trade someone else up front to get a defenseman.

Simmonds and Grossmann won't get it done, however.

You think MacTavish would laugh? Edmonton's so bad right now -- I'd change that mix for them in a heartbeat, if I was him.
- AllInForFlyers

If I was MacTavish, I'd want Simmonds and Coburn, not Grossmann. I'd probably want more than that, to be honest.

The Flyers don't need that skill. They have plenty of skill up front. If they want Gustafsson in the lineup, then just put him in there. Save the assets for a real need.
- MJL

It wouldn't take much for me to pull the trigger on a trade involving Eberle

You think MacTavish would laugh? Edmonton's so bad right now -- I'd change that mix for them in a heartbeat, if I was him.
- AllInForFlyers

If Edmonton said Eberle was available, I think that offer would be topped. By a lot.

Read has been one of the best forwards this season, and is signed long term to a low cap hit. Mason has been great since he got here. Maybe you should go back to crying about how getting a #1 defenseman at any cost is the best way to build a team. Seems to be working out great in Nashville.
- Feanor

Nashville must be like the twilight zone. Unreal how they can produce the defense they do AND have rinne yet still can't win.

If Edmonton said Eberle was available, I think that offer would be topped. By a lot.
- bradleyc4

Ah. Got it -- I'm...see, I like Eberle. But I don't think he's a franchise winger, and while I might get outbid, I don't know that I go more than two roster players for him. Maybe I'd eat a bad contract they had, too.

If I was MacTavish, I'd want Simmonds and Coburn, not Grossmann. I'd probably want more than that, to be honest.
- Jsaquella

Which is frustrating because I honestly think some of those guys in EDM are having their talents wasted in a way. There's simply not enough ice time to go around for everyone

I would prefer to upgrade the defense, but I think landing Eberle would be a major coup. And could also allow you to trade someone else up front to get a defenseman.

Simmonds and Grossmann won't get it done, however.
- bradleyc4

Well you'd probably wind up having to trade someone like Voracek so it's pretty much a wash. I'm not saying that Eberle wouldn't be a good player for the Flyers. I think they have enough offensive skill. What they lack is the correct mix on defense. And they lack a cohesive team game. That's where the focus needs to be in my opinion.

If I was MacTavish, I'd want Simmonds and Coburn, not Grossmann. I'd probably want more than that, to be honest.
- Jsaquella

Fair enough -- again, it's entirely possible that I'm undervaluing Eberle, and I don't want to do that. But Simmonds is the kind of player Edmonton desperately needs, at the right age and signed for a number of years...but hey, if they wanted to do that deal, it probably would've been done by now.

Nashville must be like the twilight zone. Unreal how they can produce the defense they do AND have rinne yet still can't win.
- SMS4016

Not really. You need good forwards and a sound offensive system to score goals and be successful in this league, just as much as you need good goaltending and defense.

Ah. Got it -- I'm...see, I like Eberle. But I don't think he's a franchise winger, and while I might get outbid, I don't know that I go more than two roster players for him. Maybe I'd eat a bad contract they had, too.
- AllInForFlyers

I don't think he's a franchise player, either. But I think an offensively-inept team would throw a Simmonds type, a defenseman and a 1st at them to acquire him.