What about Gaborik? I wouldn't mind trading for him. He is struggling a bit right now, but he also doesnt have Giroux feeding him the puck.
- youarewrong

NO

It is a plus for the flyers that Edmonton is getting desperate. How desperate? we will see..
- funmaster18

I disagree. I don't think they're desperate. They're just being patient.

They have Klefbom and Nurse on the horizon, to go along with the maturation of Petry and J. Schultz.

They can acquire guys like Simmer without trading from their core forward group.

If they want a #1 d-man, that's a different story -- and probably where patience is being best utilized. MacTavish was quoted yesterday in saying that a lot of teams aren't ready to give up big pieces yet because they haven't determined what kind of team they are yet -- it's too early in the season.

NO
- 2Real

The money wouldn't work anyway.

They're in a difficult spot to trade. It's almost like they have several Seguins. Boston knew Seguin might develop into an all star center, but he needed a change of scenery to do it.

If the Oilers sell on some of their players, they will be selling low and the guys they trade may break out and have great careers.

On the other hand, if they keep everyone, those same guys may not develop.
- PhillySportsGuy

Completely agree.. they have gone the Pens route and it isn't working. Very difficult spot for them Maclean made a point of saying that it's also difficult to get UFAs to go there to supplement the talent they have.

It appears our good friend Zherdev isn't doing so well:

•Dmitry Chesnokov: Looking like Nikolai Zherdev will be ending his relationship with his third KHL team since the end of last season.
- FlyersGrace

sign him up now Homer

I disagree. I don't think they're desperate. They're just being patient.

They have Klefbom and Nurse on the horizon, to go along with the maturation of Petry and J. Schultz.

They can acquire guys like Simmer without trading from their core forward group.

If they want a #1 d-man, that's a different story -- and probably where patience is being best utilized. MacTavish was quoted yesterday in saying that a lot of teams aren't ready to give up big pieces yet because they haven't determined what kind of team they are yet -- it's too early in the season.
- bradleyc4

I have a feeling Edmonton put feelers out on their players and were very underwhelmed. I think the same thing happened with the Flyers.

Awesome rock show!
- PhillySportsGuy

dude...you know....

Interesting conversation on hockey central at noon on sportsnet. Discussing the Oilers, and Doug Maclean is speaking about the rumoured deal between philly and Edm regarding Eberle. They don't believe there was much to that rumour as Eberle for Simmonds or Schenn is a low return for Eberle. He said he's a big fan of Simmonds but speculates that if the Flyers got Eberle and put him with Giroux they would be lights out. That would be interesting to me.. I wonder if Simmonds plus a pick would get it done as Edm is desperate.

Talking that Philly's confidence is back and it is due to the strength from goal out.

Talking about how he thought Mason would need a strong veteran backup and that even then, it would take a year plus before he found his game in Philly.. but he has been proven wrong and said he's been lights out so far and the backbone of the team. (go figure, maybe the Canadian media is finally getting that tending is a strength for us now).
- Hextall271

i don't get what they're desperate for.... to dump eberle for not enough return?

So since the Panthers are apparently blowing up their team, what are people's thoughts on Dmitri Kulikov?

When you are 7-10-1 there is no such thing as a trap game.

Flyers are heading in the right direction, the play is greatly improved but they can't afford to overlook any team.
- PLindbergh31

Agree.
I view a win tonight by the Flyers in the Peg as an upset.

I disagree. I don't think they're desperate. They're just being patient.

They have Klefbom and Nurse on the horizon, to go along with the maturation of Petry and J. Schultz.

They can acquire guys like Simmer without trading from their core forward group.

If they want a #1 d-man, that's a different story -- and probably where patience is being best utilized. MacTavish was quoted yesterday in saying that a lot of teams aren't ready to give up big pieces yet because they haven't determined what kind of team they are yet -- it's too early in the season.
- bradleyc4

The issue is, the team is outright horrible. They are looking to trade to save the season, because if they don't start to improve, they are out of the playoffs by Xmas. That would normally be fine and they'd just get another #1 pick, but it seems they are beyond the rebuild and want to start to improve/make the playoffs. All this means they might make a silly trade.

So since the Panthers are apparently blowing up their team, what are people's thoughts on Dmitri Kulikov?
- mcefalu

love him, would likely cost a first round pick, so no.

I disagree. I don't think they're desperate. They're just being patient.

They have Klefbom and Nurse on the horizon, to go along with the maturation of Petry and J. Schultz.

They can acquire guys like Simmer without trading from their core forward group.

If they want a #1 d-man, that's a different story -- and probably where patience is being best utilized. MacTavish was quoted yesterday in saying that a lot of teams aren't ready to give up big pieces yet because they haven't determined what kind of team they are yet -- it's too early in the season.
- bradleyc4

That was kind of my point, that they wouldn't give up anything big for Simmonds. And the oilers are desperate, IMO, but that doesn't mean they will make a trade.

Completely agree.. they have gone the Pens route and it isn't working. Very difficult spot for them Maclean made a point of saying that it's also difficult to get UFAs to go there to supplement the talent they have.
- Hextall271

FA mostly has to do with money. The Flyers get free agents because they offer the most money. Sometimes, it comes down to other things, but if they really want veteran players, then ante up.

They can also improve their team in other ways. Their unwillingness to not trade ANY legitimate young talent has hurt them. They have enough young talent to get Weber without gutting the nucleus or the entire farm system.

As the old cliche goes...you need to have the right players to play a certain system.

Also you need to have a coach that knows how to switch up his systems when it's needed.

A good defense makes for a good offense.
- phi1671

If there's anything younger Flyers fans could/should have gained from the induction of Fred Shero into the Hockey Hall of Fame this week, it's his son's quote regarding the Broad Street Bullies:

"My father … he said, 'I had guys that liked to fight so I let them fight.' If he had the Montreal Canadiens it would have been different."

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=690121

What about Gaborik? I wouldn't mind trading for him. He is struggling a bit right now, but he also doesnt have Giroux feeding him the puck.
- youarewrong

I will be pretty pissed if this team trades for anyone over 30

The issue is, the team is outright horrible. They are looking to trade to save the season, because if they don't start to improve, they are out of the playoffs by Xmas. That would normally be fine and they'd just get another #1 pick, but it seems they are beyond the rebuild and want to start to improve/make the playoffs. All this means they might make a silly trade.
- Hextall271

I think every team feels this way about Edmonton. They will do what they always do. Trade no one, pick first overall and gush about the young talent they have.

FA mostly has to do with money. The Flyers get free agents because they offer the most money. Sometimes, it comes down to other things, but if they really want veteran players, then ante up.

They can also improve their team in other ways. Their unwillingness to not trade ANY legitimate young talent has hurt them. They have enough young talent to get Weber without gutting the nucleus or the entire farm system.
- PhillySportsGuy

Normally highest bidder gets the UFA but Maclean says that several times the Oilers tried to outbid, but the player took a bit less as they didn't want to go there.

The issue is, the team is outright horrible. They are looking to trade to save the season, because if they don't start to improve, they are out of the playoffs by Xmas. That would normally be fine and they'd just get another #1 pick, but it seems they are beyond the rebuild and want to start to improve/make the playoffs. All this means they might make a silly trade.
- Hextall271

They are horrible right now, but MacT also said yesterday that he's not going to make a deal that will only better the team in the short-term. They're looking long-term and won't trade a core forward unless overwhelmed with an offer including a legit #1 defenseman.

I've heard that. They wander in, and never find their way buyout. Err, back out.
- BulliesPhan87

I will be pretty pissed if this team trades for anyone over 30
- nastyflyergirl

They usually trade for young players.

They SIGN the old guys.

Another classic!


- PLindbergh31

Watch this back to back with the Dirk Benedict/Rowdy Roddy Piper flick, "Body Slam."

http://www.imdb.com/title...2684/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_80

Normally highest bidder gets the UFA but Maclean says that several times the Oilers tried to outbid, but the player took a bit less as they didn't want to go there.
- Hextall271

I'm calling bullpoop on that. Just make an offer they can't refuse. Add an extra year or offer $1M more per year.

Why not go the trade route then? That team is the king of excuses.

I think the trick is to pretend the series ended after Rocky II, and the others are hilarious, fraudulent sequels. They're like deleted scenes, or Star Wars prequels.
- BulliesPhan87

FTFY

stay on topic please, we are talking about Rocky and Sly
- nastyflyergirl

I always loved "Victory" with Michael Caine and Pele.