He hits, shoots, has very good puck carrying ability, plays 25 minutes a night, is a very good transitional defenseman and has a higher point per game average over the past 3 years than Jeff Carter, James van Riemsdyk and Vincent Lecavalier.

I'd take Byfuglien, happily even with his warts.

As far as defensemeon the roster, there will be turnover this summer. Meszaros is definitely gone and Timonen is very likely to be gone. That means they will be in the market for at least one, if not two top 6 defensemen.
- Jsaquella

he is so underrated here because most people can't see past his weight. he is a fantastic skater, especially when you consider his size. he's so hard to knock off the puck especially once he gets the wheels going. I would love having buff in philly. quite frankly I'd like to see all of Kimmo, Mez, Coby, Grossmann gone next season, maybe Luke too. This unit hasn't worked in 3+ years. I'd like to see a much faster unit out there with less one dimensional players.

Toronto is just killing chicago right now. wow.

In checking out the previous list of D men that might be available, only two really stood out to me at this time; Belov, and Fistric.
I have seen Fistric play, and I think that he brings a lot to the table that we may need. He is a big body, can clear people out from the crease, and seems to be steady in his own end. However, he is slow, and doesn't produce a lot of points.
Belov, according to the Hockey News: "Has a big frame , has smooth puck-moving ability and sound offensive instincts. Plays with a very low panic level. Owns a big point shot, too."
That being said, if available, these guys seem reliable, and wouldn't cost an arm, and a leg towards the cap.
Just thoughts, and adding to the discussion.
- OrangeAndBlack1

Fistric is a slow stay at home defenseman. There's 3 better versions of him on the roster and at least one more on the Phantoms. He's exactly what the Flyers do not need.

Belov is more intriguing, but he's the 5th defenseman on a really bad defensive team. He's also 27, so improvement might be by small increments than by big strides. His size and puck carrying ability is definitely interesting

1. the thornton suspension is bullpoop if he gets that many games neal should be kicked out of the league
2. carter hutton shutting out the sharks gj on that one homer
3. if hertle doesn't win rookie of the year that's highway robbery

he is so underrated here because most people can't see past his weight. he is a fantastic skater, especially when you consider his size. he's so hard to knock off the puck especially once he gets the wheels going. I would love having buff in philly. quite frankly I'd like to see all of Kimmo, Mez, Coby, Grossmann gone next season, maybe Luke too. This unit hasn't worked in 3+ years. I'd like to see a much faster unit out there with less one dimensional players.

Toronto is just killing chicago right now. wow.
- moylander

The 4 issues with Byfuglien are defensive play-which is a definite concern- his weight, durability and his long term ability to stay a 25 minute a night defenseman.

He does have issues in his own end, but Luke Schenn is supposed to be a defensive defenseman and he's routinely blown coverages this season. His weight goes hand in hand with the long term viability as a 25 minute a night defenseman. The durability is just because he seems to miss a time every year with nagging stuff.

The 4 issues with Byfuglien are defensive play-which is a definite concern- his weight, durability and his long term ability to stay a 25 minute a night defenseman.

He does have issues in his own end, but Luke Schenn is supposed to be a defensive defenseman and he's routinely blown coverages this season. His weight goes hand in hand with the long term viability as a 25 minute a night defenseman. The durability is just because he seems to miss a time every year with nagging stuff.
- Jsaquella

claude giroux is supposed to be the best player in the world and he blows coverages all the time

- 2Real

wut

wut
- Crimsoninja

dan boyle

I agree Streit hasn't played up to his contract, but how quickly we forget Gervais, Foster, et al. I do love his shot from the point, but it doesn't seem there's ever anyone in front of the net on the PP. I frigging hate this patty cake pass around game for 60 seconds before even getting a shot off. Sure if its working keep doing it.

claude giroux is supposed to be the best player in the world and he blows coverages all the time
- 2Real

G has been a huge disappointment. Been playing a little better lately so lets see.

Engelland has an in person hearing Wednesday...he's getting a nice vacation

More likely IMO...I'd guess 5-7 myself, but who knows?
- Jsaquella

I'm thinking 2 like Clarkson. But who knows with the NHL.

Engelland has an in person hearing Wednesday...he's getting a nice vacation
- Jsaquella

Ok then, scratch my last post.

Engelland has an in person hearing Wednesday...he's getting a nice vacation
- Jsaquella

Didn't see it

Didn't see it
- Giroux_Is_God

he is so underrated here because most people can't see past his weight. he is a fantastic skater, especially when you consider his size. he's so hard to knock off the puck especially once he gets the wheels going. I would love having buff in philly. quite frankly I'd like to see all of Kimmo, Mez, Coby, Grossmann gone next season, maybe Luke too. This unit hasn't worked in 3+ years. I'd like to see a much faster unit out there with less one dimensional players.

Toronto is just killing chicago right now. wow.
- moylander

Coburn is clearly the Rodney Dangerfield of the Flyers.

The biggest concern with Buff to me, is the price to bring in a number 1 d-man via trade.

Because you can bet your ass, that the Jets view him as a number 1 d-man.

If they go the trade route for a premium guy I'd prefer Yandle. Or Edler who may be slightly cheaper.

The biggest concern with Buff to me, is the price to bring in a number 1 d-man via trade.

Because you can bet your ass, that the Jets view him as a number 1 d-man.

If they go the trade route for a premium guy I'd prefer Yandle. Or Edler who may be slightly cheaper.
- flyer_nutter

I'd prefer Yandle, too. But I don't think Edler is as good as Yandle or Byfuglien...also there's no rumors that either Yandle or Edler are available.

I'd prefer Yandle, too. But I don't think Edler is as good as Yandle or Byfuglien...also there's no rumors that either Yandle or Edler are available.
- Jsaquella

Or maybe one of the blues D studs?

Or maybe one of the blues D studs?
- Bearintheforest

Sure. The trouble is, that the Blues aren't in free fall and thus are unlikely to make a big trade. The Jets are a disaster, so it's far more likely they can pry Byfuglien than Bouwmeester or Shattenkirk. Pietrangelo isn't getting traded

wut
- Crimsoninja

Engelland has an in person hearing Wednesday...he's getting a nice vacation
- Jsaquella

good. suspend them all, i don't give a poop what team they're on. enough already.

hilarious watching pens and bruins fans argue about neal and thornton.

and to your point, i wonder what captain mario will have to say about this? i'm sure absolutely nothing. from neal's cheap shots, to malkin's slew foots, to crosby's ball punching, and now engelland, not to mention former asshat cooke - the pens are and have been plenty dirty. interesting that they don't have that rep.

- Jsaquella

wish there was video from the pooptsburgh feed. would love to hear those (frank)sticks spin that nonsense.

good. suspend them all, i don't give a poop what team they're on. enough already.

hilarious watching pens and bruins fans argue about neal and thornton.

and to your point, i wonder what captain mario will have to say about this? i'm sure absolutely nothing. from neal's cheap shots, to malkin's slew foots, to crosby's ball punching, and now engelland, not to mention former asshat cooke - the pens are and have been plenty dirty. interesting that they don't have that rep.
- hammarby31

The one that gets me is the Pittsburgh media. Dejan Kovocevic shredded the NHL for the short length-in his opinion-of the Thornton suspension,with 8 or 9 tweets & a blog post and paid lip service to the fact that Neal's knee was dirty, then had one tweet about Engelland where he hinted that Abdelkader's head was low before saying the hitter is responsible to avoid the head.

But to get back to Mario, yeah, he's a hypocritical asshat. I'll complain & write letters when the Isles thugs hit my stars, but when the thug I pay $3mm a year to ends the career of Marc Savard, I'll say nothing.

Well until the guy ends up getting suspended for the playoffs and costs the team revenue. Then I'll tell him he's got to straighten up.

Engelland has an in person hearing Wednesday...he's getting a nice vacation
- Jsaquella

this is bullpoop abelkater put his head down are players supposed to just play wreckless now so there's slight contact with the head so a penalty is called?