Ek says St Louis Blues have interest in trading for Hartnell.

Hmmm that is a head scratcher.

If they trade Coburn or Grossmann that would indicate they are in full rebuild mode.
Like a 5+ year rebuild. Which seems highly unlikely given its Ed Snider and the Flyers.

Coburn and Grossmann are legit NHL defenseman with reasonable contracts.
Especially Coburn.

Those two would be hard to replace with the current market for D.

Mez will be gone next yr. Kimmo is likely gone as well.
- Marc D

while i agree on your points about Coburn and Grossman being legit for their money, i don't know if:

A. their being traded is a sign of a COMPLETE rebuild

and

B. any type of rebuild like that would be 5 years long.

while i don't think we are 1 or 2 players away from being a legit contender, we're probably 1 or 2 off from being a definite playoff team. Hell...we MIGHT make it this year. If either of those two were part of a trade to bring immediate helpful pieces, it could totally work for this year's success and next's

The good thing about signing Phaneuf and letting Timonen walk would be the plethora of available scapegoats.

Hartnell, Phaneuf, Streit, and while Coburn is rock solid this year, I wonder if good ol' Mr Consistency can keep it going.

A lot of hate-able players on the team.

while i agree on your points about Coburn and Grossman being legit for their money, i don't know if:

A. their being traded is a sign of a COMPLETE rebuild

and

B. any type of rebuild like that would be 5 years long.

while i don't think we are 1 or 2 players away from being a legit contender, we're probably 1 or 2 off from being a definite playoff team. Hell...we MIGHT make it this year. If either of those two were part of a trade to bring immediate helpful pieces, it could totally work for this year's success and next's
- eshake

They play a lot of the tough D minutes.
Any trade that is not part of a rebuild would have to bring back defenseman that can fill those roles. I guess I have a hard time seeing that kind of trade happening.

EDM was offering two second round pick supposedly for Coburn, not Justin Schultz.

Ek says St Louis Blues have interest in trading for Hartnell.

Hmmm that is a head scratcher.
- Marc D

Ek also knows Hartnell isn't a fan favourite right now, but who knows. For sake of discussion...

I'd obviously love Shattenkirk or Rattie. Just stay the hell away from Tarasenko.

It's like Groundhog day "with a win the Flyers climb back to .500 on the season"
- PhiFaninEdm

god it really is.

The good thing here is that the Flyers should be able to re-stock around the deadline if they are smart.

Teams should hopefully have some interest in Hartnell, Emery and Timonen.

I wouldn't mind keeping Ray, and Kimmo around the team for a while longer on reasonable contracts, but don't know if both guys want to stay.

Ek also knows Hartnell isn't a fan favourite right now, but who knows. For sake of discussion...

I'd obviously love Shattenkirk or Rattie. Just stay the hell away from Tarasenko.
- flyer_nutter

Not certain on this but i think they are pretty close to the cap so would think salary would have to come back in any deal.

Alt has, what, 30 games of pro hockey under his belt? If this season truly is a "throw away" (we're, what, like 5 points out of the playoffs with 50 or so games to go?), then let's not give him a trial by fire where he's set up to fail. Let him learn pro hockey in the AHL, and if things go sour by mid-February, then we should think about it. Same for Lauridsen; a year and a quart or so of pro hockey, and apparently he's been working on his defense game and getting very good at it down with the Phantoms. Let him continue to refine it, and give him a shot, again, if things go sour later on. Right now, they're both better served getting top-4 minutes in Adirondack and working on their game. Won't get the same opportunity in the NHL.
- jmatchett383

I don't think the season is a 'throwaway', but nor do I think the Flyers can do any real damage even if they make it to the post-season unless something significant happens. And if something significant happens, that likely means we've lost youth and/or a prospect. And I'd prefer that didn't happen.

Can't argue with the rest, with letting Alt and Oliver get more confidence with greater minutes down in the AHL.

The good thing here is that the Flyers should be able to re-stock around the deadline if they are smart.

Teams should hopefully have some interest in Hartnell, Emery and Timonen.

I wouldn't mind keeping Ray, and Kimmo around the team for a while longer on reasonable contracts, but don't know if both guys want to stay.
- flyer_nutter

Kimmo as a playoff rental would likely get back a late 1st round pick.
Even with that, if he would want to play another year here at a discount I'd rather keep him around.

Rank the hate:

Tie Domi
Matthew Barnaby
Scott Stevens
Sean Avery
Darcy Tucker
- jmatchett383

borrowed from bc4:

The good thing here is that the Flyers should be able to re-stock around the deadline if they are smart.

Teams should hopefully have some interest in Hartnell, Emery and Timonen.

I wouldn't mind keeping Ray, and Kimmo around the team for a while longer on reasonable contracts, but don't know if both guys want to stay.
- flyer_nutter

not sure how Timms would feel about being moved, but if it's to a contender, (and the Flyers are OUT) i'd love to see him get one.

Not certain on this but i think they are pretty close to the cap so would think salary would have to come back in any deal.
- Marc D

I think you would be looking at more of a deadline type deal, at which time the cap hit would be less, and easier to fit in.

St. Louis seems to be doing weird things. I think they are pissed at being knocked out by the Kings, so maybe trying to get that upper hand on the grit factor.

I personally think their bigger issue is a lack of that top end talent, and Derek Roy isn't that guy.

Kimmo as a playoff rental would likely get back a late 1st round pick.
Even with that, if he would want to play another year here at a discount I'd rather keep him around.
- Marc D

Depends, I don't see the odds of him being dealt AND coming back as likely. Holmgren needs to have a real plan in place for that back end, and gauge the interest in Timonen on returning for another year on a reduced salary/role.

Kind of dumb because I would rather have another guy given the chance to evaluate this team right now, instead of being rushed down the line. Although I guess Hextall is in the picture as it is.

It would be a really tough call to me, but if Timonen can get you a first rounder. You make that trade and wish him the best.

Another fun thing will be what the direction is that the team decides to go in.

Lets for poops and giggles, say they are in a real tight mix for a playoff spot. Within 2-3 points, or even 6-7th seed.

Do you hold on to some of those veteran guys and try for a dance in the playoffs? Ahhh the joys of being mediocre.

I think you would be looking at more of a deadline type deal, at which time the cap hit would be less, and easier to fit in.

St. Louis seems to be doing weird things. I think they are pissed at being knocked out by the Kings, so maybe trying to get that upper hand on the grit factor.

I personally think their bigger issue is a lack of that top end talent, and Derek Roy isn't that guy.
- flyer_nutter

Depends if you consider Steen top end talent I guess.

If they could get picks and prospects back for Hartnell and he would waive his NTC
you have to consider it. He is going to be a big name third line power forward the next few years.

Ek says St Louis Blues have interest in trading for Hartnell.

Hmmm that is a head scratcher.
- Marc D

Get rid of him for anything you can get, frees up a ton of salary that can be used next year and for many years ahead. If he is this bad now, what will he be like at the end of his current deal?

Another fun thing will be what the direction is that the team decides to go in.

Lets for poops and giggles, say they are in a real tight mix for a playoff spot. Within 2-3 points, or even 6-7th seed.

Do you hold on to some of those veteran guys and try for a dance in the playoffs? Ahhh the joys of being mediocre.
- flyer_nutter

Realistically?
Mason regressing to the mean.
Terrible mix of slow left handers on D.
Lack of scoring.
Leading in penalty minutes.

Even in the lowly Metro I see this team in a seller position at the TDL.

Realistically?
Mason regressing to the mean.
Terrible mix of slow left handers on D.
Lack of scoring.
Leading in penalty minutes.

Even in the lowly Metro I see this team in a seller position at the TDL.
- Marc D

A big thing to me will be how Mason handles the rest of the season. You cannot just give him the keys to the city. See how he rebounds when faced with adversity, watch the consistency.

If they do end up re-signing him, make sure its under 4 million/year for the next 2-3 years. No more of that crazy long term poop.

Emery also needs more playing time imo.

I've been thinking about this.

Claude Giroux:

Better for him that he not make it to the Olympics? Or better if he is selected?

Strictly looking at him, and ignoring the Flyers, I hope he still gets selected. Needs to have some pressure off of him, and be allowed to play with other real talented guys. To get back to having fun, and competing with a realistic chance at victory.

I doubt they include him, but hope they do,

Get rid of him for anything you can get, frees up a ton of salary that can be used next year and for many years ahead. If he is this bad now, what will he be like at the end of his current deal?
- Daceroni

You mean, with the cap going up?

I've been thinking about this.

Claude Giroux:

Better for him that he not make it to the Olympics? Or better if he is selected?

Strictly looking at him, and ignoring the Flyers, I hope he still gets selected. Needs to have some pressure off of him, and be allowed to play with other real talented guys. To get back to having fun, and competing with a realistic chance at victory.

I doubt they include him, but hope they do,
- flyer_nutter

Still say that I'd prefer that Giroux were not selected.

Could be worse.. we could be Leafs fans...

Hilarious Leafs fan video from last year's playoffs..

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam.../2013/12/16/21342256.html
- Hextall271

Possibly the greatest thing I have seen all day.

Ek says St Louis Blues have interest in trading for Hartnell.

Hmmm that is a head scratcher.
- Marc D

I get the interest in Hartnell. I do think he's the kind of guy you'd want around playoff time.

The kicker with any deal involving Hartnell involves the likelihood of taking salary back.

Another fun thing will be what the direction is that the team decides to go in.

Lets for poops and giggles, say they are in a real tight mix for a playoff spot. Within 2-3 points, or even 6-7th seed.

Do you hold on to some of those veteran guys and try for a dance in the playoffs? Ahhh the joys of being mediocre.
- flyer_nutter

Knowing this franchise, if they can sniff a playoff spot, they'll go "all in" (for better or worse).