That is true. It's equally true, though, that they could ice a blueline of Howe-McCrimmon, Jim Watson-Desjardins, Pronger - Timonen (both ca 2010) and it still wouldn't solve everything if the forwards still don't backcheck and provide puck support.

Solid team D -- which the Flyers exhibited in November -- and goaltending can compensate for a less-than-spectacular blueline.
- bmeltzer

They are giving up a lot more odd man rushes lately, almost back to where they were with Lavi. Keeping one forward high while on offense has become optional it seems.

I'd go back to that system. I know they will score less but they were in every game, even when losing it was 2-1. Less blow outs.

Where the hell has this been all season?? This could be what's been missing...
- tangent_man

Are you sure?

What if it was Coburn and a 2015 first round pick? Would that work for Boston?
- PhillySportsGuy

I had to think hard about this proposal because it would be another short term move potentially sacrificing long term success. IMO adding Coburn would be exactly what the Bruins needed this year with Siedenberg out and going foreword would arguably give them one of the best D lineups for at least the rest of Coburn's deal.

Dougie has awesome offensive instincts, really shines on the PP. There are definite signs his defensive game could improve, even if only because his size will allow it better than say Krug who is very short. On top of that the Bruins have been trading away first rounders a lot and would do well to get one back.

I'd consider it.

Sorry, was wrong, he was a Pittsburgh pick. I was thinking of Connor Murphy.
- Tomahawk

Yea. It's amazing that he was the center piece in a deal for Brendan morrow then only a few months later he was the center piece for segiun. Along with eriksson of course

I had to think hard about this proposal because it would be another short term move potentially sacrificing long term success. IMO adding Coburn would be exactly what the Bruins needed this year with Siedenberg out and going foreword would arguably give them one of the best D lineups for at least the rest of Coburn's deal.

Dougie has awesome offensive instincts, really shines on the PP. There are definite signs his defensive game could improve, even if only because his size will allow it better than say Krug who is very short. On top of that the Bruins have been trading away first rounders a lot and would do well to get one back.

I'd consider it.
- GSDIV

Huh. You think so? I respect that era and what they accomplished, but I've long felt that they are a different team with regard to what they put on the ice.

Bob Clarke had trouble picking defensemen and goalies. We all know that. And they almost always have a guy who can fight on the roster.

But even last year, they were going without a true enforcer until that stretch of games where Giroux was getting roughed up, Voracek fought, then boom, Jay Rosehill was a Flyer.
- AllInForFlyers

I appreciate the stuff they've done in the community and all. But really talking about them is tiring. Seems to be something on the site once a week about the team.

Just wish there was a fresh approach, direction like the eagles/sixers have done

Are you sure?
- ob18

That it could be? Yes. Hell, I'm hoping something ignites the turnaround, since whatever they're doing internally isn't helping.

I had to think hard about this proposal because it would be another short term move potentially sacrificing long term success. IMO adding Coburn would be exactly what the Bruins needed this year with Siedenberg out and going foreword would arguably give them one of the best D lineups for at least the rest of Coburn's deal.

Dougie has awesome offensive instincts, really shines on the PP. There are definite signs his defensive game could improve, even if only because his size will allow it better than say Krug who is very short. On top of that the Bruins have been trading away first rounders a lot and would do well to get one back.

I'd consider it.
- GSDIV

I'm going to PM you Paul's office number... please pass on to Peter, thanks!

If the Bruins offered Hamilton for Coburn and this year's first round pick, would you do it?
- PhillySportsGuy

sure, if we want to tank it completely, sure, like Hamilton would excel with the other D here?

Coburn and this year's first which will be a lottery pick, for a guy with a concussion?

Yup sign me up for that.

For BiggE
Astor wine and spirits in NYC, in honor of Robert Burns day, is having a 15% off sale on all single malts.

Good chance to stock up to get through the second half of the Flyers season.

- Marc D

sweet!

No doubt, Coburn could actually net a decent return. He's just really really hard to replace though, so unless a better future dman is coming back, you really can't afford to move him.
- Tomahawk

I don't trust them to make this move, just feel we should add someone while keeping Coburn, problem is no one else will net the same return, but I would rather move a young center to add, deal from a strength, not a weakness, I make this move IF we had another good D man or 2, but we really don't.

depending on how the rest of the season plays out, we may see wonder if we see 3-4 new D men next season by turnover?

sure, if we want to tank it completely, sure, like Hamilton would excel with the other D here?
- puckhead17

So you'd pass on a chance to acquire Seth Jones b/c the current d-corps might drag him down in the short term? Because Hamilton's skill set is almost identical to Jones'... 6'6, right-handed, skates as well as Coburn, really amazing puck-skills and instincts.

So you'd pass on a chance to acquire Seth Jones b/c the current d-corps might drag him down in the short term? Because Hamilton's skill set is almost identical to Jones'... 6'6, right-handed, skates as well as Coburn, really amazing puck-skills and instincts.
- Tomahawk

you could bring in Bobby Orr, but putting him with Streit, Grossman, Luke, or Meszaros wouldn't make him Bobby Orr anymore.

it's tempting, but, you need more then one defenseman & having one solid one & 4 crappy one's doesn't make us any better.

I don't trust them to make this move, just feel we should add someone while keeping Coburn, problem is no one else will net the same return, but I would rather move a young center to add, deal from a strength, not a weakness, I make this move IF we had another good D man or 2, but we really don't.

depending on how the rest of the season plays out, we may see wonder if we see 3-4 new D men next season by turnover?
- puckhead17

As JvR for Schenn showed us, sometimes dealing from an alleged area of strength can turn out to be folly as well.

It's a good point. Berube has gotten the wins that at least opened the door to hope for the season after the 1-7 start, but his lineup choices baffle me. If you have to force in Lecavalier at center, why not bump Hartnell up to the Giroux-Voracek line, and drop Raffl down to 3rd line LW, with Read on the right side? Or even drop Raffl to the fourth line to give that line a bit more skill and re-unite Dowine with Couturier and Read?

I also hate the defense pairs. I don't like Grossmann & Streit together, and Schenn and Meszaros pairs two guys prone to mental mistakes and bad reads together.

I'd rather see 44-22, 5-32 & 41-8 if they won't bring in Gustafsson.
- Jsaquella

I kind of thought Berube would put Gus back in just to shake things up after a few bad games in a row. I also wonder what the hell is going on with Downie.. he has looked utterly invisible after a very promising start when he came over. There were some games when he was paired with Cooter and Read that that line dominated. Since being healthy scratched he's been horrible and I would not be in favour of resigning him unless this is due to an injury?

As JvR for Schenn showed us, sometimes dealing from an alleged area of strength can turn out to be folly as well.
- Tomahawk

Because our GM messed that up, he could have dealt for Gardiner or at least Franson, imagine Franson & Coburn together, better then our current situation

Phoenix is in need of a forward & have a wealth of D men.
I'm not a gambler, if Coburn goes, we stink for a while, what would Seth Jones be w/o Weber already on that team?

you could bring in Bobby Orr, but putting him with Streit, Grossman, Luke, or Meszaros wouldn't make him Bobby Orr anymore.

it's tempting, but, you need more then one defenseman & having one solid one & 4 crappy one's doesn't make us any better.
- puckhead17

Improvement has to start from somewhere, right? We've all been saying for months (years?)... it's not going to get better over night. Hamilton would be a hell of a first step.

As JvR for Schenn showed us, sometimes dealing from an alleged area of strength can turn out to be folly as well.
- Tomahawk

Ugh, that trade wouldn't be as bad for me if not for the fact that we get bombarded by Leafs everything up here in Kanida. I thought from the beginning that a straight up trade was not even. Thought it should have been maybe a pick coming our way as well. Sad part is Schenn 22 has regressed so much since last year.

sweet!

- BiggE

And smokey!
I forgot if you like the Islay style peated malts.

Improvement has to start from somewhere, right? We've all been saying for months (years?)... it's not going to get better over night. Hamilton would be a hell of a first step.
- Tomahawk

yes, your right, it would be, I'm just not a gambler, only because we really stink so bad on the Blue line

you could bring in Bobby Orr, but putting him with Streit, Grossman, Luke, or Meszaros wouldn't make him Bobby Orr anymore.

it's tempting, but, you need more then one defenseman & having one solid one & 4 crappy one's doesn't make us any better.
- puckhead17

I don't think you understand how much a franchise defenseman can change a team. Hamilton would give this team a legitimate defenseman would franchise changing potential. You'd finally have a guy who has top pairing potential. And he's a guy who can play now

yes, your right, it would be, I'm just not a gambler, only because we really stink so bad on the Blue line
- puckhead17

IMO, at worst Hamilton doesn't touch his potential and you just traded Coburn for a younger/cheaper version, and the 1st-rounder becomes a player.

At best, you've solved your most glaring need with a long-term solution without having to part with any of the kids.

I still think all this conjecture is moot though... I would find it difficult to believe that Chiarelli would even entertain the possibility of a move like that.

I kind of thought Berube would put Gus back in just to shake things up after a few bad games in a row. I also wonder what the hell is going on with Downie.. he has looked utterly invisible after a very promising start when he came over. There were some games when he was paired with Cooter and Read that that line dominated. Since being healthy scratched he's been horrible and I would not be in favour of resigning him unless this is due to an injury?
- Hextall271

There have been rumors that Downie returned while still dealing with an injury and hasn't been healthy.

I personally wouldn't be re-signing him this summer, unless he agreed to a short term deal for similar or less money.

I'm going to PM you Paul's office number... please pass on to Peter, thanks!
- Tomahawk

Would this be a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul?

Don't do it, Boston. Hamilton's a keeper. Practice what the Flyers rarely do and be patient with this kid.

But then again, if you feel you must move him for Braydon and a first, well, OK, but I'd rather make it a second.