Love him as a player. Good all round d-man, and pretty good injury history. Solid leader.

I wanted to trade Hartnell for him at the deadline last year, when Feaster looked like he was high as a magic dragon. With him being named captain, and signed long term now...

Chance was missed there I think.
- flyer_nutter

The fact that Giordano was re-signed and named Captain suggests that there wasn't a chance missed.

One guy who could break a forecheck...man, you already know I'd pay through the nose for that -- and they'd have to, because those salaries are no joke.
- AllInForFlyers

Its the big thing. A guy like Pronger wasn't speedy, but he made a really good first pass.

Unfortunately, you do need that speed element to a degree. We rarely ever see a Flyer d-man rush the puck up past their own blue line. Or past the face-off circle in their own zone.

That, most definitely is a system move by Berube. It helps shield the back end, but unfortunately makes them dirt slow at moving the puck out.

Love him as a player. Good all round d-man, and pretty good injury history. Solid leader.

I wanted to trade Hartnell for him at the deadline last year, when Feaster looked like he was high as a magic dragon. With him being named captain, and signed long term now...

Chance was missed there I think.
- flyer_nutter

Maybe. If they go full rebuild they might still want the picks instead.

Wideman could be an option, I dunno.

I think he'd fit in real well. He's not a number one guy, but he's steady and skates well.
- Jsaquella

Poile sure has accumulated a bunch of good skating, puck moving d-men. They do need some forward help, there could be a trading partner for sure.

The fact that Giordano was re-signed and named Captain suggests that there wasn't a chance missed.
- MJL

As I stated, I'm not playing, but thanks anyway. Take care.

I think he'd fit in real well. He's not a number one guy, but he's steady and skates well.
- Jsaquella

I think this week has the potential to be...interesting. Not necessarily for the Flyers, but I do believe Eklund, some others, are right about there being two deadlines this year.

I think a couple of guys -- maybe not a ton -- but a couple of "name" guys get moved this week, prior to the Olympic break.

Don't know how much I believe the Callahan stuff, but one thing I do believe is that anybody paying 7/42 for him is insane, and I don't think Sather's bluffing about the fact that he's not paying him that.

Its the big thing. A guy like Pronger wasn't speedy, but he made a really good first pass.

Unfortunately, you do need that speed element to a degree. We rarely ever see a Flyer d-man rush the puck up past their own blue line. Or past the face-off circle in their own zone.

That, most definitely is a system move by Berube. It helps shield the back end, but unfortunately makes them dirt slow at moving the puck out.
- flyer_nutter

There really isn't anything in any systems play installed by a Coach that prevents a defenseman from skating the puck out of the zone past their own blueline. The Flyers defense, other then Coburn just doesn't have that skill set.

Maybe. If they go full rebuild they might still want the picks instead.

Wideman could be an option, I dunno.
- MunsterMike

Who knows right? I do think the biggest choice by management will be how to approach things.

You probably do have names out there that have an option at being moved. Yandle, Buff, Edler, Gardiner and Campbell could be possible. You will have to pay through your nose to get any of them though.

Then you have an option at looking for guys without as much "hype" or not really being established, which are an unknown risk in themselves.

Option 3 is looking at FA, which is piss poor. Last option? Sit on your ass, and maybe bring up some of the kids in the system.

Poile sure has accumulated a bunch of good skating, puck moving d-men. They do need some forward help, there could be a trading partner for sure.
- ravishingone

Roman Josi looked great the last time the Flyers played Nashville.

Its the big thing. A guy like Pronger wasn't speedy, but he made a really good first pass.

Unfortunately, you do need that speed element to a degree. We rarely ever see a Flyer d-man rush the puck up past their own blue line. Or past the face-off circle in their own zone.

That, most definitely is a system move by Berube. It helps shield the back end, but unfortunately makes them dirt slow at moving the puck out.
- flyer_nutter

That, too -- again, the ability to skate is huge. It truly is something that we just flat-out lack, with the exception of Coburn and when Gus is playing.

But Pronger's ability to read the play 99 percent of the time was so underrated...man. That guy...

Damn. I will never not miss that guy. Others will disagree, and that's fine. But I would've paid those assets for him the first time, and if you told me there was a 50/50 chance he'd sustain a career-ending injury in 2.5 seasons...I still would've done it.

Roman Josi looked great the last time the Flyers played Nashville.
- MJL

He sure did, you have to give Poile credit signing Jossi to an extension early projecting what is production will be in the future.

One guy who could break a forecheck...man, you already know I'd pay through the nose for that -- and they'd have to, because those salaries are no joke.
- AllInForFlyers

It's why I'd like Byfuglien, too. He's a good transitional player and puts up a ton of points from defense.

Yes, he's flawed, but you're not getting a young guy with a good all around game in a trade. So you have to look at the mix.

The Flyers have too many slow guys that lack above average ability with the puck. Meszaros can put up points, but he's been really inconsistent defensively. Schenn & Grossmann aren't especially adept with the puck on their best days and both have struggled this year. None of those three have more than average speed.

Coburn has good size & mobility and isn't awful with the puck, but he does have times where his hockey sense seems to be on vacation. Timonen & Streit are both capable with the puck, but neither is much more than slightly above average in terms of speed.

I'm willing to lose some of the defensively "responsible" guys for more mobility.

That, too -- again, the ability to skate is huge. It truly is something that we just flat-out lack, with the exception of Coburn and when Gus is playing.

But Pronger's ability to read the play 99 percent of the time was so underrated...man. That guy...

Damn. I will never not miss that guy.
- AllInForFlyers

I think the Flyers need a defenseman that not necessarily can skate and rush the puck up ice. But they need to add a high minute defenseman who can play in all situations effectively, that is more mobile and can play quicker. Can get on pucks quicker, and move the puck quicker to the forwards. Doesn't have to be a stud number 1. But if they can add that player to the mix, and decide which defensive defenseman they want to keep. And hopefully have Gustafsson solidify a spot. That would greatly improve the Flyers defense mix. Berube has consistently talked about playing quicker. But I don't want to add another one dimensional offensive defenseman, no matter how fast he skates or how many points he puts up.

I think this week has the potential to be...interesting. Not necessarily for the Flyers, but I do believe Eklund, some others, are right about there being two deadlines this year.

I think a couple of guys -- maybe not a ton -- but a couple of "name" guys get moved this week, prior to the Olympic break.

Don't know how much I believe the Callahan stuff, but one thing I do believe is that anybody paying 7/42 for him is insane, and I don't think Sather's bluffing about the fact that he's not paying him that.
- AllInForFlyers

Callahan is a really good player, but if somebody hands him 7 years at $42mm, then it's a bad deal. He plays like a lion, but he's not especially big and he's a bit prone to getting dinged up.

Callahan is a really good player, but if somebody hands him 7 years at $42mm, then it's a bad deal. He plays like a lion, but he's not especially big and he's a bit prone to getting dinged up.
- Jsaquella

Have to figure that Clarkson's deal sets the market. And I think Callahan is a better player.

Have to figure that Clarkson's deal sets the market. And I think Callahan is a better player.
- MJL

yuck to the market.

Have to figure that Clarkson's deal sets the market. And I think Callahan is a better player.
- MJL

One decent heart and soul player signing a really bad contract shouldn't force other GM's to imitate it. Callahan is a better player, but he's not worth the money or term Clarkson's getting.

One decent heart and soul player signing a really bad contract shouldn't force other GM's to imitate it. Callahan is a better player, but he's not worth the money or term Clarkson's getting.
- Jsaquella

exactly. market or not, i hope enough good GMs can swim against the current to stop sheer lunacy. if not, then have fun playing on a team trying to overcompensate to meet the cap floor.

exactly. market or not, i hope enough good GMs can swim against the current to stop sheer lunacy. if not, then have fun playing on a team trying to overcompensate to meet the cap floor.
- stayinthefnnet

The sad truth is, somebody will end up giving it to him. The Rangers reportedly offered him 5 years, $30mm and he shot it down. I'd be surprised if he doesn't get that or more elsewhere, if he doesn't return to NY

One decent heart and soul player signing a really bad contract shouldn't force other GM's to imitate it. Callahan is a better player, but he's not worth the money or term Clarkson's getting.
- Jsaquella

Is Clarkson worth the money or term he's getting? Whether a contract is good or bad is based on the market. And ultimately how the player plays. Clarkson got what he got, because that's what the market is. And it will be the same for Callahan. The player could always choose to take less for security. But Callahan can play hard ball or test the market if he chooses to. And I think the Clarkson deal will impact the price.

After 2

Mississauga - 0
Oshawa - 1

No points for Laughton

exactly. market or not, i hope enough good GMs can swim against the current to stop sheer lunacy. if not, then have fun playing on a team trying to overcompensate to meet the cap floor.
- stayinthefnnet

Callahan's going to look like Mike Richards in a couple of years, or like Chris Drury did at the end.

I love the way Callahan competes, like Drury and Richards. But their bodies, the skating...they simply aren't big enough, physically gifted enough, to be truly effective into their mid-30s.

I strongly believe Mike Richards gets bought out before he sees anywhere close to that ninth, 10th year.

So i sure as hell wouldn't bet on Callahan at age 35.

The sad truth is, somebody will end up giving it to him. The Rangers reportedly offered him 5 years, $30mm and he shot it down. I'd be surprised if he doesn't get that or more elsewhere, if he doesn't return to NY
- Jsaquella

im not denying that he couldnt get it. i just know that i wouldnt. he would literally be a perfect missing piece for the pens, and i wouldnt sign him given the opportunity if these numbers are correct.

sometimes, the best moves are the ones that you dont make.

Is Clarkson worth the money or term he's getting? Whether a contract is good or bad is based on the market. And ultimately how the player plays. Clarkson got what he got, because that's what the market is. And it will be the same for Callahan. The player could always choose to take less for security. But Callahan can play hard ball or test the market if he chooses to. And I think the Clarkson deal will impact the price.
- MJL

I'm sure it will and a GM that signs Callahan for that term and money will likely be making a mistake, just like Nonis made a mistake in signing Clarkson to that big a contract.

Sometimes, paying market value is a mistake. That's kind of the point. Clarkson was a dumb contract. A massive deal for Callahan will be dumb

Callahan's going to look like Mike Richards in a couple of years, or like Chris Drury did at the end.

I love the way Callahan competes, like Drury and Richards. But their bodies, the skating...they simply aren't big enough, physically gifted enough, to be truly effective into their mid-30s.

I strongly believe Mike Richards gets bought out before he sees anywhere close to that ninth, 10th year.

So i sure as hell wouldn't bet on Callahan at age 35.
- AllInForFlyers

That's why when I read that Hartnell or Lecavalier's deals are bad deals, I find it puzzling. As the cap rises salaries are going to escalate. We've already seen it with the Clarkson deal. And the years go by, the Hartnell and Lecavalier deals are going to look better and better. And become cheaper and cheaper.