thoughts about Mr. Honka?
- wilsonecho91

Awesome to watch & have talked about him with WHL scouts, who also have said similar to this column.

Yea, I think you would have to move Grossmann and let either Laurdsen, Gus, or Morin depening who plas well take the 6th spot. Though the defense wont be that overpaid if that happens IMO.
- SchennBros

Well if it's between a player like Daley and Grossmann as to what kind of player do you want to be the veteran on the 3rd pair. It comes down to do you want the better skater and puck handler, or do you want the more physical defensive player. If it's the scenario where you're adding Girardi to the mix. I'd probably go with Daley over Grossmann. Because you now have Girardi, Schenn, and Coburn for tough defensive match ups and the PK. And you don't need a 4th player of that type of defenseman.

Can't be worried about a spot like that, I'd be happy with Julius Honka on of the few D I do like as a round 1 choice, the others are top 10 quality.
- ob18

I cant remember where, but I heard Homer was huge on Ekblad... and the draft being in philly......

thoughts about Mr. Honka?
- wilsonecho91

Still early but I have a few favorites....

Expensive? What is this word?
- PhillySportsGuy

o u

I cant remember where, but I heard Homer was huge on Ekblad... and the draft being in philly......
- SchennBros

Well you can't rule anything out, but don't get to high on those hopes.

Can't be worried about a spot like that, I'd be happy with Julius Honka on of the few D I do like as a round 1 choice, the others are top 10 quality.
- ob18

Best part of it was:

New Jersey Devils – *forfeit pick* …Ouch!"

On a serious note... would it be possible for the Devils to swap 1st-rounders with another team? Technically, the pick is in their possession until right before the draft, right?

Well if it's between a player like Daley and Grossmann as to what kind of player do you want to be the veteran on the 3rd pair. It comes down to do you want the better skater and puck handler, or do you want the more physical defensive player. If it's the scenario where you're adding Girardi to the mix. I'd probably go with Daley over Grossmann. Because you now have Girardi, Schenn, and Coburn for tough defensive match ups and the PK. And you don't need a 4th player of that type of defenseman.
- MJL

Not to mention that Girardi, Coburn, and Dailey are all better puck movers. I think this team would be very tough to play agaisnt with that defensive line-up.

His chocolate is delicious
- PhillySportsGuy

I cant remember where, but I heard Homer was huge on Ekblad... and the draft being in philly......
- SchennBros

It would take a lot to get that far up. There is a better chance of the Flyers missing the playoffs and winning the lottery than trading up.

Well you can't rule anything out, but don't get to high on those hopes.
- ob18

Think Couturier+ could land him with how EDM GM has stated he doesnt want anymore draft picks, and they need a defensive center?

- BiggE

Thank you. I thought it fell on deaf ears.

Best part of it was:





On a serious note... would it be possible for the Devils to swap 1st-rounders with another team? Technically, the pick is in their possession until right before the draft, right?
- Tomahawk

No it's gone, they should have given up the pick the year they went to the finals. Brendan Ross is a solid scout, talk with him about many OHL players.

Best part of it was:





On a serious note... would it be possible for the Devils to swap 1st-rounders with another team? Technically, the pick is in their possession until right before the draft, right?
- Tomahawk

I don't think Lou is even that crafty

Think Couturier+ could land him with how EDM GM has stated he doesnt want anymore draft picks, and they need a defensive center?
- SchennBros

Never thought about it, there is enough for me to like I'd make an offer but I'd be just as content to sit tight.

Best part of it was:





On a serious note... would it be possible for the Devils to swap 1st-rounders with another team? Technically, the pick is in their possession until right before the draft, right?
- Tomahawk

What exactly happens with the forfeited pick, anyways? Is this draft class just one player shorter than usual?

Not to mention that Girardi, Coburn, and Dailey are all better puck movers. I think this team would be very tough to play agaisnt with that defensive line-up.
- SchennBros

Coburn and Girardi are alright in that department.

What exactly happens with the forfeited pick, anyways? Is this draft class just one player shorter than usual?
- BulliesPhan87

They get to choose a player, and that player gets left back a year!

Think Couturier+ could land him with how EDM GM has stated he doesnt want anymore draft picks, and they need a defensive center?
- SchennBros

That would be too much. Ekblad isn't Jones. He's not a sure thing. I believe scouts are divided on him.

What exactly happens with the forfeited pick, anyways? Is this draft class just one player shorter than usual?
- BulliesPhan87

Nothing, the round ends up just being 1 pick less than normal.

That would be too much. Ekblad isn't Jones. He's not a sure thing. I believe scouts are divided on him.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think anybody debates that he's a sure-fire NHL'er... I think his ceiling is what's up for debate.

They get to choose a player, and that player gets left back a year!

- MJL

Poor kid, sent to hockey purgatory for Lou's sins

It's not conjecture. It's based on what players have been traded and what defenseman have been available in Free Agency. I'm sure a lot of defenseman might become available to the Flyers if they want to trade Giroux, but let's be realistic here. It's pretty clear that teams hold top defenseman in high regard, and their availability is extremely limited. Either that or the price for one is ridiculously high.
And I disagree completely that JVR was a wasted asset. And I'd love to read that laundry list of mistakes, and see what kind of context it is given in.
That the Flyers defense has been made up of role playing defenseman, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, further illustrates my point of what is available at a reasonable price, and what isn't.
- MJL

Laundry list.....

Bryz- disaster........check
JVR for Schenn........check
Bobrovsky for draft picks......check.
Timo for 6 mill. This year......yea right.
Over inflated free agent contracts for players on down side of career......see Streit and Vinny.
An assortment of no trade and no movement clauses signed in last few years that further hamper team going forward.
All this in the last 3 years.....

What context do you need? You simply argue that Holmgren had no options...like those are the facts!!!!!!..yes it's tough to trade for quality d.....but it's also true that the Flyers have some young assets that could form a deal in comparison to others.....to argue that the Schenn deal for JVR is anything but a fleecing is simply foolish.....you pretend to know what the asking prices are for top tier d men, and simply say the price is to high.....
Simply put Holmgren has done a below average job in the last 3 years.....the Flyers have a below average d......they are fighting tooth and nail for the playoffs this year after missing the playoffs last year.....and yet you seem to hold our dolt of a GM above criticism.......I simply don't.

If they are it's not any I've personally talked to about him.
- ob18

You would give up Couturier and the Flyers first for him?

Nothing, the round ends up just being 1 pick less than normal.
- ob18

I think it should be donated to the host of the draft, as a token of good will