I don't mind that but I'd prefer it not be with certain players.
- ob18

Rinaldo-Laughton-Rosehill doesn't strike your fancy?

With the "Bird Rule", they practically killed the idea of player movement in that league. You can pay extra to keep your own guy, which pretty much guarantees free agency is not a typical route to be a contender (the LeBron James thing notwithstanding).
- johndewar

I hear you. It's tough to watch the League as a whole. LeBron left, because he knew he couldn't bring a Championship to Cleveland. He took the easy way out.

I don't mind that but I'd prefer it not be with certain players.
- ob18

Laughton, Hall, and Rinaldo wouldn't be bad.

Im an advocate of selecting at least one goalie in every draft. I believe goaltending prospect depth is much better than having 1 guy with great potential.

The future is always so unpredictable with goalies. Its nice knowing you have young guys coming through the system more often. This franchise has done a poor job developing both defenseman and goaltenders.
- PhillySportsGuy

We have two (2!) goalie scouts now.

Seriously. Goalie scouts. I certainly hope things get better there.

Fair points. When Laughton becomes an NHL regular, I certainly don't want him being buried on a 4th line playing 7-8 minutes a game.

Regarding Downie, in theory he was brought here because the Flyers were struggling to score, well he's got 3 goals in 50 games. I know he's been injured, but he hasn't played well for the most part.
- PLindbergh31

Agreed. Thankfully they got him on the cheap. I do believe they'll be shopping Downie this week. With deadline prices hopefully the return is greater than Talbot, which shouldn't be too hard.

I hear you. It's tough to watch the League as a whole. LeBron left, because he knew he couldn't bring a Championship to Cleveland. He took the easy way out.
- PLindbergh31

Yep, he did.

Rod Brind'Amour lite....
- Tomahawk

That would be awesome! You think that is feasible?

With the "Bird Rule", they practically killed the idea of player movement in that league. You can pay extra to keep your own guy, which pretty much guarantees free agency is not a typical route to be a contender (the LeBron James thing notwithstanding).
- johndewar

Its not just that though. Players do leave. The problem is that they set a cap on how much players can make. An all star player will receive a 5 year offer for the same amount from every team except his own which will offer 6 years. They need to allow teams to offer as much as they want.

The second thing they need to do set a hard cap and not allow teams to go over the luxury tax.

They should bring that concept over to the NHL. Call it the "Holmgren rule"!

- MJL

I am not surprised that Ed Snider did not care for stewarding the Sixers. The NBA is such an obtuse league.

I am not surprised that Ed Snider did not care for stewarding the Sixers. The NBA is such an obtuse league.
- johndewar

What did you call me, boy?!

Its not just that though. Players do leave. The problem is that they set a cap on how much players can make. An all star player will receive a 5 year offer for the same amount from every team except his own which will offer 6 years. They need to allow teams to offer as much as they want.

The second thing they need to do set a hard cap and not allow teams to go over the luxury tax.
- PhillySportsGuy

There is no "unrestricted free agency" concept in the NBA.

If they did that, it'd be a better league. They talk about trying to keep NHL franchises South of the Mason-Dixon line solvent, if they had real free agency in the NBA, I think about 10 franchises would fold.

What did you call me, boy?!
- PhillySportsGuy

Im an advocate of selecting at least one goalie in every draft. I believe goaltending prospect depth is much better than having 1 guy with great potential.

The future is always so unpredictable with goalies. Its nice knowing you have young guys coming through the system more often. This franchise has done a poor job developing both defenseman and goaltenders.
- PhillySportsGuy

Alex Nedeljkovic - Plymouth (OHL)
Thatcher Demko - Boston College (NCAA)
Mason McDonald - Charlottetown (QMJHL)

But maybe a Hugo Fagerblom from Frölunda might be up their alley (don't know anything about him)

That would be awesome! You think that is feasible?
- PLindbergh31

Why not?

Maybe Laughton doesn't have the same offensive headroom, but 50-65 pts while doing all the little things would still be a heck of a player.... like early 2000's Brindy.

Laughton, Hall, and Rinaldo wouldn't be bad.
- MJL

Could work, in the end Laughton will be on the 3rd line before long.

Agreed. Thankfully they got him on the cheap. I do believe they'll be shopping Downie this week. With deadline prices hopefully the return is greater than Talbot, which shouldn't be too hard.
- hereticpride

I'd be interested in shopping every UFA, personally. Odds are none of them will return, might as well try to get an asset.

The one that's dicey is Timonen. Moving him suggests waving a white flag, but that's not necessarily the case. There's other rentals that could cost less than what the return for Timonen would be. Obviously, it would involve taking a lesser player as a replacement.

But for a big enough return, I'd be willing to move Timonen

That is not the case. Here are the facts. Luke Schenn in his rookie year, averaged 21:32 of TOI per game which was 4th overall among Leafs defenseman. Which included 18:10 of ES icetime per game, which was 2nd among Leafs defenseman, and averaged 3:05 of ice time per game shorthanded. Which led all Leafs defenseman.
He was inconsistent and his icetime dropped the next Season in 09/10.
Then again in 10/11, his icetime actually increased from where it was in his rookie year to average 22:22 TOI. 3rd overall in ES ice time. And he again was a top PK defenseman, second only to Beauchemin with 2:44 of PK ice time. So to say that he never regained his rookie showing, is inaccurate.

And yes, Luke Schenn can get better going forward. Just as JVR can regress going forward. Time will tell.
- MJL

Ice time fine....but anyone who has to watch as many TO games that I do remember it well....he struggled with consistency in year two and lost confidence....they tried to force him into the mold of Adam Foote after a very good year as a 18-19 year old and he became a whipping boy for fans and media....he just didn't play as well....in his third year he really regressed as coach Wilson called him out in the press....he never seemed to improve. He constantly made the same mistakes, much like what we've seen in Philly.....anybody that saw Schenn play will tell you he was at his best in his rookie year....you think Richards had issues with the media....well they were similar with Schenn and the TO media......was it fair...no...but that is hockey in TO.....
I have watched both an awful lot in the last year and a bit......this trade is a fleecing....spin it how you want.....I know what I see......one player is blossoming.....one is not.

Could work, in the end Laughton will be on the 3rd line before long.
- ob18

I hope he progresses that quickly.. But for that to happen, maybe a forward needs to be traded. I think Raffle is destined for the 3rd line

Could work, in the end Laughton will be on the 3rd line before long.
- ob18

That's his spot, ultimately.

However, what do you think the lynch pin is for that to happen?

Is it when they figure out what Brayden Schenn is or when Couturier is ready for more offensive responsibility?

Why not?

Maybe Laughton doesn't have the same offensive headroom, but 50-65 pts while doing all the little things would still be a heck of a player.... like early 2000's Brindy.
- Tomahawk

A two way center that can put up 50+ points is a winning player. Can't have too many of those guys.

The Flyers can be really strong at center ice for years to come.

I hope he progresses that quickly.. But for that to happen, maybe a forward needs to be traded. I think Raffle is destined for the 3rd line
- MJL

He'd be a perfect line mate for Laughton.

Could work, in the end Laughton will be on the 3rd line before long.
- ob18

The key is continued development. One of my biggest issues with Laviolette was the reluctance to use Couturier in more than a 4th line, defensive role. He rarely got time with good wingers.

I'd be interested in shopping every UFA, personally. Odds are none of them will return, might as well try to get an asset.

The one that's dicey is Timonen. Moving him suggests waving a white flag, but that's not necessarily the case. There's other rentals that could cost less than what the return for Timonen would be. Obviously, it would involve taking a lesser player as a replacement.

But for a big enough return, I'd be willing to move Timonen
- Jsaquella

Moving Timonen is certainly the dispassionate, rational thing to do.

Whether Homer can pull off that move is another story.

That's his spot, ultimately.

However, what do you think the lynch pin is for that to happen?

Is it when they figure out what Brayden Schenn is or when Couturier is ready for more offensive responsibility?
- johndewar

Wish I have the concrete answer for you.

Ice time fine....but anyone who has to watch as many TO games that I do remember it well....he struggled with consistency in year two and lost confidence....they tried to force him into the mold of Adam Foote after a very good year as a 18-19 year old and he became a whipping boy for fans and media....he just didn't play as well....in his third year he really regressed as coach Wilson called him out in the press....he never seemed to improve. He constantly made the same mistakes, much like what we've seen in Philly.....anybody that saw Schenn play will tell you he was at his best in his rookie year....you think Richards had issues with the media....well they were similar with Schenn and the TO media......was it fair...no...but that is hockey in TO.....
I have watched both an awful lot in the last year and a bit......this trade is a fleecing....spin it how you want.....I know what I see......one player is blossoming.....one is not.
- landros 2

My issue with it now is that Schenn is showing the same good year-bad year pattern, while JvR is playing more consistently. The early returns, as far as value, are worrisome.