Daley is 30. Gus is 25 and makes 1/3 of what Daley does.
- Tomahawk

And Gustafsson is already here and doesn't cost any assets.

For the most part I'm not enamored with undersized dmen, unless they are dynamic offensively.

I think the best thing is for the Flyers to give Gustaffson a legitimate chance, rather then trade assets for a player that is not the significant upgrade they truly need.
- MJL

I think that would be the best course of action. I like Daley and I think people are making him out to be worse than he is. That being said, there is no reason this team should go into next year not knowing where they stand with Gus. He's leading the team in +/- and I know its a flawed statistic, but he's leading all of our defense by A LOT.

I think that would be the best course of action. I like Daley and I think people are making him out to be worse than he is. That being said, there is no reason this team should go into next year not knowing where they stand with Gus. He's leading the team in +/- and I know its a flawed statistic, but he's leading all of our defense by A LOT.
- PhillySportsGuy

He's also played 30 fewer games than all but Mesz. But I agree, it makes sense to give Gus a good long look. I just wonder about his durability.

He's also played 30 fewer games than all but Mesz. But I agree, it makes sense to give Gus a good long look. I just wonder about his durability.
- wolfhounds

Only one way to find out about his durability. I just don't wanna see them give him the Bobrovsky run-around.

He's also played 30 fewer games than all but Mesz. But I agree, it makes sense to give Gus a good long look. I just wonder about his durability.
- wolfhounds

Thats my primary concern as well. He puts himself in vulnerable positions to take big hits. The only way to adjust is to learn from those mistakes and gain experience though

I think that would be the best course of action. I like Daley and I think people are making him out to be worse than he is. That being said, there is no reason this team should go into next year not knowing where they stand with Gus. He's leading the team in +/- and I know its a flawed statistic, but he's leading all of our defense by A LOT.
- PhillySportsGuy

Some of that +/- has to do with good puck 'luck'... the team is scoring at 9.6% of its shots at ES when he's on the ice, which is well above average for the team, versus 6-7% for guys like Kimmo and Coburn when they're on. The goalies are also making saves at a 95.6% clip at ES when he's out there, also well above average for the team, versus 92-93% for the rest of the dmen. That equals a few more goals for, a few less against.

How much of that is due to him being on the ice? Hard so say.

He's 25, about the age where most defensemen are just figuring out where they fit (minus the guys who are int he top-4 at 20 or under). I would HOPE that Gus is given regular minutes for the rest of the season. He'll never be Timonen, but he could be a serviceable 2nd/3rd pairing guy who has good mobility, good puck movement, and a nice shot. There will always be board battles he loses, but I'd hope a good stay-at-home defenseman could help cover some of those losses up.

Plus, Gustafsson costs nothing, Daley will cost assets.
- jmatchett383

How many games has Gustefsson lost to injury? I'm sorry but it seems like anytime he gets a shot, he gets injured 2 days later...

I would like another blog soon. Has Ek forgotten to pay the Bill?

Some of that +/- has to do with good puck 'luck'... the team is scoring at 9.6% of its shots at ES when he's on the ice, which is well above average for the team, versus 6-7% for guys like Kimmo and Coburn when they're on. The goalies are also making saves at a 95.6% clip at ES when he's out there, also well above average for the team, versus 92-93% for the rest of the dmen. That equals a few more goals for, a few less against.

How much of that is due to him being on the ice? Hard so say.
- Tomahawk

I know part of it is luck. I'm not saying he's better than Timonen or Coburn, but he, definitely, adds a dimension this team sorely lacks. I just don't understand why the team won't just ride with him the rest of the way. He's shown nothing that tells me he shouldn't be in the top 6. Especially, when you look at the lack of mobility and offense from the back end.

I wouldn't be opposed to him playing on the PP either. I'm sick of seeing so many SHG against. Maybe, the team should try 2 defenseman for a while.

I think the best thing is for the Flyers to give Gustaffson a legitimate chance, rather then trade assets for a player that is not the significant upgrade they truly need.
- MJL

If we weren't already a piss poor defense AND losing Timonen and Meszaros in the off-season then I would say sure give Gus a shot... but too much at stake IMO.

Plus I would wait to see how Bill compared Gus and Daley. Not sure the comparision is very fair for Daley.

If we weren't already a piss poor defense AND losing Timonen and Meszaros in the off-season then I would say sure give Gus a shot... but too much at stake IMO.

Plus I would wait to see how Bill compared Gus and Daley. Not sure the comparision is very fair for Daley.
- SchennBros

There are a handful of guys I would look at before Daley. Give Gus the rest of the season without coming out of the lineup.

He played very well last year when in the lineup and ended up playing big minutes and doing very well in the World Championships for Sweden after the season ended.

He could very well end up being a serviceable top 4 guy.

Some of that +/- has to do with good puck 'luck'... the team is scoring at 9.6% of its shots at ES when he's on the ice, which is well above average for the team, versus 6-7% for guys like Kimmo and Coburn when they're on. The goalies are also making saves at a 95.6% clip at ES when he's out there, also well above average for the team, versus 92-93% for the rest of the dmen. That equals a few more goals for, a few less against.

How much of that is due to him being on the ice? Hard so say.
- Tomahawk

I know part of it is luck. I'm not saying he's better than Timonen or Coburn, but he, definitely, adds a dimension this team sorely lacks. I just don't understand why the team won't just ride with him the rest of the way. He's shown nothing that tells me he shouldn't be in the top 6. Especially, when you look at the lack of mobility and offense from the back end.

I wouldn't be opposed to him playing on the PP either. I'm sick of seeing so many SHG against. Maybe, the team should try 2 defenseman for a while.
- PhillySportsGuy

He keeps getting hurt right as he gets going, that hasn't helped.

The other side of it is, the Flyers have never shown much patience with young dmen... ever. Add to that, the fact that Gus is undersized. If he were 6'2, 200lbs, and a top-60 pick, he would never leave the lineup.

How many games has Gustefsson lost to injury? I'm sorry but it seems like anytime he gets a shot, he gets injured 2 days later...
- SchennBros

Since being called up in 2011, he has lost 30 games total, according to TSN. He had a wirst injury in 2011 and missed 22 games, and he missed 8 games with a knee injury this year. Maybe if they played him for more than 5 games at a time, it wouldn't seem like that. But they haven't given him one.

If we weren't already a piss poor defense AND losing Timonen and Meszaros in the off-season then I would say sure give Gus a shot... but too much at stake IMO.

Plus I would wait to see how Bill compared Gus and Daley. Not sure the comparision is very fair for Daley.
- SchennBros

I don't see why both are contingent upon the other. I see no reason why the team can't have 2 puck movers with mobility.

They shouldn't go into next year assuming Gus is going to contribute significantly. He should be a luxury for next season unless he has an unbelievable finish to this season.

He keeps getting hurt right as he gets going, that hasn't helped.

The other side of it is, the Flyers have never shown much patience with young dmen... ever. Add to that, the fact that Gus is undersized. If he were 6'2, 200lbs, and a top-60 pick, he would never leave the lineup.
- Tomahawk

Well they should play him until he gets hurt. I don't see how yo-yoing him back and forth is going to help.

Well they should play him until he gets hurt. I don't see how yo-yoing him back and forth is going to help.
- PhillySportsGuy

As soon as Mez gets traded Gus will move up and he'll play the rest of the season.

Since being called up in 2011, he has lost 30 games total, according to TSN. He had a wirst injury in 2011 and missed 22 games, and he missed 8 games with a knee injury this year. Maybe if they played him for more than 5 games at a time, it wouldn't seem like that. But they haven't given him one.
- jmatchett383

There has to be more then that.. What about the times we were going to call him up, but he was already hurt... like the year we were rotating Bourdon, Marshall, and Manning?

There has to be more then that.. What about the times we were going to call him up, but he was already hurt... like the year we were rotating Bourdon, Marshall, and Manning?
- SchennBros

No one is denying his injury problems. I'm not advocating signing him to an extension. I just feel if he's healthy and on the roster, then he should be playing every night.

As soon as Mez gets traded Gus will move up and he'll play the rest of the season.
- FlyersGrace

For a 2nd round pick, right!?

I don't see why both are contingent upon the other. I see no reason why the team can't have 2 puck movers with mobility.

They shouldn't go into next year assuming Gus is going to contribute significantly. He should be a luxury for next season unless he has an unbelievable finish to this season.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree with this. You cant expect him to be a bog part of next years team. You have to account for Timonens minutes from outside the organization.... And while your at it, might as well upgrade the 5th spot too.

Well they should play him until he gets hurt. I don't see how yo-yoing him back and forth is going to help.
- PhillySportsGuy

I thought Gus played well earlier last month then got benched in favor of Mez.... I like the fact that he was able to get the puck to the net and actually hit the net. The names being thrown around out there are nothing that changes the dynamic of the D.....nothing that I would move assets for.

I thought Gus played well earlier last month then got benched in favor of Mez.... I like the fact that he was able to get the puck to the net and actually hit the net. The names being thrown around out there are nothing that changes the dynamic of the D.....nothing that I would move assets for.
- landros 2

I was actually shocked when Gus was scratched in favor of Mez. I had thought Gus was playing fine.

I agree with this. You cant expect him to be a bog part of next years team. You have to account for Timonens minutes from outside the organization.... And while your at it, might as well upgrade the 5th spot too.
- SchennBros

In a perfect world, this team would add 2 players to their top 4 for next season. Preferably, one with some mobility and skill.

My dream scenario would be a trade for Ehrhoff and a signing of Girardi.

I was actually shocked when Gus was scratched in favor of Mez. I had thought Gus was playing fine.
- MBFlyerfan

So was I. Gus has created scoring chances and has done a great job of jumping into the play. Its not like Mez is some defensive dynamo who brings the physical aspect Gus lacks.

To me, it seems like the organization is trying to keep both fresh or maybe they didn't want to put Mez at the 7th dmen, making it harder to move him.

I don't know. I'm still confused by some of the additions and subtractions to the overall lineup on a nightly basis.

I'd really like to get a better explanation on some of the reasons for why certain players are getting benched for others.