Because we would have to deal with too many other teams that require his services, and are heavily looking for a decent defenseman as well.

Detroit
Boston
Anaheim
Montreal
New Jersey
etc.

Also, look around, all the other defenseman being mentioned, Edler, Ehrhoff, Byfuglien, etc, would require a much larger package of players/picks.
- puckhead17

They're better players though. Islanders always have a terrible defense and we'd be slowly adding their defenseman to our team.

Hedman would cost more than Myers, IMO. He is starting to play like a top D-man.

I dont think the Philly fans would like what they have to give up to get him.
- ImThatGuy

That's a very kind way of putting it. TB would not trade us Hedman for anything on our roster but Giroux. He's a 23 year old 6'6" defenseman that's first on his team in ice time and third in scoring.

How is he when he's left out to defend 2 on 1s? Or being force fed the puck while 2 guys are mugging him at the blueline?


- Flyersgod

Notably better then he was the first 30 games of this season anyways

I understand your point...I am one of those jaded fans who loved watching him in Tampa and was thrilled we got him...even though the voice in the back of my head told me we just signed another player we dont need and past his prime
- nonpoint22

totally agree!

Buffalo is going to be scary good in a couple seasons if they keep stockpiling picks and players the way they are. I assume 1 more bad year with the kids developing down in the minors for a legit shot at McDavid?
- wolfhounds

I think that is the plan. Murray keeps saying the next 2 drafts are important for the future. But then you hear Buffalo is willing to pay Callahan and other vet FA's.

Now this whole situation with LaFontaine leaving has everyone up in arms.

They have a lot of picks and prospects, I happen to think they might be overstocking. They need to trun quantity into quality now, IMO.

Flyers are such good drafters in the first round, I'd feel fine either way. I think Laughton is capable of transitioning to wing if he needs to.
- PhillySportsGuy

How about we stop with all the centers "transitioning" to the wings and get some true wingers.

Hedman would cost more than Myers, IMO. He is starting to play like a top D-man.

I dont think the Philly fans would like what they have to give up to get him.
- ImThatGuy

i dont think we will like what it would cost to obtain any person mentioned on this thread...

How about we stop with all the centers "transitioning" to the wings and get some true wingers.
- Daveflyers36

What a novel idea

Yea. Id say Hedman is moving towards untouchable. Lightning dealt with his growing pains, it would be stupid for them to trade him now that he's showing his potential.
- PhillySportsGuy

Sounds like the Colorado/St. Louis trade for E. Johnson. Even tohugh St. Louis "won" the trade, it just took Johnson time, and Colorado was willing to give it to him, and he's finally making good return.

What a novel idea
- nonpoint22

Yea, its crazy enough it just might work.

I think that is the plan. Murray keeps saying the next 2 drafts are important for the future. But then you hear Buffalo is willing to pay Callahan and other vet FA's.

Now this whole situation with LaFontaine leaving has everyone up in arms.

They have a lot of picks and prospects, I happen to think they might be overstocking. They need to trun quantity into quality now, IMO.
- ImThatGuy

As long as they acquire diversity with their draft picks, you should be fine. Your owner is willing to spend and bring in vets to help the young team develop. Diversity and veteran leadership are major reasons the Oilers suck despite having so many top draft picks.

How about we stop with all the centers "transitioning" to the wings and get some true wingers.
- Daveflyers36

Boston was able to play 8 "natural centers" when they won the Cup. It's certainly easier to go from C to wing than the other way, in general. Jeff Carter being a prime example, it just takes time.

I think that is the plan. Murray keeps saying the next 2 drafts are important for the future. But then you hear Buffalo is willing to pay Callahan and other vet FA's.

Now this whole situation with LaFontaine leaving has everyone up in arms.

They have a lot of picks and prospects, I happen to think they might be overstocking. They need to trun quantity into quality now, IMO.
- ImThatGuy

I think Callahan would actually fit. You have a fairly young team that's only going to get younger. Callahan is a good leader, would instantly be your captain, and could help along the young guys.

How about we stop with all the centers "transitioning" to the wings and get some true wingers.
- Daveflyers36

Most top offensive players play center in juniors because it allows them to be the primary playmaker. Jonathan Drouin plays center for Halifax and he's going to be a winger in the NHL.

I think Laughton will be fine on the wing because he's smart, defensively responsible and has no problem battling along the boards.

Are they the new Flyers?
- jmatchett383

I was thinking that very thing as I was typing...

The meetings and the 12 step program on how not to destroy goalies seem to be working for the Flyers so far.

As long as they acquire diversity with their draft picks, you should be fine. Your owner is willing to spend and bring in vets to help the young team develop. Diversity and veteran leadership are major reasons the Oilers suck despite having so many top draft picks.
- PhillySportsGuy

Just keep picking the best 1-dimensional forward available, supplement the defense with Andy Sutton and sprinkle in some Bryzgalov, and viola, you're marginally better than you were last year.

They're better players though. Islanders always have a terrible defense and we'd be slowly adding their defenseman to our team.
- PhillySportsGuy

No, he's not one dimensional like Streit, he's a solid 2 way defenseman, very steady in all 3 zones, his main issue is he doesn't play a big physical game, but we already have players in that role.

I don't see it as, "another Islander defenseman" issue, he's an improvement over a few of the guys we have, and would improve our puck moving ability.

I'm not saying he's a number 1, nor a number 2, but his 25 minutes a night would slide into our top 4 very nicely, and he wouldn't cost us Schenn, and a number 1 or similar.

I think Callahan would actually fit. You have a fairly young team that's only going to get younger. Callahan is a good leader, would instantly be your captain, and could help along the young guys.
- jmatchett383

Plus, the money won't matter all that much. The young guys will keep the team inexpensive.

Sounds like the Colorado/St. Louis trade for E. Johnson. Even tohugh St. Louis "won" the trade, it just took Johnson time, and Colorado was willing to give it to him, and he's finally making good return.
- jmatchett383

Its not as lopsided, but i'd still rather have Shattenkirk and Stewart.

Just keep picking the best 1-dimensional forward available, supplement the defense with Andy Sutton and sprinkle in some Bryzgalov, and viola, you're marginally better than you were last year.
- jmatchett383

Such a cluster(frank).

I was thinking that very thing as I was typing...

The meetings and the 12 step program on how not to destroy goalies seem to be working for the Flyers so far.
- wolfhounds

Barring a trade, does Heeter get a start? They've got that rough Pens/Pens/Hawks stretch of 3 games in 4 nights, and Mason probably won't be able to lift his arms if he plays both Pens games.

It does a bit since it's in Philly. It's why the Flyers were fine with not moving the puck @ TB but wouldn't do it at home. It's your fans and they want entertainment of either a big draft day trade (Schenider to NJ last year) or a chance to cheer their #1 pick.
- jmatchett383

See I dont buy the "entertain your home fans at the draft" argument..In the end, a sports franchise is a business and the best way to draw fans is win. So I dont care if the draft is in Philly, Pittsburgh, Vancouver or Russia a franchise is going to do whatever it takes to put the best product on the ice.. To say otherwise is ludicrous to me

Flyers are such good drafters in the first round, I'd feel fine either way. I think Laughton is capable of transitioning to wing if he needs to.
- PhillySportsGuy

Flyers rarely draft a clan who becomes a steady NHLer.

The best ones I can think of...

Picard (3rd round/85 overall) 2003
Pitkanen (1/4) 2002
Woywitka (1/27) 2001
Seidenberg (6/172) 2001
Ninimaa (2/36) 1993

Sbisa I left out because I forgot about him until I typed this.

No, he's not one dimensional like Streit, he's a solid 2 way defenseman, very steady in all 3 zones, his main issue is he doesn't play a big physical game, but we already have players in that role.

I don't see it as, "another Islander defenseman" issue, he's an improvement over a few of the guys we have, and would improve our puck moving ability.

I'm not saying he's a number 1, nor a number 2, but his 25 minutes a night would slide into our top 4 very nicely, and he wouldn't cost us Schenn, and a number 1 or similar.
- puckhead17

Id be interested. I just think he'll cost a lot through trade and FA.

Boston was able to play 8 "natural centers" when they won the Cup. It's certainly easier to go from C to wing than the other way, in general. Jeff Carter being a prime example, it just takes time.
- jmatchett383

Problem is that the Flyers organization lacks any patience so why do it at all if quick results trump the time to develope?