Yeah no way the Flyers don't re-sign MacDonald. They're give Gustafsson a qualifying offer as well.
- Pixote Andolini

Agreed. They're not going to let Gus walk for nothing and even if they end up trading him as a RFA, they're going to toss a QO at him.

Why would they give Gus any offer when he can't even crack the line-up now? If they were serious about keeping him, he would get more playing time.
- Daveflyers36

Because if they don't make him a qualifying offer he walks as a free agent, and they get zip for him.

If Laughton makes it to the NHL as a 3rd line center, an area where the Flyers are already strong, while the dman drafted the spot after is already thriving in the NHL at a position where the Flyers are in desperate need of a cost controlled player who can be a major contributor. Seems like it makes perfect sense to me.
- PLindbergh31

You labeled it a miss. If Laughton becomes a solid NHL player, the pick is not a miss. There is no guarantee that if the Flyers didn't draft Laughton, that they would've taken Maata. The Flyers could also possibly trade some of that Center depth to add a defenseman. So again labeling the pick a mistake is extremely premature.

I know he can play but when and where would he play? If Timonen doesn't retire and they will try to sign MacDonald then our defense this year most likely be the same line up as this year. And if Timonen does retire, there is no way we go into next season without another D-Man coming in. The only way Gus gets in is if someone else gets shipped out.
- Daveflyers36

They could trade Grossmann or Luke Schenn this summer. Part of the issue I have with the defense is, there are too many guys that are limited players on it. Grossmann blocks shots and is a good, physical banger, but he's a black hole with the puck and has very limited mobility. Schenn's prone to mistakes and has below average mobility, as well, but he's younger than Grossmann and hasn't had the injury issues.

If Laughton makes it to the NHL as a 3rd line center, an area where the Flyers are already strong, while the dman drafted the spot after is already thriving in the NHL at a position where the Flyers are in desperate need of a cost controlled player who can be a major contributor. Seems like it makes perfect sense to me.
- PLindbergh31

Who knows, Laughton may go on to be much more than that.

Maatta looks nice now, but just look at guys like Myers, Schenn, Pitkanen who started out awesome, but couldn't sustain it for various reasons. I also don't believe that he looks near as competent without the level of teammates that he enjoys, and guys like Martin and Niskanen to play behind.

They could trade Grossmann or Luke Schenn this summer. Part of the issue I have with the defense is, there are too many guys that are limited players on it. Grossmann blocks shots and is a good, physical banger, but he's a black hole with the puck and has very limited mobility. Schenn's prone to mistakes and has below average mobility, as well, but he's younger than Grossmann and hasn't had the injury issues.
- Jsaquella

Streit is the reverse, too.... very limited defensively. Can't have 3/6 guys in your projected top six who need to be hidden in one way or another.

I still feel like Luke a Schenn can be competent two ways... his puck moving is underrated, he just needs to even out his game to game performances.

Kimmo, at his age, is still head and shoulders the best and most reliable guy they have.

Streit is the reverse, too.... very limited defensively. Can't have 3/6 guys in your projected top six who need to be hidden in one way or another.

I still feel like Luke a Schenn can be competent two ways... his puck moving is underrated, he just needs to even out his game by game performances.

Kimmo, at his age, is still head and shoulders the best and most reliable guy they have.
- Tomahawk

It comes back to what it has always come back to. Not that they don't have good players back there. Just that the mix is wrong. Too many role players. Need at least one more two way defenseman who can play hard minutes in key situations.

Who knows, Laughton may go on to be much more than that.

Maatta looks nice now, but just look at guys like Myers, Schenn, Pitkanen who started out awesome, but couldn't sustain it for various reasons. I also don't believe that he looks near as competent without the level of teammates that he enjoys, and guys like Martin and Niskanen to play behind.
- Tomahawk

Maatta's looked great, but as you mention, other young guys have stepped into the NHL looking like the next great young thing and have petered out or failed to improve on their rookie seasons.

Also, it's very possible that the Flyers use Laughton as a piece to address the defense-or possibly move Brayden Schenn, which frees up a slot for Laughton on the Flyers.

Who knows, Laughton may go on to be much more than that.

Maatta looks nice now, but just look at guys like Myers, Schenn, Pitkanen who started out awesome, but couldn't sustain it for various reasons. I also don't believe that he looks near as competent without the level of teammates that he enjoys, and guys like Martin and Niskanen to play behind.
- Tomahawk

I hear you. Point well taken.
I really have high hopes for Laughton. I think he's going to be a very good player. I was just pointing out the obvious area of need for the Flyers. Calling the pick a miss was an overstatement on my behalf.

Streit is the reverse, too.... very limited defensively. Can't have 3/6 guys in your projected top six who need to be hidden in one way or another.

I still feel like Luke a Schenn can be competent two ways... his puck moving is underrated, he just needs to even out his game to game performances.

Kimmo, at his age, is still head and shoulders the best and most reliable guy they have.
- Tomahawk

Exactly. I wasn't trying to just nitpick on Grossmann, but a limited defensive defenseman is usually easier to land than a one way offensive defenseman. They need more guys that can be utilized in different roles.

I agree with you on Schenn, too. He has limited mobility, but he can be a solid player if he can find more consistency and stay within his limits, as he did for most of last season.

If they get MacDonald in at an acceptable rate, he could be a solid two way guy on a second or third pair with Schenn. A guy like Stralman could be a very solid partner for Streit, too.

So looking forward rather then back, are you comfortable with next year's D looking like this?

Coburn-Grossmann
Streit-MacDonald
LSchenn-Gustafsson

I'm not real excited with that.

The top UFAs left aren't thrilling either.
Niskanen, Dan Boyle, Stralman.

I think Stralman as a right hander who is a plus skater could be an upgrade and add a better mix then the six listed, if they can trade someone. He won't fix the need for a top two way player, but it would be a better mix. He plays top four minutes for the Rangers now, and his cap hit is going to be between 3.5 and 4 per year, I'm guessing.

I don't think Coburn is the guy to trade. Have a hard time imagining them trading LSchenn. I guess it is possible but I don't see it. If you could trade Grossmann and replace his spot with a more mobile right hander I would think hard about it. I think Gustafsson could be a reasonable inexpensive option for #6-7 guy.
- Marc D

I think we need to trade Grossmann in for a better model.

Exactly. I wasn't trying to just nitpick on Grossmann, but a limited defensive defenseman is usually easier to land than a one way offensive defenseman. They need more guys that can be utilized in different roles.

I agree with you on Schenn, too. He has limited mobility, but he can be a solid player if he can find more consistency and stay within his limits, as he did for most of last season.

If they get MacDonald in at an acceptable rate, he could be a solid two way guy on a second or third pair with Schenn. A guy like Stralman could be a very solid partner for Streit, too.
- Jsaquella

I honestly don't think the d will be that difficult to fix... as long as they don't get caught up in trying to fix everything with ONE guy. Subtract a Grossmann, add/retain a couple of competent two way guys, I think the group would be pretty good. Maybe not fearsome, but at least not a point of weakness.

Maatta's looked great, but as you mention, other young guys have stepped into the NHL looking like the next great young thing and have petered out or failed to improve on their rookie seasons.

Also, it's very possible that the Flyers use Laughton as a piece to address the defense-or possibly move Brayden Schenn, which frees up a slot for Laughton on the Flyers.
- Jsaquella

what about me

I honestly don't think the d will be that difficult to fix... as long as they don't get caught up in trying to fix everything with ONE guy. Subtract a Grossmann, add/retain a couple of competent two way guys, I think the group would be pretty good. Maybe not fearsome, but at least not a point of weakness.
- Tomahawk

Exactly. You don't need a Shea Weber or PK Subban-especially at their cost-if you have 6 guys that can all play good, two way hockey. It can't be a group of 6 Mark Streits or a group of 6 Nicklas Grossmanns.

You can have a one of each of those, but the rest of the group had better be more versatile.

what about me


- ob18

See you in 2016, Sammy my boy

See you in 2016, Sammy my boy
- Jsaquella

That sounds about right.

That sounds about right.
- ob18

That's why I'd be OK with a shorter term/higher AAV deal with a guy like Boyle, who is a capable two way guy, to buy time fo rthe Morins, Haggs, Gostisbeheres & Alts

That's why I'd be OK with a shorter term/higher AAV deal with a guy like Boyle, who is a capable two way guy, to buy time fo rthe Morins, Haggs, Gostisbeheres & Alts
- Jsaquella

In my opinion, Boyle is not a two way defenseman. He is another version of Streit. The majority of Boyle's shifts start in offensive situations in the offensive end, or in the neutral zone. He doesn't play against top competition. And he doesn't play on the PK. And he's not a player that you are going to put out in key defensive situations. If you have Streit on one pair, and Boyle on another. That leaves one pair to do all the heavy lifting. If they could move Streit, I'd be okay with it. But he's not the right player to add in my view.

LOL lets dig deeper into that Kubina trade again. I think it needs to be re-hashed

Seems like defense is the topic right now, does anyone have a list of the top free agent dmen for this summer?

Seems like defense is the topic right now, does anyone have a list of the top free agent dmen for this summer?
- funmaster18

http://www.capgeek.com/ufa-finder/?position_id=D

In my opinion, Boyle is not a two way defenseman. He is another version of Streit. The majority of Boyle's shifts start in offensive situations in the offensive end, or in the neutral zone. He doesn't play against top competition. And he doesn't play on the PK. And he's not a player that you are going to put out in key defensive situations. If you have Streit on one pair, and Boyle on another. That leaves one pair to do all the heavy lifting. If they could move Streit, I'd be okay with it. But he's not the right player to add in my view.
- MJL

Boyle is far from Timonen, but he's also not as one way as Streit. He's just the first name that popped to me as a UFA.

There is an element of this fan base that unfortunately thinks that pretty much everything in this Organization is a problem. From the trainers, to the players, Coaches, GM, right up to the Owner. In every facet.
- MJL

I would add the commentating crew, the actual fans themselves (a majority of the STH), and the scouts. They all present issues

Meszaros.....