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.

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

That's not a defense core worth getting excited about. Nothing close to a # 1 out of that crew. If Timonen wants to play again next year, I wouldn't be shocked if they brought him back. I think Timonen's been pretty good this year. Better than last year, he looked cooked.

That's not a defense core worth getting excited about. Nothing close to a # 1 out of that crew.
- PLindbergh31

To get that they have to trade a Couts or B Schenn ++.

So adding a top tier defenseman robs another area.
And guys we would like to get back likely aren't moving, even for an overpayment.
I guess for the right guy it makes sense but there usually isn't a good deal to make.

Maybe Alex Edler or Ehrhoff or Yandle could be available, but the cost will be astronomical. And all those players have a question mark or something to worry about, be it prior injury, length of deal, or being not ideal for a #1 D.

Same old story, really.

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

The next moves that this team makes are going to be the most difficult ones to make. How to get the one player they need for this defense. I personally don't think that players like Niskanen and Boyle are the right players. Not that they wouldn't help the team, but not the right kind of defenseman in my opinion. The problem is that there isn't a player that could even be speculated as being available that fits the bill. A player like Stralman at the right cost would be a good addition as a depth player. And I think the Flyers are definitely going to need a cheaper option for the 3rd pair.

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

Gustafsson and MacDonald are UFA's at season's end....

Not assuming they sign with us our D corps look a whole lot more brutal...

Coburn/ Grossman
Streit/ Schenn
Lauridsen/ Alt? Manning?

Scary.

To get that they have to trade a Couts or B Schenn ++.

So adding a top tier defenseman robs another area.
And guys we would like to get back likely aren't moving, even for an overpayment.
I guess for the right guy it makes sense but there usually isn't a good deal to make.

Maybe Alex Edler or Ehrhoff or Yandle could be available, but the cost will be astronomical. And all those players have a question mark or something to worry about, be it prior injury, length of deal, or being not ideal for a #1 D.

Same old story, really.
- Marc D

Yep. exactly. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. The best way to get that stud dman is to draft and develop one, so they are cost controlled.

Could have had that player in the draft two years ago. Yet another miss.

Gustafsson and MacDonald are UFA's at season's end....

Not assuming they sign with us our D corps look a whole lot more brutal...

Coburn/ Grossman
Streit/ Schenn
Lauridsen/ Alt? Manning?

Scary.
- FlyersSteve118

That is a steaming pile of dung.

That is a steaming pile of dung.
- PLindbergh31

Which scares me into to thinking the flyers will throw 9mil offer sheet and 4 first round draft picks at PK Subban...

I guess my point is, adding Pronger now would not automatically fix the problems this team has. Would the help? Absolutely. It takes more than a stud D man is all I'm saying.
- feelingkettle

Actually adding a stud dman like Pronger or weber would make this team a contender.

Gustafsson and MacDonald are UFA's at season's end....

Not assuming they sign with us our D corps look a whole lot more brutal...

Coburn/ Grossman
Streit/ Schenn
Lauridsen/ Alt? Manning?

Scary.
- FlyersSteve118

Gustafsson is a RFA, not a UFA.

I do expect the Flyers to re-sign MacDonald, given what they gave up to acquire him. I wouldn't be amazed to see them try to convince Kimmo Timonen to play another season in the NHL, either.

Which scares me into to thinking the flyers will throw 9mil offer sheet and 4 first round draft picks at PK Subban...
- FlyersSteve118

Montreal might not have money to match. They have to get Vanek signed.

Gustafsson is a RFA, not a UFA.

I do expect the Flyers to re-sign MacDonald, given what they gave up to acquire him. I wouldn't be amazed to see them try to convince Kimmo Timonen to play another season in the NHL, either.
- Jsaquella

yup
I'm starting to think that they will stay patient, not overpay for a Yandle or Edler and likely go into next season with:
Timonen-Coburn
MacDonald-Schenn
Lauridsen or Alt- Streit

I think Grossmann is moved for cap space and Gus for a 3rd line forward and they hope that at least 2 of Morin, hagg, Ghost or Alt are ready by 15-16.

and bryzaster
- Marc D

ha how could i forget

but seriously for me the ritchie carter explosion will be the first thing that comes to mind

Gustafsson is a RFA, not a UFA.

I do expect the Flyers to re-sign MacDonald, given what they gave up to acquire him. I wouldn't be amazed to see them try to convince Kimmo Timonen to play another season in the NHL, either.
- Jsaquella

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

Actually adding a stud dman like Pronger or weber would make this team a contender.
- BiggE

A contender for a playoff spot, yes.

Yep. exactly. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. The best way to get that stud dman is to draft and develop one, so they are cost controlled.

Could have had that player in the draft two years ago. Yet another miss.
- PLindbergh31

The only way that draft pick could be considered a miss, is if the player they picked doesn't make it as an NHL player. Since that hasn't happened yet, how could it possibly be a miss?

The only way that draft pick could be considered a miss, is if the player they picked doesn't make it as an NHL player. Since that hasn't happened yet, how could it possibly be a miss?
- MJL

ha how could i forget

but seriously for me the ritchie carter explosion will be the first thing that comes to mind
- -davies-

my head spun around like linda blair in the exorcist that day

- Pixote Andolini

Vinnie getting in touch with his inner Flyerness

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

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.

- BiggE

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.

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

I would, otherwise they lose him for nothing.
He can play and won't cost more them 1M and change.

He did. I didn't understand that. No GM is perfect.

When you make a trade like the James Neal trade, that gives you lots of leeway.
- PLindbergh31

Zhitnik for Coburn is just as good.

I would, otherwise they lose him for nothing.
He can play and won't cost more them 1M and change.
- Marc D

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.