I'm not going to go in depth here, but aside from playing defense or goalie, the 4th line is the worst possible place for Akeson.
- jmatchett383

I think Lecavalier is a complete waste on a 4th line. He was our top scorer before the injury and when he was playing center. Trade Schenn and some picks or whatever it takes to get Weber and the team will be better for it.

The Norris goes to the best all around defenseman. Not the guy who scores the most. This isn't the Art Ross of defenseman award.

I've always felt there should be multiple awards for defenseman like there are for forwards. Give one award for top scoring dman and one award for best all around dman (Norris). I feel people rely too much on scoring stats to decide the Norris. Anyone who think Karlsson has had a better year than Pietrangelo or Keith or Suter or Weber or Subban isn't watching enough hockey.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't necessarily agree with the notion that it should go to the best two-way dman... if a guy like Karlsson can score at a high enough pace (and help his teammates to score at a higher pace) it should really balance out any trade-offs at the other end of the ice... you know, the old adage of the best defense is making the other team play 200' from your goal.

Byfuglien and Yandle in particular are going to get shafted in the votes -- same as they got shafted in the Olympic selection process -- because they don't conform to some antiquated Canadian/American hockey ideal.

And all because they didn't save enough tagging room to re-up Carle when his value was $4-5M.
- Tomahawk

Gets popcorn ready for "strawman" argument to ensue.

If you watch Karlsson play, he leaves his team vulnerable quite a bit. He's always thinking offense. Guys like Pietrangelo and Keith could put up points like Karlsson if they played aggressively like him.
- PhillySportsGuy

Karlsson isn't even in the same league as those 2. Karlsson is a 4th forward like Paul Coffey was.

Kimmo on 1-year deal @ $6M > Niskanen on 7-year deal @ $6M/per.
- Tomahawk

I'm ready to move on from Timonen.

No the SchennBros guy you responded to. I enjoy reading the stuff you got to say, even if I disagree with it, it at least makes a lot of sense.
- FlyersSteve118

Well thank you.

I just don't think Morin is ready yet. He's not mentally ready either. I think another year in Juniors would be good for him. He'll have a real shot at Team Canada and will probably work the top PP unit for his junior team (He's on the 2nd unit now).

I would like to give him the opportunity to improve his offense in Juniors rather than ask him to strictly be a shutdown guy in the NHL.

I'm getting at this team has played well this season even without a "#1 dman".

Maybe... Just maybe...trading for a #1 isn't worth losing some of this core?
- Giroux_Is_God

I like the core as well, but this defense isnt championship material, I think we can all agree on that.

Heres an interesting thought... what if Laughton were to come to the Flyers at the end of his JR season.. would he be a candidate for the 4th line, or straight to the AHL?

And all because they didn't save enough tagging room to re-up Carle when his value was $4-5M.
- Tomahawk

I'm not going to touch the "cap planning" debate yous guys have going. In hindsight, keeping Carle obvs would've been better for the mix of talent we have.

I like the core as well, but this defense isnt championship material, I think we can all agree on that.
- GOA88

We can.

But NJ won a few years ago with a similar one.

I don't necessarily agree with the notion that it should go to the best two-way dman... if a guy like Karlsson can score at a high enough pace (and help his teammates to score at a higher pace) it should really balance out any trade-offs at the other end of the ice... you know, the old adage of the best defense is making the other team play 200' from your goal.

Byfuglien and Yandle in particular are going to get shafted in the votes -- same as they got shafted in the Olympic selection process -- because they don't conform to some antiquated Canadian/American hockey ideal.
- Tomahawk

I agree with you. Thats why I think Mike Green should have gotten more appreciation during his ridiculously high scoring years. He was like a +30 because he just outscored his lackluster defense.

I just don't think Karlsson, Yandle or Byfuglien's season comes anywhere close to Keith, Pietrangelo or Subban's season.

Heres an interesting thought... what if Laughton were to come to the Flyers at the end of his JR season.. would he be a candidate for the 4th line, or straight to the AHL?
- jak521

I think we have to play him by next season, the latest. The experience wouldnt hurt. He obviously isnt going to replace either of the top 3 centers anytime soon anyway.

Heres an interesting thought... what if Laughton were to come to the Flyers at the end of his JR season.. would he be a candidate for the 4th line, or straight to the AHL?
- jak521

FOURTH LINE PLS KTHX I can dig that

Ignore me

When was the last time a dman won with a minus season? I think if it ever happened that would be a travesty. Sure, it usually goes to the best offensive defenseman, but they have to at least make a show of it having something to do with being ok in your own end.
- MBFlyerfan

Karlsson is actually quite good in his own end. I see him a lot, on TV and live. He does make some risky plays, but the reward far outweighs the risk 9 times out of 10. A lot has to do with the crap team he plays with. Swap teams for Karlsson and Keith or AP, and I bet Karlsson is +35 and the other guys are -15.

Well thank you.

I just don't think Morin is ready yet. He's not mentally ready either. I think another year in Juniors would be good for him. He'll have a real shot at Team Canada and will probably work the top PP unit for his junior team (He's on the 2nd unit now).

I would like to give him the opportunity to improve his offense in Juniors rather than ask him to strictly be a shutdown guy in the NHL.
- PhillySportsGuy

I would rather that they do that too. And than a year or two in the AHL to build his confidence further. I want them to take their time with him to truly build a bonafide #1 defenseman out of him.

I think Lecavalier is a complete waste on a 4th line. He was our top scorer before the injury and when he was playing center. Trade Schenn and some picks or whatever it takes to get Weber and the team will be better for it.
- GOA88

Schenn, first round pick, first born son of Giroux, All of Lindros real estate, Clarke's dentist and The Betsy Ross House.

I would rather that they do that too. And than a year or two in the AHL to build his confidence further. I want them to take their time with him to truly build a bonafide #1 defenseman out of him.
- FlyersSteve118

Sadly, I think they could build him till he is 25 and he will never be more than a 3-4 guy.

The Flyers are finally wising up and drafting young defenders who can hopefully be top-4 players built from within. So the best option:

As soon as they don't look completely out of place, immediately put them into 82 NHL games a season, regardless of the level of competition they've played against before.
But unless he's absolutely dominating, it's best for him to go back to juniors. I wouldn't even say he's "dominating" in juniors like Laughton is, or like Ghost is in the NCAA. He's progressing fairly well. He's not putting up numbers like some other picks (Nurse/Pulock/that other WHL defender...can't think of the name). Let's give him his full 3 years. Please for the love of God don't rush him just because we can.

Schenn, first round pick, first born son of Giroux, All of Lindros real estate, Clarke's dentist and The Betsy Ross House.
- PhillySportsGuy

I wouldnt argue with that asking price.

Karlsson is actually quite good in his own end. I see him a lot, on TV and live. He does make some risky plays, but the reward far outweighs the risk 9 times out of 10. A lot has to do with the crap team he plays with. Swap teams for Karlsson and Keith or AP, and I bet Karlsson is +35 and the other guys are -15.
- Rocktane

I think he takes too many risks. I don't think he's capable of shutting down a top line. I will say that Pietrangelo and Keith both play with an all star level player as a partner.

Schenn, first round pick, first born son of Giroux, All of Lindros real estate, Clarke's dentist and The Betsy Ross House.
- PhillySportsGuy

you don't need a dentist when you have false teeth

The Flyers are finally wising up and drafting young defenders who can hopefully be top-4 players built from within. So the best option:

As soon as they don't look completely out of place, immediately put them into 82 NHL games a season, regardless of the level of competition they've played against before.
But unless he's absolutely dominating, it's best for him to go back to juniors. I wouldn't even say he's "dominating" in juniors like Laughton is, or like Ghost is in the NCAA. He's progressing fairly well. He's not putting up numbers like some other picks (Nurse/Pulock/that other WHL defender...can't think of the name). Let's give him his full 3 years. Please for the love of God don't rush him just because we can.
- jmatchett383

who is they? who is he?

Heres an interesting thought... what if Laughton were to come to the Flyers at the end of his JR season.. would he be a candidate for the 4th line, or straight to the AHL?
- jak521

I think that we still have 9 games to play him in the NHL before it burns a year on his entry level contract so there is no downside to trying him out and seeing how he performs.

If you watch Karlsson play, he leaves his team vulnerable quite a bit. He's always thinking offense. Guys like Pietrangelo and Keith could put up points like Karlsson if they played aggressively like him.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's the thing. It's like whether you want the 1989 Steve Yzerman who scored 155 points but was one-dimensional, or do you want the 1997 Steve Yzerman who scored 85 points but was a fantastic 2-way player? Karlsson is like Mike Green, just another forward who doesn't really play defense.

Also, my 160% biased pick is Shea Weber.