So your saying your happy with this defense going into next season? Personally I would like to try an get myself an upgrade on defense. Not the Buff or Yandle type, but maybe Ehrhoff or Edler. As much as it would pain me, I think I would also walk away from Kimmo, unless he takes an extreme friendly contract like 4 mil range.

But I admit, it would be tempting to move Laughton (another center) Morin (project) and hopefully 2 very late picks for a future Elite Defenseman.
- SchennBros

Yes. I don't think its worth sacrificing 1/3rd of the future for a "true number one"

This team and its defense has shown it can play at a high level. It's not a broken corps. So don't send out any combo of first(s), Laughton, Morin, Coburn, Schenn, Couturier, or anyone else.

We gave up a 2nd and a 4th for Amac, and some of that value is coming back via Mez.

That's the kind of moves this team needs to make if Homer is going to pull anything.

What's up with Barry Beck?
- Jsaquella

nothing. just trying to fire up my hatred.

For those humping Aaron Ekblad, the best example I can find of a guy who had high projections, was a high pick, had similar production on a similar junior team, and has had time to establish himself, is Zack Bogosian. Played for a middle-of-the pack OHL team, put up 30+ and then 50+ points in consecutive OHL seasons (34/53 Ekblad, 33/61 Bogosian), drafted high in the first round (3rd overall). I'm not saying he'll be better or worse, but it's the best example I can find.

So, do you want to trade your last 2 first-rounders and next 2 first-rounders for a guy who has the same kind of game as Zack Bogosian at this point?

Also, have you actually watched Ekblad play with any regularity? He doesn't remind me of Shea Weber at all. He doesn't have the same velocity/accuracy that Weber had at that time. He's not as physical/mean as Weber was (although he's not afraid to play physically), although he's a better skater at this point.
- jmatchett383

Gudbranson might be a closer analog in terms of style.

In terms of circumstance, I'd point to Bouwmeester. Consensus top prospect in a shallow draft year, and might not even end up going 1st at the draft at all. A really good dman, but not the kind of guy you need/want to be giving up a Pronger-esque package for.

Owned him? Hardly. A player that said he was going to FA is not a good example. Especially on a team that played the way we did this season and another season away from a new facility(afterall that was the point which I'm guessing you missed?). It was an adolescent response from chubby and was kind of off topic which is par for the course with the chubster. Guessing that's why it was easy for you to relate too? I like MSL, always have but that trade is looking a little in the red now. I do think he will start scoring eventually but a first in 2015(you guys aren't making the conference finals so no worries on the other one)and a trade chip(callahan)is fairly steep for a player that said he would only play for you. Sather had Yzerman by the nuts. Nash is Nash. Overrated and over injured and over paid.
- Cptmjl

All season long you were saying that playing with tavares and brooklyn on the horizon while living in long island for a year will be enough to convince vanek to join your team that has a future thatis clearly going to be bright and successful. The islanders offered him max term for upwards of $8 mil a year after he had the most productive stretch of his life and he still said no. How about moulson pricing his way out of long island? And amac? And streit? And guys like vis and nabokov refusing to play when traded here or kovy and erhoff denying contract offers. I dont think brooklyn will help your case at all, but time will tell.

nothing. just trying to fire up my hatred.
- wilsonecho91

Yeah. Beck was a pain in the balls, hated James Patrick more...him and (frank)ing Pavelich

This game was bizarre in other ways as well. Spitfires goalie Dalen Kuchmey gave up eight goals in his OHL playoff debut, pulled himself out of the game, put on his equipment and actually left the arena.

"He left the ice and left the rink before the period was over," Windsor coach Bob Boughner said. "He quit on our team, he quit on his teammates."

He's got New York Rangers written all over him.
- jmatchett383

I would much rather that than giving up Schenn or Couturier, Ghost, and a 1st for Big Buff or Yandle......
- SchennBros

Who put a gun to Homer's head?

Gudbranson might be a closer analog in terms of style.

In terms of circumstance, I'd point to Bouwmeester. Consensus top prospect in a shallow draft year, and might not even end up going 1st at the draft at all. A really good dman, but not the kind of guy you need/want to be giving up a Pronger-esque package for.
- Tomahawk

2 other good examples.

Look, Ekblad may very well be your #1. But without knowing if he'll ever even make an NHL roster, I'm not willing to move the captain of Team Canada's WJC team, the big homerun swing we're waiting on, plus 2 more first-round picks to find out.

Heck, if this were a draft like 2008, or even last year, he may not even be in the top-3 pick discussion.

Who put a gun to Homer's head?
- PhillySportsGuy

Apparently, he is required to acquire a "true #1" no matter the cost.

Carcillo is out with the flu. And Rosehill is working the late shift at Burger King.
- PLindbergh31

Rosehill has made close to 3 million bucks playing Hockey. Man what a loser!

2 other good examples.

Look, Ekblad may very well be your #1. But without knowing if he'll ever even make an NHL roster, I'm not willing to move the captain of Team Canada's WJC team, the big homerun swing we're waiting on, plus 2 more first-round picks to find out.
- jmatchett383

I think that package is outrageous and anyone willing to make that move read milburys biography once too much. It would take a deal like couterier and a 1st to move up. Maybe another mid round pick like a 3rd.

Carcillo is out with the flu. And Rosehill is working the late shift at Burger King.
- PLindbergh31

Okay...Boyle and Hall.

Playoffs/magic numbers:

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=27633

Yes. I don't think its worth sacrificing 1/3rd of the future for a "true number one"

This team and its defense has shown it can play at a high level. It's not a broken corps. So don't send out any combo of first(s), Laughton, Morin, Coburn, Schenn, Couturier, or anyone else.

We gave up a 2nd and a 4th for Amac, and some of that value is coming back via Mez.

That's the kind of moves this team needs to make if Homer is going to pull anything.
- Giroux_Is_God

If Timonen retires that leaves a pretty big hole on the backend. And if every defenseman then has to take on a bigger role, if he's not replaced. Then the Flyers are worse off. I'm not advocating selling the farm, but I'd be willing to trade a Schenn and some combination of picks and prospects for the right player.

I think that package is outrageous and anyone willing to make that move read milburys biography once too much. It would take a deal like couterier and a 1st to move up. Maybe another mid round pick like a 3rd.
- rangerdanger94

Couturier and a first is worth more than Laughton & Morin. Ekblad is simply the best player in a relatively weak draft. It's real possible that had he been in last year's class, he doesn't go in the top 8.

Couturier and a first is worth more than Laughton & Morin. Ekblad is simply the best player in a relatively weak draft. It's real possible that had he been in last year's class, he doesn't go in the top 8.
- Jsaquella

I think you're underestimating ekblads skillset.

If Timonen retires that leaves a pretty big hole on the backend. And if every defenseman then has to take on a bigger role, if he's not replaced. Then the Flyers are worse off. I'm not advocating selling the farm, but I'd be willing to trade a Schenn and some combination of picks and prospects for the right player.
- MJL

But that's the question. Who is the player, and what is an acceptable package, keeping in mind it's no good filling a hole if you open up several more (and that includes the prospect pool, which is currently left with gaping holes).

I think you're underestimating ekblads skillset.
- rangerdanger94

How's he played against NHL professionals so far?
As far as junior numbers, I wouldn't put him in a class of other first-round picks like Jones, and there's no way I'd do Couturier+1st for Jones, and neither would Nashville.

I think you're underestimating ekblads skillset.
- rangerdanger94

If the Flyers are going to deal Couts and a 1st, its going to be for an established NHL all star defenseman.

2 other good examples.

Look, Ekblad may very well be your #1. But without knowing if he'll ever even make an NHL roster, I'm not willing to move the captain of Team Canada's WJC team, the big homerun swing we're waiting on, plus 2 more first-round picks to find out.

Heck, if this were a draft like 2008, or even last year, he may not even be in the top-3 pick discussion.
- jmatchett383

2004 NHL Draft (first rd d-men+ notables after the 1st round)
3rd pick- Cam Barker
9th- Ladislav Smid
10th- Boris Valabik
12th- AJ Thelen
29th- Mike Green
61st- Alex Goligoski
91-Alex Edler
262- Mark Streit

2005
3rd- Jack Johnson
9th- Brian Lee
10th- Luc Bourdon (RIP)
12th- Marc Staal
18th- Ryan Parent
35th- Marc Edward Vlasic
62nd- Kristopher Letang
105th- Keith Yandle

2006
1st- Erik Johnson
19-Mark Mitera
20-David Fischer
21- Bobby Sanguinetti (thanks Rags)
160- Andrew MacDonald


The point? How often does the top d-man selected turn out to be the top in his draft?

If the Flyers are going to deal Couts and a 1st, its going to be for an established NHL all star defenseman.
- PhillySportsGuy

As part of a package, likely. That alone won't land them what they want.

I think you're underestimating ekblads skillset.
- rangerdanger94

I know you're vastly underrating Couturier's.

Look at last year's draft class. Eklblad wasn't going before any of the top 5. Probably can include Monahan as well. That means he'd be no better than 7th, which is where Nurse went. It's likely a coin flip at that point.

Ekblad's a good prospect, but Couturier's already a proven NHLer, a guy who can be put out against top level opponents and shut them down and provide some offense. He's also 21.

How's he played against NHL professionals so far?
As far as junior numbers, I wouldn't put him in a class of other first-round picks like Jones, and there's no way I'd do Couturier+1st for Jones, and neither would Nashville.
- jmatchett383

I dont understand why you're evaluating a defenseman strictly on offensive production.

Couturier and a first is worth more than Laughton & Morin. Ekblad is simply the best player in a relatively weak draft. It's real possible that had he been in last year's class, he doesn't go in the top 8.
- Jsaquella

But.. But... Exceptional status! He's like the Sidney Tavares of defense.

But that's the question. Who is the player, and what is an acceptable package, keeping in mind it's no good filling a hole if you open up several more (and that includes the prospect pool, which is currently left with gaping holes).
- jmatchett383

I wouldn't have a problem putting a hole in the prospect base to add the right defenseman. I don't know squat about Ekblad, or what he's going to be. So based on that, for me, he's not the right player. I want an established 2 way all situations defenseman to make the move. I'm not interested in an offensive puck mover that needs to be used in certain matchups, to be successful. Already have one of those players.