26 years old. One of the top face-off men in the league. Very good defensively. Decent speed. Could score more if he was given more offensive opportunities. (33 points last season)
- PhillySportsGuy

Not interested in a center. We have like 60 NHL centers right now as it is.

Thanks, good luck in the 2nd round, feel free to cripple Neal!
- BiggE

Do you make rocket noises when you launch yourself at someone's head?
#ask Neal

So, our only 2 options are Erik Karlsson and Duncan Keith?
- jmatchett383

A dman capable of putting up numbers I mean. Subban/Keith/Pietrangelo

ie. guys that we won't ever get for him.

For sure, an improvement of the 2nd line could certainly help. That line killed the Flyers this season (at even-strength).

But you can look at the numbers (the ones I concocted in my cauldron) and it shows that, even factoring in linemates, Brown Butter isn't a very good player at even-strength.
- bradleyc4

It's the puck-handling -- admire everything about the player, everything, except that. He can't generate possession time because he simply doesn't handle the puck well.

But we all know that, and every player has a weakness.

Yes...that trade was
- jmatchett383[B]BEFORE HE WAS SIGNED TO THE NEW DEAL. Are you just not getting the difference between the situation then and now? They are 100% different situations.

I get it, but this is professional sports. IF a team can become better in the now, they do it. Not restrict themselves because they had to pay a player a lot for a few years, get it? Do you understand now? Or do I have to say it differently for you?

Yes but the second line has been in shambles all year. And the stretch that he played with the Hart Schenn Simmonds line, he looked incredible at even strength. This was when Simmonds was going on 8 game point streaks and 14 points in 12 games.

I think his even strength play is only because of a lack of consistency and real talent on the second line. Also, statistically players put up their best numbers of their careers at age 26. He is 25 now. If we somehow stabilize the second line and he plays the way he has been and contributes during his "peak year", I think we will see much more out of Simmer.
- FlyersSteve118

It's a gamble, but I'd gamble that Simmonds just had his peak season and sell high.

Granted, I'm not saying trade just to trade him. It has to be in the right deal for a very good (preferably young) defenseman who can play 23+ minutes a night.

I would trade him for both of those guys.

What about Simmonds + 1st rounder for Shattenkirk & Sobotka

I don't think the Blues would do this. They are without a first rounder though.
- PhillySportsGuy

Shattenkirk
Never gonna happen but a girl can dream right?

Tye McGinn was also the Flyers leading scorer at one point. You can't shoot 40% over the course of a full season. Vinny got lucky early on, then reality and injuries set in.
- bradleyc4

Again, no way. You don't move Simmonds unless you get a super-star, elite impact D right now.
- Flyers_V88

Simmonds, G, Jake, are untouchable IMO

You honestly think it would take Voracek, Couts, Coburn, AND Schenn to get Weber!?!?

That's insane lol, I don't think it would take nearly all of that. No disrespect at all, I just think that would be massively over-paying.

How about:

Read, both Schenn's, a 1st, and a 2nd?
- Flyers_V88

Doubt Nashville takes that unless you swap Simmonds for Read and switch the 2nd to another 1st

Shattenkirk
Never gonna happen but a girl can dream right?
- FlyersGrace

I'd love Shattenkirk, but the Flyers really need a guy who excels on the left side. They already have Coburn/Streit/Schenn on the right side.

I get it, but this is professional sports. IF a team can become better in the now, they do it. Not restrict themselves because they had to pay a player a lot for a few years, get it? Do you understand now? Or do I have to say it differently for you?
- Flyers_V88

I swore I'd never try to combat the idiotic "HERE'S HOW WE GET SHEA WEBER FOR SPARE PARTS" argument again. Yet, here we stand...

It was a good season, ending with a lot more promise than it began with.

See you next season, Kimmo?

Giroux needs help. He also needed to play better vs the Rangers. I doubt he met his own standards.

Mason is the real deal. He deserved better. Everybody else got what they earned.

B Schenn started to bring it. Couts needs to take his game to the next level as he wasn't very good on either side of the puck. Read was pretty meh.

On and on.

VL should be pulling on another jersey next season.

For sure, an improvement of the 2nd line could certainly help. That line killed the Flyers this season (at even-strength).

But you can look at the numbers (the ones I concocted in my cauldron) and it shows that, even factoring in linemates, Brown Butter isn't a very good player at even-strength.
- bradleyc4

The even-strength play, as a whole, has to get better. I realize how many 20-goal scorers they have, and that is impressive, in its own right.

But it's been said a thousand times, by myself and others: Even-strength scoring has been killing this team for years.

Bryz was pretty damn average last year. Extremely average. And I STILL think they would've made the playoffs if they were even league-average at even strength.

I realize there's only so much money to spend, and there could be improvement from within -- hopefully, there will be.

But I am hopeful that no one discounts how important this issue is, for this team. They HAVE to get better at this.

Simmonds, G, Jake, are untouchable IMO
- 3flyerkids

I'd move them all for the right deal. But it would have to be a slam-dunk win for the Flyers. If (for instance) Chicago offered Toews, Kane, and Keith for Giroux and Simmonds, you'd do it.

The only top defenseman I could see becoming available is Subban.

Montreal has been up an down with him. It's becoming apparent that he wants a massive deal and the Habs may not feel he's worthy of it.

It would take a Pronger like package to bring him here. I'm thinking Couts, Morin and 2 firsts for him.

I know some people aren't big fans of his, but I think he's a very good player. His maturity has gotten better, but still needs improvement.

He's the only #1 dman I can see being available without massively overpaying.

I'd love Shattenkirk, but the Flyers really need a guy who excels on the left side. They already have Coburn/Streit/Schenn on the right side.
- bradleyc4

Don't care
He'd be an upgrade to pretty much all of those guys, but I do see your point...

I swore I'd never try to combat the idiotic "HERE'S HOW WE GET SHEA WEBER FOR SPARE PARTS" argument again. Yet, here we stand...
- jmatchett383

Just save your arguments to your desktop. It will save time.

The only top defenseman I could see becoming available is Subban.

Montreal has been up an down with him. It's becoming apparent that he wants a massive deal and the Habs may not feel he's worthy of it.

It would take a Pronger like package to bring him here. I'm thinking Couts, Morin and 2 firsts for him.

I know some people aren't big fans of his, but I think he's a very good player. His maturity has gotten better, but still needs improvement.

He's the only #1 dman I can see being available without massively overpaying.
- PhillySportsGuy

I've come around on him the past year. Still, I'd have a hard time moving Coots for anyone other than about 6 players, and Subban isn't one.
BTW, those players are:

Shea Weber
Ryan Suter
Drew Doughty
Duncan Kieth
Alex Pietrangelo
Erik Karlsson

Don't care
He'd be an upgrade to pretty much all of those guys, but I do see your point...
- FlyersGrace

Coburn and Streit are lefties, so they could play the other side. They just feel more comfortable on the right. If you move them, you could be limiting their effectiveness.

But Shattenkirk would be great.

It's a gamble, but I'd gamble that Simmonds just had his peak season and sell high.

Granted, I'm not saying trade just to trade him. It has to be in the right deal for a very good (preferably young) defenseman who can play 23+ minutes a night.
- bradleyc4

How can you say he put up his peak season when he pretty much has been getting slightly better year after year? Unless someone overpays for him you would be selling low on him is all I'm trying to say.

I swore I'd never try to combat the idiotic "HERE'S HOW WE GET SHEA WEBER FOR SPARE PARTS" argument again. Yet, here we stand...
- jmatchett383

I've come around on him the past year. Still, I'd have a hard time moving Coots for anyone other than about 6 players, and Subban isn't one.
- jmatchett383

I know. I would hesitate as well. Couts, Morin and 2 firsts is a lot of young talent. The Flyers have finally built up a decent prospect pool. I would hate to gut it again.

I want to take a shot at Grundbranson in FL or Subban with a OS. Maybe look for a deal wit FL for kulikov or St. Louise for Shattenkirk. Might have to use B.Schenn for Shattenkirk. I want a better 4th line. I like Hall but i want a line like dallas has. Speed, gritty and can score. I want to let Kimmo walk and get G a better wing to upgrade over Hartnell. Just things i would like

Coburn and Streit are lefties, so they could play the other side. They just feel more comfortable on the right. If you move them, you could be limiting their effectiveness.

But Shattenkirk would be great.
- bradleyc4

I think Coburn would be the more likely candidate to be moved to the left. I would like to keep Streit on the right side in order to utilize his shot more often