Do you think the pens flyers rivalry comes into play and takes us out of the bidding?
- FlyersSteve118

It didn't seem to bother Max Talbot.

It didn't seem to bother Max Talbot.
- johndewar

"Superstar" Max Talbot.

Do you expect something different?
- FlyersSteve118

Yes, because the cap is going to have plenty to say about how the roster comes together.

Your assumed defense plus our existing contracts adds up to $70,541,429 with no backup goalie and two empty forward roster spots including the unsigned Brayden Schenn.

Yes, because the cap is going to have plenty to say about how the roster comes together.

Your assumed defense plus our existing contracts adds up to $70,541,429 with no backup goalie and two empty forward roster spots including the unsigned Brayden Schenn.
- Feanor

How about after we trade No Heart Giroux?

"Superstar" Max Talbot.
- jmatchett383

I think Grossmann is gone, barring a setback from his ankle, regardless. Niskanen is most likely gonna be $7-$7.25 for long years (5+).
- jmatchett383

He's a dartboard for fans. However, Flyers people -- especially the coach -- really like the player. He also played well during stretch run and in the playoffs until the injury. Actually, apart from having the worst month of his career in a disastrous January, he was fine this season.

On another note, I spoke with three NHL pro scouts off the record to get their assessments of some of the Flyers younger players. Only one thought Erik Gustafsson will ever be more than a #7 in the NHL. The other has him as a 6.

- BulliesPhan87

is that ross from friends?

- BulliesPhan87

Quick story:
My wife and I attended Meet the Flyers. Since we were STH's we got in early.

It was really haphazardly thrown together, and they just had players randomly hanging out near the bar. Most people had Jagr pinned in a corner, so we went over to Talbot to get a few things signed. I shook his hand and said, "So, should I call you Max, or Superstar?" figuring he probably didn't get that in Philly as much as Pittsburgh. He shot me a dead stare and said very pointedly, "Max is fine." It brought a very sharp, abrupt end to our conversation.

My friend later commented, "You can't say that, because you don't have boobs."

He's a dartboard for fans. However, Flyers people -- especially the coach -- really like the player. He also played well during stretch run and in the playoffs until the injury. Actually, apart from having the worst month of his career in a disastrous January, he was fine this season.

On another note, I spoke with three NHL pro scouts off the record to get their assessments of some of the Flyers younger players. Only one thought Erik Gustafsson will ever be more than a #7 in the NHL.
- bmeltzer

What do you think about Brayden Schenn's development?

Apologies in advance if you've written about it already and I missed it.....

On another note, I spoke with three NHL pro scouts off the record to get their assessments of some of the Flyers younger players. Only one thought Erik Gustafsson will ever be more than a #7 in the NHL. The other has him as a 6.
- bmeltzer

Then again, how many smallish European dmen have been overlooked by scouts over the years?

He's a dartboard for fans. However, Flyers people -- especially the coach -- really like the player. He also played well during stretch run and in the playoffs until the injury. Actually, apart from having the worst month of his career in a disastrous January, he was fine this season.

On another note, I spoke with three NHL pro scouts off the record to get their assessments of some of the Flyers younger players. Only one thought Erik Gustafsson will ever be more than a #7 in the NHL.
- bmeltzer

I think the team needs to find better skaters and puck handlers on the backend and at forward. Im not saying the Flyers need to become the Avs overnight, but they do need some speed. Thats why I think Grossmann or Schenn will be moved and replaced with a more mobile dman.

I know this will be part of a later blog, but the did scouts share the same level of excitement for our young defenseman that we do?

He's a dartboard for fans. However, Flyers people -- especially the coach -- really like the player. He also played well during stretch run and in the playoffs until the injury. Actually, apart from having the worst month of his career in a disastrous January, he was fine this season.

On another note, I spoke with three NHL pro scouts off the record to get their assessments of some of the Flyers younger players. Only one thought Erik Gustafsson will ever be more than a #7 in the NHL. The other has him as a 6.
- bmeltzer

Don't get me wrong, I like him. However, with the acquisition of AMac and with Schenn in the mix, we have 2 players that can give us the best of his game. That, coupled with his lack of mobility and now an ankle injury, makes him easily expendable for this team. I'm not one of the guys clamoring for his demise, but at the same time, with the mix that we have and the price tag he carries, I'd hope one of Lauridsen or Alt could take his spot in the lineup.

Gustafsson is a poor man's poor man's Timonen. He's a fairly one-dimensional player who can provide some speed and puckmovement but who, for the most part, cannot be counted on to play shutdown defense against better players (although his play on Malkin in Game 6 2012 was fantastic!). He brings a bit of a skillset that the current mix is missing, but shouldn't be counted on to be the difference maker.

Then again, how many smallish European dmen have been overlooked by scouts over the years?
- Tomahawk

On the one hand, i'd like Gus to have carved out a spot for himself, but, on the other hand, I feel like he hasn't been given a shot to be an every game player.

It's like the chicken or the egg.

Schenn is very good when he's on, but is a problem when he's off. If he could be in the first category more consistently, he'd be much more valuable.
- jmatchett383

a young player being inconsistent say it aint so

On the one hand, i'd like Gus to have carved out a spot for himself, but, one the other hand, I feel like he hasn't been given a shot to be an every game player.

It's like the chicken or the egg.
- PhillySportsGuy

If you follow evolution, it's the chicken.

What do you think about Brayden Schenn's development?

Apologies in advance if you've written about it already and I missed it.....
- johndewar

I think he took baby steps in his third pro season whereas people were hoping for a quantum leap. He also had a pretty ineffective series against the Rangers.

There are two ways of looking at Schenn -- one is that he's still young and has shown he can be a 20-goal scorer (since he didn't this year). He should still have a little more improvement to come. The other is to question his hockey sense and how much better he'll actually get and whether he'll ever settle in full time as either a center or wing.

Unlike Couturier, Schenn's main value right now IS his stats. He is not currently a bona fide second liner on a Cup-caliber team. Could he become that? I don't know the answer. What I do know is that it's foolish to give up on him out of frustration but equally foolish not to consider trades that could improve the club that might compel the Flyers to include him in the trade.

a young player being inconsistent say it aint so
- 2Real

First of all, you need to calm down, because that was my point. That he is (fairly) young, and may need to work on it. So yes, please don't get so butthurt and defensive when I make a factual statement and just assume I'm knocking him, because I wasn't.

That said, he's approaching the time in his career where most defensemen show their capabilities. Also, he may only be 24, but he has over 400 games in his career, so the learning curve may be drying up a bit.

Then again, how many smallish European dmen have been overlooked by scouts over the years?
- Tomahawk

While outside the NHL? Quite a few. While already with NHL games over parts of several seasons under their belts? Not many.

For Gustafsson's sake and the Flyers, I hope he proves a lot of doubters wrong next year. Just found it interesting that pro scouts from other organizations are rather lukewarm on him.

If you follow evolution, it's the chicken.
- jmatchett383

Raptor Jesus created a chicken, which was laying an egg at the exact time of creation. This means they happened at the same time.

He's a dartboard for fans. However, Flyers people -- especially the coach -- really like the player. He also played well during stretch run and in the playoffs until the injury. Actually, apart from having the worst month of his career in a disastrous January, he was fine this season.
- bmeltzer

Why do you think it is that Streit did so much better when he didn't play with Grossmann this season? GF% of 47% with Grossmann, 60% without.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2013-14&sit=5v5

The Flyers coach seems to have a thing for players whose lack of skill at playing the puck leads to lots of goals being conceded with Rinaldo being the other example. 4 points all season and -13 in seven minutes of ice time, and totally outclassed by anyone the Rangers played on their 4th line.

a young player being inconsistent say it aint so
- 2Real

when're you gonna be on steam again? got a nerd question for you

Raptor Jesus created a chicken, which was laying an egg at the exact time of creation. This means they happened at the same time.
- PhillySportsGuy

Ah, but if the chicken is in the process of laying the egg, or has laid the egg, then obviously, Raptor Jesus created the chicken first, as the egg was dependent on the chicken, while the chicken was dependent on Raptor Jesus.

EPIC FIAL!

Why do you think it is that Streit did so much better when he didn't play with Grossmann this season? GF% of 47% with Grossmann, 60% without.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2013-14&sit=5v5

The Flyers coach seems to have a thing for players whose lack of skill at playing the puck leads to lots of goals being conceded with Rinaldo being the other example. 4 points all season and -13 in seven minutes of ice time, and totally outclassed by anyone the Rangers played on their 4th line.
- Feanor

I'd expect any stay-at-home, shot-blocking defenseman who's part of a team that probably led the league in odd-man rushes against would have poor imaginary stats.

I think he took baby steps in his third pro season whereas people were hoping for a quantum leap. He also had a pretty ineffective series against the Rangers.

There are two ways of looking at Schenn -- one is that he's still young and has shown he can be a 20-goal scorer (since he didn't this year). He should still have a little more improvement to come. The other is to question his hockey sense and how much better he'll actually get and whether he'll ever settle in full time as either a center or wing.

Unlike Couturier, Schenn's main value right now IS his stats. He is not currently a bona fide second liner on a Cup-caliber team. Could he become that? I don't know the answer. What I do know is that it's foolish to give up on him out of frustration but equally foolish not to consider trades that could improve the club that might compel the Flyers to include him in the trade.
- bmeltzer

What names could Schenn fetch us? I don't want to do any more pronger like deals.

Why do you think it is that Streit did so much better when he didn't play with Grossmann this season? GF% of 47% with Grossmann, 60% without.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2013-14&sit=5v5

The Flyers coach seems to have a thing for players whose lack of skill at playing the puck leads to lots of goals being conceded with Rinaldo being the other example. 4 points all season and -13 in seven minutes of ice time, and totally outclassed by anyone the Rangers played on their 4th line.
- Feanor

When you look at Grossmann-Streit in its simplest form, it looks like a pair that could work. Big, defensive defenseman with smaller offensive defenseman. The pairing just didn't work that well together. They were good together in the playoffs though.

Berube did the same thing with VL,Schenn and Simmonds. I'm not sure how long that needed to fail before he realized it just wasn't going to work.

I'm still a bit confused about Rinaldo playing so much. I think he took a step back this season. I thought he was one of the few bright spots last season. It was like Berube was trying to sell him as a good defensive forward. He's not even close to being at that level.