They may be ready, they may not. You have a chance to get a solid top 4 defenseman for a fair price, you have to take it, in my opinion. And signing Stralman doesn't stop Ghostibehere or Morin from developing and making the team. It would also help with not rushing players in their development. A player like Morin is probably a good 5 years away, from playing a top role as a defenseman in the NHL.
- MJL

I just want to see an upgraded defence going into next season. Hopefully within the top 4. IMO it is a must

I'd rather then go the cheaper, older, shorter contract route. Stralman is going to get paid. Even if that player isn't as good
- Just5

Exactly

Bellemare should stick with the hollow LW depth this team has. What's his competition? Rinaldo, rosehill?

Looks like a very solid move from Hexy

Maybe they go the euro route with defenseman as well....
- PhillaBully

I think that is a much bigger risk than bringing in a forward. Dealing with the speed, size and physicality of NHL players while learning to adjust to a smaller ice surface is a lot for a dman to handle. I would think anyone they sign, would need AHL time to make that adjustment.

Tom Gilbert is a solid name out there. He may be had for a 2 year deal

Todd correl saying larson might go overseas next season...wth is going on with the devils?
- PhillaBully

I read that too. Maybe an OS where we only give up a third is not a bad idea. If they match he will have to be in NHL as he won't clear waivers but maybe someone else to waivers or maybe they make a trade instead of having the OS coming there way.

My ideal forward corp going into next season would be
Hart-G-Jake
Perronteau-BS-Simmer
Pebbles-Coots-Read
Raff-Laughton-Rino

Laughton needs a nickname

I like Stralman. I just fear that with so few quality mobile Dmen available via FA, you will be forced to overpay for whomever you want, and I just don't want to see them do that.
- BiggE

I'd rather overpay, then have a defense that falls short, and is a major weakness on the team.

Whoever will come cheaper between Stralman and Tom Gilbert. Both are mobile, top-4 guys with a right-handed shot.

Consolation guy could be Mark Fayne, who is underrated. Good puck-mover and good size.
- bradleyc4

Yeah, it's a shallow pool, but like last summer, there will be value options. Better not to get fixated on just the top guys.

Fayne is definitely a really steady, underrated guy. Ranger's still got about 10-20% before he regains his pre-break form. Nikitin, Diaz and Redmond could be capable of making an impact.

[quote=3flyerkids]

I agree, but I'd rather do nothing than seriously overpay for a UFA only to regret it later. As Hexy said, they may need to take a step back in order to take a big leap forward and I am perfectly fine with that.

Whats the worst thing that could happen, they miss the playoffs? Well, if you have to be a lottery team, 2015 is a VERY good year to be one.

I'd rather then go the cheaper, older, shorter contract route. Stralman is going to get paid. Even if that player isn't as good
- Just5

Such as who, Timonen? Then what happens in the 15/16 Season. I'm fine with bringing back Timonen for one year if there aren't better options. But I'd rather sure up the position long term.

I think that is a much bigger risk than bringing in a forward. Dealing with the speed, size and physicality of NHL players while learning to adjust to a smaller ice surface is a lot for a dman to handle. I would think anyone they sign, would need AHL time to make that adjustment.
- BiggE

Yeah your probably right, i didnt think about the rink size. Im sure thats a big factor in positioning and such.

I'd rather overpay, then have a defense that falls short, and is a major weakness on the team.
- MJL

I disagree, I'm willing to struggle next year and have the cap space still be available in the future. Plus, I think if you can put together a better group of 2 way, better skating forwards, that will go a long way into making any group of dmen look better.

Yeah your probably right, i didnt think about the rink size. Im sure thats a big factor in positioning and such.
- PhillaBully

Yup, that and physical play. The NHL is a much more physical league than most, if not all, major Euro leagues

Such as who, Timonen? Then what happens in the 15/16 Season. I'm fine with bringing back Timonen for one year if there aren't better options. But I'd rather sure up the position long term.
- MJL

There are options out there that could be had in mid to late July.

I don't want to get into a bidding war for another long term #4 dman


Even if he makes the team better next year. This team isn't a cup contender and won't become one with that signing

Fayne, Gilbert, etc. there are other options.

My ideal forward corp going into next season would be
Hart-G-Jake
Perronteau-BS-Simmer
Pebbles-Coots-Read
Raff-Laughton-Rino

Laughton needs a nickname
- JAKEw1234

I must be out of the loop. Who are these guys?

I agree, but I'd rather do nothing than seriously overpay for a UFA only to regret it later. As Hexy said, they may need to take a step back in order to take a big leap forward and I am perfectly fine with that.

Whats the worst thing that could happen, they miss the playoffs? Well, if you have to be a lottery team, 2015 is a VERY good year to be one.
- BiggE

Stralman strikes me as the kind of guy you'd regret being married to long-term + $$$. The Rangers had a good run, and I think that's boosted his value to most people around the game... but before this season, he was a bottom-pair quality guy, who couldn't make the Devs on a PTO, who could be counted on more to make stupid plays and blow coverages than anything else.

I disagree, I'm willing to struggle next year and have the cap space still be available in the future. Plus, I think if you can put together a better group of 2 way, better skating forwards, that will go a long way into making any group of dmen look better.
- BiggE

The Cap is going to keep going up. Signing a player like Stralman is not going to prevent the Flyers from making other moves in the future. Signing a player like Stralman may not prevent the Flyers from putting together a better group of two way forwards. They have other options, especially if they can move Lecavalier. If it comes down to signing a decent forward like Jussi Jokinen, versus signing a solid top 4 mobile 20 minute a night defenseman like Stralman. That's a no brainer in my opinion.

Stralman strikes me as the kind of guy you'd regret being married to long-term + $$$. The Rangers had a good run, and I think that's boosted his value to most people around the game... but before this season, he was a bottom-pair quality guy, who couldn't make the Devs on a PTO, who could be counted on more to make stupid plays and blow coverages than anything else.
- Tomahawk

And that is exactly why I'd stay away from him

I don't see why Stralman won't get near a 5 mil cap hit.

Stralman strikes me as the kind of guy you'd regret being married to long-term + $$$. The Rangers had a good run, and I think that's boosted his value to most people around the game... but before this season, he was a bottom-pair quality guy, who couldn't make the Devs on a PTO, who could be counted on more to make stupid plays and blow coverages than anything else.
- Tomahawk

Agreed stay away from guys who have had good playoffs. thats why we have the highest paid mediocre d core in the league.

I agree, but I'd rather do nothing than seriously overpay for a UFA only to regret it later. As Hexy said, they may need to take a step back in order to take a big leap forward and I am perfectly fine with that.

Whats the worst thing that could happen, they miss the playoffs? Well, if you have to be a lottery team, 2015 is a VERY good year to be one.
- BiggE

I know 2015 will be a great draft year, it's just that I felt they were close enough this year not to " take a huge step back"
I think iHextall won't make bad UFA moves, but I think he could pull off a great hockey trade. A trade that will address the biggest weakness on the team.

The Cap is going to keep going up. Signing a player like Stralman is not going to prevent the Flyers from making other moves in the future. Signing a player like Stralman may not prevent the Flyers from putting together a better group of two way forwards. They have other options, especially if they can move Lecavalier. If it comes down to signing a decent forward like Jussi Jokinen, versus signing a solid top 4 mobile 20 minute a night defenseman like Stralman. That's a no brainer in my opinion.
- MJL

I hear ya, I just think that some GM, as one almost always seems to do, will majorly overpay for Stralman and I just don' t want Hextall to be that GM.

Stralman strikes me as the kind of guy you'd regret being married to long-term + $$$. The Rangers had a good run, and I think that's boosted his value to most people around the game... but before this season, he was a bottom-pair quality guy, who couldn't make the Devs on a PTO, who could be counted on more to make stupid plays and blow coverages than anything else.
- Tomahawk

Players evolve and grow and get better. You can look at a lot of players and say, "this is what they were before they got better". It's pretty obvious watching the playoffs that Stralman has grown into a solid top 4 defenseman. And again, what's the price, if the bidding wars of free agency drive the price to high, you pass. And look to other options. But it's something the Flyers should definitely explore.

I don't see why Stralman won't get near a 5 mil cap hit.
- Just5

I'm sure he will. Some GM is gonna pay him around 30 million over 6 years. Count on it.