More than you'd be comfortable with offering
- ob18

I would try to do a deal if it fit. They need a second line center and they are deep on d. B .Schenn, Haag or Alt plus a draft pick?

Any ideas on what it would take to pry Shattenkirk fot St. Louis?
- HockeyDog

At the very least, Xfinity Live, Claude Giroux, and Ed Snider's most recent trophy wife.

I would try to do a deal if it fit. They need a second line center and they are deep on d. B .Schenn, Haag or Alt plus a draft pick?
- HockeyDog

So you want to empty what stock of prospects we have ?

I'm not against them improving the roster, but I want them to do it in a way that gives them flexibility for the future.
- ManCity

The Vinny situation needs to be resolved and either Grossmann or L. Schenn needs to be replaced to help improve the mix of the d-core. The Pronger contract is a hurdle, not an albatross.

As much as there is a negative perception of MacDonald, I believe Berube and Paddock will lean on him more in all situations this year. If Coburn is moved, I think that will be even a stronger indication on the value of MacDonald the organization has placed on him.

More than you'd be comfortable with offering
- ob18

Not neccesarily. You think that theyre content? Traded a ton of assets to lose in round one...who knows if theyre open to moving Shattenkirk or Bouwmeester

I'm not against them improving the roster, but I want them to do it in a way that gives them flexibility for the future.
- ManCity

trading b schenn, grossman + a high pick for Phaneuf
trading coburn for perron (or something similar)
unloading vinny

leaves the team with a little over $3 million in cap space going into next season with 12 forwards, 6 D, 2 goalies, and pronger. All but Coots on longer contracts already.

I think there is flexibility if they are smart about it.

So you want to empty what stock of prospects we have ?
- ob18

It opens up holes in the AHL but gives you a top pairing d-man. Trading Vinny won't get anything, so use him and let Cooter and Laughton grow.

I would try to do a deal if it fit. They need a second line center and they are deep on d. B .Schenn, Haag or Alt plus a draft pick?
- HockeyDog

If they are deep on D, what will they do with Hagg and Alt?

I think we've gotten into a situation where people feel the Flyers need to do SOMETHING. There is no reason we need to make a play for a #1 defenseman this offseason. Flyers just look under every rock, but they shouldn't feel they need to make a deal just to make a deal. Thats how you end up with JVR for L Schenn.

I don't like Phaneuf's ability to age. Defenseman who age well are generally the smart ones with strong puck skills or strong skating. Phaneuf lacks elite puck skills and isn't a very good skater. He's not the most positionally sound player as well.

He's defintiely a top pairing guy now, but I don't think he will maintain that level of play for 7 more years or even close to that.
- PhillySportsGuy

Every word of this is where I'm at -- his skating scares me a great deal

It opens up holes in the AHL but gives you a top pairing d-man. Trading Vinny won't get anything, so use him and let Cooter and Laughton grow.
- HockeyDog

Yeah, trading Vinny wouldn't do poop. I'd trade Schenn and Hagg for Shattenkirk. They need that 2nd line center and we need that defenseman that cab replace Timonen.

If they are deep on D, what will they do with Hagg and Alt?
- johndewar

They need up and comers too, plus they have the depth to ease in rookies and use them in protected minutes.

A roster is 23 players. If they were to acquire a defenseman such as Phaneuf. And a year or two down the line, and young player such as Morin was ready. You can always trade a veteran to make room. Such as a Grossmann, or even Luke Schenn. You can always make room for young players.
- MJL

We're the Flyers able to move Meszaros to make room when they wanted?

I'm not certain how this is debatable -- horrific contracts limit teams constantly, and you can't always move them at the drop of a hat.

The Vinny situation needs to be resolved and either Grossmann or L. Schenn needs to be replaced to help improve the mix of the d-core. The Pronger contract is a hurdle, not an albatross.

As much as there is a negative perception of MacDonald, I believe Berube and Paddock will lean on him more in all situations this year. If Coburn is moved, I think that will be even a stronger indication on the value of MacDonald the organization has placed on him.
- ravishingone

I like MacDonald as a player, and I think it was a quality move. But if the Flyers think they can overplay MacDonald, and match him up against top lines on a regular basis, I think that's a mistake.

I would try to do a deal if it fit. They need a second line center and they are deep on d. B .Schenn, Haag or Alt plus a draft pick?
- HockeyDog

I don't think that would even get it done. They'd want Couturier.

We're the Flyers able to move Meszaros to make room when they wanted?

I'm not certain how this is debatable -- horrific contracts limit teams constantly, and you can't always move them at the drop of a hat.
- AllInForFlyers

Did Meszaros stop any young player from making the team. Again, that is one player. There are always multiple options available.
It's debatable because one player, no matter how bad of a contract, doesn't stop a young players from being added. If the player is good enough, the team will find a way.

They need up and comers too, plus they have the depth to ease in rookies and use them in protected minutes.
- HockeyDog

As the Flyers have arguably the worst farm system in all of hockey, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Blues have more than we do in the pipeline.

We're the Flyers able to move Meszaros to make room when they wanted?

I'm not certain how this is debatable -- horrific contracts limit teams constantly, and you can't always move them at the drop of a hat.
- AllInForFlyers

I think they could have moved Mez for practically nothing. I don't think they felt it was worth trading him for a late round pick. It was better to hang on to him as the 6th/7th defenseman.

I could be wrong though. VLs deal is on a different level though. Mez only had 1 year left.

I like MacDonald as a player, and I think it was a quality move. But if the Flyers think they can overplay MacDonald, and match him up against top lines on a regular basis, I think that's a mistake.
- MJL

I do believe Berube views him more then just a #5 d-man. He's going to play close to or over 20 minutes/night IMO. Considering, this team will probably always be in the top third of penalty minutes, AMac shouldn't have that tough of time reaching that time played with his PK work.

Bottom line, I think we can all agree the blueline will continue to be tweaked this offseason.

I don't think that would even get it done. They'd want Couturier.
- PhillySportsGuy

Would not trade Cooter in that deal. Doubt St. Louis would do a straight up trade, Cooter for Shattenkirk and would question Hexy if he did it.

I don't think that would even get it done. They'd want Couturier.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, I dunno if they need the defensive center as much as the offensive center, they're both very talented in each's own respect.

As the Flyers have arguably the worst farm system in all of hockey, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Blues have more than we do in the pipeline.
- johndewar

The Flyers do not have the worst pipline in hockey by a long shot. The Capitals have 1 legit future NHL player in their system IMO.

trading b schenn, grossman + a high pick for Phaneuf
trading coburn for perron (or something similar)
unloading vinny

leaves the team with a little over $3 million in cap space going into next season with 12 forwards, 6 D, 2 goalies, and pronger. All but Coots on longer contracts already.

I think there is flexibility if they are smart about it.
- moylander

I'm great with them unloading Vinny and Grossman, but I don't think adding Phaneuf (with his contract) and Perron while subtracting Schenn and Coburn is a good idea.

Did Meszaros stop any young player from making the team. Again, that is one player. There are always multiple options available.
It's debatable because one player, no matter how bad of a contract, doesn't stop a young players from being added. If the player is good enough, the team will find a way.
- MJL

You mean like trading Scottie Upshall and a second-round pick so Claude Giroux could get promoted?

Yeah, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you really, really, really don't want to be doing that just because you are locked down on the cap and locked in with tough contracts

I think they could have moved Mez for practically nothing. I don't think they felt it was worth trading him for a late round pick. It was better to hang on to him as the 6th/7th defenseman.

I could be wrong though. VLs deal is on a different level though. Mez only had 1 year left.
- PhillySportsGuy

I wouldn't be surprised if chicago had interest in VL if they miss out on kesler, stasny, etc and can clear some cap room. A 2C is something they have coveted for some time. Other teams might fit that bill as well.

Well, I dunno if they need the defensive center as much as the offensive center, they're both very talented in each's own respect.
- flyersbuzz

Couturier is just a shutdown center. If he had decent linemates like Jaden Schwartz and was given more favorable minutes, he could top 50+ points.

There is nothing wrong with a team made up of two, shutdown lines who can score.

Shattenkirk is a top pairing dman under 25 signed to a reasonable deal. They would need to get back a significant player for Shattenkirk.

I think they'd consider making Bowmeester available though. Not in love with him, but he's a good player