No takers on this one?

Here is my thinking. The Flyers D looks to be really good in a few years. The question is...will happen while G is still in his prime? We all know defenseman take longer to mature than forwards, so maybe with some cap space and good drafting they can supplement the current forwards with some young talent.

But maybe having McDavid as your centerpiece would align better with the timing of the defense corps.
- TheGreat28

Ok as a guy that doesn't have the head over heels love as some others do for Giroux, no I would not do that.

A twisted part of me hopes he gets injured (not seriously) just so the fans get a sense of what life will be like without him.
- PhillySportsGuy

Would be akin to watching a baseball team with a roster full of utility infielders.

I am practice every day in Voorhees. He hasn't looked very good. He struggled on the split-squad trip (second game). He struggled in Newark. When asked specifically about both MDZ and Del Zotto, Berube measured words carefully and talked more about what he'd like to see that what they are doing.

Yes, last night, Schenn was fine.
- bmeltzer

Do you think they could move Schenn? I feel like they are trying to give Morin every shot to take a spot. I still feel and think Morin goes to back to juniors but I just get this hunch that they are maybe hoping Morin makes the desicion for them.

I don't see how you can make as assumption like that. Looks at the facts in context. NHL GMs obviously like him, or else he wouldn't have gotten that offer. Did Homer give him that extension just to have a horrible player on the team?
- jmatchett383

Ok as a guy that doesn't have the head over heels love as some others do for Giroux, no I would not do that.
- JoeRussomanno

Why not?

Just curious as to your reasons, not trying to start a debate really.

And G is by far my favorite player. I don't see them trading yet another Captain recently signed to a long-term contract either. But since I think they are a few years away from truly contending, to me it's a fair question to at least entertain.

I am practice every day in Voorhees. He hasn't looked very good. He struggled on the split-squad trip (second game). He struggled in Newark. When asked specifically about both MDZ and Del Zotto, Berube measured words carefully and talked more about what he'd like to see that what they are doing.

Yes, last night, Schenn was fine.
- bmeltzer

LSchenn struggling at practice is a real concern. But those first two games he was on the first pairing on the road against teams with most of their best players, and he was playing with a reclamation project in MDZ. Luke Schenn struggling under those conditions is almost guaranteed.

What does Berube say about Coburn and MacDonald? Two veteran defensmen who have looked pretty awful in the preseason.

Even I can't come up with a defense for Coburn's last two games, and I'm always insisting that people who want to trade him are nuts.

Why not?

Just curious as to your reasons, not trying to start a debate really.

And G is by far my favorite player. I don't see them trading yet another Captain recently signed to a long-term contract either. But since I think they are a few years away from truly contending, to me it's a fair question to at least entertain.
- TheGreat28

I think you would need to get more then just the number one pick. Giroux is a proven commodity and his deal in a year or too will be cap friendly based on his output.

Would be akin to watching a baseball team with a roster full of utility infielders.
- PLindbergh31

Or worse, the Phillies.

Do you think they could move Schenn? I feel like they are trying to give Morin every shot to take a spot. I still feel and think Morin goes to back to juniors but I just get this hunch that they are maybe hoping Morin makes the desicion for them.
- J35Bacher

Rimouski doesn't play again until Friday night. They can get him in Thursday night, and either rest another dman or maybe send a message, and get one more game coaching him up.

Why not?

Just curious as to your reasons, not trying to start a debate really.

And G is by far my favorite player. I don't see them trading yet another Captain recently signed to a long-term contract either. But since I think they are a few years away from truly contending, to me it's a fair question to at least entertain.
- TheGreat28

B/c he'll have plenty of years left by the time those prospects are ready. He's a finesse player they tend to last longer.

I think you would need to get more then just the number one pick. Giroux is a proven commodity and his deal in a year or too will be cap friendly based on his output.
- J35Bacher

Hmmm. Interresting. But I wonder. After all the discussion about what was being offered for Ekblad, I'm not so sure the Flyers would get more than just McDavid for Giroux.

B/c he'll have plenty of years left by the time those prospects are ready. He's a finesse player they tend to last longer.
- JoeRussomanno

Fair point. The one unknown to me will be concussions. A 30 year old has a lot more miles on those tires than a kid. But of course the kids could completely be a bust too.

Hmmm. Interresting. But I wonder. After all the discussion about what was being offered for Ekblad, I'm not so sure the Flyers would get more than just McDavid for Giroux.
- TheGreat28

I think dealing Giroux for the 1st is a very interesting idea. There would be a lot of backlash from the fans though and McDavid would have to deal with higher expectations than even Lindros possibly. There's a lot of room for error there and I'm not sure I'd want to take that risk because of it.

B/c he'll have plenty of years left by the time those prospects are ready. He's a finesse player they tend to last longer.
- JoeRussomanno

Not to mention the fact he's been top-3 scoring 2 of the last 3 years, was a finalist for the Hart Trophy, and is the team captain. I'm not trading that for a guy with 0 games of NHL experience who could be the next Alexandre Daigle.

I think dealing Giroux for the 1st is a very interesting idea. There would be a lot of backlash from the fans though and McDavid would have to deal with higher expectations than even Lindros possibly. There's a lot of room for error there and I'm not sure I'd want to take that risk because of it.
- NickTheKid87

The Lindros angle is interesting. On one hand, because of his status as The Next One, it really energized the fan base. I remember sitting in my car in the parking lot at work when the ruling was announced. That day even my boss couldn't tick me off.

That deal was also bigger because it was a 5 for 1, which made the expectations even higher. A straight up deal wouldn't carry as much weight.

Bigger con would be that G is an immensely popular player. And probably even more important, it would signal to the fan base that they really do need to rebuild, not retool.

LSchenn struggling at practice is a real concern. But those first two games he was on the first pairing on the road against teams with most of their best players, and he was playing with a reclamation project in MDZ. Luke Schenn struggling under those conditions is almost guaranteed.

What does Berube say about Coburn and MacDonald? Two veteran defensmen who have looked pretty awful in the preseason.

Even I can't come up with a defense for Coburn's last two games, and I'm always insisting that people who want to trade him are nuts.
- Feanor

The defense for the defense, LOL, is that it is pre season. If they play like that in the regular season, then I'll be concerned.

I'm not saying I disagree with sending either of these guy to the Phantoms to start the season.

However, if hockey is about winning and entertainment it's hard to justify on the surface of it. Is Jones or Bellemare going to win you more hockey games than Laughton. I don't know you can say that. Who would you rather watch play, a young guy with the potential to grow or a borderline NHLer?

And c'mon, for your viewing pleasure every game: Ghostisbehere or Grossman/Schenn/MacDonald/Schultz hell even Del Zotto.

Yes, I do get it but I can't say I'm not disappointed although it's absolutely no surprise at all.
- mayorofangrytown

Del Zotto is scaring me. I think other team's fans may find his play "entertaining"...

I really hope he proves me wrong.

Not to mention the fact he's been top-3 scoring 2 of the last 3 years, was a finalist for the Hart Trophy, and is the team captain. I'm not trading that for a guy with 0 games of NHL experience who could be the next Alexandre Daigle.
- jmatchett383

Yea I'm not trading him for a prospect/ picks no thanks.

The defense for the defense, LOL, is that it is pre season. If they play like that in the regular season, then I'll be concerned.
- MJL

OK, but that needs to apply to every veteran.

LSchenn struggling at practice is a real concern. But those first two games he was on the first pairing on the road against teams with most of their best players, and he was playing with a reclamation project in MDZ. Luke Schenn struggling under those conditions is almost guaranteed.

What does Berube say about Coburn and MacDonald? Two veteran defensmen who have looked pretty awful in the preseason.

Even I can't come up with a defense for Coburn's last two games, and I'm always insisting that people who want to trade him are nuts.
- Feanor

Coburn was awful in Monday's game and hasn't had a good preseason in general. He's been fine at practice, though, and played fine last night paired with Morin. The pairing with MacDonald has yet to really click in a game.

Berube publicly laced into the veterans as a whole after Sunday and Monday, and also threw down the gauntlet after the morning skate yesterday. His voice wasn't raised. He was calm. Even so, the message was clear.

Not to mention the fact he's been top-3 scoring 2 of the last 3 years, was a finalist for the Hart Trophy, and is the team captain. I'm not trading that for a guy with 0 games of NHL experience who could be the next Alexandre Daigle.
- jmatchett383

Also led the entire NHL in points the last 4 seasons.

OK, but that needs to apply to every veteran.
- Feanor

Absolutely.

I think dealing Giroux for the 1st is a very interesting idea. There would be a lot of backlash from the fans though and McDavid would have to deal with higher expectations than even Lindros possibly. There's a lot of room for error there and I'm not sure I'd want to take that risk because of it.
- NickTheKid87

Seriously? Us guys are upset about having ice girls and now u wanna trade Giroux for a draft pick? I'm gonna be killing a bottle of redstag to listen to this

Coburn was awful in Monday's game and hasn't had a good preseason in general. He's been fine at practice, though, and played fine last night paired with Morin. The pairing with MacDonald has yet to really click in a game.

Berube publicly laced into the veterans as a whole after Sunday and Monday, and also threw down the gauntlet after the morning skate yesterday. His voice wasn't raised. He was calm. Even so, the message was clear.
- bmeltzer

That's good to hear.

Not to mention the fact he's been top-3 scoring 2 of the last 3 years, was a finalist for the Hart Trophy, and is the team captain. I'm not trading that for a guy with 0 games of NHL experience who could be the next Alexandre Daigle.
- jmatchett383

Do you think they will be legit cup contenders in the next 3 years? What moves do they need to make to get there?

Assume one or preferably two of Morin/Ghost/Sanheim need to develop into a legitimate number 1 dman. Hagg and the others need to round out a strong top 4. Even if that happens, they are still not top 3 in the league without additional moves.

So what else do they do?