I'm still drooling about that trade u made up for lad and that other dman for the schenns
- JoeRussomanno

That's a bad deal. Trading both Schenns for a 29 year old forward who is going to be a UFA. And for a #6 defenseman who's played 61 games and has yet to play anywhere near a full NHL season. And who is just as close to the AHL as he is the NHL. I'll pass.

Myers would have really benefitted playing with a guy like Timonen for the early part of his career much like Coburn was able to. Flyers need d-men who can help solidify a pairing, instead of having to be hid or carried themselves.

The FA corps for d-men next summer blows. Everyone on the wrong side of 31 except for Marc Staal. The aging guys will want one last big contract to get paid and wont live up to it.
- flyer_nutter

They can't fix the defense via FA. Even if Staal hits UFA and signs some place besides NY or Carolina, he's not really a legit number one defenseman, anyhow.

And that part of defensemen solidifying a pair is exactly the issue with the Flyers D. too many Robins and not a single Batman

They can't fix the defense via FA. Even if Staal hits UFA and signs some place besides NY or Carolina, he's not really a legit number one defenseman, anyhow.

And that part of defensemen solidifying a pair is exactly the issue with the Flyers D. too many Robins and not a single Batman
- Jsaquella

Im not too worried personally. This team wont look anything like it does now in a few years when it hopefully ready to establish itself on the top tier. Just need to make smart moves, and properly identify talent that makes you win.

Time heals all. I picture the current squad as a pimply 13 year old kid with a bad haircut. Give that kid some time to grow. Personal story.

I'm still drooling about that trade u made up for lad and that other dman for the schenns
- JoeRussomanno

Actually a Jets blogger suggested something close to it and I tweaked it a bit. I'm not sure I'd do it myself, but I don't think it's an awful trade.

I'd rather wait and see if Brayden Schenn can rebound before rushing out to trade him. If the current malaise continues and they can't turn it around, fine re-visit trades when it gets closer to the TDL and see if there's a better deal out there.

Im not too worried personally. This team wont look anything like it does now in a few years when it hopefully ready to establish itself on the top tier. Just need to make smart moves, and properly identify talent that makes you win.

Time heals all.
- flyer_nutter

Nope, no worries at all. They just have to be patient with the kids and find a way to maximize the return on pieces that won't be around in a few years

Actually a Jets blogger suggested something close to it and I tweaked it a bit. I'm not sure I'd do it myself, but I don't think it's an awful trade.

I'd rather wait and see if Brayden Schenn can rebound before rushing out to trade him. If the current malaise continues and they can't turn it around, fine re-visit trades when it gets closer to the TDL and see if there's a better deal out there.
- Jsaquella

There is nobody that can realistically push him out of that #1LW spot. Unless raffl magically develops some accuracy or Umberger finds the fountain of youth.

Schenn's value is at an all time low and there is really no need to deal him other than anger. Who replaces him as a viable option long term..

That's a bad deal. Trading both Schenns for a 29 year old forward who is going to be a UFA. And for a #6 defenseman who's played 61 games and has yet to play anywhere near a full NHL season. And who is just as close to the AHL as he is the NHL. I'll pass.
- MJL

I would offer BSchenn and a 2nd for Ladd straight up.


Ladd would be a real great fit for our first line imo. I just don't see any indication they're looking to move their captain.

Would anyone be interested in Jiri Tlusty? 6ft 209 lb LW with plenty of skill. And it's the Canes. You could probably get them to look at AMac in the deal.

They can't fix the defense via FA. Even if Staal hits UFA and signs some place besides NY or Carolina, he's not really a legit number one defenseman, anyhow.

And that part of defensemen solidifying a pair is exactly the issue with the Flyers D. too many Robins and not a single Batman
- Jsaquella

Not necessarily. Really it depends on the cost. Staal is still only 27 years old. And he would be an upgrade over Grossmann or Schenn. So if you signed Staal to a deal, you would move one of Grossmann or Schenn. And that is a definite upgrade to the Flyers defense. Not sure about who plays what side. But if they are compatible in that regard, Staal and MacDonald would make a strong pair.

There is nobody that can realistically push him out of that #1LW spot. Unless raffl magically develops some accuracy or Umberger finds the fountain of youth.

Schenn's value is at an all time low and there is really no need to deal him other than anger. Who replaces him as a viable option long term..
- flyer_nutter

I'm fine with Raffl there. I would have given Schenn a few more games at least, but he looked terrible. Raffl might not be a big goal scorer, but he's got good speed and smarts and makes things happen. It seems when he's with more talented players he's just out there making plays and conversely he seems to be trying to do too much when out with lesser linemates.

Umberger looked solid with Couturier & Read. I'm not sure what to expect from the Schenn-Bellemare-Simmonds line, though.

I would offer BSchenn and a 2nd for Ladd straight up.


Ladd would be a real great fit for our first line imo. I just don't see any indication they're looking to move their captain.

Would anyone be interested in Jiri Tlusty? 6ft 209 lb LW with plenty of skill. And it's the Canes. You could probably get them to look at AMac in the deal.
- hereticpride

I wouldn't. I'm not giving up on B Schenn to trade for a 29 year old soon to be UFA. If I'm trading Schenn, I want to use it to upgrade the defense. I'll see what's available in free agency for a winger. That's not a good move for the Flyers.

just caught up with the vinny injury news go (frank)ing figure

http://espn.go.com/nhl/powerrankings

according to ESPN we're worse than buffalo

I'm fine with Raffl there. I would have given Schenn a few more games at least, but he looked terrible. Raffl might not be a big goal scorer, but he's got good speed and smarts and makes things happen. It seems when he's with more talented players he's just out there making plays and conversely he seems to be trying to do too much when out with lesser linemates.

Umberger looked solid with Couturier & Read. I'm not sure what to expect from the Schenn-Bellemare-Simmonds line, though.
- Jsaquella

What I have liked from Simmonds this year is he has taken it upon himself to be "the guy". Instead of a complimentary piece he tries to go out and lead his line, making things happen.

Flyers need more of that.

I would offer BSchenn and a 2nd for Ladd straight up.


Ladd would be a real great fit for our first line imo. I just don't see any indication they're looking to move their captain.

Would anyone be interested in Jiri Tlusty? 6ft 209 lb LW with plenty of skill. And it's the Canes. You could probably get them to look at AMac in the deal.
- hereticpride

That was sort of how the original deal came up. It started as Schenn for Ladd, and I pointed out the age difference and pending RFA vs UFA status, and then picks got tossed in and a few other pieces.

Tlusty would be very cost dependent. He's a UFA making almost $3mm now.

What I have liked from Simmonds this year is he has taken it upon himself to be "the guy". Instead of a complimentary piece he tries to go out and lead his line, making things happen.

Flyers need more of that.
- flyer_nutter

They needed more of that in the 3rd period against Montreal for sure.

What I have liked from Simmonds this year is he has taken it upon himself to be "the guy". Instead of a complimentary piece he tries to go out and lead his line, making things happen.

Flyers need more of that.
- flyer_nutter

Agreed. He's definitely elevated his game. Of course, Simmonds is a fairly streaky guy who looks fantastic when he's hot and merely good when he's not.

Hopefully he can keep it up

Would anyone be interested in Jiri Tlusty? 6ft 209 lb LW with plenty of skill. And it's the Canes. You could probably get them to look at AMac in the deal.
- hereticpride

Why in the world would the Flyers want to trade MacDonald for Tlusty? That is insane!

No reason? How about the Flyers think he is a good defenseman who is going to continue to get better. And if they signed to a shorter deal, and he continues to get better, then the cost to re-sign goes up even higher. MacDonald is a pretty good defenseman. And as the price for available quality defenseman goes up, due to the scarcity and availability of quality defenseman. The deal is going to get cheaper and cheaper. As with any player, he has to continue to play well long term over the life of the deal. I have no reason to think that he won't. So you can state that there was no reason, but that's just not true.
- MJL

there is the possibility he doesnt get better no? very good chance what you see is what you get no? possibility this deal looks worse in a few years no? this team is going nowhere in the next 3 years at least imo. so having a highly paid #4 dman on a long term deal isnt that ideal to me

i would have taken my chances with a shorter deal.

Went to the game Saturday. It was mostly good, I remembered why I don't like sitting up in the nose bleeds, though. People yelling horrible things at Montreal fans just trying to watch the game, people yelling horrible things during the Canadian anthem, and people just generally being douchebags. Still fun, though. Also, Morin is a (frank)ing badass. I'm sure he was trying to convince the trainers to let him go back out and play while the ambulance was on it's way.

Patrick Maroon is out for the Ducks vs Flyers, per Eric Stephens, Ducks beat guy

Not necessarily. Really it depends on the cost. Staal is still only 27 years old. And he would be an upgrade over Grossmann or Schenn. So if you signed Staal to a deal, you would move one of Grossmann or Schenn. And that is a definite upgrade to the Flyers defense. Not sure about who plays what side. But if they are compatible in that regard, Staal and MacDonald would make a strong pair.
- MJL

an upgrade over those 2, really? he instantly becomes the flyers #1 dman by leaps and bounds.

an upgrade over those 2, really? he instantly becomes the flyers #1 dman by leaps and bounds.
- rinaldo

Obviously he'd upgrade the D, but it still wouldn't be fixed. Staal's not a legit number one defenseman. He's a very good player, probably a legit first pair guy. But signing him and trading Grossmann or Schenn doesn't "Fix" the defense. It makes it somewhat better.

there is the possibility he doesnt get better no? very good chance what you see is what you get no? possibility this deal looks worse in a few years no? this team is going nowhere in the next 3 years at least imo. so having a highly paid #4 dman on a long term deal isnt that ideal to me

i would have taken my chances with a shorter deal.
- rinaldo

I wrote this in the post that you quoted.

"As with any player, he has to continue to play well long term over the life of the deal. I have no reason to think that he won't"

Even if he doesn't get better, it's still a good deal. Because the team isn't going anywhere in the next 3 years according to you, that's what makes the deal a bad deal? That logic is hard to understand.

an upgrade over those 2, really? he instantly becomes the flyers #1 dman by leaps and bounds.
- rinaldo

No, he's not a #1 defenseman. He's an upgrade over Grossmann and Schenn, and is comparable to Coburn.

Obviously he'd upgrade the D, but it still wouldn't be fixed. Staal's not a legit number one defenseman. He's a very good player, probably a legit first pair guy. But signing him and trading Grossmann or Schenn doesn't "Fix" the defense. It makes it somewhat better.
- Jsaquella

It would be a significant upgrade.