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

Im not a big believer in trade value going up or down that much, gm's and scouts see what we see, they know the players limits and potential.

Im not a big believer in trade value going up or down, gm's and scouts see what we see, they know the players limits and potential.
- JoeRussomanno

I agree for the most part. The first 3 games aren't going to change B Schenn's trade value.

Im not a big believer in trade value going up or down that much, gm's and scouts see what we see, they know the players limits and potential.
- JoeRussomanno

No, but if Hextall's trying to move him after three games, it could be seen as a panic move by a new GM desperate to shake his team up.

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

well it makes it a lot better not somewhat better. no one said it fixes it. that would be a great start. removing one of those 2 and adding staal is a huge upgrade.

not sure if that is the direction i would go though.

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

He's Coburn with a concussion history... and his last name will cost a premium by itself... no thanks.

Trevor Gillies gets 12 game suspension. That's too light. Should have got 25. Slamming a dude head on the ice...should have sent a massively strong message

well it makes it a lot better not somewhat better. no one said it fixes it. that would be a great start. removing one of those 2 and adding staal is a huge upgrade.

not sure if that is the direction i would go though.
- rinaldo

Well, he's comparable to Coburn, which is good. But being that he's the cream of the crop in FA, he's going to cost a ton of money and term. Is it worth it to pay Staal number one defenseman money to have him be another Coburn?

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.
- MJL

why commit to a guy like that when your in essence goin through a semi rebuild. what does he add that you say wow we need him for the long haul. rather sign a guy like ron hainsey for example on a short term while guys develop. mac on a long term deal really doesnt help this team imo. he isnt a bad player just not would i would have done looking at where the flyers are at.

a good deal in your opinion doesnt make it a fact.

He's Coburn with a concussion history... and his last name will cost a premium by itself... no thanks.
- Tomahawk

The concussion history is the only negative. If he reaches UFA as a defenseman, that will be why he will cost a premium. His last name has zero to do with it.

why commit to a guy like that when your in essence goin through a semi rebuild. what does he add that you say wow we need him for the long haul. rather sign a guy like ron hainsey for example on a short term while guys develop. mac on a long term deal really doesnt help this team imo. he isnt a bad player just not would i would have done looking at where the flyers are at.

a good deal in your opinion doesnt make it a fact.
- rinaldo

Is MacDonald going to be retired in 3 years? Are the Flyers not going to still need good veteran defensemen in 3 years?

Trevor Gillies gets 12 game suspension. That's too light. Should have got 25. Slamming a dude head on the ice...should have sent a massively strong message
- Jsaquella

In the NHL, 12 games is a massively strong message.

Well, he's comparable to Coburn, which is good. But being that he's the cream of the crop in FA, he's going to cost a ton of money and term. Is it worth it to pay Staal number one defenseman money to have him be another Coburn?
- Jsaquella

They desperately need a RH'er in the top-4... that's something none of the kids are going to help them with... Ghost, Hagg, Morin, Sanheim are all lefties. Bringing Staal in on a huge deal definitely doesn't help there.

He's Coburn with a concussion history... and his last name will cost a premium by itself... no thanks.
- Tomahawk

I didn't even consider that factor. It just gets me back to one of my issues with Holmgren-well, there's nobody better so let's just bite the bullet and ask a guy to take a lot of cash and hope he can fill a role that he's struggled to fill in the past.

Well, he's comparable to Coburn, which is good. But being that he's the cream of the crop in FA, he's going to cost a ton of money and term. Is it worth it to pay Staal number one defenseman money to have him be another Coburn?
- Jsaquella

he is clearly better than coburn as well imo . he would be the #1 on this team no questions asked.

i dont know that i would commit the type of deal he will likely get. 6mm for 6 years would you do that?

coburns time is up here as well. i dont give him away though i look to move him. his value is likely to decrease as time goes on. deadline time he could help a legit contending team.

Is MacDonald going to be retired in 3 years? Are the Flyers not going to still need good veteran defensemen in 3 years?
- MJL

then you address it 3 or 4 years from now. not now. then maybe when you are hopefully a serious contender you look to get a guy on a long term deal. not when your a borderline playoff team with no real shot to win the cup.

They desperately need a RH'er in the top-4... that's something none of the kids are going to help them with... Ghost, Hagg, Morin, Sanheim are all lefties. Bringing Staal in on a huge deal definitely doesn't help there.
- Tomahawk

That's another consideration. I just have no desire to get into a bidding war and pay a guy who is ideally your number two defenseman like he's a legitimate number one guy who plays all situations and can anchor the defense.

he is clearly better than coburn as well imo . he would be the #1 on this team no questions asked.

i dont know that i would commit the type of deal he will likely get. 6mm for 6 years would you do that?

coburns time is up here as well. i dont give him away though i look to move him. his value is likely to decrease as time goes on. deadline time he could help a legit contending team.
- rinaldo

I'd still rather wait and see than rush out and make a major commitment to Staal and hand him the number one job, when he's really better suited to be a second banana.

then you address it 3 or 4 years from now. not now. then maybe when you are hopefully a serious contender you look to get a guy on a long term deal. not when your a borderline playoff team with no real shot to win the cup.
- rinaldo

And then 3 years from the now, the cost for a comparable player to MacDonald is that much higher! As I said in a previous post. And you're still going to have to pay long term. And who knows with the scarcity of available defenseman, if one will even be available. You don't stop making the team better because you have no real shot to win the cup.

In the NHL, 12 games is a massively strong message.
- MJL

1. It was the AHL

2. It should have warranted a Downie or Boulerice like suspension. He grabbed a fallen opponent's head in a fight and slammed it into the ice repeatedly.

I'd still rather wait and see than rush out and make a major commitment to Staal and hand him the number one job, when he's really better suited to be a second banana.
- Jsaquella

You're not handing him the #1 job. You're adding a quality veteran defensman who upgrades the team. If the cost is reasonable enough.

That's another consideration. I just have no desire to get into a bidding war and pay a guy who is ideally your number two defenseman like he's a legitimate number one guy who plays all situations and can anchor the defense.
- Jsaquella

It's part of the reason why I hated Streit and AMac signings... had a bunch of lefties in house already, go out and grab more lefties anyway.

1. It was the AHL

2. It should have warranted a Downie or Boulerice like suspension. He grabbed a fallen opponent's head in a fight and slammed it into the ice repeatedly.
- Jsaquella

Doesn't matter if it was the NHL or AHL. I'm not arguing that it shouldn't be more. All I'm saying is 12 games is a pretty stout suspension.

It's part of the reason why I hated Streit and AMac signings... had a bunch of lefties in house already, go out and grab more lefties anyway.
- Tomahawk

It would be a mistake to pass up an opportunity to improve the team based on LH versus RH.

It's part of the reason why I hated Streit and AMac signings... had a bunch of lefties in house already, go out and grab more lefties anyway.
- Tomahawk

I get that, but I'd rather have good leftys than bad rightys

I'd still rather wait and see than rush out and make a major commitment to Staal and hand him the number one job, when he's really better suited to be a second banana.
- Jsaquella

fair point. i said i am not sure i go that route to sign him either. would you do 6 mill for 6 years?

then the age old how many legit #1 are there? those guys we will likely never get.