I should probably go back and edit the posts I made saying he would be a good replacement for Laviolette back in the 13-14 offseason.
- Feanor

I know for sure you weren't the only one.

Eakins seems like a smart guy... but man, you gotta question his ability to run an NHL bench by now.
- Tomahawk

Love watching that team. They do something strange every game

All three have their contracts expire after next year and I don't see more than 2 coming back, probably only one though, considering Ghost, Morin, Hagg, Sanheim, etc. should be mostly ready to step in. It's not like Coburn or Grossmann will want short term deals either and Schenn is probably in the same boat.
- NickTheKid87

I'd really like to retain MDZ and I expect we will because he's RFA. I hate seeing the team struggle, but the future is bright.. Best case scenario is the team turns this around and makes the playoffs.. gets some valuable experience for Mase and some of the younger guys.. Draft well in the offseason, and then we're a year closer to the crop of D helping us out.

I can honestly say.. I think this is the first time in a loooong time I've actually been excited about the future Flyers D.
- WarriorHockey21

It looks good. I hope they can pan out to be quality NHLers. I hope Sanheim can be a #1 dman too. Some seem to think he can be but I don't want to get my hopes too high.

As far as the Lindros and LeClair event, Am I the only one who noticed the obvious absence of Lindros' parents when LeClair's mother was there? I know the issues they had with the Flyers, but if you're going to bury the hatchet, Bury it all with the Flyers, that's your son. LeClair seemed alot more appreciative in the closing speech, I think there's still some animosity between Eric and the Flyers. As far as the game goes, Laughton looked better which tells me he's gonna be sent down soon.
- twpguy

I was there and it was very noticeable. Several people around me commented on it. It was also glaring that Snider wasn't a part of the ceremony. But, I thought Lindros was sincere in his speech.

When did Lindros get all comfortabl ein front of a microphone? He was so guarded with the media when he was a player.

Also, did something happen to shjon pjodien? He could hardly walk to his seat.

I'd really like to retain MDZ and I expect we will because he's RFA. I hate seeing the team struggle, but the future is bright.. Best case scenario is the team turns this around and makes the playoffs.. gets some valuable experience for Mase and some of the younger guys.. Draft well in the offseason, and then we're a year closer to the crop of D helping us out.
- Hextall271

I'm glad MDZ is an RFA because they can have some leeway with cap hit and term of his contract. I'm not sold on him just yet since he's only played a handful of games but if he can consistently play like he has, he'll be worth keeping around.

I like Read alot. He makes a nice salary for his production level, however. That's really the only reason you consider moving him. He's a good player. But is he a 3 million dollar player? That's dicey.
- johndewar

Right now? No. But do I personally think he has the potential in him? Without a doubt.

That being said, I would trade him in a heartbeat for the right return. The only ones I would like to see locked on the team right now (with no regards to contract circumstances) are Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Raffl, MDZ, and Mason. Everyone else, in my opinion, can go and as long as Hexy got a solid return, I wouldn't shed a tear. Now, I know people will jump me for not saying Coots and Schenn... but personally, if either one could bring a major piece to Philly, I say go for it... (and I love BSchenn, don't get me wrong)


Again, jmo of course..

It looks good. I hope they can pan out to be quality NHLers. I hope Sanheim can be a #1 dman too. Some seem to think he can be but I don't want to get my hopes too high.
- NickTheKid87

Just in his short stint up, I think Ghost looked very mature. He was smart on the puck, and off it. I think he will definitely pan out to be solid with a little more work.. But it will be interesting to see how the other guys, like Sanheim, will handle the big club. I try not to get my hopes up too much, but I am honestly stoked for those guys... please don't let me down!

Right now? No. But do I personally think he has the potential in him? Without a doubt.

That being said, I would trade him in a heartbeat for the right return. The only ones I would like to see locked on the team right now (with no regards to contract circumstances) are Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Raffl, MDZ, and Mason. Everyone else, in my opinion, can go and as long as Hexy got a solid return, I wouldn't shed a tear. Now, I know people will jump me for not saying Coots and Schenn... but personally, if either one could bring a major piece to Philly, I say go for it... (and I love BSchenn, don't get me wrong)


Again, jmo of course..
- WarriorHockey21

I am the other way. I think Simmonds would have value to a playoff team and i even think if MDZ keeps playing well he could be flipped for value to a playoff team needing some offensive dmen. I keep Schenn, Couturier, Giroux and Voracek. That;s the core pieces moving forward.

I disagree on the 3rd for Read. He's had a really bad start to the year, but he's been solid over the whole time he's been here. No need for panic moves all over the place... if he got traded in the offseason as part of a larger deal to upgrade d.. fine.. otherwise.. no.
- Hextall271

Seriously, a 3rd for Read would be a horrendous trade. I understand what have you done for me lately. But apparently 18 games trumps the past 3 seasons. Every player goes through a slump at some point. And I thought Read had a strong game last night.

I like Mason but like Bob a bit better
- vejim

i like Bob a ton. IMO, he and Mason are a wash, but Mason, in his limited exposure, has been much better in the playoffs than Bob. To steal a line from Bryz, Bob was "not good" vs the Pens last. The Pens were begging to be put out and the BJs were taking it to them. IMO, Bob cost them the series.

I am the other way. I think Simmonds would have value to a playoff team and i even think if MDZ keeps playing well he could be flipped for value to a playoff team needing some offensive dmen. I keep Schenn, Couturier, Giroux and Voracek. That;s the core pieces moving forward.
- J35Bacher

I agree with Simmonds and MDZ

I said it yesterday, and I'll say it again... I don't understand why Read get's such a bad wrap. The guy hustles his butt off every shift, and when he's placed with decent linemates WHO ALSO hustle, he's done well in past years. And shockingly (not), he's off to a slow start and everyone is calling for a trade.

I agree in that he is one of the most moveable pieces... But that doesn't mean it would be a good move.
- WarriorHockey21

I agree. It's a simple slump that every player goes through at one point or another. It would have to be one hell of a deal for me to agree to trade Read.

Interesting frivolity: If the top 15 point scorers this year kept up the points per game average they have now for all 82 games, the points race would look very different than from recent years:

1. Sidney Crosby, 125 points
1. Jake Voracek, 125
3. Tyler Seguin, 103
4. Claude Giroux, 102
5. Filip Forsberg, 100
6. Evgeni Malkin, 97
6. Patric Hornqvist, 97
8. Vladimir Tarasenko, 96
9. Phil Kessel, 95
10. Ryan Johansen, 91
11. Steven Stamkos, 90
12. Nick Foligno, 87
13. Rick Nash, 86
13. Mark Giordano, 86
13. Tyler Johnson, 86

Obviously, most of these players will see their numbers fall but it's cool to see the likes of Forsberg, Tarasenko, Johansen and Johnson emerging as legitimate NHL stars.

Seriously, a 3rd for Read would be a horrendous trade. I understand what have you done for me lately. But apparently 18 games trumps the past 3 seasons. Every player goes through a slump at some point. And I thought Read had a strong game last night.
- MJL

Read absolutely deserves some slack based on the past three seasons.

That's Vinny. You just have to take the occasional good, with the more frequent bad.

Only other recourse is to do what Babcock is doing to Stephen Weiss -- sitting him (and loaning him to Grand Rapids for kicks).
- Tomahawk

It sucks, because he had a decent game otherwise. I don't know what was going through his head. He was headed up ice when the Flyers never had solid control of the puck. It's just inexcusable. Can't happen.

Seriously, a 3rd for Read would be a horrendous trade. I understand what have you done for me lately. But apparently 18 games trumps the past 3 seasons. Every player goes through a slump at some point. And I thought Read had a strong game last night.
- MJL

We should have traded Voracek a year ago when he only had 10 points in 21 games. Now we're stuck with him.

... i even think if MDZ keeps playing well he could be flipped for value to a playoff team needing some offensive dmen.
- J35Bacher

I'm a charter member of the MDZ fan club, but if his camp gives even the slightest inkling that he won't be an easy re-up, I'd move him at the TDL or the draft for something nice. The only way they can mess this virtual no-lose situation up is by paying him more $ than they should.

I like Read alot. He makes a nice salary for his production level, however. That's really the only reason you consider moving him. He's a good player. But is he a 3 million dollar player? That's dicey.
- johndewar

At his normal level of play and production, which I think he will revert back to. 3M is an absolute steal.

Seriously, a 3rd for Read would be a horrendous trade. I understand what have you done for me lately. But apparently 18 games trumps the past 3 seasons. Every player goes through a slump at some point. And I thought Read had a strong game last night.
- MJL

I don't think it is "what have you done for me lately". I think it has to do with skill set and value. Also he doesn't have no trade protection. If this team is out of it or close to that at the TDL you have to look at Read as a trade chip. He would have value to a team looking for depth for the playoffs. He is 28 so it is not like I am sending a young prospect off. I think Read will be more useful in a package deal. Adding value to the deal to get more then just what you would get alone

We should have traded Voracek a year ago when he only had 10 points in 21 games. Now we're stuck with him.
- Feanor

I'm a charter member of the MDZ fan club, but if his camp gives even the slightest inkling that he won't be an easy re-up, I'd move him at the TDL or the draft for something nice. The only way they can mess this virtual no-lose situation up is by paying him more $ than they should.
- Tomahawk

That's my only fear with him... that he's going to try and play hardball after the season he's having...

I am the other way. I think Simmonds would have value to a playoff team and i even think if MDZ keeps playing well he could be flipped for value to a playoff team needing some offensive dmen. I keep Schenn, Couturier, Giroux and Voracek. That;s the core pieces moving forward.
- J35Bacher

Please tell me we are not talking about trading Simmonds.

Trading a piece like Simmonds is blowing up this whole thing. I get it. He's not the best 5 vs 5 but he has gotten better every year at it. His contract is fine, I don't care what anyone says, teams aren't going to take the liberties on our top players as long as he is with us

If your talking about trading him. You might as well open it up to jake and g, seriously

At his normal level of play and production, which I think he will revert back to. 3M is an absolute steal.
- MJL

I think you're right. I'm not out to trade Read. I was speculating on who could be moved....not necessarily on who I'd want to see moved.

I'm a charter member of the MDZ fan club, but if his camp gives even the slightest inkling that he won't be an easy re-up, I'd move him at the TDL or the draft for something nice. The only way they can mess this virtual no-lose situation up is by paying him more $ than they should.
- Tomahawk

I like Del Zotto and have been impressed so far. I would love to keep him next year but at the TDL is a team offers me a 2nd rounder or 2nd and 3rd rounder it might be hard to say no, no matter what chance I have to sign him next year.