love this idea
- five4fighting10

That's the thing to me. Stay the course another year if need be. Work in some of the young kids if possible, and get them some good experience in the AHL if not up with the big team.

You make your comes come that summer, because I don't see much happening now. Hextall just has to try as hard as he can do dump off LeCavalier, Umberger and Macdonald contracts in that time.

Buy-out if need be for a couple of those guys.

I wouldn't have a lot of interest in Gardiner. Not a fan.
- MJL

i dont think he has developed as they had hoped.

if he could be acquired for a low price, he could be worth kicking the tires on.

for the cost though, id be inclined to agree with you.

Yeah, JvR's scoring 30 goals with Tyler Bozak & Kessel. Put him with Malkin & Hornqvist. He'd light it up
- Jsaquella

oh yeah. hornqvist should be with crosby. should never leave his line. ideally, kunitz stays up there with him too. that line was outright dominant.

but i understand that leaves malkin basically playing with himself on a second line with fringe third liners. give him JvR though, and then id be just fine with the other winger being either spaling or comeau.

im sure theyd start the asking at a first and pouliot (although i dont think pouliot really meshes with the mix they already have)

oh yeah. hornqvist should be with crosby. should never leave his line. ideally, kunitz stays up there with him too. that line was outright dominant.

but i understand that leaves malkin basically playing with himself on a second line with fringe third liners. give him JvR though, and then id be just fine with the other winger being either spaling or comeau.

im sure theyd start the asking at a first and pouliot (although i dont think pouliot really meshes with the mix they already have)
- stayinthefnnet

I'd look to Chris Stewart if I was the pens at the deadline.

Gardiner is a typical overrated player by Leaf fans. Yes he can skate but he has zero defensive skills....and that is a player we don't need!
- 3flyerkids

Not to mention that we already have Del Zotto, MacDonald, and Streit who are puck movers and defenseman that aren't real physical. Also have Gostisbehere in the wings. Gardiner isn't the type of the defenseman the Flyers should be targeting in my opinion.

That's the thing to me. Stay the course another year if need be. Work in some of the young kids if possible, and get them some good experience in the AHL if not up with the big team.

You make your comes come that summer, because I don't see much happening now. Hextall just has to try as hard as he can do dump off LeCavalier, Umberger and Macdonald contracts in that time.

Buy-out if need be for a couple of those guys.
- flyer_nutter

I understand why Lecavalier and Umberger. But why exactly would Hextall be looking to unload MacDonald? He is a quality #3 puck moving defenseman.

I'd look to Chris Stewart if I was the pens at the deadline.
- flyer_nutter

eh. he definitely wouldnt be my first choice. headcase, lack of effort, defensively questionable.

talent is definitely there, but i worry that he brings a lot of the attributes that the pens really dont need more of come playoff time.

its a shame though, because if he had his head screwed on straight he could be a force with malkin.

ideally, if the team is going to move valuable future assets, i want someone younger with term left. I dont want to see the first or pouliot go for a rental. if they are going the rental route, id love to see a lower risk investment in jiri tlusty.

I understand why Lecavalier and Umberger. But why exactly would Hextall be looking to unload MacDonald? He is a quality #3 puck moving defenseman.
- MJL

i dont think macdonald should be someone that the team should necessarily look to sel low on to simply purge themselves of.

however, if someone is willing to pay a premium for him in the name of acquiring defense, i dont think he should be viewed as a sacred cow.

obviously i know pretty much anyone would be in favor of a trade that makes their team better haha but thats just how i see him.

eh. he definitely wouldnt be my first choice. headcase, lack of effort, defensively questionable.

talent is definitely there, but i worry that he brings a lot of the attributes that the pens really dont need more of come playoff time.

its a shame though, because if he had his head screwed on straight he could be a force with malkin.

ideally, if the team is going to move valuable future assets, i want someone younger with term left. I dont want to see the first or pouliot go for a rental. if they are going the rental route, id love to see a lower risk investment in jiri tlusty.
- stayinthefnnet

Could be wrong but he really lit it up in Colorado and when he first got to St Louis. Downhill since but he isn't super old. Has to know its kind of his last real shot, and playing with say Malkin could ignite him.

Buff would be an option, but the Jets would want offense back more than likely.

I understand why Lecavalier and Umberger. But why exactly would Hextall be looking to unload MacDonald? He is a quality #3 puck moving defenseman.
- MJL

Contract value r/t length and term. How that compares to the quality of play he provides. Which imo is meh and not worth his deal.

I am glad they are giving Schenn and extended look. No point in trading from an area of weakness as is.

Trades however, for next season anyway would be the way to go if the team wants changes. FA forward class is highlighted by an aging St Louis, Williams, Jagr and Zuccarello who will look to cash in. Even bigger drop to poop after that.

The FA to run at is the season after, with the following names, obviously not all will be around by that time:
Eric Staal, Stamkos, Kopitar, Lucic, O'Reilly, Buff, Kesler, Vrbata, Plekanec, Backes, Ladd, Eriksson, our own Voracek, Perron, Grabner, Okposo, Nielsen, Helm, Abdelkader.

On defense its: Seabrook, Yandle, Brian Campbell, Bieksa, our own Coburn, Hamhuis, EJohnson, Giordano, Gunnarsson, Gilbert.

Point being, that next year is amazing to look at. A lot will be re-signed but definitely not all. Its a crop that the Flyers should look to shed salary for, so they can make the smart and right choice. Dump as much salary that is tied to dead weight as you can until that time. Don't be foolish and just go after the best available "now".
- flyer_nutter

That is an impressive class of FA's and a couple of those guys would look great in Flyer jerseys ( Okposo, Buff, Giordano, Seabrook, Yandle) but I guess a lot of them will most likely strike new deals ( Stamkos for sure).
I want the best of both worlds. If Hextall can make a deal that helps this team become competitive this year... I am all for it. If they don't make the playoffs and are able to rid either one of VL or the Zombies contract I could live with that.

Contract value r/t length and term. How that compares to the quality of play he provides. Which imo is meh and not worth his deal.
- flyer_nutter

Not sure what you're looking at. He's a quality defenseman that has made the Flyers better. And 5M for a quality defenseman isn't a big deal.
And that explains why you want to get rid of him, not why Hextall would.

Could be wrong but he really lit it up in Colorado and when he first got to St Louis. Downhill since but he isn't super old. Has to know its kind of his last real shot, and playing with say Malkin could ignite him.

Buff would be an option, but the Jets would want offense back more than likely.
- flyer_nutter

oh yeah. i know stewart has it in him. its just a matter of if he puts it out there. and i dont know if i would want to invest in that much of a lottery ticket. if there was absolutely nothing else, and the cost was low, then yeah throw a dart.

buff is interesting. play him exclusively at forward in a roll that could hopefully match what simmonds brings. im sure the price would be heavy though, and im not sure the pens have what the peg would want. they certainly dont have much in the way of offensive prospects haha

That is an impressive class of FA's and a couple of those guys would look great in Flyer jerseys ( Okposo, Buff, Giordano, Seabrook, Yandle) but I guess a lot of them will most likely strike new deals ( Stamkos for sure).
I want the best of both worlds. If Hextall can make a deal that helps this team become competitive this year... I am all for it. If they don't make the playoffs and are able to rid either one of VL or the Zombies contract I could live with that.
- 3flyerkids

From that list a couple stand out for me. Giordano and Hamhuis. Nielsen, Grabner and Eriksson.

Not sure what you're looking at. He's a quality defenseman that has made the Flyers better. And 5M for a quality defenseman isn't a big deal.
And that explains why you want to get rid of him, not why Hextall would.
- MJL

Slap ass and agree to disagree.

I am glad they are giving Schenn and extended look. No point in trading from an area of weakness as is.

Trades however, for next season anyway would be the way to go if the team wants changes. FA forward class is highlighted by an aging St Louis, Williams, Jagr and Zuccarello who will look to cash in. Even bigger drop to poop after that.

The FA to run at is the season after, with the following names, obviously not all will be around by that time:
Eric Staal, Stamkos, Kopitar, Lucic, O'Reilly, Buff, Kesler, Vrbata, Plekanec, Backes, Ladd, Eriksson, our own Voracek, Perron, Grabner, Okposo, Nielsen, Helm, Abdelkader.

On defense its: Seabrook, Yandle, Brian Campbell, Bieksa, our own Coburn, Hamhuis, EJohnson, Giordano, Gunnarsson, Gilbert.

Point being, that next year is amazing to look at. A lot will be re-signed but definitely not all. Its a crop that the Flyers should look to shed salary for, so they can make the smart and right choice. Dump as much salary that is tied to dead weight as you can until that time. Don't be foolish and just go after the best available "now".
- flyer_nutter

wow. there really are some nice names there. even if you take out the obvious guys like kopitar and stamkos, there are some forwards on there that i would salivate over from a pens perspective.

for you guys, plucking giordano would make a HUGE difference.

From that list a couple stand out for me. Giordano and Hamhuis. Nielsen, Grabner and Eriksson.
- flyer_nutter

nielsen would probably add what, 7 or 8 points to the team over the course of the season all on his own?

wow. there really are some nice names there. even if you take out the obvious guys like kopitar and stamkos, there are some forwards on there that i would salivate over from a pens perspective.

for you guys, plucking giordano would make a HUGE difference.
- stayinthefnnet

I just don't see Burkie letting Giordano go. They will blow their load to keep him

nielsen would probably add what, 7 or 8 points to the team over the course of the season all on his own?
- stayinthefnnet

Touche.

I'd enjoy taking a run at a guy like him, or Grabner. Obviously they aren't elite level talent but I'd play. Eriksson has struggled in Boston but I was a huge fan of him in Dallas. If he continues to struggle, he could be cheap to bring in.

I just don't see Burkie letting Giordano go. They will blow their load to keep him
- 3flyerkids

yeah. it definitely would be a tough acquisition. but he is one of those guys where i think he would be that good and that much of a fit that only one player could have a huge pendulum swing

From that list a couple stand out for me. Giordano and Hamhuis. Nielsen, Grabner and Eriksson.
- flyer_nutter

Alex Martinez from the Kings is a UFA, Hexy may take a long look at him

yeah. it definitely would be a tough acquisition. but he is one of those guys where i think he would be that good and that much of a fit that only one player could have a huge pendulum swing
- stayinthefnnet

I've been popping boners over the idea for a few years.

Touche.

I'd enjoy taking a run at a guy like him, or Grabner. Obviously they aren't elite level talent but I'd play. Eriksson has struggled in Boston but I was a huge fan of him in Dallas. If he continues to struggle, he could be cheap to bring in.
- flyer_nutter

100 percent agree. loved eriksson in dallas. his decline would have to be something id hope scouts would investigate though. i dont think he is old enough for him to be falling off a cliff. id definitely have major interest.

lower tier guys like grabner or nielson would be very good, hopefully cost efficient adds too. Grabner can absolutely fly, and nielson is a very underrated player who does nearly everything pretty well.

the guy on there that i think would be the pens version of giordano to the flyers would be andrew ladd. but again, i cant see them letting him go.

I've been popping boners over the idea for a few years.
- flyer_nutter

i actually think the idea of the flyers getting giordano could nullify an erection for me quicker than blake lively could give me one.

I've been popping boners over the idea for a few years.
- flyer_nutter

Hell I would pop one if we got rid of Zombieburger!