There's not a single defenseman on this team I wouldn't move for picks. Maybe Streit and coburn I'd expect more for. The rest can all be replaced in August and September.
- mayorofangrytown

Agreed, 100%.

Not a single guy that's irreplaceable

So, it's not possible for the Flyers to trade Schultz, and then re-sign him this summer as a UFA. Guess I missed that rule, because last I checked there's nothing blocking that from happening.

If he decides to not re-sign in the above case, then look at the other UFA. One thing the market is flush with is solid, cheap veteran 6th defensemen.

Stockpiling picks in a deep draft trumps locking up an adequate veteran 6th defensemen in my book.
- Jsaquella

I haven't read anyone state that it is not possible to trade Schultz and then re-sign him in the Summer.

US down 3-2 to a weak Russian team.

Looks like it's gonna be the 2nd straight year the ruskies hand them their lunch.

Exactly my view. No need to make his re-signing any sort of priority. It's a minor move, but it's also kind of them being overly proactive, yet again. See what the market is, don't run out and set the market. Take advantage of the market.
- Jsaquella

If the best offer is a 6th or 7th for Schultz, keep him. If they get offered a 3rd or 4th, take it. I'll take my chances on a potential steal and possible re-signing Schultz as a UFA than turning that down and having a 3rd pairing defenseman hold a prospect's spot for 2 years.

US down 3-2 to a weak Russian team.

Looks like it's gonna be the 2nd straight year the ruskies hand them their lunch.
- Yosimar89

The Russian goalie's stopped everything he's seen and the US can't stay out of the box.

I honestly don't mind the idea of getting Schultz inked for short term and low money if it means moving some salary off the blueline soon. The third pairing really shouldn't be as expensive as it is

I know how you feel about him, and I disagree with your assessment. I see him as a guy who really only does a few things really well. He may be the softest blue line to blue line d-man I have ever seen in O&B. He isnt the best skater, and being a smaller d-man who isnt exactly offensively gifted, that is a huge need. He is a very good containment d-man. Thats only because its all he does. He never challenges the puck carrier. It is completely infuriating to me.

So he lacks any offensive punch (despite multiple stints on the PP) going 54 games with the Flyers and only recording 2 goals and 13 points at a -6. He has zero physicality to his game. And he is a strictly containment d-man.


- jak521

I don't think he is soft at all. A defenseman who is soft doesn't play 20-25 minutes a game for two different teams, in a defensive role. I agree certainly that he lacks a physical edge to his game, and is not a player that is going to knock players off the puck physically. That is the downside to his game. He is a finesse defenseman, but he is competitive on the puck.
He has been placed in a role that he is not suited for so long, that he has developed a cautiousness to his play. When Berube scratched him it was because he wanted to point out that he needs to use his speed better. He's a pretty good skater and has the ability to move up on the play offensively. He's been showing sure signs of becoming more aggressive offensively, with the Flyers. The ability is clearlyy there.
Some fans just don't have a taste for finesse defenseman like MacDonald. Doesn't change the fact that he is a solid defender, who moves the puck quickly and efficiently, and has some offensive ability. That's why the Flyers traded for him and re-signed him. If he had a hard physical edge to his game, the Flyers wouldn't have gotten him for what they gave up in a trade for him.

I honestly don't mind the idea of getting Schultz inked for short term and low money if it means moving some salary off the blueline soon. The third pairing really shouldn't be as expensive as it is
- BulliesPhan87

The most expensive under performing defense in the nhl.

If the best offer is a 6th or 7th for Schultz, keep him. If they get offered a 3rd or 4th, take it. I'll take my chances on a potential steal and possible re-signing Schultz as a UFA than turning that down and having a 3rd pairing defenseman hold a prospect's spot for 2 years.
- NickTheKid87

Exactly, if the best you can do is get a late rounder, forget it, might as well re-sign him if you want him.

But he's had a bit of a rebound, and was worth a 5th last season, with a bigger cap impact.

I honestly don't mind the idea of getting Schultz inked for short term and low money if it means moving some salary off the blueline soon. The third pairing really shouldn't be as expensive as it is
- BulliesPhan87

I think that is the exact reasoning behind the idea.

The Russian goalie's stopped everything he's seen and the US can't stay out of the box.
- mayorofangrytown

Whatever the reason team USA underachieves again, 2nd straight year in the first game of the knockout stages are they beat by Russia, especially bad this year considering this is a weak squad by russian standards.

The most expensive under performing defense in the nhl.
- mayorofangrytown

time to get a time machine to go back to the time to trim the fat

I honestly don't mind the idea of getting Schultz inked for short term and low money if it means moving some salary off the blueline soon. The third pairing really shouldn't be as expensive as it is
- BulliesPhan87

The two aren't necessarily mutual. They can trade Schultz for a pick and then deal any of the other defensemen away and get cheaper on the blueline. They're carrying 8 NHL defensemen. They have a guy or two in the AHL that can probably handle a 6/7th NHL job now.

The two aren't necessarily mutual. They can trade Schultz for a pick and then deal any of the other defensemen away and get cheaper on the blueline. They're carrying 8 NHL defensemen. They have a guy or two in the AHL that can probably handle a 6/7th NHL job now.
- Jsaquella

Morin, Ghost and/or Hagg could be ready next season as well, maybe even Sanheim. At some point these guys will have to see the NHL and there can't be guys blocking them. I'm not sure if it would be in the best interest for the future Flyers to go into next year with 6 of Coburn, Grossmann, AMac, Streit, Schenn, Schultz and MDZ. You gotta figure at least one will be dealt at the TDL and one or both of MDZ and Schultz will be gone come the beginning of next season.

The two aren't necessarily mutual. They can trade Schultz for a pick and then deal any of the other defensemen away and get cheaper on the blueline. They're carrying 8 NHL defensemen. They have a guy or two in the AHL that can probably handle a 6/7th NHL job now.
- Jsaquella

I guess. I'm not going to lose my marbles over losing a chance at a late round pick we'd more than most likely never hear about again anyways. Hextall has bigger fish to fry.

I think that is the exact reasoning behind the idea.
- MJL

you also get a response, but I don't know if I left anything unsaid here, so, y'know, all that stuff I said

What would you do if Stars offered Nichushkin, Honka and 2016 first for Jake?
- PhillySportsGuy

Done. The cup could be won in 2017 or later in Philly, not sooner.

There's not a single defenseman on this team I wouldn't move for picks. Maybe Streit and coburn I'd expect more for. The rest can all be replaced in August and September.
- mayorofangrytown

This.

you also get a response, but I don't know if I left anything unsaid here, so, y'know, all that stuff I said
- BulliesPhan87

Really enjoyed the conversation! Very enlightining.

The two aren't necessarily mutual. They can trade Schultz for a pick and then deal any of the other defensemen away and get cheaper on the blueline. They're carrying 8 NHL defensemen. They have a guy or two in the AHL that can probably handle a 6/7th NHL job now.
- Jsaquella

The last thing you want to is to throw more rookies into the fray. The entire idea of keeping a player like Schultz is to help shelter young defenseman that might make the team, and play them in situations that are as ideal as possible for those players breaking into the League, while also adding some cap flexibility. That is far more important to the future of this team, then adding an asset that has a very low chance of amounting to anything.

I guess. I'm not going to lose my marbles over losing a chance at a late round pick we'd more than most likely never hear about again anyways. Hextall has bigger fish to fry.
- BulliesPhan87

If the best they can do was a late round pick then yeah I agree. But if he could land a third rounder? I'd jump at that

If the best they can do was a late round pick then yeah I agree. But if he could land a third rounder? I'd jump at that
- Jsaquella

I'd keep Schultz if all I could get was a 3rd round pick. Adds more value keeping him. Always the possibility of trading him in 15/16 at the deadline, when younger players have gained more experience and are ready for a bigger peice of the pie.

Morin, Ghost and/or Hagg could be ready next season as well, maybe even Sanheim. At some point these guys will have to see the NHL and there can't be guys blocking them. I'm not sure if it would be in the best interest for the future Flyers to go into next year with 6 of Coburn, Grossmann, AMac, Streit, Schenn, Schultz and MDZ. You gotta figure at least one will be dealt at the TDL and one or both of MDZ and Schultz will be gone come the beginning of next season.
- NickTheKid87

Absolutely, some people act like Schultz is the lone veteran. It's unlikely they trade all 6 of the defensemen currently in the top 6, so it's not as if they're going to go with all rookies.

They will have to start working in the kids at some point.

If the best they can do was a late round pick then yeah I agree. But if he could land a third rounder? I'd jump at that
- Jsaquella

I wouldn't consider it a mistake if they kept a cost controlled blueliner over that third round pick. I wouldn't be bothered if they got the pick, either. It's all kind of... whatever, y'know?

Absolutely, some people act like Schultz is the lone veteran. It's unlikely they trade all 6 of the defensemen currently in the top 6, so it's not as if they're going to go with all rookies.

They will have to start working in the kids at some point.
- Jsaquella

He is the lone veteran that can play some of the tough minutes, that can be re-signed in a low risk , low money deal, and add some cap flexibility to the team for next season. When looking at the decsion to re-sign Schultz, have to look at all the factors involved.