Who was Stralman paired with last year not Hedman not Mcdonagh
- 3flyerkids

Staal

He would look like a heck of player. Honestly the guy fits the bill as a capable second pairing who doesn't need an all star next to him. He just has a premium #2 dman contract
- Just5

That is all I am saying. Premium 2man contract, while he is actually a good second pairing 3/4 man

Grossman for budaj?
- Just5

Why bother? One of Mason or Zepp will hopefully be off the shelf soon. Imho there is no reason to address goaltending at all until the off season.

Who was Stralman paired with last year not Hedman not Mcdonagh
- 3flyerkids

played with Staal I think, 2nd pair.
had less than 15 points.

Just saying that who you have the opportunity to play with goes a long way, for most players, to determining how good you look. especially in the eyes of the fans.
Not saying that Stralman isn't good, but I am saying that maybe the flyers D men, not just Mac, look a lot better if they are in the roles they should be playing.

It's a luxury. Hexys phone has to be ringing off the hook for these deadline bargains
- Just5

Defense is never a luxury.

Defense is never a luxury.
- MJL

That's why other teams will be calling.

Why bother? One of Mason or Zepp will hopefully be off the shelf soon. Imho there is no reason to address goaltending at all until the off season.
- Scoob

Agreed, better off getting a draft pick or a prospect.

That's why other teams will be calling.
- KGBflyers10

If not at the deadline, then at the draft or the off season.

played with Staal I think, 2nd pair.
had less than 15 points.

Just saying that who you have the opportunity to play with goes a long way, for most players, to determining how good you look. especially in the eyes of the fans.
Not saying that Stralman isn't good, but I am saying that maybe the flyers D men, not just Mac, look a lot better if they are in the roles they should be playing.
- nails

Definitely. There is really only one problem with this team's defenseman, albeit a big problem. They don't have that #1 horse back there.

That is all I am saying. Premium 2man contract, while he is actually a good second pairing 3/4 man
- 3flyerkids

if he was a 4.5M cap number, would that make you feel better about him?

if he was a 4.5M cap number, would that make you feel better about him?
- nails

4 years at 4-4.5M or 5 years at 4M

4 years at 4-4.5M or 5 years at 4M
- 3flyerkids

interesting.

10 years ago I would have thought you were crazy. A decade of handing out scholarships has changed my outlook on that, so I get it.
I don't agree, but I understand where you are coming from.

Who was Stralman paired with last year not Hedman not Mcdonagh
- 3flyerkids

Stralman has been mostly paired with Carle this year because of all of Hedman's injuries. Hedman has been mostly with Stralman when he does play though.

4 years at 4-4.5M or 5 years at 4M
- 3flyerkids

AMac on Grossmann's contract would seem about right.

Thanks Bill. The loss of Mason will hurt for a while. I hope that he isn't gone with a knee injury for the long term.
In the Caps defense, they had been playing quite a few games of late, when compared to the Flyers. However, good on the Flyers for being able to take advantage of that. Simmer had a heck of a shot go in on Holtby, who played well for the Caps.
A salute to Al Koken. I grew up in the DC area, after our family moved from Philly, and had the pleasure of watching him in various sports programs, and on several channels over the years. The Caps, and Comcast gave him recognition yesterday.

A lot of Isles fans seem to dislike Amac when he was playing there for 600,000 a year.

These are guys that watch their team play every game so they see the mistakes and cling to their opinions. But they watch their team way more then I do so I won't say they are wrong.

I think it is more about asking him to play 25+ minutes a game a lot of it coming against the other teams top line where Amac fell short there. Also when he was there they often had substandard goaltending which doesn't help. Playing in the wrong role.

My point is the $ aren't always the deciding factor for fans opinion. It does color the conversation a lot in regards to the current Flyers defense.
Although could you imagine our opinion if he was playing here in that 600,000 per year last contract he had?

I think it would command something along the lines of Coburn, B Schenn, Read, 1st maybe a 2nd + prospect instead of the 1st
- arichardson22

Jesus, Carter got the Flyers Jake, a first and 3rd. no way in hell I am giving that much up for Kane.

From TSN on Kane:

Philadelphia's interest would appear to be lukewarm or less, likely scared off by what is expected to be a high asking price.

Can't believe some of you think Amac and Stralman are comparable players

The thing that bother me is this little bit:

When he returned on Jan. 27, without so much as a full practice to prepare, Mason admitted more "drastic measures" were discussed, hinting at possible knee surgery. He was not available for comment after yesterday's game.

If it is the same knee and surgery was being considered......

http://www.philly.com/phi..._Mason_injured_again.html

If the Flyers were trotting him out there in a Quixotic attempt to make the playoffs, I feel like that is tremendously irresponsible of the team. It doesn't help their rep as a team that will put the health of a player at risk undeserved or not.

Saying the injury is "unrelated" may be technically true. Perhaps it was his MCL, and this time he hurt his ACL. But as the writer says:

Considering his entire "lower-body" operates in unison to make saves, and everything must be in sync, it is tough to disconnect the dots between Mason's multiple ailments. An athlete's body is like an orchestra. When muscles and tendons are not in harmony, the end result can be painful - especially with a mental block that could cause compensation and abnormal movements.

comon.....

My point is the $ aren't always the deciding factor for fans opinion. It does color the conversation a lot in regards to the current Flyers defense.
Although could you imagine our opinion if he was playing here in that 600,000 per year last contract he had?
- Marc D

What it boils down to, and always does, is value. AMac at $600k would be great value but AMac on his current deal, taking into account both cap hit and term, is middling value at best.

Sometimes the lack of value or presence of value can skew people's view of a player. For example, Bryzgalov played like a back-up goalie in his time with the Flyers but since he was paid some much, many make him out to have been a borderline NHLer which isn't true. Conversely, Mason has played stellar since being here but he looks better because they gave up next to nothing to get him and he's on a cheap contract for the play. Mason at $7.5m a year makes people a lot more critical.

AMac on Grossmann's contract would seem about right.
- Tomahawk

That's not realistic.

Stralman is playing in a different situation and on a much better team. Both are comparable players. MacDonald had his asking price and he had leverage. I think if he would've signed for less, the Flyers would've gotten him for less.
- MJL

Seems like the Flyers have a track record of commiting too soon, over-valuing and overpaying players.

Can't believe some of you think Amac and Stralman are comparable players
- PhillySportsGuy

Can't beleive those that don't think they are.

Seems like the Flyers have a track record of commiting too soon, over-valuing and overpaying players.
- Dkos

Flyers do target a player, and go after what they want. MacDonald got the upside of market value for a player in his position.