If they win the cup and he walks at the end of the season would anyone really care at what they gave up?
- J35Bacher

For a team that had no player who could do what Boychuk is doing for them, I think winning a playoff round would be worth it just for the fan base reaction.

That's kind of the point. If you are going to overpay, get a better player. I'd rather pay Boychuk $5.25mm than MacDonald $5mm
- Jsaquella

Good luck signing Boychuck for 5.25M. If that happens, then they made an even better move.

If they win the cup and he walks at the end of the season would anyone really care at what they gave up?
- J35Bacher

Big if! Yes, they would care, when he walks.

Boychuck is a superior player to MacDonald. They still had to give up picks, and they're still going to have to pay up, and he could walk at the end of the year.
- MJL

Yes....but (in an extreme case) if the Flyers traded 2 2nd's and a conditional 3rd for, say, Victor Hedman for 1 year, it's worth it (to me). It's not exactly apples to apples.

For a team that had no player who could do what Boychuk is doing for them, I think winning a playoff round would be worth it just for the fan base reaction.
- jmatchett383

It might be. I just think if they would go on to win the cup this year would anyone really care that they gave up picks for one season of Boychuk.

Yes....but (in an extreme case) if the Flyers traded 2 2nd's and a conditional 3rd for, say, Victor Hedman for 1 year, it's worth it (to me). It's not exactly apples to apples.
- jmatchett383

No, it's not, and they got a full season out of Boychuck if he walks compared to the Flyers would've gotten a partial season of MacDonald had walked. Doesn't change that they gave up some assets to acquire Boychuck, and if he walks, then it wasn't a very good deal.

Big if! Yes, they would care, when he walks.
- MJL

Really?

Would they? Or would they be excited that they get a parade and the cup?

They're going to have to really overpay anyway! If he walks how is giving up 2 2nd round picks and a conditional 3rd round pick for one season a good deal?


The Isles essentially did the same thing with Boychuck that the Flyers did with MacDonald.
- MJL

The isles got a whole season from boychuk after giving up those picks. He's helped them to one of the top records in the east. I don't see the isles overpaying anymore for boychuk than the flyers did with amac

Really?

Would they? Or would they be excited that they get a parade and the cup?
- J35Bacher

LA fans have won the Cup 2 out of the last 3 years. They're not very happy with their team right now.

The isles got a whole season from boychuk after giving up those picks. He's helped them to one of the top records in the east. I don't see the isles overpaying anymore for boychuk than the flyers did with amac
- Just5

If Boychuck tests Free Agency, he will arguably be the best available defenseman.

LA fans have won the Cup 2 out of the last 3 years. They're not very happy with their team right now.
- MJL

I think he's right that the ends would justify the means, at least for most fans. It's an enormous if, though.

If Boychuck tests Free Agency, he will arguably be the best available defenseman.
- MJL

What value would you place on every flyer dman at the trade deadline? In terms of draft picks/prospects

The isles got a whole season from boychuk after giving up those picks. He's helped them to one of the top records in the east. I don't see the isles overpaying anymore for boychuk than the flyers did with amac
- Just5

Also have to take into context the team's roster. Boychuk has basically been their number one or two guy. He's played a ton of minutes and thrived. That's a guy you pay a premium for, not a guy who has shown he can't be a top two guy for an extended stretch and is better suited to being a secondary guy.

That's my issue right there-paying a premium for a guy you already know can't handle being a top pair guy for any length of time. Yeah, MacDonald's been solid in his secondary role. So has Nick Schultz. And MDZ. And Luke Schenn of late.

Boychuk is playing top minutes in a top pair role for one of the best teams in the east. That's the guy you give a premium contract to.

what happened to Mason?

LA fans have won the Cup 2 out of the last 3 years. They're not very happy with their team right now.
- MJL

For me, I'd gladly give up 10 consecutive first round picks for 2 Cups, and I'd give up 5 consecutive for one Cup. So, yes, when your team doesn't play well, you're not happy. But I'm sure LA fans are much happier with the Carter/Richards deals and 2 Cups than they'd be without their 2 Cups.

I think he's right that the ends would justify the means, at least for most fans. It's an enormous if, though.
- BulliesPhan87

Fans tend to say that with the expectation. After the fact, they often change their mind. If the fans think that a player they just added for the season was a key player in upgrading the team and a big factor in winning a championship, they'll care big time if he walks.

For me, I'd gladly give up 10 consecutive first round picks for 2 Cups, and I'd give up 5 consecutive for one Cup. So, yes, when your team doesn't play well, you're not happy. But I'm sure LA fans are much happier with the Carter/Richards deals and 2 Cups than they'd be without their 2 Cups.
- jmatchett383

If your team sucks in later years, the outlook changes. Phillies are a perfect example.

No, it's not, and they got a full season out of Boychuck if he walks compared to the Flyers would've gotten a partial season of MacDonald had walked. Doesn't change that they gave up some assets to acquire Boychuck, and if he walks, then it wasn't a very good deal.
- MJL

Well, you can't say factually it's a bad deal because it's totally based on perception. To me, giving up what they did for Boychuk, coupled with the results they've had and his value to the team, I say it's a good deal.

If your team sucks in later years, the outlook changes. Phillies are a perfect example.
- MJL

Phillies have a 10 year pass

If your team sucks in later years, the outlook changes. Phillies are a perfect example.
- MJL

And as I've stated on multiple occasions, I don't care if they ever win another game because I got a championship (the first in the city since the day I was born in '83). Yes, I'd PREFER them to win another one, but can be happy that I got one.

Edit:

Phillies have a 10 year pass
- Just5

This, except it's more than 10 years (to me).

Also have to take into context the team's roster. Boychuk has basically been their number one or two guy. He's played a ton of minutes and thrived. That's a guy you pay a premium for, not a guy who has shown he can't be a top two guy for an extended stretch and is better suited to being a secondary guy.

That's my issue right there-paying a premium for a guy you already know can't handle being a top pair guy for any length of time. Yeah, MacDonald's been solid in his secondary role. So has Nick Schultz. And MDZ. And Luke Schenn of late.

Boychuk is playing top minutes in a top pair role for one of the best teams in the east. That's the guy you give a premium contract to.
- Jsaquella

The Isles team that Boychuck is playing with, is far different the team that MacDonald played on. The Flyers aren't paying MacDonald a top pair premium salary. That's where the disconnect is. They're paying him what a player of his caliber is worth on the UFA market. If a true top pair guy hits the open market, in today's NHL and scarcity of available top pair players, the cost will go through the roof.

Phillies have a 10 year pass
- Just5

No they don't.

what happened to Mason?
- Davey_Crockett

Live game action

Fans tend to say that with the expectation. After the fact, they often change their mind. If the fans think that a player they just added for the season was a key player in upgrading the team and a big factor in winning a championship, they'll care big time if he walks.
- MJL

Oh, I'm not saying they'll be happy he walks, but I think many if not most would find it justifiable. There would be some outcry, but the empty can rattles the loudest.

No they don't.
- MJL

To him, and to me, they do.

This is a fan-by-fan perception. Just because your perception is different is irrelevant to how he feels.