I guess I'm old school and would like a good defenseman to be able to play defense primarily and then add offense when possible. I'm not a fan of giving wingers who masquerade as defensemen multi-year deals after one fairly good offensive season when the player can't adequately cover a blind cripple..

Ooooh, who are we moving them to and what are we getting in return? I'm sure Hexy was turning down offers for those 2 studs left and right this year.

NO ONE WANTS A BAD TEAM'S WORST PLAYERS! Especially when they're overpaid.
- jmatchett383

They'll be able to move Grossmann -- not saying they want to, but they will be able that guy.

He's big, physical and plays a role -- and someone will bite, if he's out there

They'll be able to move Grossmann -- not saying they want to, but they will be able that guy.

He's big, physical and plays a role -- and someone will bite, if he's out there
- AllInForFlyers

So even though most of the people on here complain about his lack of mobility, failed clears, and inability to adequately handle the puck...other people want him at his price tag?

Maybe we can bundle Vinny and Umberger with him.

You're assuming his play is at the level it was this year, not to previous 4 season where he was pretty abysmal. $3.5M for a defender who supplies minimal offense and very little defense wouldn't be too appetizing to most GMs.
- jmatchett383

Yes I am.

Just like when SImmonds and Read and Voracek all got deals, they were assumed that those guys would continue to produce.

I guess I would rather go 3.5 now then him play even better and then I have to be bidding in the 4.5 - 5 range.

This was year one of hextalls plan. By year 3 I would think the team needs to be starting on the climb to being a contender and you will still need some vets for hat. I think year two will still be a little transitional.

So glad they one-trick ponies like MDZ and a guy who had a good first 50 games in Schultz will help clog up the blue line alone with Streit, AMac, Gudas, and (likely) one or both of Schenn/Grossmann to make sure none of our young defenders can make the team out of camp next year.
- jmatchett383

I would move Schenn and Grossmann. Both are free agents after next season anyway. I'll wait and see on Gudas, but he's not penciled in past next season yet. I'd love to move Amac but just because I have him doesn't mean I'm going to give him minutes he doesn't deserve.

I just don't see any Flyers defenseman part of the long term plan. Maybe MDZ. I just think the 3 year deal is a happy medium for both teams

Okay, I'm getting way too infuriated over these delusional ideas of Jesus Del Zotto, so I'm just gonna go and say that giving this guy more than 2 years at more than $2.5M, when the Flyers have the ability to tell him to have fun making $0 this year, is a terrible idea. Feel free to bookmark this for future wins.

So even though most of the people on here complain about his lack of mobility, failed clears, and inability to adequately handle the puck...other people want him at his price tag?

Maybe we can bundle Vinny and Umberger with him.
- jmatchett383

Teams that are really young, or don't particularly have a need for more than a consistent veteran presence, will always pay

Man, Meszaros got $4.125 for this season!

They can move Grossmann. This league hasn't changed that much

the risk is you have him for only one year then, and then he walks

if they see him as a fit going forward (I think he is at least until Sanheim and maybe Ghost are ready anyway) then compromise and give him a 3 year deal and they have to pay for 2 years at ufa $s
- Marc D

Yes, there is some risk on the Flyers side.

MDZ and Streit are the only top 4 dmen on this roster. Its only a 3 year deal I'm talking about. It helps bridge the gap a bit for the young guys. MDZ can play heavy minutes effectively. Streit is a nice player but he shouldn't be logging over 20 minutes each night.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's not true, MacDonald is a top 4 NHL defenseman, and if Schultz plays at the level he played this year, he's an okay #4. Schultz is not ideal as a top 4, but he is competitive. Fact of the matter is, that Del Zotto played too much last year. His minutes should be lower.

That's not true, MacDonald is a top 4 NHL defenseman, and if Schultz plays at the level he played this year, he's an okay #4. Schultz is not ideal as a top 4, but he is competitive. Fact of the matter is, that Del Zotto played too much last year. His minutes should be lower.
- MJL

If that is the case then why can't we trade him as everyone has told me is impossible.

What if they're ready come training camp next year?
- jmatchett383

who you talking about?

you think Morin or Ghost or Sanheim are going to step up and play in the big league next season, or maybe the guy they take at #7 will be rushed in there?

I'm not seeing it.

Ghost lost a whole year and I could see him next Spring maybe.

His defense and possession numbers aren't top 4 worthy. Like I said he tries hard defensively, including on the PK, but the results aren't there.
- Feanor

Those numbers are only looked at, if the player is not liked.

That's not true, MacDonald is a top 4 NHL defenseman, and if Schultz plays at the level he played this year, he's an okay #4. Schultz is not ideal as a top 4, but he is competitive. Fact of the matter is, that Del Zotto played too much last year. His minutes should be lower.
- MJL

hes not a top 4 by any means...name me one team that would trade for him.

Yes I am.

Just like when SImmonds and Read and Voracek all got deals, they were assumed that those guys would continue to produce.
- J35Bacher

Simmonds and Read never had multiple awful seasons, one of which involved two other teams giving up on them.

They'll be able to move Grossmann -- not saying they want to, but they will be able that guy.

He's big, physical and plays a role -- and someone will bite, if he's out there
- AllInForFlyers

Calgary likes him

He's just that kind of dman... his attack-side numbers are borderline top-pair. I'm not gonna refuse to pay him fair value because he isn't Scott Neidermeyer.
- Tomahawk

There's nothing about Del Zotto's game that is top pair level. Fair value is subjective.

Dmans for next year

??? - Streit
Del Zotto - MacDonald
Gudas - Schultz

Gone: Grossmann, Schenn


Have fun.

I need to see more is basically what it comes down to. Do a one year or two year deal and then we can talk down the line. If he proves his worth then so be it. If our kids are ready we have a tradable deal because of the term.
- Just5

OK this makes sense to me

but I think he's shown a lot of what he is all about this year, he helps the rush and is OK defensively, makes some turnovers and allows a fair # of shots but is serviceable

hes not a top 4 by any means...name me one team that would trade for him.
- PhillaBully

Ottawa....McDonald and the Hamburgler

If that is the case then why can't we trade him as everyone has told me is impossible.
- J35Bacher

Is it a fact that they can't trade him? Honestly, why would we want to trade him?

There's nothing about Del Zotto's game that is top pair level. Fair value is subjective.
- MJL

I still trade MDZ if offered a 2nd

But we arent talking about next season. We are talking about the season after.


edit: I have no doubt if he is playing well on the one year deal the Flyers extend him mid season. That is how they operate. And I think MDZ signs if that is how it plays out.
- MBFlyerfan

If he has another good season, he will be seeking $5M not 3.5M. He will also want longer term.

who you talking about?

you think Morin or Ghost or Sanheim are going to step up and play in the big league next season, or maybe the guy they take at #7 will be rushed in there?

I'm not seeing it.

Ghost lost a whole year and I could see him next Spring maybe.
- Marc D

I fully expect to see Morin stick next season out of camp. Who knows where Gostisbehere is after this season. Sanheim will go back to Calgary. Haag is about as murky a picture right now that they have. I don't even know what they think of him.

hes not a top 4 by any means...name me one team that would trade for him.
- PhillaBully

Right after you prove factually that no other teams would trade for him.

Right after you prove factually that no other teams would trade for him.
- MJL

Right after you prove factually that hes a top 4 Dmen. Show me the stats.