Vancouver's blog is talking about radim vrbata being on the trade block to get younger up front. Would anyone be interested in trading for a guy like him? He statistically had one of his best seasons. Two problems that immediately jump out- he's 33, and he plays RW. he is a skilled player, not too fast, good with the puck, he can pass, and he can shoot.
- benjichronic

He would be more of a depth player for philly. not worth it for 5 million a season.

Did we hire Babcock yet?
- GOA88

@TSNBobMcKenzie: RT @markhmasters: Mike Babcock says key factors in his decision:
1. What his wife thinks
2. Winning

Buff for Schenns and philly 1st.
- manvanfan

he said realistic, not ridiculistic

the 7th for a 3rd line centre and a 5/6 D with a brutal contract. For a game changer like buff. Man, to say you overvalue your players is an understatement.
- manvanfan

Not really overvaluing players.... if a team is going for a youth movement and trying to develop younger players, then why trade the best pick you've had in years for a guy who won't be around when you're really trying to contend? It just doesn't make sense

Plus... I, personally, have no interest at all in Buff

@TSNBobMcKenzie: RT @markhmasters: Mike Babcock says key factors in his decision:
1. What his wife thinks
2. Winning
- nastyflyergirl

Well IDK what his wife is all about but the Flyers are as committed to winning as any other franchise.

the 7th for a 3rd line centre and a 5/6 D with a brutal contract. For a game changer like buff. Man, to say you overvalue your players is an understatement.
- manvanfan

Even if you take the Schenns out I wouldn't do it.

the 7th for a 3rd line centre and a 5/6 D with a brutal contract. For a game changer like buff. Man, to say you overvalue your players is an understatement.
- manvanfan

Buff's irresponsible in his own end a lot. So many goals given up because he gets himself out of position to make a huge hit and destroy a guy. I think that's what it has more to do with.

And I personally haven't given up on brayden schenn yet. Hes 23 years old, and he's improved his point totals every single year since he started playing in the nhl. He's just got some consistency issues. If he can get over that, he'd be a lot more valuable that's for sure. I don't think anyone is over valuing him, I think flyers fans are trying to be a little more patient with young players.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: RT @markhmasters: Mike Babcock says key factors in his decision:
1. What his wife thinks
2. Winning
- nastyflyergirl

'

Well, if she approved Detroit in the past the bar is set very very very low.

Not really overvaluing players.... if a team is going for a youth movement and trying to develop younger players, then why trade the best pick you've had in years for a guy who won't be around when you're really trying to contend? It just doesn't make sense

Plus... I, personally, have no interest at all in Buff
- Coleman

Most teams are trying to go with competing every year and develop players. I think Philly is a competitive team but needs a defence. Buff can certainly be a game changer. Scores and hits. With Laughton and cousins and courtier I doubt you will be missing Brayden too much and Luke is just too slow but a good physical D. Buff's probably worth more then what you got for Mike Richards years ago.

he said realistic, not ridiculistic
- BulliesPhan87

If it makes anyone feel any better my friend is a friend of Chevy and he told her that his son was so mad at him for the first time he traded Buff away and that himself would never ever make that mistake again.

Flyers sign free agent d-man Christian Marti to an entry level contract

Most teams are trying to go with competing every year and develop players. I think Philly is a competitive team but needs a defence. Buff can certainly be a game changer. Scores and hits. With Laughton and cousins and courtier I doubt you will be missing Brayden too much and Luke is just too slow but a good physical D. Buff's probably worth more then what you got for Mike Richards years ago.
- manvanfan

I get what you're saying, and I'm not saying that the Flyers won't be trying to compete, but what I'm saying is that the 7th pick in this year's draft will be a good NHL player (on a cheaper contract) once the defensive prospects that are in the system are ready to contribute. At that point, the Flyers should be in really good shape. This year the team under-performed by a decent margin and could've been a hell of a lot more competitive than they showed. Contenders, no. Competitive... could've been...

Buff might help in the short term, but in the long run it just doesn't make sense. Now, if you said Shattenkirk, I'd do that deal in a minute.

Flyers sign free agent d-man Christian Marti to an entry level contract
- nastyflyergirl

Here's what eliteprospects.com has to say about him:

"....Possesses a rare combination of size and mobility. Christian Marti, with his skill and long reach, has perfect shutdown abilities. Battles hard along the boards and will not quit until he has the puck. Plays with a lot intensity, as Marti loves to throw out punishing hits. He needs to work on his consistency and try to avoid defensive woes. Has untapped offensive abilities and owns a booming shot from the point, which makes him a reliable option for a power play unit..."

Here's what eliteprospects.com has to say about him:

"....Possesses a rare combination of size and mobility. Christian Marti, with his skill and long reach, has perfect shutdown abilities. Battles hard along the boards and will not quit until he has the puck. Plays with a lot intensity, as Marti loves to throw out punishing hits. He needs to work on his consistency and try to avoid defensive woes. Has untapped offensive abilities and owns a booming shot from the point, which makes him a reliable option for a power play unit..."
- Coleman

Kinda sounds like buff(minus the untapped offensive talent portion)

I like the sounds of him. As long as he can work on his positioning and knowing when appropriate to throw a big hit, he sounds like he has the tools to possibly develop into a decent player someday

Kinda sounds like buff(minus the untapped offensive talent portion)

I like the sounds of him. As long as he can work on his positioning and knowing when appropriate to throw a big hit, he sounds like he has the tools to possibly develop into a decent player someday
- benjichronic

I'm all for signing kids like this. Not much to lose really except a contract spot and they will have a few of them open with guys like Lauridsen going.

I'm all for signing kids like this. Not much to lose really except a contract spot and they will have a few of them open with guys like Lauridsen going.
- nastyflyergirl

i love defensive woes!

Flyers sign free agent d-man Christian Marti to an entry level contract
- nastyflyergirl

random swiss defenseman.

If it makes anyone feel any better my friend is a friend of Chevy and he told her that his son was so mad at him for the first time he traded Buff away and that himself would never ever make that mistake again.
- manvanfan

Man, to say Chevy's son overvalues your players is an understatement.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: RT @markhmasters: Mike Babcock says key factors in his decision:
1. What his wife thinks
2. Winning
- nastyflyergirl

Wasn't Cliff Lee's wife the reason he signed with the Phils?

who the (frank) is Christian Marti

i love defensive woes!
- hammarby31

He's only 22. He is pretty big too. 6'3 a little over 200 lbs.

give him 2 or 3 years and then see where he's at with his defensive lapses.

who the (frank) is Christian Marti
- 2Real

He's either:

1.) Heir to the Jose Marti cigar fortune:



2.) A guy that might be good at ice hockey.

who the (frank) is Christian Marti
- 2Real

@billmeltzer: Marti had some injury issues this season but he is an interesting pickup. Good size, moves well, doesn't mind physical play.

@billmeltzer: Marti is also still young -- turned 22 earlier this year -- so there is room for growth in his game.

m.twitter.com/billmeltzer
@billmeltzer: Flyers also have a good pipeline on Blainville-Boisbriand players (QMJHL) and Marti spent a season there before going home.

@billmeltzer: Marti had a shoulder issue this season missed a lot of time. But Flyers must have been satisfied he'll be fine.

I'm all for signing kids like this. Not much to lose really except a contract spot and they will have a few of them open with guys like Lauridsen going.
- nastyflyergirl

Me too. Not using draft picks to acquire them is great too. I mean why not. like I've said before, they've had a good track record with them in the recent past.

@billmeltzer: Marti had some injury issues this season but he is an interesting pickup. Good size, moves well, doesn't mind physical play.

@billmeltzer: Marti is also still young -- turned 22 earlier this year -- so there is room for growth in his game.

m.twitter.com/billmeltzer
@billmeltzer: Flyers also have a good pipeline on Blainville-Boisbriand players (QMJHL) and Marti spent a season there before going home.

@billmeltzer: Marti had a shoulder issue this season missed a lot of time. But Flyers must have been satisfied he'll be fine.
- nastyflyergirl