Not that I don't like Cousins, but I'd really like to see the Flyers add a veteran center, who can play on the PK, and take key defensive zone draws. Some offense would be nice. Hopefully improve the PK, and take some wear and tear off of Giroux.
- MJL

I think this is key. Giroux doesn't have the size of Getzlaf or Toewes to handle those kinds of hard minutes over 82 games and playoffs. The heart is willing, but the body......

I agree, but I don't think that's what the Flyers will do. A buyout is not awful.
- MJL

Glad to see youre coming around

Not that I don't like Cousins, but I'd really like to see the Flyers add a veteran center, who can play on the PK, and take key defensive zone draws. Some offense would be nice. Hopefully improve the PK, and take some wear and tear off of Giroux.
- MJL

I believe this is the best case scenario as well

Sending out a 3rd/4th line with two sluggish skaters on the wings should not be on the table for the Flyers after these playoffs. Hopefully the coach and GM have noticed that the game has moved on.

http://www.hockeyprospect...rospect-com-final-top-30/

If the draft follows these rankings, which it almost certainly won't, the Flyers could pick from Bellows, McLeod, Jones, Tufte and Gauthier at 18.
- Feanor

Watching these two teams I am not sure I give much to White. He is a good guy but both of these teams have 3rd/4th lines with speed and select skills.

Pens have a 4ht line of Kuhnhakl - Cullen - Fehr. All those guys kill penalties. they all have above average speed and all can chip in goals more frequently then what the Flyers have.

I would be ok having a 4th line of Leier - Bellemare - Bardreau or Martel.

Add more speed.

OK, that is what I would expect as well. And I would guess not every team loses a player since there are less roster spots than teams.
- MBFlyerfan

That is how it has happened in the past

I believe this is the best case scenario as well
- YuenglingJagr

Would you take a chance with Eric Staal? Didn't play great with NY but could he be an inexpensive option for that role?

I think Backes/Brouwer/Neilson will all get good amount of money. Maybe Nick Spaling?

Just hard to find a guy like that. Might have to get a guy who underperformed and see if he can make something happen. Kind of how Bonino stuggled in Vancouver but is playing well in Pittsburgh

Would you take a chance with Eric Staal? Didn't play great with NY but could he be an inexpensive option for that role?

I think Backes/Brouwer/Neilson will all get good amount of money. Maybe Nick Spaling?

Just hard to find a guy like that. Might have to get a guy who underperformed and see if he can make something happen. Kind of how Bonino stuggled in Vancouver but is playing well in Pittsburgh
- J35Bacher

I wouldn't say Bonino struggled in Vancouver. I think he actually played better during the regular season with Vancouver/Anaheim. He's just playing well in the playoffs and coming up with clutch plays.

Would you take a chance with Eric Staal? Didn't play great with NY but could he be an inexpensive option for that role?

I think Backes/Brouwer/Neilson will all get good amount of money. Maybe Nick Spaling?

Just hard to find a guy like that. Might have to get a guy who underperformed and see if he can make something happen. Kind of how Bonino stuggled in Vancouver but is playing well in Pittsburgh
- J35Bacher

I don't think Staal's next contract will be inexpensive at all. Even with his back to back below average seasons he's still going to get a contract north of 5 mil avv over 4+ years.

I don't think Staal's next contract will be inexpensive at all. Even with his back to back below average seasons he's still going to get a contract north of 5 mil avv over 4+ years.
- Gnrlbot

And that is what I am finding.

It's hard to find a good veteran who isn't too old but not going to cost too much.

His most useful place is on the second PP unit. He leaves a lot to be desired elsewhere though and I completely agree it would be ideal to take him off the PK
- YuenglingJagr

not that i dont appreciate what ryan white has done over his last 1.5+ seasons with us, but i disagree, dont think he should be anywhere near any PP unit. he does have a big body and he does go into the corners but he has no offensive prowess whatsoever, cant handle tough passes under pressure, his vision isnt all that great getting the puck back to the point. i can remember numerous times when i could see a puck shot behind the boards with only white in the vicinity and knowing it was gonna be cleared seconds later.

there has to be other options for the net front presence on the 2nd pp unit

I don't think Staal's next contract will be inexpensive at all. Even with his back to back below average seasons he's still going to get a contract north of 5 mil avv over 4+ years.
- Gnrlbot

really? i actually am in the minority i guess, i dont think he will get 5+ mil, i think if a team gives him only a year, then maybe, but i think staal will hope for a 2/3 year deal since he knows hes declining. id say a 2 year, 7 mil contract gets him on a team he thinks he can contend with.

Would you take a chance with Eric Staal? Didn't play great with NY but could he be an inexpensive option for that role?

I think Backes/Brouwer/Neilson will all get good amount of money. Maybe Nick Spaling?

Just hard to find a guy like that. Might have to get a guy who underperformed and see if he can make something happen. Kind of how Bonino stuggled in Vancouver but is playing well in Pittsburgh
- J35Bacher

nope nope nope NOPE NOOOOOOPE

I dont think Bonino struggled in Vancouver...I think Vancouver was idiotic to make the deal they made

Not that I don't like Cousins, but I'd really like to see the Flyers add a veteran center, who can play on the PK, and take key defensive zone draws. Some offense would be nice. Hopefully improve the PK, and take some wear and tear off of Giroux.
- MJL

Agree 100%
I see Cousins as more of a 4th line agitator type.

Agree 100%
I see Cousins as more of a 4th line agitator type.
- BiggE

I see him as a trade chip :D

Agree 100%
I see Cousins as more of a 4th line agitator type.
- BiggE

I see it like that too but then I also think that ideally I want my 4th line guys to be specialists who can kill penalties which Cousins doesn't do.

Is Cousins just a more glorified Akenson?

Would you take a chance with Eric Staal? Didn't play great with NY but could he be an inexpensive option for that role?
- J35Bacher

I don't think Staal's next contract will be inexpensive at all. Even with his back to back below average seasons he's still going to get a contract north of 5 mil avv over 4+ years.
- Gnrlbot

Vincent Lecavalier v2.0

I think this is key. Giroux doesn't have the size of Getzlaf or Toewes to handle those kinds of hard minutes over 82 games and playoffs. The heart is willing, but the body......
- MBFlyerfan

Exactly, he's wearing down from it.

Would you take a chance with Eric Staal? Didn't play great with NY but could he be an inexpensive option for that role?

I think Backes/Brouwer/Neilson will all get good amount of money. Maybe Nick Spaling?

Just hard to find a guy like that. Might have to get a guy who underperformed and see if he can make something happen. Kind of how Bonino stuggled in Vancouver but is playing well in Pittsburgh
- J35Bacher

I don't think Bonino is any better/worse now than he was in Vancouver. He put up 39 points last year, which is more than he had this year, even if you pro-rate the numbers. He's a very good third-line center who can slide up into the top-6 for a short time if needed, and he is having a very productive playoff run, though not as productive as guys like Fernando Pisani had.

Vincent Lecavalier v2.0
- Tomahawk

Probably.

I was just more looking for that big center to handle some minutes. I was more illustrating there really isn't that guy out there unless you want to pay for players like Neilson, Brouwer or Backes. UFA seems to have a lot of older types.

Stamkos is of course my option and then fill in with cheap ELC type players. But I know lots of people hate that.

The other thing I think of is would you make a move for a young RFA. If you want to be stronger up the middle would you move a winger like Schenn for a center like Shaw or Sheahan.

I guess depends how you want to build the team and allocate money

I see it like that too but then I also think that ideally I want my 4th line guys to be specialists who can kill penalties which Cousins doesn't do.

Is Cousins just a more glorified Akenson?
- J35Bacher

I think Cousins is better than Akeson at the NHL level. I don't think he'll ever be superstar or anything, but he's got a bit of scoring and above-average speed. Plus he has that poop-eating grin that makes other teams furious.

Glad to see youre coming around
- YuenglingJagr

Coming around to what? My opinion hasn't changed one bit.

Coming around to what? My opinion hasn't changed one bit.
- MJL

I think he's confusing your stance on Umberger with your prior stance on VLC.

I think Cousins is better than Akeson at the NHL level. I don't think he'll ever be superstar or anything, but he's got a bit of scoring and above-average speed. Plus he has that poop-eating grin that makes other teams furious.
- jmatchett383

I see more a scoring touch Not the speed part. I think both are about the same in that.

I guess he could play a good 4th line role with fast wingers because he does bring a little physical play. Not playing on the pk kind of hurts though as you would like 4th line guys to handle that role.

really? i actually am in the minority i guess, i dont think he will get 5+ mil, i think if a team gives him only a year, then maybe, but i think staal will hope for a 2/3 year deal since he knows hes declining. id say a 2 year, 7 mil contract gets him on a team he thinks he can contend with.
- sjk540

There will probably be a team out there who still thinks they can get 1C or 2C level offense from him-that's why I think he's gonna get paid. That and he's still only 31, I believe, still some time for him to right the ship.

I see him as a trade chip :D
- YuenglingJagr

Very possible