Playing devil's advocate: If you were Jarmo Kekäläinen, would you have regretted the Matt Duchene rental and first-round pick loss, knowing a) the Blue Jackets were still major underdogs going up against Tampa, even with the Duchene addition, b) Duchene was probably not going to re-sign with your team regardless of what Bobrovsky (who was a lock to leave) and Panarin (ditto) decided to do, c) you'd end up not only beating Tampa but sweeping them outright, and d) Duchene would post 10 points in 10 playoff games.

Was it a waste since Columbus went out in the second round? The Tampa series is their only playoff series win in franchise history to date.
- bmeltzer

It definitely wasn't a waste. Some times fans forget that GMs are working for owners who quite like getting home playoff games.

since his first full NHL season, Giroux has played in 836 of a possible 846 games. Since making the NHL Voracek has played in 906 of a possible 928 games.

pretty iron man stuff
- nastyflyergirl

I believe G's longest injury absence was 4 games in 13-14 after Simmonds kneed him in the head.

Sure. First round match up against Wsh, in game update: "Nolan Patrick leaves games with upper body injury, will not return" and that's the tea.

Less pressure, better situations? hmm let's take the training wheels off shall we? Shut him down, and have him give it a go next year. The team is doing just fine without him.
- Bryz's Buyout Fund

If he is medically cleared, he is medically cleared. What point will it be safe for him to play in your opinion. Do we go by what you're thinking or what the Doctor's tell the Flyers?

Nothing to do with training wheels. Everything to do with helping the player develop. If he is cleared to play and shows that he is playing at a high enough level if he goes to the Phantoms. No reason not to play him.

The team is doing just fine without Gostisbehere, Patrick and Lindblom. Don't need any of them. The team also did fine when Hart was out injured. Don't need him either.

The team is also doing just fine without making a trade and adding another player. LOL

It's a possibility for any team. You aren't saying anything here and are dodging. You don't make those moves with the expectation that you won't be a playoff team.
- MJL

Maybe we dont, but the rangers GM does (I dont think hes a good GM)

But I dont think they expected Trouba to be this bad and a player like Andersson to provide absolutely nothing.

Maybe we dont, but the rangers GM does (I dont think hes a good GM)

But I dont think they expected Trouba to be this bad and a player like Andersson to provide absolutely nothing.
- bulet13

I think the lesson is that you don't build a Cup team through free agency and trades. You build through the draft. You supplement with good trades and use free agency when the time is right. If you try and rush that, chances are you'll get into trouble and will be in danger of getting in the worst place you can be as a team. A good team that is good but not good enough and lacks cap flexibility and is short on quality prospects.

Patrick is taking part in full practices???
- SuperSchennBros

Not cleared for contact yet. Has been on ice in regular practice, but only in limited role.

I think the lesson is that you don't build a Cup team through free agency and trades. You build through the draft. You supplement with good trades and use free agency when the time is right. If you try and rush that, chances are you'll get into trouble and will be in danger of getting in the worst place you can be as a team. A good team that is good but not good enough and lacks cap flexibility and is short on quality prospects.
- MJL

Oh I 100% agree

I do think Panarin was a little different because he might be the best free agent available for the next handful of years and will probably remain elite for most to all of his contract. I dont fault them for that, even if the timing was not ideal.

The trouba trade and extension tho...woof

If he is medically cleared, he is medically cleared. What point will it be safe for him to play in your opinion. Do we go by what you're thinking or what the Doctor's tell the Flyers?

Nothing to do with training wheels. Everything to do with helping the player develop. If he is cleared to play and shows that he is playing at a high enough level if he goes to the Phantoms. No reason not to play him.

The team is doing just fine without Gostisbehere, Patrick and Lindblom. Don't need any of them. The team also did fine when Hart was out injured. Don't need him either.
- MJL

LOL at the hart comment! Given that you can argue he's the team MVP.

Point was I don't see Patrick having the impact some other people think he might have like TSN. He hasn't played a hockey game in over 10 months, and coming off a severe concussion like/related injury it just doesn't seem like the right time to throw him into the fire.

I think the lesson is that you don't build a Cup team through free agency and trades. You build through the draft. You supplement with good trades and use free agency when the time is right. If you try and rush that, chances are you'll get into trouble and will be in danger of getting in the worst place you can be as a team. A good team that is good but not good enough and lacks cap flexibility and is short on quality prospects.
- MJL

Ok, but we've been building through the draft for the last 8 years. It's not rushing at this point, it's time. They can contend, they've shown it all year.

If you need to give up some prospects / picks to get some star power not just for this season, but for more years down the road, you should do it.

Maybe we dont, but the rangers GM does (I dont think hes a good GM)

But I dont think they expected Trouba to be this bad and a player like Andersson to provide absolutely nothing.
- bulet13

Just an FYI, the Rangers GM is significantly responsible for a lot of moves that make the Bruins such a good team currently.

Ok, but we've been building through the draft for the last 8 years. It's not rushing at this point, it's time. They can contend, they've shown it all year.

If you need to give up some prospects / picks to get some star power not just for this season, but for more years down the road, you should do it.
- Bryz's Buyout Fund

It depends on who for what ? I’m not going to lie I don’t see a lot of big upgrades out there that would be worth giving up high end prospects or a first round pick. I see Fletcher trying to add depth...I guess we’ll see.

Braun out with the Flu, Friedman will play with Hagg...

LOL at the hart comment! Given that you can argue he's the team MVP.

Point was I don't see Patrick having the impact some other people think he might have like TSN. He hasn't played a hockey game in over 10 months, and coming off a severe concussion like/related injury it just doesn't seem like the right time to throw him into the fire.
- Bryz's Buyout Fund

Actually the comment to laugh at was the flawed comment you made saying that they're doing alright without Patrick so they don't need him. I guess the point I made about Hart went over your head.

We don't know what impact Patrick could make if any. With that being said, that still doesn't justify shutting him down for the season if he is cleared to play.

Ok, but we've been building through the draft for the last 8 years. It's not rushing at this point, it's time. They can contend, they've shown it all year.

If you need to give up some prospects / picks to get some star power not just for this season, but for more years down the road, you should do it.
- Bryz's Buyout Fund

It has not been 8 years. Moving to a build through the draft as the primary team building method started with the Hextall hire. It then took a number of years to improve the cap and build the prospect base back up.

I believe in drafting star power. Not overpaying for it.

Not cleared for contact yet. Has been on ice in regular practice, but only in limited role.
- bmeltzer

Bill,

Do you recall a time where John LeClair was cleared for contact and was going up against Todd Fedoruk for a contact drill?

Actually the comment to laugh at was the flawed comment you made saying that they're doing alright without Patrick so they don't need him. I guess the point I made about Hart went over your head.

We don't know what impact Patrick could make if any. With that being said, that still doesn't justify shutting him down for the season if he is cleared to play.
- MJL

Flawed comment lol this injury does not have a linear healing progression. It is not a broken bone, which once it's healed you're A OK. Even Patrick attested to that in one of his rare media availability. Some days he's fine, some days he's not fine. It's been months and still not cleared for contact.

The team is not hurting for a perennial 30 point guy who's gonna eat up 12 min a game. I get he's young, and there's still lots of upside, but c'mon.

Flawed comment lol this injury does not have a linear healing progression. It is not a broken bone, which once it's healed you're A OK. Even Patrick attested to that in one of his rare media availability. Some days he's fine, some days he's not fine. It's been months and still not cleared for contact.

The team is not hurting for a perennial 30 point guy who's gonna eat up 12 min a game. I get he's young, and there's still lots of upside, but c'mon.
- Bryz's Buyout Fund

Are you a Doctor? Does your medical opinion trump the opinion of the team medical staff if he is cleared to play? Where exactly did I say this injury has a linear healing progression. Please point that out.

Are you saying that they couldn't use the type of player you're referencing here at the center spot? If you are, you're dead wrong.

Are you a Doctor? Does your medical opinion trump the opinion of the team medical staff if he is cleared to play?

Are you saying that they couldn't use the type of player you're referencing here at the center spot? If you are, you're dead wrong.
- MJL

I'm saying this injury has less to do with a doctor, and more to do with how Patrick is feeling. There's not some crazy rehab regimen in place. I'm sure he made some lifestyle changes to better cope with migraines. Some trial and error with different treatments to see what works and what doesn't. But if the doctor asks him, are you still having migraines? and he answers yes, then well, hate to break it ya but he ain't healed yet.

They have that player in laughton, raffl.

It has not been 8 years. Moving to a build through the draft as the primary team building method started with the Hextall hire. It then took a number of years to improve the cap and build the prospect base back up.

I believe in drafting star power. Not overpaying for it.
- MJL

I think a team implementing the strategy I wish the Flyers were using, hate to say it, is Pitt. They lose Guentzel, weather the storm a bit, and then go out and get 28 year old Zucker. He has 3 more years on his deal after this at 5.5 per, plays top 6 minutes, can pot goals, good skater.

They give up a a digressing Galchenyuk (Ghost comparable?), first round pick (prob late), and a prospect. I don't think that's breaking the bank.

It has not been 8 years. Moving to a build through the draft as the primary team building method started with the Hextall hire. It then took a number of years to improve the cap and build the prospect base back up.

I believe in drafting star power. Not overpaying for it.
- MJL

you're totally right, let's never go for it. let's keep building. and when we feel like we have the right group let's play it safe and continue to build. If we have some stars in their prime lets not support them with any free agency pick ups. you don't want to mortgage the future. Because the future is drafting and developing. we don't wanna make any cup runs that could hurt our chances of making any future cup runs. i'm sick of everyone wanting to "win it all" when really the plan should be draft, develop, over-develop and be in constant build mode so that we are swimming in a perpetual pool of prospects for the foreseeable future.

LOL at the hart comment! Given that you can argue he's the team MVP.

Point was I don't see Patrick having the impact some other people think he might have like TSN. He hasn't played a hockey game in over 10 months, and coming off a severe concussion like/related injury it just doesn't seem like the right time to throw him into the fire.
- Bryz's Buyout Fund

He doesnt have a concussion. His injury is related to an ailment that runs in the family.

Are you a Doctor? Does your medical opinion trump the opinion of the team medical staff if he is cleared to play?

Are you saying that they couldn't use the type of player you're referencing here at the center spot? If you are, you're dead wrong.
- MJL

I have watched Scrubs, House, New Amsterdam and Grey's Anatomy so I believe I have enough medical expertise to say Patrick will be cleared for contact in about 13 days

He doesnt have a concussion. His injury is related to an ailment that runs in the family.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Appreciate the correction. Chronic, hereditary, disease, even better. my bad. Point still stands that there is no clear finish line in sight with this injury.

Appreciate the correction. Chronic, hereditary, disease, even better. my bad. Point still stands that there is no clear finish line in sight with this injury.
- Bryz's Buyout Fund

But if a doctor says he is healthy enough to play then that means the risk of him having issues again are the same as anyone else on the roster. When a doctor tells you that you are cleared to play it means the chances of occurrence is 0%. It is like a broken leg, a doctor clears you to play when the leg is healed. There is no risk of playing causing any further damage, you can always break your leg again but that wouldnt be because you came back early, it would be a new occurrence.

I'm saying this injury has less to do with a doctor, and more to do with how Patrick is feeling. There's not some crazy rehab regimen in place. I'm sure he made some lifestyle changes to better cope with migraines. Some trial and error with different treatments to see what works and what doesn't. But if the doctor asks him, are you still having migraines? and he answers yes, then well, hate to break it ya but he ain't healed yet.

They have that player in laughton, raffl.
- Bryz's Buyout Fund

Hate to break it to me? LOL. I've clearly stated that if he is medically cleared to play. You don't think feeling better has anything to do with getting clearance? Feedback from the patient is not part of getting medical clearance? Your comments don't make much sense.

Raffl is part of an effective 4th line. Laughton is a better winger than center in my opinion. If Patrick can get back and play at a reasonable high level that has the potential to improve the team.