Sure, but if we're talking about pure offensive defensemen, size isn't really that much of an impediment if they're supremely skilled and have the hockey sense to overcome. Rafalski, Boyle, Visnovsky, Enstrom... those are pretty small guys that put up huge numbers.

Murphy and Grimaldi are going to be passed up because of their size and hindsight isn't going to be kind to the clubs that did the passing up.
- Tomahawk

Fair points. Your posts are always well thought out. I respect your opinion.

Personally I think it's easier to trade for a scorer than a dman at the TDL. Bill, what are the chances we sign a top 4 dman instead of say Brad Richards?

Hamilton is a terrific prospect, too. Larsson is already playing in a pro league, though, and doing very well.
- bmeltzer

so the Flyers would make out like bandits if they got either basically?

He's huge and physical, but is one of the fastest skaters in the draft. Offensive upside, too, but more likely to be a shutdown 1st-pairing player as he matures.
- bmeltzer

Comparable to Coburn in skill or physical attributes?

After watching the Flyers playing against those two small forwards on Buffalo and the post season that Marchand had, I'd give Grimaldi a shot.
- Marc D

Yeah, I would too. He's a tough opponent, hard to play against, while being skilled and determined. Can't really lose with that kind of M.O. despite the size.

so the Flyers would make out like bandits if they got either basically?
- tjp2033

I would think they would be doing cartwheels if they got either. Unfortunately they are both likely gone by # 6

There's conflicting reports on Larsson's skating... some accounts have him as being a pretty awkward skater, a "clunky" stride, not a lot of top-end speed. Others say he's got a smooth stride... hard to know what to really believe. He definitely has agility and quick feet, that much is evident.
- Tomahawk

Central Scouting also rated Simon Gagne a 7 (out of 10) as a skater in his draft year. I've seen plenty a Larsson game (albeit via webcast, not live) -- the guy has wheels.

so the Flyers would make out like bandits if they got either basically?
- tjp2033

I think they'd be thrilled with either one.

my prediction is flyers end up with 2 first round picks, and one being either larrson or landskog...also hartnell and versteeg to either florida or edmonton for there 1st pick.

Comparable to Coburn in skill or physical attributes?
- bradleyc4

Yes, with better demonstrated decision-making at the same stage of their careers.

I think they'd be thrilled with either one.
- bmeltzer

I take it Larsson is more NHL ready but will probably stay in Sweden for another year?

A possible roster that could work if the Flyers sign Brad Richards

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR

FORWARDS
James Van Riemsdyk ($1.654m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($2.000m)
Scott Hartnell ($4.200m) / Daniel Briere ($6.500m) / Brad Richards ($7.500m)
Raffi Torres ($1.500m) / Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Wayne Simmonds ($1.850m)
Tom Sestito ($0.650m) / Darroll Powe ($0.850m) / Blair Betts ($0.700m)

DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen ($6.333m) / Chris Pronger ($4.921m)
Andrej Meszaros ($4.000m) / Matt Carle ($3.437m)
Braydon Coburn ($3.200m) / Oskars Bartulis ($0.600m)

GOALTENDERS
Ilya Bryzgalov ($5.666m) / Brian Boucher ($0.925m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,348,095; BONUSES: $2,965,000
CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $951,905

Central Scouting also rated Simon Gagne a 7 (out of 10) as a skater in his draft year. I've seen plenty a Larsson game (albeit via webcast, not live) -- the guy has wheels.
- bmeltzer

Thanks for putting that to rest for me. I was really having trouble reconciling all the conflicting scouting reports. Hockey should have hard numbers like 40-times... not all this ambiguous talk about stride-length and top-gears.

We know how good the Flyers are a developing Dmen.

Noise on twitter that the Flyers might be dangling Bob as bait to pull a Jeffersons in the first round.

We know how good the Flyers are a developing Dmen.
- flyguy12

we need to hire some of the guys down in Nashville to help develop D-men

What do you guys think of the rumored deal of Versteeg and the 8th to Florida for the 3rd to get Landeskog? The big picture situation would end up...

Richards, Carter, Versteeg

for

Bryzgalov, Voracek, Landeskog, Simmonds, Schenn, 2nd (2012), 3rd (2011)


Would be an interesting move. Working from the back out with goaltending and defense the clear cut strengths and MAJOR BIG TIME potential up top with a slew of big time young talent in Giroux, JvR, Schenn, Landeskog, Voracek, Simmonds and veterans in Briere, Hartnell and whoever else they decide to bring in via free agency (hopefully Cole and Laich!)


Might be getting caught up in the slew of young talent, but I love watching kids develop and become players and it would be great to have all these young bluechip players

We know how good the Flyers are a developing Dmen.
- flyguy12

who could forget the stub randall Jones

We are still very much a contendor. Last year Carter, Richards and Lieno combined for 78 goals. Giroux had 25, Jvr 21, Versteeg 7. That comes to a total of 131 goals.

Last year Schenn had 0, Vorachek 14, Simmonds 14.

If Versteeg stays, he could score 22 goals. Realistically with a full season Schenn will have around 15 goals. Lets assume the rest of the team stays the same production wise.... In order to match the goal totals from the previous year Giroux, JVR, Simmonds, and Vorachek would only have to score 5 more goals this season this year then they did last year, and now they are back to having 131 goals.

But thats not all. Now you have a goalie that could realistically cut down your goals against by .25 per game... thats an additional 21 goals net... And with the team as it is, we would have 5 million to add more depth players... like Leino, Cole, or Gagne.

So I still think that we are a Contendor. I would even go as far to say that now without the division in the lockerroom and with the players on the same page as the coach, and with the goaltending, we have a better shot.

Noise on twitter that the Flyers might be dangling Bob as bait to pull a Jeffersons in the first round.

The Jeffersons
Tags: Free Full Episodes,Classic Video Clips,TV Land Schedule

- Jsaquella

wtf

Thanks for putting that to rest for me. I was really having trouble reconciling all the conflicting scouting reports. Hockey should have hard numbers like 40-times... not all this ambiguous talk about stride-length and top-gears.
- Tomahawk

I was listening to the NHL Prospects Show on XM. Talking about one particular defenseman that might be taken around #8, the three guys talking each had wildly different opinions about his strengths and weaknesses.

Noise on twitter that the Flyers might be dangling Bob as bait to pull a Jeffersons in the first round.
- Jsaquella

wtf

- 2Real

dude. "movin' on up..."

wtf

- 2Real

Moving On Up.

Noise on twitter that the Flyers might be dangling Bob as bait to pull a Jeffersons in the first round.

The Jeffersons
Tags: Free Full Episodes,Classic Video Clips,TV Land Schedule

- Jsaquella

What does this mean?