Logic tells me there is gonna be a similar move(s) made to bring in the same talent. How, who, when I've got no clue.. But you don't trade the top pieces of a cup contending team and just replace them with youngsters who have yet to play anywhere close to a full season in the NHL.

Lest anyone forget, the Flyers traded their own first-round and third-round picks to obtain Versteeg -- and the reason why they had to do both picks in 2011 was that other teams in on Versteeg were also considering parting with a first-round pick this year or next year. The Flyers were far from the only NHL team that thought highly of Versteeg and were willing to give up a significant asset to get him.

So to say that Versteeg (who also should be a healthier player next year after playing through a sports hernia this past season) plus the 8th pick is not enough value to move up in the draft is wrong.

Doesn't mean it will happen, but it is a viable trade possibility.

This season as a whole the team lacked heart & fight back. The second half of last season not as much. But what do you think got Stevens fired?

I think the past few years that has been a major problem for them. Was it the leader, Richards, that will be seen. I liked Richards, but if there were issues & this team is better with him gone that's all that matters.
- LJF

Stevens was fired because the team was in a rut and something needed to give. He was the most expendable individual and the team answered the bell by making a dramatic run to the cup finals. I couldn't disagree more with your comments. The only thing I will say is this, at certain points of the season the team lacked urgency, for whatever reason. Heart is a whole other trait entirely.

You're the first non-Flyers fan on the internet who I've seen say the Kings didn't get the better end of the deal.

Obviously it's too early to fully judge, but I think both teams got what they wanted.
- LeachHextall27

I think this is the study case of all trades. If you want a trade that provides a good result for both teams this is it. I think LA has become a serious Cup contender. I think the Flyers not only fixed their cap problems they have loaded up on talent and will compete for the Cup for a whole bunch of years. They will be very hard to play against and by the second half of next season people will be hoping not to have to meet them in the playoffs.

the Flyers were in such a funk from the second half of the season and barely beat the Sabres and were swept by the Bruins. The Sabres players were making fun of the Flyers not being tough. I think management had to make these changes.
- vejim

and at the same time, the bruins beat the habs by an even less margin in the first round - meaning OT - and it took a failed clear and hab deflection in their own net to sink them - and they went on to win the cup.

not saying the flyers didn't need a change. just interesting to consider how close the bruins were to flopping in the first round, playing tough.

Lest anyone forget, the Flyers traded their own first-round and third-round picks to obtain Versteeg -- and the reason why they had to do both picks in 2011 was that other teams in on Versteeg were also considering parting with a first-round pick this year or next year. The Flyers were far from the only NHL team that thought highly of Versteeg and were willing to give up a significant asset to get him.

So to say that Versteeg (who also should be a healthier player next year after playing through a sports hernia this past season) plus the 8th pick is not enough value to move up in the draft is wrong.

Doesn't mean it will happen, but it is a viable trade possibility.
- bmeltzer

I agree with this, some people are clearly undervaluing Versteeg. He's a 20+ goal guy, who might be able to hit the 30 goal mark. He's also young and has Stanley Cup experience, which would be valuable to any team. If the Flyers can move up in the draft, great, if they can't I wouldn't mind seeing Versteeg given a real shot next year as a healthy player.

Yeah, but you'll keep listening to Eskin.
- tangent_man

Lest anyone forget, the Flyers traded their own first-round and third-round picks to obtain Versteeg -- and the reason why they had to do both picks in 2011 was that other teams in on Versteeg were also considering parting with a first-round pick this year or next year. The Flyers were far from the only NHL team that thought highly of Versteeg and were willing to give up a significant asset to get him.

So to say that Versteeg (who also should be a healthier player next year after playing through a sports hernia this past season) plus the 8th pick is not enough value to move up in the draft is wrong.

Doesn't mean it will happen, but it is a viable trade possibility.
- bmeltzer

Versteeg is a 20 goal a year guy, like clockwork. He's a solid PK guy and can certainly play on the PP. He's got good speed and he can play all 3 forward positions. He's a good player.

Too many people ignore what he did before landing in Phialdelphia with a sports hernia.

Lack of heart????? They came back from 3-0 down to Boston last year...I don't think this team lacked heart. They also tied game 6 late against buffalo, won in OT and then destroyed them in game 7 when it looked like they might not even make it out of that series.
- flyers20032002

they never should have been in that situation. if they played the entire year the way they did from october-january buffalo would have been done in 5-6 games.
They played 11 playoff games this year, and i think more than half of them they were down three goals after the first period because it didn't look like they showed up to play. How does that happen? Boston took it to them and had the upper hand literally after the first two or three shifts in the game.

they never should have been in that situation. if they played the entire year the way they did from october-january buffalo would have been done in 5-6 games.
They played 11 playoff games this year, and i think more than half of them they were down three goals after the first period because it didn't look like they showed up to play. How does that happen? Boston took it to them and had the upper hand literally after the first two or three shifts in the game.
- the deaninator

I think that the "flipping the switch" mindset was a factor in the trades. Every year we've had the period where we wait for the switch to get thrown. I think that management wanted to try and eliminate that, as well as any other issues.

The reasonable free agents who interest me a Laich Cole Jokinen Ward Hall knuble (if the caps have not resigned him) and maybe even handzus

The reasonable free agents who interest me a Laich Cole Jokinen Ward Hall knuble (if the caps have not resigned him) and maybe even handzus
- jak521

They can easily have the space to be a player for those guys, if they desire. I'm not 100% sure they are going that way, because looking at the roster, if they keep Leino they're pretty full upfront.

The reasonable free agents who interest me a Laich Cole Jokinen Ward Hall knuble (if the caps have not resigned him) and maybe even handzus
- jak521

I like it, they need some more size/grit/sandpaper guys.........though it wouldnt surprise me if they made a trade for a major forward like Bill mentioned.....

Here is a gem from Panaccio.

tpanotchCSN Tim Panaccio
Stunned. Lupul carter richards upshall. All center city mob gone. Says something.

I would love to see Richards tear him a new one.

I think that the "flipping the switch" mindset was a factor in the trades. Every year we've had the period where we wait for the switch to get thrown. I think that management wanted to try and eliminate that, as well as any other issues.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, urgency was an issue with the team. I think they had the mindset that they were better than teams before the game even started. Thus, slow starts and having to dig themselves out of holes. Hopefully that mentality is going to be washed away with this new infusion of players.

Here is a gem from Panaccio.

tpanotchCSN Tim Panaccio
Stunned. Lupul carter richards upshall. All center city mob gone. Says something.

I would love to see Richards tear him a new one.
- PLindbergh31

Not sure that Richards would have a leg to stand on with that one.

Yeah, urgency was an issue with the team. I think they had the mindset that they were better than teams before the game even started. Thus, slow starts and having to dig themselves out of holes. Hopefully that mentality is going to be washed away with this new infusion of players.
- flyers20032002

I think it was as big a determinating factor as anything else.

Not sure that Richards would have a leg to stand on with that one.
- Jsaquella

Yeah but still, it's unnecessary and unprofessional for him to take a shot at Richards on his way out of town. Everyone knows he has an axe to grind with him. Just leave it alone.

They can easily have the space to be a player for those guys, if they desire. I'm not 100% sure they are going that way, because looking at the roster, if they keep Leino they're pretty full upfront.
- Jsaquella

Yup.... right now, it looks something like this:

JVR - Giroux - Voracek
Hartnell - Briere - [Leino]
Simmonds - Schenn -Versteeg
[Nodl/ Powe] - Betts - Shelley [Carcillo]

Here is a gem from Panaccio.

tpanotchCSN Tim Panaccio
Stunned. Lupul carter richards upshall. All center city mob gone. Says something.

I would love to see Richards tear him a new one.
- PLindbergh31

the media in this town is a disgrace

apparently, talk about garbage and gossip and you're in at a big outlet

no need for quality writers who actually can discuss the game of hockey, like Bill, however

I predict that Richards has a big year, with the pressure of being captain gone he can just do his thing. Also I think this will be a wake up call for him. Carter I judt don't think he has a good year he takes a step back.

I also think we will find out very quickly in the first game against LA just what type of relationship Pronger & Richards had.

the media in this town is a disgrace

apparently, talk about garbage and gossip and you're in at a big outlet

no need for quality writers who actually can discuss the game of hockey, like Bill, however
- FlyerMike18

Agreed. I think they stoop to the tabloid level, because they lack general hockey knowledge.

Carchidi's comment about the playoffs shootouts case in point.

Yeah but still, it's unnecessary and unprofessional for him to take a shot at Richards on his way out of town. Everyone knows he has an axe to grind with him. Just leave it alone.
- PLindbergh31

Carchidi took a shot, so did Sam Donnellon in his column today. That the media seemingly was correct about a few thing going on behind the scenes doesn't mean anything as far as them being professionals.

Some, like me, believed that there were issues, but that the statements made by Holmgren, Laviolette and other players meant they were fixable or less of a deal than had been painted by the media-which certainly had an ax to grind, as evidenced by what they tweeted or wrote in their columns yesterday and today.

I think that the issues hinted at by the media were a factor. I think getting a kid like Brayden Schenn was a factor. I think ending the "flip the switch" mentality was a factor.

I also look at the tweets and what has been written by hockey writers that I like and trust and the consensus is pretty much in line with what I felt-they deals the Flyers made got them a very fair return. I saw at least two or three that feel the Flyers not only got value, but set themselves up as a serious contender for several years and are actually a better team today than they were just 24 hours ago.

Not sure I agree with that, but I posted a capgeek roster of my own last night, and I saw a good team on it, with plenty of room to make tweaks.

Yeah, urgency was an issue with the team. I think they had the mindset that they were better than teams before the game even started. Thus, slow starts and having to dig themselves out of holes. Hopefully that mentality is going to be washed away with this new infusion of players.
- flyers20032002

I'd say both heart & urgency. If they truly thought they were better then other teams then they would have fought back not folded every time they were down a goal or two. But they didn't, when they went down by a goal or two early they disappeared. There was no fight in them and to me that means they had no heart. Hell thru pride in there also.

The other message sent yesterday is that no one is bigger then the team.

Yup.... right now, it looks something like this:

JVR - Giroux - Voracek
Hartnell - Briere -
- bmeltzer[Leino]
Simmonds - Schenn -Versteeg
[Nodl/ Powe] - Betts - Shelley [Carcillo]

Bill- With the offense the Flyers sacrificed at least in the short term yesterday, I don't see how they can carry Shelley's 5 minutes a game on the 4th line now.

I'm scared with Holmgren's comments yesterday about "Character" guys is that he plans to keep Shelley at that outrageous cap hit.