Doesn't matter. You can trade for defensive depth. You can get a 7th defenseman from anywhere. With another year on his contract, you could probably trade him for a another UFA 7th Dman who doesn't have another year. Lilja isn't cracking the line up right now and to me that isn't a very good sign, especially considering how he was playing before Gus returned.
- Schenn2shine

Why would you want another 7th defenseman that doesn't have another year on his deal? Lilja was signed to be a 7th, which means that he's not going to play every game. So that's not any kind of a sign. He's been exactly what the Flyers wanted. And he's done his job all Season. No reason to not want him back in the same role next year.

I never said JvR wont become elite. I said there is no guarantee that he will be an elite forward in the NHL. I have seen forwards come into the NHL and be successful as rookies. NHL defenseman (rookies) take longer to develop as the game is much harder playing on the back end. I wouldnt trade JvR unless im getting a young elite defenseman in his prime such as Weber. I dont think Schenn straight up is the move the Flyers want to do. Gleason's asking price is ridiculous and not even worth the time. This Flyers team wont win a championships unless the goaltending and defense gets better. After adding so much youth to this lineup during the summer I can understand if the Flyers decide to sit still at the deadline. Maybe they add someone like Gill for a later draft pick but im not going crazy to add a defenseman.
- stveshdy

I think trading JvR for Luke Schenn is going crazy.

Why would you want another 7th defenseman that doesn't have another year on his deal? Lilja was signed to be a 7th, which means that he's not going to play every game. So that's not any kind of a sign. He's been exactly what the Flyers wanted. And he's done his job all Season. No reason to not want him back in the same role next year.
- MJL

I disagree. I think Lilja was brought in to replace Sean O'Donnell, our 6th defenseman.

I think trading JvR for Luke Schenn is going crazy.
- Schenn2shine

Well I never once said I would trade "JvR straight up for Schenn".

So the crazy may be coming from other posters. It would take Schenn + for me to even consider trading JvR.

I disagree. I think Lilja was brought in to replace Sean O'Donnell, our 6th defenseman.
- Schenn2shine

He was brought into be a part time 6/7, not to be a regular in the lineup, and replace O'Donnell. The Flyers had plans all along to work Gustafsson into the lineup at some point in the Season. But then he got hurt and Lilja had to play more then expected. Along with the injury to Pronger, the Flyers then were able to look at Bourdon, who has been a pleasant surprise

He was brought into be a part time 6/7, not to be a regular in the lineup, and replace O'Donnell. The Flyers had plans all along to work Gustafsson into the lineup at some point in the Season. But then he got hurt and Lilja had to play more then expected. Along with the injury to Pronger, the Flyers then were able to look at Bourdon, who has been a pleasant surprise
- MJL

I don't know what to tell you, I disagree. Unless you have a link clearly stating as such, my disagreement stands.

I disagree. I think Lilja was brought in to replace Sean O'Donnell, our 6th defenseman.
- Schenn2shine

I think they Flyers gave him a chance to compete for that 6th spot but if he didnt win the job he would be used as a veteran depth defenseman which he currently is. Lilja is not making that much money so I dont see how he really hurts this team at all.

I think they Flyers gave him a chance to compete for that 6th spot but if he didnt win the job he would be used as a veteran depth defenseman which he currently is. Lilja is not making that much money so I dont see how he really hurts this team at all.
- stveshdy

I don't like the extra year.

I don't know what to tell you, I disagree. Unless you have a link clearly stating as such, my disagreement stands.
- Schenn2shine

I have the fact that Gustafsson was recalled to the Flyers on Oct 27th. The Season wasn't even a Month old. He was sent down after Camp, for Cap reasons. And then recalled in Oct, when Pronger got hurt. Gustafsson was in the Flyers plans for this Season at some point. He wasn't going to stay in the AHL forever.

I don't like the extra year.
- Schenn2shine

Why? He is going to be asked to do the exact same thing next year at a cheap price.

I would have liked the Flyers to have re-signed O'Donnell for the 6/7th dman spot instead of Lilja.

That said for a 6/7th dman making what he makes Lilja isn't that bad.

The Canucks have Andrew Alberts as a 6/7th dman and so on, this seems to be the case with every team until they bolster at the deadline.

I have the fact that Gustafsson was recalled to the Flyers on Oct 27th. The Season wasn't even a Month old. He was sent down after Camp, for Cap reasons. And then recalled in Oct, when Pronger got hurt. Gustafsson was in the Flyers plans for this Season all along.
- MJL

I'm sure he was but it isn't to say that Gus wasn't meant to be the 7th defenseman. In fact Gus has played pretty well but in my opinion his size works against him and he's clearly not going to be enough heading into the playoffs.

I have the fact that Gustafsson was recalled to the Flyers on Oct 27th. The Season wasn't even a Month old. He was sent down after Camp, for Cap reasons. And then recalled in Oct, when Pronger got hurt. Gustafsson was in the Flyers plans for this Season at some point. He wasn't going to stay in the AHL forever.
- MJL

october 27th was 3 days after pronger's eye injury

just sayin

edit: dammit didnt see that in your post

october 27th was 3 days after pronger's eye injury

just sayin

edit: dammit didnt see that in your post
- Crimsoninja

just shut up

I don't like the extra year.
- Schenn2shine

I didn't like it either but I think it was used to say we can give 2 yrs if you take a lower cap hit.

Hopefully Lilja will be the 7th dman and play about 20-30 games next season.

Why? He is going to be asked to do the exact same thing next year at a cheap price.
- stveshdy

O'Donnell is also signed to cheap and he's exactly the player I would rather have. I do not like the extra year, especially because Lilja can't stay healthy.

I would have liked the Flyers to have re-signed O'Donnell for the 6/7th dman spot instead of Lilja.

That said for a 6/7th dman making what he makes Lilja isn't that bad.

The Canucks have Andrew Alberts as a 6/7th dman and so on, this seems to be the case with every team until they bolster at the deadline.
- Buts16

I haven't seen many Chicago games, but I've heard a lot of talk about not being happy with his play. He's been a healthy scratch for quite a few games. O'Donnell being 40 and Lilja 4 years younger I think was a factor.

just shut up
- Crimsoninja

who or what will the Flyers trade?

who will they bring in?

I haven't seen many Chicago games, but I've heard a lot of talk about not being happy with his play. He's been a healthy scratch for quite a few games. O'Donnell being 40 and Lilja 4 years younger I think was a factor.
- MJL

I would prefer a healthy 40 year old over a 36 year old player who can't stay healthy and also can't crack the line up himself.

I haven't seen many Chicago games, but I've heard a lot of talk about not being happy with his play. He's been a healthy scratch for quite a few games. O'Donnell being 40 and Lilja 4 years younger I think was a factor.
- MJL

yep, I have no doubt that is the case.

I really enjoyed O'Donnel sticking up for his teammates last season. His style of play probably won't get better with age

I'm sure he was but it isn't to say that Gus wasn't meant to be the 7th defenseman. In fact Gus has played pretty well but in my opinion his size works against him and he's clearly not going to be enough heading into the playoffs.
- Schenn2shine

Why would the Flyers want a young player like Gustafsson as a 7th defenseman sitting in the press box? I'm am also leery of his size. But he seems to handle himself well.

who or what will the Flyers trade?

who will they bring in?
- Buts16

wonder if they have what it takes to win the TIM GLEASON SWEEPSTAKES

I would prefer a healthy 40 year old over a 36 year old player who can't stay healthy and also can't crack the line up himself.
- Schenn2shine

I dont know if OD can play that many games himself anymore. Both players are veterans and should be used for depth defenseman. If either has to play on a consistent basis your going to get burned (and I like OD).

I would prefer a healthy 40 year old over a 36 year old player who can't stay healthy and also can't crack the line up himself.
- Schenn2shine

O'Donnell has been a healthy scratch 14 games this year. And has also missed games to injury. There isn't a lot of difference between the two players.

wonder if they have what it takes to win the TIM GLEASON SWEEPSTAKES
- Crimsoninja

Carolina is out of their mind when it comes to Gleason. When did he become this great defenseman? Anything more than a 2nd round pick is overpaying for him and if that isn't enough, continue to shop elsewhere.