shane doan is currently unsigned and would be a great fit imo
- mydoglicks

Dude is entrenched in the Phoenix organziation. With what looks like new ownership about to take over, I severly doubt he goes anywhere.

He's not going to break the bank to stay in Phoenix, and he means more to them as leader at this point then he does as an offensive contributor. He will be retained at all costs, IMO.

I feel that the Flyers need to tweak the type of forwards they have, just a hair. Just a hair away from the highly skilled, and more towards the gritty, physical two way forward type. Basically by one player. The problem is that I don't know how I want to accomplish that. Which player I want to move on from.
- MJL

I think you do that by simply moving on from Jagr, no?

I think you do that by simply moving on from Jagr, no?
- mochoson

Your right. I would do that.

Let's just say that Suter signs immediately on July 1st as a free agent with Detroit for $7mm. That means the three best free agent defensemen, at least puck moving types, are Carle, Wideman and Oduya. Which of those three is the most attractive left?

James Wisniewski signed a deal for over $5mm per year last summer in a market that was deeper than this summer's market, and I think Carle's a better player than him.

It's not whether or not Carle's doing a favor for the Flyers, it's the two sides coming together on an acceptable deal that fits the needs of both.
- Jsaquella

I would agree with that. I would prefer Carle to Wideman, or Oduya. I think everyone would. I guess the danger of letting Carle twist in the wind while they send flowers and chocolates to Suter, would be the potential of losing both guys.

Your right. I would do that.
- MJL

Now, I'm not exactly against retaining Jagr either. It's got to be an even cheaper deal then the one he signed this year though.

Hey Bill,

Great stuff as usual. Since you also blog for Dallas, there was a rumor at he deadline that Steve Ott was available. Is that still the case this summer? I think he would be perfect for this Flyers team.
- psuhockey

I agree he'd help. I would prefer a somewhat bigger player added to the mix but Ott is a unique sort of player. Imagine if Rinaldo could score 15-20 goals in a good season, kill penalties and win faceoffs. Ott is NOT an Avery. He doesn't wear out his welcome in the room or with his coaches.

I think UFA forward Adam Burish would be a good 4th line fit here as well.

I would agree with that. I would prefer Carle to Wideman, or Oduya. I think everyone would. I guess the danger of letting Carle twist in the wind while they send flowers and chocolates to Suter, would be the potential of losing both guys.
- PLindbergh31

I don't know that I "prefer" Carle to Oduya. In terms of value, they are equal IMO. Oduya is simply better defensively, where as Carle gives you steadier offensive contributions. It's simply a shift in areas of talent.

Wideman and Carle are very similar players. I consider Carle to be a much steadier prescence. I take him over Wideman any day of the week.

I would agree with that. I would prefer Carle to Wideman, or Oduya. I think everyone would. I guess the danger of letting Carle twist in the wind while they send flowers and chocolates to Suter, would be the potential of losing both guys.
- PLindbergh31

The thing is, they were very likely willing to re-sign Carle at the same time they re-signed Coburn, & probably to a deal similar to what Coburn got. Maybe they knew they could only get one done at the time and were simply waiting for the space to become available for the other.

Maybe they have a plan to keep Carle and clear room for Suter in other ways.

What are some of the thoughts, if any, of some of the defensemen that will be available when the Flyers will be picking in this draft?

I'm all for picking the best player, but with the quality and number of D in the first two rounds of this draft, I just don't see how they don't take a dman.

I don't know that I "prefer" Carle to Oduya. In terms of value, they are equal IMO. Oduya is simply better defensively, where as Carle gives you steadier offensive contributions. It's simply a shift in areas of talent.

Wideman and Carle are very similar players. I consider Carle to be a much steadier prescence. I take him over Wideman any day of the week.
- mochoson

I disagree that Oduya is better defensively. Carle is underrated defensively. Not sure what you mean by in terms of value. Oduya is no where near as good of a player as Carle is.

The thing is, they were very likely willing to re-sign Carle at the same time they re-signed Coburn, & probably to a deal similar to what Coburn got. Maybe they knew they could only get one done at the time and were simply waiting for the space to become available for the other.

Maybe they have a plan to keep Carle and clear room for Suter in other ways.
- Jsaquella

Hmmm.... I wonder how they would be able to free up enough money to sign Carle and Suter. They have to get Voracek signed as well.

Letting Jagr go, with the Pronger money, and the cap going up is enough for Carle and Voracek, but in order to sign Suter I would think a decent sized contract would have to be moved for draft picks.

Hmmm.... I wonder how they would be able to free up enough money to sign Carle and Suter. They have to get Voracek signed as well.

Letting Jagr go, with the Pronger money, and the cap going up is enough for Carle and Voracek, but in order to sign Suter I would think a decent sized contract would have to be moved for draft picks.
- PLindbergh31

I agree with Bill. I think there is a good chance that a player that is on the team currently, won't be when next Season starts.

I would be very happy if the flyers can re-sign Carle for a little south of 5M. Good deal for both sides.

As for the other guys:
Weber - No other D in the market other than perhaps Chara comes close to who/what this guy is. If it costs 2 firsts, JVR and a prospect I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Suter - Can't not like him, top pair guy on this team but will be expensive. At least we wouldn't have have to give up too much other than cap space.

Other than that I like the idea of trading for Boogosian.

Bottom line though we have to do whatever it takes to get Weber!

I agree with Bill. I think there is a good chance that a player that is on the team currently, won't be when next Season starts.
- MJL

Quite possible. But who is that? JVR seems the most logical, but coming off the year he just had, Flyers won't be able to get good value back for him imo.

What are some of the thoughts, if any, of some of the defensemen that will be available when the Flyers will be picking in this draft?

I'm all for picking the best player, but with the quality and number of D in the first two rounds of this draft, I just don't see how they don't take a dman.
- mochoson

Most mocks have Olli Maatta, Jordan Schmaltz, Ludvig Bystrom and Hampus Lindholm being around when the Flyers choose.

Hmmm.... I wonder how they would be able to free up enough money to sign Carle and Suter. They have to get Voracek signed as well.

Letting Jagr go, with the Pronger money, and the cap going up is enough for Carle and Voracek, but in order to sign Suter I would think a decent sized contract would have to be moved for draft picks.
- PLindbergh31

That is possible. They could also be looking at other guys via trade.

I don't know that I "prefer" Carle to Oduya. In terms of value, they are equal IMO. Oduya is simply better defensively, where as Carle gives you steadier offensive contributions. It's simply a shift in areas of talent.

Wideman and Carle are very similar players. I consider Carle to be a much steadier prescence. I take him over Wideman any day of the week.
- mochoson

I watched a lot of Jets games this year (being that I am originally from Winnipeg) and Oduya was awful. Not sure it was the system or the fact that perhaps he didn't like it in Winnipeg but it was a good trade to get rid of him.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Carle, Timonen, Nashville FAs
- bmeltzer

even though it hasnt resulted in any cups, it really is fun to root for such an aggressive team

I disagree that Oduya is better defensively. Carle is underrated defensively. Not sure what you mean by in terms of value. Oduya is no where near as good of a player as Carle is.
- MJL

I disagree. Johnny Oduya is a very sturdy defensemen. Solid and unspectacular.

I in no way ment that Carle is an in-adequate defensive player. Carle is under-rated defensively by most.

The 36 give aways and 23 takeaways by Oduya are just superior to Carles 55 giveaways and 18 takeaways. I guess Oduya is just a bit sturdier defensively, if that's the proper way to put it.

Their both tremendous skaters. In reference to hits and blocked shots, they are essentially even.

However, Carle gives you 40 points a season, where as with Oduya your lucky to get 20. So I would say Carle is definitely the superior, all-around defensemen. But Oduya is no slouch, if that's a better way of putting it.

Quite possible. But who is that? JVR seems the most logical, but coming off the year he just had, Flyers won't be able to get good value back for him imo.
- PLindbergh31

A 6'3" 220 lb winger who is 22 years old and has a 20 goal NHL season on his resume is going to have value, despite a bad year-especially since the year was marred by nagging injuries.

It's not as if he destroyed his knee or had a serious back injury that would curtail his development, he had nagging type stuff that can heal and not be an issue down the road, outside of the concussion.

even though it hasnt resulted in any cups, it really is fun to root for such an aggressive team
- Crimsoninja

They certainly do not except status quo, that's for sure. They definitely are aggressive and explore every avenue to improve the team. Sometimes you can be too aggressive, I think this core only has to be tweaked and not re-shaped. The big trades last summer have to be given a chance to breathe.

I watched a lot of Jets games this year (being that I am originally from Winnipeg) and Oduya was awful. Not sure it was the system or the fact that perhaps he didn't like it in Winnipeg but it was a good trade to get rid of him.
- Manitobakid

The entire Jet's defense was hilarious at points this season.

He looked like a Norris candidate at times with Chicago. Definitely seem him venturing off elsewhere and getting a probably over-priced contract somewhere this summer though.

He is a solid but unspectacular, second pairing dman. Their are plenty of Johnn Oduyas in todays NHL.

Quite possible. But who is that? JVR seems the most logical, but coming off the year he just had, Flyers won't be able to get good value back for him imo.
- PLindbergh31

I have no doubt that the Flyers could get a quality return for JVR. Not saying that I'm advocating tradig him.

A 6'3" 220 lb winger who is 22 years old and has a 20 goal NHL season on his resume is going to have value, despite a bad year-especially since the year was marred by nagging injuries.

It's not as if he destroyed his knee or had a serious back injury that would curtail his development, he had nagging type stuff that can heal and not be an issue down the road, outside of the concussion.
- Jsaquella

I hear you, but his contract isn't very friendly right now. He's largely being paid on potential. Some teams won't want to roll the dice, that he becomes a consistent 25+ goal scorer, which he will need to be to validate the contract. There is also his shortcomings defensively to consider.

What about Mike Green who is a RFA next year. He'd thrive on a team like Philly versus the boring ass defensive style of the Capitals. Not sure what it would take, maybe they'd be happy to reduce salary. Hell for that matter, they'd probably listen to offers for Ovy...lol