I'm not worried about playing against the likes of him, the Flyers have shown they can shutdown much better. A 19 year old on a world class player in a certain series comes to mind.
- JoeRussomanno

I think Rads would find swiftly find himself in Torts' doghouse.

I would add Harry the Z
- aightwebang17

agreed. his video skills alone make him untouchable.

plus his team photo already looks like it was taken in a police lineup after a 10 day bender...

he mentioned that someone said it. I find it preposterous.
- JoeRussomanno

It's not preposterous to think a team that had interest in a player signed him quickly because other teams had interest too. That just tells me they wanted him and didn't want to wait and potentially lose him to another team that already showed interest. That's how it works.

I was mostly referring to the fact that they have at least entertained offers. The aren't trying to move him but would if the right deal arises.
- NickTheKid87

I think the same can be said about any player, though. Aside from Giroux.

This is my personal view. Its a lot harder for me to find an All-Star caliber defenseman than a forward who can score 20 goals. Forwards are easier to replace imo.
- stveshdy

I fully agree.. but at the same time, Mike Green is an all star caliber d-man who has scored 20 goals... I wouldnt want him near my team (not comparing the two players either). When I look at it I see a very good d-man in Enstrom. But I also think about other trades I would look to make for possible d-men that could have a big impact and bring some other intangibles...

I would be happy that our defense got a talented player with Enstroms skills... and it would certainly help the pp, but I would be disappointed that they didnt use that forward in a package for an even more valuable d-man. Im not saying one is available, just that I would make a different move if it were me.

It's not preposterous to think a team that had interest in a player signed him quickly because other teams had interest too. That just tells me they wanted him and didn't want to wait and potentially lose him to another team that already showed interest. That's how it works.
- funmaster18

from yesterday's blog
"In an article for CBS Sports yesterday, Elliotte Friedman wrote that at least part of the reason why the Pittsburgh Penguins made a move to trade for impending UFA Tomas Vokoun and immediately sign the veteran to a two-year contract was that they were competing with the Flyers to acquire the veteran netminder. Ultimately, the Flyers' lack of tagging space until July 1 precluded a move."

were the Flyers kicking the tires on Vokoun? Maybe, it is incumbent upon them to consider all options at every position. However I don't think teams go about picking up players and overpaying for them so as to keep them away from other teams, especially a backup player. If that is how pittsburgh is operating these days then I feel sorry for their fanbase because I'm sure the Flyers are going to be interested in a lot of players.

It'll be tough for sure. I got that vibe from homers presser after the season. I think they get a one year deal done and then see what jake does this coming season. it's what I would do if I were the flyers. I definitely wouldn't go long term or by money for him yet.
- funmaster18

Same feeling. Agree 100%.

Umm... Radulov did defect to the KHL, but I dont remember him being a malcontent, or even bashing Nashville in the media. And He has won 4 league MVP's and 1 player of the year. I would rather he not be on a divisional rival team. Especially if he players with Richards.....
- RooNosHockey

You don't remember him staying out drinking at a strip club the night before a playoff game? I would say that qualifies him as a malcontent (if the defection to KHL didn't already do that).

Still don't want him. Free country though, if you want him you can have him.

moving on...

I fully agree.. but at the same time, Mike Green is an all star caliber d-man who has scored 20 goals... I wouldnt want him near my team (not comparing the two players either). When I look at it I see a very good d-man in Enstrom. But I also think about other trades I would look to make for possible d-men that could have a big impact and bring some other intangibles...

I would be happy that our defense got a talented player with Enstroms skills... and it would certainly help the pp, but I would be disappointed that they didnt use that forward in a package for an even more valuable d-man. Im not saying one is available, just that I would make a different move if it were me.
- jak521

I tend to agree. I like the idea of throwing a deal at Nashville for Weber to see if they bite. If not, I wouldn't mind just signing guys like Jason Garrison and Bryan Allen. No sense in making a trade just to make one.

from yesterday's blog
"In an article for CBS Sports yesterday, Elliotte Friedman wrote that at least part of the reason why the Pittsburgh Penguins made a move to trade for impending UFA Tomas Vokoun and immediately sign the veteran to a two-year contract was that they were competing with the Flyers to acquire the veteran netminder. Ultimately, the Flyers' lack of tagging space until July 1 precluded a move."

were the Flyers kicking the tires on Vokoun? Maybe, it is incumbent upon them to consider all options at every position. However I don't think teams go about picking up players and overpaying for them so as to keep them away from other teams, especially a backup player. If that is how pittsburgh is operating these days then I feel sorry for their fanbase because I'm sure the Flyers are going to be interested in a lot of players.
- JoeRussomanno

I also dont think they signed him to keep him from the flyers. It's stupid to make moves based on keeping players from other teams. But if you want a guy and know other teams have interest, it makes sense to make the deal quickly to avoid losing out, which is what Pitt has done here.

from yesterday's blog
"In an article for CBS Sports yesterday, Elliotte Friedman wrote that at least part of the reason why the Pittsburgh Penguins made a move to trade for impending UFA Tomas Vokoun and immediately sign the veteran to a two-year contract was that they were competing with the Flyers to acquire the veteran netminder. Ultimately, the Flyers' lack of tagging space until July 1 precluded a move."

were the Flyers kicking the tires on Vokoun? Maybe, it is incumbent upon them to consider all options at every position. However I don't think teams go about picking up players and overpaying for them so as to keep them away from other teams, especially a backup player. If that is how pittsburgh is operating these days then I feel sorry for their fanbase because I'm sure the Flyers are going to be interested in a lot of players.
- JoeRussomanno

So you don't think other teams do this from time to time? I recall the Flyers overpaying to draw a certain fourth liner away from the rival Rangers, that wasn't so long ago.

He also got himself suspended from a playoff game after being back in the league for a few weeks.
- funmaster18

Was he the only one breaking cerfew? Is he the only player to do this? I really dont want to get into this another day, but Radulov is a very talented player, and IF the Flyers plan to trade some of their offense for defense, it would be foolish not to consider getting him on the cheap.

We were just saying how Read and Simmonds scoring 50 goals for less then 2.5 million is top value... What if you can get 1 player to produce 40 goals for 2.5-3.5 million. Hard not to justify at least taking a look at it. And if you cant sign him, then he has to go to KHL, and NYR can't sign him and get a possible 30-40 goal scorer for free. Last thing the Flyers need is NYR to add scoring to their defense.....

from yesterday's blog
"In an article for CBS Sports yesterday, Elliotte Friedman wrote that at least part of the reason why the Pittsburgh Penguins made a move to trade for impending UFA Tomas Vokoun and immediately sign the veteran to a two-year contract was that they were competing with the Flyers to acquire the veteran netminder. Ultimately, the Flyers' lack of tagging space until July 1 precluded a move."

were the Flyers kicking the tires on Vokoun? Maybe, it is incumbent upon them to consider all options at every position. However I don't think teams go about picking up players and overpaying for them so as to keep them away from other teams, especially a backup player. If that is how pittsburgh is operating these days then I feel sorry for their fanbase because I'm sure the Flyers are going to be interested in a lot of players.
- JoeRussomanno

Also, I don't think the Flyers have the tagging space to sign anyone before July 1st (as I believe Bill stated earlier in this thread). So I'm not sure how much of a real threat it was that the Flyers were going to sign Vokun if the Pens didn't act quickly. Don't think they could right now.

You don't remember him staying out drinking at a strip club the night before a playoff game? I would say that qualifies him as a malcontent (if the defection to KHL didn't already do that).

Still don't want him. Free country though, if you want him you can have him.

moving on...
- BringBack25

And richards and carter were out drinking last night... Not like we haven't had the same thing. Flyers just didnt make it public.

I fully agree.. but at the same time, Mike Green is an all star caliber d-man who has scored 20 goals... I wouldnt want him near my team (not comparing the two players either). When I look at it I see a very good d-man in Enstrom. But I also think about other trades I would look to make for possible d-men that could have a big impact and bring some other intangibles...

I would be happy that our defense got a talented player with Enstroms skills... and it would certainly help the pp, but I would be disappointed that they didnt use that forward in a package for an even more valuable d-man. Im not saying one is available, just that I would make a different move if it were me.
- jak521

Don't disagree. However, the Flyers cant wait around and see who will become available. They need to add a defenseman now and you have to explore all options and add the best available that fits your team.

Was he the only one breaking cerfew? Is he the only player to do this? I really dont want to get into this another day, but Radulov is a very talented player, and IF the Flyers plan to trade some of their offense for defense, it would be foolish not to consider getting him on the cheap.

We were just saying how Read and Simmonds scoring 50 goals for less then 2.5 million is top value... What if you can get 1 player to produce 40 goals for 2.5-3.5 million. Hard not to justify at least taking a look at it. And if you cant sign him, then he has to go to KHL, and NYR can't sign him and get a possible 30-40 goal scorer for free. Last thing the Flyers need is NYR to add scoring to their defense.....
- RooNosHockey

Nope, he was 1 of two players out of the 16 teams playing. We got zherdev on the cheap and the same thing happened. He has also fled for the KHL once already. Zero interest in him and I believe the flyers feel the same. That's my opinion.

I tend to agree. I like the idea of throwing a deal at Nashville for Weber to see if they bite. If not, I wouldn't mind just signing guys like Jason Garrison and Bryan Allen. No sense in making a trade just to make one.
- NickTheKid87

Those are options. Lets just assume all those fail. Would you then trade JvR or Schenn for Enstrom?

Assuming that the Enstrom deal is on the table.

I also dont think they signed him to keep him from the flyers. It's stupid to make moves based on keeping players from other teams. But if you want a guy and know other teams have interest, it makes sense to make the deal quickly to avoid losing out, which is what Pitt has done here.
- funmaster18

that I have no problem with. I think the same can be said for their quick trade and sign on Bryzgalov last summer. I don't fault the Pens for going after Vokoun but I wouldn't have signed him to that deal, that's just my opinion. Furthermore if we are moving away from Bobrovsky, then I don't want to see another high-priced backups when there are more feasible options like Biron who is coming off a sub 900k cap hit. Heck Hedberg was like a mil this year I don't see him getting a raise and I think NJ is going to be a major player in the goalie market despite what they got from Brodeur this year they have to build for the future so I could see both those guys not going back there.

Also, I don't think the Flyers have the tagging space to sign anyone before July 1st (as I believe Bill stated earlier in this thread). So I'm not sure how much of a real threat it was that the Flyers were going to sign Vokun if the Pens didn't act quickly. Don't think they could right now.
- BringBack25

actually it mentioned the tagging space right in the excerpt too so yea it further makes the "keep him away from the Flyers" idea more invalid.

Nope, he was 1 of two players out of the 16 teams playing. We got zherdev on the cheap and the same thing happened. He has also fled for the KHL once already. Zero interest in him and I believe the flyers feel the same. That's my opinion.
- funmaster18

The fact that Nashville is willing to move on from him should be enough. Why give up on a young player with his ability offensively? The Preds are suppose to show Weber and Suter their committed to winning so wouldnt keeping Radulov help? He has character issues and with that comes the headaches.

that I have no problem with. I think the same can be said for their quick trade and sign on Bryzgalov last summer. I don't fault the Pens for going after Vokoun but I wouldn't have signed him to that deal, that's just my opinion. Furthermore if we are moving away from Bobrovsky, then I don't want to see another high-priced backups when there are more feasible options like Biron who is coming off a sub 900k cap hit. Heck Hedberg was like a mil this year I don't see him getting a raise and I think NJ is going to be a major player in the goalie market despite what they got from Brodeur this year they have to build for the future so I could see both those guys not going back there.
- JoeRussomanno

Agreed. I don't have a problem with vokun, just with his deal. Too much for a backup and if we trade bob we better be saving money in that position. Would
Love Biron. A little goofy, sense of humor, knows his role. I think he and bryz would get along.

Agreed. I don't have a problem with vokun, just with his deal. Too much for a backup and if we trade job we better be saving money in that position. Would
Love Biron. A little goofy, sense of humor, knows his role. I think he and bryz would get along.
- funmaster18

Also, I don't think the Flyers have the tagging space to sign anyone before July 1st (as I believe Bill stated earlier in this thread). So I'm not sure how much of a real threat it was that the Flyers were going to sign Vokun if the Pens didn't act quickly. Don't think they could right now.
- BringBack25

They said that was the reason for the trade and quick sign. Otherwise Vokoun goes to FA, and the Flyers were going to target him. They traded for him before the Flyers had an oppertunity to sign him. They addressed thier need for a back-up WHILE denying the Flyers someone they were targeting...

So I say, yes , to block the Flyers is the reason they traded for Vokoun and signed him. Other wise they would have waited to FA and either out-bid the Flyers, or let them have him, and sign someone of equal value...

The fact that Nashville is willing to move on from him should be enough. Why give up on a young player with his ability offensively? The Preds are suppose to show Weber and Suter their committed to winning so wouldnt keeping Radulov help? He has character issues and with that comes the headaches.
- stveshdy

Agreed. Don't know why anyone would have interest in bringing him here. The flyers finally seem to JVR a cohesive nucleus of players, why bring in a guy like that I potentially disrupt everything?

Those are options. Lets just assume all those fail. Would you then trade JvR or Schenn for Enstrom?

Assuming that the Enstrom deal is on the table.
- stveshdy

That's tough. I like both guys. I wouldn't trade Schenn but I'd might move JVR. Tough decision no doubt.