Look, to some degree I agree. But most of those other guys were highly skilled forwards, and even Downie had a lot more offensive upside than most scouts believe on Laughton. Could they be right? Yes, of course. But considering the organizational need at D I don't think they get a free pass when they drafting a checking line forward at 20 and goalie at 45.
- TheGreat28

Organizational needs change from year to year, especially on a team with as much turnover as the Flyers. It wasn't that long ago that D was the strength of the pipeline... then they dealt Sbisa. Last summer, they were incredibly thin up front and up the middle... then they got Schenn and Couturier in one fell swoop. Drafting based on today's needs is shortsighted -- you just take the player you feel will be the best player, period.

It's just puzzling to me we see a team like Detroit keep picks year in and year out and always have this waive of talent coming to help them in many ways and reach the finals time after time.

It's time we learn from that and get the waive of talent going that can come in and help them as a team on the ice or in a move to bring in a piece via trade.
- ob18

Seems like they have nothing, then boom, a top 6 forward from nowhere in the 4th round, they really have a knack

Seems like they have nothing, then boom, a top 6 forward from nowhere, in the 4th round, they really have a knack
- puckhead17

And it's time we take that approach, always trading for a big name and constant roster turnover hasn't won a cup.

Your probably right. He doesn't want make a mistake trading his franchise player but in the end its something that has to be done.
- stveshdy

Unfortunately, it is a divorce that has to happen. There is no way Howson can't expect Nash to return to the team again. I understand that Howson would want to get players back that Columbus has control over for at least a couple of years. However, his bargaining position is compromised because of Nash's cap hit.

Because their GM has said "I'd rather bring them over ripe then over whelm them"
- ob18

Every team has different beliefs on how to build a championship team. I don't think any one style is better than the other. Its mostly playing great hockey at the right time, staying healthy, and having alittle luck on your side.

And it's time we take that approach, always trading for a big name and constant roster turnover hasn't won a cup.
- ob18

Especially with a team like this. I'm convinced that trading 2 or 3 of these guys and multiple 1sts in one trade isn't worth ANYONE.

I don't think it's fair to disagree with their approach. Why because it's not the approach you wanted them to take?
- MJL

Whether it is my opinion or not doesn't matter. Just about everyone on this entire site wanted them to draft Defense early and often. They are obviously loaded with top 6 forwards under 26 or so, barring a trade of course. And they have NOTHING in the system that really grades out as a top 4 d-men.

So yes, I do think it is fair to question the strategy of passing up Maata and Thrower and a bunch of others to take a forward that MANY analysts rate as 3-4 guy and a goalie that was ranked 10th best goalie prospect when they have a goalie signed for rest of the decade.

And frankly, even if Laughton does turn into Henrique it is not a position of need 2-3 years from now. Assuming Briere, Hartnell are gone, you still have G, Schenn, Couts, Simmonds, JVR, Vorachek, and Talbot, and then possibly Cousins etc for top 6.

And it's time we take that approach, always trading for a big name and constant roster turnover hasn't won a cup.
- ob18

That's a complete change in philosophy to do what they do, & what Detroit does,

Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Filppula, Franzen, Kronwall, Ericcson, all europeans & the nucleus of that team

Whether it is my opinion or not doesn't matter. Just about everyone on this entire site wanted them to draft Defense early and often. They are obviously loaded with top 6 forwards under 26 or so, barring a trade of course. And they have NOTHING in the system that really grades out as a top 4 d-men.

So yes, I do think it is fair to question the strategy of passing up Maata and Thrower and a bunch of others to take a forward that MANY analysts rate as 3-4 guy and a goalie that was ranked 10th best goalie prospect when they have a goalie signed for rest of the decade.

And frankly, even if Laughton does turn into Henrique it is not a position of need 2-3 years from now. Assuming Briere, Hartnell are gone, you still have G, Schenn, Couts, Simmonds, JVR, Vorachek, and Talbot, and then possibly Cousins etc for top 6.
- TheGreat28

There's a reason why just about everyone on this board aren't scouting for NHL teams.

gonna be a BEAST

That's a complete change in philosophy to do what they do, & what Detroit does,

Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Filppula, Franzen, Kronwall, Ericcson, all europeans & the nucleus of that team
- puckhead17

How is it that big of a change?

Just keep the young kids and your picks. Draft, develop, and don't trade them.

Really not that hard to do...

How is it that big of a change?

Just keep the young kids and your picks. Draft, develop, and don't trade them.

Really not that hard to do...
- Giroux_Is_God

uh huh

gonna be a BEAST
- FlyerMike18

gonna be a BEAST
- FlyerMike18

and he's a righty!

uh huh
- puckhead17

Uh huh what??

No one forces you to make blockbuster deals as a GM....

some good stuff on Laughton

http://thehockeywriters.c...-you-can-bet-a-laught-on/

There's a reason why just about everyone on this board aren't scouting for NHL teams.
- jd342

Because we didn't submit the application by the deadline?!

A clip of Gene Hart calling a Lindros goal, I need a Lava timeout please.

Uh huh what??

No one forces you to make blockbuster deals as a GM....


- Giroux_Is_God

no one did force me, I didn't trade them, again, the change in philosophy, but Detroit hit a bulls eye on a few & would never get traded in there prime
But they look a little "aged" so they need a boost

WOw awesome clip there of ol' Big E. Brings back memories U know it's classic when you got Druce in the goal celebration with a Svoboda follow up!

WOw awesome clip there of ol' Big E. Brings back memories U know it's classic when you got Druce in the goal celebration with a Svoboda follow up!
- JoeRussomanno

The Svoboda follow up, (isn't he Voracek's agent?)

The Svoboda follow up, (isn't he Voracek's agent?)
- puckhead17

yea

WOw awesome clip there of ol' Big E. Brings back memories U know it's classic when you got Druce in the goal celebration with a Svoboda follow up!
- JoeRussomanno

I saw Desjardins too...boy do I miss him....

I saw Desjardins too...boy do I miss him....
- Giroux_Is_God

Talk about a guy fans would rag on that was talented

Whether it is my opinion or not doesn't matter. Just about everyone on this entire site wanted them to draft Defense early and often. They are obviously loaded with top 6 forwards under 26 or so, barring a trade of course. And they have NOTHING in the system that really grades out as a top 4 d-men.

So yes, I do think it is fair to question the strategy of passing up Maata and Thrower and a bunch of others to take a forward that MANY analysts rate as 3-4 guy and a goalie that was ranked 10th best goalie prospect when they have a goalie signed for rest of the decade.

And frankly, even if Laughton does turn into Henrique it is not a position of need 2-3 years from now. Assuming Briere, Hartnell are gone, you still have G, Schenn, Couts, Simmonds, JVR, Vorachek, and Talbot, and then possibly Cousins etc for top 6.
- TheGreat28

It's a well known fact that the Flyers draft the best player available, not by position of need. And I'm glad you have a crystal ball to see what their position of needs are 2-3 years down the road.

If you want to go with the consensus of what everyone on this site thinks, versus what the Flyers professional Hockey people think, then that's your choice.

A lot of analysts had Lidstrom rated where? Had Datsyuk rated where? Is what the analysts say definitive about a player? And what makes what the analysts say worth more then what the Flyers think?