Dynamo 47

I honestly think it's too late. The Flyers should have done the Bullies move back when we were last in the league in 06/07. Who better then the Flyers to say to hell with the Bettman crap hockey he was forcing then for the Flyers to change the game again. I wanted the Flyers to have an all goon line of Orr and The Boogie Man centered by McGrattan with Scott on defense. Whether the NHL liked it or not, teams would have had to reply in kind and we would have had the return of the REAL NHL.

Good post and I agree. We need someone who can clear the porch and provide some sort of intimidating presence back on defense. Not only from open ice hits or along the wall but someone who is a major SOB to go against in front of the net. I think Bourdon has that potential but we need more of that. Even prior to Pronger's injury, he was the only physical dman we had. We need another one like with did when we had Smith and Hatcher. They were both nasty to play against in front and we simply don't have that now. That was why I was hoping the Flyers went after Brooks Orpik a couple of seasons ago. That is what they need. I totally agree with your comparison with Weber and Suter and Pronger and Kimo. Personally I would rather have the more well rounded and physical Weber but so would every other team in the league. I am OK with a JVR for Schenn deal as he plays with a physical edge. I still wish the team would have gone after Scott when he was with the Wild and becoming a free agent. He would have been the perfect 6/7 guy and could also serve as the heavyweight the team needs. Not to mention guys would be a little more hesitant to crash the net knowing he is back there. So in the unlikely event that we acquire Weber, I would be fine with Schenn from the Leafs'>Laffs and hope that The Big O, Oliver Lauridsen of the Phantoms continues to develop as he is turning into a pretty big and nasty SOB, not so much with fighting but with hitting.

Hey Idaho! I agree that number 2 is what is coming. I honestly think that as much as he loves the game and is a warrior; he values his family life more. Continuing to play and sustaining another head injury could lead to permanent damage. Being that he is such a team player I can see him going on LTIR of physically unable to play list or whatever list there is to alleviate some cap space and give the team room to acquire help before the deadline. It truly sucks that two of the best Captains we've had in Preems and Pronger will have their careers ended with head injuries and another captain in Lindros, whose head injuries prevented him from being the greatest Flyer ever.

I have an easier way to get rid of Bryz. Take a scene from the movie Die Hard with Samuel Jackson and put him naked with a sign "I Hate !@#$@#" on a corner in North Philly. Problem solved. I still think we as fans are overreacting. The guy is a workhorse and granted has had more bad ones that I thought he would but there is no discounting what he is capable of. Plus signing him allowed the Flyers to build our nucleus for the future with Jake, Couts, Schenn, Simmonds, the ability to sign Jagr and get rid of Richards and Carter. So if anything we should be grateful for his signing as he allowed the team to change the whole makeover of the club.

It is nice to see his scoring start to come around. I figured it would. I knew the player he was coming out of the draft and knew he would concentrate on defense first (another positive about a special young player). Once he became comfortable in his defensive play, positioning and playing in the system I figured his offense would come around. Everyone thinks of Jeff Carter as a gifted player and rightfully so. But Carter's Junior stats pale in comparison to Couts stats. Couterier had 41 goals, 55 assists for 96 points in 68 games and 36 goals, 60 assists for 96 points in only 58 games his draft year and that was hampered by mono. Carter on the other hand had 35 goals, 36 assists for 71 points in 61 games and 36, 30, 66 points in 57 games his draft year When you consider that and the fact that Couts is a much more well rounded player then Carter, we really did steal that trade.

I think it was borderline but I am sick of this pansy Bettman hockey BS. Some Flyer, ANY Flyer should have went to Talbot's aid. Not one player even went near him. Someone had to see it. That is more discouraging to me then anything. Even if it was borderline you cannot allow one of your players to take a hit like that and not respond. Then to see him with a little grin on his face on the bench?

And Bert, if this idiot was a season ticket holder, his tickets privileges should be removed ASAP.

True but at least he is playing in the AHL. I would rather they pay him and play him there then pay him and have him sit in the press box.

I always liked Jack Johnson but I am definitely concerned about his defensive play. He has been a chronic minus player for the Kings. I would seriously have to weigh Johnson's possible defensive liabilities against Schenn's more physical style of play and being more responsible on the defensive end. I mean Johnson was a minus player in the WC in 2010. In 7 games he had 3 points but was a minus 4.

Canoli! Good to see you bro. I liked your post as I agreed with it in many instances but disagreed in other areas. I believe there is no need to panic but I do believe that an upgrade to the defense preferably a top pairing defenseman is essential for the team if not this year definitely next year. Our goaltending has been shaky at times but I attribute that in part to lacking a mean SOB who will clear the crease, block shots, and make opposing forwards pay for coming to the net. Right now we really only have Bourdon who is physical type player. So if you are Homer do you make a trade to upgrade the defense without filling that number one spot? There are all the rumors out there many involving JVR. Does trading JVR for someone like Schenn, Jack Johnson, or Seabrook get us closer to winning the Cup? I think they would definitely improve our chances and make the team stronger but I still don't think that pushes us over the top. Johnson and Seabrook will give you 35 - 40 points a season but Johnson is not the strongest guy in the defensive zone and has some horrible +/- stats. Chicago really doesn't need another young talented forward as they are loaded with them. So in my mind Johnson and Seabrook are out. Suter would be my 2nd choice. I am not concerned about the cap as he and JVR's salary are awash and Homer would not make a trade of that magnitude without first knowing he could sign Suter. He has a stronger overall game then those players above. But I still don't think he is the guy that pushes us over the top. He would give us 35-40 points (likely more with increased PP time and a more open system then the Preds) but isn't as physical as Schenn. Any of those players noted above would improve the team and be able to play 20 minutes a night. But if the Flyers are truly committed to winning it all they have to inquire about what it would take to get Weber. Nashville might be more willing to trade Weber due to his contract and the fact they have some issues with 3 or 4 defensemen either being RFA's or UFA's. But we get a guy capable of giving us 15-20 goals a year along with 30-40 assists. A leader who is still in his prime and a guy who plays with a physical edge. Unlike Pronger when we acquired him, Weber will be a stud for the next 7 seasons. So while it might be unlikely I would hope the Flyers would atleast inquire about him. If they want Kimmo, JVR and a first round pick do you make that deal?

I'm not concerned because the only way he comes to Philly is if 1) Homer has spoken to him or his agent and he is willing to sign a new deal and 2) It would likely take either JVR or Schenn to get a deal done so salaries are essentially awash.

I heard that during the game and would not be at all surprised if it goes down today or before tomorrow's game.

Hey Bert. See I think the D is the primary cause of our issues and a a stop gap guy won't help. I do like Seabrook and with the play of Keith and some of the other Hawks they might be a willing partner. Seabrook would not only help defensively but help the anemic power play and at 5.8 he has a decent cap hit. I would not want to be Homer right now. He could acquire a lower cap hit guy who will perform and play but not make the team better to win it all OR he could say he has plenty of scoring right now and a lot of young prospects and offer JVR or Schen as trade bait.

The thought of Getzlaf in the Orange and Black makes me drool

No. While the team has surpassed expectations in some areas, to me the whole key has been the health of Pronger. With a healthy Pronger I thought we would challenge for the 4/5 spot. Without him 6/7. BUT if the Flyers do make a big time trade to address the defense and possibly find Pronger's heir then I can see us challenge. If we acquired a Weber, Doughty, even a second tier like Jack Johnson or Ryan Suter it would drastically improve our chances.

Personally the sound of skating and pucks is more pleasant sounding to me then listening to that bloated buffon, Bundy. I hated him as a player and hate him even more as an color guy.

I would definitely be interested in the elder Schenn. He is what this team desperately needs (a physical presence who will clear the crease and hit). He is also young enough and affordable enough to absorb his contract. I am not concerned with his TOI as I think it gets back into the 20+ minutes with the Flyers. The only concern I do have is that it still doesn't supply the stud defenseman young enough to build a defense around and grow with the team the next 5 years. Personally I would prefer that if we were going to let Carle walk a much better replacement would be Suter from Nashville. His cap hit this season is 3.6 and would definitely be looking at minimum $5m a year, I think for the extra $1 - $2 million he gives you more then Schenn.

You know my stance Fly Can as I have stood by him and asked that fans be patient. I pointed out the stats of guys like Richards, Carter, Giroux, etc. and said unless the rookie is Lindros or Selanne very seldom does someone come in and dominate. I think Flyer fans are seeing why he was so highly ranked. He plays physical. has good hands, is responsible defensively, etc. It's nice to see him finally coming around. As you are aware of, confidence plays so a huge factor. When he got that first goal in the WC, you could almost feel the weight lifted off his shoulders. He is playing with more confidence and relaxed now.

I think it's WAY too early to pull the plug on Bryz. You can be the best goalie in the World but a goalie is only as good as the guys in front of him. If Pronger was healthy and playing his stats would be better. Why? Because having a stud, physical defender like that blocks shots, clears the crease, makes guys not as eager to crash the net. Granted Bryz has let in some soft goals but how many times has he made the initial save only to have rebounds go in because someone was either uncovered or had a clean shot at the rebound. I think Bryz will be fine and if there is a buyout it wouldn't be until 5 years from now. Even when Pronger was healthy I still thought we needed another physical, stay at home defenseman to compliment Pronger. Now that Pronger is out we need to go all in and do whatever it takes (within reason) to get Shea Weber. He will be a stud in the league the next 10 seasons, help the power play, plays physical, and will be a perennial Norris Trophy candidate. He won't come cheap but our offense is not the issue. Bryz isn't going anywhere which is why we have to take the plunge and get that stud defender as I doubt Pronger is coming back. I think the Flyers are positioning themselves for a major deadline move. According to Cap Geek, the Flyers as it stands now will have 3.8 to make a move Philadelphia Flyers » $ $3,820,934 After next season, Kimo and Hartnell's contracts come off the books freeing up over $10 million dollars. I was totally against moving one or more of our young forwards, especially now that Schenn is showing what he is capable of, but with Pronger possibly done for good, we need his replacement and need it now. I would still talk to LA about Doughty or Jack Johnson, Nashville about Suter or Weber and see what can get a deal done. Short of a blockbuster trade a realistic move might be to acquire Jay Bouwmeester who I really wouldn't be crazy about but despite seeming to be around forever he is still only 28.

The last quote says all we need to know about today's society. No one wants to take responsibility for their own actions and wants to blame someone or claim ignorance. I think that with today's society the punishment needs to fit the crime. I mentioned where the idiot Flyer fan jumped a Rangers fan who was a decorated veteran, that the scum bag's sentence should be going to Boot Camp at Paris Island. I think this idiot either needs to go an all black cell block for even two hours (which would only fuel his hatred) OR do something in the black community to get a better understanding of what it's like to be black and to experience some of the issues that Simmonds had to endure as he was escalating the hockey ranks.

That was what I was thinking when I said long term. 5 years but nothing beyond that

Good post. I was not a Carter fan by any stretch as I saw the flaws in his game such as corner work, shying away from contact, not going into high traffic areas to score goals, his shoot first and shooting percentage but I too would never wish injury on anyone (except Avery, preferably a Sheldon Souray slapshot to the groin area). Plus how can Flyer fans hate Carter when we received Jake and Couts in return>

I was Army but as you know, anyone who served their country with honor is part of the fraternity. To see a veteran treated like that still turns my stomach and gets my Irish going. I wasn't kidding about the sentence either. Let him do boot camp and see if he decides to make a career of it. At minimum he will learn some respect and learn what being a real man is all about.

I hope its BYOB - Bring Your Bullet Proof Vests.

I think you can look at it no other way. I hate to toot my own horn but when the trades were made I was confident the Flyers received the better of the deal. I predicted Carter would be lucky to score 25 goals let alone 30 and his shoot first, pass second mentality would wear thin with a linemate like Nash. Schenn is starting to play with more confidence and physical and his play is night and day then prior to the Winter Classic. Simmonds was a guy I loved and thought he is a perfect Flyer. He has done nothing to disappoint as he brings intensity every shift, goes to the net, drops the gloves, etc. Jake has been as expected. Excellent puck handling and great vision have been nice assets to the team. Not to mention he is a bigger body and is good along the wall. Factor all that in and the fact Couts made the team and has not looked out of place at all and it is no contest. We gave up two guys with some questionable work/training habits and obviously a problem in the room and in return received 4 players who are contributing and will contribute not to mention a second round pick in the Richards deal.