Polaris922

Players with previos concussions are more likely to experience additional concussions. This is not a question. Players who have sat out for the better part of seasons, for example. And they tend to get progressively worse. And I'm not taking about how Crosby plays the game, but how other players might view it. You're obviously free to your opinion as I am mine. There's only one guy who knows his thoughts on the issue - Parise. And I just don't see him coming to Pittsburgh.

I always thouht you were more likely to get another as well. But docs at these lectures don't seem to agree. I had one years ago and never had another so I dunno. I don't picture Parise here either.. simply because we're already going to have two $9 mil players on payroll, and I doubt Shero will pay anything close. And with the cap space say Detroit has... well... gonna be tough to compete with them. Having said that.. I'd LOVE to see a player of his talent on wing with Crosby.

you'd be able to knock me over with a Carle point shot if he signs with Pittsburgh.

You just never know. Crosby was with Parise at Game 3 of the Finals. And he wouldn't be the first free agent by any means to play for a division rival once they hit free agency.

And one who could very well bolt the team as a UFA next season and/or see his career ended with a hard hit? I think that aspect is overblown until later in the career (see: Koivu, Saku and Selanne, Teemu or Selanne/Kairya for that matter).

Crosby isn't going anywhere for money. They're paying him whathe's asking for July 1st if the reports are accurate, and Staal leaving about seals that up. As for the one hard hit away... that's every player. Let's face it, anyone's career could end in the next game, and docs are saying he's no more likely to be hurt that way again than anybody else. I've sat in on lectures about concussions thanks to USA Hockey's requirement, and Dr. Burke spoke about Crosby specifically. You can't live life worrying that it MIGHT happen. It's no more likely for him than for anybody else.

I think if the money is there, and it's a contract that is comparable to other offers, with the team being as strong as it's been, I just think those things will give us an edge. Nothing is guaranteed obviously. Word around here is they're after Suter too.. though I would rather see Weber than Suter personally.

You can't sell short that Crosby and Parise are close friends. If you were given a competitive offer to play with your good buddy who also happens to be one of the best if not THE best player in the world would you take it? I would... Would Parise?? Guess we'll see.

Sundin's longevity and consistency got him the nod. I think he also had less talent around him to do it with. Lindross was an impact player but not for very long.

And good lord let's hope Parise doesn't go anywhere near Pittsburgh, I'd rather he stayed in NJ....

Aww come on!!

Well thought out and posted. I like JVR myself. Think he has great potential IF he gets motivated. I think Toronto misused Schenn, and I'm afraid his addition to your Club will make life a lot harder for mine than JVR ever did or would. In an age where quality young D is tough to find, you boys scored one with great potential. Truthfully I would have wanted more for him if I were Burke, and I sincerely think you guys got the better of this trade by a fair margin.

Carle is better than Garrison. Garrison doesn't skate as well or have the offensive vision Carle possesses. Said it before and I'll say it again, Carle is your ONLY d-man I worry about carrying the puck. Garrison plays a lot more games against weak southeast opponents, and from what I read gets top power play time fairly often. If you guys don't want Carle, I hope we get him. I know! We'll trade you Paul Martin!!

I'd be shocked if anyone took Lilja. He genuinely stinks. Have to be a desperate club with no NHL experienced options out there.

You already got the better end of the deal. Schenn > JVR. If I were Burke I'd have wanted a second round pick along with JVR for Schenn.

Apparently it was.

You've seen him play more than me, I'm sure. But I was reading another thread where you said he's "overrated" as a 2-way guy? I found that surprising. Every time I've watched him he's a mother of a competitor, and with his size what more can you ask? When it comes to forwards playing D the first thing - almost the only thing - you look for is hustle and competitiveness = does the guy want the puck back and is he willing to skate hard (and hit) to get it back? Jordan Staal has that in spades.

You may like your "replacement" for him but imho the Pens got much weaker losing Staal.

That's my knock on him though... He has offensive competitiveness in spades, but in defense he's lazy gatting back, and you can't have that in a two way center. He wants to be an offensive threat, and his defensive effort shows it too often for my liking.

I like the kid, just think he needs to be a #2 somewhere, and Carolina will allow that to happen.

And Philly has cap space...

But so do many teams... Many great teams... Going to be an interesting process.

I know what you are saying, but losing Staal does NOT improve your team.

My point is Sutter is going to fill the defensive role better than Staal In my opinion. Plus a couple mil cap space... No distraction in the locker room thinking trades and free agency. Two great prospects on D for the future... And Sutter's offensive production isn't THAT far behind Staal's really. I repeat Staal = overrated. Yes the Pens got better making this deal.

Pitt had to move Staal to get the second one, and I think THAT will burn them. Jordan was an excellent two way center and tough as nails. That hurts Pitt.

I don't think it hurt at all. Stall is/was overrated as a two way center. His defense isn't what a lot seem to think it is. Watch enough of his breakdowns and you'll see that. He'll make a good number 2 center, but that's it. The Pens don't need that, they needed a shut down center. Brandon Sutter sure seems to fit that bill and for a two million a year less to start. I think we got better, not worse. And with the cap space freed up... I think they'll make a serious run for Parise, who is a good friend of Crosby's.

We'll all be watching... That's a lot of cap space...

I think you guys Did very poorly in the draft. I think you made out on the JVR for Schenn deal, cuz if I were Burke I'd have wanted a little more for Schenn. Now we'll see what happens with that cap space I suppose. Both the Flyers and the Pens going after Parise maybe?? I'd give us a slight edge there since Parise and Crosby are buddies, but you never know...

Nice analysis from an outsider (meaning non-Flyer fan).

Thank you sir... Just love the sport.

@Polaris922 You do *know* that where these guys are ranked does not end up being how good they become right? Players are misread every single draft. I have every Draft Preview from 1981 on....some of the concensus picks are laugable.....and some of the players listed late in the first are laughable. Based on your input, Giroux who was ranked at the end of round number one would and picked at #21 would not have been defenseable either. Truth is....you are guessing, just like us....the truth will be revealed....in 3 or 4 years with a sneak peak in 1 or 2.

. What I know is the rankings are wrong sometimes, and sure where someone goes isn't a be all end all of their talent. But I also *know* that you could've gotten a much higher rated prospect in that position and still had a good chance at this one later on. The ratings aren't perfect, but you have to admit that they're generally indicative of the odds of a player's success. No they're not perfect, but yes they have a purpose. Giroux was picked slightly above his anticipated number, but this is a good 20 plus leap here. No thank you.

Why do you say that? Just wondering.

I think if both players achieved their max potential the would be pretty equal. We needed a solid young dman with the ability to be a #1-3. It worked for both teams. I say it's equal now and we will see what happens in 3-4 years.

Because your team has plenty of young talent up front, not much talent in your d-corps... You guys still think a lot of Timonen and Meszaros, but I don't. I think Carle, Cobrun and Grossman are your D top 3, and Schenn could become one of your best real soon. Many more forwards than D on the market. Tough to find good young D talent this season without it costing, and JVR was a good price for your Flyers.

Holmgren left Maatta go to the Pens so they would not boo him anymore.NOT

Hahaha! We'll take it.

I think you got the better end of this deal. I'm surprised you got Schenn for just JVR.

Take away the time to develop a player, filling needs, and everything else but the "draft the best player" mentality. Was #28 in north America and #50 internationally really the "best player" still available at #20? I don't think so. I've read a lot of you condemning the pick as I would, and in fairness I've tried to see those defending the pick's point of views as well. I honestly think anything defending this pick is just hoping beyond hope the organization is winning the lottery on a random ticket and drinking the orange & black kool-aid. I just can't make sense of this pick.

@Polaris922

The Pittsburgh Penguins are working hard to acquire the rights to Predators defenceman Ryan Suter, according to CSNPhilly.com. This makes some sense out of the Michalek trade.

So many rumors.. So little time!

I agree with a lot of what's said except points comparisons. You can't write in that these three players will produce the same as that one. The whole idea is that one guy scores 90 points alone, so imagine what he's done for his teammates as well? It's not like you get more guys on the ice for not having Parise or Nash. Should've stuck with patience, don't reads away the future and avoided the crap comparisons. Deflated his own point a little, and it's a good point. My Pens did it too with keeping a young core together to grow together. It works!

Salary dump, and not a bad move... though I'd have rather seen Martin moved first. Z was solid at times, and a great shot blocker, but never came close to living up to his price tag.

Word is they're going after Parise... That's an exciting thought.

So we drafted our 4th line center's replacement...who probably won't play in the NHL for 2-3 years, projected. And FWIW...Talbot was drafted in the 8th round...Laughton was picked 20th!

I still can't believe we left Maatta on the board..and then he goes to Pittsburgh of all places.

This is why I hate the "draft the best player available" mentality....according to Homer, he was the highest scored player the Flyers were looking at. Well, guess what, if it had been a goalie, I bet they weren't taking one with Bryz locked up for 8 years. So why draft a center because he's high on your board. You have 3 stud centers...who last I looked were all under 25!!!

Man, we better make some smart UFA moves.....

If Laughton was who your management thought was the best player available then they're insane. I'm all for throwing a curve here and there but this kid is a late second rounder. How do you pass on some of the players that were still available for that? I'm with you, if the Flyers were my team I'd be disgusted too.