What Is Philadelphia's Next Move?
Posted 1:55 AM ET | Comments 30
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Everyone under the sun knows that the Flyers have been one giant "swing and a miss" so far this offseason. We let Jagr go (I don't think he is worth the money he is making in Dallas, so good riddance) We let Carle walk to a big signing in Tampa Bay (I know most Flyer fans really hated Carle, but there would be a lot less fans worrying right now if he was in the orange and black) We traded JVR for L. Schenn (fantastic trade in my opinion. Straight up hockey trade addressing weaknesses on both teams) We took HUGE shots at Parise & Suter who went with Minnesota. (C'mon, did you really think they would ink with the Flyers?) Last but not least, the astounding offer sheet to Preds D-man Shea Weber for 14 years, $110 mil. Now that he is a Predator for life... What is Philadelphia's next move?
The New York Rangers made the next big splash acquiring Rick Nash from Columbus for Dubinsky, Anisimov, Erixon, and a 1st in 2013. Pretty solid trade from my standpoint, but boy did it widen my eyes as a Flyer Fan. Lets look at the Atlantic with worthy established forwards shall we?
Penguins- Crosby, Malkin, Neal
Rangers- Nash, Gaborik, B. Richards
Devils- Kovalchuk, Elias, Henrique (pretty much)
Islanders- Tavares, Moulson
Flyers- Giroux, Danny B, Hartnell
While I think the Flyers are much better off right now than the Islanders and Devils, the Penguins and Rangers are looking pretty scary. Crosby will be back full time, as long as he can stay healthy. They are apparently top 3 in the Doan runnings if he doesn't sign with PHX (NYR & PHI are the others) but I see Pitt throwing more cash which would mean a scary addition if Doan inks. CAROLINA signed Semin (1 year, $7 mil) today which sounds pretty frightening when you think of the Staal brothers, Semin, and Skinner. Where would the Flyers end up if the season started tomorrow? Not hoisting the cup buy the end of it, thats for sure.
So what do we do? Where does Homer stake his next knife?
BobbyRyan/ ]Anaheim Ducks- The talks about Bobby Ryan becoming a Flyer has been happening for years. They have never been so heated before like they were right before the 2012 draft. Rumors got out that Ryan was being shopped, of course Philly was all over the headlines and a destination, but this time... Ryan went out and made it known that he is sick of being in rumors and that he wants out, Philly being a destination of choice. The addition of Bobby Ryan would be great for the FlyGuys. Claude Giroux and Bobby Ryan... do I need to say more? This would not only fill a hole left from JVR (yes haters, he still had a good role when healthy) it would take the team as a whole to a new level. With his comments lowering his value (good for us) I would offer Coburn, Bourdon, and a 1st. Maybe even another pick to tickle the tip. What do you think? Who would you give?
Keith Yandle/Phoenix Coyotes- There were some talks earlier in the offseason that Yandle was being shopped. He would be a great fit in the orange and black on the blue line. He is a decent shut down defenseman who is VERY good at moving the puck. Carle was good, but not Yandle good. I would love to see Yandle become a Flyer and he would definitely be a solid player to make up for the disaster of the Shea Weber offer sheet. What would you give to acquire Yandle?
Shane Doan/Phoenix Coyotes- The last big name left on the RFA list, Shane Doan. He's meant to be a Flyer, he just doesn't know it yet. With a phone conference set for tomorrow (Friday) he will find out if he starts seriously shopping teams. He visited with NYR and then visited us in Philly the next day. Said to be the top 3 are NYR, PHI, PITT (aside from the true #1 of Phoenix) Now that they have the $7.8 mil cap hit from Nash, I can't really see them being able to offer as much as other teams so they fall on my list (unless Doan will take less to have a shot at the cup, in which NYR sadly might be a good bet.) Pittsburgh lost Staal, so some heavy money could be thrown to him, and Philly could also make a nice push. I think Shane Doan would be an amazing fit both on and off the ice (possible captain??)
The Flyers still have a while before the offseason is over, and I hope (I'm sure you do as well) that they make one more big splash and make something happen before the start of the season to be able to fully compete with the tough Eastern Conference.
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Next Blog- Why Claude Giroux SHOULDNT be the Next Flyers Captain
Everyone under the sun knows that the Flyers have been one giant "swing and a miss" so far this offseason. We let Jagr go (I don't think he is worth the money he is making in Dallas, so good riddance) We let Carle walk to a big signing in Tampa Bay (I know most Flyer fans really hated Carle, but there would be a lot less fans worrying right now if he was in the orange and black) We traded JVR for L. Schenn (fantastic trade in my opinion. Straight up hockey trade addressing weaknesses on both teams) We took HUGE shots at Parise & Suter who went with Minnesota. (C'mon, did you really think they would ink with the Flyers?) Last but not least, the astounding offer sheet to Preds D-man Shea Weber for 14 years, $110 mil. Now that he is a Predator for life... What is Philadelphia's next move?
The New York Rangers made the next big splash acquiring Rick Nash from Columbus for Dubinsky, Anisimov, Erixon, and a 1st in 2013. Pretty solid trade from my standpoint, but boy did it widen my eyes as a Flyer Fan. Lets look at the Atlantic with worthy established forwards shall we?
Penguins- Crosby, Malkin, Neal
Rangers- Nash, Gaborik, B. Richards
Devils- Kovalchuk, Elias, Henrique (pretty much)
Islanders- Tavares, Moulson
Flyers- Giroux, Danny B, Hartnell
While I think the Flyers are much better off right now than the Islanders and Devils, the Penguins and Rangers are looking pretty scary. Crosby will be back full time, as long as he can stay healthy. They are apparently top 3 in the Doan runnings if he doesn't sign with PHX (NYR & PHI are the others) but I see Pitt throwing more cash which would mean a scary addition if Doan inks. CAROLINA signed Semin (1 year, $7 mil) today which sounds pretty frightening when you think of the Staal brothers, Semin, and Skinner. Where would the Flyers end up if the season started tomorrow? Not hoisting the cup buy the end of it, thats for sure.
So what do we do? Where does Homer stake his next knife?
BobbyRyan/ ]Anaheim Ducks- The talks about Bobby Ryan becoming a Flyer has been happening for years. They have never been so heated before like they were right before the 2012 draft. Rumors got out that Ryan was being shopped, of course Philly was all over the headlines and a destination, but this time... Ryan went out and made it known that he is sick of being in rumors and that he wants out, Philly being a destination of choice. The addition of Bobby Ryan would be great for the FlyGuys. Claude Giroux and Bobby Ryan... do I need to say more? This would not only fill a hole left from JVR (yes haters, he still had a good role when healthy) it would take the team as a whole to a new level. With his comments lowering his value (good for us) I would offer Coburn, Bourdon, and a 1st. Maybe even another pick to tickle the tip. What do you think? Who would you give?
Keith Yandle/Phoenix Coyotes- There were some talks earlier in the offseason that Yandle was being shopped. He would be a great fit in the orange and black on the blue line. He is a decent shut down defenseman who is VERY good at moving the puck. Carle was good, but not Yandle good. I would love to see Yandle become a Flyer and he would definitely be a solid player to make up for the disaster of the Shea Weber offer sheet. What would you give to acquire Yandle?
Shane Doan/Phoenix Coyotes- The last big name left on the RFA list, Shane Doan. He's meant to be a Flyer, he just doesn't know it yet. With a phone conference set for tomorrow (Friday) he will find out if he starts seriously shopping teams. He visited with NYR and then visited us in Philly the next day. Said to be the top 3 are NYR, PHI, PITT (aside from the true #1 of Phoenix) Now that they have the $7.8 mil cap hit from Nash, I can't really see them being able to offer as much as other teams so they fall on my list (unless Doan will take less to have a shot at the cup, in which NYR sadly might be a good bet.) Pittsburgh lost Staal, so some heavy money could be thrown to him, and Philly could also make a nice push. I think Shane Doan would be an amazing fit both on and off the ice (possible captain??)
The Flyers still have a while before the offseason is over, and I hope (I'm sure you do as well) that they make one more big splash and make something happen before the start of the season to be able to fully compete with the tough Eastern Conference.
_______________________________________________________________________
Next Blog- Why Claude Giroux SHOULDNT be the Next Flyers Captain
Coburn, BOurdon and a 1st for Ryan?? Are you for real??? Much more likely to be Read, Bourdon and a 1st and maybe a 2nd if needed. With Timonen and Mezaros both coming off major surgeries, how can you possibly trade Coburn??
Would love to have Doan. You are overrating Yandle, he is NOT a shutdown defenseman by any stretch. He's actually very similar to Carle except he is a much better playmaker and pp quarterback. I would give up Bourdon or Gustafsson along with Read and a 1st, no more.
Decent blog, but have to agree about Coburn. With the state of our D you could argue he's your best defensemen now. Def can't move him
its not about if id want coburn on the squad, I'm saying its what i think we would have to give
The flyers have nothing to trade that will make Ryan or Yandle a Flyer unless the other team wants picks, which is not likely. looks like we're going into the season without any major additions. But I do like Luke Schenn.
Do you even watch hockey? Since when is Yandle a shut down defenseman? His biggest knock is that he is to offensive and doesnt shut down. Trade Colburn? The are weak on D as it is and you want to trade their best Defenseman? If they go for Ryan it can be for Meaz, Read and or one of the kid Dman and no more or it will open up to many other holes.
Everyone needs to have faith that the kids will grow this year. B Schenn should put in 20-25 and Vorachek 25-30. They are fine if the Dmen stay healthy, but if they are not, they will have to make a big deadline move.
he didnt say yandle was a shutdown dman he said "decent"
@wintergolf. Totally agree flyers have some of the best young forwards in the league. Give them time to develop. The top 6 d-men for the flyers are as good as any in the league. They could add some more depth on D in case of injury but to me that would be it.
Rebuild!!!
I would stand pat. No need to overpay for Ryan. He's not going to suddenly start scoring 45 goals a year playing in Philly. There's no way I trade Coburn for him. If Doan doesn't cost an arm and a leg, I'd consider him as a FA. Not paying top prices in trade for luxury items.
thank you jingraldi77, you actually read what i wrote. i said DECENT shut down. if a D man wasn't even decent, everyone would walk right passed him.
Trading Read Gus and picks for Ryan would be a good trade that does not shake the depth. I'm all for Shane Doan if he's not 4 yrs/$30mm like reported. Yandle is not necessary right now. Flyers should focus on bringing in a few role forwards not named Shelley and Rinaldo
Flyers wont get get ryan without giving up Couturier. He may end up with Boston instead for Krecji then you can add Boston to the list with 3 really nice forwards.
Sunday
Trading Read, Gus and picks for Ryan is probably not possible, outside of NHL 12....
What about a trade with the Sharks?Send Briere to SJ for Douglas Murray. Flyers get a solid, tough blue-liner that can play rugged east conference hockey, they unload 6.5m in cap space and can afford Bobby Ryan. Sharks get Briere for last 3yrs (costing only 12m-a real deal for the market value right now) lose a 5/6 d-man and gain a pivot man with RW experience, not to mention playoff experience and leadership.
The top line will be Hartnell-G-Voracek. Homer already stated that Voracek will be on the top line.
No way Ryan goes anywhere before the Vis grievance plays itself out. I'm also sure the Yandle thing is waiting on Jamison. Honestly just want to see Phoenix fold so I get to see a dispersal draft.... though Phoenix is so weak on paper I'd want to take Tippett first.
Welcome to Flyers blogging. =) For the record I would not trade Coburn anymore than I would trade Giroux, Coots or Schenn. Aside from making an offer to Doan, I don't see Philly making any real moves. I think letting Carle sit while we took a shot at Parise and Suter was a mistake from the beginning. We are out of tradeable assets. I think we see if Visnovsky ends up back in Anaheim and then offer them draft picks for him, maybe MAB too.
thanks for the comments everyone, I'm new to this and having fun, check out my page for some of my other blogs and let me know what you think!
Lotsa EA Sports Gm's commenting on this blog...lol
Danny Briere has a no movement clause and has a family custody situation that will keep him from waiving it. He's not going nowhere.
As of right now, I don't really see us doing anything that will be a Blockbuster or even remotely like that. Doan supposedly is looking for 4 yrs and 30 mil for a team outside of PHX, Ryan would be great, but I don't see a package that lands him that hasn't been floated out before. Coots and Schenn are off limits, so we are pretty much stuck with the offense as is. D men out they are not much more than 3rd pairing guys, so unless we have a big trade in mind, we are where we are.
The offer from philly to ana would be beat by boston / pitt, etc. actually, philly has the peices to beat out anybody else for ryan, but only if they are willing to pay. coburn, bourdon and a 1st would be beat by pitt for example with despres, harrington, a first and kennedy.
If Voracek scores 30 I will walk to Philly from Buffalo and buy his jersey.
check out my blog "Why Claude Giroux SHOULD NOT be the next Flyers Captain" looking for some feedbackhttp://my.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?user_id=164572
The only way I see Ryan in Philly is couturier or schenn going
The Flyers were a very good team last year, I think they are ready to compete with the big boys without making any changes. All of their young players will be a year older and more experienced. I also believe they will rival the Rangers this season.