I thought it might be good time to re-surface for a post. I don't have much to say about the Hartnell and Simmons extensions right now, and honestly I try to avoid CBA news. Just tell me when it's done.
Assuming we do begin an NHL season before January 1, the Flyers are still looking to improve their defense. They failed on Suter (always a long shot), and didn't land Weber (an admirable effort), and have since seen Meszaros and Lilja go down with offseason injuries. Even assuming the best for Bourdon and Gustafsson, the Flyers probably want some more experienced talent back there. I think they are looking at a few options.
Trade for a Veteran
-Jay Bouwmeester - Calgary, 28yo, 2 years left at $6.6m
J-Bo's image around the league has nosedived the last few seasons, and Calgary will probably listen to offers for him. He has failed to step up into the number 1 defensemen role, neither putting up big time points or being particularly tough defensively. As it is, he looks like a bigger, faster, Matt Carle. The Flyers obviously weren't willing to pay Matt Carle $6m+, so why trade assets for a similar player? Calgary will try to get as much as they can for him, if they trade him.
-Keith Ballard - Vancouver, 29yo, 3 years left at $4.2
Another offensive defenseman who has seen his stock drop in western canada recently. I haven't heard of the Flyers being interested, but it looks as if he's probably on the outs in Vancouver. He probably could be acquired relatively easily, though he missed the end of last season with head injuries as another negative.
Sign a Veteran UFA
-Michael Roszival - UFA, 33yo, $5m last year
Rosie has been a largely reliable NHL defenseman. He might be a good option if the price is right, but doesn't have the skills to warrant too much expense. His season ended last year on an ugly knee from Dustin Brown in the playoffs, so the Flyers would need to verify his health too.
-Carlo Calaiacovo - UFA, 29yo, $2.125m last year
A decent player, but has trouble staying healthy. Injuries completed derailed his future in Toronto, and has averaged a little less than 70 games a season in St. Louis. Another "if the price is right" potential signing.
Acquire a Promising Young Defenseman
-Nick Leddy - Chicago, 21yo, 1 year left at $1.116m
I heard
Leddy's name come up around the Flyers on twitter. Not sure how much
there was too that, but it's plausible. Leddy as a first round pick in
2009, and he became a key defenseman for the Hawks this year in his
first full NHL season. Undersized, but a good skater with lots of
offensive ability. 37 points last year with lots of PP time, but a -12. Chicago may be asking for a lot for him.
-John Carlson - Washington, 22yo, RFA
Another name I've heard the Flyers may have interest in. A first round pick in 2008, he's got good size and scored 9 goals for the Caps last year. Like Leddy, also a very poor +/- rating last year. He probably has high-end potential in the NHL. Is there a way for the Flyers to wrestle him away from the Caps though?
-PK Subban - Montreal, 23yo, RFA
Yet another young puck-rushing defenseman I've heard the Flyers like. He has rubbed a lot in the league the wrong with questionable hits or generally "disrespectful" behavior, but on the ice I think he's a very exciting player. He's still trying to bang out a new contract with Montreal, and apparently isn't willing to entertain offer sheets from other teams. He might be a non-option for the Flyers.
Personally, I would not trade a for a veteran defenseman. I would sniff around those young guns, but likely settle for something like signing Rosie or Colaiacovo to a short term deal
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