This. When they were going through their little losing streak, they would, almost to a man, hesitate with the puck on their sticks. And then it would be over, someone would be on them and they would (usually) make a bad decision/pass. The speed with which they processed the game, their mental reaction time/decision making process, seemed slow and unsure.
- wolfhounds

Exactly. It's not so much that they are just a slow team, but they play slow a lot of times.

I hope they figure out a way to keep Downie.

I know I'm probably in the minority but I like him.

If he is looking for a big raise then no, but at a similar salary to what he gets now, yes.

I would much rather get a more experienced backup. Heeter is having a good year, but most only see him as a backup. If Mason went down, would you feel confident with Heeter? I wouldn't.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd give Heeter a shot as the backup, but would like to have a guy like Danis starting in the AHL (assuming Stolarz doesn't earn a spot on the Flyers next year). That way, if Mason goes down, you have a vet backup in Danis.

If you expect to make a run at the playoffs, its more important to keep a 7th defenseman. Mez will bring back next to nothing. The team is better off just keeping him unless someone significantly overpays (a 2nd round pick) or the Flyers fall out of contention.
- PhillySportsGuy

This. The return for him will most likely be so minimal that he's more valuable to the Flyers as a fallback option this year. There might be a better market for Downie, but if they're in a battle, I wouldn't move him for less than a 2nd.

Did you mean half of Khudobin's current cap hit? Cause half of Emery's current hit is fringe NHL money.
- wolfhounds

Quite a few backups make less than half of Emery's $1.65m.

Khudobin
Scrivens
Greiss
Montoya
McElhinney
Johnson
Hutton
Peters

A first rounder for Downie, and a second for Mezz? You must have recently spent some time partaking in the recently legal cannabis in Colorado! J/K
I'd do those deals as GM if I was in first place!! Getting another team to swallow Mezz's full salary will be a gift, although at deaine time, everyone must overpay, especially D men
- Hokeeguy9

The salary left on Meszaros deal at the deadline won't be a whole lot, but otherwise, I agree.

I hope they figure out a way to keep Downie.

I know I'm probably in the minority but I like him.

If he is looking for a big raise then no, but at a similar salary to what he gets now, yes.
- Marc D

He hasn't shown very much in the last 15 games or so to earn an extension or a raise.

I'd give Heeter a shot as the backup, but would like to have a guy like Danis starting in the AHL (assuming Stolarz doesn't earn a spot on the Flyers next year). That way, if Mason goes down, you have a vet backup in Danis.
- jmatchett383

I'd rather have an experienced backup. It's not the Flyers style to spend much money on a backup goalie, but I would like someone I can trust for a few weeks if Mason gets hurt. I would, also, want Heeter playing everyday. He will play once every couple of weeks behind Mason.

Quite a few backups make less than half of Emery's $1.65m.

Khudobin
Scrivens
Greiss
Montoya
McElhinney
Johnson
Hutton
- Feanor

Scrivens will want a big (relatively big) raise for his play. And aside from Scrivens and Khudobin, I don't feel confident with any of them.

He hasn't shown very much in the last 15 games or so to earn an extension or a raise.
- jmatchett383

What he showed when he was healthy with Couts and Read ( I think he is still recovering from some injury right now) I believe warrants an extension. Agree that I wouldn't want to give him a big raise at this point.

I'd rather have an experienced backup. It's not the Flyers style to spend much money on a backup goalie, but I would like someone I can trust for a few weeks if Mason gets hurt. I would, also, want Heeter playing everyday. He will play once every couple of weeks behind Mason.
- PhillySportsGuy

Good point. But remember, Stolarz will be AHL-eligible next year as well. Are you cool with him backing up Heeter in the AHL for 2 years?

This. The return for him will most likely be so minimal that he's more valuable to the Flyers as a fallback option this year. There might be a better market for Downie, but if they're in a battle, I wouldn't move him for less than a 2nd.
- jmatchett383

I'd rather just keep Downie as well. It allows the team to have some depth. If they move Downie, Raffl returns to the third line and the 4th line becomes terrible again.

As it stands now, Raffl can fill in on any line in case of injury. I like having that option along with a stronger 4th line.

I don't want to re-sign Downie though. I feel the Flyers can get a better fit for the Couturier line than Downie.

Scrivens will want a big (relatively big) raise for his play. And aside from Scrivens and Khudobin, I don't feel confident with any of them.
- jmatchett383

I would feel more confident with any of them than Emery because of his bad hip. But I agree that Scrivens and Khudobin are in line for big raises and will likely be starters somewhere next season.

What he showed when he was healthy with Couts and Read ( I think he is still recovering from some injury right now) I believe warrants an extension. Agree that I wouldn't want to give him a big raise at this point.
- Marc D

That's all well and good, but at some point, he has to show that he's regained that form over that 10-game stretch. If not, it's just blind wishing that he'll be better.

He hasn't shown very much in the last 15 games or so to earn an extension or a raise.
- jmatchett383

I need to see how Downie plays after the Olympic break......but right now, I'm learning toward "no" (unless he keeps his salary flat) and I like what Downie brings.

Good point. But remember, Stolarz will be AHL-eligible next year as well. Are you cool with him backing up Heeter in the AHL for 2 years?
- jmatchett383

I think they would split time in the AHL. Then, the following year Heeter would be ready to backup and Stolarz would be ready to take the full time AHL job.

Projecting these things so far in advance is fun but you know what they say about best laid plans.

I'd rather just keep Downie as well. It allows the team to have some depth. If they move Downie, Raffl returns to the third line and the 4th line becomes terrible again.

As it stands now, Raffl can fill in on any line in case of injury. I like having that option along with a stronger 4th line.

I don't want to re-sign Downie though. I feel the Flyers can get a better fit for the Couturier line than Downie.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think that makes sense for the rest of this Season. Unless someone makes an offer for Downie that is just too good, but I don't see that happening. But long term, I think they need to make a spot for Raffl on a higher line. They can sign a cheaper veteran, or give another phantoms player a shot on the 4th line for next Season. Plus Laughton might be added to the mix.

I think they would split time in the AHL. Then, the following year Heeter would be ready to backup and Stolarz would be ready to take the full time AHL job.

Projecting these things so far in advance is fun but you know what they say about best laid plans.
- PhillySportsGuy

It's all fun and games until someone farts in the cake?

Good point. But remember, Stolarz will be AHL-eligible next year as well. Are you cool with him backing up Heeter in the AHL for 2 years?
- jmatchett383

Stolarz could very easily end up back in London.

And if both are good enough to start for the Phantoms, it would be easy enough for them to share the net, or loan one of them to another AHL club that needs a starter.

I need to see how Downie plays after the Olympic break......but right now, I'm learning toward "no" (unless he keeps his salary flat) and I like what Downie brings.
- johndewar

this seems fair

I hope he stays on the Couts line after the break so they can see what he brings.

I need to see how Downie plays after the Olympic break......but right now, I'm learning toward "no" (unless he keeps his salary flat) and I like what Downie brings.
- johndewar

I like his style, but I feel its a bit redundant on the Flyers. I would like to see them replace him with a more disciplined, two-way player. They have enough guys who are going to stir the pot. The Flyers ALWAYS have plenty of those guys.

Stolarz could very easily end up back in London.

And if both are good enough to start for the Phantoms, it would be easy enough for them to share the net, or loan one of them to another AHL club that needs a starter.
- Tomahawk

Stolarz has been a to-5 goalie since he joined the Knights a year ago. He could go back as an overager and dominate, but I'd prefer him getting into the pro game. Do the Flyers have an ECHL affiliate?

Well done Flyers! Bring that California mojo home with you.
- wolfhounds

It really seems as though they've played well on these challenging road trips. The fantastic 5 and 1 west coast trip around Xmas and then 2 out of 3 vs the Cali teams? You can't ask for better than that. Just have to pick it up at home as they've lulled of late.

I like his style, but I feel its a bit redundant on the Flyers. I would like to see them replace him with a more disciplined, two-way player. They have enough guys who are going to stir the pot. The Flyers ALWAYS have plenty of those guys.
- PhillySportsGuy

Who Simmonds are Hartnell you Rinaldo referring Schenn to?

I think that makes sense for the rest of this Season. Unless someone makes an offer for Downie that is just too good, but I don't see that happening. But long term, I think they need to make a spot for Raffl on a higher line. They can sign a cheaper veteran, or give another phantoms player a shot on the 4th line for next Season. Plus Laughton might be added to the mix.
- MJL

I'm leaning towards expecting Laughton to be on the team. I don't mind if they start him at 4th line center. If he warrants more minutes then move him up.

We've seen over the last week how much a good 4th line can help the team and how much a bad 4th line can hinder the team.