I think you can have the best of both worlds. The ability to properly evaluate prospects beyond the first round has been the biggest down fall of the organization for over two decades. Hexy has to find a way to improve the evaluation process.

As far as the current club, there are enough pieces in place right now to be very competitive in the Eastern Conference. Do they need tweaking? Sure. I think Mason will be even better this year. A goaltender for the Flyers who is starting to enter his prime. That has been a long time coming.
- ravishingone

I agree with all of that. But I will say one thing. The Flyers haven't been very lucky in later rounds. If you look back at draft history, a lot of teams have gotten dam lucky in later rounds. Of course the Flyers having less picks, and hence less opportunity to get lucky in later rounds, has been a factor.

Oh, you're fine. I'm not disagreeing with you at all. I'm just looking for other point of views and you've given your's. I don't disagree with you and I haven't felt disrespected by you in the least.
- SuperSchennBros

ugh. haha obviously im not trolling hard enough then

I agree with all of that. But I will say one thing. The Flyers haven't been very lucky in later rounds. If you look back at draft history, a lot of teams have gotten dam lucky in later rounds. Of course the Flyers having less picks, and hence less opportunity to get lucky in later rounds, has been a factor.
- MJL

well, just imagine you drafted matt read in the 7th.

boom.

I agree with all of that. But I will say one thing. The Flyers haven't been very lucky in later rounds. If you look back at draft history, a lot of teams have gotten dam lucky in later rounds. Of course the Flyers having less picks, and hence less opportunity to get lucky in later rounds, has been a factor.
- MJL

It tough to say unlucky or if the house was divided on who to take in those rounds & they just selected wrong.

Of course just flat out being unlucky is likely part of it.

I guess I'll respectfully disagree because I see elite pieces already in place.

Goalie - check
1st line center - check
Selke type center -check
Winger depth - check (Voracek, Simmonds, Read - all very good, all under 26)

Does the blueline need to be remixed? Yes, but I disagree with anyone who feels these guys are all scrubs. Certainly I would like to see more organizational depth in all areas. For me, that is where Hexy will make his name or fall short like Homer and Clarke.
- ravishingone

Lets make it clear I am not the most optimistic here as is haha.

I like Mason, but want a couple more years out of him to be sold. Do think that piece is there though. In terms of forwards I think you have enough pieces there yes. Maybe one more elite guy, say a move like when the Hawks/Pens added Hossa.

In terms of defense, I think you need a Keith/Seabrook. The Flyers have a wealth of guys they can choose to fill out those bottom pairings, but I don't see that top pairing there.

When the Flyers had an elite Timonen they added Pronger to be that 2nd warhorse. Timonen is not the d-man he once was. The Flyers need two top pairing guys for that back end to me. Unless they find a generational guy like Doughty.

ugh. haha obviously im not trolling hard enough then
- stayinthefnnet

You need to get better at this son

I have a high distaste for clubs who are 'competitive' but don't have enough to get over that hump. The aim should be at building a team that can beat the best, not one that can compete.

That whole thing of anything can happen if you make the playoffs is horsepoop in my eyes. Luck happens, but odds play out at the end of most days to me.
- flyer_nutter

It's a process. And 2010 shows that it's not horsepoop. Or the NJ Devils making the Finals recently. Anything can and does happen in the playoffs. I though the Bruins were a team that could beat the best and were pretty much a lock to make the Finals. They got beaten by Montreal. Who would've guessed that?

no point in even analyzing the nhl draft
total crapshoot as none of these players will see nhl ice for like 6 years.

I agree with all of that. But I will say one thing. The Flyers haven't been very lucky in later rounds. If you look back at draft history, a lot of teams have gotten dam lucky in later rounds. Of course the Flyers having less picks, and hence less opportunity to get lucky in later rounds, has been a factor.
- MJL

It's too soon to tell but I'm a big believer in Robert Hagg. I feel like we drafted two defensemen in the first round when we took Morin and Hagg one year ago.

no point in even analyzing the nhl draft
total crapshoot as none of these players will see nhl ice for like 6 years.
- Crimsoninja

Really 6 years...........

I believe a team can do both. I don't think you have be a bad time, or stop trying to win, to develop young players. I think it's clear that in the last few seasons they have changed direction, and tried to hold onto the core and draft picks more. An example is the first round pick they traded for Versteeg a few years back. A player chosen with that pick, could be ready to contribute now. That's what they should stop doing if at all possible. If they are in a playoff position this upcoming season, don't trade top picks. Make minor moves if neccessary, but don't go all out to try and win the cup if the team isn't really ready for it. But they don't have to rebuild. They have to make smart moves and make the right moves. They can do both at the same time.
- MJL

For sure a balance is needed. They aren't terrible by any means, they do have a lot of good pieces. That back end just makes me want to rip out my pubes though.

If your ultimate goal is the cup, trying to keep this team making the playoffs, but not having the pieces to win the cup is more of a waste. The Flyers don't have the pieces to trade to get a top line winger and a top pairing defenseman. So unless they get lucky with a reclamation project (Mason), the draft is how we turn this team into a contender.
- aflyerpower8

I agree that they have to build through the Draft. But they do have pieces to trade for good players if they decide too. Players they've drafted are years away most likely. Just can't sit back and wait. Have to use all the resources available to build the team. Just have to make smart moves.

no point in even analyzing the nhl draft
total crapshoot as none of these players will see nhl ice for like 6 years.
- Crimsoninja

And oh what a wonderful season 2020 will be.

It's a process. And 2010 shows that it's not horsepoop. Or the NJ Devils making the Finals recently. Anything can and does happen in the playoffs. I though the Bruins were a team that could beat the best and were pretty much a lock to make the Finals. They got beaten by Montreal. Who would've guessed that?
- MJL

No worries, but to me I think its horsepoop. I would rather have a team established as a top tier instead of a middle of the road one for years hoping it finds lightning in a bottle like the Devils did.

I think the Habs were the Bruins kryptonite. One of the few that can handle them. Not sure why.

Really 6 years...........
- ob18

Look at all the awesome studs in the NBA draft...Emeka Okafor, Greg Oden, Michael Beasley...future HOFers all

I think the Habs were the Bruins kryptonite. One of the few that can handle them. Not sure why.
- flyer_nutter

Lets make it clear I am not the most optimistic here as is haha.

I like Mason, but want a couple more years out of him to be sold. Do think that piece is there though. In terms of forwards I think you have enough pieces there yes. Maybe one more elite guy, say a move like when the Hawks/Pens added Dupuis.

In terms of defense, I think you need a Keith/Seabrook. The Flyers have a wealth of guys they can choose to fill out those bottom pairings, but I don't see that top pairing there.

When the Flyers had an elite Timonen they added Pronger to be that 2nd warhorse. Timonen is not the d-man he once was. The Flyers need two top pairing guys for that back end to me. Unless they find a generational guy like Doughty.
- flyer_nutter

fixed.

It's too soon to tell but I'm a big believer in Robert Hagg. I feel like we drafted two defensemen in the first round when we took Morin and Hagg one year ago.
- SuperSchennBros

I have seen jack poop of Hagg. I keep reading though that his compete level is in question.

Lets make it clear I am not the most optimistic here as is haha.

I like Mason, but want a couple more years out of him to be sold. Do think that piece is there though. In terms of forwards I think you have enough pieces there yes. Maybe one more elite guy, say a move like when the Hawks/Pens added Hossa.

In terms of defense, I think you need a Keith/Seabrook. The Flyers have a wealth of guys they can choose to fill out those bottom pairings, but I don't see that top pairing there.

When the Flyers had an elite Timonen they added Pronger to be that 2nd warhorse. Timonen is not the d-man he once was. The Flyers need two top pairing guys for that back end to me. Unless they find a generational guy like Doughty.
- flyer_nutter

Hell I am optimistic & I think they need 2 Dmen, as well

The foot speed works against him imo, but the kid does have some game offensively. He isn't a dud in that department.

I'd love to see Couturier with a guy like Read and Simmonds. That's a 2nd line you have established for years that can grow and mature together.
- flyer_nutter

I see that as another fallacy. While Couturier is certainly not explosive as a skater, his skating is fine. And his hockey sense and ability to read plays, enables him to play fast by anticipating. That same Hockey sense is there offensively also. But it's hidden because he's always focused on checking.

I have seen jack poop of Hagg. I keep reading though that his compete level is in question.
- flyer_nutter

He's still pretty raw, too. But the little I've seen he looked like he has a lot if skill & physical tools

I think the Flyers draft strategy should be pretty simple. If a team is willing to trade up for a player at 17 and the Flyers see 20 other prospects with the same upside then trade down for added picks. Keep doing so if there is not much difference in the prospects left on the board. Unfortunately, they have to find partners willing to do this.

I see that as another fallacy. While Couturier is certainly not explosive as a skater, his skating is fine. And his hockey sense and ability to read plays, enables him to play fast by anticipating. That same Hockey sense is there offensively also. But it's hidden because he's always focused on checking.
- MJL

No worries. I am not going to rip Couturier because I like the kid.

However if he had the speed of a Couture or Gallagher he would be that much better. I think his foot speed is very average. So be it. I would absolutely love to see him taken away from playing against the top forwards of the other teams game after game.

I want the Flyers to put Couturier in a more favourable position next season.

Either he gets bumped up to 2nd line center and they sign a FA to center the 3rd shutdown line, or he doesn't get such heavy matchups continuously going up against the top members of the other team.

Do think if they continue the approach they have been doing, you are going to stunt the kid into a pure defensive player. Sure playing him against the top lines each game gives you a better chance to win 'this year' but developing him more and allowing him a better chance to grow an offensive game will help this club drastically in the future imo.
- flyer_nutter

This is an excellent point. I do think Laughton could be the answer to some defensive minutes in a year or two.

It tough to say unlucky or if the house was divided on who to take in those rounds & they just selected wrong.

Of course just flat out being unlucky is likely part of it.
- ob18

I think in hindsight it's easy to say they selected wrong. But just take any year and look at a player that was drafted in later rounds by a team, that became a really good player. And look at all the teams that passed that player up. And who the team that took him, picked with earlier picks in the same draft. It's really amazing what you see. A lot of it just plain luck in later rounds. But again, when you haven't had many second round picks, hard to get lucky to get a Duncan Keith or a Shea Weber. We got Kevin Marshall!