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

Nothing like being rushed even in that sport.

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

What a moron thing to say Crimja

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!

- MJL

I'm aware of it all..........sadly.

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

I enjoy reading all points of view. You are absolutely correct there is none of those guys currently on the roster. Also, I agree with you that they need to do a better job of evaluating prospects to have better organizational depth for more sustained success.

It's only June, I just want to see how the rest of the summer plays out as well as the regular season to see who on the back end develops it becomes a contributor by May. If they win the Cup on a fluke, guess what I really don't care. Heck, they can even put an asterisk next to their name as the most unworthy champion in history.

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.
- jstross

Agreed, add picks if possible. The only scenario where it'd make sense to trade up is getting in the top 4 to get a shot at one of Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett or Draislatl

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

When I watched he was paired with Alt, I thought they look well together. But raw yeah you could say that

Definition of a broken record? This place. Thought I'd check in during the half of the USA vs Ghana game and I see Grossman and advanced stats are still dominating the conversation. Maybe you guys should start grossman buzz.



Edit: or is this a never back down sequel?

Agreed, add picks if possible. The only scenario where it'd make sense to trade up is getting in the top 4 to get a shot at one of Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett or Draislatl
- Jsaquella

As fluid as this draft could be it may not be as easy to even move down. I'd like to see the Flyers if they could slide back to 20 - 22 and gain another pick or two.

Moving up for any of those 4 plus Ehlers would be nice but still a high cost.

Nothing like being rushed even in that sport.
- ob18

In fairness, those guys had injury issues or maturity issues, and there wasn't much of an option to have them play D league

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

Look at a player like Jake Muzzin. He's turned into a fine puck moving defenseman, that plays a significant role on the Kings defense. This is a player that was drafted by the Pens, and never signed. Invited to the Nashville training camp and released. And then signed as a free agent by LA. Now he was playing 23 minutes a game in all situations for the Stanley Cup champs.

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.
- flyer_nutter

The Flyers defense isn't nearly as bad as is said sometimes.

I wonder if the Flyers will make a run at Gaborik. He could be a good fit.

As fluid as this draft could be it may not be as easy to even move down. I'd like to see the Flyers if they could slide back to 20 - 22 and gain another pick or two.

Moving up for any of those 4 plus Ehlers would be nice but still a high cost.
- ob18

Exactly, it won't be easy to jump that high.

It's also going to require a team with a real hard on for a guy to be willing to trade up to 17, because of that fluidity. If a team sitting at 23 really likes Larkin, maybe they will be willing to give up something worth it to move, but it will have to be because a team really likes a specific player

I wonder if the Flyers will make a run at Gaborik. He could be a good fit.
- PLindbergh31

youarewrong

I wonder if the Flyers will make a run at Gaborik. He could be a good fit.
- PLindbergh31

Slovak blood is lacking on the current squad. I miss Mez and his goal celebrations.

What a moron thing to say Crimja
- flyer_nutter

i assumed it was obvious that the comment was made with the sole intention of infuriating ob18

i assumed it was obvious that the comment was made with the sole intention of infuriating ob18
- Crimsoninja

Just busting your jiblets. Relax hooligan.

i assumed it was obvious that the comment was made with the sole intention of infuriating ob18
- Crimsoninja

(frank)ING RUSH THEM ALL

I wonder if the Flyers will make a run at Gaborik. He could be a good fit.
- PLindbergh31

until training camp, when he will contract a virus debilitating him from the neck down until he is eventually a UFA again, when he regains his health, signs with the Devils and wins a Cup.

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.
- flyer_nutter

So would I, and who wouldn't. And of course that is the goal of every team to get to the point of being a top contender, to give the best chance. But that didn't work out for the Bruins this year. Last year the Kings got knocked out. So many variables. Injuries, good matchups. Upsets. It all comes into play. And it is true that once you get into the playoffs, you have a chance. Who picked Carolina to win it all the year they won. Who thought the Flyers were going to the Finals during the regular season in 2010?

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.
- flyer_nutter

I think you're correct that his skating is average for the NHL. I'm only saying that's not going to stop him from developing as a player. Lots of very good offensive players with average speed in the League.

(frank)ING RUSH THEM ALL
- funmaster18

please god

Slovak blood is lacking on the current squad. I miss Mez and his goal celebrations.
- flyer_nutter

He was awesome in the playoffs, before not so much as he battled injuries. It raises an eyebrow that he was that good when playing for a contract.

until training camp, when he will contract a virus debilitating him from the neck down until he is eventually a UFA again, when he regains his health, signs with the Devils and wins a Cup.
- wilsonecho91

I hear you. An injury prone player like Gaborik would probably break into 100 pieces in a Flyers sweater.

So would I, and who wouldn't. And of course that is the goal of every team to get to the point of being a top contender, to give the best chance. But that didn't work out for the Bruins this year. Last year the Kings got knocked out. So many variables. Injuries, good matchups. Upsets. It all comes into play. And it is true that once you get into the playoffs, you have a chance. Who picked Carolina to win it all the year they won. Who thought the Flyers were going to the Finals during the regular season in 2010?
- MJL

All those variables are why the window of multiple years being a contending team is the best chance the Flyers will have at winning the cup.