Would they take back Grossmann?
- leon neon

Perhaps, although Nemeth is pretty much a younger and healthier clone of Grossmann.

You're projecting that Oleksiak's going to get sent down again? Just him + Nemeth could fundamentally alter the complexion of that group.
- Tomahawk

Oleksiak has really, really struggled in his NHL games to date. He's looked good in the AHL. At some point, the Stars will need him to take that next step but I would be reluctant to go into the season counting on him to be a major NHL contributor this season.

Nemeth might be ready to step up this season into the role Grossmann used to play for them.

It'd be wonderful if Luke Schenn was worth a kid like Jason Dickinson
- Jsaquella

Scre# that noise, the Schenns for The Russian Lindros

Scre# that noise, the Schenns for The Russian Lindros
- coffee junkie

why not Jamie Benn

#shootforthemoon

I like Klingberg quite a bit. Good two-way upside. I think he will need more time in the AHL, however. Patrik Nemeth is more of a defensive D man but might be NHL ready right now; a clone of Nick Grossmann but much younger and healthier. Jyrki Jokipakka is a promising young puck mover; a tad undersized.
- bmeltzer

Just having someone named Jyrki Jokipakka on the roster would make my heart soar.

why not Jamie Benn

#shootforthemoon
- Marc D

I want Lindros...umm, I mean Russian Lindros.

I'm just kidding of course, what I really want is to dump a heavy contract from this team for some youth. Ohhhh and for Rinaldo to be gone or more disciplined. Please Santa?

Five players who need to have big seasons this year for the Flyers to succeed, other than Giroux and Mason which are just obvious.

1. Braydon Coburn
The man with nose is going to have to be at his best for the Flyers to succeed this year. Coburn will assuredly lead the Flyers D corps in ice time and will see the hard minutes against top lines and on the PK. He needs to be consistent for this team to go anywhere.

2. Jake Voracek
He's not a kid anymore, so it's time to step up and become the star player that we all know he can be. I'd like to see 30 goals and 70 points, and I think he has the talent to do it.

3. Andrew MacDonald
AMac will need to step up and play some tougher minutes with Timonen out of the lineup. If he falters, they will be in trouble as neither Streit or MDZ is going to help much on the PK or in defending top lines.

4. Brayden Schenn
Another guy who needs to take the next step in his development. Anything short of 25 goals and 50 points would be a disappointment. For his sake, they need to pick a position for him right from the start of camp and leave him there. It does him no favors to be constantly moved back and forth from center to wing.

5. Luke Schenn
Luke needs to come into camp in the best shape of his life and ready to play some hard minutes. In order for this club to succeed, he will need to be a mainstay on the PK.
- BiggE

I love the list but for me, each player has to make an impact within their own role. We all felt the impact of a slow start from Giroux that was felt throughout the entire team. With Hartnell traded, we'll have to look towards others such as Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn and Read to make up for those points lost but I don't think it would be out of line to learn on Couturier just a little bit more. Not pointing the finger at just you but the majority of us, there is a belief that Voracek is on the verge of being a star or we expect him to be, however if some of us suggest adding Bobby Ryan some scoff at the idea. While Voracek probably has more to offer if he puts it all together, Ryan is already a star. Ryan was incredible for the Sens before getting hurt last season and this was without playing along side Jason Spezza. I hope nothing but the best from Jake Voracek but if he were more of a trigger man, I for one wouldn't bother talking about Bobby Ryan at all.

What I love most is your explaination of Coburn and MacDonald. I think they're both key on different pairs.

Was there a potential deal being discussed back in 88 for Selanne?
- MJL

Clarke said immediately after the draft he was trying to move up into the top 10 to draft either Selanne or Rod Brind'Amour but was not able to do so. The story ran in the Philly newspapers the next day along with writeups on Claude Boivin.

Flyers also were heavily rumored to be in Selanne in the summer of 1995 when the Jets were in a severe financial bind with the Keith Tkachuk offer sheet and being unable to afford to keep all three among Tkachuk, Selanne and Zhamnov. After the Ducks traded for Selanne, Clarke said the Flyers didn't want to give up as much talent (Tverdovsky and Kilger being the main pieces) as the Ducks did.

I love the list but for me, each player has to make an impact within their own role. We all felt the impact of a slow start from Giroux that was felt throughout the entire team. With Hartnell traded, we'll have to look towards others such as Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn and Read to make up for those points lost but I don't think it would be out of line to learn on Couturier just a little bit more. Not point the finger at just you but the majority of us, there is a belief that Voracek is on the verge of being a star or we expect him to be, however if some of us suggest adding Bobby Ryan some scoff at the idea. While Voracek probably has more to offer if he puts it all together, Ryan is already a star. Ryan was incredible for the Sens before getting hurt last season and this was without playing along side Jason Spezza. I hope nothing but the best from Jake Voracek but if he were more of a trigger man, I for one wouldn't bother talking about Bobby Ryan at all. .
- SuperSchennBros

Bobby Ryan to me isn't really a guy who will be worth the contract.

Seems like a complimentary piece that will go the way of his team, instead of helping to put it on his back. Far too much complimentary on the current crew as is.

Bobby Ryan to me isn't really a guy who will be worth the contract.

Seems like a complimentary piece that will go the way of his team, instead of helping to put it on his back.
- flyer_nutter

He is going to get a huge contract if he holds out for UFA and I'm not sure if he is going to be worth those dollars.

That said, I think it would be pretty cool if he ends up as a Flyer, but I think the reality is he will be too expensive.

He is going to get a huge contract if he holds out for UFA and I'm not sure if he is going to be worth those dollars.

That said, I think it would be pretty cool if he ends up as a Flyer, but I think the reality is he will be too expensive.
- Marc D

He is being paid 5.1 now. I'm assuming he will want the "for life star player contract".

Obviously its really far away, and a lot can happen but in 2016 the FA shapes up to be a lot more promising. To me its about the right time to strike.

E Staal, Stamkos, Kopitar, Lucic, Ryan O'Reilly, Seabrook, Yandle, Buff, Kesler, Vrbata, Goligoski, Bieksa, Backes, Hamhuis, Ladd, Giordano, Loui Eriksson, Demers, Grabner, Nielsen, Erik Johnson, Plekanec. Just some of the names.

Again I realise its far away, but its a hell of a lot more promising than next years crop and what we have seen in recent years. A lot of those players will end up getting signed to their current teams but I could see a number hitting FA. That is the year to strike imo. Stay the course for now, and don't load up your cap overpaying for players just because they currently are the best available.

I want Lindros...umm, I mean Russian Lindros.

I'm just kidding of course, what I really want is to dump a heavy contract from this team for some youth. Ohhhh and for Rinaldo to be gone or more disciplined. Please Santa?
- coffee junkie

Regarding getting rid of big contracts, I think they would have dumped VL if there was a buyer or a decent deal this summer

Hartnell for Umby trade is all about more cap flexibility 2 years down the road

I think we have to persevere with the older D men for at least three more seasons when the prospects may be ready to step in

I'm hoping between Bellemere and Ryan White and maybe even Laughton,
Rinaldo becomes the 13th forward

He is going to get a huge contract if he holds out for UFA and I'm not sure if he is going to be worth those dollars.

That said, I think it would be pretty cool if he ends up as a Flyer, but I think the reality is he will be too expensive.
- Marc D

Not that I'm expecting a hair cut but I thought a number of players took less this past July first. I think it would be very cool to have to former local boy story. Most importantly a trigger man to play with Giroux. I don't wanna overrate Ryan but I don't wanna undderrate the guy either. He'd be good for Giroux to play with.

Not that I'm expecting a hair cut but I thought a number oof players took less this past July first. I think it would be very cool to have to former local boy story. Most importantly a trigger man to play with Giroux. I don't wanna overrate Ryan but I don't wanna undderrate the guy either. He'd be good for Giroux to play with.
- SuperSchennBros

He would be, but he will be the big piece next summer. The big story, and the shiny new toy desperate teams are chasing.

The FA class the following season is a hell of a lot more promising. Don't go giving Ryan a mega deal, I personally don't think he is the kind of guy that will carry a team like the contract would require.

Not that I'm expecting a hair cut but I thought a number oof players took less this past July first. I think it would be very cool to have to former local boy story. Most importantly a trigger man to play with Giroux. I don't wanna overrate Ryan but I don't wanna undderrate the guy either. He'd be good for Giroux to play with.
- SuperSchennBros

So would you sign him for 7 yrs 50 Million?

Probably not worth it and someone will give him that

...

E Staal, Stamkos, Kopitar, Lucic, Ryan O'Reilly, Seabrook, Yandle, Buff, Kesler, Vrbata, Goligoski, Bieksa, Backes, Hamhuis, Ladd, Giordano, Loui Eriksson, Demers, Grabner, Nielsen, Erik Johnson, Plekanec. Just some of the names.

... A lot of those players will end up getting signed to their current teams but I could see a number hitting FA.
- flyer_nutter

Interesting list.
Stamkos and Kopitar will never get to UFA, will be re signed first.

The rest I'm not sure about.
Would think most if not all the defenseman are re signed before hitting UFA.

Interesting list.
Stamkos and Kopitar will never get to UFA, will be re signed first.

The rest I'm not sure about.
Would think most if not all the defenseman are re signed before hitting UFA.
- Marc D

Hard to say of course, but I could see a few hitting the market there. If they are patient, and able to unload some of the bad deals in the next little while they can set themselves up well.

Sign the right player, not just the best player at the current time.

I love the list but for me, each player has to make an impact within their own role. We all felt the impact of a slow start from Giroux that was felt throughout the entire team. With Hartnell traded, we'll have to look towards others such as Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn and Read to make up for those points lost but I don't think it would be out of line to learn on Couturier just a little bit more. Not pointing the finger at just you but the majority of us, there is a belief that Voracek is on the verge of being a star or we expect him to be, however if some of us suggest adding Bobby Ryan some scoff at the idea. While Voracek probably has more to offer if he puts it all together, Ryan is already a star. Ryan was incredible for the Sens before getting hurt last season and this was without playing along side Jason Spezza. I hope nothing but the best from Jake Voracek but if he were more of a trigger man, I for one wouldn't bother talking about Bobby Ryan at all.

What I love most is your explaination of Coburn and MacDonald. I think they're both key on different pairs.
- SuperSchennBros

I think Bobby Ryan is a good player, but he's far from a star in my view. I wouldn't break the bank to acquire him, either in a trade or in free agency.

Interesting list.
Stamkos and Kopitar will never get to UFA, will be re signed first.

The rest I'm not sure about.
Would think most if not all the defenseman are re signed before hitting UFA.
- Marc D

Or at the very least, traded away and re-upped with their new teams, which I believe is what will happen to Seabrook and Bufflin.

I think Bobby Ryan is a good player, but he's far from a star in my view. I wouldn't break the bank to acquire him, either in a trade or in free agency.
- MJL

I do think you see him have a very good year, he knows the chance to get paid is coming.

Playing in Ottawa with no expectations with everyone kissing your ass hoping you re-sign and then going to a pressure cooker environment the next year...

I hope they stay away from Ryan.

He would be, but he will be the big piece next summer. The big story, and the shiny new toy desperate teams are chasing.

The FA class the following season is a hell of a lot more promising. Don't go giving Ryan a mega deal, I personally don't think he is the kind of guy that will carry a team like the contract would require.
- flyer_nutter

It's premature to look that far in advance at a free agency class. How many of those players will never even make it that far, and be re-signed before making it to free agency?

Or at the very least, traded away and re-upped with their new teams, which I believe is what will happen to Seabrook and Bufflin.
- Giroux_Is_God

Seabrook is a guy I'd open up the bank for, depending on cost.

That is the kind of "right" player in my eyes.

It's premature to look that far in advance at a free agency class. How many of those players will never even make it that far, and be re-signed before making it to free agency?
- MJL

Who knows. Its a hell of a lot more good looking than the trash in recent years and next year. I'm being optimistic

I do think you see him have a very good year, he knows the chance to get paid is coming.

Playing in Ottawa with no expectations with everyone kissing your ass hoping you re-sign and then going to a pressure cooker environment the next year...

I hope they stay away from Ryan.
- flyer_nutter

I have interest at the right cost, if they can fit him in while not limiting them in making more important moves.