Rob Parent ‏@ReluctantSE 3m

Flyers demote Powe and Leier to Phantoms which may mean good news for Scott Laughton.
- MBFlyerfan

Well, yeah, except Powe isn't signed to a NHL deal, so he can't play for the Flyers unless they sign him and Leier plays a different position.

Would you trade B. Schenn for Bobby Ryan straight up?
- GOA88

Nope, Schenn is 5 years younger, can play center or wing and his signed to a cap friendly deal for the next 2 seasons.

Dave Isaac ‏@davegisaac 3m

Claude Giroux taking line rushes at 1C with Brayden Schenn at LW


All is well in the universe.
- MBFlyerfan

Well, yeah, except Powe isn't signed to a NHL deal, so he can't play for the Flyers unless they sign him and Leier plays a different position.
- Jsaquella

yeah

Rob Parent ‏@ReluctantSE 3m

Flyers demote Powe and Leier to Phantoms which may mean good news for Scott Laughton.
- MBFlyerfan

Laughton will get the entire preseason before they make a final decision on him. However, I still think he starts the season in Lehigh Valley, but I don't think he will be there for long.

Even strength goals the last 3 seasons from recent to 2 years ago:

Ryan 17, 9, 28
Simmonds 14, 9, 10.

Ryan is a better scorer at even strength.

Ryan isn't a superstar but a very good top 6 forward at even strength. The only reason not to want to add him for nothing as a UFA is the money. But I don't see what the big deal is if it won't hurt the Flyers going forward.

As for as not needing a guy who can add about 20 even strength goals a year: that all depends on whether B. Schenn can do the same. I am not a fan but this season will go a long way in determining if he can be a top line winger.
- psuhockey

At even strength, Ryan has played with much better linemates than Simmonds and in a first line role.

He put up that 28 goal season playing with a premier playmaking center in Ryan Getzlaff. Simmonds has played with nobody in Getzlaff's class as a playmaker regularly at ES.

I'm not against adding Ryan. Just think with the same opportunities and quality of linemates, Simmonds could match his output, which goes for Read and Schenn, as well.

I see no need to sign Ryan to a huge FA deal, when they can get close to his level of production from guys already on the team.

Would you trade B. Schenn for Bobby Ryan straight up?
- GOA88

Absolutely not.

Even strength goals the last 3 seasons from recent to 2 years ago:

Ryan 17, 9, 28
Simmonds 14, 9, 10.

Ryan is a better scorer at even strength.

Ryan isn't a superstar but a very good top 6 forward at even strength. The only reason not to want to add him for nothing as a UFA is the money. But I don't see what the big deal is if it won't hurt the Flyers going forward.

As for as not needing a guy who can add about 20 even strength goals a year: that all depends on whether B. Schenn can do the same. I am not a fan but this season will go a long way in determining if he can be a top line winger.
- psuhockey

Via FA, if the price and terms make sense then yes (and when compared to every other LW on the market)..via trade, never.

No, I'm using usage in general. Ryan played 1st line wing and saw a lot of PP time. Simmonds hasn't played in a first line role, and certainly hasn't seen linemates anywhere near as good as Getzlaff or Perry, although his PP time is similar or better than Ryan's. And over the last two seasons, he's outproduced Ryan by almost ten goals.

In the case of Read, he's been used mostly as a third liner or in a shutdown role his entire NHL career, and still consistently scores 20+ goals. It's ridiculous to think he couldn't score more if he was used in a more offensive role.

In terms of teammates, what does that matter? The usage of Read and Simmonds was because of their teammates, but the bottom line is, the way they were used is the way they were used. They were not used in the offensive roles that Ryan was used in, meaning less opportunity to score goals...which is why it's not unquestionable that Ryan is the better goal scorer.
- Jsaquella

Welp...this all makes sense to me. *sips coffee*

Via FA, if the price and terms make sense then yes (and when compared to every other LW on the market)..via trade, never.
- JW98FlyerFan

If Simmonds scores 30, and Schenn slides up and scores 25-30 and Read spends all year on 2nd line and scores 25-30, do they have any need for Ryan?

No, I'm using usage in general. Ryan played 1st line wing and saw a lot of PP time. Simmonds hasn't played in a first line role, and certainly hasn't seen linemates anywhere near as good as Getzlaff or Perry, although his PP time is similar or better than Ryan's. And over the last two seasons, he's outproduced Ryan by almost ten goals.

In the case of Read, he's been used mostly as a third liner or in a shutdown role his entire NHL career, and still consistently scores 20+ goals. It's ridiculous to think he couldn't score more if he was used in a more offensive role.

In terms of teammates, what does that matter? The usage of Read and Simmonds was because of their teammates, but the bottom line is, the way they were used is the way they were used. They were not used in the offensive roles that Ryan was used in, meaning less opportunity to score goals...which is why it's not unquestionable that Ryan is the better goal scorer.
- Jsaquella

Ryan scored 23 goals on a bad team in 70 games, not playing with Ottawa's playmaker in Jason Spezza, right? Keep in mind, no Getzlaf and Perry on the Senators.

Wayne Simmonds played all 82 games and scored 29 goals on a PP that features a Hart nominee.

Now you definitely have the edge by using two players in your argument and I've stated that they'reare things Read, Simmonds and Voracek can do better but I absolutely stand by my word. Sure PP time could help Read and it's not like he's never played on the PP or never has had the opportunity to play Giroux (because he most certainly has and it didn't workout) but right now Ryan is the better scorer.

Would you trade B. Schenn for Bobby Ryan straight up?
- GOA88

Dear God

At even strength, Ryan has played with much better linemates than Simmonds and in a first line role.

He put up that 28 goal season playing with a premier playmaking center in Ryan Getzlaff. Simmonds has played with nobody in Getzlaff's class as a playmaker regularly at ES.

I'm not against adding Ryan. Just think with the same opportunities and quality of linemates, Simmonds could match his output, which goes for Read and Schenn, as well.

I see no need to sign Ryan to a huge FA deal, when they can get close to his level of production from guys already on the team.
- Jsaquella

Ryan might have had better line mates but simmonds was going against weaker defenders.

Pumped litrilly is a thing

If Simmonds scores 30, and Schenn slides up and scores 25-30 and Read spends all year on 2nd line and scores 25-30, do they have any need for Ryan?
- Jsaquella

Probably not...but with the cap friendly contracts of some of the young guys coming up, they would have the room to add him if that is the direction they wanted to go...
his 5-5 play does help an issue we have had the past 2-3 years...he is not the best solution, but he does have a ton of talent and would not be a negative addition to the team...

I know the GM gets to go up and make the pick, but Chris Pryor and the am scouts do almost all of the work, no?

As Flight Plan seemed to indicate, the GM just tends to drop by and check on progress and direction from time to time.

I'd wager that Homer was a lot more involved w/ the minutiae of the draft when he was asst. GM under Clarke, and head of player personnel. I'm guessing Hexy was sitting in a lot more of these draft meetings as asst as well, and probably doesn't have the same time for it now that he's the big cheese.
- Tomahawk

Well that's a two way street then isn't. So based on that we will no longer blame Holmgren for any draft mistakes. And we won't give any credit or blame to Hextall in the future on draft issues?

Do you know what I'd wager? The GM listens to input and advice from his suboordinates. But the GM makes the final decisions in most cases. And unless I hear from a legitimate source that it was not the case under Holmgren or Hextall, then I will continue to believe that the GM makes the final decisions.

Probably not...but with the cap friendly contracts of some of the young guys coming up, they would have the room to add him if that is the direction they wanted to go...
his 5-5 play does help an issue we have had the past 2-3 years...he is not the best solution, but he does have a ton of talent and would not be a negative addition to the team...
- JW98FlyerFan

Still don't think he fills a true need for the team.

And I thing that his 5 on 5 success in recent years is a product of playing with Getz and Perry

Ryan might have had better line mates but simmonds was going against weaker defenders.
- psuhockey

Maybe. Maybe not. I think A LOT has been covered up or ignored here. Simmonds gave away the puck to JvR the other night as if that never happens.

it was really nice to see how well the team played last night, i know the devils looked horrible and either team is icing there full line-up but man the flyers were skating harder then i can remeber, they just wizzed thru them like a pee-wee squad.

ghost looks awesome, one moment hes on point and in a blink hes behind the defenders net and back at point again.

thats the best ive seen laughton play it seemed as though he was everywhere also.

gotta say zepp look really solid and confident

Well, Sanheim and Aube-Kubel were and I didn't reference last night's roster as an example. What I am talking about is the organizational philosophy seems to have changed from signing UFAs or trading picks etc to keeping them and letting them grow. Looks to me also that Hexy has made a real effort to re stock the farm team. No hate for Homer, but there seems to be an organizational philosophy change to be more patient.
- Hextall271

That shift happened under Holmgren back in 2010 when he traded Carter and Richards. And the point remains. Other then role playing veterans that Hextall has added, the majority of the current prospect base was built under Holmgren.

To be fair, Hextall just took over the job, so it's not a fiar comparison in term of time. But my point really wasn't to compare the two. I like what Hextall is doing so far. But to point out that Holmgren did a good job building up the prospect base.

With Ghost, Hagg, Alt, Sanheim, and Morin it is easy to get excited. Especially since this franchise has been barren of defensive prospects for a quarter century. But agreed, the excitement has to be harnessed a bit. These players are all babies, and there will be growing pains along the way. The talent and skill set appear to be there.
- PLindbergh31

THEY'RE READY

Ryan scored 23 goals on a bad team in 70 games, not playing with Ottawa's playmaker in Jason Spezza, right? Keep in mind, not Getzlaf and Perry on the Senators.

Wayne Simmonds played all 82 games and scored 29 goals on a PP that features a Hart nominee.

Now you definitely have the edge by using two players in your argument and I've stated that they'reare things Read, Simmonds and Voracek can do better but I absolutely stand by my word. Sure PP time could help Read and it's not like he's never played on the PP or never has had the opportunity to play Giroux (because he most certainly has and it didn't workout) but right now Ryan is the better scorer.
- SuperSchennBros

No, Ryan played on a bad team with two pretty good players. MacArthur is a 3 time 20 goal scorer and Kyle Turris is a very good young player. In fact it's not too far fetched to say that Ryan's linemates in Ottawa were better than Simmonds' linemates in Philly, at least at even strength.

Yes, Simmonds splayed with a better player on the PP, and they were highly effective. The excellence of the Flyers PP balances out the fact that Ottawa gave Ryan better line mates at 5 on 5. Despite PP usage, Simmonds and Ryan do spend more time on ice at ES than they do on the PP.

Not sure how using two players gives me an edge. It's just an example that the Flyers have at least two guys that could put up similar numbers to Ryan if they had similar usage, which would mean that Ryan is not unquestionably a better goal scorer.

Ryan might have had better line mates but simmonds was going against weaker defenders.
- psuhockey

Probably true. Which balances things out, and when I look at goal totals the last two years, Simmonds has 9 more than Ryan.

Why are Simmonds are Bobby Ryan being compared?

Different players who bring different styles.

No, Ryan played on a bad team with two pretty good players. MacArthur is a 3 time 20 goal scorer and Kyle Turris is a very good young player. In fact it's not too far fetched to say that Ryan's linemates in Ottawa were better than Simmonds' linemates in Philly, at least at even strength.

Yes, Simmonds splayed with a better player on the PP, and they were highly effective. The excellence of the Flyers PP balances out the fact that Ottawa gave Ryan better line mates at 5 on 5. Despite PP usage, Simmonds and Ryan do spend more time on ice at ES than they do on the PP.

Not sure how using two players gives me an edge. It's just an example that the Flyers have at least two guys that could put up similar numbers to Ryan if they had similar usage, which would mean that Ryan is not unquestionably a better goal scorer.
- Jsaquella

So if wayne simmonds and Matt read are 1st line wingers like Ryan why aren't they playing on the 1st line?