no
- YuenglingJagr

Agreed. He's a shadow of his former self. No burst of speed anymore, doesn't play defense well enough to compensate

We should learn one thing from the Umberger/Wheels era: In a league starved for goal-scoring, when a team is willing to let you walk on the wrong side of 30, there's usually a good reason, and that reason is usually skating

@ moat

do you think Hexy will add anything significant this summer, or does he continue the model of rebuild through the draft only, pare off some bad deal type moves
aka "soft tank" in some circles?

making the playoffs this year was kind of unexpected and I wonder if he moves up on his timeline of going after talent in the ufa market
- Marc D

I don't think so man. I don't think they're more than a bubble team again next season and I don't think he's ready to add FA pieces more substantial then he has in the past few seasons. I think he tries to add some players with leadership qualities and less patch work players.

It'll be interesting to see what happens on July 1. I think Hextall hangs back again and signs the left overs to discounted contracts. They aren't going to throw multi year deals for big numbers at anyone.

The soft tank is over. They have a few pieces to unload/buyout but I think they're ready to begin moving young pieces in and the team forward. This will make the pixie dust people recoil but it's time to seriously look at what some of these kids can do in the National. They may not stick but hard looks will be given this year I believe. I don't think that could be said of the last two seasons.

@ moat

do you think Hexy will add anything significant this summer, or does he continue the model of rebuild through the draft only, pare off some bad deal type moves
aka "soft tank" in some circles?

making the playoffs this year was kind of unexpected and I wonder if he moves up on his timeline of going after talent in the ufa market
- Marc D

If Hexy learned anything in LA, I hope it's the 'slow roll'. Remember when Lombardi was criticized for never making any trades? Eventually, his plan worked out. I don't want Hextall to get jumpy just because the team did a little bit better than he maybe thought they would.

If he sticks to his "if it helps the team in the long run" approach, I'll be cool with it.

yes, so...

do you think they sign any UFAs this summer?

Demers or other D?
A big winger?
A bottom six center?
- Marc D

Demers I could see. Maybe a bottom 6 depth player or two. I doubt he chases the big fishies

I thought about what you said last night for some reason. Noooo not the pillow talk silly, what you said on here.

I get that youre pissed the Flyers lost and normally I am the same exact way. I think this year was different for me just because for the longest time a playoff exit was after loading up at the trade deadline and making a run for the cup. This year I dont think there is any denying that there is a clear vision and way forward. Yes winning would be awesome and continuing on in the playoffs is obviously great...I just didnt get the same disappointment because I feel like the Flyers aren't any worse for the wear after losing to the Caps
- YuenglingJagr

You ignored my pillow talk?!

All of what you say I also believe and recognize. The only difference is my hate of losing trumps all.

Once that initial rage boil-over subsides, which it has, I'm fine.

We really saw a hell of a season this year, and a hell of a group of players under a hell of a coach. Hextall's vision is comfortably clear and refreshing and the future is bright. All in all I'm proud of the team and really can't wait to see what the next handful of seasons brings.

I also can't wait to see what the coming 2 weeks brings, as the Capitals get (frank)ing trounced by the Penguins

If Hexy learned anything in LA, I hope it's the 'slow roll'. Remember when Lombardi was criticized for never making any trades? Eventually, his plan worked out. I don't want Hextall to get jumpy just because the team did a little bit better than he maybe thought they would.

If he sticks to his "if it helps the team in the long run" approach, I'll be cool with it.
- tangent_man

I wouldn't mind seeing an upgrade or two to the bottom 6, or at least some serious competition, even if White is extended

I don't think so man. I don't think they're more than a bubble team again next season and I don't think he's ready to add FA pieces more substantial then he has in the past few seasons. I think he tries to add some players with leadership qualities and less patch work players.

It'll be interesting to see what happens on July 1. I think Hextall hangs back again and signs the left overs to discounted contracts. They aren't going to throw multi year deals for big numbers at anyone.

The soft tank is over. They have a few pieces to unload/buyout but I think they're ready to begin moving young pieces in and the team forward. This will make the pixie dust people recoil but it's time to seriously look at what some of these kids can do in the National. They may not stick but hard looks will be given this year I believe. I don't think that could be said of the last two seasons.
- mayorofangrytown

So...common sense?
- Scoob

yeap

Demers I could see. Maybe a bottom 6 depth player or two. I doubt he chases the big fishies
- Mononoke

Three 1st round selection D men are knocking on the door between this and next year. No more bloated FA D signings please.

yes, so...

do you think they sign any UFAs this summer?

Demers or other D?
A big winger?
A bottom six center?
- Marc D

I could see 2 forwards and a defenseman (+RFAs)

it wouldnt surprise me if he made a trade either. I look at Neuvirth as his ideal signing. A guy who has shown he can be good, isnt expensive, and is willing to come in to a good situation to try to show himself.

I could see 2 forwards and a defenseman (+RFAs)

it wouldnt surprise me if he made a trade either. I look at Neuvirth as his ideal signing. A guy who has shown he can be good, isnt expensive, and is willing to come in to a good situation to try to show himself.
- YuenglingJagr

So Vanek...

I wouldn't mind seeing an upgrade or two to the bottom 6, or at least some serious competition, even if White is extended
- AllInForFlyers

I kind of like their 4th line, but agree, need someone to score and not just grind.

I'd keep PEB around. He has some puck skills and is good two way guy. I like White, typically Flyer, will go through a wall to help the team. VDV I'm kind of meh on but he's OK.

Ideally guys like Cousins, Raffl, PEB or Laughton are on the 4th line. But they need more size and speed too.

Maybe it's the 2nd/3rd line that needs to be rebuilt with the current guys sliding down a notch.

Hopefully Koneckny and others like Leier can come in and make a difference.

Demers I could see. Maybe a bottom 6 depth player or two. I doubt he chases the big fishies
- Mononoke

Demers would fall into that realm I think...I jsut honestly have no idea what he expects to earn or his team/conference preferences. He is from MTL. Bill, put in a good word for us

@ moat

do you think Hexy will add anything significant this summer, or does he continue the model of rebuild through the draft only, pare off some bad deal type moves
aka "soft tank" in some circles?

making the playoffs this year was kind of unexpected and I wonder if he moves up on his timeline of going after talent in the ufa market
- Marc D

If the Flyers were not about to start , already started with Ghost, an influx of defensive prospects I would agree he moves things around some..The fact that they have as many as 4 legit defensive prospects that could be in the lineup in the next two years to me gives him some time.

From a forward perspective you have Konecny and a few other prospects a bit farther out. Knowing that I think we would all be okay in a run at Stamkos (duh) give his age but the cost might eliminate that.

So Vanek...


- mayorofangrytown

I didnt see over rated, old, and poor defensively in my description

What I meant was if Hextall notices that a guy is underrated and can be had for a decent price and it upgrades the team, he will do so. Otherwise, he would rather just let teams outbid each other

Hockey Central guys today said flyers are now strong contenders to get Vesey.

I'm guessing you have never traveled outside the US...or your state much.
- Glak18

Nice assumption, but you're wrong. I don't care if drunk driving isn't seen as a big deal in Mother Russia. It's scummy behavior.

Hockey Central guys today said flyers are now strong contenders to get Vesey.
- Winning

disloyal, distraction, cant be counted on

what is the longest deal you would be OK with in regards to either Backes or Lucic?
If they want 5+ yrs its a deal breaker for me. 4 would be too many but I think someone will give them 4 or even 5 yr deals which is crazy.

I can't stand Lucic. Maybe once he was here I would change my mind, but right now I don't want to see him as a Flyer.
- Marc D

The longest i would go on either is 3 years. im a big fan of hextalls system and thats not building through free agency. that being said, i see a big gap on our team and that is in the scoring department. gone are the days where we in the 5-4, 6-4, 7-5 games. that problem is now, if we let up 3 or 4 goals, we are basically done. we led the league in overtime games and one goal games, it seems like every game was a nailbiter.

that being said, i would go 3 years for each. if they balk, then let them get overpaid somewhere else. id prob give each a .5 mil or 1 mil more. however stamkos scares me due to term and money. you may actually be able to get lucic and backes for almost the same amount as stamkos. and you know stamkos will get at the very very least 6 years from someone.

I might be in the minority with this but I believe the Caps are going to win this series against the Pens then blow through the rest of the playoffs to the Cup.

They faced a bit of adversity this first round and came through it fine.
They have a legit superstar, supporting offensive players, solid defense, experience, winners and the best goalie in the league right now.

TBH I hope they win for OV's sake..I love watching him play and their isnt a player or prospect on the Flyers I wouldnt package for him.

I don't think so man. I don't think they're more than a bubble team again next season and I don't think he's ready to add FA pieces more substantial then he has in the past few seasons. I think he tries to add some players with leadership qualities and less patch work players.

It'll be interesting to see what happens on July 1. I think Hextall hangs back again and signs the left overs to discounted contracts. They aren't going to throw multi year deals for big numbers at anyone.

The soft tank is over. They have a few pieces to unload/buyout but I think they're ready to begin moving young pieces in and the team forward. This will make the pixie dust people recoil but it's time to seriously look at what some of these kids can do in the National. They may not stick but hard looks will be given this year I believe. I don't think that could be said of the last two seasons.
- mayorofangrytown

good stuff, this

hopefully Provorov and Morin at some point next year.

pretty tired of seeing Streit/Schultz every game. although I like both, their time is nearly up

Nice assumption, but you're wrong. I don't care if drunk driving isn't seen as a big deal in Mother Russia. It's scummy behavior.
- FloHaake

Driving sober might actually get you in bigger trouble there. Youll be too scared of what in the world is happneing to drive casually, and your limp body wont be able to absorb impacts as well

disloyal, distraction, cant be counted on
- YuenglingJagr

payback for weber

So Vanek...


- mayorofangrytown

Or Ladd

Three 1st round selection D men are knocking on the door between this and next year. No more bloated FA D signings please.
- hereticpride

Was Anton Stralman a "bloated FA D signing"? I don't think he gets a bloated deal either. We need a RD and Myers could be 3 years away if he even pans out. The only reason I see us not pursuing him is because of AMac's cursed contract. You can't just have 6 prospects on the team, and frankly a veteran d group of MDZ-Demers would be pretty solid to have the young guys filter into.

Sanheim could need 2 years. Morin could take another year. And there's room for them too with Schultz, Streit, Manning, even Gudas not being here in 1-2 years. I don't see how Lucic is a better signing. Now that's going to be a bloated signing that actually impedes in the future imo.