Columbus fans seem pretty upset right now. No moves to make space for Seth Jone's big extension, Rychel lost for almost nothing, and Peeke was a big reach in a draft where they only had five picks somehow.

I like PLD a lot, but surely the smart thing to do was trade down from 3 if you weren't going to take Puljujarvi?
- Feanor

Kekalainen has certainly been a disappointment since leaving the Blues with such a reputation as a shrewd and smart guy and he's basically continued the ineptitude of the Howson era.

Loaded with bad contracts, several instances of knee jerk reaction moves...I get their anger and discontentment

I guess, here is my point about this draft:

When you don't have VDV or PEB or Ryan White in your system at all...I mean, come on. At some point, I just think it's fair to say that structurally, the Flyers needed more forwards of any kind to begin pushing their way up

A guy I've found interesting out in LA is Dwight King. Just a fourth-rounder from 2007, but if you looked at only his junior stats, you probably just saw "big body, projectable. Might score a few goals, might not make it at all." No idea what his skating was like

But sometimes, guys like that just get better. It doesn't happen all the time. But it does happen. Guys who play the game in a simple fashion, north-south, with size...I'd be thrilled if a couple of those guys developed like Dwight King did, or even close

Not attacking your post; I can see your points. I wish there was a LW in the system who screamed "first-line difference maker"

But I guess, from what I saw and understood, outside of the first three picks, that kind of offensive talent wasn't there. While certainly there were others with offensive ability, I guess I didn't see anyone other than the 5-7 kid who dripped offense and I guess I am skeptical about that kid making it. Everyone else had clear red flags, from what I read

I liked what they did, from what I understood of the picks. I don't think that makes me or anyone else a lemming. They needed size and people who could move. Guys who, if they work out, can get in on a forecheck and take away time and space.

And I'm one of those people who believes you take goalies where you have them rated. So I guess I just don't have the issues with this draft, but I do understand your points. Time will tell
- AllInForFlyers

And you make a good point about the mix of forwards in this year's class too. But then be bold - trade picks to move up to at least get a couple of guys with 1st/2nd line potential.

Nothing against Rubstov but realistically for this team he is the 3C. I saw his highlight reel and like everyone else, haven't seen him much in game situations. He made some nice plays in the highlight reel, but nothing jaw-dropping. Compare his highlights to other top 25 players, or top 25 from last year and I see a forward who is solid if unspectacular. Basically, I see a slightly more creative Laughton, or at least what Laughton was supposed to be.

Bellows is at worst a 2LW with legit top-line potential. Sure, he's a one-trick pony but guess what? It's a trick that we desperately need. I really think we'll regret this, especially when Bellows is scoring 40 goals a year off of feeds from Barzal, another guy I really wanted.

OK, I will be the lone dissenting poster, but honestly I'm not thrilled with this draft. It's funny, but I can't help but wonder what the prevailing opinion would be if Holmgren picked this same draft pool. Big, gritty two-way forwards with 3rd line upside? Yup, typical Flyers draft.

Here's the reality. There are two dynamic forwards - G and TK, who can truly create offense for themselves and their linemates. Two. And I worry about TK and his size relative to his playing style. And G is going to be three years older before this team can really compete.

There are zero true snipers in the entire organization. None. The forwards crew at both the NHL level and in the pool are a mix of power forwards, gritty forwards, and defensive-minded forwards. So naturally we draft a lot more of the same because a team full of White's and VDV's is gonna get it done.

Last year I mildly questioned the wisdom of drafting so many goalies when the system was truly lacking in forwards with 1st/2nd line potential, but with the high of landing Provorov and Konecny still kicking in I let it go. But I just can't get excited about this draft. I get it - Hextall has forgotten more about hockey then I'll ever know, and I'm not suggesting that he's a bad GM or anything remotely like that. But neither will I be a lemming who will blindly accept everything as gospel either.
- TheGreat28

I'm not thrilled with the draft and I said yesterday it was the most "typical Flyers" draft under Hextall's tenure.

I am thrilled with the deal down and drafting of Rubtsov. I think he's an exceptional player and I'm not sure I really buy the limited offense that some have tagged him with. He might not be a sniper, but he's been a point producer.

I am very happy with round two. Laberge was seen by some as a possible first rounder. Wade Allison seems like a really solid prospect. He's not a typical plodding big forward, he's got decent wheels and a good shot. I'm fine with adding another goalie, too. Way too many guys wash out and end up being nothing. Better to have depth than not.

They did go for more depth/role type guys in later rounds, but there weren't a load of snipers sitting there, either. The guys they did take fill systemic needs and are all rated as plus skaters(except for Laczynski) and are regarded as strong, smart 200 foot players, which fits the scheme that Hakstol is running.

I would have liked a little more sizzle, but adding a guy like Bitten or Abramov likely means no Hart or Allison, and adding DeBrincat means no Laberge.

Mark Alt signed a 1 year, two way extension with the Flyers

I guess, here is my point about this draft:

When you don't have VDV or PEB or Ryan White in your system at all...I mean, come on. At some point, I just think it's fair to say that structurally, the Flyers needed more forwards of any kind to begin pushing their way up

A guy I've found interesting out in LA is Dwight King. Just a fourth-rounder from 2007, but if you looked at only his junior stats, you probably just saw "big body, projectable. Might score a few goals, might not make it at all." No idea what his skating was like

But sometimes, guys like that just get better. It doesn't happen all the time. But it does happen. Guys who play the game in a simple fashion, north-south, with size...I'd be thrilled if a couple of those guys developed like Dwight King did, or even close
- AllInForFlyers

And what did VDV and PEB and Raffl and White cost us? You can get gritty forwards that can play 3/4 roles with a potential to fill-in on the 2nd line relatively cheaply. And yes, you need some of these guys as draft picks to grow in the system. Fazleev, Lindblom were good value picks in the 5th and 6th round.

But the more exciting guys with higher end potential in the system - Ghost, TK and to a lesser extent Marody and NAK all went against Flyers type. I back-read the draft night board, and you guys had a long list of solid wingers in the 2nd / 3rd rounds and Hextall and scouts apparently didn't like any of them. That worries me a bit.

I'm not thrilled with the draft and I said yesterday it was the most "typical Flyers" draft under Hextall's tenure.

I am thrilled with the deal down and drafting of Rubtsov. I think he's an exceptional player and I'm not sure I really buy the limited offense that some have tagged him with. He might not be a sniper, but he's been a point producer.

I am very happy with round two. Laberge was seen by some as a possible first rounder. Wade Allison seems like a really solid prospect. He's not a typical plodding big forward, he's got decent wheels and a good shot. I'm fine with adding another goalie, too. Way too many guys wash out and end up being nothing. Better to have depth than not.

They did go for more depth/role type guys in later rounds, but there weren't a load of snipers sitting there, either. The guys they did take fill systemic needs and are all rated as plus skaters(except for Laczynski) and are regarded as strong, smart 200 foot players, which fits the scheme that Hakstol is running.

I would have liked a little more sizzle, but adding a guy like Bitten or Abramov likely means no Hart or Allison, and adding DeBrincat means no Laberge.
- Jsaquella

Didn't read yesterday's feed so I missed that. And I'm more calm than Friday night - I was pretty cranky from a horrible week of travel - 4 out of 5 flights delayed or cancelled and stuck in the wrong city two nights in a row - so I overreacted a bit.

As AllIn says, time will tell. But I would have much rather ended up with Bellows and then trading up to get DeBrincat, Benson, Asplund or even LaBerge, who seems like a good kid with decent potential. I can live without another goalie or 3rd line energy guy, so trading the 2 2nd round picks to get one of those guys would have been the way to go.

Well, I guess that's that then. All of these 18 year olds are 4th liners and ECHL fodder. Might as well have not drafted anyone at all since there's zero chance they'll ever amount to anything.

If only Hextall and his scouts had access to Youtube and the infallible Black Book.

Well, I guess that's that then. All of these 18 year olds are 4th liners and ECHL fodder. Might as well have not drafted anyone at all since there's zero chance they'll ever amount to anything.

If only Hextall and his scouts had access to Youtube and the infallible Black Book.
- jmatchett383

If any of us were GMs, our teams would be in the lottery every year.

In watching some of the high light tape, I must say I like the draft results....like everyone else I was hoping for some moves to get them into the top end of the first round , but the prices apparently were stupid.....hopefully Allison decides on the WHL, be easier to see some of his games. I also hope Rubstov can some how come over here and play in NA this year....hopefully the next 48 hrs brings some sort of block buster trade around the NHL....and that leads to some good player movement....kind of a boring draft weekend actually.

OK, I will be the lone dissenting poster, but honestly I'm not thrilled with this draft. It's funny, but I can't help but wonder what the prevailing opinion would be if Holmgren picked this same draft pool. Big, gritty two-way forwards with 3rd line upside? Yup, typical Flyers draft.

Here's the reality. There are two dynamic forwards - G and TK, who can truly create offense for themselves and their linemates. Two. And I worry about TK and his size relative to his playing style. And G is going to be three years older before this team can really compete.

There are zero true snipers in the entire organization. None. The forwards crew at both the NHL level and in the pool are a mix of power forwards, gritty forwards, and defensive-minded forwards. So naturally we draft a lot more of the same because a team full of White's and VDV's is gonna get it done.

Last year I mildly questioned the wisdom of drafting so many goalies when the system was truly lacking in forwards with 1st/2nd line potential, but with the high of landing Provorov and Konecny still kicking in I let it go. But I just can't get excited about this draft. I get it - Hextall has forgotten more about hockey then I'll ever know, and I'm not suggesting that he's a bad GM or anything remotely like that. But neither will I be a lemming who will blindly accept everything as gospel either.
- TheGreat28

Homer would not have any 2nd rounders

Homer would not have any 2nd rounders
- vejim

I think what bothers me about some teams in the draft is how overly aggressive they were for change on their current roster. Montreal for example. They didn't make the playoffs and heavily rely on Carry Price to get them into the playoffs. A trade for Shaw isn't going to make them better.

Now I'm not gonna say Hextall is doing it right, this is yet to be seen. I like our defensive prospects but I do think there are real questions surrounding Travis Konecny and German Rubtsov as young player expected to carry the load for the next generation.

I personally would like to see more risk as we head into free agency. I can understand if nobody has interest in Steven Stamkos and Loui Eriksson due to price but I think both are young enough and skilled enough to help us move in the direction of winning a Stanley Cup. I would be happy with any offensive talent being added without mortgaging the future, which I believe includes Brayden Schenn.

Hextall is taking the rather cheap and boring route in my opinion but I'm happy he's not restructuring the team like Montreal. I'm happy he's hanging on, rather then giving away.

I still would like to see a gamble. I think we really missed out on an oppertunity to grab Rychel, who I think is a good pick up for the Leafs.

Didn't read yesterday's feed so I missed that. And I'm more calm than Friday night - I was pretty cranky from a horrible week of travel - 4 out of 5 flights delayed or cancelled and stuck in the wrong city two nights in a row - so I overreacted a bit.

As AllIn says, time will tell. But I would have much rather ended up with Bellows and then trading up to get DeBrincat, Benson, Asplund or even LaBerge, who seems like a good kid with decent potential. I can live without another goalie or 3rd line energy guy, so trading the 2 2nd round picks to get one of those guys would have been the way to go.
- TheGreat28

I would have been fine if they didn't trade down and took Rubtsov over Bellows, TBH. Kunin, Bellows & Rubtsov were my top 3 at 18. I think dealing down was a master stroke. They got a guy in Laberge who could easily be better than some of the first rounders

I think what bothers me about some teams in the draft is how overly aggressive they were for change on their current roster. Montreal for example. They didn't make the playoffs and heavily relie on Carry Price to get them into the playoffs. A trade for Shaw isn't going to make them better.

Now I'm not gonna say Hextall is doing it right, this is yet to be seen. I like our defensive prospects but I do think there are real questions surrounding Travis Konecny and German Rubtsov as young player expected to carry the load for the next generation.

I personally would like to see more risk as we head into free agency. I can understand if nobody has interest in Steven Stamkos and Lou Eriksson due to price but I think both are young enough and skilled enough to help us move in the direction of winning a Stanley Cup. I would be happy with any offensive talent being added without mortgaging the future, which I believe includes Brayden Schenn.

Hextall taking the rather cheap and boring route in my opinion but I'm happy he's not playing restructure of the team like Montreal. I'm happy he's hanging on, rather then giving away.

I still would like to see a gamble. I think we really missed out on an oppertunity to grab Rychel, who I think is a good pick up for the Leafs.
- roenick97

Hexy appears to be a patient man and not a risk taker...sort of how he played goal....he he

Well, I guess that's that then. All of these 18 year olds are 4th liners and ECHL fodder. Might as well have not drafted anyone at all since there's zero chance they'll ever amount to anything.

If only Hextall and his scouts had access to Youtube and the infallible Black Book.
- jmatchett383

That's really not fair and you sound like that jerk with the Star Wars obsession.

I agree with JSqa and Great28 that they needed a player with a high offensive ceiling and didn't get that player (e.g. Abramov, DeBrincat, etc.). I am overall happy and like many others would give them a 'B.' It's not a bad score but it isn't a great one either. It was a solid draft just not the fireworks we have been waiting for. If you replaced Hart with Abramov (he was still on the table) I would have been ecstatic. 'A' territory. That isn't to say I am dissapointed with Hart, just that the team NEEDED a type of player and didn't get him. Also I agree that we should have picked up Rychel. Even if for more then the Leafs paid for him. He has potential, size, grit and is at a prime age for this team.

Well, I guess that's that then. All of these 18 year olds are 4th liners and ECHL fodder. Might as well have not drafted anyone at all since there's zero chance they'll ever amount to anything.

If only Hextall and his scouts had access to Youtube and the infallible Black Book.
- jmatchett383

You are right! Far better to look at every Jason Akeson as the answer to our 1st line prayers and bemoan how the coach is an idiot for not putting him in

I would have been fine if they didn't trade down and took Rubtsov over Bellows, TBH. Kunin, Bellows & Rubtsov were my top 3 at 18. I think dealing down was a master stroke. They got a guy in Laberge who could easily be better than some of the first rounders
- Jsaquella

Yes, that was a great move by Hexy. Ruby is a solid pick and it is who they targeted anyways. Due to his lower offensive ceiling, it did however make the need for selecting a player with high offensive potential even stronger IMHO. Making the 2nd round leaving me (and many other fans) less then ecstatic.

That all said if Laberge develops into a 25-30 goal scorer then it is pretty much moot. If he could turn out a season like Schenn had this year at some point, then I would be plenty happy. BTW, we need to resign Schenn ASAP so we can plan for UFA.

When does offer sheeting begin?

That's really not fair and you sound like that jerk with the Star Wars obsession.

I agree with JSqa and Great28 that they needed a player with a high offensive ceiling and didn't get that player (e.g. Abramov, DeBrincat, etc.). I am overall happy and like many others would give them a 'B.' It's not a bad score but it isn't a great one either. It was a solid draft just not the fireworks we have been waiting for. If you replaced Hart with Abramov (he was still on the table) I would have been ecstatic. 'A' territory. That isn't to say I am dissapointed with Hart, just that the team NEEDED a type of player and didn't get him. Also I agree that we should have picked up Rychel. Even if for more then the Leafs paid for him. He has potential, size, grit and is at a prime age for this team.
- coffee junkie

when Hart wins the Hart you will be happy

OK, I will be the lone dissenting poster, but honestly I'm not thrilled with this draft. It's funny, but I can't help but wonder what the prevailing opinion would be if Holmgren picked this same draft pool. Big, gritty two-way forwards with 3rd line upside? Yup, typical Flyers draft.

Here's the reality. There are two dynamic forwards - G and TK, who can truly create offense for themselves and their linemates. Two. And I worry about TK and his size relative to his playing style. And G is going to be three years older before this team can really compete.

There are zero true snipers in the entire organization. None. The forwards crew at both the NHL level and in the pool are a mix of power forwards, gritty forwards, and defensive-minded forwards. So naturally we draft a lot more of the same because a team full of White's and VDV's is gonna get it done.

Last year I mildly questioned the wisdom of drafting so many goalies when the system was truly lacking in forwards with 1st/2nd line potential, but with the high of landing Provorov and Konecny still kicking in I let it go. But I just can't get excited about this draft. I get it - Hextall has forgotten more about hockey then I'll ever know, and I'm not suggesting that he's a bad GM or anything remotely like that. But neither will I be a lemming who will blindly accept everything as gospel either.
- TheGreat28

Nap time for you.

Kekalainen has certainly been a disappointment since leaving the Blues with such a reputation as a shrewd and smart guy and he's basically continued the ineptitude of the Howson era.

Loaded with bad contracts, several instances of knee jerk reaction moves...I get their anger and discontentment
- Jsaquella

Not trading Hartnell at the deadline was pure lunacy to me.

when Hart wins the Hart you will be happy
- vejim

It's true, if he makes it to the NHL I will eat crow. But that doesn't take away from the fact that the Flyers need more forward prospects with high offensive ceilings. It was the #1 need coming into the draft and you could argue they didn't really obtain one. Again, Rub and Laberge could blossom and make this a moot point.

And what did VDV and PEB and Raffl and White cost us? You can get gritty forwards that can play 3/4 roles with a potential to fill-in on the 2nd line relatively cheaply. And yes, you need some of these guys as draft picks to grow in the system. Fazleev, Lindblom were good value picks in the 5th and 6th round.

But the more exciting guys with higher end potential in the system - Ghost, TK and to a lesser extent Marody and NAK all went against Flyers type. I back-read the draft night board, and you guys had a long list of solid wingers in the 2nd / 3rd rounds and Hextall and scouts apparently didn't like any of them. That worries me a bit.
- TheGreat28

It worries you that the GM of a professional sports team didn't value the same players as posters on an internet forum?

Yeah for 2 second rounders, a third and Mark Pysyk. Pysyk is a bit of an analytics darling, but has struggled to claim a place in Buffalo. Florida is going deep into analytics and using them as a primary tool.
- Jsaquella

That's crazy to me. Analytics are important, but should never trump reality.

I figured Kulikov would have had a monster return.

Nap time for you.
- mochoson

Showing your maturity so early in the morning. Must be hard.