My only comment on this is...if a player is good enough to beat out a current roster player yet isn't ready for the NHL...what does that say about the current roster player ?
- landros 2

Doesn't matter, do what's best for the player. It's judging a young player versus veterans who are just using the pre season to get ready. Look how good Medvedev looked last pre season.

Absolutely. Liked him in Dallas.

Actually, a player in the Dallas system whom I'd personally like to see the Flyers pursue is Brett Ritchie. Heavy game, a bit of scoring upside, and still young. But the Stars still like him.
- bmeltzer

Brett Richie...my home town kid....his brother out in Anaheim is going to be even better.

He did. Really, all it means is that Vityaz exercised their KHL option on him as expected. Even on loan to the Russian national team, he was a Yityaz affiliated player and they held his contractual option through 2017-18. The player doesn't really have a say in the matter.
- bmeltzer

so basically still status quo, with a small chance he gets out of it and can play here in the fall, or does that cement hes not coming over to NA this year?

Any interest in Gaustad for the fourth line to take FO? Best FO man on the market and can kill penalties and is one BIG mo fo. His last contract was stupid so he would need to take a cut and be no more then a year. Of course he looks in decline and his skating has always been so so.
- coffee junkie

he has some value but isnt someone im sending emails to Hextall telling him to sign

As Bill said Hextall doesn't like the 9 game tryout....but that may be the only way in Provorovs case to tell....maybe he will show in camp he's not ready...it might not....I mean if a kid all of a sudden falls off the cliff in December then so be it...back to jr he goes....yes you blow a year on his ELC ...but you always protect the player....
- landros 2

Is there any downside to having a player stay for a 9 game tryout? I was surprised last year when Hextall sent Provorov back as early as he did. I would definitely be surprised this year if it was the same considering how everyone thinks he's NHL ready.

is bodekker an option for flyers? still young and can play top six

is bodekker an option for flyers? still young and can play top six
- mydoglicks

overrated but maybe

is bodekker an option for flyers? still young and can play top six
- mydoglicks

I hope not

Is there any downside to having a player stay for a 9 game tryout? I was surprised last year when Hextall sent Provorov back as early as he did. I would definitely be surprised this year if it was the same considering how everyone thinks he's NHL ready.
- johm12

The downside is creating a roster space on the 23 man roster. If you have to waive someone to make room for him and you don't want to risk losing that player on waivers....

Is there any downside to having a player stay for a 9 game tryout? I was surprised last year when Hextall sent Provorov back as early as he did. I would definitely be surprised this year if it was the same considering how everyone thinks he's NHL ready.
- johm12

i dont think there is any downside, if he fails, i think he gets to see what he needs to work on first and foremost. if he plays ok but nothing special, ditto. if he lights the world on fire, good problem to have.

also, i think this year Hexy gives them a longer leash, doesnt send them back as quickly as last year, morin, hagg, and sanheim included. i have a feeling konecny is destined for another year of juniors, although Ottawa didnt think so

5 / 3.85 for helm
- YuenglingJagr

He'll be 34 at the end of it. hmmmmm... his speed in his younger days is intriguing. Never put up eye popping point totals. What's your love affair here?

I hope not
- PhillySportsGuy

Any reason in particular?

dont forget online dating and the whereabouts of certain posters
- YuenglingJagr

and alcohol, studying, and the NFL

One thing the team may be factoring, at least slightly, in their future planning, is the likelihood of another expansion draft in a few years. The NHL is probably looking to expand to 32 teams, so the longer you wait until you turn a kid pro, the longer you have to protect him from those drafts.

Flyers interested in Dale Weise per lebrun

Is there a buy out fee ? That the player or the Flyers could pay to get him to North America or are Flyers comfortable with his situation there ?
- landros 2

There is nothing systematic about it, as it was in the years of the NHL-IIHF transfer agreement. With the Russian Hockey Federation, every team has the right to demand whatever fee it deems fit to release a player from his contract.

The player can buy his own way out of the contract. But it's rarely in his best interest to do so, unless he's going straight to the NHL. Let's say Rubtsov were to simultaneously buy his release and sign an ELC with the Flyers knowing he'd almost certainly have his contract slide to the Q this year. He'd be eating up his signing bonus installment to get out of his contract.

Conversely, if he waits out the KHL deal, he keeps his NHL signing bonus and, by that point, he'd be in the AHL/NHL picture.

I hope not
- PhillySportsGuy

I also hope not. Umberger produced more per 5 on 5 minute than Boedkker did.

He'll be 34 at the end of it. hmmmmm... his speed in his younger days is intriguing. Never put up eye popping point totals. What's your love affair here?
- coffee junkie

Good wheels, so-so skills and very good on the PK, but I wouldn't want him signed for 5 years. Now if you can get him for 3 years at an aav under 4 million, I'd be interested.

Is there any downside to having a player stay for a 9 game tryout? I was surprised last year when Hextall sent Provorov back as early as he did. I would definitely be surprised this year if it was the same considering how everyone thinks he's NHL ready.
- johm12

The downside is that the player is very, very disappointed to go back to his junior team and the chances of a "lost season" increase significantly.

The downside is creating a roster space on the 23 man roster. If you have to waive someone to make room for him and you don't want to risk losing that player on waivers....
- BiggE

That, and sometimes the player sits in the press box waiting for a chance to crack the lineup for a game or two, when he could actually be playing for his junior team.

He'll be 34 at the end of it. hmmmmm... his speed in his younger days is intriguing. Never put up eye popping point totals. What's your love affair here?
- coffee junkie

Detroit fans are not happy.

Flyers interested in Dale Weise per lebrun
- moylander

WOuld be an upgrade over White.

Any reason in particular?
- jak521

He's basically Brayden Schenn, but worse

That, and sometimes the player sits in the press box waiting for a chance to crack the lineup for a game or two, when he could actually be playing for his junior team.
- tangent_man

Yup that and what Bill mentioned about how down the kid can get when sent back to Junior.

Any reason in particular?
- jak521

He produces at a 2rd line rate (5V5) with poor possession stats and just power play speciality. And it was reported during the season he was seeking $6M.