truthfully I was a little irked they didn't retaliate. not that I wanted them to jump in and take a penalty. I just mean being physical. Answer with clean physical play.
- nastyflyergirl

Also the fact that who can respond other then Wayne who might be one of the tougher players in the league but is too valuable to go off the ice for even 2 mins.

Gudas seems so restrained now ..He has been HAK'd and doesnt really play with an edge.

Schenn maybe?

Also the fact that who can respond other then Wayne who might be one of the tougher players in the league but is too valuable to go off the ice for even 2 mins.

Gudas seems so restrained now ..He has been HAK'd and doesnt really play with an edge.

Schenn maybe?
- opeth_pa

Manning is the best guy to do it because it is a win-win. It retaliates and gets him off the ice

I've always felt like scouts just go about grading defensemen incorrectly quite a bit. Forwards are based more on scoring ability, which is usually a pretty good indicator of NHL success. Defeensive defensemen are probably given too much credit and often have trouble succeeding in the NHL.

Anyway, your point is valid. They simply need a stud forward who can lead the team in the future. That needs to be the #1 goal of the franchise over the next couple seasons. These cute little first round knockouts are meaningless. Did the year the team stunk and got Provorov feel better than the year the team was mediocre and got bounced by Washington and got Rubtsov?

I love Simmonds like a brother, but if trading him gives you a decent chance at landing that stud, you gotta make the deal. There is risk is trading him for an unknown. There is a greater risk in doing nothing IMHHO!!!!
- PhillySportsGuy

Rubtsov actually was a faller tbf. He couldn't play in the most important tournament of the year, already had some Russian bias, and numerous scouts still had him firmly in the top 15. But yes, your point, it good. The idea of having Provorov here for 15 years leading our defense was worth a bad year. Though it doesn't always work so nice.

I do think trading Simmonds is not at the top right now in priority. You can get a top 10 pick without trading Simmonds. Frankly, to trade Simmonds and ONLY get a lower top 10 pick would be below value. I would exhaust other options first, and like I said, I think getting a top 10 pick with this current team is doable in a smaller trade up, without even trading a roster player. But Operation Trayden still is always in the back pocket too. I don't even think Simmonds can't be a core veteran when we contend in several years; I don't think he'll just break down and his skill set translates fine. There's plenty of good players in their 30s anchoring Cup caliber teams. They just can't be your best players (sometimes) or signed for too long, and your other assets have to be managed wisely. San Jose wouldn't have a team if you take out their 30 or even 35+ players. Evaluate individually, as we say. I am not worried about Simmonds just magically deteriorating in a year or two.....but his contract is part of his trade value. Real tough. I don't want to see him go. Sniff elsewhere first.

Manning is the best guy to do it because it is a win-win. It retaliates and gets him off the ice
- YuenglingJagr

I know....Ghost can do it! He's going to be taken off the ice anyway, so why not? Might as well get suspended a few games.

Death Star levels. Do we really think that this will be another 1 game wake-up call scratch? It's a good chance we're looking at a few games minimum. It's turning from walking on egg shells to walking on switchblades for a player whose gave revolves around confidence and risk taking. Ghost's confidence is already not in a good place with this tough results season. He looked like a husk after the other 2 scratches. And I'm sure it doesn't help long-term relationships. It's not even tough coaching at this point: it's draconian and solves nothing.

Ghost was poor last night, in that game. Full stop. Manning was even worse on that pair. And the entire team, from top to bottom, was a disaster. It's a scapegoat job pure and simple. I really really do hope he has the same steely gaze when he looks inward to the job he and his coaching staff are doing. Not a single player hasn't regressed from last year (ignoring injuries). It's worrisome.
- Mononoke

B e careful. I went down the regression path two weeks ago and got hammered for being negative.

I know....Ghost can do it! He's going to be taken off the ice anyway, so why not? Might as well get suspended a few games.
- Mononoke

Can you learn while suspended?

Does trading Simmonds mean less "fans" of his around here?

Rubtsov actually was a faller tbf. He couldn't play in the most important tournament of the year, already had some Russian bias, and numerous scouts still had him firmly in the top 15. But yes, your point, it good. The idea of having Provorov here for 15 years leading our defense was worth a bad year. Though it doesn't always work so nice.

I do think trading Simmonds is not at the top right now in priority. You can get a top 10 pick without trading Simmonds. Frankly, to trade Simmonds and ONLY get a lower top 10 pick would be below value. I would exhaust other options first, and like I said, I think getting a top 10 pick with this current team is doable in a smaller trade up, without even trading a roster player. But Operation Trayden still is always in the back pocket too. I don't even think Simmonds can't be a core veteran when we contend in several years; I don't think he'll just break down and his skill set translates fine. There's plenty of good players in their 30s anchoring Cup caliber teams. They just can't be your best players (sometimes) or signed for too long, and your other assets have to be managed wisely. San Jose wouldn't have a team if you take out their 30 or even 35+ players. Evaluate individually, as we say. I am not worried about Simmonds just magically deteriorating in a year or two.....but his contract is part of his trade value. Real tough. I don't want to see him go. Sniff elsewhere first.
- Mononoke

I understand all we can do is speculate, but what moves could the Flyers potentially make to get a top 10 pick without giving up a roster player?

Can you learn while suspended?
- YuenglingJagr

It depends if you are in the press box or have to watch on TV elsewhere. Press box time, learning the intricacies of the game, which you never realized before in your thousands of hockey games played and watched, from hockey luminaries like Tim Panoccio and Nick Schultz can change a man.

I understand all we can do is speculate, but what moves could the Flyers potentially make to get a top 10 pick without giving up a roster player?
- MJL

They have 10 picks, plenty of prospects, and will have cap space to take on contracts by the time the draft rolls around

They have 10 picks, plenty of prospects, and will have cap space to take on contracts by the time the draft rolls around
- YuenglingJagr

Very, very little of that adds up to getting a top 10 pick. What else do you got?

Maybe something like their first and top prospect like Sanheim might get you close.

I don't see many teams in the top 10 in the draft needing to off load contracts, and willing to use that pick in part to do it.

I understand all we can do is speculate, but what moves could the Flyers make to get a top 10 pick without giving up a roster player?
- MJL

I think acquiring another 2nd (or 2 if feasible) would help. Do we really imagine the Flyers finishing higher than the 14-16 range? I'm not doom and gloom; they'll still contend for the wildcard probably. At that point, targeting a particular player that the scouting staff identifies as a potential game changer in the back half of the top 10 becomes doable. What gets you from 14-16 to say 8? 2 2nds (+)? I'm not a fan of trading 2nds and depth and believe in lottery ticket drafting, but I think looking at our system, future middle 6 forward depth looks good. We need an oomph piece or two long-term. It's possible we draft even lower going forward. It's all speculation because it's not a deep draft, so maybe a team is less willing, maybe a team isn't sold and would like 2 more top 50ish picks for depth.

But yes, these things are usually have more pieces. Like top 10 pick+A- level prospect for top 6 player+2nd. I'd be fine with that too. You don't build a Cup contender without taking leveraged risks.

There really is a certain level of chaos that has plagued this team this year. There really isn't much reasoning behind a lot of the moves made. I get that coaches like to keep strategy to themselves, but I would like a little more explanation from Hak and Hexy than what we've been giving. What exactly is the direction of this team? Are you developing or trying to win now?
- PhillySportsGuy

My impression is kind of both but with a slant toward allowing development. Iow, not going to tank, but not going to try to do something big to go far in the playoffs this year because it would take more than one big move to accomplish that (all of which would involve sacrificing the future).

I think acquiring another 2nd (or 2 if feasible) would help. Do we really imagine the Flyers finishing higher than the 14-16 range? I'm not doom and gloom; they'll still contend for the wildcard probably. At that point, targeting a particular player that the scouting staff identifies as a potential game changer in the back half of the top 10 becomes doable. What gets you from 14-16 to say 8? 2 2nds (+)? I'm not a fan of trading 2nds and depth and believe in lottery ticket drafting, but I think looking at our system, future middle 6 forward depth looks good. We need an oomph piece or two long-term. It's possible we draft even lower going forward. It's all speculation because it's not a deep draft, so maybe a team is less willing, maybe a team isn't sold and would like 2 more top 50ish picks for depth.

But yes, these things are usually have more pieces. Like top 10 pick+A- level prospect for top 6 player+2nd. I'd be fine with that too. You don't build a Cup contender without taking leveraged risks.
- Mononoke

I think the stars would have to align for you to move into the top 10 for two seconds. Unless there wasn't a single player that a team liked, that would be cheap.

Maybe something like their first and top prospect like Sanheim might get you close.
- MJL

If the Flyers offered Sanheim+low/mid teens 1st to jump up 6-7 spots to the low end of the top 10, the other team would jump, let alone only get you close. That's not close to fair value for the Flyers. Sanheim himself goes top 10 in a re-draft.

If the Flyers offered Sanheim+low/mid teens 1st to jump up 6-7 spots to the low end of the top 10, the other team would jump, let alone only get you close. That's not close to fair value for the Flyers. Sanheim himself goes top 10 in a re-draft.
- Mononoke

That depends on what that teams needs are. If they're set at defense and have good young defense prospects, they might not. I agree that might not be a good deal for the Flyers, but the price to move up into the top 10 is going to be hefty.

I think the stars would have to align for you to move into the top 10 for two seconds. Unless there wasn't a single player that a team liked, that would be cheap.
- MJL

It sounds a bit cheap to me and probably more what I'd like to happen (2nds, Hagg, etc). It would probably take more like Morin moving+1st/2nd. Maybe a pick kicked back depending. I really am not sure what Hextall's thoughts or ties to Morin are because he wasn't his pick, and a lot of teams at the bottom could be enticed by a big dman. Bob McKenzie is bullish in his reports that Myers could break camp with the Flyers, and Sanheim is close to ready. I am not Morin's biggest fan, but he's OK, and I don't really want to trade a key d prospect (yet). This propping up Hagg talk out of the blue also seems shady to me tbh.

If a team like Tampa bottomed out, which they could, maybe they need to get rid of Filppula or Coburn. As I said, these things are usually larger.

You can disagree, but someone like Schenn makes sense to sell high on in a package, like the one I alluded to in the previous post, and he's the most expendable for said package after this season. His 5v5 production is replaceable, even more based on career averages than this down year. Someone like Lindblom could step onto PP1 next year in that spot. Even Couturier might be able to do it to a lesser degree. Building a team is not painless, and that's always been my preferred avenue looking at present and future.

It depends if you are in the press box or have to watch on TV elsewhere. Press box time, learning the intricacies of the game, which you never realized before in your thousands of hockey games played and watched, from hockey luminaries like Tim Panoccio and Nick Schultz can change a man.
- Mononoke

Only by being in the press box can Ghost truly learn which beer one should properly pair with popcorn. Once he gets that straightened out, the rest of his game will all come together.

It sounds a bit cheap to me and probably more what I'd like to happen (2nds, Hagg, etc). It would probably take more like Morin moving+1st/2nd. Maybe a pick kicked back depending. I really am not sure what Hextall's thoughts or ties to Morin are because he wasn't his pick, and a lot of teams at the bottom could be enticed by a big dman. Bob McKenzie is bullish in his reports that Myers could break camp with the Flyers, and Sanheim is close to ready. I am not Morin's biggest fan, but he's OK, and I don't really want to trade a key d prospect (yet). This propping up Hagg talk out of the blue also seems shady to me tbh.

If a team like Tampa bottomed out, which they could, maybe they need to get rid of Filppula or Coburn. As I said, these things are usually larger.

You can disagree, but someone like Schenn makes sense to sell high on in a package, like the one I alluded to in the previous post, and he's the most expendable for said package after this season. His 5v5 production is replaceable, even more based on career averages than this down year. Someone like Lindblom could step onto PP1 next year in that spot. Even Couturier might be able to do it to a lesser degree. Building a team is not painless, and that's always been my preferred avenue looking at present and future.
- Mononoke

I'm not at all against trading Schenn for the right return. We can debate cost or what possible moves could be made, but it's all speculative. One thing I've learned following this sport for a long time is that things change in a hurry. For good and bad. Things may not look good for the Flyers right now, and we have a bunch of holes to fill, but trust me, that can change quickly. Just never know what is going to transpire. One or two moves can change the entire dynamic of a team. The Flyers could have some blue chip trade chips if they get lucky to get a high percentage of their young defenseman to develop well. Young defenseman are like gold.

Very, very little of that adds up to getting a top 10 pick. What else do you got?

Maybe something like their first and top prospect like Sanheim might get you close.

I don't see many teams in the top 10 in the draft needing to off load contracts, and willing to use that pick in part to do it.
- MJL

Play a few more games with the hustle and fire they showed last night, they won't need to trade for a top 10 pick

Play a few more games with the hustle and fire they showed last night, they won't need to trade for a top 10 pick
- BiggE

Seriously!

Play a few more games with the hustle and fire they showed last night, they won't need to trade for a top 10 pick
- BiggE

Right or wrong. Will be very interesting to see what Hextall does.

My guess is nothing.

Comcast has been running Ghost is in a sophomore slump, needs to hit the net, and lost his confidence propoganda for weeks now. No surprise they were comparing his +/- to last year

- YuenglingJagr

the entire team is literally a minus.

for me, he's struggling with the puck more than anything else. overskating, turning it over, often in very dangerous areas, not even coming close to hitting the net. it's like the puck hates his guts.

Does trading Simmonds mean fewer "fans" of his around here?
- YuenglingJagr

no. but people would be extremely pissed. no reason to trade him. not happening.