xx

Mason or Neuvirth, I would take at least one of them back at the right price. I don't get these "rumours " about the Flyers and Bishop. Don't see Hextall putting up big bucks and term for a goalie with the youth that is waiting in the wings
- 3flyerkids

I'll be pissed if Hextall trades any assets for Bishop.

Mood so far?

Mason or Neuvirth, I would take at least one of them back at the right price. I don't get these "rumours " about the Flyers and Bishop. Don't see Hextall putting up big bucks and term for a goalie with the youth that is waiting in the wings
- 3flyerkids

Yet he signs players like Gordon and Weise. Gordon, not a big deal. Weise to 4 years???

Thoughts on Hexy not buying at this deadline?

TBH, I think it makes sense. The Flyers are barely competing for a playoff spot let alone the cup which would warrant them buying.

My belief is Hexy expects the fans to deal with one more season of this before he starts to be aggressive.
- opeth_pa

the Flyers have not given anyone a reason to think buying is the right thing to do

The youth "waiting in the wings" may be further away than many realize. Let's look at their top 4 goal prospects.

Stolarz, in his 3rd pro season, has played pretty well, but he still has his ups and downs. While I think he will begin 17-18 as the Flyers backup goalie, he has done nothing that makes me think that he will be a top flight NHL starting goalie any time soon.

Lyon, after a bad start, has, for the most part, played pretty well in his first pro season. However, he will need at least one, if not 2 more years in the AHL before he is ready to play in the NHL and again, there is no guarantee that he develops into a starting NHL goaltender.

Now, lets take a look at what I feel are their top 2 goal prospects, Sandstrom and Hart.

Bill has said that he thinks that Sandstrom will stay in Sweden for one more year and following that, he will need at least one, if not 2 years in the AHL to refine his game and adapt to the smaller rinks and north american style of play. Best case, he's ready to be a backup in 19-20 and challenge for a starting spot in 20-21, but it's probably more realistic to see him making his full time NHL debut in 20-21

Hart is not AHL eligible next year, so it's almost guaranteed that he returns to Junior for the 17-18 season. He will then need at least one year in the AHL, and possibly 2, before he is ready for NHL action. So, even if he takes the fast track, he is likely making his NHL debut in the 19-20 season at the earliest.

With all this being said, I'd have no problem saying buh-bye to Mason and Neuvirth and signing a guy like Bishop in free agency, as long as the deal is for no more than 4 years. IF they were to do so, here is how I see it shaking out over the next four seasons:

17-18: Bishop/Stolarz
18-19: Bishop/Stolarz or Lyon
19-20: Bishop/Stolarz, Lyon or possibly Hart
20-21: TBD

Even if one of Sandstrom or Hart supplants Bishop as the starter in 20-21, both would still be on their ELC so Bishop's cap hit becomes a non-issue, and, if both kids are NHL ready, Bishop can be traded with 50% retention of his final year, and the Flyers would still be ahead of the game cap wise.
- BiggE

PLEASE! GOD! NO! BISHOP!

sign one of the 2 goalies they currently have, to a 2 year deal. Stolie and whom ever they retain duel it out over the next 2 seasons.

Hard to say, I don't think too many teams will be looking to spend big bucks on a goalie this offseason, so that may hurt Bishop's bargaining leverage. At the end of the day, if Bishop was going to be paired with guys on bridge contracts and/or ELC's during his time here (again if he wants more than 4 years, I have no interest), I don't think it's that big of an issue. Right now, they are spending nearly 6 million for mediocre goaltending. If that has to increase to 8 million for Bishop and his back-up and it means they get better and more consistent goaltending, I'm fine with that. Especially when you factor in Streit, MDZ, and Schultz (over 11 million) coming off the books and being replaced by guys on ELC's next year.
- BiggE

One of the young goalies could progress in 3 years or so, to the point where they're ready to take the net. I guess if it's only for 4 years I could live with it, but I have doubts he would sign for only 4 years. Like you said though the market could be limited but it only takes one other team to outbid you.

i think it may be time to start selling off the UFA's replace them with some of the younger players from the AHL let them get their feet wet....this team is probably not going to make the playoffs and if they do they wont make it out of the 1st round... so its time to make the team better....

Thoughts on Hexy not buying at this deadline?

TBH, I think it makes sense. The Flyers are barely competing for a playoff spot let alone the cup which would warrant them buying.

My belief is Hexy expects the fans to deal with one more season of this before he starts to be aggressive.
- opeth_pa

I take it to mean he osnt giving up assets for a rental to help with scoring. He will buy if the right deal is there. But nothing that is short term.

i think it may be time to start selling off the UFA's replace them with some of the younger players from the AHL let them get their feet wet....this team is probably not going to make the playoffs and if they do they wont make it out of the 1st round... so its time to make the team better....
- flyer186

No way, trade for Bishop, Landeskog, Duchene, and Pekka Rinne then this team will competent again.

Yet he signs players like Gordon and Weise. Gordon, not a big deal. Weise to 4 years???


- ggunky

Weise, while overpaid for his production thus far, did not get "big bucks". Paying Bishop 6-7 million for 4 plus years is far different

Honestly I am fine with bringing back Mason or Neuvirth (I prefer Mason personally) and have Stolarz back him up.

i think it may be time to start selling off the UFA's replace them with some of the younger players from the AHL let them get their feet wet....this team is probably not going to make the playoffs and if they do they wont make it out of the 1st round... so its time to make the team better....
- flyer186

Assuming the UFA's you refer to are defensemen. There's nothing from Hextall's words that should lead us to believe he's willing to burn a year of any of the young defensemen.

I'm all for getting value for Streit/MDZ, but I don't expect to see any of the highly-touted young guys making their way up. Plus, as many had referred to; the Phantoms have a strong team and the young guys could benefit from a deep AHL playoff run.

No way, trade for Bishop, Landeskog, Duchene, and Pekka Rinne then this team will competent again.
- Mordecai

I like it. They will have a tremendous 1-2 punch in goal. It will take the team back to the days of Pete Peeters and Phil Myre. That has 35 game unbeaten streak written all over it.

I like it. They will have a tremendous 1-2 punch in goal. It will take the team back to the days of Pete Peeters and Phil Myre. That has 35 game unbeaten streak written all over it.
- MJL

I'm too young to know what any of that means unfortunately

Assuming the UFA's you refer to are defensemen. There's nothing from Hextall's words that should lead us to believe he's willing to burn a year of any of the young defensemen.

I'm all for getting value for Streit/MDZ, but I don't expect to see any of the highly-touted young guys making their way up. Plus, as many had referred to; the Phantoms have a strong team and the young guys could benefit from a deep AHL playoff run.
- steelydan

I agree, we could see Schultz just added to the lineup, and the young defenseman kept right where they are.

Weise, while overpaid for his production thus far, did not get "big bucks". Paying Bishop 6-7 million for 4 plus years is far different

Honestly I am fine with bringing back Mason or Neuvirth (I prefer Mason personally) and have Stolarz back him up.
- nastyflyergirl

My point was more about his comment, about signing someone to a 4 year deal when you have a few kids that could possibly fill that role as soon as this year.

Resigning White to a one year deal at the same cap hit as Weise's would have been much more preferred, then what Hexy ended up doing.

Weise isn't a play any team should be signing for 4 years. There is no logical explanation for it. He is a dime a dozen player.

I'm too young to know what any of that means unfortunately
- Mordecai

It is never unfortunate to be young.

It is never unfortunate to be young.

- MJL

Going to need a chart for this

I'm too young to know what any of that means unfortunately
- Mordecai

I suddenly feel very old

I agree, we could see Schultz just added to the lineup, and the young defenseman kept right where they are.
- MJL

I'd like to see Schultz traded to a contender even if its for "futures" to give him that one last shot to win. He seems like a good guy.

I like it. They will have a tremendous 1-2 punch in goal. It will take the team back to the days of Pete Peeters and Phil Myre. That has 35 game unbeaten streak written all over it.
- MJL

Well than they need a better team

My point was more about his comment, about signing someone to a 4 year deal when you have a few kids that could possibly fill that role as soon as this year.

Resigning White to a one year deal at the same cap hit as Weise's would have been much more preferred, then what Hexy ended up doing.

Weise isn't a play any team should be signing for 4 years. There is no logical explanation for it. He is a dime a dozen player.
- ggunky

from what Bill said White kind of priced his way off the Flyers and into a situation where he only had one team interested, that being Arizona. I don't know what the hell is up with Weise. He played well for Montreal and produced. He of course didn't with Chicago and hasn't with the Flyers.

Bishop is going to want term. I don't even think 4 years would be responsible for the Flyers considering the talent they have waiting in the wings.

The Flyers shouldn't be signing any free agent for over 3 years unless they feel he makes them legit contenders next season IMHHO!!!!!!!
- PhillySportsGuy

I can almost guarantee you that neither of their best goal prospects, Sandstrom and Hart, will be ready to take the starting job before 19-20 at the earliest, so I could live with 4 years. However, I'd be even happier with a 3 year deal.

Thoughts on Hexy not buying at this deadline?

TBH, I think it makes sense. The Flyers are barely competing for a playoff spot let alone the cup which would warrant them buying.

My belief is Hexy expects the fans to deal with one more season of this before he starts to be aggressive.
- opeth_pa

Agreed. In fact, and this depends on who is available and how you define aggressive, he may not even begin to make any big moves until during or after the 18-19 season.

I'll be pissed if Hextall trades any assets for Bishop.
- nastyflyergirl

So would I, unless it's something like Mason and a 3rd. If they want any more than that, wait til free agency.