Did I read that correctly? Was someone insinuating that Hextall can't draft well past the 1st 2 rounds?

of course a center can forecheck. its not about the position as much as who is first in on the attack and the second in.
- nastyflyergirl

i just dont think the coach is helping matters
thats all.
when you are 22nd in O, and 26th in D, did the players all become stupid together?

What's alarming is the lack of forward help on the way. It's Lindblom next year and that's it guys. Watching the phantoms game Sundqvist a roster bubble guy for the pens was clearly better than any phantom forward...not even close. Laughton is still making poor boneheaded decisions in his own end and while NAK is a nice player I don't see him being ready next year. It is bleak on the forward front.
- Just5

Rubtsov, vorobyov.

Laughton did have a nice end to end rush and almost scored the ot game winner

Rubtsov, vorobyov.

Laughton did have a nice end to end rush and almost scored the ot game winner
- Mordecai

Not anywhere near the caliber they will need.

Future baby.

Blow it up.
- flyer_nutter

No doubt and it pains me to type "trade SImmonds"

No doubt and it pains me to type "trade SImmonds"
- opeth_pa

Unfortunate.

Unless they think Simmonds can be good when they are ready to compete. He may be, but again...

If someone told you you'd trade Simmonds today for a 18year old Giroux. You do it?

Not anywhere near the caliber they will need.
- flyer_nutter

Oh I'm still all aboard the tank train don't you worry

The GM will have a short leash himself if they have another season like this one.
- Baxter27

no chance Hextall is on a short leash. no doubt in my mind Holmgren and ownership wasn't fully aware this is a rebuild. maybe not a tear it all down and rebuild ala Toronto but its a rebuild that is going to take time

i just dont think the coach is helping matters
thats all.
when you are 22nd in O, and 26th in D, did the players all become stupid together?
- puckhead17

Hak benefits my tank plan.

I like him because of that.

I don't think he's tradeable. Maybe....maaaayybe the vegas team?

Might as well hold onto him. If he rebounds to a form we saw 2 years ago, try and trade him next year. If not look at a buyout.

Simmonds is the kind of piece that could move us into an entirely new direction. He could get the flyers a top 5 pick or the top prospect on a lot of teams. So if I'm Hexy this summer I'm looking at that.
- Just5

No way am I moving Simmonds. He's a guy you build around right now.

I really do think one of G or Jake could be dealt to the Sharks though. They are a team that is competitive now and they have Thornton and Marleau coming off the books this offseason.

my concern is that its not an injury but just a not so big guy worn down. what I am hoping for is its just the hip injury takes more time to be completely back to normal so while he is able to play, he isn't quite himself.
- nastyflyergirl

The cumulative effect of time and injuries on his small frame is what worries me as well. Lets take a look at the last 4 seasons, the numbers clearly show his decline.

13-14 86 points in 82 games, 49 at ES, 37 pp
14-15 73 points in 81 games, 36 at ES, 37 pp
15-16 67 points in 78 games, 38 at ES, 29 pp
16-17 43 points in 61 games, 19 at ES, 24 pp

In the last four years he's gone from an average of 1.05 points per game to .70 points per game and, at ES, from .60 points per game to .31 points per game. This is alarming, especially when you consider that he is getting a career high 58.7% offensive zone starts.

No way am I moving Simmonds. He's a guy you build around right now.

I really do think one of G or Jake could be dealt to the Sharks though. They are a team that is competitive now and they have Thornton and Marleau coming off the books this offseason.
- hereticpride

Forget about right now.

Look 3-4 years down the line.

not that it matters but I see the AHL also has a ridiculous playoff system where if the season ended today Hershey, in 5th place in the Atlantic, would miss the playoffs even tho they have more points than every team in the North Division.

why do hockey leagues make things so complicated? top 8 make it and 1 plays 8, 2 plays 7, etc. easy peasy

Unfortunate.

Unless they think Simmonds can be good when they are ready to compete. He may be, but again...

If someone told you you'd trade Simmonds today for a 18year old Giroux. You do it?
- flyer_nutter

Yup I would trade it him for that scenario but I would come here and Internet rage about it.

I feel like the Flyers need more Simmonds right now.

Forget about right now.

Look 3-4 years down the line.
- flyer_nutter

That's why I'm saying I trade G or Jake before Simmonds. Unless someone blows you away with a deal I'm building around Simmonds for the next 4-5 years.

i guess everything can agree on being 26th in the league on defense, and a team save % of 89% never helps the cause regardless.
Getzlaf & Perry are on the same offensive decline, and do not have 3 scoring lines like the Rangers, but no one is calling them the problem a Anaheim.
- puckhead17

I seriously doubt you can speak for what is being said in Anaheim. They're also in a playoff spot.

The cumulative effect of time and injuries on his small frame is what worries me as well. Lets take a look at the last 4 seasons, the numbers clearly show his decline.

13-14 86 points in 82 games, 49 at ES, 37 pp
14-15 73 points in 81 games, 36 at ES, 37 pp
15-16 67 points in 78 games, 38 at ES, 29 pp
16-17 43 points in 61 games, 19 at ES, 24 pp

In the last four years he's gone from an average of 1.05 points per game to .70 points per game and, at ES, from .60 points per game to .31 points per game. This is alarming, especially when you consider that he is getting a career high 58.7% offensive zone starts.
- BiggE

obviously easier said than done but gotta find him a finisher to play with.

No way am I moving Simmonds. He's a guy you build around right now.

I really do think one of G or Jake could be dealt to the Sharks though. They are a team that is competitive now and they have Thornton and Marleau coming off the books this offseason.
- hereticpride

What do you think you could get from the Sharks for Voracek?

That's why I'm saying I trade G or Jake before Simmonds. Unless someone blows you away with a deal I'm building around Simmonds for the next 4-5 years.
- hereticpride

Do you really think that Simmonds will be as effective at 31 or 32 as he is now? That's a roll of the dice, IMO. I'm open to exploring trades of anyone over the age 25. Not saying that it needs to be a fire sale, but if another GM calls and wants to talk about any of our player over 25, I would listen, and, if the offer is good enough, make the deal.

obviously easier said than done but gotta find him a finisher to play with.
- nastyflyergirl

Wouldn't mind reuniting him with Jake next year and perhaps giving a kid like Lindblom a look on the left side.

edit: however, he managed to put up points playing between Schenn and Simmonds down the stretch last year, he's had quite a few games with them this year and he's just not been the same player.

I seriously doubt you can speak for what is being said in Anaheim. They're also in a playoff spot.
- MJL

just commenting on those 2 guys being on the same offensive decline as Giroux
of course they are in a playoff push, they have supporting pieces, a goalie, and better defensemen
u dont really have to be an A hole about everything i comment on

No way am I moving Simmonds. He's a guy you build around right now.

I really do think one of G or Jake could be dealt to the Sharks though. They are a team that is competitive now and they have Thornton and Marleau coming off the books this offseason.
- hereticpride

No you don't build around a guy like Simmonds. Listen, I love the guy, he's the prototypical flyer and all that. But we know that the rest of the league loves him AND his contract too. He is a massive trade chip that could bring back a young piece that we CAN build around.

What if we can trade him to a team like Minnesota who has aging vets and they STILL can't beat Chicago the last couple times they played them. They may be desperate to get over the top.

Simmonds could get Joel Erickson Ek and a 1st....no doubt in my mind. You have to take a look at trades like this.

Do you really think that Simmonds will be as effective at 31 or 32 as he is now? That's a roll of the dice, IMO. I'm open to exploring trades of anyone over the age 25. Not saying that it needs to be a fire sale, but if another GM calls and wants to talk about any of our player over 25, I would listen, and, if the offer is good enough, make the deal.
- BiggE

It's also about what Simmonds could get you.

I want a full rebuild. Not half ass. If they can get something of great value I move him.