Absolutely. No every pick is gonna workout. The Toronto Maple Leafs look great right now with Matthews, Marner and Nylander but they already had pieces in JvR and Kadri. The Flyers have what they have at forward in terms of anything with seasoning. We don't have another forward in the pipeline who is gonna be the savior of this team anytime soon without a trade.
- SuperSchennBros

Thing is..sometimes you don't know who the "saviors" are going to be. Like Giroux and Richards before him. Prospects can exceed expectations once they find their groove in the NHL. That being said, plenty of prospects can't live up to high expectations at the NHL level.

I just dont think Hexy is at that point in his plan yet.
At the end of next season I can see him being willing to move a major piece.

As painful as it is to say, I am okay with that. The previous approach the FLyers have taken over the past 35 years has resulted in 0 cups, time to try a different way even if it means some pain right now.
- opeth_pa

that's how I feel.

I just dont think Hexy is at that point in his plan yet.
At the end of next season I can see him being willing to move a major piece.

As painful as it is to say, I am okay with that. The previous approach the FLyers have taken over the past 35 years has resulted in 0 cups, time to try a different way even if it means some pain right now.
- opeth_pa

Most of the top forwards are on the wrong side of their prime. If you're going to deal a guy next year, you might as well deal him this year because his value probably isn't going to increase.

The only exception is probably Giroux because he's just having an awful season.

I just dont think Hexy is at that point in his plan yet.
At the end of next season I can see him being willing to move a major piece.

As painful as it is to say, I am okay with that. The previous approach the FLyers have taken over the past 35 years has resulted in 0 curps, time to try a different way even if it means some pain right now.
- opeth_pa

I don't think he could have saw the decline of Giroux coming, therefore it would be nice if he could do something in the off season to ensure there is a better product on the ice next year. I just don't want to see another off season with 2 unproductive additions

thing is good coaches draw more out of players. Not saying Hakstol can't do that but I am just unsure. I'm not on the fire Hakstol wagon yet. I do want to see kids injected in the lineup to add energy.
- nastyflyergirl

Yeah, that's pretty much where I'm at.

We will see franchise altering moves. Streit for a 3rd, MDZ for a 4th and Schultz for a 5th
- PhillySportsGuy

The only 5th you'll get for Schultz will be a bottle of cheap booze.

this is the same team as last year except they added two talented kids in Konecny (granted hurt now) and Provorov and Weise over White. In today's NHL with a salary and a lot of parity they were a bubble team that made the playoffs last year. I expected more of the same this year. maybe slightly better. we all know they are a flawed lineup that still needs work but I am somewhat baffled at the drop off.
- nastyflyergirl

I really think the drop off is mostly due to very inconsistent goaltending and a drop off in Giroux's play. If the goalies and Giroux were just playing as well as last year, they'd have at least 5-8 more points and would be right in the thick of the playoff picture.

Most of the top forwards are on the wrong side of their prime. If you're going to deal a guy next year, you might as well deal him this year because his value probably isn't going to increase.

The only exception is probably Giroux because he's just having an awful season.
- PhillySportsGuy

Voracek is 27, schenn 25, Couturier 23, Konecny 19, Simmonds 28. I wouldn't call any of them the wrong side of their prime

Most of the top forwards are on the wrong side of their prime. If you're going to deal a guy next year, you might as well deal him this year because his value probably isn't going to increase.

The only exception is probably Giroux because he's just having an awful season.
- PhillySportsGuy

Considering how long I think it will take the young D and goal prospects to peak along with the need to draft more blue chip offensive prospects, I'd be open to dealing any player on this roster who is over 25.

trade read, striet, mdz, neveirth, for what ever you can. MacDonald too. End of the Day they need more of everything, the waiting for this promising d prospects needs to start now. Give Hagg and Morin some games asap. if there is a legitimate shot at duchene or droiun go for it.

Voracek is 27, schenn 25, Couturier 23, Konecny 19, Simmonds 28. I wouldn't call any of them the wrong side of their prime
- nastyflyergirl

No, but if they aren't a real contender until, say, 20-21, Voracek is 31, Schenn 29, Couturier 27 and Simmonds 32.

Couturier will probably be at least the same player he is today at that point and Voracek's size and skating ability will possibly allow him to still be a top player as well. However, it's doubtful that Simmonds will be as effective at 32 as he is at 28 and likely Schenn as well.

Konecny, at 23, will be in his prime.

I really think the drop off is mostly due to very inconsistent goaltending and a drop off in Giroux's play. If the goalies and Giroux were just playing as well as last year, they'd have at least 5-8 more points and would be right in the thick of the playoff picture.
- BiggE

I would love to see them get a goal scorer to play with Giroux. He has always been a pass first guy. Maybe the wear and tear, injuries, etc have taken G's play down a notch to where he isn't able to carry a line but I do think if they get him a finisher, kinda like how the Pens got Kessel, G's play would pick up.

The only 5th you'll get for Schultz will be a bottle of cheap booze.
- BiggE

Teams always need a defenseman with grit, heart, leadership and playoff experience. Always. Always need those guys.

I cant agree with that.

Biggest problem to me this season has been the goaltenders followed closely by inability of team to score followed by G.

All that being said I think we are looking at problems like 1A, 1B and 1C.. Fixing any one of those 3 problems would have a substantial uptick in team performance.
- opeth_pa

I can understand putting goaltending ahead, but not the rest of the team. He is the team's top player and is supposed to be the offensive catalyst of the team. A top player helps to create momentum for a team on the ice. Giroux has been flat out awful this season in terms of 5 on 5 production. It is a huge black hole for this team this season.

No, but if they aren't a real contender until, say, 20-21, Voracek is 31, Schenn 29, Couturier 27 and Simmonds 32.

Couturier will probably be at least the same player he is today at that point and Voracek's size and skating ability will possibly allow him to still be a top player as well. However, it's doubtful that Simmonds will be as effective at 32 as he is at 28 and likely Schenn as well.

Konecny, at 23, will be in his prime.
- BiggE

And another 3-5 years to build the front, after building the back D.

The coach has him collapsing in the defensive zone, can you ever remember him on a breakaway?
- puckhead17

Giroux is a center. Every defensive zone coverage scheme has the center with down low defensive responsibilities. Crosby was down low defending and breaking up plays frequently last night. He is not having trouble scoring.

I can understand putting goaltending ahead, but not the rest of the team. He is the team's top player and is supposed to be the offensive catalyst of the team. A top player helps to create momentum for a team on the ice. Giroux has been flat out awful this season in terms of 5 on 5 production. It is a huge black hole for this team this season.
- MJL

Explain how collapsing him in his own crease to defend, and when they do get a breakout there are no stretch passes because he runs into a blue line wall will increase his production?
Ask the magic conch.

Then you play a left wing lock, and collapse a winger, and utilize Giroux's abilities, and strengths.
Granted he's not the same player, no.
But you are limiting what abilities he has left as a player.
If I have a high scoring center who's struggling badly, but still has offensive abilities I'm not collapsing him in my slot while the opposition plays keep away.
Do, try something different, not the same thing loss, after loss.
- puckhead17

A Left wing lock doesn't collapse a winger in the defensive zone. That's not what that is.

Explain how collapsing him in his own crease to defend, and when they do get a breakout there are no stretch passes because he runs into a blue line wall will increase his production?
Ask the magic conch.
- puckhead17

I would suggest a little research on basic defensive zone coverages and systems.

I would love to see them get a goal scorer to play with Giroux. He has always been a pass first guy. Maybe the wear and tear, injuries, etc have taken G's play down a notch to where he isn't able to carry a line but I do think if they get him a finisher, kinda like how the Pens got Kessel, G's play would pick up.
- nastyflyergirl

It certainly couldn't hurt.

Giroux is a center. Every defensive zone coverage scheme has the center with down low defensive responsibilities. Crosby was down low defending and breaking up plays frequently last night. He is not having trouble scoring.
- MJL

Ever hear of the left wing lock?
Detroit used it, collapsing a WINGER.
Again, your in here to tell everyone who's watched hockey for 40plus years they know nothing of what they are watching.
You have a talented high scoring center who's struggling, you don't improvise as a coach?

I really think the drop off is mostly due to very inconsistent goaltending and a drop off in Giroux's play. If the goalies and Giroux were just playing as well as last year, they'd have at least 5-8 more points and would be right in the thick of the playoff picture.
- BiggE

I think that is a fair assumption.

No, but if they aren't a real contender until, say, 20-21, Voracek is 31, Schenn 29, Couturier 27 and Simmonds 32.

Couturier will probably be at least the same player he is today at that point and Voracek's size and skating ability will possibly allow him to still be a top player as well. However, it's doubtful that Simmonds will be as effective at 32 as he is at 28 and likely Schenn as well.

Konecny, at 23, will be in his prime.
- BiggE

what it comes down to is Hextall and his scout have to be right on the kids they have drafted. their top two round picks have to be good. they have to find gems outside of the first two rounds. at least forwards typically don't take as long to develop as dmen so maybe those kids aren't as far out as we think. regardless next season I want to see Weal, laughton and Leier on the team out of camp and Lindblom at some point. as someone else said sink or swim. and PLEASE find Giroux a finisher

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Suspension!

And another 3-5 years to build the front, after building the back D.
- puckhead17

Forwards, usually, develop faster than Dmen. By 20-21, assuming they go forward in the 1st rounds of the next 3 drafts, I could see at least one and maybe 2 of those guys in the lineup by 20-21 along with some of Rubtsov, Laberge, Lindblom, Allison, Aube-Kubel, Marody and probably some others I'm forgetting and possibly some later round picks from the 17 and 18 drafts.

Honestly, if they're not a solid playoff team at the very least by 20-21, I'd have to question Hextall as GM.