You're forgetting we will have to play MacDonald, the big question is if he's going to take top minutes next year? I would really like to see the kids play but knowing Hextall it will probably be a more cautious approach

Provy - MacDonald
Gudas - MDZ (I think they will give him an extension)
Ghost - Manning
Sanheim or FA signing
- SimmerDown17

I'd almost like to see Hagg up before Sanheim. He seems to have made some strides this year defensively. Sanheim has a much higher ceiling, but I'd like to see him in the A for another year and get a bit more responsibility. Myers could be a dark horse if they really want another RH shot on the point. Many say that he is NHL ready. Either way, I'd like to see one of the prospects filter in instead of a FA signing.

Mac isn't going anywhere unfortunately. Sanheim has 2 years left on his contract, Morin 1 year, and Hagg has 1 year left. Plenty of time to give MDZ a one or two year contract. (I don't want this to happen but I think it's realistic)
- SimmerDown17

At some point they have to figure out how to open some roster spots for the young defenseman. I'd like to see at least 2 if not 3 make the jump next season. I know it's a longshot but I'm hoping they find a way to move MacDonald without taking too much of a hit.

Mac isn't going anywhere unfortunately. Sanheim has 2 years left on his contract, Morin 1 year, and Hagg has 1 year left. Plenty of time to give MDZ a one or two year contract. (I don't want this to happen but I think it's realistic)
- SimmerDown17

Why I feel those 2 may need to be Flyers soon. And Sanheim could force Hextall's hand in training camp.

Why I feel those 2 may need to be Flyers soon. And Sanheim could force Hextall's hand in training camp.
- dragonoffrost

it means they have a year left on their ELCs...they are still exempt from waivers...it is a non-issue

it means they have a year left on their ELCs...they are still exempt from waivers...it is a non-issue
- YuenglingJagr

How is their next contract going to be valued is what I wonder plus the term will probably be real short if they don't crack the Flyers soon. I don't want players killing their ELC and RFA years in the AHL.

How is their next contract going to be valued is what I wonder plus the term will probably be real short if they don't crack the Flyers soon. I don't want players killing their ELC and RFA years in the AHL.
- dragonoffrost

From what I have seen...it isn't that big of an issue. I think the AAV usually ends up a bit higher, but not by much. The important thing is whether or not they are good

How is their next contract going to be valued is what I wonder plus the term will probably be real short if they don't crack the Flyers soon.
- dragonoffrost

At most they'll have one year in the NHL before it's time for their first RFA contract. But how is that a bad thing for the Flyers?

Mac isn't going anywhere unfortunately. Sanheim has 2 years left on his contract, Morin 1 year, and Hagg has 1 year left. Plenty of time to give MDZ a one or two year contract. (I don't want this to happen but I think it's realistic)
- SimmerDown17

Im confused what the contracts have to do with them playing in the NHL?

Signing Friedman was a huge tip of the hat that at least one of the 3 is going to come up. Morin and Hagg have both been there the longest, but Sanheim is most likely to be ready and have a significant impact at the NHL level.

Also can forget that Myers is done with the Q.

I would be very surprised to see MDZ back. I would also be very surprised to see MDZ wanting to sign here again.

At some point they have to figure out how to open some roster spots for the young defenseman. I'd like to see at least 2 if not 3 make the jump next season. I know it's a longshot but I'm hoping they find a way to move MacDonald without taking too much of a hit.
- MJL

What % of salary would you be willing to retain? And what asset/pick would you be comfortable letting go along with Amac?

Im confused what the contracts have to do with them playing in the NHL?

Signing Friedman was a huge tip of the hat that at least one of the 3 is going to come up. Morin and Hagg have both been there the longest, but Sanheim is most likely to be ready and have a significant impact at the NHL level.

Also can forget that Myers is done with the Q.

I would be very surprised to see MDZ back. I would also be very surprised to see MDZ wanting to sign here again.
- jak521

He was very vocal at the TDL about wanting to stay in Philly and hoping to be a veteran guy to mentor the young guys. But he could have just been running his mouth so he didn't have to find a new living situation mid-season.

At some point they have to figure out how to open some roster spots for the young defenseman. I'd like to see at least 2 if not 3 make the jump next season. I know it's a longshot but I'm hoping they find a way to move MacDonald without taking too much of a hit.
- MJL

I ran the buyout calculator on MacDonald and it's 1.83m for 6 years. I don't see Hextall doing that this year. Maybe after another season but most likely we will have to ride his contract out. Vegas isn't doing us any favors

If we can bring MacDonald down a bit in the lineup it won't be so bad.

He was very vocal at the TDL about wanting to stay in Philly and hoping to be a veteran guy to mentor the young guys. But he could have just been running his mouth so he didn't have to find a new living situation mid-season.
- arichardson22

I think you are confusing MDZ and Streit...

I ran the buyout calculator on MacDonald and it's 1.83m for 6 years. I don't see Hextall doing that this year. Maybe after another season but most likely we will have to ride his contract out. Vegas isn't doing us any favors

If we can bring MacDonald down a bit in the lineup it won't be so bad.
- SimmerDown17

Trade with salary retained is the best option.

Yeah it'll hurt but something like swap of 2nd's and one of our 3rd's or 4th's with Vegas and 50% retained...

He does that a lot, but in fairness to him, he is also usually the only one in the offensive half of the ice... chip it in there and its a clear turnover. Its frustrating. He is trying to make something out of nothing... sometimes you just have to kill time and limit risks.
- jak521

Yes but I rather have him give up possession with a dump in rather than in the neutral zone where teams can transition quickly.

Exactly. He will learn tho. I have no doubt about that

What do we think Ghosts deal is going to look like? I imagine they will try to use the MDZ money (I don't think they bring him back) and sign him to a bridge deal worth about that 3.5m AAV.

I think you are confusing MDZ and Streit...
- dragonoffrost

Streit was also saying that, but I remember morning of TDL philly beat writers sharing quotes from both players saying they wanted to stay.

Yes but I rather have him give up possession with a dump in rather than in the neutral zone where teams can transition quickly.

Exactly. He will learn tho. I have no doubt about that
- nastyflyergirl

It has been proven that this is learned quicker on the 4th line

First off, are we actually trying to use Hitch as a gold standard for handling young players and point to how Hakstol isn't as bad as him there? That's not high praise.

Secondly, it's legit to gripe with Konecny's BS usage. It doesn't void how he's been given good minutes most of the year, but it still makes it equally or more illogical given that fact. Or best 5v5 scorer is being given the least minutes on the team alongside two of the worst (that's not understatement....they're among league worst and not even NHL caliber in their scoring ability) to completely nerf his offense. That's nonsense. There's nothing he or the team gains from it, and it probably has as much to do with his 4th line fetish given his comments about Konecny needing their "structure."

Lastly, I do enjoy how the argument against those criticizing Hakstol is to simply argue about his player usage and completely ignore the bigger issue in the critique: how he coaches the X's and O's, with his systems. That's a lot more worrisome at the moment. Or are we not allowed to critique that either?
- Mononoke

You can critique whatever you like. Yay internet!



I don't think sitting Vandevelde will change anything and I don't think a new coach "fixes" anything. Not with this team, as currently constituted.

I do find it funny, however, that folks complain about the poopty 4th line and when Hakstol puts a skilled, young player down there, they immediately poop their Richard over the decision.

But, that's just my opinion.

Yes but I rather have him give up possession with a dump in rather than in the neutral zone where teams can transition quickly.

Exactly. He will learn tho. I have no doubt about that
- nastyflyergirl

Im not a fan at all of intentional turnovers. Things like dump and change drive me nuts. In a possession based game you should want to maintain possession as much as possible, but when you are alone in the neutral zone and are being hounded... dump the (frank)ing puck lol.

Not saying you, but a lot of fans don't consider both sides of the puck. Coaches look for balance in a lineup. With this roster that's very hard to accomplish. Hakstol moved Voracek back with Giroux. In my opinion, Voracek has been pretty poor away from the puck defensively. I believe he has Read up there for checking purposes to balance the line out. Hakstol could move Weise down to the 4th line and move Konecny up. Konecny is still getting decent ice time, and PP time. It's not this colossal issue that is going to ruin Konecny but this is hockey buzz and everything has to be overblown.
- MJL

Shoot I think I flagged you...sorry...

Agree with that. Neither G or Jake have exactly been pushing for the selke

What do we think Ghosts deal is going to look like? I imagine they will try to use the MDZ money (I don't think they bring him back) and sign him to a bridge deal worth about that 3.5m AAV.
- MBFlyerfan

2 years 3.5 then 4 or 3 years 3.5, 3.75, then 4

So the Flyers core needs a bit of a shakeup, but to a man each player is a good player and it would be foolish to get rid of them. Huh this sounds familiar. Like Trumpbots that want to dismantle the ACA but don't have a plan in place. Quite the mental quandary.

I thought all that matters at the end of the day is results?

So happy they're playing well now. Maybe it will fool everyone into thinking IF they find consistency next season, IF they stay healthy next season, it will be different!

You can critique whatever you like. Yay internet!



I don't think sitting Vandevelde will change anything and I don't think a new coach "fixes" anything. Not with this team, as currently constituted.

I do find it funny, however, that folks complain about the poopty 4th line and when Hakstol puts a skilled, young player down there, they immediately poop their Richard over the decision.

But, that's just my opinion.
- johndewar

it means they have a year left on their ELCs...they are still exempt from waivers...it is a non-issue
- YuenglingJagr

Sam Morin was 18 when he signed his ELC on Sept. 17, 2013. A player signed at 18 is waiver exempt for 6 years or 80 NHL games played. As of this Sept, Morin is waiver exempt for 2 more years. Clock is ticking.

5 years, not 6. He's waivers eligible beginning the 2018-19 season.

https://www.capfriendly.c...ator/samuel-morin#results

From what I have seen...it isn't that big of an issue. I think the AAV usually ends up a bit higher, but not by much. The important thing is whether or not they are good
- YuenglingJagr

Beaulieu is a example of a first round pick who became an NHL regular at age 22, played 64 games, scored 9 points, and then got two years at $1m AAV.

As you say, the important thing is how good they are. I'd rather pay a bit more for a better performance.