Hi Bill, a couple of questions in regards to today's game:

Would they consider holding out a couple of veterans to make room for Cousins and Vecchione, and letting both TK and Lyubimov stay in the lineup?

Manning, at times, looked like he was in a lot of pain yesterday. Any chance with the Phantoms off today, that they call up either Morin or Hagg to replace him?


Oh, and thank you for all your great work this season. I think I speak for everyone around here when I say that we really and truly appreciate the fine work that you do!!

Looking forward to updates on the Phantoms in the playoffs, and your thoughts on what went right/wrong this season, the evolution of Dave Hakstol as head coach, making changes to any of the assistant coaches, the draft and the team's off season plans.

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!

- BiggE

I double that. We are very fortunate to have your work on here and the Flyers web site.

Good analysis by BiggE

I give Hexy high grades for the McGinn and Rinaldo trades. I don't recall any time in the last 30 years the Flyers having this depth of prospects. The issue is they're just prospects. Hexy will ultimately be judged by correctly identifying which prospects will be viable NHL contributors and sell off the rest for new assets.

I still believe Hexy will trade one of his defensive prospects and upgrade the top 6 forwards with an equally young players. Also, in the next 2 seasons he has to solidify the goal tender position.
- ravishingone

Thank you, and I agree with with your points too.

I'm excited to see Hagg. Doesn't seem all that long ago that he was getting written off as a guy who didn't have the drive to succeed. Very excited that he's turned it around.

In regards to the draft I have feeling Hextall might move the pick this year. Not sure why, but I think he's got something up his sleeve this offseason.

FWIW, I'd trade any of the D prospects outside of Provorov as the centerpiece for W. Nylander (not Michael). I heard Toronto considered him expendable.

I would rank the D "prospects" as follows:
Provorov
Ghost (only because he has proven NHL success)
Myers
Sanheim
Hagg
Morin
the rest (haven't seen them enough)

Hagg is above Morin as more of a safe bet, where as Morin is more of a swing for the fences type. Myers seemed like a home run, health notwithstanding. Sanheim could very well explode in a good way next year and leap over everyone except Provorov.

FWIW, I'd trade any of the D prospects outside of Provorov as the centerpiece for W. Nylander (not Michael). I heard Toronto considered him expendable.

I would rank the D "prospects" as follows:
Provorov
Ghost (only because he has proven NHL success)
Myers
Sanheim
Hagg
Morin
the rest (haven't seen them enough)

Hagg is above Morin as more of a safe bet, where as Morin is more of a swing for the fences type. Myers seemed like a home run, health notwithstanding. Sanheim could very well explode in a good way next year and leap over everyone except Provorov.
- jmatchett383

Pretty close to my rankings
1. Provorov
2. Sanheim, just think his ceiling is higher than Ghost's
3. Ghost
4. Myers, the concussions concern me, without that, he'd be #2
5. Morin, I think his potential to be dominant defensively and on the PK gives him the edge over Hagg
6. Hagg, a safe bet yes, but does he just become a generic 4/5 guy or a solid all situations top 4? Time will tell.

I'm excited to see Hagg. Doesn't seem all that long ago that he was getting written off as a guy who didn't have the drive to succeed. Very excited that he's turned it around.

In regards to the draft I have feeling Hextall might move the pick this year. Not sure why, but I think he's got something up his sleeve this offseason.
- hereticpride

If he can get a legit, young top 6 center or LW for a package based around that pick, go for it.

FWIW, I'd trade any of the D prospects outside of Provorov as the centerpiece for W. Nylander (not Michael). I heard Toronto considered him expendable.

I would rank the D "prospects" as follows:
Provorov
Ghost (only because he has proven NHL success)
Myers
Sanheim
Hagg
Morin
the rest (haven't seen them enough)

Hagg is above Morin as more of a safe bet, where as Morin is more of a swing for the fences type. Myers seemed like a home run, health notwithstanding. Sanheim could very well explode in a good way next year and leap over everyone except Provorov.
- jmatchett383

I think they value Morin pretty highly tbh. We saw glimpses of what he's capable of defensively in his call up. It's hard to argue that the Flyers aren't sorely missing that type of player back on the blue line.

If someone is getting dealt I think it's between Myers, Sanheim and Hagg. Realistically you can't overhaul the D with this many young players at once. Plus it seems like Gudas and AMac are sticking around. So that's 5 of 7 D spots filled between Provorov, Ghost, Morin, Gudas and AMac. I'm expecting a trade but I doubt it will be Morin.

I think they value Morin pretty highly tbh. We saw glimpses what he's capable of defensively in his call up. It's hard to argue that the Flyers aren't sorely missing that type of player back on the blue line.

If someone is getting dealt I think it's between Myers, Sanheim and Hagg. Realistically you can't overhaul the D with this many young players at once. Plus it seems like Gudas and AMac are sticking around. So that's 5 of 7 D spots filled between Provorov, Ghost, Morin, Gudas and AMac. I'm expecting a trade but I doubt it will be Morin.
- hereticpride

If they are going to move someone, it will likely be Hagg, I just don't think they value him as high as the others. I would think if you package Hagg with this year's first, you'd be able to either move up quite a bit in this year's 1st round or land a young forward who can fill a spot in the top 6. Should be interesting to see what Hexy does.

I hope we can use just a package of picks 1+a 2 or 3 and maybe a player or two that may not be in the plans any longer?

Or is there a free agent out there that fits our top 6 need?

If they are going to move someone, it will likely be Hagg, I just don't think they value him as high as the others. I would think if you package Hagg with this year's first, you'd be able to either move up quite a bit in this year's 1st round or land a young forward who can fill a spot in the top 6. Should be interesting to see what Hexy does.
- BiggE

Yup, that's what I'm thinking too. I

One of the things I don't see mentioned is the Flyers struggles playing on the road this year. That is definitely one of the main reasons they missed the playoffs.
They actually played very well at home. Only the Caps, Penguins, and Jackets were better at home in the Eastern Conference.

FWIW, I'd trade any of the D prospects outside of Provorov as the centerpiece for W. Nylander (not Michael). I heard Toronto considered him expendable.

I would rank the D "prospects" as follows:
Provorov
Ghost (only because he has proven NHL success)
Myers
Sanheim
Hagg
Morin
the rest (haven't seen them enough)

Hagg is above Morin as more of a safe bet, where as Morin is more of a swing for the fences type. Myers seemed like a home run, health notwithstanding. Sanheim could very well explode in a good way next year and leap over everyone except Provorov.
- jmatchett383

I would be extremely happy if they could land nylander.I can't see how the leafs would ever trade him.I think jvr is the guy who is eventually traded to bring D help for them.

If the Flyers lose in regulation tonight, coupled with a Kings win, I believe that would put them in the # 9 draft position. Should be able to come away with a pretty solid prospect there.
- PLindbergh31

A spot or two won't make much of a difference, esp this year. Teams' ranking lists will be all over the map and there's a pretty decent chance they can still get the same player regardless.

A spot or two won't make much of a difference, esp this year. Teams' ranking lists will be all over the map and there's a pretty decent chance they can still get the same player regardless.
- bmeltzer

That is true. Who knows, maybe they catch lightning in a bottle and win the lottery.

I hope Hextall has some plan to shake things up.This year has been a waste.No playoffs and an awful 1st round pick position.Unlike most here im not that overly excited about any of the forward prospects coming.This team lacks serious star power up front.I don't see any difference makers on this team or coming.I strongly believe Hextall needs to trade either Giroux or voracek.Maybe another guy as well Simmonds or schenn. Not to get better for next yr but worse.They need to get this forward Corp in line with the D Corp coming.

A spot or two won't make much of a difference, esp this year. Teams' ranking lists will be all over the map and there's a pretty decent chance they can still get the same player regardless.
- bmeltzer

Well if somebody wants to jump up for a player and trade with us it makes a difference but otherwise I agree. There is about zero consensus after the first few picks in this draft.

If they are going to move someone, it will likely be Hagg, I just don't think they value him as high as the others. I would think if you package Hagg with this year's first, you'd be able to either move up quite a bit in this year's 1st round or land a young forward who can fill a spot in the top 6. Should be interesting to see what Hexy does.
- BiggE

We also have quite a few goalies in the system that can be put into the mix of a package for that top 6 player.

I hope Hextall has some plan to shake things up.This year has been a waste.No playoffs and an awful 1st round pick position.Unlike most here im not that overly excited about any of the forward prospects coming.This team lacks serious star power up front.I don't see any difference makers on this team or coming.I strongly believe Hextall needs to trade either Giroux or voracek.Maybe another guy as well Simmonds or schenn. Not to get better for next yr but worse.They need to get this forward Corp in line with the D Corp coming.
- flyeredup85

A major concern heading into next year among many is right now there is now clarity on who will be the # 1 goaltender. That is pretty unsettling.

VDV scratched tonight. Go figure.

VDV scratched tonight. Go figure.
- PLindbergh31

FWIW, after the top 2 guys, Patrick and Hischier, here are the guys, in order, I'd like to see drafted by the Flyers with their 1st pick. The starred guys are the ones I'd consider moving up for. Once you mix in Dmen, I'm pretty sure at least one of these guys will be available at 13.

1. Vilardi*
2. Glass*
3. Kostin*
4. Petterson*
5. Mittelstadt*
6. Necas*
7. Rasmussen
8. Tippett
9. Anderson
- BiggE

Kostin might very well fall out of the first round or just sneak in. Very all tools, no toolbox. He had no clue how to use teammates when I saw him. An injured season doesn't help. Same with Tippett, who I really hate. Guy is just a straight up moron in every end. I could write an essay on his idiocy. He's more likely to still go top 10 though. Rasmussen I'd take in the 15-20 range, but not top 10, and he might also still go there. Pretty low-middle ceiling IMO. Poor 5v5 scorer, not particularly creative, just a big dude who is good down low.

The rest, that's how I have it. Vilardi, Necas, Mittelstadt, Glass, Pettersson seems like a cut above. Then you have guys like Andersson, Tolvanen, Poehling, Thomas. When people say 10 vs 13 doesn't matter....what's a few picks after all? It might very well mean the difference between one of each tier. This draft has a lack of consensus sure, but the top ~10-12 or so seem to be gelling in terms of names. Shortly after that it gets trickier and very non-consensus, but around where we are picking I don't think it's so mysterious who will go. Just a matter of where. So if the Flyers target Necas (who I think they might like a lot, and who I like a lot) as one of "their guys," as they seem to do, and he goes 11 and we pick 13, that doesn't matter? Anything COULD happen, but the idea that picking several spots higher doesn't matter is a logical step I cannot whatsoever make. It could always matter. It certainly only helps and never hurts. You hear people talk about this draft like every pick is fungible.

I hope we can use just a package of picks 1+a 2 or 3
- Konalover

I see this everywhere. "The Flyers can just trade up a few picks using some 2nds and 3rds and spare parts, so it doesn't matter where they pick that much since they can just trade up later."

I'm not picking on you, just saying that people act like this happens all the time. It doesn't. You see top 10 picks traded straight up or packaged for NHL players, but you do not see teams trade down with top 10 picks for just a package of picks and spare assets. Last year you had that odd 10-11 situation with Ottawa/NJ, but before that we're talking about 2007 as the last time a non top 10 pick was swapped for a top 10 pick. Teams are loath to do it. Not saying it can't happen, because there will always be a next time, but the ability to do so is just massively overstated.

VDV scratched tonight. Go figure.
- PLindbergh31

He was also scratched a few days ago. Still 5 hours to go.

VDV scratched tonight. Go figure.
- PLindbergh31

Don't want him getting injured before his big extension now do we?

You hear people talk about this draft like every pick is fungible.
- Mononoke

Good to have you back