I really believe that screwed him up. Never understood why the hell they thought that was a good idea
- nastyflyergirl

It was nearing the mid point of the season, Sbisa was struggling defensively, the team had injuries up front and they didn't want him sitting up stairs watching. They were waffling on sending him back because his junior team wasn't exactly lighting it up.

I don't think it screwed him up any more than expecting him to play 20 minutes a night at the NHL level in his draft year. Most of the hype around him came from making the opening night roster as a surprise player.

I have heard the same thing. but I have also heard he made great strides in that.

How did they know Gostisbehere was ready when he was brought up?
- J35Bacher

Because they had no other option. Hexy even admitted that he didn't want to bring him up.

Why?

Gostisbehere-Giroux-Simmonds
Lindblom-Filppula-Voracek
Konecky-Couturier-Schenn

I'd be happy with that and not feel the need to get a UFA winger.
- fls13

As long as your happy with a theoretical lineup posted on a website with a defenseman listed as a 1st line LW, hey then what could go wrong!

There is no need now to get a UFA winger.

As long as your happy with a theoretical lineup posted on a website with a defenseman listed as a 1st line LW, hey then what could go wrong!

There is no need now to get a UFA winger.
- MJL

I'd rather try Konecny or Weal as the top line LW than ask a player to go from defense to forward.

Now, forward to defense, I can get behind a little bit more.

Yes, because it was a colossal failure. He was terrible as a forward. Likely because the position reduced (greatly) his effectiveness. I don't want Ghost digging pucks out of the corner in the offensive zone, I want him headmanning the puck from the back end.
- jmatchett383

How was it a colossal failure? It was spot duty over a few games in a pinch. The team had a fine year but got bulldozed in the first round by the Pens en route to the cup.

Yes, because it was a colossal failure. He was terrible as a forward. Likely because the position reduced (greatly) his effectiveness. I don't want Ghost digging pucks out of the corner in the offensive zone, I want him headmanning the puck from the back end.
- jmatchett383

When you watch Gostisbehere play do his skills make you think that he would be an impact forward?

For me I see him as dynamic because he does it from the back end. I think you move him to wing and he is less effective than Jordan Weal. He isn't THAT good.

Burns and Buff were two huge men that are probably faster then Gostisbehere and more physical and they probably are more skilled. So they could get away with it.

As long as your happy with a theoretical lineup posted on a website with a defenseman listed as a 1st line LW, hey then what could go wrong!

There is no need now to get a UFA winger.
- MJL

What could go right with the status quo? Where is the team going to get the offense they will need to make the playoffs?

I didn't bring up Sbisa's name, other folks did and I responded. Besides all that, he didn't play that much forward when he was here. His ice times tell the tale and he was used mostly on D

http://www.espn.com/nhl/p...5098/year/2009/luca-sbisa

The consensus here seems to be the Flyers should really do nothing about their forward situation in the off season and I disagree and have thrown out a couple ideas that might fix that. I can't say Hextall won't pull another rabbit out of the hat like he did with Filppula. I hope he does.


- fls13

What the Flyers should do is figure out how to inject more youth and skill into the lineup and then figure out what to do with the surplus of veteran older forwards that they have. Not sign another UFA forward to the mix.

How was it a colossal failure? It was spot duty over a few games in a pinch. The team had a fine year but got bulldozed in the first round by the Pens en route to the cup.
- fls13

Because he was a net negative out on the ice (no fancy stats, just my memory). It was an interesting idea, but he was horrible as a forward because his skillset didn't work as a forward.

If you want to entertain this as a summer wet dream, then go ahead. I just don't think it would be wise to do.

What could go right with the status quo? Where is the team going to get the offense they will need to make the playoffs?
- fls13

Well they could do this trade thing I have heard about.

Also they could get more offense from guys like Giroux, Voracek and Couturier.

They could get an addition from the prospects like Lindblom joining the team.

All seem to be better options then making Gostisbehere a winger.

What could go right with the status quo? Where is the team going to get the offense they will need to make the playoffs?
- fls13

The team needs to transition from the older forwards on the roster and start adding more youth, skill, and speed to the lineup, and figure out how to move a veteran forward or two. If the results of that are missing the playoffs next year, so be it.

What could go right with the status quo? Where is the team going to get the offense they will need to make the playoffs?
- fls13

Did you watch the end of the season? They'll have a full season of Weal and Filppula and also add Lindbolm.

Well they could do this trade thing I have heard about.

Also they could get more offense from guys like Giroux, Voracek and Couturier.

They could get an addition from the prospects like Lindblom joining the team.

All seem to be better options then making Gostisbehere a winger.
- J35Bacher

pffft...that's narrow minded thinking right there

The team needs to transition from the older forwards on the roster and start adding more youth, skill, and speed to the lineup, and figure out how to move a veteran forward or two. If the results of that are missing the playoffs next year, so be it.
- MJL

Just wondering when this became a thing?

Well they could do this trade thing I have heard about.

Also they could get more offense from guys like Giroux, Voracek and Couturier.

They could get an addition from the prospects like Lindblom joining the team.

All seem to be better options then making Gostisbehere a winger.
- J35Bacher

The Flyers need to either score a good bit more or become an elite defensive team. I don't think the team D will get that much better but they can score a little more with the guys you mentioned but I don't think it will be enough to put them over. Their Top 6 is topped out scoring numbers wise and they have huge question marks after that. They can't afford forwards 7-9 not scoring if they're serious about the playoffs.

Just wondering when this became a thing?
- YuenglingJagr

Seriously

What the Flyers should do is figure out how to inject more youth and skill into the lineup and then figure out what to do with the surplus of veteran older forwards that they have. Not sign another UFA forward to the mix.
- MJL

My plan:

- Resign Weal, showed some energy and skill in small sample size. Give him full season to see if it translates in top 9.

- Full season of Filpulla in top 9 and a year of experience for Konecny. I think that can bring an increase to offense.

- Add youth on back end. The better skills I hope will provide better transition hockey and better offense attack.

- See if Lindblom can make roster. He's played against men and has NHL skills and size. I think he could be good for 10-15 goals if he is in top 9 his rookie season.


I think right there are 4 easy ways the offense could get better next season. I see no reason to play in FA. I actually consider Filpulla our FA for the season.

Did you watch the end of the season? They'll have a full season of Weal and Filppula and also add Lindbolm.
- dragonoffrost

Of course I saw the difference Filppula made, it's why my first option is adding another vet forward as a UFA. Gostisbehere to wing is a second resort. The status quo is a very, very last resort.

Stars blog day
- YuenglingJagr

Meet you there. We're having a read-through of the La La Land script right now. Pick your character while you still can.

The Flyers need to either score a good bit more or become an elite defensive team. I don't think the team D will get that much better but they can score a little more with the guys you mentioned but I don't think it will be enough to put them over. Their Top 6 is topped out scoring numbers wise and they have huge question marks after that. They can't afford forwards 7-9 not scoring if they're serious about the playoffs.
- fls13

I believe adding guys like Hagg, Morin, Sanheim, Weal(full season), Filpulla(full season) and possibly Myers or Sanheim will make the team better in both ways.

Also consistent goaltending helps defenses too.

Meet you there. We're having a read-through of the La La Land script right now. Pick your character while you still can.
- Mononoke

Is Ryan Gosling still available?

My plan:

- Resign Weal, showed some energy and skill in small sample size. Give him full season to see if it translates in top 9.

- Full season of Filpulla in top 9 and a year of experience for Konecny. I think that can bring an increase to offense.

- Add youth on back end. The better skills I hope will provide better transition hockey and better offense attack.

- See if Lindblom can make roster. He's played against men and has NHL skills and size. I think he could be good for 10-15 goals if he is in top 9 his rookie season.


I think right there are 4 easy ways the offense could get better next season. I see no reason to play in FA. I actually consider Filpulla our FA for the season.
- J35Bacher

This is probably exactly how Hextall is going to play his cards this off season. Add Lindbolm and 2 D men and count on some of the previous regression turning back a little.

And as of right now, Sanheim, Myers, Morin, and Hagg have produced a combined zero points in the NHL.
- jmatchett383

Yes, I'm well aware. I don't want to trade Ghost. Was just explaining why his name gets thrown into trade discussions on here.

I believe adding guys like Hagg, Morin, Sanheim, Weal(full season), Filpulla(full season) and possibly Myers or Sanheim will make the team better in both ways.

Also consistent goaltending helps defenses too.
- J35Bacher

Definitely but this is a team that will be very young on the blue line and still doesn't have a #1 goalie. He's doing it the hard way, but I like the way Hextall is building this team. I just think they need more scoring if he's serious about making the playoffs in 2018. Once the D corps matures, I think this will be a fine team for a nice long while.

I think we should stop being mean to each other and realize we are just nhl gms in waiting.