You don't believe that a player being over 35 is a fact?
- jmatchett383

Bonino and Eaves are over 35? Do try to keep up and stick to facts when they're available.

Fair enough. The trade market has a lot of variables we can only speculate on. How you use players you already have on your team is completely under your control.
- fls13

And I would rather they use forwards on the team as forwards, and use the defensemen as defensemen...personally.

Bonino and Eaves are over 35? Do try to keep up and stick to facts when they're available.
- fls13

I never said that. You said that a criticism of certain player (i.e. they're over 35) had no basis in fact. Obviously, some of them were not over 35, but some were. That is steeped in fact.

I never said that. You said that a criticism of certain player (i.e. they're over 35) had no basis in fact. Obviously, some of them were not over 35, but some were. That is steeped in fact.
- jmatchett383

And the Flyers can use one. Williams would be a good fit here. He's still playing well. He's on a 2 year deal now. I'd certainly offer him that if he wants to/needs to make a move.

I never said that. You said that a criticism of certain player (i.e. they're over 35) had no basis in fact. Obviously, some of them were not over 35, but some were. That is steeped in fact.
- jmatchett383

Sadly, this board is steeped in something that doesn't smell anything like fact.

Then somebody else needs to step up and produce. I suppose it's possible Read or Raffl could bounce back but no one should count on that either.
- fls13

Know what else you can't count on producing what is needed? A vet UFA forward!

Speak for yourself. I know this team plenty well and the rest of the league and the game in general just fine. The only thing I recognize is I'm just a fan, it's not my full time job to know all the details of which UFA might want what. My opinion is the Flyers need one and posted a list of UFA forwards. I had no difficulty coming up with names I liked in that list and the criticisms (oh, they're so expensive, they're all over 35) had no basis in fact.
- fls13

You don't think stating that Justin Williams is likely going to look to play for a contender at this point in his career is a reasonable point? Or that Nick Bonino, another name you mentioned is a 3rd line center, when the Flyers already have Giroux, Couturier, and Filpulla?
You're offering up reasoning to the contrary when it is suggested that the Flyers fill from within that has no basis in fact.

And the Flyers can use one. Williams would be a good fit here. He's still playing well. He's on a 2 year deal now. I'd certainly offer him that if he wants to/needs to make a move.
- fls13

Flyers aren't a good fit for Williams.

No what else you can't count on producing what is needed? A vet UFA forward!
- MJL

So long as they stay healthy, you can. What you also aren't considering is the current Top 6 staying healthy this year. They're been pretty durable through their careers (Couturier seems to get banged up and miss a bit) but that's not certain either. There are no certainties in hockey but some bets are safer than others. I think a proven forward is a safer bet than a 25 year old, who is also a UFA, who had a 20-game hot streak at the tail end of one season.

So long as they stay healthy, you can. What you also aren't considering is the current Top 6 staying healthy this year. They're been pretty durable through their careers (Couturier seems to get banged up and miss a bit) but that's not certain either. There are no certainties in hockey but some bets are safer than others. I think a proven forward is a safer bet than a 25 year old, who is also a UFA, who had a 20-game hot streak at the tail end of one season.
- fls13

Contradicting yourself here. Begin with stating that you can count on a vet UFA forward producing, then stating that there are no certainties in hockey.

I think there's a number of factors that you aren't considering in your plan.

You don't think stating that Justin Williams is likely going to look to play for a contender at this point in his career is a reasonable point? Or that Nick Bonino, another name you mentioned is a 3rd line center, when the Flyers already have Giroux, Couturier, and Filpulla?
You're offering up reasoning to the contrary when it is suggested that the Flyers fill from within that has no basis in fact.
- MJL

The Flyers only need one. Are you saying Hextall can't make a solid sales pitch to a UFA?

Filpulla can flip to wing if need be.

You don't think stating that Justin Williams is likely going to look to play for a contender at this point in his career is a reasonable point?
- MJL

Nope. After winning yet another Stanley Cup I think it's perfectly reasonable that at his age he'd be willing to take a pay cut to come back to a non-contending Flyers team. They drafted him, for crying out loud, he's destined to return!

But a defenseman who you try to convert to LW....ah, never mind
- Scoob

I'm guessing there's a trade freeze after the June 17th deadline for the protected list. Anyone know how long it lasts?

Contradicting yourself here. Begin with stating that you can count on a vet UFA forward producing, then stating that there are no certainties in hockey.

I think there's a number of factors that you aren't considering in your plan.
- MJL

I'm considering what I think the team needs and factoring in what I heard Hextall say/not say at the presser. He specifically said he won't add a UFA Dman. I take him at his word and am fine with that. He didn't say he would not look to add a UFA forward. No one asked him about that specifically and they should have. I expect he will take a look and since they do have the cap space the players are there and the need, I think he'll sign somebody.

If you want to go into the season on a wish and a prayer and hope the team makes the playoffs, go ahead. I think Hextall will add a forward and I think he'll be right about that.

And the Flyers can use one. Williams would be a good fit here. He's still playing well. He's on a 2 year deal now. I'd certainly offer him that if he wants to/needs to make a move.
- fls13

I wouldn't, but that's just me.

Basically, I don't want the Flyers changing players' natural positions to try to fill needs, and I don't want them taking up roster spots with old stopgaps or overpaying for bottom-9 players via UFA. Just my feelings, and I'll leave it at that.

I'm guessing there's a trade freeze after the June 17th deadline for the protected list. Anyone know how long it lasts?
- mayorofangrytown

havent heard but I am guessing it is until the picks are made

Nope. After winning yet another Stanley Cup I think it's perfectly reasonable that at his age he'd be willing to take a pay cut to come back to a non-contending Flyers team. They drafted him, for crying out loud, he's destined to return!
- Scoob

The Flyers have the space to give him a raise. The Caps have to get past PGH. If that doesn't happen, who knows what happens in DC. They have to offer him a deal for him to stay.

The Flyers only need one. Are you saying Hextall can't make a solid sales pitch to a UFA?

Filpulla can flip to wing if need be.
- fls13

No, I'm saying Hextall has no business making a solid sales pitch to a UFA forward.

No, I'm saying Hextall has no business making a solid sales pitch to a UFA forward.
- MJL

At this point, I'd agree, unless said UFA will sign for low cost and short term. I don't think most players on that list will do both.

I wouldn't, but that's just me.

Basically, I don't want the Flyers changing players' natural positions to try to fill needs, and I don't want them taking up roster spots with old stopgaps or overpaying for bottom-9 players via UFA. Just my feelings, and I'll leave it at that.
- jmatchett383

And that's fine but I would not expect the Flyers to make the playoffs next year without the right tweaks outside of giving the kids a shot . . . which I'm generally all in favor of.

And that's fine but I would not expect the Flyers to make the playoffs next year without the right tweaks outside of giving the kids a shot . . . which I'm generally all in favor of.
- fls13

I think that adding Lindblom, another year older Konecny, league average goaltending, and any sort of bounceback from Giroux and/or Voracek makes them a playoff team.

I'm considering what I think the team needs and factoring in what I heard Hextall say/not say at the presser. He specifically said he won't add a UFA Dman. I take him at his word and am fine with that. He didn't say he would not look to add a UFA forward. No one asked him about that specifically and they should have. I expect he will take a look and since they do have the cap space the players are there and the need, I think he'll sign somebody.

If you want to go into the season on a wish and a prayer and hope the team makes the playoffs, go ahead. I think Hextall will add a forward and I think he'll be right about that.
- fls13

I think there is a lot of things that Hextall said that you're overlooking. Specifically that they they have a lot of young players, and they're coming. Also looking at the roster, who is already signed, and who they own rights to, it points to not needing a forward when all is considered.

You have a tunnel vision focus on making the playoffs next season. I guarantee that is not where Hextall's vision is focused, nor is it his top priority.

I have no big issue if they sign someone to a one year deal, but they really shouldn't. I'll have an issue with a multi year deal of significant money for a UFA forward.

The Flyers have the space to give him a raise. The Caps have to get past PGH. If that doesn't happen, who knows what happens in DC. They have to offer him a deal for him to stay.
- fls13

Even a no-raise deal (2 years for $6.5m) (on an over-35 contract) would be tough to swallow and at his age I'm not sure he'd do it anyway. A legit Cup-contending team would probably be more to his liking - such as staying right where he is.

That said, I wouldn't complain about him being on the Flyers, I just don't see it happening.

I think that adding Lindblom, another year older Konecny, league average goaltending, and any sort of bounceback from Giroux and/or Voracek makes them a playoff team.
- jmatchett383

yep - but I do think they'll probably do something on the forward front