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.
- MJL

And I'm not suggesting they overcommit on a UFA. I don't think they'll have to. I do guarantee making the playoffs is Hextall's top short term priority and he's already laid the groundwork on his long term plan, which I like. It's time to kick things into gear.

Bonino jumps out at me as well. Justin Williams fits and can still play. I don't think any of those 3 would cost more than $3M max. Bonino would likely command a longer term at only 28.

But since we're in answering questions mode, how many goals are you inking in for Weal, Lindblom, Konecny, Weise, Laughton and Bellemare this year?
- fls13

you leave him alone.

in all seriousness, i dont know if he would be the best fit for the flyers anyway.

you leave him alone.

in all seriousness, i dont know if he would be the best fit for the flyers anyway.
- stayinthefnnet

Well then make short work of the Caps so they blow things up and don't resign Williams. Hahahaha.

And I'm not suggesting they overcommit on a UFA. I don't think they'll have to. I do guarantee making the playoffs is Hextall's top short term priority and he's already laid the groundwork on his long term plan, which I like. It's time to kick things into gear.
- fls13

Based on the situation, we have a different definition of what over committing is for the Flyers. You're right that it is time to kick things into to gear, and that means adding more youth to the team, not blocking them with another UFA vet forward when they already have 15 potential forwards.

Based on the situation, we have a different definition of what over committing is for the Flyers. You're right that it is time to kick things into to gear, and that means adding more youth to the team, not blocking them with another UFA vet forward when they already have 15 potential forwards already.
- MJL

The issue is they have 6 spots to fill with 9 of those guys and I'm not sure they have 6 in that pool that are good enough to get them much better results than they got last year.

Well then make short work of the Caps so they blow things up and don't resign Williams. Hahahaha.
- fls13

i wish. my head says caps in six though.

just too much depth on that caps team to be handled without letang.

hell if the pens got another cup i doubt theyd be able to retain bonino's services so you could have both and i'd still be happy as a clam.

i wish. my head says caps in six though.

just too much depth on that caps team to be handled without letang.

hell if the pens got another cup i doubt theyd be able to retain bonino's services so you could have both and i'd still be happy as a clam.
- stayinthefnnet

Every time that I think this might be the Caps' year, I remember that this is the Caps we're talking about and it is literally never their year. On paper, I think they're the better team than the Pens, but they're going to have to win the series before I'm a believer in them, and the series will not be played on paper.

The issue is they have 6 spots to fill with 9 of those guys and I'm not sure they have 6 in that pool that are good enough to get them much better results than they got last year.
- fls13

You're not considering that this is a long term process where young players who are NHL ready need to be in the lineup working to grow as players, not being blocked by vet players. The time has come to reshape the roster, and build toward the future. If that means that it doesn't get them much better results then they got last year, so be it. At least they're doing that with a youth movement, and not veterans. You want to shortchange the process in favor of short term gain. Not what they should be doing.
If the Flyers are able to deal some players away in the off season, then the outlook might change somewhat.

You're not considering that this is a long term process where young players who are NHL ready need to be in the lineup working to grow as players, not being blocked by vet players. The time has come to reshape the roster, and build toward the future. If that means that it doesn't get them much better results then they got last year, so be it. At least they're doing that with a youth movement, and not veterans. You want to shortchange the process in favor of short term gain. Not what they should be doing.
If the Flyers are able to deal some players away in the off season, then the outlook might change somewhat.
- MJL

Hextall is going into his 4th off season as GM. Frankly, there's a ton of long term work to do up front because the current Top 6 forwards are either at their peak or on the downside. If they aren't all gone by the time the D corps reaches its' maximum potential, what's left will be exactly what you're saying you don't want. I just think that long term work is going to be consistent short term work over a period of years.

Hextall was on Leafs Lunch to discuss the Canadian World team.

Nothing earth shaking on the Flyers although he said they left two spots open on D and expects to fill those with kids continuing to say that they think they could have up to 4 kids in the lineup next season.

He said if that didn't work out he'd address it in Sept.

So for all the back and forth today about UFAs it certainly doesn't sound like the Flyers will be adding anything beyond September's left overs again for better or worse.

leafs looking for a dman maybe we can get them back for dumping schenn on us

Hextall was on Leafs Lunch to discuss the Canadian World team.

Nothing earth shaking on the Flyers although he said they left two spots open on D and expects to fill those with kids continuing to say that they think they could have up to 4 kids in the lineup next season.

He said if that didn't work out he'd address it in Sept.

So for all the back and forth about today about UFAs it certainly doesn't sound like the Flyers will be adding anything beyond September's left overs again for better or worse.
- mayorofangrytown

Hextall isn't going to volunteer anything in an interview. They need a goalie too. Maybe we can argue about that tomorrow.

While I understand goaltending is a far bigger need going into next season, I don't understand why the idea of adding a UFA forward is so ludacris. I mean we've had several, several posts about Ben Bishop and throwing him a 2-3 year deal around a 5-6 M cap. And the argument always is, he'd be a great stopgap goalie until our guys are ready. Why can't that be said for a forward if Flyers really do end up with Neuvy and Stoalie/Lyon as the combo? I don't think it will be done but it's not as ridiculous as it's being made out to be. It could be a forward to help our current core now and be a stop gap for our younger forward prospects. And it really won't hurt us cap wise after we trade Simmonds

Hextall was on Leafs Lunch to discuss the Canadian World team.

Nothing earth shaking on the Flyers although he said they left two spots open on D and expects to fill those with kids continuing to say that they think they could have up to 4 kids in the lineup next season.

He said if that didn't work out he'd address it in Sept.

So for all the back and forth today about UFAs it certainly doesn't sound like the Flyers will be adding anything beyond September's left overs again for better or worse.
- mayorofangrytown

we should add oshie

Konecny Giroux Oshie
Voracek Flipper Simmonds
Schenn Couturier Whomever

Hextall was on Leafs Lunch to discuss the Canadian World team.

Nothing earth shaking on the Flyers although he said they left two spots open on D and expects to fill those with kids continuing to say that they think they could have up to 4 kids in the lineup next season.

He said if that didn't work out he'd address it in Sept.

So for all the back and forth today about UFAs it certainly doesn't sound like the Flyers will be adding anything beyond September's left overs again for better or worse.
- mayorofangrytown

Wait, with a glut of forwards and a bunch of highly touted D prospects knocking on the door people still thought this non contending team would be going after UFAs?

Hextall is going into his 4th off season as GM. Frankly, there's a ton of long term work to do up front because the current Top 6 forwards are either at their peak or on the downside. If they aren't all gone by the time the D corps reaches its' maximum potential, what's left will be exactly what you're saying you don't want. I just think that long term work is going to be consistent short term work over a period of years.
- fls13

I disagree. Giroux, Voracek, Schenn and Simmonds are all 30 or under and still good players. Barring any trades, in the time they have left as good players, there are a lot of drafts and a lot of player development to take place. By then hopefully a good number of younger players will have filtered into the team. If the Flyers were a UFA forward away from making a playoff run, you'd have a point. We know they're not.

leafs looking for a dman maybe we can get them back for dumping schenn on us
- 2Real

Amac 25% retained + for JVR

Hextall isn't going to volunteer anything in an interview. They need a goalie too. Maybe we can argue about that tomorrow.
- fls13

What happened to this?

"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."

Amac 25% retained + for JVR
- arichardson22

if only

While I understand goaltending is a far bigger need going into next season, I don't understand why the idea of adding a UFA forward is so ludacris. I mean we've had several, several posts about Ben Bishop and throwing him a 2-3 year deal around a 5-6 M cap. And the argument always is, he'd be a great stopgap goalie until our guys are ready. Why can't that be said for a forward if Flyers really do end up with Neuvy and Stoalie/Lyon as the combo? I don't think it will be done but it's not as ridiculous as it's being made out to be. It could be a forward to help our current core now and be a stop gap for our younger forward prospects. And it really won't hurt us cap wise after we trade Simmonds
- arichardson22

Flyers already have plenty of stop gap forwards, and they need roster space to add younger players.

I disagree. Giroux, Voracek, Schenn and Simmonds are all 30 or under and still good players. Barring any trades, in the time they have left as good players, there are a lot of drafts and a lot of player development to take place. By then hopefully a good number of younger players will have filtered into the team. If the Flyers were a UFA forward away from making a playoff run, you'd have a point. We know they're not.
- MJL

I didn't say they weren't good players but where will they be in 5 years? That's about the time frame you're looking at for the kiddie D corps to mature. I think they are one more solid vet forward away from being a playoff team. I wouldn't be going on about this if I didn't. Once you're in, anything can happen.

Amac 25% retained + for JVR
- arichardson22

That would be great. Uncle Lou ain't buying no squishy mellons though.

What happened to this?

"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."
- MJL

And I'm not suggesting he should. I'm fine with the way he's building the D.

I didn't say they weren't good players but where will they be in 5 years? That's about the time frame you're looking at for the kiddie D corps to mature. I think they are one more solid vet forward away from being a playoff team. I wouldn't be going on about this if I didn't. Once you're in, anything can happen.
- fls13

Toronto and Edmonton will be winning all the cups then and we'll be the 80s Flyers just never having quite enough talent or luck to get past the Isles and Oilers.

Then I'll be dead.

I didn't say they weren't good players but where will they be in 5 years? That's about the time frame you're looking at for the kiddie D corps to mature. I think they are one more solid vet forward away from being a playoff team. I wouldn't be going on about this if I didn't. Once you're in, anything can happen.
- fls13

All factors have to be considered. You have making the playoffs next season at the top of the list. I don't think Hextall does. 5 years is a long time in hockey. Those 5 years can be best used injecting youth and skill into the lineup. It's a no brainer.