It would just be TERRIBLE to have a good 25/26/27 year old defenseman signed with cost controlled term available for a trade. Just the worst.
- YuenglingJagr

The bylaws state that for every good young defenseman with skill, you must have one old, veteran defenseman who drags him down.

The bylaws state that for every good young defenseman with skill, you must have one old, veteran defenseman who drags him down.
- PhillySportsGuy

Does this still apply with a human sacrifice of Andrew MacDonald to the Hockey Gods?

Say Sanheim comes in and puts in good point production, Provorov will continue to get better, Hagg chips in somewhat steadily. We could be in a situation where we don't exactly need him. Obviously I want him but if he is going to force our hand we could be in a situation where we are ok to let him walk. Just a worst comes to worst scenario with a two year bridge.
- ClaudeFather

It's a possibility and something to think about for sure. I'd rather have defenseman who are solid in their own end and can also produce offensively than an offensive defenseman who is poor in his own end, which is what Gostisbehere was last year.

My point was more that a better partner like Gudas would help mask some of his weaknesses
- PhillySportsGuy

I think you're just making excuses for Gostisbehere. His issues were defensively, and MacDonald was solid defensively last season. Gostisbehere's struggles were more than just inherent weaknesses last season.

The bylaws state that for every good young defenseman with skill, you must have one old, veteran defenseman who drags him down.
- PhillySportsGuy

Gostisbehere dragged himself down last season.

Recovering from the injury was also a big factor.

If I had to choose between backstrom or Eric stall.I would take stall all day.

Should Vilardi even be considered or are Patrick and Hischier that far above the rest of the draft class?

Was watching Vilardi's highlights. Kid also looks like a hell of a player.

If I had to choose between backstrom or Eric stall.I would take stall all day.
- flyeredup85

Really?
To me it wouldnt even be close the other way based off what the Flyers have.

Really?
To me it wouldnt even be close the other way based off what the Flyers have.
- opeth_pa

Just for reference, Eric Staal's after his rookie year and 6 seasons in the NHL, the fewest goals he scored was 29. In his 7 seasons after his rookie year, he scored no fewer then 70. The guy was a rock.

Should Vilardi even be considered or are Patrick and Hischier that far above the rest of the draft class?

Was watching Vilardi's highlights. Kid also looks like a hell of a player.
- hereticpride

A few days ago BiggE seemed to think so. He might have some key insights.

If I had to choose between backstrom or Eric stall.I would take stall all day.
- flyeredup85

Everyone has their opinion, but I don't know dude. If I had a draft from scratch from current NHL players, I'm taking Backstrom 100 out of 100 times over Stall. Him and Jordan.

Just for reference, Eric Staal's after his rookie year and 6 seasons in the NHL, the fewest goals he scored was 29. In his 7 seasons after his rookie year, he scored no fewer then 70. The guy was a rock.
- ravishingone

He's the highest producing player from the 2003 draft.

Like Getzlaf? Staal has been better. And without Corey Perry riding shotgun.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Draft Thoughts, Flyers at Worlds and More
- bmeltzer

BPA

seriously this is the easiest way?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlusBaNOEYQ
- nastyflyergirl

betteman was shaking at 9:45 after the guys from ernst and young told him it was the devils with the #1 pick lol

He's the highest producing player from the 2003 draft.

Like Getzlaf? Staal has been better. And without Corey Perry riding shotgun.
- BINGO!

I'm with you. Staal has been a stud and had a great year for Minny this year. If Patrick turns out to be the same type, that would be awesome.

I'm with you. Staal has been a stud and had a great year for Minny this year. If Patrick turns out to be the same type, that would be awesome.
- ravishingone

He's probably more Jordan than Eric.

BPA
- ob18

Any comments about the Flyers potentially not going with one of the top two? Concerns? Any reason why they might not (you know other than trading down)?

betteman was shaking at 9:45 after the guys from ernst and young told him it was the devils with the #1 pick lol
- kej83

That was classic, like how the hell did this happen?

He's the highest producing player from the 2003 draft.

Like Getzlaf? Staal has been better. And without Corey Perry riding shotgun.
- BINGO!

Whatever you say, chief

He's probably more Jordan than Eric.
- BINGO!

It's hard to say what Patrick will evolve into when he turns pro. I think he has a good chance to be a consistent scorer because he has such a good wrist shot and is able to pick corners skating down the wings.

Any comments about the Flyers potentially not going with one of the top two? Concerns? Any reason why they might not (you know other than trading down)?
- mayorofangrytown

Nope, my only guess would be is that see somebody else as a long term better player.........

It's hard to say what Patrick will evolve into when he turns pro. I think he has a good chance to be a consistent scorer because he has such a good wrist shot and is able to pick corners skating down the wings.
- ravishingone

He's the next Austin Matthews. Don't underrate him.

That was classic, like how the hell did this happen?
- ravishingone

I can only imagine. I know I was completely thrown for a loop when the Flyers logo didnt come up at 15, 14, or 13.

At 15, I was like.. yeah.. this is us... two teams who were not us just moved up.

and 15 was NYI.

At 14, I was like.. yeah... ok.. one team who was not us just moved up.. this is us.

14 was Tampa.

At 13, I was totally.. like.. yeah.. ok.. at least we didnt get knocked down.

When the Winnipeg logo showed up at 13.... I thought perhaps someone, somewhere had made a mistake.

The realization that the Flyers might be drafting #1 was shocking. I'm conditioned to believing that the very stars in their courses struggle against the Flyers, that every God I've ever heard of, from Ashteroth to Yahweh (with Cthulhu in between) has it in for the Flyers. I was not ready for the notion that fortune had perhaps smiled upon us.

So yeah.. Bettman. LOL.

Game on, go Sens!!!