I would mind it.
- MJL

I might mind it a little less when we have a better idea of what the Flyers really have in the way of depth on the blueline. They're going to need scoring from somehwere, but a really solid D corps and good goaltending is a great way to contend for the Stanley Cup.

I would mind it.
- MJL

Yeah, I don't think now is the time for a move like that when there are already so many candidates to play LW

Konecny
Schenn
Hischier if he ends up at #2
Weal
Lindblom
Raffl
Weise
Read
Cousins
Laughton
Leier

Maybe Toronto could be persuaded to trade Marincin for Couturier... we might have to sweeten the pot a little, though. We need more D, right?
- Doc_Sarcasm

I'm pretty sure Marincin is still in the corner looking for the puck in a darkened Air Canada Centre

I might mind it a little less when we have a better idea of what the Flyers really have in the way of depth on the blueline. They're going to need scoring from somehwere, but a really solid D corps and good goaltending is a great way to contend for the Stanley Cup.
- Doc_Sarcasm

I'm pretty sure Marincin is still in the corner looking for the puck in a darkened Air Canada Centre
- mayorofangrytown

I might mind it a little less when we have a better idea of what the Flyers really have in the way of depth on the blueline. They're going to need scoring from somehwere, but a really solid D corps and good goaltending is a great way to contend for the Stanley Cup.
- Doc_Sarcasm

That's exactly it. We don't know nor are there any guarantees as to which prospects are going to develop into quality NHL defenseman. It's strength in numbers at this point to keep the odds up of actually building the defense through the draft. It's too critical at this point to the team.

- wilsonecho91

Don't sweat the goaltending. That should be a relatively easy fix.

Cash grabs
- YuenglingJagr

It's all so cluttered - very difficult to watch

Hextall treats different players differently. Patrick is 6'3, 200 pounds, turns 19 in September, and already played 3 seasons in the WHL.
- Feanor

Like I said, if I see Hextall making room for the player to make an impact, then my opinion will change. Right now, there isn't a lot of room in the top 9.

With Patrick's injury last season there could be a case made for him going back for another junior season. I myself would prefer to see him start on the Flyers in a top 9 role.

Like I said, if I see Hextall making room for the player to make an impact, then my opinion will change. Right now, there isn't a lot of room in the top 9.

With Patrick's injury last season there could be a case made for him going back for another junior season. I myself would prefer to see him start on the Flyers in a top 9 role.
- Baxter27

He's been playing Junior since he was 16, and he only missed being in the 2016 draft by a few days. This kid is man strong and NHL ready, and he already has a pretty good grasp of how to play without the puck which is usually what most teens lack.

I think there is significant difference between being an 18 year old versus a 19 year old. I think if a 19 year old player proves that they are NHL ready, Hextall will have zero issue with keeping them on the team.
- MJL

I don't think Hextall is looking at whether a player is 18 and 2/3s or 19 and seeing much of a difference. It's definitely not one of his main factors. There is currently a case to be made for Patrick back in Juniors next season. He could certainly change that in training camp.

The Flyers current forward log jam needs to be resolved before I would predict whoever they select at #2 on the roster. I do not want to see either player out of position or on the 4th line. Hextall needs to prepare for it if he believes the player he selects will belong.

Like I said, if I see Hextall making room for the player to make an impact, then my opinion will change. Right now, there isn't a lot of room in the top 9.

With Patrick's injury last season there could be a case made for him going back for another junior season. I myself would prefer to see him start on the Flyers in a top 9 role.
- Baxter27

Hextall has repeatedly stated that if room needs to be made for a young player, he would do so. He wouldn't hesitate for a second if he is convinced a young player is ready.

http://www.broadstreethoc...-in-swedish-hockey-league

Lindblom: top Swedish forward.

His style of play is ground covering, pungent and technical.

I don't think Hextall is looking at whether a player is 18 and 2/3s or 19 and seeing much of a difference. It's definitely not one of his main factors. There is currently a case to be made for Patrick back in Juniors next season. He could certainly change that in training camp.

The Flyers current forward log jam needs to be resolved before I would predict whoever they select at #2 on the roster. I do not want to see either player out of position or on the 4th line. Hextall needs to prepare for it if he believes the player he selects will belong.
- Baxter27

I think age is a big factor. Both in terms of physical and mental maturity and experience. Cart before the horse. I think once a young player shows that he is ready, that's when a move will be made. There is already a strong possibility that they lose a forward in the expansion draft. Where the player selected is as a player is what is going to determine if that player makes the team. Not if there is room for him.

He's been playing Junior since he was 16, and he only missed being in the 2016 draft by a few days. This kid is man strong and NHL ready, and he already has a pretty good grasp of how to play without the puck which is usually what most teens lack.
- BiggE

I actually think both Hischier and Patrick will be in the NHL next season.

I don't see any way Patrick goes back to juniors. He already has a NHL build and plays an NHL game.

Hextall has repeatedly stated that if room needs to be made for a young player, he would do so. He wouldn't hesitate for a second if he is convinced a young player is ready.
- MJL

I'm not disagreeing that Hextall will make the room if he believes the player is ready. Until he makes the room, I'm not predicting the player on the roster. If Hextall believes he is drafting another top 9 forward for next year's roster, he should be proactive and make some moves in the off season.

Flyers now have almost 20 legitimate candidates for their forward roster. They need to lose, cut, waive or trade at least 6 of them. So who are they?

Here is my prediction.

Giroux
Voracek
Simmonds
Couturier
Schenn
Filppula
Konecny
Weal
Bellemare
Lindblom
Weise
Veccionne
#2 -Cut--WHL or AHL
Laughton
Raffl -expansion draft
Leier Cut-waived
Read Traded with salary retained
Lyubimov-KHL
Cousins -Cut-waived
- Baxter27

so pretty much the same non playoff team as last year.

so pretty much the same non playoff team as last year.
- rinaldo

no dude. much worse.

- Feanor

I'm not disagreeing that Hextall will make the room if he believes the player is ready. Until he makes the room, I'm not predicting the player on the roster. If Hextall believes he is drafting another top 9 forward for next year's roster, he should be proactive and make some moves in the off season.
- Baxter27

There are other players that are in the mix. I don't think making room is going to be an issue if it comes to that.

no dude. much worse.
- Doc_Sarcasm

ok dude

I think age is a big factor. Both in terms of physical and mental maturity and experience. Cart before the horse. I think once a young player shows that he is ready, that's when a move will be made. There is already a strong possibility that they lose a forward in the expansion draft. Where the player selected is as a player is what is going to determine if that player makes the team. Not if there is room for him.
- MJL

My prediction is based on the following:

-Hextall is not shy about keeping players out of the NHL even if they're physically and mentality mature. He has stated many times he would rather overcook than undercook.

-Patrick lost over half of his last junior season. There are still many opportunities where valuable experience can be gained(including WJC). Hischier's AHL eligibility gives him more run way to prove he's ready and for Hextall to make the moves necessary to give him the right opportunity.

-There is a massive log jam of forwards. Hextall needs to resolve this or risks making some bad moves in the interest of asset management. It's easier said than done that he will make room once a player proves he belongs.

My prediction is based on the following:

-Hextall is not shy about keeping players out of the NHL even if they're physically and mentality mature. He has stated many times he would rather overcook than undercook.

-Patrick lost over half of his last junior season. There are still many opportunities where valuable experience can be gained(including WJC). Hischier's AHL eligibility gives him more run way to prove he's ready and for Hextall to make the moves necessary to give him the right opportunity.

-There is a massive log jam of forwards. Hextall needs to resolve this or risks making some bad moves in the interest of asset management. It's easier said than done that he will make room once a player proves he belongs.
- Baxter27

I don't think points 1 or 3 will have anything to do with whether the player drafted with the #2 pick makes the team.

That's exactly it. We don't know nor are there any guarantees as to which prospects are going to develop into quality NHL defenseman. It's strength in numbers at this point to keep the odds up of actually building the defense through the draft. It's too critical at this point to the team.
- MJL

Yep

I don't think points 1 or 3 will have anything to do with whether the player drafted with the #2 pick makes the team.
- MJL

So Hextall's philosophy about developing players and the amount of space on a roster have nothing to do with whether their soon to be top prospect will make the team?