Don't know where you are getting your info, but one of things that scouts love about Ratcliffe is how well he skates for a big man, it's exceptional. He needs to fill out, which will take some time and his puckhandling skills could use some work, but it's a great pick at 35. It's rare to see a guy his size that skates this well
- BiggE

Anyone who says skating is an issue doesn't know what they're talking about. It is rare for big men to move with the fluidity and speed he does. Many have a gawkiness and knock kneed quality.......like Logan Stanley or Hague, etc. Some others are more fluid, but their strides are a touch heavy, like Logan Brown, who moves decently well. There are so few guys that big that not only have the speed but have the quick feet and fluidity and the smarts. Given that GMs salivate over them and that they're so coveted, it was pretty shocking to see Ratcliffe still there at 35, even if I still personally had a few ahead of him (I'm using their logic). I would've been less surprised to see him reached on from 15-20 than drop. People always point to what an amazing skater Morin is for his size. That's Ratcliffe as a forward.

But being bigger isn't always better. Coordination gets harder. Isaac doesn't have it with the feet, but his hands are quite choppy puck handling, and he can have trouble tracking it on his blade and moving it and skating with it under pressure. He's best when the puck is on his stick for short times getting shots and cycling it, or off the rush sniping.....and I wouldn't expect much playmaking. His hands are not what I'd label "soft." Stick skills aren't really something that develop at age 18+. It's my only knock really, and perhaps that's a reason he fell. As dazzling a package as he brings otherwise, the hands might hold him back.

I personally think he's less raw as a player than others say, just needing more weight to fix some balance and puck strength issues at that height. But he's awesome and fun to watch and will fit it one way or another. He'd work really well with a deft passer/puck handler like Rubtsov or Frost, I bet.

my boy
- Crimsoninja

Nolan
- Mordecai

Strome

So what are we gonna do at goalie? They'd have to move Neuvy if they arent gonna have him be a starter, and I dont think Stolarz goes back to the A considering Hart and Lyon will probs be splitting time, and they need to. Definitely gonna see some more moves going on here, I think you could see 2 goalies shipped out and 1 to be a starter coming back in.

So what are we gonna do at goalie? They'd have to move Neuvy if they arent gonna have him be a starter, and I dont think Stolarz goes back to the A considering Hart and Lyon will probs be splitting time, and they need to. Definitely gonna see some more moves going on here, I think you could see 2 goalies shipped out and 1 to be a starter coming back in.
- PVL29

We are gonna talk about it tomorrow

We are gonna talk about it tomorrow
- YuenglingJagr

what time do you think?

People act surprised Hextall passed on a more one dimensional sniper like Tolvanen.......did we not go through this last year? Hextall and his staff value 2-way play, high end hockey sense, strong character/compete, and versatility. They love players with good floors AND good ceilings.

Tolvanen supposedly interviewed poorly with teams, though rumor is rumor. I do like him as a player. His shot is elite, though he doesn't score many "dirty" goals and can rely on sniping it, which is fine at that level. He's not a great skater N-S at his size. I think he could still definitely be a good NHLer because he's smart and works hard, but his ticket has to be that scoring and a lot of it. Just like Bellows. Not the player type Hexy bets on high.

Frost wasn't a reach either. There were rumblings some teams had him in the 1st, and he was surely gone by the mid 30s. That's not a reach just because they passed on some fallers y'all wanted and didn't know much about Frost. When the pick was called, I was relieved tbh. Along with Jason Robertson (who I wanted with that 35 pick tbh), Frost was as high on my wish list as anyone. I watched him a bunch, and immediately I instinctively liked him (I'm a sucker for high end smarts with skill) and thought the Flyers might too. He had every one of their desired traits. Was one of my favorite watches, and he will 100% surprise any doubters. Really does have second line C/W potential (he's one of the few guys that I looked at as a projectable center and not a future winger, but he could be both, like Rubtsov.....versatility), and even PP QB ability.

Anyone who says skating is an issue doesn't know what they're talking about. It is rare for big men to move with the fluidity and speed he does. Many have a gawkiness and knock kneed quality.......like Logan Stanley or Hague, etc. Some others are more fluid, but their strides are a touch heavy, like Logan Brown, who moves decently well. There are so few guys that big that not only have the speed but have the quick feet and fluidity and the smarts. Given that GMs salivate over them and that they're so coveted, it was pretty shocking to see Ratcliffe still there at 35, even if I still personally had a few ahead of him (I'm using their logic). I would've been less surprised to see him reached on from 15-20 than drop. People always point to what an amazing skater Morin is for his size. That's Ratcliffe as a forward.

But being bigger isn't always better. Coordination gets harder. Isaac doesn't have it with the feet, but his hands are quite choppy puck handling, and he can have trouble tracking it on his blade and moving it and skating with it under pressure. He's best when the puck is on his stick for short times getting shots and cycling it, or off the rush sniping.....and I wouldn't expect much playmaking. His hands are not what I'd label "soft." Stick skills aren't really something that develop at age 18+. It's my only knock really, and perhaps that's a reason he fell. As dazzling a package as he brings otherwise, the hands might hold him back.

I personally think he's less raw as a player than others say, just needing more weight to fix some balance and puck strength issues at that height. But he's awesome and fun to watch and will fit it one way or another. He'd work really well with a deft passer/puck handler like Rubtsov or Frost, I bet.
- Mononoke

Thanks for giving me the updates yesterday you freak of nature.

I doubt it. So many things need to happen for that.

1) Giroux needs to bounce back.

2) Voracek needs to step up and earn that 8 mill contract.

3) Going to need some wingers to step up and contribute. Top 4 wingers right now are gonna be Voracek, Simmonds, Fillpula and Weal/Konecny. This is assuming Giroux and Nolan are your Centers. Giroux could also be moved to the wing and Fillupula takes Center. Given Giroux is a top Faceoff guy, doesnt seem like a good idea from a defensive stand point perhaps it is.

4) D needs to be a lot stronger. Given the fact that our most Veteran guy is AMac, the D scares me a bit. Assuming Hexy doesnt sign anyone, we are looking at a D core of AMac, Gudas, Ghost(Who struggled last season), Provorov(2nd year Dman), 2 rookies and Manning. That doesnt put a lot of confidence in me.

5) Goalie situation is less than ideal. Neuvirth had played well for us but has had trouble staying healthy. Stolarz has been solid in the few NHL games he has played. I would honestly prefer to keep Mason over Neuvirth.

I really feel like the Flyers are on the outside looking in but come FA day perhaps Hextall improves the team via FA or trade. Still to early, the team could be quite different come training camp.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I think Hextall has made a titanic error in judgement with the goaltending. I think Simmonds, Couturier and Schenn all play to their standard. These three aren't and were never going carry this team, which is why the decline of G is so troublesome for the team. I think Jake needs to be more of a difference maker. I think we should go with what we have on defense. Sign nobody. Live and die by the youth in the pipeline.

I think Hextall has made a titanic error in judgement with the goaltending. I think Simmonds, Couturier and Schenn all play to their standard. These three aren't and were never going carry this team, which is why the decline of G is so troublesome for the team. I think Jake needs to be more of a difference maker. I think we should go with what we have on defense. Sign nobody. Live and die by the youth in the pipeline.
- SuperSchennBros

He's basically rebuilding the club from top to bottom without tanking. It's just my own vibe but I don't think he gives a rats ass about the current/past core. He will keep G, V and maybe Simmonds around. My dream has come true.

Thought they reached on Wyatt Kalynyk

So what are we gonna do at goalie? They'd have to move Neuvy if they arent gonna have him be a starter, and I dont think Stolarz goes back to the A considering Hart and Lyon will probs be splitting time, and they need to. Definitely gonna see some more moves going on here, I think you could see 2 goalies shipped out and 1 to be a starter coming back in.
- PVL29

keep neurvirth and sign a goalie 1 for year?

Thought they reached on Wyatt Kalynyk
- PhillySportsGuy

jk?

He's basically rebuilding the club from top to bottom without tanking. It's just my own vibe but I don't think he gives a rats ass about the current/past core. He will keep G, V and maybe Simmonds around. My dream has come true.
- flyer_nutter

As he should. Sets them up nice for the long haul. I know people want the big trade for a big name player but that sometimes only works for the short term. Draft well, develop well.

He's basically rebuilding the club from top to bottom without tanking. It's just my own vibe but I don't think he gives a rats ass about the current/past core. He will keep G, V and maybe Simmonds around. My dream has come true.
- flyer_nutter

He pretty much said that yesterday. He liked Schenn, wasn't shopping him but had to do what is best for the organization. I liked Schenn in his time here. I thought he would have been more consistent.
I was talking Friday about selling early for pics and/or prospects. Was worried about crazy contracts for 30 year old players. I was talking about Simmer though.
Said to the effect that if he nudges 40 goals this years watch for possible crazy extensions.
IMHO, Simmonds has been a better and more constant scorer than Oshie. What did he just get? 8x6.5, or 7. Two years of the cap increasing and a 40 goal season and is 8 x 7 or 8 a stretch? Oshie just set the bar for a 30 year old power forward.
Actually, this trade frees space for Simmonds, but not 8 years. He is a freak, but this is when power forwards start the steep decline.
Actually the Schenn trade for picks/prospects gave me faith that Hexy won't do crazy stuff.

So what are we gonna do at goalie? They'd have to move Neuvy if they arent gonna have him be a starter, and I dont think Stolarz goes back to the A considering Hart and Lyon will probs be splitting time, and they need to. Definitely gonna see some more moves going on here, I think you could see 2 goalies shipped out and 1 to be a starter coming back in.
- PVL29

Hart cannot play in the A next year. He will be back to junior for another year. Stolarz and Lyon will split time again this year. Don't think we will see any of our goalies traded.

As he should. Sets them up nice for the long haul. I know people want the big trade for a big name player but that sometimes only works for the short term. Draft well, develop well.
- Pelle31Forever

Yup.

I had a huge fear they would try and rush this process because of G and V's age. So happy the aren't going to do that - or at least it seems that way haha.

Seems to be they are set on building this properly, and not being satisfied as the Rangers for example. A decent club, but everyone knows they don't have the core pieces to win it all.

jk?
- Mononoke

- PhillySportsGuy

Thought so, but he's actually interesting. They must think he will be a late blooming in-demand college free agent in the coming years, and are trying to get a leg up with his rights.

Flyers are also bringing Ivan Kosorenkov to their camp too as an invite. Played with both Rubtsov in Russia and Laberge in the Q. 19 year old with really really high end hands and skill, and some grit too.

Thought so, but he's actually interesting. They must think he will be a late blooming in-demand college free agent in the coming years, and are trying to get a leg up with his rights.

Flyers are also bringing Ivan Kosorenkov to their camp too as an invite. Played with both Rubtsov and Laberge. Re-entry with really really high end hands and skill, and some grit too.


- Mononoke

Can not hurt, maybe he impresses & they take a shot

Thought so, but he's actually interesting. They must think he will be a late blooming in-demand college free agent in the coming years, and are trying to get a leg up with his rights.

Flyers are also bringing Ivan Kosorenkov to their camp too as an invite. Played with both Rubtsov in Russia and Laberge in the Q. 19 year old with really really high end hands and skill, and some grit too.


- Mononoke

You had me at grit

Can not hurt, maybe he impresses & they take a shot
- ob18

Usually they bring in OK depth guys to fill out, get a look, but they don't need an extra forward. All they've drafted the last couple years are forwards. With his history with two top prospects on the team, I hope he's a serious sign candidate. That lottery ticket skill would look nice in the system, and he has experience with Rubtsov/Laberge.

Russians in the Q, man. People just don't want them and don't draft them. Really surprised he didn't get drafted still.

Wow

Just took a look at TSN Top 25 Free Agents. Yikes

Free Agent Frenzy has been slowing down for years, but I always made time to watch. If I'm free I will certainly pay attention, but I am definitely not making a special effort -- if the wife wants to do something or it's really nice outside, I'm not gonna say no

Anyone who says skating is an issue doesn't know what they're talking about. It is rare for big men to move with the fluidity and speed he does. Many have a gawkiness and knock kneed quality.......like Logan Stanley or Hague, etc. Some others are more fluid, but their strides are a touch heavy, like Logan Brown, who moves decently well. There are so few guys that big that not only have the speed but have the quick feet and fluidity and the smarts. Given that GMs salivate over them and that they're so coveted, it was pretty shocking to see Ratcliffe still there at 35, even if I still personally had a few ahead of him (I'm using their logic). I would've been less surprised to see him reached on from 15-20 than drop. People always point to what an amazing skater Morin is for his size. That's Ratcliffe as a forward.

But being bigger isn't always better. Coordination gets harder. Isaac doesn't have it with the feet, but his hands are quite choppy puck handling, and he can have trouble tracking it on his blade and moving it and skating with it under pressure. He's best when the puck is on his stick for short times getting shots and cycling it, or off the rush sniping.....and I wouldn't expect much playmaking. His hands are not what I'd label "soft." Stick skills aren't really something that develop at age 18+. It's my only knock really, and perhaps that's a reason he fell. As dazzling a package as he brings otherwise, the hands might hold him back.

I personally think he's less raw as a player than others say, just needing more weight to fix some balance and puck strength issues at that height. But he's awesome and fun to watch and will fit it one way or another. He'd work really well with a deft passer/puck handler like Rubtsov or Frost, I bet.
- Mononoke

Personally, I'm not too worried about skating as issue for someone such as Strome's skating or another prospect . I mean, who in our prospect pool also had a big knock on his skating (when drafted) who has taken big steps forward? Lindblom. Now, I don't know how bad their skating compares but it's not impossible for a player to improve their skating and become a better prospect in the pool.

You mean Hanzal and Bonino don't get your heart pumping?