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.
- arichardson22

Lindblom's was much better. It was just usual first few steps power skate improvements and muscle gain, and it was largely an overblown narrative. Most kids need skating work. It was not that bad. His feet were quicker, edge work very good, faster top end, all that.

Strome is deficient and sluggish in every area of skating. Lindblom also was more skilled, played faster, was pretty much better in every way, 9 months younger, better track record pre-draft. He had other high end abilities to offset the skating. So the comparison isn't too apt IMO. Strome does have some skill, and he's very smart, but his skating is legitimately awful and painful to watch. As much as you can improve skating, there is a threshold, and projecting skating growth is different than assuming growth. Guys gotta give you reason to project. Does Strome? His fitness doesn't look stellar, so maybe that's something. Despite it all, Strome is a good hockey player and falling to the 4th is fine value and a chance worth taking. He's a good kid, will work hard, and his brothers (though better than him skating and otherwise) had the same knock and improved.

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

LOL

I should be more precise: There are guys on that list who will certainly be signed and help their teams, but none of them that I would even pretend I would pay a premium for

Take Hanzal, for instance. He's 30, with an injury history. But good size, decent ability. A high-end No. 3 on a good team, for me.

I'd maybe go...3 years, 3.5 million per year. Maybe if I was in a great mood, 3.75 million.

But I'm thinking that's not gonna even be close to what he gets

(Before someone tears my head off, no, I'm not saying the Flyers should sign Martin Hanzal)

Lindblom's was much better. It was just usual first few steps power skate improvements and muscle gain, and it was largely an overblown narrative. Most kids need skating work. It was not that bad. His feet were quicker, edge work very good, faster top end, all that.

Strome is deficient and sluggish in every area of skating. Lindblom also was more skilled, played faster, was pretty much better in every way, 9 months younger, better track record pre-draft. He had other high end abilities to offset the skating. So the comparison isn't too apt IMO. Strome does have some skill, and he's very smart, but his skating is legitimately awful and painful to watch. As much as you can improve skating, there is a threshold, and projecting skating growth is different than assuming growth. Guys gotta give you reason to project. Does Strome? Despite it all, Strome is a good hockey player and falling to the 4th is fine value and a chance worth taking. He's a good kid, will work hard, and his brothers (though better than him skating and otherwise) had the same knock and improved.
- Mononoke

I think Strome can improve his skating. But his hands.......and that shot....

To be able to succeed like that against pretty good competition even with that insanely bad skating is pretty impressive.

You can be sure if the Flyers get his skating up to par. They found a late round gem there, book it.

Speaking of free agents, I really hadn't been thinking that Weal was going to be re-signed -- not because he should or shouldn't be, but because I think, with the league the way it is, there could be more opportunity for him elsewhere -- I'm not saying I don't think he's an NHL player, though he still needs to prove that over a season.

I'm just saying that the competition on the Flyers is going to be ridiculous, likely starting now, and I don't know that if, say, a team like Colorado or Vancouver called and said I had a slot for the next two or three years on a guaranteed contract that I would pass that up

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
- AllInForFlyers

Looking at that list, Hextall should just sign Mason and be done with it. I'm not interested in Lehtonen, Niemi, Bernier or any of the other crap out there.

Looking at that list, Hextall should just sign Mason and be done with it. I'm not interested in Lehtonen, Niemi, Bernier or any of the other crap out there.
- FlyerFan16

That's what I would do, but I don't think we're getting that

I went through it last night, and I wound up with maybe we catch lightning in a bottle with Bernier for one year

That's what I would do, but I don't think we're getting that

I went through it last night, and I wound up with maybe we catch lightning in a bottle with Bernier for one year
- AllInForFlyers

I went through it a bit too. Don't really want to give up assets. So it's Mason then Miller for me. If not those two, ass ugly.

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
- AllInForFlyers

I smell a Jonathan Bernier signing soon.

That's what I would do, but I don't think we're getting that

I went through it last night, and I wound up with maybe we catch lightning in a bottle with Bernier for one year
- AllInForFlyers

They're going to need a goalie for 2-3 years. Miller's 36, I'm not a fan of Bernier. Their aren't many teams looking for a starting goalie and I think Mason is the best option that is out there.

I smell a Jonathan Bernier signing soon.
- Tomahawk

Bernier/Neuvirth tandem is a downgrade IMO.

I know next year's 1st round pick from the Schenn trade is top 10 protected, but if it falls to 11 or 12, can the Flyers use it to trade up in to the top 10 without risk of losing it?

I smell a Jonathan Bernier signing soon.
- Tomahawk

I'd vomit. And I fully expect to in a week.

Speaking of free agents, I really hadn't been thinking that Weal was going to be re-signed -- not because he should or shouldn't be, but because I think, with the league the way it is, there could be more opportunity for him elsewhere -- I'm not saying I don't think he's an NHL player, though he still needs to prove that over a season.

I'm just saying that the competition on the Flyers is going to be ridiculous, likely starting now, and I don't know that if, say, a team like Colorado or Vancouver called and said I had a slot for the next two or three years on a guaranteed contract that I would pass that up
- AllInForFlyers

I think he'll be re-signed. I think Schenn leaving definitely means he'll be re-signed as part of the plan to replace his points. He should've been re-signed anyway. But Hextall won't let him go over 250-300k or something. I also think Weal's history with him and the trust factor he gained late last year with the team provides more of a comfort factor. He's still not proven, and going somewhere else could place him at the risk of being in a bad situation that sets him back. His situation would be good and more predictable here. He'd likely be in the top 9 anyway.

Bernier/Neuvirth tandem is a downgrade IMO.
- FlyerFan16

Darn i wish that EK MAF rumour was true

Mrazek

I think he'll be re-signed. I think Schenn leaving definitely means he'll be re-signed as part of the plan to replace his points. He should've been re-signed anyway. But Hextall won't let him go over 250-300k or something. I also think Weal's history with him and the trust factor he gained late last year with the team provides more of a comfort factor. He's still not proven, and going somewhere else could place him at the risk of being in a bad situation that sets him back. His situation would be good and more predictable here. He'd likely be in the top 9 anyway.
- Mononoke

Hope so, he played well at the end of the season.

Although I think TSN got his cap hit wrong for the 2016-2017 season at 4M + lol

http://www.tsn.ca/live/ta...riod-opens-today-1.788490

I know next year's 1st round pick from the Schenn trade is top 10 protected, but if it falls to 11 or 12, can the Flyers use it to trade up in to the top 10 without risk of losing it?
- WhirlingDervish

yes

Darn i wish that EK MAF rumour was true
- Bonerfide69

cool now crawl back in your hole

Bernier/Neuvirth tandem is a downgrade IMO.
- FlyerFan16

As would be Niemi, Lehtonen or Elliot.

I'm down for another year of pain to pay for future success. Just not by poopty goaltending.

Hope so, he played well at the end of the season.

Although I think TSN got his cap hit wrong for the 2016-2017 season at 4M + lol

http://www.tsn.ca/live/ta...riod-opens-today-1.788490
- Chris48

I'm not so sure another team doesn't give him an offer Hextall will refuse to match.

Mrazek
- Giroux_Is_God

I wonder what Detroit will want in return.

I'm not so sure another team doesn't give him an offer Hextall will refuse to match.
- FlyerFan16

I don't care about the money as long as the years are minimal. Even Dimitrakos had his little hot streak.

Would love if Weal does become a consistent producer.

As would be Niemi, Lehtonen or Elliot.

I'm down for another year of pain to pay for future success. Just not by poopty goaltending.
- flyer_nutter

Even with the loss of Schenn, the roster should be better next year. There will most likely be growing pains with 4-5 rookies and another 2 second year players but with a good goalie I think they can challenge for a playoff spot. Bubble team again but more optimism with the kids coming up.

As would be Niemi, Lehtonen or Elliot.

I'm down for another year of pain to pay for future success. Just not by poopty goaltending.
- flyer_nutter

This team will look good when Nolan hit his prime,they can TANK an add pieces so long the number 1 player Claude is on the payroll

This team will look good when Nolan hit his prime,they can TANK an add pieces so long the number 1 player Claude is on the payroll
- Bonerfide69

fun and cool