Reading that list of names outloudly is fun
- arichardson22

One name on that list doesn't fit?

Summary of last 5 days please

Summary of last 5 days please
- PhillySportsGuy

Hextall won free agency.

Hextall won free agency.


- PLindbergh31

Good to know






Also, NHL free agency kinda sucks. It's basically just sitting around and hoping your GM isn't the one to give out bad deals.

Good to know






Also, NHL free agency kinda sucks. It's basically just sitting around and hoping your GM isn't the one to give out bad deals.
- PhillySportsGuy

That is a good point. We were subjected to 5 years of that.
I know the prospect pool is being built up, but there has to be progress made at the NHL level soon. In year one of Hextall's tenure they were a playoff bubble team, this is year 4 now and they are in the same boat. I don't see anything changing next year either with this goaltending tandem that is in place.

I might head over to camp on Saturday to check the kids out. Kinda a bummer we won't see Patrick but the others will make it fun.

That is a good point. We were subjected to 5 years of that.
I know the prospect pool is being built up, but there has to be progress made at the NHL level soon. In year one of Hextall's tenure they were a playoff bubble team, this is year 4 now and they are in the same boat. I don't see anything changing next year either with this goaltending tandem that is in place.
- PLindbergh31

I'm not seeing playoffs in their future next year.

I might head over to camp on Saturday to check the kids out. Kinda a bummer we won't see Patrick but the others will make it fun.
- dragonoffrost

I may do the same. My daughter laughed like a maniac when the defensemen were doing the corner drills where they get plastered against the boards, so we'll probably go down for that portion again.

I'm not seeing playoffs in their future next year.
- Just5

Are you talking about the Flyers or Capitals?

I may do the same. My daughter laughed like a maniac when the defensemen were doing the corner drills where they get plastered against the boards, so we'll probably go down for that portion again.
- jmatchett383

Morin and Wilcox made it silly fun last year. I forget who the 5'7"ish player was that went into the corner last year and got crushed by both those towers.

That is a good point. We were subjected to 5 years of that.
I know the prospect pool is being built up, but there has to be progress made at the NHL level soon. In year one of Hextall's tenure they were a playoff bubble team, this is year 4 now and they are in the same boat. I don't see anything changing next year either with this goaltending tandem that is in place.
- PLindbergh31

Even though I see Elliot as being inferior to Mason, I still believe the goaltending will be better next season. Neuvirth was just so bad last year and I can't see him being any worse. Mason also had a down year, so Elliot just has to be his average self for an improvement. Elliot has been streaky throughout his career, so we'll see. I'd be more confident in Mason bouncing back than Elliot.

I think the PK is going to be significantly better without Vandevelde and Bellemare there to log heavy minutes. I also see the 4th line being much better as well. Those two things may seem small, but it could net them 5-10 more goals.

Even strength should be better too. They seemed to make the adjustment late in the season to be more patient in the offensive zone. They actually displayed a strong neutral zone game last season, but struggled to get chances in the offensive zone and deny chances in the defensive zone. I'd, personally, like to see them transition a little faster to the youth. Guys like Morin and Hagg are already extension eligible and have logged almost 0 NHL time. I only got to watch Sanheim a handful of times in the AHL, but from what I read, he seems ready to make the jump too.

I know it's frustrating for people to watch this seemingly endless march toward mediocrity, but the patience will be rewarded with a large window. I wouldn't be shocked to see the team make a big jump next season or the season after.



Edit: The one major concern I have is that Hak won't utilize the roster properly. The pieces are there to build a playoff contender. If the team is basically eliminated from the playoffs with 3 weeks left in the season (assuming injuries aren't a huge factor), it's more of an indictment on Hak than the roster IMO.

Edit: The one major concern I have is that Hak won't utilize the roster properly. The pieces are there to build a playoff contender. If the team is basically eliminated from the playoffs with 3 weeks left in the season (assuming injuries aren't a huge factor), it's more of an indictment on Hak than the roster IMO.
- PhillySportsGuy

What is the standard by which Hakstol using the roster properly will be measured?

If like last year, Giroux score 18 points at 5 on 5 and Voracek has a GF% of 37 and they miss the playoffs again, how is that an indictment on Hakstol? Making that statement now is ridiculously premature.

I'm not seeing playoffs in their future next year.
- Just5

I have zero faith in Neuvirth playing well over a large stretch of time. He's very good in short periods, but he hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy or consistent. Elliott played pretty well in St. Louis two years ago, but he's never even started 50 games in a season.
Calgary had a surprising season last year, but Elliott was just awful in the playoffs. I know it's a small sample, but he was a sieve. I think people are going to be very frustrated with the goaltending over the next few seasons.

Even if they hit on one or two of the goalie prospects, there are going to be growing pains at the NHL level.

What is the standard by which Hakstol using the roster properly will be measured?

If like last year, Giroux score 18 points at 5 on 5 and Voracek has a GF% of 37 and they miss the playoffs again, how is that an indictment on Hakstol? Making that statement now is ridiculously premature.
- MJL

From now on, whenever I write something, assume it's for everyone on the board except you

Even though I see Elliot as being inferior to Mason, I still believe the goaltending will be better next season. Neuvirth was just so bad last year and I can't see him being any worse. Mason also had a down year, so Elliot just has to be his average self for an improvement. Elliot has been streaky throughout his career, so we'll see. I'd be more confident in Mason bouncing back than Elliot.

I think the PK is going to be significantly better without Vandevelde and Bellemare there to log heavy minutes. I also see the 4th line being much better as well. Those two things may seem small, but it could net them 5-10 more goals.

Even strength should be better too. They seemed to make the adjustment late in the season to be more patient in the offensive zone. They actually displayed a strong neutral zone game last season, but struggled to get chances in the offensive zone and deny chances in the defensive zone. I'd, personally, like to see them transition a little faster to the youth. Guys like Morin and Hagg are already extension eligible and have logged almost 0 NHL time. I only got to watch Sanheim a handful of times in the AHL, but from what I read, he seems ready to make the jump too.

I know it's frustrating for people to watch this seemingly endless march toward mediocrity, but the patience will be rewarded with a large window. I wouldn't be shocked to see the team make a big jump next season or the season after.



Edit: The one major concern I have is that Hak won't utilize the roster properly. The pieces are there to build a playoff contender. If the team is basically eliminated from the playoffs with 3 weeks left in the season (assuming injuries aren't a huge factor), it's more of an indictment on Hak than the roster IMO.
- PhillySportsGuy

A lot of the scoring last year was generated by the first unit PP. Schenn was a big part of that. The second PP unit was dreadful. I think they are going to struggle to score at ES again, and I don't think the goaltending will be consistent enough.

From now on, whenever I write something, assume it's for everyone on the board except you
- PhillySportsGuy

They were simple and legitimate, fair questions.

What is the standard by which Hakstol using the roster properly will be measured?

If like last year, Giroux score 18 points at 5 on 5 and Voracek has a GF% of 37 and they miss the playoffs again, how is that an indictment on Hakstol? Making that statement now is ridiculously premature.
- MJL

It's Hakstol's fault when star players don't produce. you should know that. he only likes Bellemare, Vandevelde and MacDonald types.

It's Hakstol's fault when star players don't produce. you should know that. he only likes Bellemare, Vandevelde and MacDonald types.
- J35Bacher

Also the subpar PK was just on Bellemare and Vandevelde. The defense and the goaltending had nothing to do with it.

A lot of the scoring last year was generated by the first unit PP. Schenn was a big part of that. The second PP unit was dreadful. I think they are going to struggle to score at ES again, and I don't think the goaltending will be consistent enough.
- PLindbergh31

I actually think they will make the playoffs.

Also the subpar PK was just on Bellemare and Vandevelde. The defense and the goaltending had nothing to do with it.
- MJL

I don't know how anyone can really know what to expect this season. They will have a lot of youth(Konecny, Patrick, lindblom, Morin, Hagg, Provorov, Weal) and they have a new PP/Forwards coach in Knoblauch.

I think people could be surprised just like Toronto. I am not saying they will be perfect but I think the youth can bring some excitement and sometimes they can play above expectations.

I have zero faith in Neuvirth playing well over a large stretch of time. He's very good in short periods, but he hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy or consistent. Elliott played pretty well in St. Louis two years ago, but he's never even started 50 games in a season.
Calgary had a surprising season last year, but Elliott was just awful in the playoffs. I know it's a small sample, but he was a sieve. I think people are going to be very frustrated with the goaltending over the next few seasons.

Even if they hit on one or two of the goalie prospects, there are going to be growing pains at the NHL level.
- PLindbergh31

I'm fine with growing pains if it means kids are playing and developing. I know its hard for Flyers fans because, lets me honest, we are used to the organization always throwing money out there and going for it every year. I just think that method has put the team in cap difficulty in the recent past and hasn't helped with drafting and developing talent. No GM is prefect. they will make bad trades, bad signings and make wrong decisions on drafts. there is no such thing as perfection. I do believe Hextall is taking this ship in the right direction and I am fine with the pains that come with a long term plan.

I actually think they will make the playoffs.
- J35Bacher

I wouldn't be shocked if they made it. If Patrick, Lindblom, and Weal all contribute that would go a long way.

I don't know how anyone can really know what to expect this season. They will have a lot of youth(Konecny, Patrick, lindblom, Morin, Hagg, Provorov, Weal) and they have a new PP/Forwards coach in Knoblauch.

I think people could be surprised just like Toronto. I am not saying they will be perfect but I think the youth can bring some excitement and sometimes they can play above expectations.
- J35Bacher

It's going to be important to see the big picture. If the young players can come in and play well, they've got a real good chance of making the playoffs. Adding two rookie defenseman can lead to struggles. Who knows how Lindblom, Weal, and Konecny will do? A player like Konecny could make a big jump in production. We'll just have to see.

I'm fine with growing pains if it means kids are playing and developing. I know its hard for Flyers fans because, lets me honest, we are used to the organization always throwing money out there and going for it every year. I just think that method has put the team in cap difficulty in the recent past and hasn't helped with drafting and developing talent. No GM is prefect. they will make bad trades, bad signings and make wrong decisions on drafts. there is no such thing as perfection. I do believe Hextall is taking this ship in the right direction and I am fine with the pains that come with a long term plan.
- nastyflyergirl

He's certainly showing patience. Have to give it to him for that. He's drafted very well. Trades and free agency he's done some things I don't like but like you said no GM is perfect.

A lot of the scoring last year was generated by the first unit PP. Schenn was a big part of that. The second PP unit was dreadful. I think they are going to struggle to score at ES again, and I don't think the goaltending will be consistent enough.
- PLindbergh31

Not directed at you per se because I don't recall how you felt about the core, but i know many people have complained about the core. 3 different coaches, mostly the same issues. So Hextall traded one of the core who he felt was expendable. He got a pretty good return for him too based on what other players have landed. Obviously part of the good return was because Hextall was willing to take on a bad contract. they had the ability to take on a bad contract because of the move towards drafting and developing (they will have enough ELC to offset the overpaid deals). In Hextall I see a GM with a game plan and methodically following that plan. I love it.