He's actively trading NHL players for a possiblity. Probably explains why they have been mediocre and haven't been able to get over the hump.
- manvanfan

Hextall's been the GM for the same amount of time Benning has, hardly enough time to clean up the mess he was left by Holmgren, so I think that's an inaccurate statement.

In our case, Benning clearly can't fix the mess he was left by Gillis in three years, he needs more time, as does Hextall. They've both had some blunders but Hextall's been more active on the draft floor.

I think he hopes every transaction for a pick will turn out like baertschi, and every prospect he deals ends up like shink. I admire bennings activeness, just want him to keep drafting players like in 2017. More picks makes benning look better imo
- Codes1087

I was talking about Hextall there.

I don't think that having that many many more picks is going to help JB hit on more guys. Still have no idea if anyone of them are going to turn out. Trading an NHL player like Schenn for a possibility. Maybe if they had a replacement already that's NHL ready.

He traded the 4th rounder they got in the Hansen deal for a 5th and 6th rounder that enabled them to draft Gunnarsson and Palmu, I'd like to see more of that.
- LeftCoaster

He better for Vanek, unless of course we're playoff bound

They've just gotta stay patient and continue to build from within. Trying to compete in the form of spending assets to improve is ridiculous and God help us I'm sure they know that. The move for Dowd is a nothing move really.

The Flyers aren't a very good team at this point but the guys they do have with skill played well enough to overcome a Canucks team that really lacks any skill to speak of outside of Horvat and Boeser, one of which is hurt.
- LeftCoaster

You are going to hear from the Glee Club. No more rainbows & bouncy castles for you.

I was talking about Hextall there.

I don't think that having that many many more picks is going to help JB hit on more guys. Still have no idea if anyone of them are going to turn out. Trading an NHL player like Schenn for a possibility. Maybe if they had a replacement already that's NHL ready.
- manvanfan

Clearly the more picks you have the better your odds are of hitting on a player???

Hextall's been the GM for the same amount of time Benning has, hardly enough time to clean up the mess he was left by Holmgren, so I think that's an inaccurate statement.

In our case, Benning clearly can't fix the mess he was left by Gillis in three years, he needs more time, as does Hextall. They've both had some blunders but Hextall's been more active on the draft floor.
- LeftCoaster

What mess? Giroux and Voracek in their prime?

I was talking about Hextall there.

I don't think that having that many many more picks is going to help JB hit on more guys. Still have no idea if anyone of them are going to turn out. Trading an NHL player like Schenn for a possibility. Maybe if they had a replacement already that's NHL ready.
- manvanfan

I admire hextall though. I think he knows they arent winning anything soon, and by the time they do, schenn might be less of an asset so hes building around provorov instead. Its just a better fit for a more win-now STL team i think. I highly doubt simmonds is a flyer in a couple years as well

a Guance / Dowd / Virtanen 4th line sounds alright and frees up Grandlund to fill in for Horvat in the meantime. Dowd is a good pro and battles so maybe he'll rub off on JV a bit while he's hear , bring him into the battles so to speak.
And the bonus is we are past the Subban era

Clearly the more picks you have the better your odds are of hitting on a player???
- LeftCoaster

You get two more picks you get what a .3% better chance.

What mess? Giroux and Voracek in their prime?
- manvanfan

Obviously you haven't followed their recent past so no sense in debating with you. Two or three players in their prime when you have little else isn't going to win you much, which was pretty obvious in their lack of success under Holmgren.

No defensemen, no goaltending, no depth, no prospects, etc. etc.

I admire hextall though. I think he knows they arent winning anything soon, and by the time they do, schenn might be less of an asset so hes building around provorov instead. Its just a better fit for a more win-now STL team i think. I highly doubt simmonds is a flyer in a couple years as well
- Codes1087

Couple years from now you have to replace 2 elite scorers. That's not easy to do.

You get two more picks you get what a .3% better chance.
- manvanfan

Ya okay.

Couple years from now you have to replace 2 elite scorers. That's not easy to do.
- manvanfan

Their team has been a mess longer than just this year. Giroux has slowed significantly, vorachek and simmonds still produce, and provorov looks goos but they are far from being a contender. Elliot and neuvirth are their goalies lol. They are no closer to a cup then we are imo

Obviously you haven't followed their recent past so no sense in debating with you. Two or three players in their prime when you have little else isn't going to win you much, which was pretty obvious in their lack of success under Holmgren.

No defensemen, no goaltending, no depth, no prospects, etc. etc.
- LeftCoaster

So Hextall has been in a "soft" tank for 4 years now. That's exactly what Flyers fans were saying. At what point do you have to start to put it together. They still don't have a goalie. Unless Carter Hart is going to pull a Matt Murray.

You get two more picks you get what a .3% better chance.
- manvanfan

Have a donut.

Their team has been a mess longer than just this year. Giroux has slowed significantly, vorachek and simmonds still produce, and provorov looks goos but they are far from being a contender. Elliot and neuvirth are their goalies lol. They are no closer to a cup then we are imo
- Codes1087

Hextall is trying to help the team lose.

Hextall is trying to help the team lose.
- manvanfan

I think hes trying to maximize his profit on an asset before its too late. I liked the schenn move from both sides

https://youtu.be/_egqFeE7Fbw

Probably hard pressed to name a canuck forward not named dorsett who would throw a hit like this right now
- Codes1087

nice.

So Hextall has been in a "soft" tank for 4 years now. That's exactly what Flyers fans were saying. At what point do you have to start to put it together. They still don't have a goalie. Unless Carter Hart is going to pull a Matt Murray.
- manvanfan

Three years (four drafts) I'd say. He hasn't been there for four years, as I mentioned earlier. Well if I stick to my six year timeline I'd say he's got another three years before you see some of the kids make it and start to make a contribution on the ice.

Hextall's not trying to help them lose, like you just said, he's simply not chasing something that isn't there, which Benning has seemed to do. Probably pressure from Aquilini though?

They've also drafted four goaltenders in the past four drafts, Felix Sandstrom is also very good.

nice.
- hillbillydeluxe

Hopefully some of that will rub off on Jake. He hasn't been the same, in the physical aspect, since the half second too late hit and subsequent suspension, for the hit on Polak a couple years ago.

Donnys going to be so happy lol
- Codes1087

I Benning early xmas gift

Three years (four drafts) I'd say. He hasn't been there for four years, as I mentioned earlier. Well if I stick to my six year timeline I'd say he's got another three years before you see some of the kids make it and start to make a contribution on the ice.

Hextall's not trying to help them lose, like you just said, he's simply not chasing something that isn't there, which Benning has seemed to do. Probably pressure from Aquilini though?

They've also drafted four goaltenders in the past four drafts, Felix Sandstrom is also very good.
- LeftCoaster

Not as if the team was bad. A year removed from the playoffs and only 8 points out of the playoffs last season. Gifted a draft lottery win. Hextall's inability to get a goaltender. Proper depth.

Not as if the team was bad. A year removed from the playoffs and only 8 points out of the playoffs last season. Gifted a draft lottery win. Hextall's inability to get a goaltender. Proper depth.
- manvanfan

Much like Benning I see it as a work in progress, Hextall had four kids he's drafted in the past three years (four drafts) in the lineup last night as regulars. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Benning had two, just to compare, although it's pretty early for those comparison's.

Much like Benning I see it as a work in progress, Hextall had four kids he's drafted in the past three years (four drafts) in the lineup last night as regulars. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Benning had two, just to compare, although it's pretty early for those comparison's.
- LeftCoaster

4 years of Hextall drafting. 256 games. No one traded away.
4 years of Benning drafting. 382 games. 2 traded away, 1 in Russia. 2 playing.

Slight difference in styles.

Edit: Even Toronto has only 355 games played from the past 4 drafts.

I Benning early xmas gift
- CanuckDon

Merry xmas Donny!!