The Flyers as a team have been a poor ES team offensively. Yes, if the Flyers as a team are able to improve offensively as an ES team and find the right players that Simmonds can find chemistry with, I have no doubts that he can be a very good ES point producer.

Last year, 32 ES points for a RW puts a player at 32nd in the league in ES points.

I think there are merits to trading him, but there are also merits to re-signing him. It's not a slam dunk decision that you make it out to be.
- MJL

It's certainly not a slam dunk decision since it will depend on what is being offered. However, if the return is a mid round or higher 1st and a solid young roster player with upside potential it would be really hard not to make the deal.

I think everyone would be fine with that type of deal, but who are we kidding. Both Simmonds, and more importantly his agent, know that some GM is going to put 6 years and 40 million on the table. Simmonds might give the Flyers a slight discount, but he's not leaving 15+ million on the table.
- BiggE

5 years 4.5 mil. Next year he’s making 5 mil salary. That’s his peak. So you start this deal him making 5.5 mil and you step down from that to coincide with his age. He doesn’t like it then cya

5.5, 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5.

It's certainly not a slam dunk decision since it will depend on what is being offered. However, if the return is a mid round or higher 1st and a solid young roster player with upside potential it would be really hard not to make the deal.
- BiggE

It would depend greatly on the young player in my view.

5 years 4.5 mil. Next year he’s making 5 mil salary. That’s his peak. So you start this deal him making 5.5 mil and you step down from that to coincide with his age. He doesn’t like it then cya

5.5, 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5.
- Just5

Worth a try, but I can't see him signing a deal like that.

It would depend greatly on the young player in my view.
- MJL

Of course.

I know the team turned it around a bit after switching the lines around but I really don't like Simmonds with Giroux and Coots. I'd rather see Voracek back with them.
I know Patrick is starting to pick it up a bit so is may not be a good idea to change up his line right now but I really would like to see him with more skilled wingers and I know he is just a place holder but honestly I am growing tired of Filppula a bit.

Giroux-Coots-Voracek
Weal-Patrick-Simmonds
Raffl-Filppula-TK
Leier-Laughton-Weise

Honestly I don't think there is a lineup that I look at any 4 lines that I am 100% happy with. I really look forward to the next group of prospects inserted into the lineup.
- nastyflyergirl

I’d like to see Weal play in Simmond’s spot. I know he probably doesn’t deserve a promotion but he has a lot of skill and looked good with G last year. He needs to get going and last year succeeded by going to the net.

Also would be happy giving TK a shot there.

Simmonds with Patrick on the 3rd line is fine.

They were outworked badly last night, and just like the first game vs Buffalo, Ryan ORielly and Evander Kane line generated a ton of zone time and great chances. They were lucky to win the first game, last night they pretty much got what they deserved.

If they don’t bring a better effort today it could be a blow out loss vs Columbus.

Hart and or Sandstrom may turn into franchise goaltenders, who knows. If one of them is the starter in 2020 they will be a young player in their rookie year. There will be ups and downs 95% of the time with young goalies.

You can't build a team strictly through the draft. You have to supplement with free agents, and trades. So far in year 4, what has Hextall done in this capacity to give you confidence in him going forward?

And yes, in the past the Flyers have been aggressive trading future picks away to try and win. That doesn't have to always fail. When you trade picks away for stiffs who can't play that is when it cripples you and sets a franchise back.
- PLindbergh31

His drafting and unloading bad contracts. And I agree now that this team has started to turn over and incorporate young players (Konecny/Patrick/Laughton/Leier/Provorov/Ghost/Sanheim/Hagg) they are going to have to start taking steps forward.

I believe in Hextall's model but that doesn't mean he is beyond criticism when warranted.

His drafting and unloading bad contracts. And I agree now that this team has started to turn over and incorporate young players (Konecny/Patrick/Laughton/Leier/Provorov/Ghost/Sanheim/Hagg) they are going to have to start taking steps forward.

I believe in Hextall's model but that doesn't mean he is beyond criticism when warranted.
- nastyflyergirl

Hextall has unloaded some bad contracts, but he's also brought a few bad contracts back. Wiese and Lehtera are absolute bums. Yeah yeah, he got two first round picks for Schenn great. Lehtera is absolutely awful. And they continue to compound the problem by playing him and Wiese.

Hextall has unloaded some bad contracts, but he's also brought a few bad contracts back. Wiese and Lehtera are absolute bums. Yeah yeah, he got two first round picks for Schenn great. Lehtera is absolutely awful. And they continue to compound the problem by playing him and Wiese.
- PLindbergh31

meh Lehtera had 2 years on his deal. short term and in return they got that additional first rounder. have zero issue with that. I liked Schenn so I wasn't looking to move him but they didn't consider him as part of the plan moving forward. Until Frost and this year's pick play out I don't feel it can be judged fairly. Weise....not a fan but come on, the guy is making 2,350,000. that contract won't remotely hold them back we are not talking about a Vinny like contract.

Hextall has unloaded some bad contracts, but he's also brought a few bad contracts back. Wiese and Lehtera are absolute bums. Yeah yeah, he got two first round picks for Schenn great. Lehtera is absolutely awful. And they continue to compound the problem by playing him and Wiese.
- PLindbergh31

That my one legit issue with Hextall/Hak. Just say it's a cap dump and keep the guy off the ice. They do it in basketball all the time. These guys aren't owed minutes.

Really that's more of just a coaching issue I suppose. But as soon as that trade was made Hextall was trying to spin Lehtera into a guy they can plug in almost anywhere.

That my one legit issue with Hextall/Hak. Just say it's a cap dump and keep the guy off the ice. They do it in basketball all the time. These guys aren't owed minutes.

Really that's more of just a coaching issue I suppose. But as soon as that trade was made Hextall was trying to spin Lehtera into a guy they can plug in almost anywhere.
- hereticpride

Agreed. The only place we should ever see Lehtera is in the Cote suite.

Agreed. The only place we should ever see Lehtera is in the Cote suite.
- BiggE

Read is actually more useful than that useless POS

That my one legit issue with Hextall/Hak. Just say it's a cap dump and keep the guy off the ice. They do it in basketball all the time. These guys aren't owed minutes.

Really that's more of just a coaching issue I suppose. But as soon as that trade was made Hextall was trying to spin Lehtera into a guy they can plug in almost anywhere.
- hereticpride

What a chess piece to have

Seriously being that there’s another year on his deal...I don’t think the compensation was enough for taking him on and giving up Schenn. 2 late firsts isn’t enough

You think you'd be able to get Owen Tippet+ out of Florida for Simmonds? That's a deal I could probably get behind.

Would put us on ginger overload too.

Losses to Arizona and Buffalo along with a 10 game losing streak.
Currently sitting in last place in the Metro.

Can't wait to see what they do for an encore.
iPLinbergh31

You seem to ignore the fact that the Flyers are 3 points out of a playoff spot..... Last in the metro means nothing considering last in the metro is better than half the Atlantic.

Simmonds should probably be on the 3rd line. He is a smart player but he isnt a skilled player nor a speedy guy. He is a guy who relies on the PP, rebounds and redirects to score goals. He doesnt have that great of a shot and he doesnt make things happen. I like the guy but I think Philly needs to take advantage of the hype train around the guy. I would definately like Konecny get a shot at the top line. If you go back to that awful Boston game, Konecny was the one guy who stood out. He made things happen and had some great chances despite the low TOI

What a chess piece to have

Seriously being that there’s another year on his deal...I don’t think the compensation was enough for taking him on and giving up Schenn. 2 late firsts isn’t enough
- Just5

For once the Flyers were the team in position to take on a poop contract for a first rounder. I'm good with it. I do agree, however, he should be planted in the press box. Once Manning is back they will send Alt down and perhaps they call up someone else so Lehtera isn't the first option when someone is out like Leier right now.

That my one legit issue with Hextall/Hak. Just say it's a cap dump and keep the guy off the ice. They do it in basketball all the time. These guys aren't owed minutes.

Really that's more of just a coaching issue I suppose. But as soon as that trade was made Hextall was trying to spin Lehtera into a guy they can plug in almost anywhere.
- hereticpride

He's a 13th forward who is experienced and can play center or wing. There is no need to keep him off the ice when they need him.

When another young player such as Linblom is ready, he can be added to the lineup and if they can, they can send Lehtera down or keep him and Weise as extra forwards.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 12/23/17 @ CBJ
- bmeltzer

Just finished last night's game.

It was nice to see the team show up the last three minutes of the game. Aside from Elliot of course who got there early and stayed throughout.

Ghost. That last 40 seconds just sums up Ghost's game for me.

Shame on Hakstol for putting Couturier up again Ryan O'Riley that led to a face off loss and an easy empty net goal. I mean, I know what he's thinking. Couturier is a left handed stick, so he'll win it where the team needs the puck but at the end of the day, Claude Giroux is your best chance again O'Riley who is a beast at the dot and you can't have the bad decisions in the dying minutes in a game and you need a goal.

The Flyers as a team have been a poor ES team offensively. Yes, if the Flyers as a team are able to improve offensively as an ES team and find the right players that Simmonds can find chemistry with, I have no doubts that he can be a very good ES point producer.

Last year, 32 ES points for a RW puts a player at 32nd in the league in ES points.

I think there are merits to trading him, but there are also merits to re-signing him. It's not a slam dunk decision that you make it out to be.
- MJL

You're right, it's not a slam dunk that Simmonds will remain a Flyer but in my mind, you've gotta bring him back. Last season you had Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier and Schenn as the clear cut focus players on your team. Since last summer you divide Schenn and now Are considering dividing Simmonds. Not a great look for Hextall.

The NHL isn't like other sports. Make the playoffs and who knows what can happen. The Devils and Knights are two teams that had zero expectations this year and they are playing great hockey. I'm not buying into the whole "well they aren't going to be legit contenders until 2020 bullpoop. That is such a crock of poop it's not even funny. How can you predict when a team will be a legit contender? There are so many variables involved. Like for one, who is the goaltender then?
- PLindbergh31

At this point you're just trying too hard. It's sad. Go back to your hovel, your stone pillow needs fluffing.

You're right, it's not a slam dunk that Simmonds will remain a Flyer but in my mind, you've gotta bring him back. Last season you had Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier and Schenn as the clear cut focus players on your team. Since last summer you divide Schenn and now Are considering dividing Simmonds. Not a great look for Hextall.
- SuperSchennBros

This core hasn't accomplished much when it comes right down to it. One playoff series win over five years ago.

You can make the argument that it's not a great look for Hextall to keep them together after all this time.

You seem to ignore the fact that the Flyers are 3 points out of a playoff spot..... Last in the metro means nothing considering last in the metro is better than half the Atlantic.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

He will point out how hard it is to make up 3 points in hockey, but will fail to acknowledge we still have a TON of games against our own division. Win those and who knows.

Losses to Arizona and Buffalo along with a 10 game losing streak.
Currently sitting in last place in the Metro.

Can't wait to see what they do for an encore.
- PLindbergh31

do it again next year?

I would really like Hakstol to try these combinations out, now that Konecny and Patrick are both hitting their stride a bit:

Giroux - Couturier - Konecny
Raffl - Filppula - Voracek
Weal - Patrick - Simmonds
Lethera - Laughton - Weise


This leaves Laughton somewhat exposed until Leier comes back, but you already have the Couturier and Filppula lines as you "shutdown" groups, anyway.


The other option would be to swap the wingers flanking Filppula and Patrick and see what happens.... But that's probably an idea for after the Christmas break rather than the second half of a back-to-back before 5 days off.