So he DIDN'T knock Couturier's skates out from under him?
- jmatchett383

Everyone keeps saying it was the stick but when you watch the replay, it was Letang's skates that take out Couturier's skates.

If Eric Staal could be had for say a second round pick, would any of you hockeybuzz GMs be interested?

1 year remaining at 3.5 mil.
- ggunky

Would rather get Zucker, but if we didn't deal for Mrazek I would be inclined to get Staal.

The key to next year is to get better offensively and defensively.

I don't think Minnesota gives him up for a 2nd round pick, though.

He was their leading scorer last year and is on a cheap deal. It will likely require more than a 2nd.
- johndewar

Fair enough.

Just a thought.

The key to next year is to get better offensively and defensively.
- Streit2ThePoint

The key to next year is to get better offensively and defensively.
- Streit2ThePoint

They need to score more goals than their opponent every night also.

I would give an A to Couturier once Filppula departs
- nastyflyergirl

From a penguins perspective, Couturier should have the "C", Giroux was a no-show, cheap shotting female dog, that literally flopped to the ground when (frank)ing phil kessel came over to him...but then again couturier had his fare share of flops as well...at least he scored.

I’m with you, the biggest question is who fills the 3C role? Honestly, I’d reach out to Buffalo, assuming they don’t land the first pick overall which they wouldn’t move, and see if Jake and the 14th pick can land them ROR and Buffalo’s 1st which would be 2nd, 3rd or 4th overall.

They fill their hole at 3C and hopefully add another key spot at forward with the pick.
- BiggE

Buffalo wouldn't give up that pick in that deal in my opinion.

I have to say it's funny how last year the posts about getting rid of Couturier were fast and furious. Now he is loved by the Flyer Faithful...boy what a difference of opinion one season can make. After game one, Giroux was the goat, after game 6 Gudas is the goat...I'm guessing Hextall will be the next victim to feel the wrath?

A goalie, a goalie...My Kingdom for a goalie!

Good season, some highs (glimpses into future, G, Ghost, Provy), some lows (glimpses to the past)
and a bonus playoff birth.
Last summer we would have been happy with this result.

Not sure where I stand on Hakstol experiment, when I see Gallant having VGK run through walls every shift, shift in shift out.
- Konalover

I usually don't buy into the media's tired narrative about the Flyers' lack of stable goaltending, but for FFS the goalie carousel this season, although necessitated by injury, was nothing short of tragic. We all knew that Neuvirth, when healthy is usually solid, is made of glass. Did the Flyers spend less on goaltending than any other organization in the NHL this year? Wouldn't surprise me if that was the case.

Hopefully some combination of Carter Hart and/or Felix Sandstrom can stabilize the position soon!

Fair enough.

Just a thought.
- ggunky

It's weird, though....I thought Staal was done as a player when he signed that deal with Minnesota. Who knew he had another 40 goal season left in him? I mean, given he's "only" making 3.5 AAV, certainly not his agent.

Would rather get Zucker, but if we didn't deal for Mrazek I would be inclined to get Staal.
- YuenglingJagr

I wouldn't think Zucker would be available though, right?

I was thinking Staal as the Flyers 3rd line center for 1 year would make for a tough 1 -3 at the center position.

The Flyers were supposed to be a bubble team this season and they lived up to that name. As we all know, they were very inconsistent and rarely gave a full 60 minute effort. Hopefully Hexy trims some of the useless fat from the team ( Lehtera, Read, Filpula, etc )? I would love to see some more rookies come up on defense. Amac will be back next year, so I guess the Flyers will use him as a mentor to the new rookie D-men. The Flyers really need some scoring. I know that Hexy wants to do everything through the draft, but I wouldn't mind seeing him use a 1st round pick for an established scorer via trade. I doubt Hexy will go after Tavares or any other big name scorer via free agency?

I really wouldn't mind seeing Hakstol go and the Flyers get a true NHL coach. I would like to see them get a coach that was never part of the Flyers organization, except for maybe Brind'Amour? Lappy and the other bench coaches must go,too.

I won't begin to guess what's going to happen with our goalie situation, but I just hope Carter Hart is the real deal and gets to the NHL faster than expected? Murray is only 23 years old and he's won 2 cups and is trying for his 3rd. Hart will be 20 years old in August, so playing a very young goalie is not unheard of any more.

Let's hope Hexy makes some good moves this off season? Fingers crossed.

It's weird, though....I thought Staal was done as a player when he signed that deal with Minnesota. Who knew he had another 40 goal season left in him? I mean, given he's "only" making 3.5 AAV, certainly not his agent.
- johndewar

When he signed that deal, 3.5 mil, I thought that it was worth the risk\reward for a player of his Skillset. Clearly, there weren't many, including myself, who thought he would pot 40 in a season.

I wouldn't think Zucker would be available though, right?

I was thinking Staal as the Flyers 3rd line center for 1 year would make for a tough 1 -3 at the center position.
- ggunky

I don't know if the new GM will want to trade him, but he is an RFA so they have to either pay him or trade him.

Seriously, I feel like we could have gotten Hall for this 2 years back.

Arizona's probably losing Schenn, so they need another big right-handed turnover machine to replace him.
- jmatchett383

I honestly don't expect him back nor do I think moving him would be at all difficult. So other than letting the UFAs walk that would be my first move prior to the draft. Get me that third back.

They need to score more goals than their opponent every night also.
- Sublime55

Statistically speaking, that is true for most of the time. I think that was the ultimate nail in the coffin against the Penguins. They failed to score more goals on a number of the games. I think that's why they may have lost that series.

When he signed that deal, 3.5 mil, I thought that it was worth the risk\reward for a player of his Skillset. Clearly, there weren't many, including myself, who thought he would pot 40 in a season.
- ggunky

I think his short stint with the Rags hurt his value as well.

At first, some people likely thought "maybe he just needs a change of scenery or a better supporting cast"

And then he proceeded to score 3 goals in 20 games for the Rags which killed that thought for a lot of people.

Gudas has an injury to his guts. They can't be found.
- PLindbergh31

for whatever is worth and I am sure with you and most its not worth much, they said he was devastated in the locker room after the game and bawling his eyes out so that is probably why he declined to speak. still think he should have but just saying that is probably why he didn't. at least the guy shows he cares.

The key to next year is to get better offensively and defensively.
- Streit2ThePoint

This.......and win more games.

The key to next year is to get better offensively and defensively.
- Streit2ThePoint

And in other, Earth shattering news, water is wet!

Statistically speaking, that is true for most of the time. I think that was the ultimate nail in the coffin against the Penguins. They failed to score more goals on a number of the games. I think that's why they may have lost that series.
- Streit2ThePoint

You are a wise person

I have no issue with a move like that if it happens. It's just strange timing to me.

The time in my eyes for moving Jake was before this season. The team is on the upswing, is the club willing to take another *(likely) step back? I dont know if I see that.

At the end of the day I think we see a very similar group next year, with Manning as the 7th.
- flyer_nutter

Manning will move on this summer. He hinted recently that he isn't expecting to be back. Didn't say it in so many words, of course, but said he was playing for a contract. Most of the time, that means the agent talked the GM and informed his client there was no offer of an extension.

Free agents alone aren’t going to fix this lineup. Simmonds IMO is the most expendable. The guy is a warrior and most likely he had some kind of UBI that affected his play.
Simmonds isn’t really a good 5 on 5 guy, and is not a dynamic skater. I think NOPA on 1st PP unit can be effective. Maybe not Simmonds goal doorstep effective but good enough to not miss Wayne that much.

I would test the trade market at draft time. If Hextall doesn’t like the return you walk.
If Hextall can get a upgrade at 3rd center and a good young winger I pull the trigger.

I would hate to see him go but he flyers aren’t good enough and you have to give to get.
- bird_dog_pa

I don't know any player of Simmonds caliber that is expendable. Flyers don't have forward depth that makes him expendable either. I also don't buy that Simmonds is not a good 5 on 5 guy either. He has had solid point totals at 5 on 5 in the past. I think one mistake Hakstol made is not getting Simmonds back out on the first PP unit in yesterday's game. Raffl was out on one PP shift. Go with the proven player.

for whatever is worth and I am sure with you and most its not worth much, they said he was devastated in the locker room after the game and bawling his eyes out so that is probably why he declined to speak. still think he should have but just saying that is probably why he didn't. at least the guy shows he cares.
- nastyflyergirl

I have no sympathy for him. Those were two of the most egregious turnovers I've ever seen. If he had a brain he wouldn't have done what he did. Not saying the Flyers would have won a game 7, but who knows. And regarding what happened at practice I'm not going to say he injured Couturier on purpose I know that didn't happen, but he's got to be more aware of his surroundings. Get the (frank) out of the way.
Gudas is dead to a lot of this fan base. Hextall better find a way to get rid of him.