I expect Simmonds to be moved and his health really don't have a lot to do with it.

Hextall has to know that he isn't re-signing him. And Imo he also has a pretty good idea that this team won't likely be in sell mode at the next deadline. Now is the time to get something of value for him. Or you hang on to him next year when you're still at the very least a goalie away from seriously competing.
- hereticpride

I can agree that if they are going to move Simmer then the draft is the best option. They will be in the playoff hunt most likely again. BUT I think Simmer is a good player and will play an important part in this team. He has the teams respect and can play a tough gritty game. I know he fell off this year and many realize he was playing hurt but if he put in another 30 goal season this topic is not even taken serious.

Gotta like what he can bring when he has his edge. I think he still has it. He will rebound. Worth his contract? That will depend the size

It was posted by someone else on the first page but I am in total agreement - my fear is that our current core is over the hill by the time the young guns and other prospects round into consistent NHL contributors.

I feel going after JT fits the development of our younger talent. I get the whole build through the draft thing, clean up the cap, etc. but at some point Hextall needs to pull the trigger on a legitimate player, not spare parts.

If Lappy comes back I’ll lose it.

It was posted by someone else on the first page but I am in total agreement - my fear is that our current core is over the hill by the time the young guns and other prospects round into consistent NHL contributors.

I feel going after JT fits the development of our younger talent. I get the whole build through the draft thing, clean up the cap, etc. but at some point Hextall needs to pull the trigger on a legitimate player, not spare parts.

If Lappy comes back I’ll lose it.
- IvanBrovorov

I don't think we are that far away from Hexy pulling the trigger on trading and buying some talent. I just don't think it is next season.

By the way things are progressing I wouldn't be surprised to see him getting aggressive in two years.

Great blog Bill. Thanks for your quality work.

I think Hexy is doing it right. Building through the draft and clearing up cap space is where we are now. The fact that we are able to compete in the playoffs is a bonus. As the young core matures and our older core still can play important roles then you start to acquire talent through the market and trading some assets.

Us fans are just to impaitiant and this train of thought can strap a team down.

I think management has made many good calls so far (and a few bad ones I can admit) but I can see the build coming. Hexy will pull the trigger when we get in shot range of a cup run.
- peesinwind

I think most fans on this board understand his plan and have been patient. Not making the playoffs next year, to me, will be a major step backwards. I'm not asking him to break the bank. I'm asking him to find a bridge player for 3C and try to upgrade the goaltending again. Neuvirth is way to fragile. I had high hopes for Stolarz to be the back up this past year before he got injured. I'm just not comfortable with Elliott and one of Stolarz or Lyon at this point.

Pretty much exactly how I feel. However, I don't see Hextall doing anything with the goaltending. I don't see how he doesn't address 3C.
- FlyerFan16

I totally agree on goaltending. I think he stands pat

Great post, Bill. Here's my take on Simmonds:

I love him. He's been one of my favorite Flyers players for the past few years. My preference is to see the Flyers extend him to a 2-3 year deal. But if management has absolutely no intention of resigning him, then they should trade him on Draft Day. Also, if they can't get a deal done by training camp, they should trade him.

My concern is that if he plays the season without a contractual security, then that could spell trouble for the team.

Agreed. Flip played an important role at the time. He was expensive but we are looking in better cap space moving forward. Hey may not have a role moving forward at his price. He will stay in the NHL but will take a salary hit for sure.
- peesinwind

If the cap goes to $80M, $4M is a par player so he may not take too big a hit. Term will be key. Someone might offer him 2 or possibly even 3 years. The big issue to me is, his leaving creates another hole up front and the possible replacements I see on the UFA market are Stajan or Bozak. They are roughly the same age and not an upgrade in my view and I don't see anyone on the team who can step into that role. The only possible candidates are Laughton and Lehtera and I'd rather have Filppula than those four guys. The other option is moving Giroux back to center or making a big play for a name free agent like Tavares or Stastny. They need a vet in that spot who can play.

Great post, Bill. Here's my take on Simmonds:

I love him. He's been one of my favorite Flyers players for the past few years. My preference is to see the Flyers extend him to a 2-3 year deal. But if management has absolutely no intention of resigning him, then they should trade him on Draft Day. Also, if they can't get a deal done by training camp, they should trade him.

My concern is that if he plays the season without a contractual security, then that could spell trouble for the team.
- jkgrossman

I have no doubt they would LOVE to sign him for 2-3 years and pay a premium for a short contract but honestly some team is going to offer a 5+ to lure him over and still pay high bucks, He's a unique talent, probably the best mix grit and talent since Tocchet He will break the bank and after taking such a team friendly cap hit last contract cant blame him if he goes for the bucks, Although as a fan even if we overpay I would love to keep him around any way possible.

Great post, Bill. Here's my take on Simmonds:

I love him. He's been one of my favorite Flyers players for the past few years. My preference is to see the Flyers extend him to a 2-3 year deal. But if management has absolutely no intention of resigning him, then they should trade him on Draft Day. Also, if they can't get a deal done by training camp, they should trade him.

My concern is that if he plays the season without a contractual security, then that could spell trouble for the team.
- jkgrossman

2-3 years is wishful thinking. He isn't going to want to be looking for a new deal at that point of his career. This is his shot to get paid big time, especially since he took such a team friendly deal last time. I'm expecting him to sign for a minimum of 4 years where ever he ends up.

I think most fans on this board understand his plan and have been patient. Not making the playoffs next year, to me, will be a major step backwards. I'm not asking him to break the bank. I'm asking him to find a bridge player for 3C and try to upgrade the goaltending again. Neuvirth is way to fragile. I had high hopes for Stolarz to be the back up this past year before he got injured. I'm just not comfortable with Elliott and one of Stolarz or Lyon at this point.
- FlyerFan16

Fair enough. He won't unless it figures into winning the cup. Not making the playoffs next year. Just saying it is not what Hexy is about.

Can't agree that being patient is a Flyers fans strengths. For the most part the posters on here are very well informed fans. Love reading but don't post much. But even here patience is not popular.

If the cap goes to $80M, $4M is a par player so he may not take too big a hit. Term will be key. Someone might offer him 2 or possibly even 3 years. The big issue to me is, his leaving creates another hole up front and the possible replacements I see on the UFA market are Stajan or Bozak. They are roughly the same age and not an upgrade in my view and I don't see anyone on the team who can step into that role. The only possible candidates are Laughton and Lehtera and I'd rather have Filppula than those four guys. The other option is moving Giroux back to center or making a big play for a name free agent like Tavares or Stastny. They need a vet in that spot who can play.
- fls13

Your post sounds logical to me. I like Flip but if Hexy signs him it will be only to stop gap the center spot until he can solve it for a cup run and Flip won't be part of that team in my mind. Don't know where Hexy stands on it. He seems to like Flip.

2-3 years is wishful thinking. He isn't going to want to be looking for a new deal at that point of his career. This is his shot to get paid big time, especially since he took such a team friendly deal last time. I'm expecting him to sign for a minimum of 4 years where ever he ends up.
- hereticpride

Agreed. There will not be a cheap contract agreed upon to keep Simmer. I think Simmer has earned it and I really feel that Hexy will pay it if he sees it won't mess up future contract signings.

For ufas I like Riley Nash, folin, and a 4th liner like fehr or chimera
- Just5

I kinda like Roussel

Your post sounds logical to me. I like Flip but if Hexy signs him it will be only to stop gap the center spot until he can solve it for a cup run and Flip won't be part of that team in my mind. Don't know where Hexy stands on it. He seems to like Flip.
- peesinwind

Of course Hextall could choose not to make him an offer at all but otherwise, Filppula is the UFA, I think he will get some offers and maybe he just goes back to Finland. A lot can happen there. The spot does need to be filled somehow though. Even with him in the lineup, it was clear the Flyers are a couple forwards short along with a Dman and, as always, the goaltending. I don't want to see them get worse before they get better, but it's possible.

Of course Hextall could choose not to make him an offer at all but otherwise, Filppula is the UFA, I think he will get some offers and maybe he just goes back to Finland. A lot can happen there. The spot does need to be filled somehow though. Even with him in the lineup, it was clear the Flyers are a couple forwards short along with a Dman and, as always, the goaltending. I don't want to see them get worse before they get better, but it's possible.
- fls13

True that. They won't get worse though. That is the beauty of having young talent.

Goalie. Hart and Sanstrom (spelling) is the future. Next year we will have grin and bare it until that happens.

Fair enough. He won't unless it figures into winning the cup. Not making the playoffs next year. Just saying it is not what Hexy is about.

Can't agree that being patient is a Flyers fans strengths. For the most part the posters on here are very well informed fans. Love reading but don't post much. But even here patience is not popular.
- peesinwind

Hextall is patient and calculated but he is going into his 5th season as GM. If there isn't a step forward next year, I think he starts to feel the heat.

Hextall is patient and calculated but he is going into his 5th season as GM. If there isn't a step forward next year, I think he starts to feel the heat.
- FlyerFan16

There was a step forward this season, I don't know why there won't be one next season. I think there are a few things that need to be done but most of the growth will come internally.

There was a step forward this season, I don't know why there won't be one next season. I think there are a few things that need to be done but most of the growth will come internally.
- MJL

What's your guess on how they replace Filp?

What's your guess on how they replace Filp?
- FlyerFan16

Hard to say. I think some kind of acquisition of a player from outside the organization is likely. I see the needs as a 3rd line center, 4th line PK specialist, and depending on what they do with Gudas, possibly a veteran 7th defenseman.

Hard to say. I think some kind of acquisition of a player from outside the organization is likely. I see the needs as a 3rd line center, 4th line PK specialist, and depending on what they do with Gudas, possibly a veteran 7th defenseman.
- MJL

The only thing I would add to that is another goalie, which I've said I don't expect them to do but wish they would. They have a number of options to go a long with Elliott, just no comfortable with the choices.

TEE
TEE
PEE

True that. They won't get worse though. That is the beauty of having young talent.

Goalie. Hart and Sanstrom (spelling) is the future. Next year we will have grin and bare it until that happens.
- peesinwind

I think the blueline will get better as that build is really done and it's just a matter of letting nature take its' course. I think a lot of Elliott's spotty playoffs was him just coming off surgery but we know Neuvirth is inconsistent when healthy and not consistently healthy. I can see a goalie or goalies other than those two getting maybe 30 starts next year, maybe more. And they still need help up front, on the wings and in the middle. I think the exciting news there is we will see a much improved Patrick.

I think the blueline will get better as that build is really done and it's just a matter of letting nature take its' course. I think a lot of Elliott's spotty playoffs was him just coming off surgery but we know Neuvirth is inconsistent when healthy and not consistently healthy. I can see a goalie or goalies other than those two getting maybe 30 starts next year, maybe more. And they still need help up front, on the wings and in the middle. I think the exciting news there is we will see a much improved Patrick.
- fls13

whats the deal/plan with morin?

whats the deal/plan with morin?
- stayinthefnnet

I expect him to be with the Flyers next year. Who knows what would have happened if he wasn't injured for basically the entire year.

TRUST THE PROCESS!