I guess I should be more specific. I dont mean low work ethic as in the guy is lazy. I get annoyed when they try to sell a guy who "works hard" but has middling talent.

I would rather give the benefit of the doubt to the guy with some noticeable skill (hands, vision, speed etc but maybe not all) over the guy who has ECHL talent but works hard.

Especially in the late rounds.
- MBFlyerfan

Yep, I understood your overriding point, but the sentence I commented on reminded me of Daigle. Which then reminded me of "nobody remembers who was drafted second" lol

Looking at the draft order, Im thinking the Flyer's best trade partners for moving up are Chicago and Detroit. Chicago they could offer to swap 1st rounders. Detroit, theyd likely have to sweeten the same offer with pick 50. Not sure Id do either but if they really like a kid I say go for it.

Naah, fam. Take two forwards at 14 and 19.

I would not do Simmonds, Rubstov and 19th for Skinner.

I feel like you could get a late first round pick and a decent to okay prospect for Simmonds.

I do not mind exploring the trading of Simmonds, tho. I like the idea of trading Simmonds for a younger forward (23-25)
- VladDrag

I get it.

But I think the Flyers needs some impact players now to go with the future. A youngish NHL vet. A guy like Skinner if available. Maybe a guy like Sam Bennett in Calgary or Galchenyuk in montreal.

Guys that can help now and still grow with the future plan.

And it may sound idiotic but if they prefer to keep Simmonds around I wouldn't be against trying to find a deal for Voracek and get back solid package that way.

I want them to draft the surest thing possible in the early rounds. When they get later, I would like to see them take shots at the high ceiling guys shoot for the moon type players. Lots of skill but maybe undersized, or great skill but cant skate that well (sound familiar?) I would rather they take a shot getting the next Zetterberg in the 7th over drafting a Goulbourne type.

Ill take pure talent over work ethic.
- MBFlyerfan

Goul was drafted in the 3rd round

I agree with the following exception.

If you are in the top 10 , I feel you need to go high ceiling. It's so hard to get legit top line talent outside top 10, and since most teams don't get to draft consistently (most) in the top 10 you have to take advantage of that.

That would he a horrible overpayment for one year of Skinner.

Simmonds has at least as much value around the league as Skinner.
- Feanor

I don't believe so.

I get it.

But I think the Flyers needs some impact players now to go with the future. A youngish NHL vet. A guy like Skinner if available. Maybe a guy like Sam Bennett in Calgary or Galchenyuk in montreal.

Guys that can help now and still grow with the future plan.

And it may sound idiotic but if they prefer to keep Simmonds around I wouldn't be against trying to find a deal for Voracek and get back solid package that way.
- J35Bacher

I am truly on the fence about Simmonds. I feel it makes the most sense to trade him for a 23-25 yr old forward for a replacement, but I do think he would be a great guy to have in the locker room before a SCF game 7.

I get it.

But I think the Flyers needs some impact players now to go with the future. A youngish NHL vet. A guy like Skinner if available. Maybe a guy like Sam Bennett in Calgary or Galchenyuk in montreal.

Guys that can help now and still grow with the future plan.

And it may sound idiotic but if they prefer to keep Simmonds around I wouldn't be against trying to find a deal for Voracek and get back solid package that way.
- J35Bacher

If the flyers prefer to keep Simmonds over Jake then someone needs to be fired.

I am truly on the fence about Simmonds. I feel it makes the most sense to trade him for a 23-25 yr old forward for a replacement, but I do think he would be a great guy to have in the locker room before a SCF game 7.
- VladDrag

I know.

He is a solid player and always played the game hard. But take emotion out of it and it doesn't make sense to make a long term commitment to him at his age while your also have guys like Voracek and Giroux on huge deals with them aging too.

I am not against keeping Simmonds. but if that's the case i wouldn't mind seeing Voracek moved. Especially knowing that Provorov is going to be getting a huge deal.

I am truly on the fence about Simmonds. I feel it makes the most sense to trade him for a 23-25 yr old forward for a replacement, but I do think he would be a great guy to have in the locker room before a SCF game 7.
- VladDrag

I kind of see him in a Schenn scenario (schennario) where the Flyers got good assets (picks) and St Louis got a great player. I think they can get a similar package for Simmonds.

I kind of see him in a Schenn scenario (schennario) where the Flyers got good assets (picks) and St Louis got a great player. I think they can get a similar package for Simmonds.
- GudasNew

Agree 100%.

Let me put it this way, either way (traded or not) I'll be both happy and upset about it.

Bill, or anyone who wants to answer -- who are you swing and misses in the first round, if you had to guess?
- VladDrag

Bode Wilde
Girgoir Denisenko
Adam Boqvist
Joe Veleno
Vitali Kravtsov

The above are some guys that could really pan out or be busts, IMO.

FWIW, and I've been going back and forth on this for months, here are my top 20 draft prospects. IMO, only the top 7 are worth moving up for. My rankings are based on limited viewing of CHL games, the World Juniors and CHL playoffs, video clips of each player and every scouting report that I could get my hands on.

1. Rasmus Dahlin D
2. Andrei Svechnikov RW
3. Filip Zadina LW
4. Oliver Wahlstrom RW
5. Quinton Hughes D
6. Brady Tkachuk LW
7. Noah Dobson D
8. Jesperi Kotkaniemi C
9. Adam Boqvist D
10. Joel Farabee LW
11. Ty Smith D
12. Evan Bouchard D
13. Rasmus Kupari C
14. Joe Veleno C
15. Vitali Kravtsov RW
16. Rasmus Sandin D
17. Akil Thomas C
18. Barrett Hayton C
19. Bode Wilde D
20. Martin Kaut RW

FWIW, and I've been going back and forth on this for months, here are my top 20 draft prospects. IMO, only the top 7 are worth moving up for. My rankings are based on limited viewing of CHL games, the World Juniors and CHL playoffs, video clips of each player and every scouting report that I could get my hands on.

1. Rasmus Dahlin D
2. Andrei Svechnikov RW
3. Filip Zadina LW
4. Oliver Wahlstrom RW
5. Quinton Hughes D
6. Brady Tkachuk LW
7. Noah Dobson D
8. Jesperi Kotkaniemi C
9. Adam Boqvist D
10. Joel Farabee LW
11. Ty Smith D
12. Evan Bouchard D
13. Rasmus Kupari C
14. Joe Veleno C
15. Vitali Kravtsov RW
16. Rasmus Sandin D
17. Akil Thomas C
18. Barrett Hayton C
19. Bode Wilde D
20. Martin Kaut RW
- BiggE

I am kind of starting to come around on Kotkaniemi.

I am kind of starting to come around on Kotkaniemi.
- J35Bacher

I like him a lot, but not as much as the 7 I rank ahead of him. With Coots and Patrick on the roster and Frost, Vecchs and Vorobyev in the system, I wouldn't move up for a center.

If the flyers prefer to keep Simmonds over Jake then someone needs to be fired.
- arichardson22

Agreed!

Chia has to be under enormous pressure to win now and he's a moron too. I'd offer him Simmonds straight up for the 10th pick and a 2nd in 2019.

Agree 100%.

Let me put it this way, either way (traded or not) I'll be both happy and upset about it.
- VladDrag

I would be shocked at this point if Simmonds is traded. Given their lack of options for a replacement, his injuries and what he means to his teammates.

I am kind of starting to come around on Kotkaniemi.
- J35Bacher

If Bouchard and Dobson start falling from the 8-12 range I hope the Flyers are kicking the hell out of some tires.

I don't believe so.
- J35Bacher

I think they're pretty close. Basically, I don't think Skinner is worth Simmonds AND 19.

I think they're pretty close. Basically, I don't think Skinner is worth Simmonds AND 19.
- Ftown19125

agreed, different players but both with 1 year left. Would I like Skinner? Yes, I think he has the scoring ability this teams lacks.

If Bouchard and Dobson start falling from the 8-12 range I hope the Flyers are kicking the hell out of some tires.
- Baxter27

I'm not as high on Bouchard as I am on Dobson. Bouchard seems to be a guy that will be a solid, but not top pair Dman. Dobson, OTOH, has top end skating ability and a long frame that once he fills out, will be an asset. Both are highly skilled, but these days, more than ever, it's all about skating and Dobson has the wheels.

I think they're pretty close. Basically, I don't think Skinner is worth Simmonds AND 19.
- Ftown19125

Skinner scares me a bit. He's had some serious concussion issues in the past and is very much a perimeter player these days. I don't think he would be the guy I'd move Simmonds for, nor do I really want to move Simmonds to a Metro team.

Skinner scares me a bit. He's had some serious concussion issues in the past and is very much a perimeter player these days. I don't think he would be the guy I'd move Simmonds for, nor do I really want to move Simmonds to a Metro team.
- BiggE

Anyway Simmonds and 19 get you into the 4-5 range?

4-5 and you probably get a shot at Dobson, Wahlstrom, Tkatchuk, or maybe someone like Zadina slides possibly. I could see Montreal taking a defensman at 3 which would push Zadina down.

I'm not as high on Bouchard as I am on Dobson. Bouchard seems to be a guy that will be a solid, but not top pair Dman. Dobson, OTOH, has top end skating ability and a long frame that once he fills out, will be an asset. Both are highly skilled, but these days, more than ever, it's all about skating and Dobson has the wheels.
- BiggE

I see a guy with a top 4 floor and chance to be more. Ultra smart and competative with polished puck skills. Ive seen questions about his skating which I didnt see any concerns with.

Anyway Simmonds and 19 get you into the 4-5 range?

4-5 and you probably get a shot at Dobson, Wahlstrom, Tkatchuk, or maybe someone like Zadina slides possibly. I could see Montreal taking a defensman at 3 which would push Zadina down.
- J35Bacher

The problem is that the teams in the 4-5 range, Ottawa and Arizona are both in a re-tooling phase. I don't see either one interested in a 30 year old power forward with one year left on his deal. I really think Edmonton for #10 overall is the highest pick you'll get for Simmonds. Now does the 10th and 14th pick get you into that 4-6 range where you can likely land a future star player? Maybe.

I see a guy with a top 4 floor and chance to be more. Ultra smart and competative with polished puck skills. Ive seen questions about his skating which I didnt see any concerns with.
- Baxter27

His skating is fine, but it's not explosive or elite like Dobson. I like the guy, but not enough to expend too much to move up for.