Bill Meltzer: Pre-Draft Musings: Gudas, 1st Round, Hextall, and More

Bill Meltzer: Pre-Draft Musings: Gudas, 1st Round, Hextall, and More
- bmeltzer

Just say no to Julien Gauthier

I like the gudas contract, like you said Bill, it's 4 years and the way it's structured it shouldn't be hard to trade in the final yr. That 4th year is when we will need the cap space as the kids start to hopefully get off their elcs.

As for draft day, I really really hope (and have a feeling) that Hexy doesn't trade any of the kids away. Stick to the plan, it's been working so far.

Bill Meltzer: Pre-Draft Musings: Gudas, 1st Round, Hextall, and More
- bmeltzer

Bill I have also seen people mention Rubtsov wants to come over & is likely to be selected in the CHL import draft on June 28

Bill I have also seen people mention Rubtsov wants to come over & is likely to be selected in the CHL import draft on June 28
- ob18

Yes, have heard the same. But the Flyers no doubt wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth.

Yes, have heard the same. But the Flyers no doubt wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth.
- bmeltzer

Hopefully they got some answers from him to make him another option at #18

I am pleased

Well, as soon as Hextall said he wanted to get a long term deal done with Gudas, you had to expect a deal worth around $3mm. In and of itself, it's a slight overpay for Gudas, but it's a manageable one and looking at the salary layout, it's a contract that should be tradeable if Gudas gets surpassed by a guy currently in the system.

Also, as some of us were talking about last night, if Gudas has 4 years like tgis past year, that deal is a good one. For most of the year Gudas was a solid top 4 guy.

As for the pick. I'm good with a lot of guys. The obsession by some of the beat guys with bigger prospects-Gauthier, especially-is annoying, but I'm OK if he's the pick. When you're picking 18, you're going to get guys who have a flaw or two. The thing that worries me about Gauthier & Jones is that they don't have the hockey sense of guys like Kunin, Rubtsov or even Bellows.

Well, as soon as Hextall said he wanted to get a long term deal done with Gudas, you had to expect a deal worth around $3mm. In and of itself, it's a slight overpay for Gudas, but it's a manageable one and looking at the salary layout, it's a contract that should be tradeable if Gudas gets surpassed by a guy currently in the system.

Also, as some of us were talking about last night, if Gudas has 4 years like tgis past year, that deal is a good one. For most of the year Gudas was a solid top 4 guy.

As for the pick. I'm good with a lot of guys. The obsession by some of the beat guys with bigger prospects-Gauthier, especially-is annoying, but I'm OK if he's the pick. When you're picking 18, you're going to get guys who have a flaw or two. The thing that worries me about Gauthier & Jones is that they don't have the hockey sense of guys like Kunin, Rubtsov or even Bellows.
- Jsaquella

I think they will get someone that may have a flaw or two but fits what Hakstol does better than the conventional draft pick. I really like what Hexy is doing and trust the process. I just Kinda wonder if Gudas could be a sign and trade to move up. I like him but I think Morin has a real shot to make it this year.

Well, as soon as Hextall said he wanted to get a long term deal done with Gudas, you had to expect a deal worth around $3mm. In and of itself, it's a slight overpay for Gudas, but it's a manageable one and looking at the salary layout, it's a contract that should be tradeable if Gudas gets surpassed by a guy currently in the system.

Also, as some of us were talking about last night, if Gudas has 4 years like tgis past year, that deal is a good one. For most of the year Gudas was a solid top 4 guy.

As for the pick. I'm good with a lot of guys. The obsession by some of the beat guys with bigger prospects-Gauthier, especially-is annoying, but I'm OK if he's the pick. When you're picking 18, you're going to get guys who have a flaw or two. The thing that worries me about Gauthier & Jones is that they don't have the hockey sense of guys like Kunin, Rubtsov or even Bellows.
- Jsaquella

At first I wasn't overly thrilled at the number but after thinking about it I am fine.

Also one thing I thought about it was that with a lot of our young guys starting to filter in, I like having Gudas and the intimidation factor. As much as fighting has dropped off I don't want guys taking runs on the forecheck at Provorov or Gostisbehere. The Flyers lack some thump so I kind of like having our own missile to send out if need be.

And as Schultz, Streit and MacDonald move on I think it is ok having Gudas and maybe Del Zotto to incorporate with the youth movement.

At first I wasn't overly thrilled at the number but after thinking about it I am fine.

Also one thing I thought about it was that with a lot of our young guys starting to filter in, I like having Gudas and the intimidation factor. As much as fighting has dropped off I don't want guys taking runs on the forecheck at Provorov or Gostisbehere. The Flyers lack some thump so I kind of like having our own missile to send out if need be.

And as Schultz, Streit and MacDonald move on I think it is ok having Gudas and maybe Del Zotto to incorporate with the youth movement.
- J35Bacher

That's the other thing. Streit is gone, if not this summer or season, by next summer at the latest. Schultz's deal is up, too, and if he does re-sign I can't see it being much more than his current deal.

MacDonald could be a tricky one, but I think they'll work out something-maybe they trade Vegas a 2nd rounder to claim him.

You need gudas type d if you want to succeed in playoffs. I hope the intent is to keep him. He is a great 5/6 warrior that can handle the oppositions grinder lines that wear down the more skilled d.
Those d generally have short careers so signing until 30 is a great move.

I think they will get someone that may have a flaw or two but fits what Hakstol does better than the conventional draft pick. I really like what Hexy is doing and trust the process. I just Kinda wonder if Gudas could be a sign and trade to move up. I like him but I think Morin has a real shot to make it this year.
- Deasr1

Gudas is a bridge between now and guys like Morin & Sanheim being ready to step into top 4 roles.

I've seen a few people talk about how Gudas & Morin are redundant and that they won't have both. I think Morin's presence & Gudas' deal are mutually exclusive. One being on the roster doesn't mean the other is getting traded.

Well, as soon as Hextall said he wanted to get a long term deal done with Gudas, you had to expect a deal worth around $3mm. In and of itself, it's a slight overpay for Gudas, but it's a manageable one and looking at the salary layout, it's a contract that should be tradeable if Gudas gets surpassed by a guy currently in the system.

Also, as some of us were talking about last night, if Gudas has 4 years like tgis past year, that deal is a good one. For most of the year Gudas was a solid top 4 guy.

As for the pick. I'm good with a lot of guys. The obsession by some of the beat guys with bigger prospects-Gauthier, especially-is annoying, but I'm OK if he's the pick. When you're picking 18, you're going to get guys who have a flaw or two. The thing that worries me about Gauthier & Jones is that they don't have the hockey sense of guys like Kunin, Rubtsov or even Bellows.
- Jsaquella

Can't wait till bean falls to 18 and we get him, then I get to say I told you so to everyone lol

As JSaq was getting at, I really don't think that if the Flyers choose to do so, they will have any issues in losing MacDonald if they really want to -- you can retain salary, include a pick as a sweetener, buy him out straight-up, at some point

There are two magic numbers: The amount it costs to bury him in the minors and what the dead money is when you do. Those are sunk cost, and even if the Flyers retained, what, 1.75 million per season in a trade, you've still cleared $3.25 million off your cap

I won't be surprised at all if they get some action on MacDonald, if they are willing to eat some cash. And at some point, you have to be willing to eat some because of sunk cost -- you are already paying him to not play for you while in the minors

loud for McLeod

I keep beating this drum because I truly believe it:

MDZ-Gudas is a pair they will win playoff rounds with, if they can get the kind of support that Ghost and hopefully a Provorov can provide

It would be tremendous if one of the other kids come in ready to rock, but they have some flexibility to add a decent vet to help and they have a ton of picks this weekend to start firing bullets at high risk/reward players in a few rounds

I'm fine with the Gudas deal. He is both their only RH shot on D and the only Dman who brings any type of physical element to the squad. It's a fair deal for both sides.

If the Flyers are to pursue a UFA, you would think they would have to shed a current deal. I wonder if Dallas is a team that would take Streit . They have some room, and need D

Well, as soon as Hextall said he wanted to get a long term deal done with Gudas, you had to expect a deal worth around $3mm. In and of itself, it's a slight overpay for Gudas, but it's a manageable one and looking at the salary layout, it's a contract that should be tradeable if Gudas gets surpassed by a guy currently in the system.

Also, as some of us were talking about last night, if Gudas has 4 years like tgis past year, that deal is a good one. For most of the year Gudas was a solid top 4 guy.

As for the pick. I'm good with a lot of guys. The obsession by some of the beat guys with bigger prospects-Gauthier, especially-is annoying, but I'm OK if he's the pick. When you're picking 18, you're going to get guys who have a flaw or two. The thing that worries me about Gauthier & Jones is that they don't have the hockey sense of guys like Kunin, Rubtsov or even Bellows.
- Jsaquella

Agreed. Gauthier would not be my first choice, however he is huge, skates well and has a good shot and nose for the net. The hockey sense is questionable, but he could still turn out to be a 30+ goal power forward, and, if so, that's a pretty good haul for the 18th overall pick.

Well, as soon as Hextall said he wanted to get a long term deal done with Gudas, you had to expect a deal worth around $3mm. In and of itself, it's a slight overpay for Gudas, but it's a manageable one and looking at the salary layout, it's a contract that should be tradeable if Gudas gets surpassed by a guy currently in the system.

Also, as some of us were talking about last night, if Gudas has 4 years like tgis past year, that deal is a good one. For most of the year Gudas was a solid top 4 guy.

As for the pick. I'm good with a lot of guys. The obsession by some of the beat guys with bigger prospects-Gauthier, especially-is annoying, but I'm OK if he's the pick. When you're picking 18, you're going to get guys who have a flaw or two. The thing that worries me about Gauthier & Jones is that they don't have the hockey sense of guys like Kunin, Rubtsov or even Bellows.
- Jsaquella

This is a great post Jsaq.

As for Gudas, the deal is a fair deal. If it was a 2.5 -3 mil deal we all would have been happy. Happy because you get a quality D-man for cheaper than usual. However, we need to have established top 4ish d-men for when we start to transition the younger guys up the ranks. Having Gudas on the team will not prevent a guy like Morin from making the jump when he is ready. It just takes a bit of pressure of the guys when they are actually here.

Each player mentioned is a bit different. Im not a huge fan of Gauthier. People hear the Rick Nash comparisons and run with them. Come on. The guy scored a bunch of goals in the Q.... but never really even dominated. He is a pure shooter, and one of the bigger draft eligible players, but he never seperated himself from the rest. That worries me a bit.

Jones, to me anyway, has the highest potential to have a long career in the NHL. He isnt a sink or swim guy like Gauthier, but a "how do a fit" type. He might go and become a Brandon Dubinski type player. He might be a Wayne Simmonds type. Then again, he might end up a bit like Matt Martin. Its that uncertainty that worries me about him.

Luke Schenn was getting 3.5 million. I don't think it's an overpay but I don't think we got a hometown discount either. He's the only physicality we have on the defensive end. I'd like to see him pick his spots a little better but solid overall.

For the draft i don't see hextall moving above 18 but I could see him utilizing multiple top 100 picks to get back into late 1st if a guy like a konecky falls. The likelihood of players making nhl falls off quite a bit in later rounds and we have a ton of picks.

Happy Brexit everyone!

Happy Brexit everyone!
- YuenglingJagr

Fish and chips and pints for all?