Not sure if they overthink, but they definitely can run counter to popular opinion.
- Jsaquella

much better put, man with tinfoil hat.

I like his compete level but I really don't want to draft a smallish player in the first round this year. I'd rather they add size and speed if that's on the board.
- mayorofangrytown

Idk.. he kinda reminds me of Marchand a bit, just less of a punk. Id take him in a heartbeat.

Not a very awe inspiring draft in my opinion. Rather they dont give up a bundle to move up.. unless they are getting into the top 7.
- jak521

Won't matter. Don't you know they're trading all of this year's picks for Shea Weber and a 5th?

Won't matter. Don't you know they're trading all of this year's picks for Shea Weber and a 5th?
- jmatchett383

And Hartnell!

And Hartnell!
- jak521

Hartnell, Vinny, 1st-7th pick, Rosehill, and the rights to Lilja.

Not a very awe inspiring draft in my opinion. Rather they dont give up a bundle to move up.. unless they are getting into the top 7.
- jak521

There's a drop off after the first 4 or 5, I'd stay put. They'll get a solid player at 17, maybe not a stud, but a good useful player that can help out.

http://www.csnphilly.com/...ers-offseason-priority-be

Hextall, at this point, has to move a younger player up and live with it. Hagg or Gostisbehere have the inside track. Hextall also has to find at least one more defenseman in either free agency or via the trade route, given Kimmo Timonen’s situation with retirement and potential cap hit should he be re-signed.

Given Pittsburgh’s dilemma with several UFA’s including Brooks Orpik, and the Penguins cap situation (about $16 million), the Flyers could take the $6 million they were paying Timonen and give it to Niskanen in free agency.

Simple as 1-2-3!

There's a drop off after the first 4 or 5, I'd stay put. They'll get a solid player at 17, maybe not a stud, but a good useful player that can help out.
- Jsaquella

Most likely. It's not as bad as some of those late 90s drafts (Denis Shvidki and Milan Kraft come to mind) but it's not as stacked as some recent ones. We've actually been very spoiled with recent draft classes.

http://www.csnphilly.com/...ers-offseason-priority-be

Hextall, at this point, has to move a younger player up and live with it. Hagg or Gostisbehere have the inside track. Hextall also has to find at least one more defenseman in either free agency or via the trade route, given Kimmo Timonen’s situation with retirement and potential cap hit should he be re-signed.

Given Pittsburgh’s dilemma with several UFA’s including Brooks Orpik, and the Penguins cap situation (about $16 million), the Flyers could take the $6 million they were paying Timonen and give it to Niskanen in free agency.

Simple as 1-2-3!
- PhillySportsGuy

They could, assuming he doesn't absolutely despise the Flyers, and assuming he doesn't want MORE than $6M. But then you're locking in ANOTHER top-4 defenseman for 5+ years, which will make it harder for Morin/Hagg/Ghost/Alt to crack the top 4.

fixed
- Tomahawk

Just who exactly comprises this near universal opinion?

They could, assuming he doesn't absolutely despise the Flyers, and assuming he doesn't want MORE than $6M. But then you're locking in ANOTHER top-4 defenseman for 5+ years, which will make it harder for Morin/Hagg/Ghost/Alt to crack the top 4.
- jmatchett383

It would make signing BSchenn a little harder. They aren't exactly rolling in cap space right now.

http://www.csnphilly.com/...ers-offseason-priority-be

Hextall, at this point, has to move a younger player up and live with it. Hagg or Gostisbehere have the inside track. Hextall also has to find at least one more defenseman in either free agency or via the trade route, given Kimmo Timonen’s situation with retirement and potential cap hit should he be re-signed.

Given Pittsburgh’s dilemma with several UFA’s including Brooks Orpik, and the Penguins cap situation (about $16 million), the Flyers could take the $6 million they were paying Timonen and give it to Niskanen in free agency.

Simple as 1-2-3!
- PhillySportsGuy

Yep, rush a kid and sign the biggest, most expensive free agent name on the market!!

No need to look at the deeper names on the UFA list or consider a trade.

It would make signing BSchenn a little harder. They aren't exactly rolling in cap space right now.
- PhillySportsGuy

I just don't think Niskanen is as good as he's gonna get paid. By year 3-4 it might be a good deal, but it may stunt them for the next year or so.

They could, assuming he doesn't absolutely despise the Flyers, and assuming he doesn't want MORE than $6M. But then you're locking in ANOTHER top-4 defenseman for 5+ years, which will make it harder for Morin/Hagg/Ghost/Alt to crack the top 4.
- jmatchett383

That's okay, because those kids are likely years away from being capable of playing top 4 roles in the NHL.

Yep, rush a kid and sign the biggest, most expensive free agent name on the market!!

No need to look at the deeper names on the UFA list or consider a trade.
- Jsaquella

Assuming no moves are made, they have:
L Schenn
N Grossmann
A MacDonald
B Coburn
M Streit

That leaves one top-6 spot that can be filled a number of ways other than one of Hagg/Ghost (Kimmo, UFA, Alt, Lauridsen). They don't NEED to do anything.

I just don't think Niskanen is as good as he's gonna get paid. By year 3-4 it might be a good deal, but it may stunt them for the next year or so.
- jmatchett383

I tend to like him, but I think he'll get more than $6M. I feel a Niskanen-Coburn pairing would be pretty good. It's one of the reasons I didn't want the Amac deal. I felt they could have gone after Niskanen for a little more money.

Assuming no moves are made, they have:
L Schenn
N Grossmann
A MacDonald
B Coburn
M Streit

That leaves one top-6 spot that can be filled a number of ways other than one of Hagg/Ghost (Kimmo, UFA, Alt, Lauridsen). They don't NEED to do anything.
- jmatchett383

Who is going to play on the top pair?

That's okay, because those kids are likely years away from being capable of playing top 4 roles in the NHL.
- MJL

Hagg and Ghost are likely/possibly 1 full AHL year away. Alt could be ready now. Morin is probably minimum 2 years (1 QMJHL, 1 AHL) year away. Doubtful all 4 of them make it, and doubtful they all have zero setbacks, but it's the best case.

Who is going to play on the top pair?
- MJL

Grossmann and AMac, of course. Are you trying to be snarky and say they don't have a good top pair? Because I'm not debating that, I'm simply stating the players they currently have signed to (fairly hefty) one-way deals.

I tend to like him, but I think he'll get more than $6M. I feel a Niskanen-Coburn pairing would be pretty good. It's one of the reasons I didn't want the Amac deal. I felt they could have gone after Niskanen for a little more money.
- PhillySportsGuy

What if they lose that bidding war and Niskanen decides to go elsewhere?

Grossmann and AMac, of course.
- jmatchett383

Exactly!

What if they lose that bidding war and Niskanen decides to go elsewhere?
- MJL

Then you promote from within or go after a different UFA who you think can fill a need.

Hagg and Ghost are likely/possibly 1 full AHL year away. Alt could be ready now. Morin is probably minimum 2 years (1 QMJHL, 1 AHL) year away. Doubtful all 4 of them make it, and doubtful they all have zero setbacks, but it's the best case.
- jmatchett383

One full year away from what? To contribute and make the team in a lesser and protected role? I really think there needs to be some context here. Those young players are likely years away from having a large role on the team, if at all.

Assuming no moves are made, they have:
L Schenn
N Grossmann
A MacDonald
B Coburn
M Streit

That leaves one top-6 spot that can be filled a number of ways other than one of Hagg/Ghost (Kimmo, UFA, Alt, Lauridsen). They don't NEED to do anything.
- jmatchett383

No, they don't need to...but I'd be disappointed if that was the defense come opening night.

Then you promote from within or go after a different UFA who you think can fill a need.
- jmatchett383

I think the Flyers need to make a move. Not sure that it will be available, but they need to make one.