Hey Bill,

Last year you did a rather long column about Sanheim before the draft even though he was ranked to go well after the Flyers pick. Was that a bit of a prognostication based on things you were hearing and is this column the same thing?

Soooooooooo close
- Tomahawk

I fear that you are going to be very disappointed come draft day.

Thanks Bill. I apologize for not knowing much about the Phantoms coaching staff, but may I ask who the goalie coach is for the team? It will be interesting to see how Stolarz develops. I know that the organization is hoping that he will be the future goalie for the Flyers, but isn't it going to be a while before he is moved up? Thus, I really hope that the Flyers bring Zepp up. It looks like that the goalie market this summer is quite middling, if you ask me. And of the better goalies that are available, I don't think that we can afford them. We know what we are getting with Zepp, he comes at a cap friendly hit, and why bother looking elsewhere if there isn't much to choose from? I admire Razor for making a come back after his surgery, but he seems to have movement issues; understandably of course. So, I don't think that the Flyers will be bringing him back. Any thoughts about a back up goalie for the team?
- OrangeAndBlack1

Reese handled Phantoms as well as Flyers.

Hey Bill,

Last year you did a rather long column about Sanheim before the draft even though he was ranked to go well after the Flyers pick. Was that a bit of a prognostication based on things you were hearing and is this column the same thing?
- psuhockey

If it is I would be perfectly happy bordering on elation if they chose Connor.

Reese handled Phantoms as well as Flyers.
- bmeltzer

are your Dallas readers happy with Reese?

Hey Bill,

Last year you did a rather long column about Sanheim before the draft even though he was ranked to go well after the Flyers pick. Was that a bit of a prognostication based on things you were hearing and is this column the same thing?
- psuhockey

No, just one of a series of blogs on various players who might have been in Flyers' wheelhouse. Same this year. Have also discussed Rantanen, Crouse, Zacha and Barzal individually.

from earlier:



I think the Leafs want Strome. NJ will be a surprise. I know they have NJ taking Marner but I could see them taking Crouse or Ratnanen. They could use some size with Zubrus being old and Clowe probably done.

I think Carolina would be an interesting team to trade with if say the Flyers really wanted someone. Could you move 7, a 3rd rounder and maybe Luke Schenn? Might not be enough. What if the Flyers take on Semin's deal?


To Carolina:29 pick, 3rd rounder and Luke Schenn

To Flyers: Semin and 5

Get them to give us Faulk too

Now you can take Marner and then possibly Provorov at 7.

Boom. How exciting would that be. Yes I know Semins cap hit. I figure that out later.
- J35Bacher

If it is I would be perfectly happy bordering on elation if they chose Connor.
- MBFlyerfan

Connor I think is definitely a sleeper pick. he seems like he has all the tools to be an impact player in the nhl.

I fear that you are going to be very disappointed come draft day.
- BiggE

All joking aside, I'll be happy as long as they don't inexplicably trade out... I love almost all the players in the top-15... some more than others, but I doubt I'll really be sad with the pick.

Milwaukee sucks

One guy rips hockey, the other defends it. Neither understand it

http://onmilwaukee.com/sp.../articles/hatehockey.html

http://onmilwaukee.com/my...ohnpearson/hockeyyes.html

Connor I think is definitely a sleeper pick. he seems like he has all the tools to be an impact player in the nhl.
- benjichronic

at least we would be getting a Connor

from earlier:



I think the Leafs want Strome. NJ will be a surprise. I know they have NJ taking Marner but I could see them taking Crouse or Ratnanen. They could use some size with Zubrus being old and Clowe probably done.

I think Carolina would be an interesting team to trade with if say the Flyers really wanted someone. Could you move 7, a 3rd rounder and maybe Luke Schenn? Might not be enough. What if the Flyers take on Semin's deal?


To Carolina:29 pick, 3rd rounder and Luke Schenn

To Flyers: Semin and 5


Now you can take Marner and then possibly Provorov at 7.

Boom. How exciting would that be. Yes I know Semins cap hit. I figure that out later.
- J35Bacher

To the Flyers: The First pick overall, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Darnell Nurse

To the Oilers: Vincent Lecavalier and a pinecone.

Common my friend.

Milwaukee sucks

One guy rips hockey, the other defends it. Neither understand it

http://onmilwaukee.com/sp.../articles/hatehockey.html

http://onmilwaukee.com/my...ohnpearson/hockeyyes.html
- Jsaquella

(almost as goofy-looking as Ek)

No, just one of a series of blogs on various players who might have been in Flyers' wheelhouse. Same this year. Have also discussed Rantanen, Crouse, Zacha and Barzal individually.
- bmeltzer

Any upcoming blogs on possible defensemen in their wheelhouse or do you believe Hextall will select a forward?

(almost as goofy-looking as Ek)
- Tomahawk

Definitely looks like someone who has killed before

Milwaukee sucks

One guy rips hockey, the other defends it. Neither understand it

http://onmilwaukee.com/sp.../articles/hatehockey.html

http://onmilwaukee.com/my...ohnpearson/hockeyyes.html
- Jsaquella

Good god man.

Milwaukee sucks

One guy rips hockey, the other defends it. Neither understand it

http://onmilwaukee.com/sp.../articles/hatehockey.html

http://onmilwaukee.com/my...ohnpearson/hockeyyes.html
- Jsaquella

Holy crap, the guy who says he hates hockey needs to kill himself. Not for hating hockey, but for the idiotic reasons he gives. He is obviously gotten too old and is a drain on society at this point.

Definitely looks like someone who has killed before
- PhillySportsGuy

Any upcoming blogs on possible defensemen in their wheelhouse or do you believe Hextall will select a forward?
- Duran76

Did one on Provorov. May do ones on Hanafin and Werenski, too. My gut feeling is they may go D if there's a run on forwards in the top six --- five or six forwards taken. If there are two D in the top six, pretty confident they go with a forward.

I can't believe the Sens are considering trading Lehner just because Hammond had a nice 24-game run... it's like they've never heard of Michael Leighton before.

Did one on Provorov. May do ones on Hanafin and Werenski, too. My gut feeling is they may go D if there's a run on forwards in the top six --- five or six forwards taken. If there are two D in the top six, pretty confident they go with a forward.
- bmeltzer

Yup, I'd be surprised if they passed up on Hanifin or Provorov if either is still on the board, but you never know.

I can't believe the Sens are considering trading Lehner just because Hammond had a nice 24-game run... it's like they've never heard of Michael Leighton before.
- Tomahawk

Shh
Think of how much fun it will be.

from earlier:



I think the Leafs want Strome. NJ will be a surprise. I know they have NJ taking Marner but I could see them taking Crouse or Ratnanen. They could use some size with Zubrus being old and Clowe probably done.

I think Carolina would be an interesting team to trade with if say the Flyers really wanted someone. Could you move 7, a 3rd rounder and maybe Luke Schenn? Might not be enough. What if the Flyers take on Semin's deal?


To Carolina:29 pick, 3rd rounder and Luke Schenn

To Flyers: Semin and 5


Now you can take Marner and then possibly Provorov at 7.

Boom. How exciting would that be. Yes I know Semins cap hit. I figure that out later.
- J35Bacher

I thought they were trying to move away from albatrosses, not take more of them.

Edit: See bolded: are you proposing 7 or 29 to Carolina?

To the Flyers: The First pick overall, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Darnell Nurse

To the Oilers: Vincent Lecavalier and a pinecone.

Common my friend.
- SuperSchennBros

But my proposal wasn't getting rid of a terrible contract for good players. The idea was to take on a bad contract to get a better pick. I know Carolina wants to move Semin and the contract. The idea would be to take on the contract and the pick would be the compensation.

It was just a thought. Just like Buffalo is willing to take on money if picks are included with the deal.

But my proposal wasn't getting rid of a terrible contract for good players. The idea was to take on a bad contract to get a better pick. I know Carolina wants to move Semin and the contract. The idea would be to take on the contract and the pick would be the compensation.

It was just a thought. Just like Buffalo is willing to take on money if picks are included with the deal.
- J35Bacher

The thing is, that contract is so bad that I have a hard time believing getting the extra pick would be even close to worth it.