I'd trade Morin and a 4th or a 3rd. If they say no, then peace.

Provy, Ghost, Meyers, and Sanheim are going nowhere
- Giroux_Is_God

I really wouldn't disrupt any of our D prospects right now. Need to see what they can do at the NHL level first. They're all so close that you might as well wait and see.

Schenn for Drouin is something I might have to take a hard look at. Capwise I don't think it would be easy for Tampa to maneuver but I would consider it. Schenn has a pretty great track record of staying healthy(5 games missed in the last 4 seasons. 3 of which were suspension games missed), which seems to be a problem with Tampa's top 6. Stats-wise it's not a huge drop off from what they've been getting from Drouin either.

I doubt it ever happens but if we were trading for Drouin I'd be much more comfortable with that move then moving Ghost or Sanhiem.

The Drouin trade debate is tough for me. I too rather see what we have with our defensive prospects and the beauty of landing the #2 overall is we don't need to rush or force a move like this. Having said that, Drouin was a top pick himself, has shown his capabilities with the lightning, and would immediately address a hole at LW that we have had for a while. I know we have Lindblom and TK on the rise to possibly take the first line LW role (if we are having this bust / unknown as sure NHLer comparison) but Drouin next to Jake and G is seriously mouth watering to think about.

The Drouin trade debate is tough for me. I too rather see what we have with our defensive prospects and the beauty of landing the #2 overall is we don't need to rush or force a move like this. Having said that, Drouin was a top pick himself, has shown his capabilities with the lightning, and would immediately address a hole at LW that we have had for a while. I know we have Lindblom and TK on the rise to possibly take the first line LW role (if we are having this bust / unknown as sure NHLer comparison) but Drouin next to Jake and G is seriously mouth watering to think about.
- arichardson22

I'd rather have a young stud center prospect on an ELC for at least the next 3 years rather than try to negotiate with Drouin and his agent on a reasonable bridge deal.

A) I'd be happy with Vilardi. He looks like he has all the tools

B) I wouldn't expect this #2 pick to crack the starting lineup until his 2nd or 3rd year after the draft. There is no McDavid or Kane in the draft this year, unfortunately. We will be getting an above average talent and, hopefully in Hirschier's case, we get a legit sniper.

I'd rather have a young stud center prospect on an ELC for at least the next 3 years rather than try to negotiate with Drouin and his agent on a reasonable bridge deal.
- Mordecai

I think anyone would, and thats the beauty of #2. We debated all season long how are we going to add a top offensive prospect to accompany the d prospects and the pick fell on our lap. If we were picking at #13 as we initially thought though, I'd be way more on board to trade for Drouin

How's Drouin on dump ins?

How's Drouin on dump ins?
- flyer_nutter

Subpar and will need some fine tuning. But If your talking about shots from the half wall and accurate low to high point passes. He's the cream of the crop

Great blog as usual Bill. Here is how I see the Hischier/Patrick debate.

First off, both players possess excellent all around hockey sense which is something that is innate and can't be taught. I don't think there is a single scout anywhere who would safely say that at worst, either one of the two will be a solid #2 center.

Patrick, except for the injury history, is, IMO, the safer pick. He has the size, speed, skill and vision that you look for in a top center. While his defensive play and play without the puck could probably use a bit of work, he already plays a solid 200 foot game. He may not be the game breaking franchise center that McDavid and Matthews are, but he will likely be a solid #1 C. His game kind of reminds me of a hybrid of Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter.

Hischier is a quicker, shiftier skater and has the potential to be a world class offensive player. He is, at this point in their development, the better defensive player too. However, he needs to get stronger to succeed at the NHL level and, unless he spends all summer working out, could probably use another year in Junior. He's also played just one season in NA and rushing him into a top 6 role at the NHL level may be stretch going into 17-18.

Either way, the Flyers are going to get a fantastic player who will center one of their top lines for years to come. I can't wait for next season!
- BiggE

I'm not saying you are wrong because everyone here knows these two players than I do but the book on Sean Couturier after his draft was the need to bulk up. Couturier of course made the team at his first training camp at a time where we needed a tall checking center the most. After seeing Konecny live in Windsor at a Sarnia Sting member, from my understanding, Konecny had an injury history. I could also argue that while Konecny pushed back, the Windsor Spitfires were giants. They pushed Konecny around pretty good at the lower ranks.

Couturier and Konecny have both showed me that size doesn't always matter.

I really wouldn't disrupt any of our D prospects right now. Need to see what they can do at the NHL level first. They're all so close that you might as well wait and see.

Schenn for Drouin is something I might have to take a hard look at. Capwise I don't think it would be easy for Tampa to maneuver but I would consider it. Schenn has a pretty great track record of staying healthy(5 games missed in the last 4 seasons. 3 of which were suspension games missed), which seems to be a problem with Tampa's top 6. Stats-wise it's not a huge drop off from what they've been getting from Drouin either.

I doubt it ever happens but if we were trading for Drouin I'd be much more comfortable with that move then moving Ghost or Sanhiem.
- hereticpride

Drouin is a game breaker. Schenn would not be enough.

What if the one defenseman we trade turns out to be a bust..It can go both ways and is just as likely as that one dman being a stud.

Sometimes you have to take a risk and I would view trading a prospect , not named Provy , as an acceptable risk given what the gain could be.
- opeth_pa

You have to look at the risk to your team. It's not a risk that I feel they should take now. I disagree that at this point in time, it is an acceptable risk.

You have to look at the risk to your team. It's not a risk that I feel they should take now. I disagree that at this point in time, it is an acceptable risk.
- MJL

It is a classic Risk vs Reward argument. We do have assets good position to be in heading to summer.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Hischier and the Niederreiter Template
- bmeltzer

nice blog, sir

I continue to put my confidence and trust in whatever the hockey people do. Always have and always will.

I continue to put my confidence and trust in whatever the hockey people do. Always have and always will.
- StepfordSam

who you hoping they get at 2 (all gimmicks aside)?

Jonathan Drouin

2014-15: 32 points in 70 games

2015-16: 10 points in 21 games / season mired with injury and drama of Drouin's own doing

2016-17: 53 points in 73 games


Yeah, Tampa isn't getting one of our top D prospects for him.
- hereticpride

None of this matters. Drouin is a young player with a high ceiling. He's already had success in the playoffs where he took over games by himself.

who you hoping they get at 2 (all gimmicks aside)?
- Crimsoninja

I am fine with either Nico or Patrick honestly.

I agree with MJL! They're just prospects right now; they're not money in the bank. But if they hit, become quality NHL d-men, their value only increases. It's way too soon to think about moving one. Besides, just look at Nashville. That's the dream. Is Drouin, who has shown so far to be very good but not great, worth that? Realistically, we could keep our entire d core together for quite awhile, at least until they hit UFA in their late 20s, before trading one. That is still the basis for our future team.

But I mean, sure, if Tampa wants a trade around Morin or Hagg for Drouin, I'd entertain that one (they won't). But this #2 pick changes so much. I still think we need another star quality sidekick winger long-term, but that can be found more easily. Jake rebounding to that form would go a long way. And maybe we already have it in one of our prospects. I imagine we'll keep having a lot of lottery ticket draft picks for the foreseeable future. But our top 9 is stacked starting next year. We have a couple soon to be 30+ free agents I'd consider moving in the near future for premium assets way before our d-men.

I agree with MJL! They're just prospects right now; they're not money in the bank. But if they hit, become quality NHL d-men, their value only increases. It's way too soon to think about moving one. Besides, just look at Nashville. That's the dream. Is Drouin, who has shown so far to be very good but not great, worth that? Realistically, we could keep our entire d core together for quite awhile, at least until they hit UFA in their late 20s, before trading one. That is still the basis for our future team.

But I mean, sure, if Tampa wants a trade around Morin or Hagg for Drouin, I'd entertain that one. But this #2 pick changes so much. I still think we need another star quality sidekick winger long-term, but that can be found more easily. Jake rebounding to that form would go a long way. And maybe we already have it in one of our prospects. I imagine we'll keep having a lot of lottery ticket draft picks for the foreseeable future. But our top 9 is stacked beyond belief starting next year. We have a couple soon to be 30+ free agents I'd consider moving for premium assets way before our d-men.
- Mononoke

Nice take on this.

I agree with MJL! They're just prospects right now; they're not money in the bank. But if they hit, become quality NHL d-men, their value only increases. It's way too soon to think about moving one. Besides, just look at Nashville. That's the dream. Is Drouin, who has shown so far to be very good but not great, worth that? Realistically, we could keep our entire d core together for quite awhile, at least until they hit UFA in their late 20s, before trading one. That is still the basis for our future team.

But I mean, sure, if Tampa wants a trade around Morin or Hagg for Drouin, I'd entertain that one. But this #2 pick changes so much. I still think we need another star quality sidekick winger long-term, but that can be found more easily. Jake rebounding to that form would go a long way. And maybe we already have it in one of our prospects. I imagine we'll keep having a lot of lottery ticket draft picks for the foreseeable future. But our top 9 is stacked beyond belief starting next year. We have a couple soon to be 30+ free agents I'd consider moving for premium assets way before our d-men.
- Mononoke

Simmonds

Simmonds
- arichardson22

It was actually in reference to Weise and Bellemare!

I may be open to it for multiple reasons, but I'll eat a shoe if Hextall trades Simmonds. Just don't see it ever happening. He values his intangibles too much, and it's a risk/reward move that could cause a lot of backlash. It's not his M.O.

I feel it's too soon to move any of our defensive prospects. I know I'm opening a can of worms on myself but Shayne Gostisbehere is the young defender I'm likely to move if we're talking about taking a shot at Drouin. Ghost seems to half the least balanced game. At the moment he should have high value due to his offense from the blue line. I don't know how much Ghost could help Tampa but Drouin could help out us.

I'm more so speaking out loud than really pushing this idea.

I'm not saying you are wrong because everyone here knows these two players than I do but the book on Sean Couturier after his draft was the need to bulk up. Couturier of course made the team at his first training camp at a time where we needed a tall checking center the most. After seeing Konecny live in Windsor at a Sarnia Sting member, from my understanding, Konecny had an injury history. I could also argue that while Konecny pushed back, the Windsor Spitfires were giants. They pushed Konecny around pretty good at the lower ranks.

Couturier and Konecny have both showed me that size doesn't always matter.
- SuperSchennBros

Konecny is solidly built for his height and Coots was 190 or so when he turned pro. Hischier is 6'1 and about 175 or so, he could use another 10 lbs or so of muscle.

NJ hasn't had much success in recent time with players from the Q & Shero also hasn't went to that league for too many players.

It was actually in reference to Weise and Bellemare!

I may be open to it for multiple reasons, but I'll eat a shoe if Hextall trades Simmonds. Just don't see it ever happening. He values his intangibles too much, and it's a risk/reward move that could cause a lot of backlash. It's not his M.O.
- Mononoke

I don't think Hexy nor Simmonds want the relationship to end; I don't either. He valued him enough to hold off on the rumored trade for Panthers draft pick and that was before his 30 goal seasons.

I agree with MJL! They're just prospects right now; they're not money in the bank. But if they hit, become quality NHL d-men, their value only increases. It's way too soon to think about moving one. Besides, just look at Nashville. That's the dream. Is Drouin, who has shown so far to be very good but not great, worth that? Realistically, we could keep our entire d core together for quite awhile, at least until they hit UFA in their late 20s, before trading one. That is still the basis for our future team.

But I mean, sure, if Tampa wants a trade around Morin or Hagg for Drouin, I'd entertain that one (they won't). But this #2 pick changes so much. I still think we need another star quality sidekick winger long-term, but that can be found more easily. Jake rebounding to that form would go a long way. And maybe we already have it in one of our prospects. I imagine we'll keep having a lot of lottery ticket draft picks for the foreseeable future. But our top 9 is stacked starting next year. We have a couple soon to be 30+ free agents I'd consider moving in the near future for premium assets way before our d-men.
- Mononoke

Kind of expecting really good years from Rubtsov and Allison. I'm not sure what to make of Laverne, just hoping he can have a healthy year