Appreciate your description of these players! Any thoughts on whether Hexy would package both first rounders to move up into the top 10? Would it even be worth it?
- aantny88

I doubt it. Here's the thing. Once you get past the top 3 or perhaps 4, there isn't a whole lot of separation between the next 6-8 guys. My guess is that one of those 6 to 8 will still be available when the Flyers pick, or if not, they would be making the kind of deal to move from say 13 to 10 to get a guy that they really love who they are afraid might not still be there at 13. If that's the case, they likely wouldn't need to part with their other first as a 13 plus a 2nd and maybe a non top prospect should be plenty to get you up to 10 or perhaps even 9.

I just don't see anyone dealing the pick #1 unless it's for a Lindros like package. Dahlin is considered to be a can't miss #1 Dman with serious Norris potential and no one is giving that up. Also to get into 2-4 and have a shot at a Zadina, Svetchnikov or even Boqvist would probably cost more than our 2 firsts and I don't think Hextall is going to make that kind of move.

is Kupari a Finn?
If so they should draft him just because they need more Finns

is Kupari a Finn?
If so they should draft him just because they need more Finns
- Marc D

I'm trying to forget this weekend so I'm going to take a quick look at some intriguing prospects that may be available if the Blues pick ends up in that 11-13 range.
This is not in any order of preference:

Quinton Hughes D 5'10 175
Yeah, he's small, but that's about the only drawback there is with this guy. He is an excellent skater with fantastic puck skills and the smarts to take over and control a game from the back end.

Evan Bouchard D 6'2 192
He's still filling out and needs to get stronger but he is the complete package. Not as dynamic as Hughes, but he just does everything very well. He's extremely start and very advanced defensively for his age. He also has very good skills and wheels and by all scouts accounts that I have seen, an A+ work ethic too.

Rasmus Kupari C 5'11 165
Kupari has fantastic puck skills, a good shot along with very good wheels and hockey sense. As with most kids, he needs to get stronger, but he's pretty close to can't miss when it comes to being, at the very least, a solid NHL forward with solid top 6 potential.

Joel Farabee LW 5'11 161
This kids simply has off the charts hockey sense and smarts and if he were a little bigger and stronger would likely be going in the top 5. He's blessed with great wheels and very good skills and with his smarts, he's pretty much a can't miss prospect. He's got top 6, and potentially top line winger ability.

Isac Lundestrom C 6'0 185
Another guy with great hockey sense and smarts who already plays a complete, mature game. He also is a very good skater with very good skills and good size too.

What I like about all of these guys is each and every one is rated between very high and off the chart when it comes to hockey sense and smarts. All are also good to excellent skaters and all have good to excellent skills. I'd be happy to see any of these guys added to our prospect pool.
- BiggE

Jesperi Kotkaniemi (I hope I spelled that right) is another guy I like. 11-13 range might be a little high for him but he has high hockey IQ and is pretty skilled too

I doubt it. Here's the thing. Once you get past the top 3 or perhaps 4, there isn't a whole lot of separation between the next 6-8 guys. My guess is that one of those 6 to 8 will still be available when the Flyers pick, or if not, they would be making the kind of deal to move from say 13 to 10 to get a guy that they really love who they are afraid might not still be there at 13. If that's the case, they likely wouldn't need to part with their other first as a 13 plus a 2nd and maybe a non top prospect should be plenty to get you up to 10 or perhaps even 9.

I just don't see anyone dealing the pick #1 unless it's for a Lindros like package. Dahlin is considered to be a can't miss #1 Dman with serious Norris potential and no one is giving that up. Also to get into 2-4 and have a shot at a Zadina, Svetchnikov or even Boqvist would probably cost more than our 2 firsts and I don't think Hextall is going to make that kind of move.
- BiggE

Seems like there's a fairly steep drop off after the top 3/4. I'm sure Hexy will make the right decision, as he's done great work at the drafts thus far as GM.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi (I hope I spelled that right) is another guy I like. 11-13 range might be a little high for him but he has high hockey IQ and is pretty skilled too
- Gilly17

I like him too, but I doubt he goes top 15 or even top 20. He could be a nice pick up with our 2nd first though.

Here's to hoping that playing Pitt brings out the best in them. It usually does! Would certainly help if Simmer is back and Sanheim is called up (MacDonald/Oduya unable to go).
- aantny88

No Simmer until Saturday I thought I heard.

Bubble team gonna bubble, no reason for fretting.

I know you will, but there's really no reason to.

But go ahead.

Fret.

Fret until your heart is content.

Fret away.

Fret away, my friends.
- Scoob

Enjoy the ride. It's one of the best roller coasters ever...

Seems like there's a fairly steep drop off after the top 3/4. I'm sure Hexy will make the right decision, as he's done great work at the drafts thus far as GM.
- aantny88

For sure, when it comes to drafting, I have full confidence in Hexy and his staff.
FWIW, the way I see this draft is:

Tier one: Dahlin
Absolute can't miss stud Dman, no one is trading this pick unless you ridiculously overpay.

Tier two: Svetchnikov and Zadina
IMO, the hands down top 2 forwards in this draft. Again, it will cost a bundle to move up to get either one of these guys

Tier 2A: Boqvist
He could be the next Karlsson or Ghost or he could just be a good offensive Dman. Either way, it will cost a lot to trade up to get him.

Tier 3: Tkachuk, Wahlstrom, Dobson
I'd be thrilled with any of these three, but that being said, I don't think it's worth moving say the 12th and 20th pick, which is the minimum it would take, to move up and get one of these 3.

after that, there are about 6-8 guys I really like and as long as we are picking in the top 14, one will almost certainly be available when the Flyers choose. I don't think Hextall is going to try and move up at least with his first pick.

Now, if a guy they feel is in their top 10-12 falls and is still on the board at say 17 or 18 and they are sitting with the 21st pick, I could see Hextall packaging that pick with his 2nd or a non top prospect to try and move up a few spots and snag that guy.

After Saturday’s game, I think I became more comfortable with trading Simmonds this offseason. Aside from goaltending and our defense, our main issue against Tampa (and for equivalent teams) is our depth. Someone mentioned Charlie from the Athletic wrote a good piece on how Haks has 2 4th lines really. Imo the top 6 is / was fine. But do we really want to extend a 29/30 year old guy who deserves an increase in pay to play the 3rd line? I know it could be argued that’s a good problem to have but is it financially worth it moving forward? I love Simmonds and would miss him along with what he brings both on and off the ice, but I really have trouble figuring out what’s “worth it” for him and the future of our team.

Edit: forgot to mention: would it be better to lock Simmonds as 3rd line RW , 1st PP time, for 6ish M rather than use that money in free agency to get cheaper bottom 6 role player(s) or even internally promote?

A bit off topic, but i'm going to the Flyers-Pens game on Wednesday with my son.. First time at a Flyers game in Philly in over 25 years.. I pre-purchased parking at the Wells Fargo Center (Broad Street side) when I bought the tickets. I'm thinking of getting there early to watch them warm up..

I'd appreciate any tips on when to arrive and the best way to get to the parking lot entrance.

Thanks!!

Appreciate your description of these players! Any thoughts on whether Hexy would package both first rounders to move up into the top 10? Would it even be worth it?
- aantny88

it wont happen

A bit off topic, but i'm going to the Flyers-Pens game on Wednesday with my son.. First time at a Flyers game in Philly in over 25 years.. I pre-purchased parking at the Wells Fargo Center (Broad Street side) when I bought the tickets. I'm thinking of getting there early to watch them warm up..

I'd appreciate any tips on when to arrive and the best way to get to the parking lot entrance.

Thanks!!
- sleepy_floyd

It is tremendously easy to get in and out of there, especially at that time before a game.


Are you coming from PA/Del or NJ?

After Saturday’s game, I think I became more comfortable with trading Simmonds this offseason. Aside from goaltending and our defense, our main issue against Tampa (and for equivalent teams) is our depth. Someone mentioned Charlie from the Athletic wrote a good piece on how Haks has 2 4th lines really. Imo the top 6 is / was fine. But do we really want to extend a 29/30 year old guy who deserves an increase in pay to play the 3rd line? I know it could be argued that’s a good problem to have but is it financially worth it moving forward? I love Simmonds and would miss him along with what he brings both on and off the ice, but I really have trouble figuring out what’s “worth it” for him and the future of our team.

Edit: forgot to mention: would it be better to lock Simmonds as 3rd line RW , 1st PP time, for 6ish M rather than use that money in free agency to get cheaper bottom 6 role player(s) or even internally promote?
- arichardson22

Simmonds is the one wild card that could have the Flyers moving up in the draft. Chiarelli has made some head scratching moves in the past so you just never know with him. If the season ended today and Edmonton nor a team ahead of them were to win the lottery, the Oilers would be sitting with the 5th overall pick. Would Chia be willing to move that pick for Simmonds? Man, I wouldn't, but you never know with him. If he was willing though, I think Hextall would make that move in a heartbeat.

Simmonds is the one wild card that could have the Flyers moving up in the draft. Chiarelli has made some head scratching moves in the past so you just never know with him. If the season ended today and Edmonton nor a team ahead of them were to win the lottery, the Oilers would be sitting with the 5th overall pick. Would Chia be willing to move that pick for Simmonds? Man, I wouldn't, but you never know with him. If he was willing though, I think Hextall would make that move in a heartbeat.
- BiggE

It really is an interesting wild card to have. We really could have 3 1st round picks this draft if we do move him. Or, we could package him with our own pick (IF after StL’s) to move up on someone we really like. Between the 2 1sts and Simmonds, Hexy really has a lot of ammunition at this draft to make a move or two. I’d be content with drafting where our picks fall and keeping Simmonds, but a lot is possible. You never know with Chia, he may be in extra desperation mode after their rough season. May need a Maroon replacement too!

A bit off topic, but i'm going to the Flyers-Pens game on Wednesday with my son.. First time at a Flyers game in Philly in over 25 years.. I pre-purchased parking at the Wells Fargo Center (Broad Street side) when I bought the tickets. I'm thinking of getting there early to watch them warm up..

I'd appreciate any tips on when to arrive and the best way to get to the parking lot entrance.

Thanks!!
- sleepy_floyd

I love watching the warm ups. You can walk down to the glass, it’s incredible to watch them skate and shoot from the first row. If the game starts at 7, the warm up will be over by 6:40 and the players back in the locker room. If you get there by 6 you’ll see the whole thing.

After Saturday’s game, I think I became more comfortable with trading Simmonds this offseason. Aside from goaltending and our defense, our main issue against Tampa (and for equivalent teams) is our depth. Someone mentioned Charlie from the Athletic wrote a good piece on how Haks has 2 4th lines really. Imo the top 6 is / was fine. But do we really want to extend a 29/30 year old guy who deserves an increase in pay to play the 3rd line? I know it could be argued that’s a good problem to have but is it financially worth it moving forward? I love Simmonds and would miss him along with what he brings both on and off the ice, but I really have trouble figuring out what’s “worth it” for him and the future of our team.

Edit: forgot to mention: would it be better to lock Simmonds as 3rd line RW , 1st PP time, for 6ish M rather than use that money in free agency to get cheaper bottom 6 role player(s) or even internally promote?
- arichardson22

In the modern NHL, to be a top team you need at least 3 scoring lines. I don't care what number you assign to the line he plays on if he receives the ice time needed and play on the PP, then yes, absolutely he would be worth it. The question is really how long will he remain a high level player.

It is tremendously easy to get in and out of there, especially at that time before a game.


Are you coming from PA/Del or NJ?
- MBFlyerfan

My mom still lives in Center City, so will be driving in from there...

I love watching the warm ups. You can walk down to the glass, it’s incredible to watch them skate and shoot from the first row. If the game starts at 7, the warm up will be over by 6:40 and the players back in the locker room. If you get there by 6 you’ll see the whole thing.
- Marc D

Thanks.. gametime is 8:00PM, so I'm planning on arriving around 7:00PM.

I got ice level tickets, Row 13, on the side they shoot twice.. I'm pretty pumped to go to the game!!

I hope they call Sanheim up today and get him to practice tomorrow. At least give me the option of having him play Wed/Thurs

Thanks.. gametime is 8:00PM, so I'm planning on arriving around 7:00PM.

I got ice level tickets, Row 13, on the side they shoot twice.. I'm pretty pumped to go to the game!!
- sleepy_floyd

They practice on the opposite end from your seats but you can go anywhere during warmups.

Getting in for the Broad Street side lots is kind of tricky coming down broad street from north of the arena. It's easier if you take 95 south to the broad street exit and then take the first entrance to the arena.

I hope they call Sanheim up today and get him to practice tomorrow. At least give me the option of having him play Wed/Thurs
- YuenglingJagr

should be able to do it via an emergency call up also with only 5 healthy D.

I like him too, but I doubt he goes top 15 or even top 20. He could be a nice pick up with our 2nd first though.
- BiggE

That's what I was thinking too. From what I've seen some like him more than others. I've seen him ranked as high as 16 overall then others barely have him as a 1st rounder

My mom still lives in Center City, so will be driving in from there...
- sleepy_floyd

Ok then head up Broad or even better Columbus Blvd all the way to Pattinson and it puts you right there. I always enter on the 11 street side between the Linc and WFC. Never have a problem getting in.

Ok then head up Broad or even better Columbus Blvd all the way to Pattinson and it puts you right there. I always enter on the 11 street side between the Linc and WFC. Never have a problem getting in.
- MBFlyerfan

hmm.. was thinking on coming down I-95 to avoid the Broad Street traffic lights... was worried about traffic either way though...

thanks!!