Thoughts on trying to get to 5 and take Dobson? I know, scoring scoring scoring, but I kinda love the thought of Dobson on this team. Would AZ take 14 with Simmer and a prospect not named Frost?

Thoughts on trying to get to 5 and take Dobson? I know, scoring scoring scoring, but I kinda love the thought of Dobson on this team. Would AZ take 14 with Simmer and a prospect not named Frost?
- The_Universe

Arizona has no reason to target Simmonds right now and he almost certainly has no interest in re-signing there.

FWIW, here is my most current mock draft for the top 20 picks, this assumes no trades are made which is highly unlikely, but here ya go anyway!

1. BUF- Dahlin (yeah I know, shocking)
2. CAR- Svechnikov
3. MON- Tkachuk (just have a weird feeling that he's Bergeron's guy)
4. OTT- Hughes
5. ARI- Zadina (getting Zadina at #5 would be a gift, IMO)
6. DET- Dobson
7. VAN- Bouchard (I think GM's see Bouchard as a sure thing)
8. CHI- Wahlstrom (great pick up at #8)
9. NYR- Kotkaniemi (Satan lands the best center in the draft)
10. EDM- Boqvist
11. NYI- Veleno
12. NYI- Smith
13. DAL- Miller
14. PHI- Farabee (I will be thrilled if this comes true)
15. FLA- Kupari
16. COL- Samuelsson (The Avs see Sam's boy as the future anchor of their D)
17. NJD- Sandin (Devils could use a good Dman)
18. CBJ- Lundestrom (I don't think he makes it to Hexy at 19)
19. PHI- Berggren (can't see Hexy going for Hayton or any of the remaining Dmen over this kid)
20. LA- Wilde

Of course, outside of Dahlin, they'll probably all be wrong, but it's still fun to take shot!
- BiggE

I would be thrilled with Farabee at 14 and Hayton at 19 if he somehow made it there. That would be an A+ start to the draft in my eyes.

Happy Father's Day to Bill and all of the other dads out there!

Arizona has no reason to target Simmonds right now and he almost certainly has no interest in re-signing there.
- hereticpride

YES they do as trying to win now and change the losing culture. Not saying they would do it or the flyers would but Arizona def has a reason to do it

Lol sure but everyone else can tell you that your opinion is dumb.
- Mordecai

He is right. It's the rest of the world that's wrong.

YES they do as trying to win now and change the losing culture. Not saying they would do it or the flyers would but Arizona def has a reason to do it
- rinaldo

Trying to win now with a broken roster. See Clarke, Bob.

I can say what I want as it is my opinion. You don’t know what Arizona would have taken; so don’t pretend you do. Neither do I. If it’s worth a teams while they would deal. Simple as that.

Ronald has assets and imo he needs to start using them to help the team he is the general manager of; and no I don’t mean older vets or the like. guys of domi’s ilk who fit into Ronald’s plan.

I also clearly said I don’t know if Domi was a guy they wanted. So it isn’t him specifically.
- rinaldo

What assets do you think he has that we don't need for the future? Like I see maybe Radcliffe and Allison maybe cover the same need. Just curious on your thought pattern on giving up possible future talent for current roster needs and where we have an abundance in the pipeline?

If Hayton makes it to 14th, which I don't think he will, I suspect (don't know for sure, of course) that the Flyers would take him in that spot. He pretty much checks every box that Hextall prioritizes, although his skating can still improve a bit.
- bmeltzer

Yeah, I just think Farabee has a potentially higher ceiling but I’d be ok with Hayton

[quote=jmatchett383]
Shut up

Trying to win now with a broken roster. See Clarke, Bob.
- hereticpride

Regardless they are not really
In a rebuild mode Any longer

What assets do you think he has that we don't need for the future? Like I see maybe Radcliffe and Allison maybe cover the same need. Just curious on your thought pattern on giving up possible future talent for current roster needs and where we have an abundance in the pipeline?
- peesinwind

Picks and prospects; maybe a young dman. Take your pick or use both.
Many many flyers fans believe they have the best farm system or close to it.

If you keep waiting for prospects to pan out the future may never come. Give me an established young nhl player over the current lottery ticket. Clearly this doesn’t apply to all prospects.

Regardless they are not really
In a rebuild mode Any longer
- rinaldo

Nice prose, Shakespeare

Nice prose, Shakespeare
- HOWSMYDICTATE

Go back to drinking mothers milk

Yeah, I just think Farabee has a potentially higher ceiling but I’d be ok with Hayton
- BiggE

I just like what I hear from Hexy on things. Keep stocking the cupboards in prospects. Don't overpay. Clarke spoke about needing those ELC to compete mixed in with vets.

There are times to move contracts like Schenn (who I don't think Hexy ever felt he really fit in the team concept and worth) to open up cap and roster space for moves. The idea of building from the back and center out makes sense to me.

I must admit I'm on team positive and I'm liking Hexy as GM. If I had to grade him overall I would give him an A. He has turned the pipeline around and the roster is younger with talent. Draft day has been his A+ day so I'm pretty confident that he will make some solid selections.

Picks and prospects; maybe a young dman. Take your pick or use both.
Many many flyers fans believe they have the best farm system or close to it.

If you keep waiting for prospects to pan out the future may never come. Give me an established young nhl player over the current lottery ticket. Clearly this doesn’t apply to all prospects.
- rinaldo

I'm not against using one of our young dmen as a chip just want to make sure that we keep hitting on our dman draft picks then

I just like what I hear from Hexy on things. Keep stocking the cupboards in prospects. Don't overpay. Clarke spoke about needing those ELC to compete mixed in with vets.

There are times to move contracts like Schenn (who I don't think Hexy ever felt he really fit in the team concept and worth) to open up cap and roster space for moves. The idea of building from the back and center out makes sense to me.

I must admit I'm on team positive and I'm liking Hexy as GM. If I had to grade him overall I would give him an A. He has turned the pipeline around and the roster is younger with talent. Draft day has been his A+ day so I'm pretty confident that he will make some solid selections.
- peesinwind

I think an “A” is a bit of stretch. A GM needs to build a team that can at least win a playoff round before I’d grade him that high.

I like Hextall, and, with just a few minor quibbles, agree with his philosophy, but I think a B+ is about the highest grade I can give him at this point in time.

Awesome blog, Bill. Much appreciated. Happy Father’s Day to you and the other dads.

ROR is a very good hockey player that I would love to have on the Flyers. I think his cost would be too high to acquire though and his best years are coming to an end. Gotta move on and get the next one

I think an “A” is a bit of stretch. A GM needs to build a team that can at least win a playoff round before I’d grade him that high.

I like Hextall, and, with just a few minor quibbles, agree with his philosophy, but I think a B+ is about the highest grade I can give him at this point in time.
- BiggE

Maybe a B is where he is at but winning now is not where his A grade is from. I think it is what he has done with the program to set it in motion for success. Right now the program is in a great place to grow from. I'm thinking back to when he took the helm and how decayed the foundation was. Like I said. I really like Hexy's leadership thus far. Many long term fans will hold their judgment understandably. I think in three years many will be through out an A+ by his name. Just a feeling. Some will always doubt him.

How do the Flames not have a pick in the first 3 rounds of this draft?

If Hayton makes it to 14th, which I don't think he will, I suspect (don't know for sure, of course) that the Flyers would take him in that spot. He pretty much checks every box that Hextall prioritizes, although his skating can still improve a bit.
- bmeltzer

Reading that interview with Hextall, if somehow Farabee and Hayton are there at 14 and they went Hayton I’d be disappointed. If they went Miller I’d be okay. I get D and C are more valuable, but so is the skill of Farabee.

Go back to drinking mothers milk
- rinaldo

To the nearest millimeter, what is the farthest distance somebody's appendage has infiltrated your transverse colon

Maybe a B is where he is at but winning now is not where his A grade is from. I think it is what he has done with the program to set it in motion for success. Right now the program is in a great place to grow from. I'm thinking back to when he took the helm and how decayed the foundation was. Like I said. I really like Hexy's leadership thus far. Many long term fans will hold their judgment understandably. I think in three years many will be through out an A+ by his name. Just a feeling. Some will always doubt him.
- peesinwind

I hope you are right and do think he’s done a fantastic job re-stocking the prospect pipeline. My only real complaint, and it’s far from a big one, is that I believe he has a tendency to put a bit too much emphasis on a kid being a 200 foot player. A player can learn to be a better defensive player, can improve their off ice work habits and can improve their skating and skills to some degree. However, the ability to think the game, to make the right plays under pressure, and innate offensive creativity, are a lot harder to teach and/or improve.

I’d like to see a bit more emphasis on those qualities which is why I’d draft a guy like Farabee and even Berggren over Hayton for example.

Reading that interview with Hextall, if somehow Farabee and Hayton are there at 14 and they went Hayton I’d be disappointed. If they went Miller I’d be okay. I get D and C are more valuable, but so is the skill of Farabee.
- YuenglingJagr

Exactly

I hope you are right and do think he’s done a fantastic job re-stocking the prospect pipeline. My only real complaint, and it’s far from a big one, is that I believe he has a tendency to put a bit too much emphasis on a kid being a 200 foot player. A player can learn to be a better defensive player, can improve their off ice work habits and can improve their skating and skills to some degree. However, the ability to think the game, to make the right plays under pressure, and innate offensive creativity, are a lot harder to teach and/or improve.

I’d like to see a bit more emphasis on those qualities which is why I’d draft a guy like Farabee and even Berggren over Hayton for example.
- BiggE

Fair enough