If I was tkachuk I'd go back to school and wait to see what happens in Ottawa before committing to them. Or request a trade. He doesn't have much leverage and he will lose a few million is deal a he passed up on but he will get paid one day regardless.
I'd run from that organization with how poorly it's managed and operated. They are about to be the Edmonton oilers...a barren wasteland where nobody wants to go
- sILKAsSINASALO

Request a trade asap. He's throwing millions away if he goes back to school just because he doesn't want to play for Ottawa.

Oh i get it.

If/when they move those top guys they better get huge value back.
- J35Bacher

You would hope. The longer they wait to move them though, the less they'll get back.

Agreed, I like his game a lot.
- BiggE

I think both Allison and Laczynski both turn pro after this season if they have solid years. Farabee could even be a quick turnaround if he has a big season.

If he waits until he hits FA after college like Wheeler and Veasey he still can only sign an ELC and everyone will offer him what Ottawa did.
- J35Bacher

But he wouldn't be in Ottawa.

But he wouldn't be in Ottawa.
- Scoob

Which I think would be great..

I still would have given the 4th overall to Colorado this year and hoped for number one next year. I would have tried to use this year to get my house in order. They just seem like a mess.

I think both Allison and Laczynski both turn pro after this season if they have solid years. Farabee could even be a quick turnaround if he has a big season.
- J35Bacher

Yup, competition for Flyers forward spots is going to be fierce over the next few seasons.

Frost and Ratcliffe will both turn pro after this year, and I can see Frost skipping the AHL altogether and making the roster for opening night 19-20. Ratcliffe will likely still be filling out a bit, but he should be challenging for a regular spot in the top 9 by the start of 20-21.

Farabee, if he continues to get stronger, could mirror Konecny and push hard for a spot at the start of 19-20 as well. If not, he's pretty close to a sure thing in 20-21. O'Brien will likely be pushing for a spot by 20-21 too as may Cates.

Both Allison and Lacyznski could be challenging for spots at the start of 19-20 and almost certainly by 20-21. Plus guys down on the farm like NAK, Vecchione, and perhaps Vorobyev will be pushing for spots this upcoming season and Rubtsov could be knocking on the door by some point during 19-20.

It's going to be fun to watch!

Which I think would be great..

I still would have given the 4th overall to Colorado this year and hoped for number one next year. I would have tried to use this year to get my house in order. They just seem like a mess.
- J35Bacher

Yup, I would have moved Karlsson and Stone at the past draft too. That would have likley given them 2 more picks in the first in 2018 plus additional assets and they would have been all but guaranteed a top 5 pick in 2019. They have really handled things badly so far.

Yup, competition for Flyers forward spots is going to be fierce over the next few seasons.

Frost and Ratcliffe will both turn pro after this year, and I can see Frost skipping the AHL altogether and making the roster for opening night 19-20. Ratcliffe will likely still be filling out a bit, but he should be challenging for a regular spot in the top 9 by the start of 20-21.

Farabee, if he continues to get stronger, could mirror Konecny and push hard for a spot at the start of 19-20 as well. If not, he's pretty close to a sure thing in 20-21. O'Brien will likely be pushing for a spot by 20-21 too as may Cates.

Both Allison and Lacyznski could be challenging for spots at the start of 19-20 and almost certainly by 20-21. Plus guys down on the farm like NAK, Vecchione, and perhaps Vorobyev will be pushing for spots this upcoming season and Rubtsov could be knocking on the door by some point during 19-20.

It's going to be fun to watch!
- BiggE

And all this is kind of why I am ok with moving Simmonds. I know probably not popular but I think they have the depth coming, and JVR now, that they could get back solid return for Simmonds and still be in good shape.

Agreed.
top 10 prospect rankings are tough, especially when you factor in goalies, but here is how I'd rate them. FYI: I don't consider Lindblom a prospect any more, he's a Flyer.

1. Frost C
2. Myers D
3. Hart G
4. Farabee LW
5. Vorobyev C
6. Allison RW
7. Rubtsov C
8. Morin D
9. Ratcliffe LW
10. Sandstrom G

Just missing would be: O'Brien C/RW, Aube-Kubel RW and Lacyzinski LW
- BiggE

Ranking prospects is difficult, and I like to group them

I would have it (separated by 'value') :


1/2. Frost/Myers
3. Hart

4. Farabee

5. O'Brien (could be higher or lower, but haven't seen enough of him), going off mostly what has been written about him and the few times I've seen him.
6. Allison
7. Ratcliffe

8. Rubstov
9. Vorobyev
10. Morin

11. NAK
12. Sandstrom
13. Lacznkski

Below this line is mostly players I haven't seen a lot of, so I'm going of what limited viewing I've seen, or what I've read. As a result, I'm not going to rank them.

Strome, Cates, Kase, Lycksell, Friedman, Hogberg, Kalynut, Ginning

Yup, I would have moved Karlsson and Stone at the past draft too. That would have likley given them 2 more picks in the first in 2018 plus additional assets and they would have been all but guaranteed a top 5 pick in 2019. They have really handled things badly so far.
- BiggE

I would have moved Karlsson to Vegas at the deadline when you heard they were heavily interested in him. Hell Vegas paid a good amount for Tomas Tatar, I am sure they would have went big to get Karlsson.

I would have done Stone at the draft. Get another 2018 1st rounder and give 4 to Colorado to hold onto my pick in 2019

I would have moved Karlsson to Vegas at the deadline when you heard they were heavily interested in him. Hell Vegas paid a good amount for Tomas Tatar, I am sure they would have went big to get Karlsson.

I would have done Stone at the draft. Get another 2018 1st rounder and give 4 to Colorado to hold onto my pick in 2019
- J35Bacher

And all this is kind of why I am ok with moving Simmonds. I know probably not popular but I think they have the depth coming, and JVR now, that they could get back solid return for Simmonds and still be in good shape.
- J35Bacher

Agreed. If they were going to move him, would have been best to do it at the draft. Besides the fact that you'd likely would have gotten a better return than you would mid season or at the deadline, if he really is that important to "the room", better to move him in the offseason rather than disrupting the team during the season.

Was the Fedotenko trade worth it for Pikanen?
I think he had a nice playoff series before being traded.
Felt he brought an extra something in Tampa's run for the cup.

I think both Allison and Laczynski both turn pro after this season if they have solid years. Farabee could even be a quick turnaround if he has a big season.
- J35Bacher

maybe with all this fwd prospect depth they wait out all 4 years in college then reevaluate.

Which I think would be great..


- J35Bacher

yep

Was the Fedotenko trade worth it for Pikanen?
I think he had a nice playoff series before being traded.
Felt he brought an extra something in Tampa's run for the cup.
- Konalover

Hard to argue with the trade when it was made. The Flyers were deep at forward, thin on D, and pretty much every scout thought that Pitkanen would be a stud.

maybe with all this fwd prospect depth they wait out all 4 years in college then reevaluate.
- rinaldo

I don't think so. If both look ready I could see them signing to ELC once there done this year. I don't think teams like having kids go all 4 years because it puts them at the FA window and then other options are there.

Plus I can see NHL roles for Laczynski(bottom 6, PK, good wheels, plays a heavey game) and Allison(Top 9, 2nd PP, huge frame and can use it power forward) within in a year. i think both can push for roster spots pretty quickley.

I don't think so. If both look ready I could see them signing to ELC once there done this year. I don't think teams like having kids go all 4 years because it puts them at the FA window and then other options are there.

Plus I can see NHL roles for Laczynski(bottom 6, PK, good wheels, plays a heavey game) and Allison(Top 9, 2nd PP, huge frame and can use it power forward) within in a year. i think both can push for roster spots pretty quickley.
- J35Bacher

don't disagree as a whole, just that kids are funny and who knows what advice they are getting. maybe they ride it out sign with a team where the path is much clearer and faster. Not saying it will happen by any means.

Am I the only person that feels bad for OTT? Not sure the fans deserve what they are getting.

Am I the only person that feels bad for OTT? Not sure the fans deserve what they are getting.
- coffee junkie

Yeah, kind of, at least for the fans. I don't have the hatred for Sens fans that I do for the Leafs and Habs

I think most of the right names are in the top 10 but perhaps the order is a little meh. I don't think Vecchione should be in it. What would your top 10 look like?
- arichardson22

I don't think there is any reason to have Vecchione in there above Morin or Vorobyev. There's just no logic behind it.

My rankings with some thought behind them...
1. Frost - He just had about as good of a season he could possibly have on a really good team, so there is risk in overrating him. However, I think C is very important and I think he gets the edge over other prospects due to his ability to create on his own. He does it all...smart, fast, skilled, and I suspect he will get better looking over the next 2-3 years.

2. Myers - I just rank defensemen (and centers) higher than goalies. He is RH, aggressive, skilled, and fast. He is the exact kind of defenseman I want to have on this team and the value that he will bring to the team gives him #2 spot.

3. Hart - Hart is the last of the prospects that I would have no problem ranking #1. I have him at #3 just because goalies are weird and they aren't valuable until they are really valuable. He is as good of a goalie prospect as ever. Really excited about him and can't wait to watch him this season.

4. Farabee - I am really liking what I see and have him ranked based on upside. Still a little fear that he is playing with such good players but I think he (at a prospect level) is more skilled than Konecny and can create more. Obviously is better defensively. He will be really good for our top 6.

5. Lindblom - He makes it because he is technically still a rookie. I think some guys behind him have slightly better upsides, but his maturity as a prospect has him here for me. Very good forward that most likely ends up playing in a variety of roles here. Biggest knock is his speed.

6. Allison - Without injury and if he were turning pro, he could edge Lindblom soon. He gets this spot over Ratcliffe and JOB due to shot quality. I think he is one of the best shooters in the prospect pool and I like his overall game better.

7. Ratcliffe - another goal scorer with a huge frame and skates very well. 6-8 and in many ways 5-8 are even for me.

8. O'Brien - a bit raw to confidently place him over guys like Morin/Vorobyev/Rubstov, but betting on his attitude, work ethic, and pedigree. I expect him to be good, but even if he never reaches top potential as a C he will be a very good bottom 6 player for our (hopefully stacked) forward group. Also timing of his development could be good for replacing important older players.

9. Morin - I don't think he will ever hit the upside that you'd like from #11 OA, but that doesn't mean he won't be effective for the Flyers. I think (/hope) he will be a modern defensive defenseman, if you will, and dominate the defensive zone while being good enough to get out of it. Still has work to do with the puck on his stick.

10. Vorobyev - very good year for the Phantoms and a move to NA ice. I think a lot of times prospects are rated based on upside and what is expected to be their ceiling. He is unique because I think his ceiling has grown offensively for many people.

not in any specific order - NAK, Rubstov, Laczynski, Hogberg, Sandstrom would be the next group. Friedman, Strome, Lycksell, Stolarz, Cates, Ustimenko would be next for me.

fite me, please

don't disagree as a whole, just that kids are funny and who knows what advice they are getting. maybe they ride it out sign with a team where the path is much clearer and faster. Not saying it will happen by any means.
- rinaldo

Agree.

But look at Allison. He just had a pretty good injury. If he has another solid season and say is a hobey baker finalist, you think he would risk another college season with possible injury or turn pro and at least have security of an ELC with an organization on the upswing.

3. Hart - Hart is the last of the prospects that I would have no problem ranking #1. I have him at #3 just because goalies are weird and they aren't valuable until they are really valuable. He is as good of a goalie prospect as ever. Really excited about him and can't wait to watch him this season.

- YuenglingJagr

I lean toward #1... An excellent Goalie is the only position that drastically improve the chances for the Flyers to win the cup. The forwards and defense on this list are great to have, but replaceable and not 100% necessary for a cup. If Hart is what he appears to be, the Flyers should be able to win a cup (or more) during his career.

Hard to argue with the trade when it was made. The Flyers were deep at forward, thin on D, and pretty much every scout thought that Pitkanen would be a stud.
- BiggE

True, hindsight always 20/20.
Wish Joni did become that D guy...serviceable guy though.

I lean toward #1... An excellent Goalie is the only position that drastically improve the chances for the Flyers to win the cup. The forwards and defense on this list are great to have, but replaceable and not 100% necessary for a cup. If Hart is what he appears to be, the Flyers should be able to win a cup (or more) during his career.
- leon neon

I have no problem with him at #1, I just don't agree with putting him there myself.

While I don't disagree that him reaching his potential would improve the chances of the Flyers winning the cup, I don't think he needs to for that to happen. I have long believed that the team in front of the goalie is more important. At the end of the day, someone in net is going to have to do just enough for them to win. There have been really good goalies that haven't and there have been not so good goalies that have.

I also suspect that the returns on Frost and Myers will happen before Hart. I know most people expect Hart to just come in and play lights out, but that isn't normal. Carey Price took several years, John Gibson had some rough exits, Connor Hellebyuck was a mess until he wasn't. Then there is Matt Murray who came in and was fantastic for two playoffs.