We might need Danny for the outdoor game this year
- YuenglingJagr

And Trayden Schenn

And Trayden Schenn
- jmatchett383

Now you did it.
Somehow this feels like a personal attack. I am shocked and appalled!

Now you did it.
Somehow this feels like a personal attack. I am shocked and appalled!
- jaws1955

I just hope that you're protected from the mob.

I just hope that you're protected from the mob.
- jmatchett383

Stop giving everyone ammunischenn!

Gonna go out on a limb with this one a bit, but here goes. I think the Flyers have a solid shot to win the Metro this season and here is why:

First lets take a quick look at the competition.

Washington will almost certainly suffer from some type of Cup hangover. They had 107 points last year, I can see them slipping 5-7 points this year.

Pittsburgh, IMO, did nothing to improve themselves at all and their stars are a year older with that much more wear and tear on them.

Columbus has a sticky situation on their hands with Panarin and I don't think they've made any major improvements either.

New Jersey, IMO, will be lucky to hit the 97 points they had last season.

As far as the Rags, Canes or Isles, I don't see any of them, save for possibly the Canes if all breaks right for them, even being playoff teams, let alone winning the division.

Now, lets take a look at the Flyers:

They had 98 points last year. While G may not put up quite the numbers he had last year, they will have a healthy Simmonds and JVR to add to the offense. Plus, guys like Patrick, TK and Lindblom are only going to get better. On D, Provorov will have another year's experience and kids like Sanheim, Hagg, Myers and hopefully at some point, Morin, should all be able to contribute more. Yes, their goaltending is average at best, but it was only average at best last year so I don't really see any change there.

When it's all said and done, as long as they can stay relatively healthy in regards to the key players, I can see the Flyers improving 5-10 points from last season and finishing in the 103-108 point range. I think the Metro will be a division that you can win this season with 105 points so the Flyers should be right there.

Or, a view from reality:
"One of the NHL's most enigmatic teams can't seem to decide on a direction. The Flyers have alternated between trips to the playoffs and golf course each of the last five Aprils, and their roster this year is the poster child for mediocrity once again." -Sporting news [prediction: 6th]

3rd place and a first round exit - The hockey writers

The Flyers have not addressed any of their needs, and on paper are arguably (as non-Philly hockey writers have pointed out) not as talented as they were last season. Yes they have prospects and if all of them play over their head like veterans, if the players are used by the coaching staff to maximum effect and some of their defensemen learn to defend, they are a 3rd place/wild card team. They could even be a second round team, if everything clicks. But failing a couple of short term deals, they are a couple of years away from being a contender IF Hart/Lyons are the real deal. Its hard to see how they will have six non-liability blue liners in 20-21 based on who they have in the pipe now.

I think Lindblom for sure, Patrick possibly.

If I had to guess right now, I would expect the top 6 guys based on PK TOI for 18-19 would be:

1. Couturier
2. Laughton
3. Lindblom
4. Simmonds
5. Giroux
6. Raffl or Lehtera
- BiggE

The most effective PK guys on the team last year were Coots, G and Provy. Anyone else see a problem with this?

Or, a view from reality:
"One of the NHL's most enigmatic teams can't seem to decide on a direction. The Flyers have alternated between trips to the playoffs and golf course each of the last five Aprils, and their roster this year is the poster child for mediocrity once again." -Sporting news
- hockeyal[prediction: 6th]

3rd place and a first round exit - The hockey writers

The Flyers have not addressed any of their needs, and on paper are arguably (as non-Philly hockey writers have pointed out) not as talented as they were last season. Yes they have prospects and if all of them play over their head like veterans, if the players are used by the coaching staff to maximum effect and some of their defensemen learn to defend, they are a 3rd place/wild card team. They could even be a second round team, if everything clicks. But failing a couple of short term deals, they are a couple of years away from being a contender IF Hart/Lyons are the real deal. Its hard to see how they will have six non-liability blue liners in 20-21 based on who they have in the pipe now.

well we will be much higher than 6th when top prospect Mike Vecchione gets the call up

well we will be much higher than 6th when top prospect Mike Vecchione gets the call up
- YuenglingJagr

If you were the Flyers GM at the 2015 draft and both Provorov and Barzal were available to you at #7, who would you pick?

Or, a view from reality:
"One of the NHL's most enigmatic teams can't seem to decide on a direction. The Flyers have alternated between trips to the playoffs and golf course each of the last five Aprils, and their roster this year is the poster child for mediocrity once again." -Sporting news
- hockeyal[prediction: 6th]

3rd place and a first round exit - The hockey writers

The Flyers have not addressed any of their needs, and on paper are arguably (as non-Philly hockey writers have pointed out) not as talented as they were last season. Yes they have prospects and if all of them play over their head like veterans, if the players are used by the coaching staff to maximum effect and some of their defensemen learn to defend, they are a 3rd place/wild card team. They could even be a second round team, if everything clicks. But failing a couple of short term deals, they are a couple of years away from being a contender IF Hart/Lyons are the real deal. Its hard to see how they will have six non-liability blue liners in 20-21 based on who they have in the pipe now.

a healthy Simmonds and adding JVR makes them better than they were last year on paper. not sure how you're seeing the opposite.

a healthy Simmonds and adding JVR makes them better than they were last year on paper. not sure how you're seeing the opposite.
- Ftown19125

They lost Filppula and Manning, two players who were keys to locking games down late.

The most effective PK guys on the team last year were Coots, G and Provy. Anyone else see a problem with this?
- hockeyal

I could see where, maybe, there is some apprehenschenn.

However, it is usually a good decischenn to have your better 2 way players on the PK.

I could see where, maybe, there is some apprehenschenn.

However, it is usually a good decischenn to have your better 2 way players on the PK.
- johndewar

I schenn what you did there.

If you were the Flyers GM at the 2015 draft and both Provorov and Barzal were available to you at #7, who would you pick?
- jmatchett383

Provorov

fwiw, I think the more fun question would be with hindsight would you trade Schenn for Barzal last offseason

If you were the Flyers GM at the 2015 draft and both Provorov and Barzal were available to you at #7, who would you pick?
- jmatchett383

Provy no queschenn!!!

If you were the Flyers GM at the 2015 draft and both Provorov and Barzal were available to you at #7, who would you pick?
- jmatchett383

Still go Provorov.

I think it is harder to find top end defenders then forwards. Barzal is great but i think as Provorov continues to get better he'll have even more of an impact on games.

They lost Filppula and Manning, two players who were keys to locking games down late.
- jmatchett383

As I said, if the prospects step up and fill 3C, they could be as good. I think that is what the hockey writers panel expects. Filppula is not "good", he's just a lot better than Laughton. I am hopeful Vecchione can be good enough to get them a first round win, except .... Folin is NOT a trade up from Manning. Yes, Manning is NOT "good" but Folin is more not good. And the personnel they have on defense defy making three effective PAIRINGS. We had Ghost-Provy, Sanheim-AMac, and .... DERP. Hagg and Gudas are decent defenders if they get the right people to play with. Hagg may even have top 4 upside, but playing with AMac was a recipe for disaster. Who moves the puck in that tandem? Playing with Gudas is worse. The centers and defense is not good enough to win close games if the goaltenders are Moose and Neuvy. Or even Lyons and Hart, at least not those guys in 2018-19.

Or, a view from reality:
"One of the NHL's most enigmatic teams can't seem to decide on a direction. The Flyers have alternated between trips to the playoffs and golf course each of the last five Aprils, and their roster this year is the poster child for mediocrity once again." -Sporting news
- hockeyal[prediction: 6th]

3rd place and a first round exit - The hockey writers

The Flyers have not addressed any of their needs, and on paper are arguably (as non-Philly hockey writers have pointed out) not as talented as they were last season. Yes they have prospects and if all of them play over their head like veterans, if the players are used by the coaching staff to maximum effect and some of their defensemen learn to defend, they are a 3rd place/wild card team. They could even be a second round team, if everything clicks. But failing a couple of short term deals, they are a couple of years away from being a contender IF Hart/Lyon are the real deal. Its hard to see how they will have six non-liability blue liners in 20-21 based on who they have in the pipe now.

ftfy

a healthy Simmonds and adding JVR makes them better than they were last year on paper. not sure how you're seeing the opposite.
- Ftown19125

They will definitely be better at deflecting shots in front of the net and PP2. But does JVR play defense? And who will be the 3C that makes Simmonds and Lindblom click? And how is the 4th line not a dumpster fire?

So I guess if we play G and Coots and Provy 30 minutes a night, it will be fine.

As I said, if the prospects step up and fill 3C, they could be as good. I think that is what the hockey writers panel expects. Filppula is not "good", he's just a lot better than Laughton. I am hopeful Vecchione can be good enough to get them a first round win, except .... Folin is NOT a trade up from Manning. Yes, Manning is NOT "good" but Folin is more not good. And the personnel they have on defense defy making three effective PAIRINGS. We had Ghost-Provy, Sanheim-AMac, and .... DERP. Hagg and Gudas are decent defenders if they get the right people to play with. Hagg may even have top 4 upside, but playing with AMac was a recipe for disaster. Who moves the puck in that tandem? Playing with Gudas is worse. The centers and defense is not good enough to win close games if the goaltenders are Moose and Neuvy. Or even Lyon and Hart, at least not those guys in 2018-19.
- hockeyal

ftfy again

Still go Provorov.

I think it is harder to find top end defenders then forwards. Barzal is great but i think as Provorov continues to get better he'll have even more of an impact on games.
- J35Bacher

I know, I just also know that YG has several Barzal shrines throughout his house.

ftfy again
- ajw12

Maybe he means this dude

straws
- MBFlyerfan

The world needs to embrace straws, not shun them

I am curious if you might start seeing Patrick and Lindblom get some minutes on the PK.

Just like the PP, add more talent to the PK and you should get better results.
- J35Bacher

The PK requires VETERAN PRESENCE!!!!

Hey, HockeyAl, delete your account

Also did Glak actually get banned lol

I know, I just also know that YG has several Barzal shrines throughout his house.
- jmatchett383

Funny thing is at least the Flyers got a franchise defender it looks like. NJ took Zacha over Barzal. Some of the other teams took some chances. Florida took Crouse. Boston took Senyshen and Zboril. Dallas took Gurianov.

Just shows that the draft is a crap shoot sometimes.