Having a legitimate, healthy NHL goalie instead of Neuvirth would much give you a much better chance of getting the "average goaltending" you are hoping for. Also, Hextall clearly said in the offseason that this is the year he expects the team to take the next step. Since they lost in the first round last year, the next step would have to be winning a playoff round. Rarely, do teams have a lot of playoff success with "average NHL goaltending". Sorry, you're still wrong. It's cool, I don't expect you to agree with me.
- BiggE

It's not written in stone at this point that Neuvirth won't contribute this season or that Elliott won't continue to provide what he has provided to this point. We also don't know what Lyon will do. You told me I was wrong last season about making a goaltending move. Turns out I was right just as I'm right now. The next step this season is not about goaltending. It's about the young players. Again, a factor you're not considering is that it is November and it is a long season. Sorry, you're still wrong in my opinion and I don't care if you disagree.

I'd want at least 5 years. I dont think Hart will be ready before that plus you have to be prepared for the event that he doesnt live up to expectations..
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

If Hart or Sandstrom doesn't live up to expectations than you still have the opportunity to use free agency.

The Flyers have Hart and Sandstrom as goalie prospects. If they could get Bobrovsky to sign for 3 years, I'd be interested. There are limits now to front loading that have changed. Cap hit is still a factor.
- MJL

Assuming they don't give him a Carrey Price type deal I see no reason they couldn't move Bob 3 or 4 years in if one of those guys blows Bob out of the water.

Goalie prospects are just so hard to predict. If they have a chance at Bob they should kick the tires. Having two goalies who can play is a problem I will always take over having a revolving door in net.

Assuming they don't give him a Carrey Price type deal I see no reason they couldn't move Bob 3 or 4 years in if one of those guys blows Bob out of the water.

Goalie prospects are just so hard to predict. If they have a chance at Bob they should kick the tires. Having two goalies who can play is a problem I will always take over having a revolving door in net.
- hereticpride

Having a player signed to a large money deal for numerous years left is not easy. Not many teams will be lined up to take that on. Especially for a goaltender and not a position player where there are less jobs available.

No it doesn't. Bobrovsky is going to get a 7 year deal for big money as a UFA if he goes that route. If you sign Bobrovsky, might as well trade Hart.
- MJL

I’m not advocating signing Bob to 7 years, but Good nhl teams need more than one goalie. Hart is only 20. Bob is 30. Odds are Bob would be starting to decline at around the same time Hart is ready to be a #1. If the Flyers end up with two outstanding goalies how is that a bad thing?

1. I don't know why wveryone is panicking after the devils game. The way they played is not cause for alarm. They were far superior in every facet of the game except maybe puck luck. Earlier in the year was different because they were playing poorly and not getting results. If they play like they did against the devs every day, they will win those games 9/10

2. Hakstol has shown a willingness to change his lineups this year and bench veterans during games when he thinks they aren't playing well. Gotta give him some credit there

3. The flyers are a good 5 on 5 team. Just gotta fix the PP and honestly we could easily be a top 8 team. PK is gonna take a systemic and maybe player overhaul so don't waste your breath

4. There are 60+ games left. Relax

5. Moose getting hurt right now is terrible. He was playing the best stretch of hockey he had in orange and black. Hopefully the injury isn't bad and he comes back and plays like he was before
- bulet13

The issue I have going forward with moose is simple....the injury happened making a play the goalies have to make all the time....samething with last years injury in the shoot out. I’d be worried if it happened to a young goalie, but an older guy coming off surgery, this early in the season ....that’s not good.

Like I’ve said before, Hextall grossly underestimated the timeframe the prospects would be ready to contribute enough to elevate this core to contender status.

As others have said, Carter Hart is three to four years away, and that’s just for him to get to the NHL. Add another season or two to that for him to get his game up to speed.

By the time this happens Giroux and company will be able to apply for their AARP cards.

It is pie in the sky thinking that this core will compete for a cup with the higher end prospects we have in the pipeline.
- StepfordSam

i don't think he underestimated the time frame for the prospects, I just think he believes in being patient as much as that sucks for the fan base. this organization has gone all in since the 90's (free agency and trading of picks and prospects) and while they had great success, they always fell short. Am i getting antsy this season? yes I am, however, I am still trying to be patient because I do understand Hextall's end game. obviously if the prospects fall short it will end up being a disaster and that will cost Hextall his job

Bob scares me. The impressions I have of Bob, right or wrong, is when the lights are shinning the brightest, he leaves a little something to desire.
- ggunky

I'm with you. I was a big Bob fan when he was here and was mad when they signed Bryz but since then his playoff appearances really causes pause for me.

I’m not advocating signing Bob to 7 years, but Good nhl teams need more than one goalie. Hart is only 20. Bob is 30. Odds are Bob would be starting to decline at around the same time Hart is ready to be a #1. If the Flyers end up with two outstanding goalies how is that a bad thing?
- Dkos

Is Bob going to want to sign with a team with an the future franchise guy waiting in the wings ? He didn’t like it much when the Flyers by passed him for that crazyy (frank) the first time .

I’m not advocating signing Bob to 7 years, but Good nhl teams need more than one goalie. Hart is only 20. Bob is 30. Odds are Bob would be starting to decline at around the same time Hart is ready to be a #1. If the Flyers end up with two outstanding goalies how is that a bad thing?
- Dkos

It wouldn't be. As young players get better and need new deals the cap commitment for them is going to increase. As the Flyers hopefully get better and better they might want to use free agency or trade a future asset to put the finishing touch on the roster. It's harder to do that with a backup goalie with a 8M cap hit.

Having a player signed to a large money deal for numerous years left is not easy. Not many teams will be lined up to take that on. Especially for a goaltender and not a position player where there are less jobs available.
- MJL

Yeah, I just see this differently I guess. Hart would be on an ELC the first few years and having a competent goaltending tandem is a problem I would welcome with open arms.

1. I don't know why wveryone is panicking after the devils game. The way they played is not cause for alarm. They were far superior in every facet of the game except maybe puck luck. Earlier in the year was different because they were playing poorly and not getting results. If they play like they did against the devs every day, they will win those games 9/10

2. Hakstol has shown a willingness to change his lineups this year and bench veterans during games when he thinks they aren't playing well. Gotta give him some credit there

3. The flyers are a good 5 on 5 team. Just gotta fix the PP and honestly we could easily be a top 8 team. PK is gonna take a systemic and maybe player overhaul so don't waste your breath

4. There are 60+ games left. Relax

5. Moose getting hurt right now is terrible. He was playing the best stretch of hockey he had in orange and black. Hopefully the injury isn't bad and he comes back and plays like he was before
- bulet13

in all seriousness, they were and inch or two away from a 5-2 win (devils had one post i believe?). just an absurd game.

I think the concern is more about Pickard/Lyon being the tandem for some time.

Is Bob going to want to sign with a team with an the future franchise guy waiting in the wings ? He didn’t like it much when the Flyers by passed him for that crazyy (frank) the first time .
- landros 2

Hart is still far from a sure thing.

Here's an example of how ridiculous this board is. Remember 2-3 years ago when Giroux had injury issues and had 2 bad years(Bad for contract signed)? Just like it is now with blow up the team, get a new coach. Most people called for him to be traded, experts said he was on the decline. Guess what, a year later he bounced back scoring 102 points and now is on pace for 95.

That is how overly dramatic you guys are. There is no NHL team that has a season that is all sunshine and rainbows. Bad stretches always happen. Even top teams have them. Relax at the end of the day it is just a hockey team. There are more important things in life to stress over. A favourite hockey team isnt one of them.

Yeah, I just see this differently I guess. Hart would be on an ELC the first few years and having a competent goaltending tandem is a problem I would welcome with open arms.
- hereticpride

I think you're misunderstanding me or I'm not being clear enough. I'm not against bringing in an established goaltender for the right price. I'm against signing a player like Bobrovsky to a 7 year big money UFA deal.

Hart is still far from a sure thing.
- hereticpride

100%. But will Bob see it that way?...he didn’t exactly leave on great terms. Obviously he wants big, big money and term, or he would have already re upped in CLB.
And who knows a lot can happen between now and then...

It wouldn't be. As young players get better and need new deals the cap commitment for them is going to increase. As the Flyers hopefully get better and better they might want to use free agency or trade a future asset to put the finishing touch on the roster. It's harder to do that with a backup goalie with a 8M cap hit.
- MJL

As I said, I don’t want the Flyers to sign Bob to a long term. I’m not so sure about Bob’s performance under high pressure (playoffs). Unfortunately I have no confidence in Hextalls ability to add quality players through free agency and trades.

I think you're misunderstanding me or I'm not being clear enough. I'm not against bringing in an established goaltender for the right price. I'm against signing a player like Bobrovsky to a 7 year big money UFA deal.
- MJL

Yeah, 7 is a bit much. But if it was say a 6 year deal and he's making under 8 a season I think it could be managed.

Ultimately I think they need to get someone. I just don't see this tandem as a bridge to an unproven commodity being a great plan when you've already got a core in place that the GM is expecting to also take the next step.

100%. But will Bob see it that way?...he didn’t exactly leave on great terms. Obviously he wants big, big money and term, or he would have already re upped in CLB.
And who knows a lot can happen between now and then...
- landros 2

Money and term isnt the problem in CBJ. Like Panarin he has no intention of signing at all and honestly there have been reports stating his attitude hasnt been that great this year with the team

100%. But will Bob see it that way?...he didn’t exactly leave on great terms. Obviously he wants big, big money and term, or he would have already re upped in CLB.
And who knows a lot can happen between now and then...
- landros 2

Ideally I'd like to see them maybe make a move for an established starter with a few years left on his deal. If Hart progresses as planned during that time, great. If not you've still got options.

That said, I don't know if that guy is out there right now aside from Lundqvuist who doesn't seem to want to leave NY.

Yeah, 7 is a bit much. But if it was say a 6 year deal and he's making under 8 a season I think it could be managed.

Ultimately I think they need to get someone. I just don't see this tandem as a bridge to an unproven commodity being a great plan when you've already got a core in place that the GM is expecting to also take the next step.
- hereticpride

Something is going to have to be done for next season. Elliott is a UFA. He might be viable as a backup on a one year deal but they need a starter to continue the bridge. I think Hextall's comments of taking the next step are being taken way out of proportion.

As I said, I don’t want the Flyers to sign Bob to a long term. I’m not so sure about Bob’s performance under high pressure (playoffs). Unfortunately I have no confidence in Hextalls ability to add quality players through free agency and trades.
- Dkos

I have complete confidence in Hextall.

Did I mention I want a new coaching staff this year...

New coaching staff more important than goaltending..yes I said it.

For the record, I always enjoy watching Flyers-Lightning games. These two teams have a long sordid history together that goes back to the Bolts' earliest days in the league. Today's game should be interesting, given that both teams are dressing less-than-ideal goaltenders. This could be another 10+ goal barn burner.

True story :

My 10-yo grandson participated in the Great American Teach-In at his school yesterday. A Lightning hockey player was there to give a talk and take answers from the kids.

My grandson Ben asks the following question :

"Have you heard of the Flyer's new mascot, Gritty?"

The Lightning player laughed and said "Yes, but I haven't met him yet."

I am still trying to find out exactly which player it was because Ben can't recall his name.

I had a good laugh from that. The kid already knows his Gritty.

I have complete confidence in Hextall.
- MJL

I still think he will get it figured out. But I also think he dug himself this hole to begin with.

I don't think the mistake Hextall made was not buying out Nuevirth at the end of last season. I think the mistake, and I felt this way then, was signing Nuevirth at all. I also think he miscalculated in going in to this season with his two starters coming off serious injuries.

The Flyers absolutely need to get a reliable veteran goalie sooner than later. Someone who can be a 3-4 year bridge to Hart and or Sandstrom.