What scares me are the daily conversations on this board. We currently have a young core on defense of Provorov, Gostisbehere, Sanheim, Gudas, Hagg, Myers, Morin and MacDonald. All under contract. However, we’re still talking about bringing in a veteran defenseman.

On top of this, some fans aren’t willing to wait for Nolan Patrick to break out as he enters his third pro season, so their answer is to blow all kinds of money on a second line center.

Last, we haven’t had a fourth line in like five years. Yes, Bellemare looks great in Vegas. Bellemare did not look great here attached to the hip with Chris Vandevelde at even strength and a poor penalty kill.

Bringing in depth and specialist should be an absolute priority. It was a priority to re-sign a fourth line winger in Michael Raffl, filling in these bottom six gaps should also be a priority.

I’m seriously worried that Fletcher takes notes from hockeybuzz.com
- SuperSchennBros

Do you really think fletcher is going to address the center position by signing Brian Boyle? That may be what you want but it’s not happening. They are not going to wait on Patrick regardless of what we think.

I don't see any reason to move up. There is a top 2 and then everyone else is pretty close depending on what a team needs.

Podkolzin is a wild card as he could go 3 or even drop out of the top 10 i believe.

At 11 I would be happy with any of Krebs, Turcotte, Byram, Soderstrom, Caufield, Boldy or Zegras.
- J35Bacher

Spot on, and if they are absolutely in love with a guy that's available a few picks before us maybe they would move up. I feel like people say we should move up just to say it, move up and target who? Teams move up for a chance to draft a guy they are very high on, not to just pick a few spots better.

Do you really think fletcher is going to address the center position by signing Brian Boyle? That may be what you want but it’s not happening. They are not going to wait on Patrick regardless of what we think.
- Just5

on top of that, posters are talking about vet d-men because fletcher stated that was something he wanted to address. also, would adding a 2nd line center and pushing patrick down the lineup not help with depth? i'm confused.

I expect a pretty substantial uptick in final performance this season.

1. Anticipated full season of Hart
2. AV as coach


I think both of those things contribute to this team making the playoffs in a manner outside of the wildcard.

on top of that, posters are talking about vet d-men because fletcher stated that was something he wanted to address. also, would adding a 2nd line center and pushing patrick down the lineup not help with depth? i'm confused.
- Ftown19125

If they were able to add just for an example say Brock Nelson and Alexander Edler, that wouldn't help the Flyers?

They also have a little log jam back on defense so I can see one possibly being moved to fill a need.

Hi Bill,

In your opinion with the new coaches who is likely to thrive more in AV's system from the Flyers current roster. I would imagine AV is going to run the same system he did in NY. Fast skaters accepting passes from the defensive zone, strong board work and cycle to open up holes and decisive shots.

I would imagine Voracek, Giroux, and Konecny will benefit the most, and possibly Patrick among the forwards. I'm worried about Lindblom, JVR, and Couturier because they aren't particularly speedy or exceptional passers.

Among the defense I think Ghost, Sanheim, Provorov, and Myers will benefit on the offensive side while Gudas, Hagg, and Morin might struggle because again, not great passers or very fast.

Also can I have your opinion on how his system will work out for our defense? His first couple years in NY were great because a lot of the players still had Torts defense first system still stuck in their head, but later basically became "pond hockey"

Never understood the obsession every year with moving the pick up/down/around.

Flyers are the poster children for hitting on picks beyond the top-10. It's nearly money in the bank with this club.
- Tomahawk

They moved up for Konecny. Just depends if there is someone they like a lot more then the small group in front of them. I doubt they move up very far if they do.

Yeo to handle PK.
Therrien to handle PP.

What scares me are the daily conversations on this board. We currently have a young core on defense of Provorov, Gostisbehere, Sanheim, Gudas, Hagg, Myers, Morin and MacDonald. All under contract. However, we’re still talking about bringing in a veteran defenseman.

On top of this, some fans aren’t willing to wait for Nolan Patrick to break out as he enters his third pro season, so their answer is to blow all kinds of money on a second line center.

Last, we haven’t had a fourth line in like five years. Yes, Bellemare looks great in Vegas. Bellemare did not look great here attached to the hip with Chris Vandevelde at even strength and a poor penalty kill.

Bringing in depth and specialist should be an absolute priority. It was a priority to re-sign a fourth line winger in Michael Raffl, filling in these bottom six gaps should also be a priority.

I’m seriously worried that Fletcher takes notes from hockeybuzz.com
- SuperSchennBros

The Hockeybuzzers are saying what Fletcher said himself at the end of season presser and hiring of AV, so yes, expect some of those changes.

They moved up for Konecny. Just depends if there is someone they like a lot more then the small group in front of them. I doubt they move up very far if they do.
- youarewrong

Konecny was also expected to go higher i believe. So it was a good move to get him in the back of the 1st round.

I just don't really see a guy that merits moving from 11 to say 5 or anything. Now just say Podkolzin dropped for some reason all the way to end of the 1st, well then I could see a reason to try and get back in the 1st round.

Yeo to handle PK.
Therrien to handle PP.
- Streit2ThePoint

quote from Bill via twitter' " Therrien will be in charge of PP and forwards. Yeo will run D and PK. Lappy will do pre-scouting, prep and skating, eye-in-sky."

Yeo to handle PK.
Therrien to handle PP.
- Streit2ThePoint

quote from Bill via twitter' " Therrien will be in charge of PP and forwards. Yeo will run D and PK. Lappy will do pre-scouting, prep and skating, eye-in-sky."
- Dkos

It’s a fresh start.

Konecny was also expected to go higher i believe. So it was a good move to get him in the back of the 1st round.

I just don't really see a guy that merits moving from 11 to say 5 or anything. Now just say Podkolzin dropped for some reason all the way to end of the 1st, well then I could see a reason to try and get back in the 1st round.
- J35Bacher

If Pod drops to 8, I try and make a move to get him.

Do you really think fletcher is going to address the center position by signing Brian Boyle? That may be what you want but it’s not happening. They are not going to wait on Patrick regardless of what we think.
- Just5

Prob not Boyle. But I don't see them signing a any big name vet to a long term deal. I see them getting a glue type vet who is over 30 who will sign for 2-3 years. Kind of like Filpula was but was better.

A guy who can be the 2nd line center but able to move to 3C if Patrick steps it up.

quote from Bill via twitter' " Therrien will be in charge of PP and forwards. Yeo will run D and PK. Lappy will do pre-scouting, prep and skating, eye-in-sky."
- Dkos

What the heck is AV doing then? Goalie coach? lol


#sarcasm

Prob not Boyle. But I don't see them signing a any big name vet to a long term deal. I see them getting a glue type vet who is over 30 who will sign for 2-3 years. Kind of like Filpula was but was better.

A guy who can be the 2nd line center but able to move to 3C if Patrick steps it up.
- MBFlyerfan

Brock Nelson?

Also think he could move to wing if Frost eventually proves ready.

Prob not Boyle. But I don't see them signing a any big name vet to a long term deal. I see them getting a glue type vet who is over 30 who will sign for 2-3 years. Kind of like Filpula was but was better.

A guy who can be the 2nd line center but able to move to 3C if Patrick steps it up.
- MBFlyerfan

I think they make 1 signing from the A- list of players for forward, and use the trade route to bring in their veteran defenseman. I'm curious why Talbot hasn't signed a deal yet.... That might not be as "certain" as we originally thought. They may still be looking at Elliot's health considering he played well when he came back and was healthy.

Brock Nelson?

Also think he could move to wing if Frost eventually proves ready.
- J35Bacher

Yes...right age, right experience, right size...can move around the middle six or top 9. Just wouldn't back up a truck for him.

Yeo to handle PK.
Therrien to handle PP.
- Streit2ThePoint

Alright , a new coach on the PK.
Lets see how that goes and hopefully it has the desired effect.

If Pod drops to 8, I try and make a move to get him.
- youarewrong

I probably wouldn't.

Your still giving up decent amount to move there. If it's late in the 1st then maybe you move a 2nd and on of the extra 3rds.

Podkolzin could be tricky because he is probably staying in KHL another 2 years so you never know how that works out.

I'd be curious what would happen is say someone dropped to 11 and someone behind you really wants them. Say Ottawa is at 18 and really wants someone that is at 11 would you drop to 18 and see if you can get that 1st pick of the 2nd round?

Yes...right age, right experience, right size...can move around the middle six or top 9. Just wouldn't back up a truck for him.
- juiced

I am thinking Brock Nelson will be something like 5 years 5.5-6 million.

I mean if you wanted, he is not the same player but he had a pretty good playoffs, you could look at Spezza on a 1 or 2 year deal.

Provorov is not on the Russian IIHF roster. Looks like both sides ready to dig in on negotiation

I am thinking Brock Nelson will be something like 5 years 5.5-6 million.

I mean if you wanted, he is not the same player but he had a pretty good playoffs, you could look at Spezza on a 1 or 2 year deal.
- J35Bacher

I thought spezza was on the wing on the 4th line last night?

I’m still interested in a Kopitar/giroux swap. Nice little rumor