That is a very good point and really a caveat to my opinion. No doubt adding some veteran players to lighten the load would be good for the young players. There should be some cheaper shorter term options that they can look at instead of long term high cap hit UFA's.
- MJL

Hopefully something becomes available. Hayes for over a 5 year term is an issue for me. It’s unknown who we would need to give in a trade for center help. We’ll see.

I know we disagree about the importance level of the veteran RH defensemen that I really want, but you do acknowledge that the top young defensemen and goalie we have need more time. I see this acquisition as vital to stabilize that growth and maybe accelerate it.

Thank you. We can debate the player, that’s a fair and healthy discussion. But to have the Flyers stand pat and not actively look to improve the team during the offseason until they reach some mystical “ready” position has resulted in the slog the team is currently mired in.
- Flyers1218

The options to improve are limited however. There is a reason so few quality players hit FA. You need to either draft or trade your way to a vast majority of them.

There is a valid point in saying that keeping Ghost or Myers and paying Hayes is the better route to giving up assets and having a Kadri.

I don’t envy Fletcher. This team is kind of in no man’s land after selling to the fanbase they are going to try and be competitive while rebuilding. Very curious what happens.

Thank you. We can debate the player, that’s a fair and healthy discussion. But to have the Flyers stand pat and not actively look to improve the team during the offseason until they reach some mystical “ready” position has resulted in the slog the team is currently mired in.
- Flyers1218

Nobody has said that the Flyers should stand pat. That is your invention.

So, to be clear here. Your arguments hinge on comparing Centers that are on average more than 10 pounds Girouxs size to Girouxs size.
- Lip_Out

Are any of those guys not diminutive? Because that's the standard you provided. There are a lot of players at 185lbs and under that had long careers as centers in the league, too.

You associate the wear and tear of a Center and a Left Wing as equivalent.
- Lip_Out

The disparity isn't as great as it used to be, that's what I said.

You advocate moving a young right winger to left wing prompting yet another hole in the lineup to be created (your solutions tend to create a lot of problems)

To replace a player at the level of Giroux at Left Wing you mention a 20 year old with a checkered junior history and 14 games of AHL experience and a 19 year old with 0 professional experience.
- Lip_Out

There are options if Kevin Hayes falls through. Perfect solution? No. Options.

I don't think were on the same page about standing pat or on the many ways there are to improve your team.

So I guess your going to ignore the history of the team you root for and how their approach of trying to win now over a significant period of time didn't work even with the financial advantage they had over other teams. Add in the salary cap and it's a different ball game. Don't have to aggressively sign free agents to be competitive next season.
- MJL

Who do you then think the flyers should target in free agency? Who should they speak with at least to see where that player is at?

If you sign/trade for a center, G will still get some games there when injuries happen. But expecting him to be an everyday center, and play on a different line to Couturier, would be poor planning.

Giroux-Couturier-Voracek/Konecny has been the Flyers best line by far for the past two years.

I have no issues giving out deals to players that are worth it. I don’t see this team as being a Hayes away from contention. I have no concerns overpaying for Duchene or Panarin. None. True talent I’ll overpay for any day. Hayes imo is also kind of redundant.

This club needs speed, and players who can handle the puck creatively. Not more 2 way north/South players with average at best skating.

It’s far more likely imo his contract because the next AMac deal. Sometimes the right move, is the one you don’t make. This isn’t going to be a small contract.
- flyer_nutter

Agree pretty much.

Panarin is pretty much worth what he's gonna get. Skinner is worth $9M.

Duchene I'm not as sure about, tho.

I know we disagree about the importance level of the veteran RH defensemen that I really want, but you do acknowledge that the top young defensemen and goalie we have need more time. I see this acquisition as vital to stabilize that growth and maybe accelerate it.
- NC Flyers Fan

That's not actually correct. I see the need. I just know what the cost will be for that player and the cost is prohibitive.

I don't think were on the same page about standing pat or on the many ways there are to improve your team.

So I guess your going to ignore the history of the team you root for and how their approach of trying to win now over a significant period of time didn't work even with the financial advantage they had over other teams. Add in the salary cap and it's a different ball game. Don't have to aggressively sign free agents to be competitive next season.
- MJL

I know damn well the history of this team. They were a storied franchise, that was always good. One of the best franchises in the history of the sport, until the last 12-15 years.

That's this Summer. What if Patrick breaks out and Lindblom has a strong season. Then Hart follows, etc. The cap space the Flyers have should be reserved for those players.
- MJL

That is my point. They are going to need the cap space, going out and getting a big name FA now is counter productive.

That is my point. They are going to need the cap space, going out and getting a big name FA now is counter productive.
- MBFlyerfan

This team can't afford to sit around and hope players pan out. Not if they're still trying to win with G and Jake.

This team can't afford to sit around and hope players pan out. Not if they're still trying to win with G and Jake.
- hereticpride

So you are saying its an either or proposition? Either sign big name expensive FA's or just sit around hoping the kids pan out? No middle ground?

So you are saying its an either or proposition? Either sign big name expensive FA's or just sit around hoping the kids pan out? No middle ground?
- MBFlyerfan

Or make trades ..

Who gets top PP if ghost gets traded? Provorov or Sanheim?

Who gets top PP if ghost gets traded? Provorov or Sanheim?
- QuickSCF

Sanheim. Unless they acquire a suitable veteran d-man...
Provy and Myers on PP2.

Who gets top PP if ghost gets traded? Provorov or Sanheim?
- QuickSCF

Let them complete, minutes go to the hot hand

Who gets top PP if ghost gets traded? Provorov or Sanheim?
- QuickSCF

Trouba.

I know damn well the history of this team. They were a storied franchise, that was always good. One of the best franchises in the history of the sport, until the last 12-15 years.
- Flyers1218

If you damn well know the history then why haven't you considered how the Flyers operated in the past and how it didn't work out? even with the financial advantage.

This team can't afford to sit around and hope players pan out. Not if they're still trying to win with G and Jake.
- hereticpride

Sure they can. Both players have a significant number of quality seasons left in them.

Sure they can. Both players have a significant number of quality seasons left in them.
- MJL

I'm not saying they don't. But I'm not worried about future possible big contracts for the kids right now and it's not going to stop me going after a significant FA right now.

I'm not saying they don't. But I'm not worried about future possible big contracts for the kids right now and it's not going to stop me going after a significant FA right now.
- hereticpride

I don't doubt that your not worried but it's a concern that should be considered. You have to project with cap management.

Move out ghost for starters
- Just5

that works

Big pass on Kadri. If they want to go that route, I'd rather give the minutes to NOPA instead. Or acquire a different player.

He's not a guy like Marchand where you say "I hate that guy but I would love him on my team". It's more like "I hate that guy, I wouldn't want him on my team". Even diehard Toronto fans have soured on him. Keep those antics elsewhere. No thanks.

Big pass on Kadri. If they want to go that route, I'd rather give the minutes to NOPA instead. Or acquire a different player.

He's not a guy like Marchand where you say "I hate that guy but I would love him on my team". It's more like "I hate that guy, I wouldn't want him on my team". Even diehard Toronto fans have soured on him. Keep those antics elsewhere. No thanks.
- dubc55

For what it would cost to get him I'd rather target someone else. If he were a UFA maybe I'd have more interest if he was the best available and not costing us assets.

I still think we should be trying to get RNH if Hayes doesn't pan out.

I’m not a fan of Hayes even as a 27 year old and Panarin and Duchesne would be prohibitively costly. Trading Ghost at low value point wouldn’t seem to be wise either. If the team wants to wait and see what it truly has in Frost, Farrabee, Patrick et al then it would be prudent to listen for offers on Giroux and Voracek as well while they have value. It’s a waste of their minutes to play with this team as currently configured.