If Ghost has another down year is his trade value out the window? Might be time to move him now before it's too late.

I agree with this view on where the Blues were as a team. We have been talking for the past 4-5 years of trying to trade with the blues to get Petrangelo and some of their other players...when we hear other teams talk like that about us then we know we are really in the window...I still think it is a year or two away to see how some of the kids develop to know what we really have...but I think it would be wise to add some of the parts this year becasue you could catch lightning in a bottle like the Blues did...
- JW98FlyerFan

So when does this move forward?

I keep hearing we need to wait.

Does Provorov need to be 29 like Petriangelo? People were talking about going after him because the Blues were in last place and there was talk they might blow it up.

Blues impact guys that were drafted are Tarensko(27), Petriangelo(29), Schwartz(26). Perron left but did come back

Steen
Schenn
O'Reilly
Sanford
Maroon
Sundqvist
Bozak
Bouwmeester
Bortuzzo
Gunnarsson
Thorburn

I mean that's a good amount of players brought in to play significant spots.

Our impact guys that we are hoping to lead the way are Giroux(31), Voracek(29), van Riemsdyk(30), Couturier(26)


So how much longer am I waiting before we are ready?

I just need answers so I can mark my calender.

So when does this move forward?

I keep hearing we need to wait.

Does Provorov need to be 29 like Petriangelo? People were talking about going after him because the Blues were in last place and there was talk they might blow it up.

Blues impact guys that were drafted are Tarensko(27), Petriangelo(29), Schwartz(26). Perron left but did come back

Steen
Schenn
O'Reilly
Sanford
Maroon
Sundqvist
Bozak
Bouwmeester
Bortuzzo
Gunnarsson
Thorburn

I mean that's a good amount of players brought in to play significant spots.

Our impact guys that we are hoping to lead the way are Giroux(31), Voracek(29), van Riemsdyk(30), Couturier(26)


So how much longer am I waiting before we are ready?

I just need answers so I can mark my calender.
- J35Bacher

Do you think the Blues are a team with a wide open window that are going to remain a contender for 5-10 years? Teams do catch lighting in a bottle. The Canes did it previously. Not that it matters but who would've thought the Blues were going to win the Cup this year?

I'll lay it out again for you. The idea is to build a team that is sustainable with a wide window of contention theoretically increasing the odds and giving you more runs at it then a team goes all out to try and win now. Neither way is a guarantee but in my view, the best way is to continue to remain patient and let the team develop. If you can make a smart trade that helps now and for the long term future then make it. I don't see diving deep into free agency as the right move for this team now. I have no doubt that they have the assets to make the team better now. That can be done but what will be accomplished. Again what is the goal? To try and catch lightning in a bottle and have every thing break your way in a limited time frame?

You want to look at a calendar? Look back at your old calendar's and see how many seasons the Flyers operated that way and ultimately what they won.

If Ghost has another down year is his trade value out the window? Might be time to move him now before it's too late.
- bmoreflyer

yes

Do you think the Blues are a team with a wide open window that are going to remain a contender for 5-10 years? Teams do catch lighting in a bottle. The Canes did it previously. Not that it matters but who would've thought the Blues were going to win the Cup this year?

I'll lay it out again for you. The idea is to build a team that is sustainable with a wide window of contention theoretically increasing the odds and giving you more runs at then a team goes all out to try and win now. Neither way is a guarantee but in my view, the best way to continue to remain patient and let the team develop. If you can make a smart trade that helps now in for the long term future then make it. I don't see diving deep into free agency as the right move for this team now. I have no doubt that they have the assets to make the team better now. That can be done but what will be accomplished. Again what is the goal? To try and catch lightning in a bottle and have every thing break your way in a limited time frame?

You want to look at a calendar? Look back at your old calendar's and see how many seasons the Flyers operated that way and ultimately what they won.
- MJL

But the Blues ages are a lot more manageable and they also make less. Your banking on guys like Giroux, Voracek, van Riemsdyk to be impact players going into the 30's. And your saying the time isn't right so that collection just gets older.

The Blues impact guys are not as old so the window is there. But I am not totally sure the Blues window is open long. They have guys that will need deals soon too.

For me if you want to keep this patient approach then move voracek. Move van reimsdyk.

The van Riemsdyk signing to me by Hextall now kind of seems like a half ass move looking back because you really didn't do enough if you were planning on movng forward.

But the Blues ages are a lot more manageable and they also make less. Your banking on guys like Giroux, Voracek, van Riemsdyk to be impact players going into the 30's. And your saying the time isn't right so that collection just gets older.


- J35Bacher

Actually that's not true. As I've said more times than I can count. The Flyers future is about the young players. Of course eventually, older players are going to decline but they can still be really good players for a number of years. If you want to go all in and add to those players to try and win now, it could happen. Odds are it won't and then there is a price to pay.

The Blues impact guys are not as old so the window is there. But I am not totally sure the Blues window is open long. They have guys that will need deals soon too.

For me if you want to keep this patient approach then move voracek. Move van reimsdyk.

The van Riemsdyk signing to me by Hextall now kind of seems like a half ass move looking back because you really didn't do enough if you were planning on movng forward.
- J35Bacher

Not a bad idea and I agree with you on the VanRiemsdyke signing. The moving forward was always going to be about the young players. If you have young players take steps back and with the goaltending injuries they had, that caused the step back. Really just a road bump that should be treated as such.

But the Blues ages are a lot more manageable and they also make less. Your banking on guys like Giroux, Voracek, van Riemsdyk to be impact players going into the 30's. And your saying the time isn't right so that collection just gets older.

The Blues impact guys are not as old so the window is there. But I am not totally sure the Blues window is open long. They have guys that will need deals soon too.

For me if you want to keep this patient approach then move voracek. Move van reimsdyk.

The van Riemsdyk signing to me by Hextall now kind of seems like a half ass move looking back because you really didn't do enough if you were planning on movng forward.
- J35Bacher

I think Hexy was looking for a jump thus year. He signed JVR, tried to land DeHaan and Stastny. Perhaps those additions changes a lot of match ups and allows the kids to develop with less stress. But he missed on two of the three. Then all the goalies broke. Then Provey and Ghost sucked. See ya Hexy and Hak. Those two missed deals could have changed the season.

Lehtera doesn't play for them any more.

Man, can you just imagine the unrest there must be in Pittsburgh today? Former Pens Sundqvist, Bortuzzo, and Perron skating around with the Cup last night 2 months after the Penguins were swept in the first round?

What an embarrassing, poorly run organization they must be to trade all these Stanley Cup champions away.
- jmatchett383

Doesn't really apply since they've won 5 cups since the Flyers last won.

Dont think he cares much as long as he’s invited to the afterparty
- Just5

He's got the blow covered.

So when does this move forward?

I keep hearing we need to wait.

Does Provorov need to be 29 like Petriangelo? People were talking about going after him because the Blues were in last place and there was talk they might blow it up.

Blues impact guys that were drafted are Tarensko(27), Petriangelo(29), Schwartz(26). Perron left but did come back

Steen
Schenn
O'Reilly
Sanford
Maroon
Sundqvist
Bozak
Bouwmeester
Bortuzzo
Gunnarsson
Thorburn

I mean that's a good amount of players brought in to play significant spots.

Our impact guys that we are hoping to lead the way are Giroux(31), Voracek(29), van Riemsdyk(30), Couturier(26)


So how much longer am I waiting before we are ready?

I just need answers so I can mark my calender.
- J35Bacher

Ovi is almost 34...took them a while and took getting a new coach and a goalie they could lean on...we didn't have that...I see G being the engine to this team when all the parts were there...Ovi didn't even always play on the top line last 2 years...

5 years ago the cupboards were bare...those players are just making it in to the league...Realistically we have a year or two before this all shakes out...and I will be they win a bunch of games out of the gate...teams will not know their style under a new coaching staff until the season gets rolling...ask after new years and I will tell you where I think we are...but right now, they are not there yet..and adding Hayes makes the team better but it does not tip the scales unless all of the prospects play lights out...

Ovi is almost 34...took them a while and took getting a new coach and a goalie they could lean on...we didn't have that...I see G being the engine to this team when all the parts were there...Ovi didn't even always play on the top line last 2 years...

5 years ago the cupboards were bare...those players are just making it in to the league...Realistically we have a year or two before this all shakes out...and I will be they win a bunch of games out of the gate...teams will not know their style under a new coaching staff until the season gets rolling...ask after new years and I will tell you where I think we are...but right now, they are not there yet..and adding Hayes makes the team better but it does not tip the scales unless all of the prospects play lights out...
- JW98FlyerFan

I think Hexy was looking for a jump thus year. He signed JVR, tried to land DeHaan and Stastny. Perhaps those additions changes a lot of match ups and allows the kids to develop with less stress. But he missed on two of the three. Then all the goalies broke. Then Provey and Ghost sucked. See ya Hexy and Hak. Those two missed deals could have changed the season.
- jaws1955

Then he needed to have another plan once he missed.

If your looking for the jump forward then maybe he should have moved that 2nd 1st rounder to fill a hole over drafting o'brien.

That's why i said it was kind of half assed.

You sign van Riemsdyk but you stopped there.

I was clamoring for O'reilly when he was available. Based off the deal would you have sent 2018 1st rounder, 2019 2nd rounder, Raffl, Ratcliff?

You do that and now this year your not looking for a 2nd line center.

I don't know if it work, but just felt you either sign JVR and do more or should have stayed patient and maybe moved a vet out to reshape the roster.

So when does this move forward?

I keep hearing we need to wait.

Does Provorov need to be 29 like Petriangelo? People were talking about going after him because the Blues were in last place and there was talk they might blow it up.

Blues impact guys that were drafted are Tarensko(27), Petriangelo(29), Schwartz(26). Perron left but did come back

Steen
Schenn
O'Reilly
Sanford
Maroon
Sundqvist
Bozak
Bouwmeester
Bortuzzo
Gunnarsson
Thorburn

I mean that's a good amount of players brought in to play significant spots.

Our impact guys that we are hoping to lead the way are Giroux(31), Voracek(29), van Riemsdyk(30), Couturier(26)


So how much longer am I waiting before we are ready?

I just need answers so I can mark my calender.
- J35Bacher

Washington and St. Louis have won the Cup the last two years.
You just need to wait until Toronto, Vancouver, and Buffalo win.

Then he needed to have another plan once he missed.

If your looking for the jump forward then maybe he should have moved that 2nd 1st rounder to fill a hole over drafting o'brien.

That's why i said it was kind of half assed.

You sign van Riemsdyk but you stopped there.

I was clamoring for O'reilly when he was available. Based off the deal would you have sent 2018 1st rounder, 2019 2nd rounder, Raffl, Ratcliff?

You do that and now this year your not looking for a 2nd line center.

I don't know if it work, but just felt you either sign JVR and do more or should have stayed patient and maybe moved a vet out to reshape the roster.
- J35Bacher

What's the definition of missed. I don't think one down and bad season is Hextalll's idea of missed. He had a long term vision and not about trying to win now. He wasn't going to make that kind of deal and I agree with him.

What's the definition of missed. I don't think one down and bad season is Hextalll's idea of missed. He had a long term vision and not about trying to win now. He wasn't going to make that kind of deal and I agree with him.
- MJL

And exactly how would that deal hurt the Flyers?

How would that not assist in still developing this team for a long term view?

So instead of looking for a center this year, your maybe filling other needs. Maybe getting O'Reilly last year might have allowed Patrick to have a more complete year and your not worrying about him as much this year.

But the Blues ages are a lot more manageable and they also make less. Your banking on guys like Giroux, Voracek, van Riemsdyk to be impact players going into the 30's. And your saying the time isn't right so that collection just gets older.

The Blues impact guys are not as old so the window is there. But I am not totally sure the Blues window is open long. They have guys that will need deals soon too.

For me if you want to keep this patient approach then move voracek. Move van reimsdyk.

The van Riemsdyk signing to me by Hextall now kind of seems like a half ass move looking back because you really didn't do enough if you were planning on movng forward.
- J35Bacher

I agree with everything you’re saying. I was all in on JvR until Simmonds had a down season. Ghost didn’t play to his expectations. Provorov didn’t show up until the second half of the season. Until we had to go through eight goaltenders. I felt like all we needed to add and we should at least make the playoffs.

Agree or disagree, the window is closing on Giroux. I’m not so sure the duo of Couturier and Hayes is as dynamic as some of the very best in the NHL. Crosby/Malkin, Thornton/Couture, Matthews/Tavares. I would like to see improvement and more impactful players brought in, to go with the young core group of Patrick, Konency, Provorov, Sanheim and Hart. That’s just me though.

Then he needed to have another plan once he missed.

If your looking for the jump forward then maybe he should have moved that 2nd 1st rounder to fill a hole over drafting o'brien.

That's why i said it was kind of half assed.

You sign van Riemsdyk but you stopped there.

I was clamoring for O'reilly when he was available. Based off the deal would you have sent 2018 1st rounder, 2019 2nd rounder, Raffl, Ratcliff?

You do that and now this year your not looking for a 2nd line center.

I don't know if it work, but just felt you either sign JVR and do more or should have stayed patient and maybe moved a vet out to reshape the roster.
- J35Bacher

Maybe he was in on O'reilly but could not stomach what he thought was a high risk high reward trade when he knew the team still had another 2 years to go...maybe that is the same reason he was shown the door...either way the Flyers are not quite there yet and if we find out that they are half way through the season and all the kids are working perfectly in the new system then before the next TDL you pull the trigger, but what you don't do is sandbag yourself with a huge contract when you are just trying to fit all the parts together...My only exception is Panarin..and I think you back the truck for him if he WANTS to come here...because he will be elite for a long time and be there for the entire window...lets be honest, most guys that make it to FA are usually role players anyway...you get 2 or 3 that are top end, but your elite talent you drafted or acquired someone else's high quality prospect because your scouting team was awesome...

And exactly how would that deal hurt the Flyers?

How would that not assist in still developing this team for a long term view?

So instead of looking for a center this year, your maybe filling other needs. Maybe getting O'Reilly last year might have allowed Patrick to have a more complete year and your not worrying about him as much this year.
- J35Bacher

Keeping the pipeline of ELC talent is very important, especially once your team develops and the younger players become better and all need more expensive deals. One less first round pick and prospect gone is potentially less coming to your team. Also you have players like Frost and others. Let's say Patrick breaks out and Frost is a player, now along with Couturier, you have your 3 centers. Now lets say due to your good young players now having bigger cap hits, you're up against the Cap and with some declining older players. Maybe you're not quite good enough and need to fill a spot at another position. You now have less flexibility to fill the need that actually presented itself once your team was truly in that spot of true contention. Yea, you could try and trade some players like O'Reilly but that can come with other issues.

I want to emphasize that I don't think anyone who thinks they should try and win now is wrong per se. I just don't think it's the right time or the right way to go about it. Again, everything could break your way but I'd rather have the chance to have everything break my way over a 7-8 year period versus a 2-3 year period.

Maybe he was in on O'reilly but could not stomach what he thought was a high risk high reward trade when he knew the team still had another 2 years to go...maybe that is the same reason he was shown the door...either way the Flyers are not quite there yet and if we find out that they are half way through the season and all the kids are working perfectly in the new system then before the next TDL you pull the trigger, but what you don't do is sandbag yourself with a huge contract when you are just trying to fit all the parts together...My only exception is Panarin..and I think you back the truck for him if he WANTS to come here...because he will be elite for a long time and be there for the entire window...lets be honest, most guys that make it to FA are usually role players anyway...you get 2 or 3 that are top end, but your elite talent you drafted or acquired someone else's high quality prospect because your scouting team was awesome...
- JW98FlyerFan

That's exactly what Hayes will be in 3 years. A role player. He fills a center void now but in 3 years he is likely going to be moved down the lineup and playing more of a secondary role. All at a relatively high cap hit.

Keeping the pipeline of ELC talent is very important, especially once your team develops and the younger players become better and all need more expensive deals. One less first round pick and prospect gone is potentially less coming to your team. Also you have players like Frost and others. Let's say Patrick breaks out and Frost is a player, now along with Couturier, you have your 3 centers. Now lets say due to your good young players now having bigger cap hits, you're up against the Cap and with some declining older players. Maybe you're not quite good enough and need to fill a spot at another position. You now have less flexibility to fill the need that actually presented itself once your team was truly in that spot of true contention. Yea, you could try and trade some players like O'Reilly but that can come with other issues.

I want to emphasize that I don't think anyone who thinks they should try and win now is wrong per se. I just don't think it's the right time or the right way to go about it. Again, everything could break your way but I'd rather have the chance to have everything break my way over a 7-8 year period versus a 2-3 year period.
- MJL

Look no further than Toronto and Tavares...I want to avoid that situation like the plague...They are going to have to shed some solid players to keep what they value as their core and they are going to now have to find role players to fill the gaps.

Look no further than Toronto and Tavares...I want to avoid that situation like the plague...They are going to have to shed some solid players to keep what they value as their core and they are going to now have to find role players to fill the gaps.
- JW98FlyerFan

Not really.

The Nylander deal is the one that hurts. And Marleau making alsmot 6.5 is a little tough for his age.

You pay guys like Tavares and Matthews. Nylander making almost 7 million hurts.

Look no further than Toronto and Tavares...I want to avoid that situation like the plague...They are going to have to shed some solid players to keep what they value as their core and they are going to now have to find role players to fill the gaps.
- JW98FlyerFan

Their defense is not Cup caliber and they're in a tight spot now. They tried to rush things by going after a player like Marleau and it now has them in a pickle.

Not really.

The Nylander deal is the one that hurts. And Marleau making alsmot 6.5 is a little tough for his age.

You pay guys like Tavares and Matthews. Nylander making almost 7 million hurts.
- J35Bacher

What do you think it costs for quality young players?

Their defense is not Cup caliber and they're in a tight spot now. They tried to rush things by going after a player like Marleau and it now has them in a pickle.
- MJL

See I see the foolishness in a guy like Marleau at that age. Also the Nylander deal is tough.

Their defense is not Cup caliber and they're in a tight spot now. They tried to rush things by going after a player like Marleau and it now has them in a pickle.
- MJL

Whatever happens, I hope the Leafs eat that pickle.