Look at the brightside. At least our GM didnt trade Maatta and say it was either him or Johnson.......
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

True. JJ must have thinking to himself, “Thank God Maatta sucked just enough more than I sucked to get traded!”

Let’s not forget the PK was atrocious last season, too. Speaking of the PK...assuming Vegas doesn’t re-sign him, MA Bellemare is a FA.
- BroadSTmayhem

Love bellemare but we have laughton for his role

Let’s not forget the PK was atrocious last season, too. Speaking of the PK...assuming Vegas doesn’t re-sign him, MA Bellemare is a FA.
- BroadSTmayhem

PK actually wasnt. The PK started of bad but it improved significantly over the season. You just dont see it in the numbers because they were that bad to start. It didnt matter how good they were.

Gudas mentioned tough year in Philly.

“It was a difficult year for us in philly. A lot of people were looking for themselves. Some players were better, some didn’t (handle it well)”
- Just5

Ok that's the quote I was looking for. Not exactly what I thought he said when I first read it. But it's still a telling statement.

PK actually wasnt. The PK started of bad but it improved significantly over the season. You just dont see it in the numbers because they were that bad to start. It didnt matter how good they were.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Really? Then why were there hoards of people on this board calling for Lappy’s head all of last season?

I disagree with the notion that Hextall's plan was to just sit back and hope every player pans out. There is a timing aspect to when you make certain moves and how you build a team. I agree that young players need veteran support to create an environment where they aren't over tasked playing in hard minutes that they aren't ready for. I feel that was already there previously and with adding Niskanen. The way the Flyers are operating this off season signifies an about face away from the patient draft and develop strategy that they should remain using and placing more emphasis on winning now. That is troubling. Winning is quantifiable. If you want to make the playoffs and win a round as your goal, then by all means do what the Flyers are currently doing. If you want to build a sustainable championship caliber team that can contend over a 5-7 year period, then they're going about the wrong way in my opinion. You want to have assets including cap flexibility to make those key moves when your team is at that point of true contender status. That's when you make that veteran trade for future assets or sign that key UFA. Using those methods to get your team there is no smart in a cap era. You can wind up overpaying for something you didn't need at the right time and risking not being able to get what you really need.
- MJL

these 2 moves are gonna set the franchise back decades. both signed long term for big money. They didnt overpay at all for the 2 Dman and yes they did need them. These 2 moves will not hinder anything the flyers want to do do in the big picture. But hey keep throwing the young guys out there with no support.

Is it wrong to not even have an emotional reaction to anything these past few days? I can see where the people think they got better, but by how much? And for how long?

I disagree with the notion that Hextall's plan was to just sit back and hope every player pans out. There is a timing aspect to when you make certain moves and how you build a team. I agree that young players need veteran support to create an environment where they aren't over tasked playing in hard minutes that they aren't ready for. I feel that was already there previously and with adding Niskanen. The way the Flyers are operating this off season signifies an about face away from the patient draft and develop strategy that they should remain using and placing more emphasis on winning now. That is troubling. Winning is quantifiable. If you want to make the playoffs and win a round as your goal, then by all means do what the Flyers are currently doing. If you want to build a sustainable championship caliber team that can contend over a 5-7 year period, then they're going about the wrong way in my opinion. You want to have assets including cap flexibility to make those key moves when your team is at that point of true contender status. That's when you make that veteran trade for future assets or sign that key UFA. Using those methods to get your team there is no smart in a cap era. You can wind up overpaying for something you didn't need at the right time and risking not being able to get what you really need.
- MJL

And when are we going to be in True contender status? JVR is 30, Giroux is 31, Voracek turns 30 this year. Who is replacing these guys? No one any time soon. D are young and they are going to take time to develop which is fine but by the time they do, how old are those 3 players going to be? Now is the time to become a contender. Just because I say that doesnt mean trade away all the youth but you have to look to improve the team. People arent going to sit there and watch the Flyers play for last place until they are contenders.

Cliff "i have no clue what leverage is and i love to overpay" Fletcher

Really? Then why were there hoards of people on this board calling for Lappy’s head all of last season?
- BroadSTmayhem

Because the PK was bad for the first 25% of the season. If I recall it was in the 68% range. They increased it to 78.5%. That is not an easy thing to do

And when are we going to be in True contender status? JVR is 30, Giroux is 31, Voracek turns 30 this year. Who is replacing these guys? No one any time soon. D are young and they are going to take time to develop which is fine but by the time they do, how old are those 3 players going to be? Now is the time to become a contender. Just because I say that doesnt mean trade away all the youth but you have to look to improve the team. People arent going to sit there and watch the Flyers play for last place until they are contenders.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I personally think the Flyers are 2-3 years away from being legit if a good amount of the young players take a step forward. No reason why Giroux and Voracek shouldn't remain very good players for that period. VanRiemsdyke could also but it's a risk and why they shouldn't sign long term UFA's right now. You may think now is the time but you aren't going to trade your way and use free agency to get there. The moves they made to this point don't move the bar that far. No reason why the Flyer can't be a competitive team until they get there. If goaltending had worked out better last season, I think they would've been a playoff team.

Cliff "i have no clue what leverage is and i love to overpay" Fletcher
- KINGKENZO

About right

Hey, folks. Again, we all have opinions -- this is a message board, and personalities play into responses.

I get that we don't want to return to the days of no assets, no cap space, dry farm system. I don't want to do that, either. We're gonna disagree on stuff the Flyers do.

But let's be honest about a couple of things, here:

The least 10 years of Flyers second-round picks:

2009: No pick made
2010: No pick made
2011: No pick made
2012: Anthony Stolarz
2013: Robert Hagg
2014: Nicolas Aube-Kubel
2015: No pick made
2016: Pascal Laberge, Carter Hart, Wade Allison
2017: Isaac Ratcliffe
2018: Adam Ginning

Obviously, the last three years should be taken out, as far as evaluating is concerned, though I certainly acknowledge the obvious: Hart could be very, very good, and Ratcliffe shows definite signs. But they're all too young to be critical of, no matter what anyone thinks of their upside or development thus far.

So when you look at Stolarz, Hagg, and NAK, what do you see? I see an NHL fringe goaltender with maybe a little upside, a bottom-pairing defensemen who some in this fanbase cannot stand, and a forward who hasn't been able to get out of the AHL.

If someone wants to state that you're better off not trading picks and taking every opportunity with a lottery ticket, hey, I won't say that you're wrong.

But I will say that the math says, leaguewide, that second-rounders aren't really guaranteed to do much. You hope to hit it big, and sometimes you will. But a lot of times you won't, often enough where trading one after making five picks in that round over the last three years shouldn't kill you

Is it wrong to not even have an emotional reaction to anything these past few days? I can see where the people think they got better, but by how much? And for how long?
- Pelle31Forever

Sit onyour hands they freak out. Make moves they freak out.

The old Flyers are back baby.

Hey, folks. Again, we all have opinions -- this is a message board, and personalities play into responses.

I get that we don't want to return to the days of no assets, no cap space, dry farm system. I don't want to do that, either. We're gonna disagree on stuff the Flyers do.

But let's be honest about a couple of things, here:

The least 10 years of Flyers second-round picks:

2009: No pick made
2010: No pick made
2011: No pick made
2012: Anthony Stolarz
2013: Robert Hagg
2014: Nicolas Aube-Kubel
2015: No pick made
2016: Pascal Laberge, Carter Hart, Wade Allison
2017: Isaac Ratcliffe
2018: Adam Ginning

Obviously, the last three years should be taken out, as far as evaluating is concerned, though I certainly acknowledge the obvious: Hart could be very, very good, and Ratcliffe shows definite signs. But they're all too young to be critical of, no matter what anyone thinks of their upside or development thus far.

So when you look at Stolarz, Hagg, and NAK, what do you see? I see an NHL fringe goaltender with maybe a little upside, a bottom-pairing defensemen who some in this fanbase cannot stand, and a forward who hasn't been able to get out of the AHL.

If someone wants to state that you're better off not trading picks and taking every opportunity with a lottery ticket, hey, I won't say that you're wrong.

But I will say that the math says, leaguewide, that second-rounders aren't really guaranteed to do much. You hope to hit it big, and sometimes you will. But a lot of times you won't, often enough where trading one after making five picks in that round over the last three years shouldn't kill you
- AllInForFlyers

Maybe their scouting just sucks

Hey, folks. Again, we all have opinions -- this is a message board, and personalities play into responses.

I get that we don't want to return to the days of no assets, no cap space, dry farm system. I don't want to do that, either. We're gonna disagree on stuff the Flyers do.

But let's be honest about a couple of things, here:

The least 10 years of Flyers second-round picks:

2009: No pick made
2010: No pick made
2011: No pick made
2012: Anthony Stolarz
2013: Robert Hagg
2014: Nicolas Aube-Kubel
2015: No pick made
2016: Pascal Laberge, Carter Hart, Wade Allison
2017: Isaac Ratcliffe
2018: Adam Ginning

Obviously, the last three years should be taken out, as far as evaluating is concerned, though I certainly acknowledge the obvious: Hart could be very, very good, and Ratcliffe shows definite signs. But they're all too young to be critical of, no matter what anyone thinks of their upside or development thus far.

So when you look at Stolarz, Hagg, and NAK, what do you see? I see an NHL fringe goaltender with maybe a little upside, a bottom-pairing defensemen who some in this fanbase cannot stand, and a forward who hasn't been able to get out of the AHL.

If someone wants to state that you're better off not trading picks and taking every opportunity with a lottery ticket, hey, I won't say that you're wrong.

But I will say that the math says, leaguewide, that second-rounders aren't really guaranteed to do much. You hope to hit it big, and sometimes you will. But a lot of times you won't, often enough where trading one after making five picks in that round over the last three years shouldn't kill you
- AllInForFlyers

The percentages of 2nd round or lower picks making it to the NHL is not news. However I wish we can wind the clock back to the days when Holmgren was the GM and the idea was floated around repeatedly that the more picks you have and use, the better your odds of getting lucky with one. Again, the misconception here is that it is about one move or one pick getting moved. That's not it. What it's about is that how the team is operating now combined with the reasons why they fired Hextall and comments from management signifies an about face from where the team was under Hextall. In my opinion, that is troubling. I also don't think Fletcher is doing a good job maximizing his return in helping bail out teams with cap issues.


I see Haag, who is a legit 3rd pair NHL defenseman. Hart might be a future star NHL goaltender. At the very least is an NHL goalie. Allison, Ratcliffe and Ginning have potential to be NHL players.

Someone take Fletcher's phone away from him...
- wolfhounds

It's not really Fletcher other GMs are talking to on the phone.

Boy, the reactions on here are pretty intense for this minor upgrade. A 2nd and 3rd is a long way away from making an impact with the amount of middle quality talent in the pipelines.

He balanced the lines. Upgraded. Not blocking. If they aren’t good enough to beat them out they aren’t blocking. The latest is just one year. Sounds like an upgrade over are struggl8ng blue line.

I liked what Hextall did. Now is the time to start trading assets that we have a tone of.

He’ll have to pay Hayes. No ifs ands ir but’s about it. Market is getting higher.

PK wasn’t good last year and never was great even at the end of the year. They picked up a couple guys that can help that and if they sign Hayes he can be effective here too.

At least one big move to come. At least one.

Someone take Fletcher's phone away from him...
- wolfhounds

Didn't early versions of EA Nhl series have a thing when you'd get more phones at the draft and trade deadline day?

I want Chuckie "Bad Trades" Fletcher put into the cone of silence

Hey, folks. Again, we all have opinions -- this is a message board, and personalities play into responses.

I get that we don't want to return to the days of no assets, no cap space, dry farm system. I don't want to do that, either. We're gonna disagree on stuff the Flyers do.

But let's be honest about a couple of things, here:

The least 10 years of Flyers second-round picks:

2009: No pick made
2010: No pick made
2011: No pick made
2012: Anthony Stolarz
2013: Robert Hagg
2014: Nicolas Aube-Kubel
2015: No pick made
2016: Pascal Laberge, Carter Hart, Wade Allison
2017: Isaac Ratcliffe
2018: Adam Ginning

Obviously, the last three years should be taken out, as far as evaluating is concerned, though I certainly acknowledge the obvious: Hart could be very, very good, and Ratcliffe shows definite signs. But they're all too young to be critical of, no matter what anyone thinks of their upside or development thus far.

So when you look at Stolarz, Hagg, and NAK, what do you see? I see an NHL fringe goaltender with maybe a little upside, a bottom-pairing defensemen who some in this fanbase cannot stand, and a forward who hasn't been able to get out of the AHL.

If someone wants to state that you're better off not trading picks and taking every opportunity with a lottery ticket, hey, I won't say that you're wrong.

But I will say that the math says, leaguewide, that second-rounders aren't really guaranteed to do much. You hope to hit it big, and sometimes you will. But a lot of times you won't, often enough where trading one after making five picks in that round over the last three years shouldn't kill you
- AllInForFlyers

The percentages of 2nd round or lower picks making it to the NHL is not news. However I wish we can wind the clock back to the days when Holmgren was the GM and the idea was floated around repeatedly that the more picks you have and use, the better your odds of getting lucky with one. Again, the misconception here is that it is about one move or one pick getting moved. That's not it. What it's about is that how the team is operating now combined with the reasons why they fired Hextall and comments from management signifies an about face from where the team was under Hextall. In my opinion, that is troubling. I also don't think Fletcher is doing a good job maximizing his return in helping bail out teams with cap issues.


I see Haag, who is a legit 3rd pair NHL defenseman. Hart might be a future star NHL goaltender. At the very least is an NHL goalie. Allison, Ratcliffe and Ginning have potential to be NHL players.
- MJL

They have shifted. My perspective is that using all of the tools at your disposal is what a team should do, each offseason. That doesn't mean you HAVE to do things. It means that my personal opinion is that Hextall was a bit too reliant on draft picks turning this organization around in a sustainable fashion

Again: I understand your point. I don't want to go too far the other way.

I said earlier that Fletcher should've leveraged McClellan and Wilson more, and Hextall should've leveraged Yzerman more before that.

But as of today, for pure asset management, the Flyers have traded a 2nd and 5th for this year, and a 3rd for next year, for Justin Braun on a one-year deal and an unsigned Kevin Hayes.

I guess I'm just not freaked out about this. Not yet. Not saying I loved the Braun deal -- I said earlier I don't LOVE it. But as of right now, I'm not freaked out about what they're doing

He balanced the lines. Upgraded. Not blocking. If they aren’t good enough to beat them out they aren’t blocking. The latest is just one year. Sounds like an upgrade over are struggl8ng blue line.

- peesinwind

That's simply not true. Braun is 32 and has far more experience over a player like Haag and certainly Morin. Stating that since Braun is better, he is not blocking a young player is simply false. Young players need to play to get better and develop. There is no doubt that it's an upgrade but how much of an upgrade? What does it do for the team. I think they're better off continuing to let the young players develop than any one season minor boost a player like Braun might give them.

Is it wrong to not even have an emotional reaction to anything these past few days? I can see where the people think they got better, but by how much? And for how long?
- Pelle31Forever

Yes. You must either think these moves make the team cup contenders or sets them back decades. Pick a side damn it.

Cliff "i have no clue what leverage is and i love to overpay" Fletcher
- KINGKENZO

This is my biggest issue with the moves he's made, going back to the Talbot trade.

Boy, the reactions on here are pretty intense for this minor upgrade. A 2nd and 3rd is a long way away from making an impact with the amount of middle quality talent in the pipelines.

He balanced the lines. Upgraded. Not blocking. If they aren’t good enough to beat them out they aren’t blocking. The latest is just one year. Sounds like an upgrade over are struggl8ng blue line.

I liked what Hextall did. Now is the time to start trading assets that we have a tone of.

He’ll have to pay Hayes. No ifs ands ir but’s about it. Market is getting higher.

PK wasn’t good last year and never was great even at the end of the year. They picked up a couple guys that can help that and if they sign Hayes he can be effective here too.

At least one big move to come. At least one.
- peesinwind

I agree with you. I am not saying that Kevin Hayes is the second coming of Jeff Carter or anyone like that, but I do think they need to pay him. Obviously, there comes a point where you walk away. But I think they need to pay him