Rangers: Trouba
Devils: Subban
Flyers: Braun and Niskanen

I’d bet that the patience Fletcher is talking about may be in reference to acquiring a number 2 goalie. They were very methodical in identifying holes in the line up and then proactively working to fill them. They know what a disaster last seasons goalie carousel was and the importance of having someone very solid to be tandem with Hart. Maybe they are hoping to get someone good on a bargain after a team buys them out like James Reimer in Fla.

Maybe not Reimer but I think they have ideas about who they want in goal, and I get a feeling it’s not Talbot or Elliot.
- Marc D

Not sure where they'll go with this. I do think that they were not impressed by Talbot when he came over. I'd be very happy with Elliott if he could stay healthy, but because of his injuries, I'd pass.

Rangers: Trouba
Devils: Subban
Flyers: Braun and Niskanen
- Scoob[/quote

Adding big names is not always the answer

Good morning Bill,

Question: In your expert opinion, do you think the Flyers’ lineup is in need of a physical presence? Outside of TK, from my perspective, the team lacks toughness. Surely, through free agency, this would seem to be one of the more manageable (cap-friendly) areas of need to address.
- BroadSTmayhem

Oh no, Konecny is our toughest guy??

Some Flyersbuzz fans...

The teams sucks because they arent doing anything but hey they are wining the Cap Cup.

Same Flyersbuzz fans.

The team sucks because they did something and now they are losing the Cap Cup.

1) Re-sign Sanheim and Konecny
2) Figure out a backup goalie situation, whether Lyons or a Free Agent
3) Re-Sign Laughton and Hartman (If they choose not to go to arbitration)
4) Whatever is left over try to re-sign Provorov
- Glak18

L-y-o-n

Seriously, don’t get my hopes up. I heard they were going with an old guy. Who could that be?

I found Vigneault’s “balls in the air” comment interesting. Probably true, since the Flyers seemingly haven’t closed the door on Elliott or Talbot.

Best thing for Fletcher to do is address the RFAs

TK, Prov and Sanheim are obviously the most important.

Id be ok if we moved on from Hartman and Laughton. Id be willing to pay Laughton 1.5 but as for Hartman id be fine with NAK replacing him.

Once that is done you will have a better idea of what you can get in terms of a backup G and a RW. We could have someone in the organization step up in camp and get a top 9 rw spot so id put the backup G as more of a priority
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Can you please explain why?

I'm not disagreeing with you, I just don't see the logic in replacing an NHL player (245 NHL games, 89 points) with an AHL player (9 NHL games, 0 points) on the 4th line. It's not like Hartman is going to take a large chunk of cap space or ask for term.

The most popular player on an NFL team is the back-up quarterback. I think this type of thinking may be what is driving this statement.

Again, I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just looking for a logical argument as to why you'd be ok with NAK over Hartman.

Good morning Bill,

Question: In your expert opinion, do you think the Flyers’ lineup is in need of a physical presence? Outside of TK, from my perspective, the team lacks toughness. Surely, through free agency, this would seem to be one of the more manageable (cap-friendly) areas of need to address.
- BroadSTmayhem

I definitely feel that a soft team has already gotten softer with Hagg, Morin (hopefully) and at times TK being the only players that have any consistent physical edge to them.

Can you please explain why?

I'm not disagreeing with you, I just don't see the logic in replacing an NHL player (245 NHL games, 89 points) with an AHL player (9 NHL games, 0 points) on the 4th line. It's not like Hartman is going to take a large chunk of cap space or ask for term.

The most popular player on an NFL team is the back-up quarterback. I think this type of thinking may be what is driving this statement.

Again, I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just looking for a logical argument as to why you'd be ok with NAK over Hartman.
- Levit8

Because he is a young player making a push for the NHL. To make the jump to the NHL he has to start somewhere. NAK role is going to be a 4th line player. Hartman while may be better is going to be looking for more money. The Flyers might be better off reallocating that cap space Hartman would cost elsewhere.

Oh no, Konecny is our toughest guy??
- SuperSchennBros

At best, yes. Team is too soft, imo.

Can you please explain why?

I'm not disagreeing with you, I just don't see the logic in replacing an NHL player (245 NHL games, 89 points) with an AHL player (9 NHL games, 0 points) on the 4th line. It's not like Hartman is going to take a large chunk of cap space or ask for term.

The most popular player on an NFL team is the back-up quarterback. I think this type of thinking may be what is driving this statement.

Again, I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just looking for a logical argument as to why you'd be ok with NAK over Hartman.
- Levit8

For some reason people on these boards are infatuated with NAK, if he has not been up for a long period of time at this point with the likes of Jori, Dale, and Corban Knight playing then it's pretty safe to say that ship has sailed.

For some reason people on these boards are infatuated with NAK, if he has not been up for a long period of time at this point with the likes of Jori, Dale, and Corban Knight playing then it's pretty safe to say that ship has sailed.
- ClaudeFather

I disagree. He has been up but he hasnt had a chance to be up here long term because of guys like Lehtera and Weise. Hex\Hak were big on those guys because of their Vet presence. They are gone, so its time to bring him up. He adds speed and energy to the lineup plus he is another option for the PK. His ceiling is likely a 3rd line player but he is going to be a much cheaper option for the 4th line and Can anyone really say they are enticed with the prospect of Hartman playing the 3rd line with NoPa?

For some reason people on these boards are infatuated with NAK, if he has not been up for a long period of time at this point with the likes of Jori, Dale, and Corban Knight playing then it's pretty safe to say that ship has sailed.
- ClaudeFather

Yea I don’t get the NAK love. If he were 6’3” 210 maybe they’d have a spot for him.

I’m looking forward to see if twarynski can improve from his camp from last year.

Rangers: Trouba
Devils: Subban
Flyers: Braun and Niskanen
- Scoob

Very fair, BUT.........

Provorov
Sanheim
Ghost
Myers

The guys the Flyers signed were designed to stabilize things for the young studs already here.

Those other guys were added to be the studs.

Some Flyersbuzz fans...

The teams sucks because they arent doing anything but hey they are wining the Cap Cup.

Same Flyersbuzz fans.

The team sucks because they did something and now they are losing the Cap Cup.
- opeth_pa

You can add to that. Flyersbuzz complained all draft long. Pretty much everyone in the hockey world loved their draft.

Ek has Pens interested in Simmer. Great. Simmer in Pitts and Gudas in Wash. Nisky used to be somewhat physical. Not sure if he hits as much as he aged. Braun was supposedly a body guy. Similar to Hagg. Am I correct?

I know he’s making $5 million. But what would it cost and how could the Flyers fit Marchessault. Vegas is in a world of trouble and I think you could get him cheaply.

I disagree. He has been up but he hasnt had a chance to be up here long term because of guys like Lehtera and Weise. Hex\Hak were big on those guys because of their Vet presence. They are gone, so its time to bring him up. He adds speed and energy to the lineup plus he is another option for the PK. His ceiling is likely a 3rd line player but he is going to be a much cheaper option for the 4th line and Can anyone really say they are enticed with the prospect of Hartman playing the 3rd line with NoPa?
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

We are 100% a better team with Hartman on the third line than NAK, like someone mentioned I'd be more interested if a twarynski or Farabee could make the team. Pass on Lyumbov too.

I know he’s making $5 million. But what would it cost and how could the Flyers fit Marchessault. Vegas is in a world of trouble and I think you could get him cheaply.
- Flyers1218

Cost would probably be Ghost

Yea I don’t get the NAK love. If he were 6’3” 210 maybe they’d have a spot for him.

I’m looking forward to see if twarynski can improve from his camp from last year.
- Just5

I thought he played with some jam, hopefully he has a good camp.

We are 100% a better team with Hartman on the third line than NAK, like someone mentioned I'd be more interested if a twarynski or Farabee could make the team. Pass on Lyumbov too.
- ClaudeFather

But I am not saying to use NAK on the 3rd line. I am saying to ue him on the 4th line. Hartman is likely to be used on the 4th line if re-signed. Moving Hartman to the 3rd line and bring NAK to the 4th line is an option

Because he is a young player making a push for the NHL. To make the jump to the NHL he has to start somewhere. NAK role is going to be a 4th line player. Hartman while may be better is going to be looking for more money. The Flyers might be better off reallocating that cap space Hartman would cost elsewhere.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Fair enough. However, I think that the quality of player outweighs the cost difference of probably less than $1 mil/year, depending on his contract. I also don't see NAK as anything better than an NHL 4th liner on any team while Hartman can play 3RW on a lot of teams, including the Flyers.

At some point, every player was making a push to be an NHL player. At the age of 23, there is room for improvement, but I think we have a pretty good idea of what we have in NAK. In my opinion, he'd be a nice piece to add to a trade with EDM, PHX or possible LAK.

Very fair, BUT.........

Provorov
Sanheim
Ghost
Myers

The guys the Flyers signed were designed to stabilize things for the young studs already here.

Those other guys were added to be the studs.
- Flyers1218

Well said!

NAK is a 2nd rd bust. Except flyers fans.

But I am not saying to use NAK on the 3rd line. I am saying to ue him on the 4th line. Hartman is likely to be used on the 4th line if re-signed. Moving Hartman to the 3rd line and bring NAK to the 4th line is an option
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I believe the orginal reference was talking about moving on from players like Hartman and Laughton and replacing them with NAK, this would make the team much weaker imo, Laughton plays a pivotal role as the utility center/wing in the bottom 6 and I think Hartman can be productive.