Having the worst forward in the league as your 12th/13th forward is clearly not irrelevant. He's already played 8 games this season, and will be in the lineup tomorrow should any other forward get nicked up in practice or warmup.

If they hadn't signed Stewart, Andreoff might have got a shot at the 4th line earlier, and he's quite obviously a much more effective NHL player in 2019.
- Feanor

irrelevant.

he did get a shot and didn't impress in camp or games. Signing stewart will have zero impact on any success or failures this team incurs.

Having the worst forward in the league as your 12th/13th forward is clearly not irrelevant. He's already played 8 games this season, and will be in the lineup tomorrow should any other forward get nicked up in practice or warmup.

If they hadn't signed Stewart, Andreoff might have got a shot at the 4th line earlier, and he's quite obviously a much more effective NHL player in 2019.
- Feanor

Here is the fly in your ointment. The Flyers could've had Andreoff in the lineup at any time regardless of signing Stewart. You know this. I think it's quite obvious that they view Stewart as the 13th forward and the only reason he has played 8 games this season is that they needed to give Pitlick some time to get healthier. I don't disagree with you that Stewart is not a good player and I also didn't like the signing. However signing Stewart is not stopping the Flyers from doing anything.

Hagg is likely going to be a cap casualty at some point.

Hagg is likely going to be a cap casualty at some point.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Why? Who is going to take over the 7th defense spot?

Ratcliffe and Strome are having tough first AHL seasons, (Strome can barely get in a game) but Sushko is doing really well.

Laberge seems destined to spend all year in Reading.
- Feanor

Laberge was always a project due to the history. They thought he had that determination and character due to said issues. Injuries and the product of what used to be a Shallow prospect pool. The kid was overhyped.

Ratcliffe just needs time. Strome has a chance to one day play a few games. Maybe

Laberge was always a project due to the history. They thought he had that determination and character due to said issues. Injuries and the product of what used to be a Shallow prospect pool. The kid was overhyped.

Ratcliffe just needs time. Strome has a chance to one day play a few games. Maybe
- Peter Richards

In his draft year, Laberge was viewed as a 1st rounder who fell in a strong class. His game went off the rails when he was injured early in the next season. Morin was a project, Laberge was viewed as a top-6 player who would be in the league by now.

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Even though they only are +3 in points from last year, the eye test tells you this is a different team. GAA, and special teams are greatly improved. Things are trending in the right direction. Having two assistants who have a ton of head coach experience is proving beneficial. And the biggest thing of all is watching the games are enjoyable again.
- PLindbergh31

For those interested, Yegor Zamula currently had 17 points (6G, 11A) in 17 WHL games.

Obviously juniors and the NHL are a world apart, but it's a heck of a good singing so far.

In his draft year, Laberge was viewed as a 1st rounder who fell in a strong class. His game went off the rails when he was injured early in the next season. Morin was a project, Laberge was viewed as a top-6 player who would be in the league by now.
- jmatchett383

Poor kid just has never been the same since that kid ran him into oblivion. work your whole life for something....and one clown with the only objective to maim ruins it.

Why? Who is going to take over the 7th defense spot?
- MJL

Anyone. He is making a lot for a 7th Dman. If we need Cap space his cap is the best to give us breathing toom

Anyone. He is making a lot for a 7th Dman. If we need Cap space his cap is the best to give us breathing toom
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

how much cap money you really saving by trading hagg? 500k or around that much?

Why? Who is going to take over the 7th defense spot?
- MJL

A 🖥

how much cap money you really saving by trading hagg? 500k or around that much?
- daryl stanley

It is a lot when you are up against the cap

Those 2018 to 2019 stats really are night and day. Wow.. let's hope they keep it going.

It is a lot when you are up against the cap
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

you need at least 7/8 legit nhl dman if you plan on making any run in the playoffs. Hagg will go after the season is my guess.

Though without looking I bet there are still some decent #6 dman who are still free agents you can get for 1mm or less

Why? Who is going to take over the 7th defense spot?
- MJL

and do it at 1.1 cap

Even though they only are +3 in points from last year, the eye test tells you this is a different team. GAA, and special teams are greatly improved. Things are trending in the right direction. Having two assistants who have a ton of head coach experience is proving beneficial. And the biggest thing of all is watching the games are enjoyable again.
- PLindbergh31

That first point is crazy to me...This team feels so much different then they did at this point last year.

To think they are only +3 is surprising.

Along those lines I think another point you made is huge.. We all talk about accountability well when you have a proven head coach like AV plus 2 of the 3 assistant coaches have extensive head coaching experience it's easy to keep people accountable.

Finally that last line nailed it for me...I wasnt opposed to missing games last year but this year I am back to making sure each game is covered for me..that enjoyment I was missing has been replaced by wanting to watch again.

For those interested, Yegor Zamula currently had 17 points (6G, 11A) in 17 WHL games.

Obviously juniors and the NHL are a world apart, but it's a heck of a good singing so far.
- jmatchett383

Another Phil Myers?

Another Phil Myers?
- Sublime55

Probably not Myers, but trending in the right direction.

Crazy to see only a 3pt improvement over last year at this point. For me it's all about the feel of this team. Just playing much better even despite those few clunkers. We all agreed that we were not cup contenders this season but the playoffs were an absolute must. Maybe even win a freaking series. As long as Hart continues to develop and our young d corp gets better, I am pleased.

Someone commented on Twitter that the Flyers picked up wins against the Leafs and Bruins this weekend without G or Jake recording a point. That's depth but, in our case, that is also growth.

Was at the game in Hershey Sunday. None of the prospects looked too good to me, except maybe Sushko. Was 3rd game in 5 nights so I'll cut them some slack.

everything is happy in Flyer land, enjoy as we know we will hit a rough patch. As long as they come out of the patch better than last year, it should be a good year.

I do see most teams being more competitive this year then last year, the difference between winning and losing is so close.

Stewart isn’t even playing and we still have someone crying about Stewart...

Anyone. He is making a lot for a 7th Dman. If we need Cap space his cap is the best to give us breathing toom
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Anyone? This is poorly thought out. There are other ways to make cap space. His salary is a little over 1M. It's not a lot. With your premise, the Flyers are one significant injury to a defenseman to having "anyone" in the lineup as a regular defenseman.

In the Flyers case, moving the 7th defenseman and replacing him with "anyone" is not the best course of action to create breathing room. It's not even a necessary course of action.

Feanor explained the Flyers cap situation on page 1 of the thread.