Like Bill stated this season was a step in the right direction. Over time we will start seeing improvements from:

Konecny
Lindblom
Sanheim
Myers
Farabee
NoPa
Hart
Provorov

Some of the prospects looking to make the team next season look promising as well with Frost highlighting that group.

I really like what Hayes brings to the team. He was by far the best forward in the playoffs for us. If he can play like this for the term of his contract, it is a great signing.

Three other players that really impressed me were Raffl, Pitlick and Laughton. Apart from Hayes they were the next best players in the playoffs. They played hard every night and created turnovers. Raffl and Pitlick are two guys I want as wingers for our 4th line.

I dont know whats going on with Coots and G but they got to figure it out. I very well doubt age is an issue for Giroux. You see many players like Pavelski and Thornton playing at a top level until their late 30s. Both players have 2-3 months to get it together. They both need to be better.

Voracek was Voracek. Im mean we all know what to expect from him. He can be force on the ice with the puck, he is prone to forcing plays and defensive breakdowns. Im not opposed to trading him but I dont believe we should be getting rid of him for the sake of getting rid of him.

JVR was pretty disappointing. He did start to play better as the Isles series went on but for 7 mill you have to expect more from him. I dont know if part of the problem is usage, maybe he just isnt a fit for AV's system. He is someone I would look to move and either get size or speed for the 3rd line.

Grant was pretty much invisible. I'd walk from him.

Thompson im indifferent on. For a 4th line C he's OK. Doesnt really stand out but gets the job done. Would like to see him play less minutes that Giroux but Im sure undisciplined play is a role in that.

NAK played OK as well at times. Struggled a bit. Like to see him be better. Unless he can play well enough for the 3rd line though, I dont see him having much of a future here. Especially if Patrick is healthy. or Frost takes a big step forward.

Niskanen was a fantastic #2 during the season but seemed lost in the playoffs. While he had a bad playoffs I think that he can pull himself together and be better next year.

Braun was a serviceable player. He played his role fine. He had his flaws of course but overall he was OK. At this point though we walk away. I think Hagg can do what he does better.

Ghost looked much better in the limited time he was back. Would like to see him back in a more regular role and perhaps try him on the PP again.

Free Agent Signings I think our roster is pretty much set barring any major changes. However I would look at a guy like Cody Eakin for the 4th line C. He has some speed to him and is good on the PK. Has a few big SHGs to his name.

Lindblom - Couturier - Konecny
Giroux - Hayes - Voracek
Laughton - NoPa\Frost - Farabee
Raffl - Eakin - Pitlick

Prov - Niskanen
Sanheim - Myers
Ghost - Hagg

Hart
Elliott

I believe Dave Scott and Holmgren forced that signing on Hextall, they wanted to make some noise for the fans in free agency. Shows you he should keep his nose out of the hockey operations side of things. Corporate ownership sucks
- Dave21Brown

You may have something there. Holmgren drafted him, and often people in that position try extra hard to prove they were right after all.

Then there is the matter of the luxury suites. I suspect they are like the business class of flights - they bring in a disproportionate share of revenue. Who is going to hire a suite with no buzz surrounding the team at all? Fans may be willing to tolerate low level sucking, and tv deals are league wide with revenue sharing, but business types will not bring clients to games if there is no buzz.

There is a very good chance that 2013 #11, 2017 #2 are both misses. Can't happen.
- PLindbergh31

No one bats a 1000. The Patrick pick will hurt for years imo.
Where the flyers where in 2013 they needed an nhl player there.

Rubtsov and JOB don’t look good though not writing them off at all
I can see a Rubtsov trade for a similar prospect who hasn’t cut it with their team. Perhaps Tage Thompson swap

Let's not forget that Seattle will have to take on contracts to make sure they get to the cap floor. Vegas ate a few big contracts just so they were in compliance. I don't think they would blink at JVR's $7 million. They may blink at his ability to become invisible at times...

Let's not forget that Seattle will have to take on contracts to make sure they get to the cap floor. Vegas ate a few big contracts just so they were in compliance. I don't think they would blink at JVR's $7 million. They may blink at his ability to become invisible at times...
- cdearth23

There's also the possibility that the Flyers sweeten the pot for Seattle to make JvR their choice, right?

Not sure why many seem to think Seattle will take jvr or ghost. Especially if both Have a average 2021 season. Not a slam dunk. By any means at all

There's also the possibility that the Flyers sweeten the pot for Seattle to make JvR their choice, right?
- Doc_Sarcasm

Absolutely.

Not sure why many seem to think Seattle will take jvr or ghost. Especially if both Have a average 2021 season. Not a slam dunk. By any means at all
- login

Who else are they going to take? NAK?

I think Fletch would be smart to move Ghost now. Seattle is going to need puck movers and I doubt very many are going to be available. Get something before you lose him for nothing.

Pronman released his farm system report today in the Athletic. Flyers rank #10 with no players in the “Special “ or “Elite “ Tiers. Hart an Farabee are “High end” with Patrick and Frost at the next level down. Zamula, York and Brink are considered “very good “. The most common criticism throughout the rankings is lack of speed. I’d like to see the Flyers make speed a priority in the upcoming draft.

Rather lose jake in that expansion draft of not traded

Who else are they going to take? NAK?

I think Fletch would be smart to move Ghost now. Seattle is going to need puck movers and I doubt very many are going to be available. Get something before you lose him for nothing.
- hereticpride

Possibly as a cheap bottom line productive player is more tolerable to me than an expensive inconsistent one in jvr.

Also depends on how they want to build there team

Who else are they going to take? NAK?

I think Fletch would be smart to move Ghost now. Seattle is going to need puck movers and I doubt very many are going to be available. Get something before you lose him for nothing.
- hereticpride

Yeah. Everyone remember how much cap space vegas has a first. Seattle has to take some bigger contracts. And some known names. I could easily see them taking ghost if he’s still here. A flashy and can help create fan appeal. Even jvr. Can still score goals and can play on your pp. and or also what vegas did. Take those players and trade them as rentals. Get more pieces.

There's also the possibility that the Flyers sweeten the pot for Seattle to make JvR their choice, right?
- Doc_Sarcasm

Yes but every single team probably has a guy they are thinking about doing the same with.

Possibly as a cheap bottom line productive player is more tolerable to me than an expensive inconsistent one in jvr.

Also depends on how they want to build there team
- login

Yes but if you follow vegas s lead and why wouldn’t you. Stockpile d men. There is always a market. Speed and or size to help compete.

Pronman released his farm system report today in the Athletic. Flyers rank #10 with no players in the “Special “ or “Elite “ Tiers. Hart an Farabee are “High end” with Patrick and Frost at the next level down. Zamula, York and Brink are considered “very good “. The most common criticism throughout the rankings is lack of speed. I’d like to see the Flyers make speed a priority in the upcoming draft.
- Djapana

Yes and may even a little in the offseason. As far as getting quicker up front.

Pronman released his farm system report today in the Athletic. Flyers rank #10 with no players in the “Special “ or “Elite “ Tiers. Hart an Farabee are “High end” with Patrick and Frost at the next level down. Zamula, York and Brink are considered “very good “. The most common criticism throughout the rankings is lack of speed. I’d like to see the Flyers make speed a priority in the upcoming draft.
- Djapana

How would Hart not be in the highest tier? Especially after his playoff performance.

Frost is a potential impact forward. He will improve from his rookie season and, by year 3 as a pro, I think he will be a regular point producer in the NHL.

If Patrick is healthy and gets back on track at least as a viable 3C, that'd be a lot youth injected up front.

Lindblom will re-add weight and be fine for next season . Joel Farabee is only 20 and will continue to improve.

Allison still has power forward potential. Laczynzki could be a valuable and versatile type to move around the lineup (as could Noah Cates).

So, all in all, I am not worried about youth up front. Depth is the key.
- bmeltzer

We have depth.

Why not pursue legitimate, high-end talent, should it be available? Or negotiate the price down?

Before you say "well, great talent is not often shopped around...."

That is Fletcher's job. To FIND these things.

Tomorrow may never come for this process, so go all-out now.

Yes but if you follow vegas s lead and why wouldn’t you. Stockpile d men. There is always a market. Speed and or size to help compete.
- Peter Richards

Might be better options available as far as dman over ghost. Especially if ghost underwhelms again

Yes but every single team probably has a guy they are thinking about doing the same with.
- ClaudeFather

every single team probably?

In a dose of pure optimism, only JVR out, and no outside acquisitions at forward:

Farabee-Couturier-Voracek
Giroux-Frost-Hayes
Lindblom-Patrick-TK
Laughton-Bunnaman-NAK
Raffl

Don’t bother telling me it will never happen, too much has to fall right, I already know. I just see value in at least looking.

[quote=ClaudeFather]How would Hart not be in the highest tier? Especially after his playoff performance.

/Tier Definitions:
Special NHL prospect: Projects as a true NHL star, someone who is among the best players in the league.
Elite NHL prospect: Projects as an impact player, someone who is top 10-15 percent in the NHL at his position.

[quote=ClaudeFather]How would Hart not be in the highest tier? Especially after his playoff performance.

/Tier Definitions:
Special NHL prospect: Projects as a true NHL star, someone who is among the best players in the league.
Elite NHL prospect: Projects as an impact player, someone who is top 10-15 percent in the NHL at his position.
- Djapana

Hart is elite, that guy has had his projection wrong for years, hasn’t changed it and is still wrong.

every single team probably?
- Doc_Sarcasm

Maybe could use a comma, you get the point

Hart is elite, that guy has had his projection wrong for years, hasn’t changed it and is still wrong.
- NC Flyers Fan

I would tend to agree that he has Hart underrated. But the overall assessment of the rest of the Flyers farm seems right to me. A lot of players with good NHL potential but nobody that projects as a star or elite player.
If they want that sniper they are going to have to go a different route.

Reading a couple of interesting takes this morning. The one that is eye popping to me is how some want to not only replace Ivan Provorov on the top PP unit but replace Ivan Provorov with Phil Myers because Provorov isn’t creative enough and doesn’t seem to have chemistry with Claude Giroux in this area. Well I think Giroux has his own set of problems that has nothing to do with Provorov. At the same time, it’s also about what hand you shoot with. Myers is right handed, Provorov is left handed. Giroux is only going to build chemistry with a left handed shot. I’ve also seen very little of Myers on the PP. I think Myers would have to replace Niskanen first, before seeing a fair assessment.

In my opinion Provorov has taken steps in the right direction on the PP and only has room to grow. Provorov is producing overall on the PP (at least in the regular season) and he’s allowing the puck to hop over his stick a lot less. I think the coaching staff wants Provorov to start in all situations but if I had to replace him in this one area, it would be with Travis Sanheim, who does seem to have a much stronger point shot and ability to produce offensively in his own right.