While not all players fix this issue. There are others that have been knocked for skating that have had great careers.

Bill mentioned stone. I believe this was a knock on Jamie benn and our own Oscar. He will now be working with some of the best skating coaches out there.
- Peter Richards

Luc Robitaille couldn't skate worth a lick.

Yes Perrault is faster. But has questions about his drive. Foerstter is said to be a very hard worker. So I have hope. And is listed as having one of the best shots in the draft.

Time will tell but I am fine with this pick. Around 20 it always seems like there are varying opinions.

Didn't people say that Strome's skating could be fixed as well?
- corduroy

Strome is just straight up slow. Foerster has a couple bad habits that can be coached out of him. This is why I was excited to draft him where we got him. I've coached hockey for 13.5 years now, I've experienced and corrected this before with far less talent and willingness to learn. His deficiencies in skating can be corrected, especially with NHL caliber coaches. Foerster knows his weakness and is willing to do what is necessary not only to get better, but good, his words.

Tyson in still a raw talent who for the most part came out of nowhere in his draft year. Exceptional strides in his development. Still more to unlock here.

Yes Perrault is faster. But has questions about his drive. Foerstter is said to be a very hard worker. So I have hope. And is listed as having one of the best shots in the draft.

Time will tell but I am fine with this pick. Around 20 it always seems like there are varying opinions.
- Peter Richards

Any pick in an average draft class past about 15 or 16 is going to have one glaring hole. Skating, size, skill, shooting, IQ, stickhandling...of those, skating is probably one of the easiest to fix.

"Flyers need to draft a guy who can score goals!!!"

Flyers draft a guy who can score goals.

"Why didn't we draft a guy who is fast!?!?"
- jmatchett383

Lol good one

Any pick in an average draft class past about 15 or 16 is going to have one glaring hole. Skating, size, skill, shooting, IQ, stickhandling...of those, skating is probably one of the easiest to fix.
- jmatchett383

Get out of here with all your logic.

Would like to move Ghost for a 2nd today and grab Kleven. Then have room to go after Krug.

Would like to move Ghost for a 2nd today and grab Kleven. Then have room to go after Krug.
- hereticpride

Kleven interests me. Nothing flashy but could be a staple during a Stanley Cup run.

Would like to move Ghost for a 2nd today and grab Kleven. Then have room to go after Krug.
- hereticpride

I don't want Krug. If I am spending big money I want Peitriangelo or maybe I look for a trade or a vet stop gap.

Could you get by with someone like Bogosian in your top 4? I don't know so asking.

Strome is just straight up slow. Foerster has a couple bad habits that can be coached out of him. This is why I was excited to draft him where we got him. I've coached hockey for 13.5 years now, I've experienced and corrected this before with far less talent and willingness to learn. His deficiencies in skating can be corrected, especially with NHL caliber coaches. Foerster knows his weakness and is willing to do what is necessary not only to get better, but good, his words.

Tyson in still a raw talent who for the most part came out of nowhere in his draft year. Exceptional strides in his development. Still more to unlock here.
- dubc55

This...and its pretty well mentioned that top speed isnt his issue but explosiveness in his start due to stride.

We had the same sense of panic here last year when we grabbed Brink and pundits panned his skating. Did he look out of place or too slow in the last Juniors tournaments??? F to the no!

Could you get by with someone like Bogosian in your top 4? I don't know so asking.
- J35Bacher

Gross

I have the same concerns just based on what I read. Would definitely prefer a top skater but if you can play, you can play. Lets give the kid a chance.
- MJL

That’s fair and he does have a chance to pan out, especially as a pp weapon. To those who say skating is fixable, sure, if he works hard at it he might become an average NHL skater. I just prefer my first round picks to be plus skaters.

I don't want Krug. If I am spending big money I want Peitriangelo or maybe I look for a trade or a vet stop gap.

Could you get by with someone like Bogosian in your top 4? I don't know so asking.
- J35Bacher

No go on Bogo

"Flyers need to draft a guy who can score goals!!!"

Flyers draft a guy who can score goals.

"Why didn't we draft a guy who is fast!?!?"
- jmatchett383

Beat me to it lmao

That’s fair and he does have a chance to pan out, especially as a pp weapon. To those who say skating is fixable, sure, if he works hard at it he might become an average NHL skater. I just prefer my first round picks to be plus skaters.
- BiggE

What good is skating fast if the guy isn't an above average shooter/playmaker?

Craig Button had this kid ranked 16th and said after the selection that he loved this kid and felt his skating was more about strength than anything else. The Flyers scouts apparently agreed and picked him at 23. The draft is such a crap shoot who knows what will happen, but I have to trust the scouts and analyst who know the game and look at these kids year after year. Let's hope they are right about Foerster.

With that said, there is still "first round" talent available based on the consensus rankings, and thus I would like to see the Flyers be aggressive and trade up for a player if they really like someone available earlier in the 2nd round.

ttt

Kerr was a massive 6’3 230 and freakishly strong, possessed unbelievably soft hands and powerful wrists and played in era where speed wasn’t as much of a factor.
- BiggE

I loved watching Kerr play.

What good is skating fast if the guy isn't an above average shooter/playmaker?
- jmatchett383

I didn’t say it was the only thing I look for, but in today’s game it’s more important than ever. To me, hockey sense and skating are the most important things that I look for in a first round pick. A guy can work on his shot and size can be found in the later rounds. I want smart and fast with my top choice.

Bill, were the Flyers set to pick Hendrix Lapierre? Seems Washington thought so, why else would they trade up to leap-frog the Flyers.
- backfire

Brent and Chuck danced around it but didn't deny it. Certainly, the Caps were convinced they were.

Skating is fixable. And yes, this team has a speed issue but it also had goal scoring issues in the playoffs. Nice to see this team take a player where his shooting is his strongest suit.
- Pelle31Forever

It is - as long as the kid wants to work for it.

My only concern so far is, how have we made the team better this off-season?

Besides one-year-older players? Or is that enough?

"Flyers need to draft a guy who can score goals!!!"

Flyers draft a guy who can score goals.

"Why didn't we draft a guy who is fast!?!?"
- jmatchett383

lol yup

My only concern so far is, how have we made the team better this off-season?

Besides one-year-older players? Or is that enough?
- DrMidnite

Unless Ghost has a big bounce back or Myers takes a huge step forward it’s hard to see the D as better. I’m also not thrilled with Therrien still running the pp. However having a healthy Lindblom and hopefully a healthy Patrick along with the addition of Frost and a more experienced and likely stronger Farabee means the forward group should be better. Hart now has playoff experience and that is a plus as well. Overall, I think they are slightly better with potential for more.

Although I preferred perreault or Barron more than willing to give trees a chance. Hopefully skating is fixed. Time to move a poopty ghost for a 2nd today and add 2 more guys to add to the next wave in a few years.