I didn't say he was a juggernaut. But he has a good outlet pass to lead to a rush and he gets the shot on net which leads to assists.

I know who he is.
- Deasr1

His time has past, we should not be inquiring about him at all. Old and injured isn’t a good mix

His time has past, we should not be inquiring about him at all. Old and injured isn’t a good mix
- ClaudeFather

You seem to underestimate 3x cup winning experience. We no one like that on this team. Nisky was great for Provy because he taught him how to win and properly play in the playoffs. But hey, if that is not vital for growth, then over pay for a 2nd tier defenseman that people will female dog about 2 months down the line because we overpaid.

Few things-

I do think Covid and expansion change how you approach this season. Ghost is playing well and that is a factor, he is playing good D and pushing the pace, his skating is obviously better compared to last year. So do you protect 4 even if you don't have Ekholm? Do you trade Ghost? The next 2 weeks are heavy with Pens and Caps. If the Flyers maintain their position and play well, like they did the end of last season, I think you look at Ekholm. I get the whole it won't make them a contender but will waiting for York and Z make them one in 2 years? Where will the O talent be then? You might have an elite Hart and a really good D but your O will have aged and the upper end talent on the O is the older players.

One thing I keep coming back too, to be elite or a contender they will have to make a trade one way or the other

I believe the summer is where Fletch will go for it and I think he should. So far he has made solid moves, if he goes for it I would expect a similar approach. The only way he should pull the trigger this season is if this current squad makes it impossible for him not too.
- wcorvette

This next stretch of games with Pens and Caps could determine if Fletch stays the course or otherwise. Both of those opponents are playing their best hockey to date, and if we don’t fare well in those games, I think Fletch has to do something to bolster the backend and/or add muscle and size to the lineup.

You seem to underestimate 3x cup winning experience. We no one like that on this team. Nisky was great for Provy because he taught him how to win and properly play in the playoffs. But hey, if that is not vital for growth, then over pay for a 2nd tier defenseman that people will female dog about 2 months down the line because we overpaid.
- Deasr1

I’m not saying to overpay for anyone, just not to go get a guy that is old, injured, and has heavy miles on his record. That would be a horrible guy to get, you couldn’t have suggested many worse.

I would like to see what Niklas Hjalmarsson would cost.
- Deasr1

Arizona has a few UFA defensemen coming up. Goligoski and Demers are some others we could look at.

Would you rather have a right handed guy even if he isn't as good as the left handed guy?
- login

If the better player is put out of position and therefore exploited routinely, I’d take the player who gives me the better chance to win.

The offensive core of the Flyers in the future is Couturier, Konecny, Farabee, Frost and other prospects.
Here is the disconnect in my view. It is very difficult to make a trade these days to make your team a contender. You draft and develop to become a contender. Once there, you then supplement and fill a weakness using trades if you have some excess or use free agency. Horse then cart.
- MJL

while they are there is no clear cut replacement for G, Jake or JVR for that matter. Will Hayes be as affective 2 years from now? I get wanting the perfect time to fill in the holes, just have to be careful, you make a big mistake going for it to early and you can make just as big of mistake by waiting to long. While were waiting the Devils, Rangers and other young teams will be getting better, some having better high end talent than the Flyers.

Why I say, if the Flyers maintain their win % over the next 2 weeks and the team is playing well you take a serious look at adding a top 4 D. If they are not playing well and end up 500 or below, I don't think you spend the assets unless it is a no brainer. Point being I wouldn't trade if they are not playing to their potential, just to get them back to it. I would trade if they were firing on all cylinders as a team, with adding making them better.

while they are there is no clear cut replacement for G, Jake or JVR for that matter. Will Hayes be as affective 2 years from now? I get wanting the perfect time to fill in the holes, just have to be careful, you make a big mistake going for it to early and you can make just as big of mistake by waiting to long. While were waiting the Devils, Rangers and other young teams will be getting better, some having better high end talent than the Flyers.

Why I say, if the Flyers maintain their win % over the next 2 weeks and the team is playing well you take a serious look at adding a top 4 D. If they are not playing well and end up 500 or below, I don't think you spend the assets unless it is a no brainer. Point being I wouldn't trade if they are not playing to their potential, just to get them back to it. I would trade if they were firing on all cylinders as a team, with adding making them better.
- wcorvette

Well said, tricky situation. Half the youth we thought would replace these guys are doing a whole lot of nothing. Frost hasn’t even really played, Oskar and Nopa are just question marks at this point. TK is playing like a moron, only one producing is farabee .

This next stretch of games with Pens and Caps could determine if Fletch stays the course or otherwise. Both of those opponents are playing their best hockey to date, and if we don’t fare well in those games, I think Fletch has to do something to bolster the backend and/or add muscle and size to the lineup.
- BroadSTmayhem

agreed, kind of been my point, lets see what is next. You can see the Flyers are playing better and winning. No joke they have the best win % in the best division in the NHL but this next run will show if they really are that good or just in the pack of good teams

Why are people so obsessed with the expansion draft? It's like people have this thought process of the Flyers not being to make any moves because of the friggin expansion draft. Seattle can only take ONE player from their roster. This team needs a viable defenseman to replace the loss of Niskanen and they simply won't be considered a contender until they do. It's like, let's just waste an entire season due to the expansion draft. Eh what??
- Phillywhiteout

No, you don't pass up a chance to improve the team out of expansion draft concerns. But you also don't overpay for a de facto rental and then lose that player (or someone else you'd otherwise protect) for nothing.

Is there any move or moves out there that would in your opinion? So are they not supposed to try to upgrade the team because said move "doesn't" put them on par, paper wise with those teams?

I am in no way advocating TK or Farabee for Ekholm to be clear.
- login

I actually think if the Flyers continue to play the are now they will be on par with Boston. Some teams you have to learn how to beat, with their full roster the Flyers could take Boston in a 7 game series. I am much less to believe that about Tampa and even the Canes.

Anyone else feel that Provy is struggling a little bit? I would hope that adding a vet like Ekholm would have a calming presence on Provy. If that's the case, then I give up a prospect (d or forward) and a 2nd round pick. I am not sure I would give up a current roster forward. Patty, TK, Frost, Lindblom were floated out there.

Drop Ghost to 3rd pair and have him QB PP1.

If they want a current roster forward and picks (plural) I walk.

For a 30+ LHD with a year left on contract, Frost and a 2nd and a 3rd seems like a lot.

No, you don't pass up a chance to improve the team out of expansion draft concerns. But you also don't overpay for a de facto rental and then lose that player (or someone else you'd otherwise protect) for nothing.
- bmeltzer

Bill, who is a guy you would like to see them target? If they were to keep the winning going.

I actually think if the Flyers continue to play the are now they will be on par with Boston. Some teams you have to learn how to beat, with their full roster the Flyers could take Boston in a 7 game series. I am much less to believe that about Tampa and even the Canes.
- wcorvette

Yea obviously the 0-5 looks awful but I don’t think we are really that far off from Boston, I think we are the best team in the division

Exactly. jd250 proposed the Flyers trade York, two prospects and a few draft picks for him. LOL. I saw a proposal on Ek's current thread by a Flyers fan suggesting the Flyers give up Frost and a 1st and 2nd rounder for him.
- MJL

I saw the same insane offers yesterday but kept my mouth shut. Absolutely way overpriced offer for ekholm. And I love ekholm! I've recently moved to nashville and get to see the predators regularly. Ekholm is a good damn! He is solid and puts up points and plays defense welland if he was RH I would say CF needs to make a move for him but he has nowhere near the value people think he does. Let another team overpay for him and after the expansion draft CF can make some real moves and strengthen this team but please don't overpay for Ekholm

I saw the same insane offers yesterday but kept my mouth shut. Absolutely way overpriced offer for ekholm. And I love ekholm! I've recently moved to nashville and get to see the predators regularly. Ekholm is a good damn! He is solid and puts up points and plays defense welland if he was RH I would say CF needs to make a move for him but he has nowhere near the value people think he does. Let another team overpay for him and after the expansion draft CF can make some real moves and strengthen this team but please don't overpay for Ekholm
- Bob Habib

That’s my biggest thing, there is going to be moves after the Seattle draft that we can address the D

That’s my biggest thing, there is going to be moves after the Seattle draft that we can address the D
- ClaudeFather

but if this group stays a top with win% do you try and get them help for a run?

No, you don't pass up a chance to improve the team out of expansion draft concerns. But you also don't overpay for a de facto rental and then lose that player (or someone else you'd otherwise protect) for nothing.
- bmeltzer

they would still have the ability to address their expansion draft set up before it actually happened after the season though. Maybe you move out the player you brought in...or another guy before the draft happens. I fully agree that you don't overpay in this situation but you sure don't stand pat because of the situation with your 3 D that everyone thinks you will protect. I like Provorov, Myers and Sanheim but think they have all had their struggles this year.....other than Provy I don't see either other guy of being untouchable.

The offensive core of the Flyers in the future is Couturier, Konecny, Farabee, Frost and other prospects.
Here is the disconnect in my view. It is very difficult to make a trade these days to make your team a contender. You draft and develop to become a contender. Once there, you then supplement and fill a weakness using trades if you have some excess or use free agency. Horse then cart.
- MJL

Cant count on Couturier bein in that core until he is resigned. Also now way you count Frost as part of that core. Core guys are guys you don't trade unless it is to your benefit. Frost doesn't fall into that category.

but if this group stays a top with win% do you try and get them help for a run?
- wcorvette

If they start to play consistent hockey for 60 minutes I think you do. But they have to show it quick. These next set of games is a good test to really see where we are at. We don’t need an Ekholm, would be nice but maybe there is a middle pair guy out there that can help us.

I actually think if the Flyers continue to play the are now they will be on par with Boston. Some teams you have to learn how to beat, with their full roster the Flyers could take Boston in a 7 game series. I am much less to believe that about Tampa and even the Canes.
- wcorvette

I still think a big factor is upper management wanting more progress and in the GM' ear. Just my take.

Can they beat Boston? Yes. I think Boston is better and would win though it isn't this huge discrepancy imo. All about the cost

But why can't the Flyers resign Ekholm after his current deal expires in 2022? Especially if the Flyers trade Ghost to say Seattle as part of a deal to protect their other players in the ED.
- jd250

They could... but by then some of their kids would be ready to step in, and Myers/Sanheim would have already grown to the point of making Ekholm superfluous.

Anyone else feel that Provy is struggling a little bit? I would hope that adding a vet like Ekholm would have a calming presence on Provy. If that's the case, then I give up a prospect (d or forward) and a 2nd round pick. I am not sure I would give up a current roster forward. Patty, TK, Frost, Lindblom were floated out there.

Drop Ghost to 3rd pair and have him QB PP1.

If they want a current roster forward and picks (plural) I walk.

For a 30+ LHD with a year left on contract, Frost and a 2nd and a 3rd seems like a lot.
- cdearth23

Provy has struggled....for provy. He still logs a ton of minutes but has played better hockey than we are seeing this year. I actually think Ghost has played pretty good lately.

Ekholm would be a great get and would really help some of these younger guys. I'm really not sure of the cost....I had thought Sanheim +...but that even might be too much. That also might be my own dislike of Sanheim's game over all. I just think he plays so soft for a big bodied guy. I just expect more I guess.
Unfortunately it's about supply and demand and I think this guy will be a heavy cost. I get that the Flyers do have to consider the expansion draft but other teams in on Ekholm don't. Interesting decision for Fletcher. We all know what Hextall would do or not do....Fletcher I don't know.

If they start to play consistent hockey for 60 minutes I think you do. But they have to show it quick. These next set of games is a good test to really see where we are at. We don’t need an Ekholm, would be nice but maybe there is a middle pair guy out there that can help us.
- ClaudeFather

yeah keep the options open and I said the same thing, the next 2 weeks will shed some light on what comes next

I just think he plays so soft for a big bodied guy.
- landros 2

Ekholm is the same way.