The story on chiclets of Patrick Kane getting off the ice anytime he stepped on the ice was hysterical, and for that reason, im out
- ClaudeFather

With all due respect, Kane doesn't always demonstrate good judgement so I wouldn't use him as a data point here.

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.
- Tomahawk

Well you can also ease the kids in by playing on the bottom pair for a few years; unless they show they are ready for more which is a good problem to have; then you [possibly move a dman to address other areas.

Just need to stop with the multi year deals for Hagg/Braun bottom pair types. If both are in the top 6 next year then well I don't know.

With all due respect, Kane doesn't always demonstrate good judgement so I wouldn't use him as a data point here.
- Scoob

Pretty cool that he's 400G and 1000P into his career tho.

Nobody else from that class comes close. JVR and Turris are so far behind in the rear-view it's not even funny.

Fun fact: Jake is actually #2 top scorer from that year.

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

Even with the Flyers full roster in place, I don't think the Flyers have enough to beat Boston in the 7 game series. The Flyers lack grit and strength defensively and we have seen Boston take advantage of this too often already this season.

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

Ok, so you are fine with giving up this season, right? Because right now the Flyers are not good enough IMO to come out of this division.

Even with the Flyers full roster in place, I don't think the Flyers have enough to beat Boston in the 7 game series. The Flyers lack grit and strength defensively and we have seen Boston take advantage of this too often already this season.
- jd250

If you are relying on nick ritchie and debrusk as your depth scoring you aren’t going too far. We can beat Boston

Ok, so you are fine with giving up this season, right? Because right now the Flyers are not good enough IMO to come out of this division.
- jd250

We can win this division, no issue with adding a guy either. Just do it in a smart manner

Well you can also ease the kids in by playing on the bottom pair for a few years; unless they show they are ready for more which is a good problem to have; then you
- login[possibly move a dman to address other areas.

Just need to stop with the multi year deals for Hagg/Braun bottom pair types. If both are in the top 6 next year then well I don't know.

Myers and Sanheim are good players and will improve, but I don't think they will improve in the areas that the Flyers currently lack defensively. Nor do I think the Flyers have an Dman in their system that can come in over the next year and fill this role. Ekholm to me represents an established top 4 Dman that fills the needs the Flyers have right now, and IMO makes them much more capable of beating a team like Boston in a 7 game series. If this is true, the GM must make this deal and show his team, and coach for that matter, that he believes in them now, not years in the future.

Myers and Sanheim are good players and will improve, but I don't think they will improve in the areas that the Flyers currently lack defensively. Nor do I think the Flyers have an Dman in their system that can come in over the next year and fill this role. Ekholm to me represents an established top 4 Dman that fills the needs the Flyers have right now, and IMO makes them much more capable of beating a team like Boston in a 7 game series. If this is true, the GM must make this deal and show his team, and coach for that matter, that he believes in them now, not years in the future.
- jd250

But Clode Jake and Couturier are very concerned about trading young players and picks for a chance to win.

Teams will be lining up for Selke when he hits free agency. He knows this; will it sour him if the Flyers dont try to win it in the next 2 years?

If you are relying on nick ritchie and debrusk as your depth scoring you aren’t going too far. We can beat Boston
- ClaudeFather

Well, OK, we have 3 games left against Boston, let's see what a full Flyers lineup looks like against them. The Bruins do lack secondary scoring depth and something else is starting to emerge as a problem, and that is the inexperience and injuries to their Dmen.

Well, OK, we have 3 games left against Boston, let's see what a full Flyers lineup looks like against them. The Bruins do lack secondary scoring depth and something else is starting to emerge as a problem, and that is the inexperience and injuries to the Dmen.
- jd250

Like I said earlier the 0-5 is ugly but we can certainly play with that team. Losing two 20 minute a night veteran Dmen is going to show in the playoffs. One of our sore spots as well tho. I like our forward group , if we can get solid goaltending I think this team can make noise.

Ok, please tell all of us why we are overrating Ekholm. What do you not like about his game? Is he soft? Does he skate poorly? Does he have a weak shot? Is he bad in the locker room? Please tell us what you don't like about Ekholm?
- jd250

You haven't been paying attention to my opinions offered. It's not that Ekholm is not a good player. He is. It's that he's not a difference maker and that the cost combined with the effect on the expansion draft issue are my reasons for passing on Ekholm.

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.
- landros 2

It will be interesting. I think the cost will be too high and we move on. He goes to Boston or Pittsburgh and they go deep in playoffs. We exit in 2nd round again.

Would adding a dman like Ehkholm strengthen the d corps? Yes. I think we all agree.

Would he get us past 2nd round? Who knows. Maybe but he doesn't put us over the top and into contender status.

At what cost? There is no way I give up a current roster forward and multiple picks for him. No way I move a current roster dman unless it's Hagg or Gus (good luck on that happening). Ghost has value in the bottom pair role and PP QB. He's playing well but he is not a top pair guy (IMO).

A package of a prospect and multiple picks is all I would consider. Looks like Nashville wants NHL talent. I don't think it happens for us.

But Clode Jake and Couturier are very concerned about trading young players and picks for a chance to win.

Teams will be lining up for Selke when he hits free agency. He knows this; will it sour him if the Flyers dont try to win it in the next 2 years?
- login

I will be very surprised if Couturier leaves town. I think the Flyers will pay him, and I think he wants to play his entire career for the Flyers similar to Bergeron for Boston. Just a feeling, no hard proof.

It will be interesting. I think the cost will be too high and we move on. He goes to Boston or Pittsburgh and they go deep in playoffs. We exit in 2nd round again.

Would adding a dman like Ehkholm strengthen the d corps? Yes. I think we all agree.

Would he get us past 2nd round? Who knows. Maybe but he doesn't put us over the top and into contender status.

At what cost? There is no way I give up a current roster forward and multiple picks for him. No way I move a current roster dman unless it's Hagg or Gus (good luck on that happening). Ghost has value in the bottom pair role and PP QB. He's playing well but he is not a top pair guy (IMO).

A package of a prospect and multiple picks is all I would consider. Looks like Nashville wants NHL talent. I don't think it happens for us.
- cdearth23

Who currently playing for the Phantoms would you not give up in a trade for Ekholm? What if Nashville wants Wisdom, Zamula and a pick?

Even with the Flyers full roster in place, I don't think the Flyers have enough to beat Boston in the 7 game series. The Flyers lack grit and strength defensively and we have seen Boston take advantage of this too often already this season.
- jd250

I don't agree, we have not seen our full squad against Boston, they Flyers have not played their best hockey against them.

I don't believe the Flyers D can get better in the ways they need to in order to compete better against Boston. The Flyers D are mobile and can move the puck for sure, but they are not physical and strong in the slot area. Boston exposed them multiple times in this regard. So I do believe the Flyers need to trade for that type of Dman in order to fill this big hole. I believe Ekholm with his size and grittiness would fill that hole very well, plus he is very mobile and good offensively.
- jd250

The issues that the Flyers have had in coverages in and around the net are absolutely correctable. If what you said was true then the Flyers have a serious issue. They aren't going to reach contender status until Sanheim, Myers and even to some extent Provorov take the next step.

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Hart's Turn to Shut Out Sabres
- bmeltzer

With Scott Laughton playing so well and connecting on the third line, it’s hard to argue not putting Patrick on the fourth line in Konency’s return. With this said, Laughton would make the fourth line center, for four balanced lines.

JvR-Couturier-Farabee
Giroux-Hayes-Konency
Lindblom-Patrick-Voracek
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Very much looking forward to the next 3 games. Best of three. Keep Gus sitting. Maybe start Elliott.

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

I'm puzzled by the comment that Devils, Rangers and other young teams are getting better while the Flyers are waiting. Why aren't the Flyers getting better in the same time frame? Are the Flyers young player done growing and developing?

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

Can Ekholm play the right side?

Who currently playing for the Phantoms would you not give up in a trade for Ekholm? What if Nashville wants Wisdom, Zamula and a pick?
- jd250

I haven't seen either of them play but from reading about them, we should hold them in high regard. So that would be a no from me. But some sort of package with prospects would be agreeable.

Also, when I say "current roster forwards" I was referring to the names that were floated out there (Patty, TK, Frost). If for some reason Nashville wanted a NAK, or Bunny, or any other call up I'd entertain it.

Can Ekholm play the right side?
- MJL

I assume so. Many LHD are asked to play right side. I only mentioned LHD because there seems to be a premium on RHD.

Even with the Flyers full roster in place, I don't think the Flyers have enough to beat Boston in the 7 game series. The Flyers lack grit and strength defensively and we have seen Boston take advantage of this too often already this season.
- jd250

I understand why Boston is a concern for everyone. But we don’t even know what the playoff matchups will be. If we don’t have them in the first round who’s to say they make the second round?

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.
- landros 2

First, why would we trade a young promising defenseman for another? It just doesn’t make sense, when we’re trying to improve the defense overall. We’re still trying to replace the hole Niskanen left.

Also, Sanheim may not rocking players with hits or outmuscling guys out there, he’s been probably our second best if not our very best defender this year.

With Scott Laughton playing so well and connecting on the third line, it’s hard to argue not putting Patrick on the fourth line in Konency’s return. With this said, Laughton would make the fourth line center, for four balanced lines.

JvR-Couturier-Farabee
Giroux-Hayes-Konency
Lindblom-Patrick-Voracek
Raffl-Laughton-NAK

Very much looking forward to the next 3 games. Best of three. Keep Gus sitting. Maybe start Elliott.
- SuperSchennBros

I am fine with this. But would flip patty with Scott. NAK has been a beast on the forecheck and raf is steady.