So steady veterans specialize in not getting the puck out of the zone once forechecking commences.

It's rather mind boggling how incapable Patrick is of finishing when he seems to do a lot right. The Sharp reference is painful- who knew Sharp was going to be a first line center on a championship team? It would be LESS surprising for Patrick to find his game as a great second line center.

I'd be okay trading Patrick for something more interesting. Playing Ek for a second --that is pure fantasizing--, I'd love to see us offer a package for Hughes. Patrick, Koneckny, Foerster and a 1st... Or maybe bundle Patrick in some kind of deal for Sergachev.
- therabbi

Keep dreaming!

Keep dreaming!

- HenryHockey

How about buffaloes Ristolainen?

This is a year I think you can move a first rounder for a proven player (scouting is a Len even bigger crap shoot with minimal junior games).

But ekholm for this package is not worth the risk for the Flyers because with Seattle coming in it exposes Myers or Sanhiem in addition to Patrick and the first. If it were a first, Rubtsov, and Gustafson I could live with it and having to make a deal with Seattle to ensure you keep who makes most sense

@Squatchy It wouldnt be a knee jerk reaction. NSH is a dumpster fire so rebuilding is the correct option.

Say what you will about NoPA but the fact of the matter is you are getting a 2nd overall C that is currently a rostered NHL player as a 22 year old + a first for a Top 4 Defenseman. Its an overpayment. Ekholm's price is similar to what Muzzin got LA which was two 2nd round prospects and a 1st.

It would be a fantastic return for NSH. Im on the fence to whether I would be willing to pay that price.

Patrick Is a talent but also an Injury risk, I Identified the Flyers as one of 6 teams who can win It all this year just before the season started Ekholm Is desirable I'm sure for many teams but personally I don't see any real weaknesses with the Philly blueline.
- Shady1962

He isnt an injury risk. He has a migraine condition, he has had it his entire life. He's managed to play through it his entire career. Last season was a bad year for him but he is past it and able to play again.

If poile makes this deal... FIRE his azz!!

I have no idea how real this rumor is but it makes sense.

If you are rebuilding like Nashville, Ekholm is a worthy trade chip.

Patrick could blossom and should be a good value. A first pick isn't chopped liver either. If I were them - I would DEMAND a conditional pick based on Patrick's health and if I am the Flyers I PAY IT.

The contract on Ekholm is very serviceable even if he is resigned for more.

What he brings to the locker room and his ability to keep the puck out of the net (Yes, Eric and Ghost, I am talking about you) is ESSENTIAL if the Flyers think they are contenders now and in years to come (aka: before Giroux gets too old)

Another thing I like about the deal is that Patrick would have been a likely expansion casualty for the Flyers if they trades say just picks (I wouldn't do that if I were Nashville as I am just making a point here). Seattle would have picked up Patrick in a second.

The window is OPEN guys. It is time to take some risks and in the playoffs - good D counts for a LOT. The Flyers don't have it right now.

Ek: 1st and Patrick for Ekholm
Reality: 2nd and 3rd round pick

@Squatchy It wouldnt be a knee jerk reaction. NSH is a dumpster fire so rebuilding is the correct option.

Say what you will about NoPA but the fact of the matter is you are getting a 2nd overall C that is currently a rostered NHL player as a 22 year old + a first for a Top 4 Defenseman. Its an overpayment. Ekholm's price is similar to what Muzzin got LA which was two 2nd round prospects and a 1st.

It would be a fantastic return for NSH. Im on the fence to whether I would be willing to pay that price.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

How many other 2C’s in the league are on a 14 game pointless streak while getting heaps of PP time?

It’s a fair deal

Or hartnel and timmo

I have no idea how real this rumor is but it makes sense.

If you are rebuilding like Nashville, Ekholm is a worthy trade chip.

Patrick could blossom and should be a good value. A first pick isn't chopped liver either. If I were them - I would DEMAND a conditional pick based on Patrick's health and if I am the Flyers I PAY IT.

The contract on Ekholm is very serviceable even if he is resigned for more.

What he brings to the locker room and his ability to keep the puck out of the net (Yes, Eric and Ghost, I am talking about you) is ESSENTIAL if the Flyers think they are contenders now and in years to come (aka: before Giroux gets too old)

Another thing I like about the deal is that Patrick would have been a likely expansion casualty for the Flyers if they trades say just picks (I wouldn't do that if I were Nashville as I am just making a point here). Seattle would have picked up Patrick in a second.

The window is OPEN guys. It is time to take some risks and in the playoffs - good D counts for a LOT. The Flyers don't have it right now.
- flyersfaninLA

And your plans on d for the ex draft are?

No weaknesses ?

- landros 2

To say the flyers have no weekness on d is incredible. They are a good top 7 or 8 team in the reg season, but they can’t win more than a round w their current d. No way.

Offense is better this yr. d is worse. They won one round in the bubble and maybe could win a round this year. W that said, they are a trade away, a big one from making the jump, fletcher has been burned by the ex draft before and don’t think he wants to risk that again.

If even a blind squirrel finds a nut once and a while then Ek must but a blind and deaf squirrel because he's never found one nut.