Talk about spin.

You can look at it any way you choose. The fact is for whatever reason they are no longer choosing the Flyers. That is the bottom line is it not?
- hello it's me 2050

Kevin Hayes, a top free agent two years ago, chose to sign an “extension”.

Take care now, bye bye then.

yes
- hello it's me 2050

Flyers did not offer him a contract. That’s straight false.

Let them and let that team's GM deal with the downfall. Ekholm is a nice player but he's a LH 2nd pairing defenseman although a good one. When looking at any deal, all aspects have to be considered. Starting with what is the team's biggest need. That need is a RH top pairing level defenseman to play with Provorov. So why would you shelve out major assets to acquire a player who doesn't fit the need? He is also older and is not cost controlled. He'll be an UFA after this upcoming season. At the most, if we needed a LH defenseman, I might give up a 1st rounder if the team was in a contending situation. We don't really need a LH defenseman and the team is not at that level yet. Most importantly, Ekholm doesn't move you there. So why would you drastically overpay for that player and give up a still promising Myers, a future 1st rounder and Patrick? Doesn't make sense for the Flyers.
- MJL

Agreed. Nice player. Doesn’t fix what we need.

I suppose you could move Sanheim up to the top line with Provy and have Ekholm as a solid 2nd LD. This would allow York to mature and take 3rd pairing minutes. Myers could play with Ekholm. That’s not too shabby, I suppose. I’d really prefer York to play with a defensively responsible partner. Ghost isn’t that, and we still have yet to see what Seattle poaches.

It’s not bad, but it doesn’t fix our RD issue as much as it’s a patch job. I don’t care for paying heavy on a patch.

Ekholm is either going to make good coin, or he walks…er skates, I suppose. Do we want either of those situations? Hm. Maybe not.

Proven wrong is laughable. We are not talking history and that has been clear. You are changing the criteria.

It hasn't been franchise long. I will say it again:

The flyers were at one time a premiere organization. One of the better franchises in the league. A destination pretty much all the top free agents considered. Now they are a run of the mill franchise in every aspic

do you disagree with the bold?
- hello it's me 2050

I agree with the bold. The Flyers also had the bucks back then. Now they don’t. Players like money. Top players like money and their pick of destination. Flyers haven’t had a lot of money.

When they have had the cash, they’ve got the players THEY wanted… JVR, Hayes, Briere etc. The Flyers trade for Jones and start talking money he likes, it won’t matter that he likes Colorado.

This whole argument is stupid and dramatic.

I agree with the bold. The Flyers also had the bucks back then. Now they don’t. Players like money. Top players like money and their pick of destination. Flyers haven’t had a lot of money.

When they have had the cash, they’ve got the players THEY wanted… JVR, Hayes, Briere etc. The Flyers trade for Jones and start talking money he likes, it won’t matter that he likes Colorado.

This whole argument is stupid and dramatic.
- Flyers1218

Oh, if Philly has the money to spend, they haven’t been shy about doing so. I don’t buy that theory that FAs don’t consider Philly as a destination. It’s still one of the better US markets.

The Flyers get plenty of attention with National and Canadian broadcasts.

Not any softer than Colorado or Toronto or some other teams that managed to win a (frank) ton of games.
- Tomahawk

Ehhhhhhhhhhhh, I usually agree with you, but this defense is futile.

Let them and let that team's GM deal with the downfall. Ekholm is a nice player but he's a LH 2nd pairing defenseman although a good one. When looking at any deal, all aspects have to be considered. Starting with what is the team's biggest need. That need is a RH top pairing level defenseman to play with Provorov. So why would you shelve out major assets to acquire a player who doesn't fit the need? He is also older and is not cost controlled. He'll be an UFA after this upcoming season. At the most, if we needed a LH defenseman, I might give up a 1st rounder if the team was in a contending situation. We don't really need a LH defenseman and the team is not at that level yet. Most importantly, Ekholm doesn't move you there. So why would you drastically overpay for that player and give up a still promising Myers, a future 1st rounder and Patrick? Doesn't make sense for the Flyers.
- MJL

we agree he does not fit the bill and the Flyers should go in another direction.

two things-

The Flyers are linked to him, so we should discuss it. There is what we like and then there is what reality might be.

While you know I like Myers and like his potential upside and the same for Patrick, they are not quality NHLer's today, they just are not, I believe they will be. I think they both take a step forward this season, failure is the best teacher.

When you consider trading for Elkholm today it is not an overpay, it has potential to be in the future. Ekholm is not potential, he is a true top end D. The second thing, you really think a 1st gets a deal done for him? In my, opinion that would be a gross underpay and there would be no less than 5 teams who would beat that offer.

we agree he does not fit the bill and the Flyers should go in another direction.

two things-

The Flyers are linked to him, so we should discuss it. There is what we like and then there is what reality might be.


- wcorvette

The Flyers were linked to him at the deadline last season. Nothing happened. Nashville was supposed to be trading Ekholm, they didn't. Speculation now is that they won't be trading Ekholm.

While you know I like Myers and like his potential upside and the same for Patrick, they are not quality NHLer's today, they just are not, I believe they will be. I think they both take a step forward this season, failure is the best teacher.


- wcorvette

You keep making this statement. York is not a quality NHL player today. Let's trade him. Hart was not last year, let's trade him. Same for Allison and Frost.

When you consider trading for Elkholm today it is not an overpay, it has potential to be in the future. Ekholm is not potential, he is a true top end D. The second thing, you really think a 1st gets a deal done for him? In my, opinion that would be a gross underpay and there would be no less than 5 teams who would beat that offer.
- wcorvette

No, it's an extreme overpay. Whether it's today, yesterday or tomorrow. He's not a top end D. He's a strong 2nd pairing defenseman. Like I said and explained previously. If you're a contender and you need a top 4 LH defenseman, you might pay more.

No, it's an extreme overpay. Whether it's today, yesterday or tomorrow. He's not a top end D. He's a strong 2nd pairing defenseman. Like I said and explained previously. If you're a contender and you need a top 4 LH defenseman, you might pay more.
- MJL

as usual, you over rate our own players, which is normal, but it is not and extreme overpay at all. The only reason we will most likely protect patrick and meyers is due to potential. But neither have shown much so far. Meyers has had more bad games than good. MAybe a run of 20 good games 2 years ago. And is already 24 yrs old, should know what we have from him by now. But you do you

What actually surprised me, is that over the course of their entire history, The Flyers have rarely been in on the big free agent signings. They have much preferred to acquire their big names through trades.

Its not a new thing, regardless of if they were "once" considered a prime destination and they are not now. It demonstrably has RARELY been the case over their entire history.

So were they always considered a non desirable location? Or has it been an organizational decision going as far back as the beginning.

It was that way when Snider was here, it is that way now.

Maybe there is some truth to it now, but I have not seen much evidence where the team made a big offer and the player refused to come here.

The Flyers were linked to him at the deadline last season. Nothing happened. Nashville was supposed to be trading Ekholm, they didn't. Speculation now is that they won't be trading Ekholm.



You keep making this statement. York is not a quality NHL player today. Let's trade him. Hart was not last year, let's trade him. Same for Allison and Frost.




No, it's an extreme overpay. Whether it's today, yesterday or tomorrow. He's not a top end D. He's a strong 2nd pairing defenseman. Like I said and explained previously. If you're a contender and you need a top 4 LH defenseman, you might pay more.
- MJL

Well you are just wrong. I never suggested trading York nor did I the others you mentioned. All of my posts and you can check if you like support keeping the young players. Maybe you think I am someone else or maybe you are just waking up but you are wrong.

You are welcome to your opinion and I am to mine. You think it would be an overpay and I think it is about right. You think Ekholm is worth a first and I think that multiple teams would pony up more.

As far as him being available, most all are available, especially with his contract and the Preds situation. Add the reports of the preds being interested in Patrick (rumor) and it is a conversation with credibility.

Again, my original post you commented about said I would not go this route, context is important

What actually surprised me, is that over the course of their entire history, The Flyers have rarely been in on the big free agent signings. They have much preferred to acquire their big names through trades.

Its not a new thing, regardless of if they were "once" considered a prime destination and they are not now. It demonstrably has RARELY been the case over their entire history.

So were they always considered a non desirable location? Or has it been an organizational decision going as far back as the beginning.

It was that way when Snider was here, it is that way now.

Maybe there is some truth to it now, but I have not seen much evidence where the team made a big offer and the player refused to come here.
- MBFlyerfan

I forget who the dman was that the flyers traded for his rights to negotiate a contract. He wouldn’t sign so I think they traded his rights again to Pittsburgh. They couldn’t sign him either.
Might not be a great example because if I remember correctly he wanted to play out west somewhere and had made it known beforehand.

as usual, you over rate our own players, which is normal, but it is not and extreme overpay at all. The only reason we will most likely protect patrick and meyers is due to potential. But neither have shown much so far. Meyers has had more bad games than good. MAybe a run of 20 good games 2 years ago. And is already 24 yrs old, should know what we have from him by now. But you do you
- bradster

It is an extreme overpay. Here is what I know. Every players developmental path is different. So your statement that we should know what we have form him by now is just not an informed opinion. Myers until last season was on a strong developmental path. There were many factors that came into play last year that led and Myers and many of the teams younger players to falter. Myers has strong physical skills and in terms of games played in the NHL, 115, adds to about a season and a half of NHL hockey. You don't look at age, you look at games played. He still has the potential to be a very good NHL defenseman.

I'm not even concerned about Patrick. I think Myers and a 1st is an overpayment and would not make that deal with all factors considered.

You can make all the comments you want about me but it won't be effective. Complain all you want. The results will be the same I will continue to point out the reality and the facts.

Well you are just wrong. I never suggested trading York nor did I the others you mentioned. All of my posts and you can check if you like support keeping the young players. Maybe you think I am someone else or maybe you are just waking up but you are wrong.


- wcorvette

I didn't say you did suggest trading York. I'll elaborate. You commented on what Myers is today. The comments on those players is simply to illustrate if you're just going to look at what the player is today in terms of their trade value, then why not trade those players also? I'm not wrong. I'm exactly right.

You are welcome to your opinion and I am to mine. You think it would be an overpay and I think it is about right. You think Ekholm is worth a first and I think that multiple teams would pony up more.


- wcorvette

If one team elects to overpay, does that mean you should also? I can think of countless bad trades made where teams overpaid for a player. Does that mean it was a good trade? You are certainly entitled to your opinion. My opinion is if Fletcher would make that deal he is incompetent and should be fired.

As far as him being available, most all are available, especially with his contract and the Preds situation. Add the reports of the preds being interested in Patrick (rumor) and it is a conversation with credibility.


- wcorvette

Reports from Nashville is that they are not looking to move Ekholm. Doesn't mean they will or they won't. Remember all the talk about him being moved at the deadline? What happened?

Again, my original post you commented about said I would not go this route, context is important
- wcorvette

Why suggest a trade you wouldn't make?

Well you are just wrong. I never suggested trading York nor did I the others you mentioned. All of my posts and you can check if you like support keeping the young players. Maybe you think I am someone else or maybe you are just waking up but you are wrong.

You are welcome to your opinion and I am to mine. You think it would be an overpay and I think it is about right. You think Ekholm is worth a first and I think that multiple teams would pony up more.

As far as him being available, most all are available, especially with his contract and the Preds situation. Add the reports of the preds being interested in Patrick (rumor) and it is a conversation with credibility.

Again, my original post you commented about said I would not go this route, context is important
- wcorvette

The Flyers are going to have to pony up assets in order to make this team better. It’s as simple as that. Ekholm s a very solid, very good defenceman. He would instantly become one of their top 2 guys….that’s just a fact. I do however think Fletch has some bigger fish that he’s trying to get with his assets. I would much rather Fletch be aggressive then to bring back a similar squad to last year….it wasn’t good enough last year and it hasn’t been good enough for 8 years. The Flyers have stock piled assets and held onto them and where has it gotten them ? Time for a new direction.

I think the talk is that Nashville might be more willing to part with Ellis now. He is under contract for a reasonable 6.25M for 6 years. That will appeal to several teams. Do the Flyers make a trade for him?

Here is another question: Should the Flyers bet on themselves and still trade for Jones without the guarantee that he will re-sign? If he loves it and is in fact a great fit, he would extend. He has earned the right to go long enough to see if it’s the right fit first. You can’t blame him for that. Perhaps the draft pick compensation can be contingent on reaching an extension.

I forget who the dman was that the flyers traded for his rights to negotiate a contract. He wouldn’t sign so I think they traded his rights again to Pittsburgh. They couldn’t sign him either.
Might not be a great example because if I remember correctly he wanted to play out west somewhere and had made it known beforehand.
- bird_dog_pa

Dan Hamhuis (sp) I think. Pretty sure that he said all along that he only wanted to play for Vancouver

What actually surprised me, is that over the course of their entire history, The Flyers have rarely been in on the big free agent signings. They have much preferred to acquire their big names through trades.

Its not a new thing, regardless of if they were "once" considered a prime destination and they are not now. It demonstrably has RARELY been the case over their entire history.

So were they always considered a non desirable location? Or has it been an organizational decision going as far back as the beginning.

It was that way when Snider was here, it is that way now.

Maybe there is some truth to it now, but I have not seen much evidence where the team made a big offer and the player refused to come here.
- MBFlyerfan

Yup. Most of the time, they spent the “big” money re-signing their own players. The only top end, big dollar free agent signings that I can recall were Roenick and Briere.

Their best teams were always built via the draft and trades. Throwing money blindly at every shiny new toy is what kept the Rags trapped in mediocrity during the decade preceding the salary cap.

Here is another question: Should the Flyers bet on themselves and still trade for Jones without the guarantee that he will re-sign? If he loves it and is in fact a great fit, he would extend. He has earned the right to go long enough to see if it’s the right fit first. You can’t blame him for that. Perhaps the draft pick compensation can be contingent on reaching an extension.
- NC Flyers Fan

I don’t think you give up the assets it will take to get him and then leave it to chance that he will re-sign. You need that commitment before anything else.

I think the talk is that Nashville might be more willing to part with Ellis now. He is under contract for a reasonable 6.25M for 6 years. That will appeal to several teams. Do the Flyers make a trade for him?
- NC Flyers Fan

Ellis, IMO, is a better player than Ekholm and could play on the Flyer’s top pairing. The years remaining on his deal are worrisome but his aav, at least for now, is fine for what he brings to the table.

I don’t think you give up the assets it will take to get him and then leave it to chance that he will re-sign. You need that commitment before anything else.
- Ftown19125

What about making some assets (draft picks) contingent on the extension? From the player perspective, it isn’t like he has had a chance to tour the Flyers facilities, meet staff, coaches and players…is it reasonable to commit without that when he is just a year away from being an UFA?

Ellis, IMO, is a better player than Ekholm and could play on the Flyer’s top pairing. The years remaining on his deal are worrisome but his aav, at least for now, is fine for what he brings to the table.
- BiggE

Worrisome…You mean his injury history?

Worrisome…You mean his injury history?
- NC Flyers Fan

He was healthy in the playoffs and in 18-19 he played all 82 games. My concern is more age and general wear and tear related.

He was healthy in the playoffs and in 18-19 he played all 82 games. My concern is more age and general wear and tear related.
- BiggE

Yeah, he is a little older, but it would give time to develop another RHD option. It borders on needing a second top 4 defense acquisition right away though.