Did you see Nashville's protection list? They didn't trade Ellis because they couldn't protect him. They protected Myers.
- MJL

I was very surprised by their protection list. I'm now getting caught up on who is left available and I'm surprised by some of these names so far

Oh come on, no he was not a significantly better player. I think Ellis is better offensively and as good all around. Maybe Kimmo was more physical, but if so barely. I think you need to give Ellis more credit here, he is really good.
- jd250

Yes he was significantly better. Timonen had 8 seasons of 40+ points and 2 seasons where he recorded over 50 points. Ellis has had one season of 40 or more points. Injuries however are a factor for Ellis. Ellis is not better in anyway.

Your post is incoherent.
- MJL

for someone with low comprehension skills maybe. I'll dumb it down for you.
Yesterday you were talking up how good meyers is or will be or whatever, now today you have to compare ellis to kimo. Which is funny, why not stay on the meyers bandwagon,did you realize how dumb that was maybe?

so put your gm hat on and tell me since you didnt like the trade, what would you have given up for ellis if meyers was not making you happy? OR what other available 1RHD would you have gone for and what would the return have been? I'll wait, this should be interesting. Youve said all along the #1 priority is a 1RHD.

It will be interesting to see over the coming 2 weeks. I really believe contracts will be down this off season.

But to your other point, if Savard joins the Flyers, what team will have a significantly better top 4?
- jd250

Tampa Bay for starters. Colorado.

Oh .. you know Hextall loves his picks!
- jd250

haha a seventh. and hallander is a body. I get it if you would have gotten a second or something, but this is very silly to me.

missed a lot of the back and forth on here. i have a hard time seeing how the Ellis trade doesnt make you guys markedly better. if someone wants to argue that the team shouldnt be trying to take on salary obligations etc then fine, but from a pure talent standpoint its not even close.

Not even in Nashville, since they immediately flipped Patrick for Glass
- bmeltzer

nashville got tired of him pretty quickly

for someone with low comprehension skills maybe. I'll dumb it down for you.
Yesterday you were talking up how good meyers is or will be or whatever, now today you have to compare ellis to kimo. Which is funny, why not stay on the meyers bandwagon,did you realize how dumb that was maybe?

so put your gm hat on and tell me since you didnt like the trade, what would you have given up for ellis if meyers was not making you happy? OR what other available 1RHD would you have gone for and what would the return have been? I'll wait, this should be interesting. Youve said all along the #1 priority is a 1RHD.
- bradster

Again, not making sense and definitely not following the conversation. I'm not comparing Ellis to Timonen. I'm responding to a poster who made the comparison.

What would be the implications of Niskanen having an itch to scratch and coming out of retirement? Say, in a few weeks.

While I realize it is not going to happen, one can dream.

Have there been any post-retirement comebacks during the cap era? If they come back after their original term has expired on the team's cap, would they come back as an UFA?

Not only this but he just turned 30. It’s the same concerns when we signed Kevin Hayes where you know the player should be at least good for the first half of his deal but sooner or later age will catch up. All Ryan Ellis’ success came from his 20’s. I’m not saying this year Ellis will be bad or even the following season. I’m saying everyone slows down, hints Jake and G, which most want to move on from. Also the names of Mark Howe and Kimmo Timonen were just brought up. I know the blog says he’s not comparing him to those two players but the names still came up, which is high praise. Maybe even too high. Provorov is supposed to be our guy. Timonen was our guy who was an All-Star and connected to Norris voting most seasons.
- SuperSchennBros

Haha. Schenn, you know he just turned 30 right. Of course all his success came in his 20’s🤣🤣🤣

What would be the implications of Niskanen having an itch to scratch and coming out of retirement? Say, in a few weeks.

While I realize it is not going to happen, one can dream.

Have there been any post-retirement comebacks during the cap era? If they come back after their original term has expired on the team's cap, would they come back as an UFA?
- GeorgeBailey

Yes, he is a UFA.

So the leafs traded a prospect? and a pick for Jared McCann from the Pens, and they are exposing McCann in the ED? Lmao that makes zero sense, especially if he gets taken which looks like it could be very likely.
- Richieattack18

Same thing appears to have happened with Barclay Goodrow btw.

I will say this. Looking at the list of non protected players, Seattle is going to be very good immediately. Just like Vegas. I hate that expansion teams are set up to be 90+ point playoff contenders in year 1. Franchises should go through growing pains. It's too easy for them to be good right away. Garbage.
- PLindbergh31

So because we got (frank)ed early the new teams also have too? I can’t stand this mentality. Oh I got (frank)ed with student loans so everyone should have to mentality.

Maddening. No offense intended.

I think it’s great that teams come in and the fans they’re trying to build don’t have to watch and suffer a poop product. Only good for that team and the league as a whole

Same thing appears to have happened with Barclay Goodrow btw.
- PT21

Not the same thing. Goodrow is a UFA. Can't protect a UFA.

Dream scenario Seattle takes JVR or Voracek and the Flyers sign Dougie Hamilton.
- PLindbergh31

Agree. It would make the Ellis trade make more sense

So now that there’s a trade freeze for everyone but Seattle, anyone know if deals would be announced in the meantime or do they have to be made but not announced until the results of the expansion draft are announced?

It wasn't that no team wanted or had a use for Gostisbehere.

The issue was that none of the teams that'd otherwise have had interest (such as Florida) had BOTH the need for a PP defenseman AND the immediate cap space to do so last season. Some had one. Some had the other. No one had both. The Flyers knew that and were able to get Gostisbehere through waivers to successfully manage their cap for the rest of the season without incurring overages.

The Expansion Draft and offseason are a whole different animal. Gostisbehere is absolutely a viable candidate for selection by Seattle. If not selected, he is otherwise tradeable to certain teams.
- bmeltzer

I do understand that but I just have a hard time thinking they'd waste a pick on him, especially if we are looking to trade him anyway

Yes he was significantly better. Timonen had 8 seasons of 40+ points and 2 seasons where he recorded over 50 points. Ellis has had one season of 40 or more points. Injuries however are a factor for Ellis. Ellis is not better in anyway.
- MJL

Ghost 2 seasons over 40 points (1 39 point year and 1 37) Is he better then Ellis?

What would be the implications of Niskanen having an itch to scratch and coming out of retirement? Say, in a few weeks.

While I realize it is not going to happen, one can dream.

Have there been any post-retirement comebacks during the cap era? If they come back after their original term has expired on the team's cap, would they come back as an UFA?
- GeorgeBailey

Wow that would be good

Again, not making sense and definitely not following the conversation. I'm not comparing Ellis to Timonen. I'm responding to a poster who made the comparison.
- MJL

you were but thats ok

Ghost 2 seasons over 40 points (1 39 point year and 1 37) Is he better then Ellis?
- hello it's me 2050

apparently

Bill, where did all that come from? You never speak so frankly about any of the players...? Patrick (and Jake's) lack of heart has always been covered up in your columns... I guess once they're gone, you can be honest??? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Can't wait for your real assessment of Jake... Hope it's this week.

The idea of giving up prospects and/or draft picks to ensure a team takes a player off your hands seems like such a shortsighted, poor use of your resources. Just make your list of available players for the expansion draft using your best judgement and let the chips fall where they may.
- Sublime55

Not debating your approach. Just know that Chuck said he was open to listening to Seattle if they brought him something that made sense for both teams. But he was prepared to just submit his list and wait. With that said Seattle has been prepping for this for years and will be wheeling and dealing with three team trades and flipping picks. Seattle will be doing everything possible to put them in a situation of strength

Okay so I’ve had time to digest the trade and see some posters responses to trade. A few points I’d like to make

1) Ellis is NOT some great 1d that some are making him out to be and answer to the top pairing problem. He’s like provy probably a good 1b on top pair. He had this guy Josi as a partner who won a Norris trophy and is all star.

2) Ellis while a good 1b probably slots as a great 2nd pair dman. Can we or do we really want to try to win cup with 2 1b dmen on top pair? I think this trade makes perfect sense and value goes up if we get a legit 1d. Can now be either lh or rh because we have either provy or Ellis to pair with that player. And provy or Ellis would be great 2nd pair d

Also the age/term on Ellis is concerning but not prohibited to player because d usually can play well into 30’s even if they lose a step. The position is not just about speed skill like forward. Although I don’t think generally it’s ideal.

In summary I’m looking to see if Hamilton isn’t the target come Fa. That would slot our d perfectly for the next 6 years

Bill, where did all that come from? You never speak so frankly about any of the players...? Patrick (and Jake's) lack of heart has always been covered up in your columns... I guess once they're gone, you can be honest??? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Can't wait for your real assessment of Jake... Hope it's this week.
- BadCowboyDan

I have written about Patrick before, actually a few times in the last few months. Same essential points ever time.

I never said Jake lacks heart. In fact, I defend him the majority of the time. What I said is that may be time for both sides to move on.

I'm not sure how they bring Voracek back? Told him you were exposing him. Then, if not chosen by Seattle, you'd work on a trade with him.

I wouldn't imagine it's a move for the sake of making a move, but they appear come hell or high water they are looking to ship him out.