And Hagg was projected to be an offensive hugger? Go read some of the prospect analysis, it’s all over the board on the guy, some like his offense some don’t
- ClaudeFather

I don't know what an offensive hugger is. My point was he has some good offensive instincts which he completely abandoned is all.

Yes, I guess so. Almost makes it imperative to trade JVR to free up space, and hope that York and/or Zamula are ready to fill in at least 1 of the 2 D spots. Hart will be 24, probably needs more time with a veteran backup so that will cost a bit. Still, the Flyers are not in cap jail, they will have at least some room to maneuver, lets just hope that some of our younger players can play in the NHL next year.
- jd250

Agreed. They are able to accommodate any move they want to make next summer. I think York will be a regular starting next season. Need to have some of the youngsters winning slots starting no later than next year.

Nobody has suggested that the team solely rely on drafting and developing.
Secondly, you are insinuating that Hextall made the Schenn trade because he wanted to draft Frost? He made the Schenn traded because he got an offer that was too good to refuse.
The rest concerning Frost, I agree with.
- MJL

I think Hextall wanted to trade up, and that prompted the conversation with St Louis.

Yes, I guess so. Almost makes it imperative to trade JVR to free up space, and hope that York and/or Zamula are ready to fill in at least 1 of the 2 D spots. Hart will be 24, probably needs more time with a veteran backup so that will cost a bit. Still, the Flyers are not in cap jail, they will have at least some room to maneuver, lets just hope that some of our younger players can play in the NHL next year.
- jd250

Yes, they are in cap jail. They will be a cap team again next season and have a bunch of aging players that have high cap hits. If they don't rise to the level of a contender soon, they will be in the worst place an NHL team can be in.

I think Hextall wanted to trade up, and that prompted the conversation with St Louis.
- jd250

St. Louis approached the Flyers.

Agreed. They are able to accommodate any move they want to make next summer. I think York will be a regular starting next season. Need to have some of the youngsters winning slots starting no later than next year.
- mickel25

How will they be able to accommodate any move they want to make next Summer?

Correct. The Hayes signing had nothing to do with Patrick's migraine issues. That had not developed at the time.
- MJL

wrong

Yes, they are in cap jail. They will be a cap team again next season and have a bunch of aging players that have high cap hits. If they don't rise to the level of a contender soon, they will be in the worst place an NHL team can be in.
- MJL

They have been a cap team since it was implemented. Nothin new there.

No he traded Schenn because he was gifted the #2 pick then took his hometown boy Patrick. The smartest guy in the room don't look so smart now.

They dont get that pic I bet he doesn't trade Schenn
- hello it's me 2050

You may be right. But I can't think of too many players that I would not trade for two first round picks.

They have been a cap team since it was implemented. Nothin new there.
- hello it's me 2050

how many teams arent a cap team? lol Id say 70% of teams are a cap team.

How will they be able to accommodate any move they want to make next Summer?
- MJL

Guys will come here for cheap after we win the cup

What is the definition of hitting on their first round picks consistently. Percentage wise, where do the Flyers rank in terms of hitting on their first rounders?

Are you giving up on Ristolainen already? He checks all the boxes! Ristolainen has played the way he has played so far his entire career yet a team was willing to give up a 1st, 2nd and a roster player for him. There was also a reported 7 teams interested.
- MJL

:-) I am not giving up on RR, in fact in my heart I desperately want him to succeed because that will make the Flyers a very formidable team if he does. However I am objective as well, and RR needs to play better. What I don't want to see is plays like that bad line change against Boston. Tim Saunders said it best about RR, he has a tremendous skill set but he is very raw for a player that has been in the league as long as he has. Hopefully, good coaching and a solid team structure will accelerate RR this year, otherwise this will be a tough one to take.

Regarding 1st round picks, I define hitting as finding an impact player at the NHL level, for example Farabee or Laughton. It does not have to be top pairing D or top 6 forward (though that is the expectation if you are drafting in the top 10) but someone that becomes reliably good player for you regardless of where they are in the lineup.

how many teams arent a cap team? lol Id say 70% of teams are a cap team.
- bradster

i would guess more than that. What defines a cap team? How much from the cap limit?

How will they be able to accommodate any move they want to make next Summer?
- MJL

They have $14mil in cap space as of right now. So if they prioritize a move over resigning G and Risto they have space to make it. Not saying they will just saying they can if an opportunity presents itself.

:-) I am not giving up on RR, in fact in my heart I desperately want him to succeed because that will make the Flyers a very formidable team if he does. However I am objective as well, and RR needs to play better. What I don't want to see is plays like that bad line change against Boston. Tim Saunders said it best about RR, he has a tremendous skill set but he is very raw for a player that has been in the league as long as he has. Hopefully, good coaching and a solid team structure will accelerate RR this year, otherwise this will be a tough one to take.

Regarding 1st round picks, I define hitting as finding an impact player at the NHL level, for example Farabee or Laughton. It does not have to be top pairing D or top 6 forward (though that is the expectation if you are drafting in the top 10) but someone that becomes reliably good player for you regardless of where they are in the lineup.
- jd250

Laughton is not an impact player at all.

RR has limited hockey smarts.

Laughton is not an impact player at all.

RR has limited hockey smarts.
- hello it's me 2050

That's my biggest concern about Risto. The last thing the Flyers need is another defenseman that lacks hockey IQ. I thought Myers fell into that category, but he is younger. The first couple of games indicate to me that this may very well be a major issue for Risto. He seems a bit lost. Have to hope that he is just adjusting to a new team, but based on his past performance with the Sabres this is a legit concern.

I would just be happy if the Flyers hit on their 1st round picks consistently! Is there really a big difference between a 2nd and 3rd round pick? The data says no. And the way RR is playing so far, he will be hard pressed to find anyone to pay him what he is making now. If the Flyers go to $6M for RR I would hope its because he proved himself this year to be a solid top 4 Dman.
- jd250

How he’s playing so far ? 2 games? Here’s an idea …..let the guy play and see what we have after giving a guy in a new city, new team, new partner all in a new system. Is Risto a # 1 like he was used in Buffalo? No I don’t see that, but realize it’s just to early to start gauging what his next contract will be and where.

How he’s playing so far ? 2 games? Here’s an idea …..let the guy play and see what we have after giving a guy in a new city, new team, new partner all in a new system. Is Risto a # 1 like he was used in Buffalo? No I don’t see that, but realize it’s just to early to start gauging what his next contract will be and where.
- landros 2

Was risto used as a #1 the last few years? Early he was not sure the last few.

I have watched a lot of the Oilers this year. ESPN+ is pretty awesome. They can score but they are not good at keeping the puck out of there net. Should be a high scoring game tomorrow night.

Laughton is not an impact player at all.

RR has limited hockey smarts.
- hello it's me 2050

4 seasons of 40 plus points suggests his hockey smarts are fine. He has had some defensive lapses in his career but even that is being way over blown….Laughton is not an impact player, but is a solid role player….3 million worth ? No but not to far off.

I have watched a lot of the Oilers this year. ESPN+ is pretty awesome. They can score but they are not good at keeping the puck out of there net. Should be a high scoring game tomorrow night.
- mickel25

I think if its a high scoring game the Flyers lose. The Flyers IMO need to play a puck possession game against teams like the Oilers, thus if the Flyers play the same way they have against Boston and Florida, I think they lose big.

Was risto used as a #1 the last few years? Early he was not sure the last few.
- hello it's me 2050

They did try to use Dahlin in that role in the last couple as well but he clearly wasn’t ready for that. Again I’m not trying to over sell Risto. But to me he’s a quality top 4 RH dman….his game has warts, but he also bring some nice attributes as well. Guys have him run out of town after two games.

4 seasons of 40 plus points suggests his hockey smarts are fine. He has had some defensive lapses in his career but even that is being way over blown….Laughton is not an impact player, but is a solid role player….3 million worth ? No but not to far off.
- landros 2

A solid, reliable bottom 6 forward who can also move up into the top 6 when called upon is an impact player to me, and good value if drafted and developed.

4 seasons of 40 plus points suggests his hockey smarts are fine. He has had some defensive lapses in his career but even that is being way over blown….Laughton is not an impact player, but is a solid role player….3 million worth ? No but not to far off.
- landros 2

No it doesn't suggest his hockey smarts are fine. How many of those 40 on the PP? We will see if his D lapses are overblown.

Analytically Risto has been one of the worst dman in the league for a while now.

How he’s playing so far ? 2 games? Here’s an idea …..let the guy play and see what we have after giving a guy in a new city, new team, new partner all in a new system. Is Risto a # 1 like he was used in Buffalo? No I don’t see that, but realize it’s just to early to start gauging what his next contract will be and where.
- landros 2

I agree with you, just saying if RR does not improve this year compared to his Buffalo years, he will be hard pressed to find anyone who will pay him what he is making now. The narrative was RR is better than his metrics and he just needed to get out of Buffalo. OK, well, now he has that, so let's see what he does with it. That bad line change against Boston is not what I expect out of an 8 year NHL veteran player.