Why not put them together on the 3rd pair then the Flyers could have another twin towers like Rathje and Hatcher...ok I just threw up in my mouth.
- Glak18

I thought Hatcher was fine when healthy. Rathje was ok too until he started having back issues. Then he was just a Pylon

Ginning is a 2nd round pick in 2018, has good size and has been playing in a top league in Sweden. Was also captain for Sweden at the WJCs. The Flyers really can't afford to miss on high picks like this so happy he will be signed and looking forward to seeing him play over here.
- jd250

well it is 4 years after his draft, is that considered a miss so far? Will he be as good as Haag?

I thought Hatcher was fine when healthy. Rathje was ok too until he started having back issues. Then he was just a Pylon
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

rathje and Pitkannen played very well. As you said his back killed him. Signing Hatcher from the get go was just flat out odd and bad.

Bill,
Why is there a hold up to sign mcclennon?
If they kept players like ruby and leberge (and many more useless contracts) why do they hesitate to sign this kid?!
- Bob Habib

Def odd to not have him locked up considering as you said guys they waste contracts on. Maybe they dont like him as a plyer or he may want to sign.

Ginning coming over is a good thing, we rightfully call out this team, we rightfully don't trust what comes next but it is good news that they have a good amount of prospects coming in ...

Ahhh the doldrums of the off-season of the “aggressive retool.” We are reduced to debating and speculating on unsigned draft picks from years gone by. Still no rumors on coaches. No idea what this so-called “coaching profile” is. I guess it could be worse. We could all be Leafs fans.

I thought Hatcher was fine when healthy. Rathje was ok too until he started having back issues. Then he was just a Pylon
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Well you have to remember when they signed both (I believe they both got 3.5m per, which was kind of big then) and the hype of these massive defensemen together. They overpaid greatly for Rathje and Hatcher was decent, but never his Dallas days.

Well you have to remember when they signed both (I believe they both got 3.5m per, which was kind of big then) and the hype of these massive defensemen together. They overpaid greatly for Rathje and Hatcher was decent, but never his Dallas days.
- Glak18

The problem with the signings was that it was once again Clarke trying to "win last year's cup". The league was already moving in to a speed based league. It was the first season where they really started the clutch and grab crackdown. Hatcher played ok but Rathje just couldn't keep up. Neither of them could play as effectively in the new rules. Then Rathje's back fell apart and Hatcher's knees IIRC.

The problem with the signings was that it was once again Clarke trying to "win last year's cup". The league was already moving in to a speed based league. It was the first season where they really started the clutch and grab crackdown. Hatcher played ok but Rathje just couldn't keep up. Neither of them could play as effectively in the new rules. Then Rathje's back fell apart and Hatcher's knees IIRC.
- MBFlyerfan

worst part was they ley danny markov go to fit them both in...rathje was good when he was healthy. Didnt mind that signing. Hatcher was not needed coming off of major knee issues.

I thought Hatcher was fine when healthy. Rathje was ok too until he started having back issues. Then he was just a Pylon
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Hatcher and Rathje to my memory were never paired together. Rathje saw the majority of his time with Joni Pitkanen.

Pittsburgh unlikely to re-sign Malkin, Letang. Reportedly sent them low ball offer.

Also Pens ownership not convinced Hextall is the right guy for the team.

Bedard to Pens Confirmed

Hatcher and Rathje to my memory were never paired together. Rathje saw the majority of his time with Joni Pitkanen.
- SuperSchennBros

I was just talking about their play in general. Neither player was at their peak but they were serviceable. Both unfortunately had injury issues that forced them to retire eventually

Pittsburgh unlikely to re-sign Malkin, Letang. Reportedly sent them low ball offer.

Also Pens ownership not convinced Hextall is the right guy for the team.

Bedard to Pens Confirmed
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Ron Hextall is their GM.

Ron Hextall is their GM.
- SuperSchennBros

Yes, but the new ownership group may not want to keep him as their GM since he is not "their guy". At least that is what I have heard/read via the Pens blogs on here.

Def odd to not have him locked up considering as you said guys they waste contracts on. Maybe they dont like him as a plyer or he may want to sign.
- hello it's me 2050

It would be another management blunder to let this kid go.
How many times do we see guys drafted in the later rounds have pretty solid careers nowadays?
Not saying he's going to be a home run and a rare gem but with numbers like this it's worth signing him to see what happens

Ron Hextall is their GM.
- SuperSchennBros

Yes and he is currently on the hot seat. Might get fired already.

Ron Hextall is their GM.
- SuperSchennBros

Serious question. Do you read what is written before you reply? You seem to have a habit of correcting people when they don't even say it and you just did it twice.

No one ever said Rathje and Hatcher were a pairing.

No one ever said Hextall is not their GM, said not their GUY.

Any insight on why you do that a lot?

It would be another management blunder to let this kid go.
How many times do we see guys drafted in the later rounds have pretty solid careers nowadays?
Not saying he's going to be a home run and a rare gem but with numbers like this it's worth signing him to see what happens
- Bob Habib

It's not really all about the players stats, it's more about their skillset and whether they can translate that to the NHL. How many junior scoring leaders have flopped in the NHL? A lot.

On the other hand though, with some of the players they hand out contracts to they might as well throw them at some skills guys and hope they hit for once.

It would be another management blunder to let this kid go.
How many times do we see guys drafted in the later rounds have pretty solid careers nowadays?
Not saying he's going to be a home run and a rare gem but with numbers like this it's worth signing him to see what happens
- Bob Habib

Based just off raw numbers and what I read he has some potential. You also need players for the AHL. Seeing who they keep around no risk in signing him. Just seems like there may be something more to it.

Hopefully they let all the others like strome sushko and what not all walk. That page needs to be turned.


JR Avon looks like a nice free agent signing by the Chuck. Highly rated then rough 1st year of juniors. maybe he just slipped through the cracks.

Ron Hextall is their GM.
- SuperSchennBros

You positive?

Yes, but the new ownership group may not want to keep him as their GM since he is not "their guy". At least that is what I have heard/read via the Pens blogs on here.
- hockeylover

Which was based on some random tweet.

Seriously, do you people believe anything and everything that is written on the internet?

Ginning coming over is a good thing, we rightfully call out this team, we rightfully don't trust what comes next but it is good news that they have a good amount of prospects coming in ...
- wcorvette

And they will need them because unless Fletcher makes a block buster trade to clear cap space, he really does not have much space to do much more than pay younger players on rookie deals to fill out his roster. I can see him trading JVR and freeing up space that way. Maybe the rumors are true regarding Provorov and Fletcher trades him also which would get the Flyers completely out of the cap situation they are in now, but you are losing Provorov to do it. If it were me, I would make these two trades, go as young as possible next season, get another high pick in 2023 and build from there. I actually think the fan base would not mind this approach because they can begin to connect with a younger and faster team which they know is better suited to compete in today's game.

And they will need them because unless Fletcher makes a block buster trade to clear cap space, he really does not have much space to do much more than pay younger players on rookie deals to fill out his roster. I can see him trading JVR and freeing up space that way. Maybe the rumors are true regarding Provorov and Fletcher trades him also which would get the Flyers completely out of the cap situation they are in now, but you are losing Provorov to do it. If it were me, I would make these two trades, go as young as possible next season, get another high pick in 2023 and build from there. I actually think the fan base would not mind this approach because they can begin to connect with a younger and faster team which they know is better suited to compete in today's game.
- jd250

1. where are you trading JVR to? What type of deal do you expect to be made to remove his full cap hit.

2. Where are you trading ivan too? What type of return do you expect back?

It would be great if they could trade Ginning's signing rights to Pit for their 2023 2nd. Hextall and Pryor loved him four years ago and surely the love hasn't faded.

Which was based on some random tweet.

Seriously, do you people believe anything and everything that is written on the internet?
- StepfordSam

https://www.si.com/nhl/pe...uins-ron-hextall-hot-seat

According to Rossi, FSG has been conducting a thorough review of the entire organization.

Nothing is certain, but he doesn’t expect president of hockey operation Brian Burke to return next season and Hextall could be on the chopping block, as well.

It may have been a decision from Hextall that cost the Penguins their first round series; Sidney Crosby passed a concussion test prior to Game 6, but was told by the team he would not be playing.

Rossi said that this is a decision most likely to be made by the general manager.