looking at the schedules, not sure if the flyers can gain a spot over arizona or habs. unless a lottery....

No doubt, but since no one in the Atlantic is going to catch them for 3rd, they have the luxury of holding guys out and resting vets.

I have to think that, deep down, the Leafs are going to be very nervous facing them in round one.
- BiggE

As you say, Tampa, even though a little banged up and older will still be a team that the Leafs should be a little leery of playing. Tampa is built for the playoffs. They have skill and physicality that can wear a team down in a 7 game series.

It really has….even the Rangers could go on a run if they get hot and Shesterkan (sp) can get back last years mojo….I do wonder with the make up of that team can they stay healthy?
- landros 2

right....the west has the avs. not many other teams are concerning. if edmonton gets their sh%% together then maybe. Feel like there are 5-7 teams in the east that will be dominant for years.

His goals saved above expected numbers are dropping like a rock too. You can't just chalk it all up to having a bad team in front of him. He's not making tough saves at the same rate he was earlier in the season. And he's letting in more stoppable pucks as the season goes on too.

Ullmark was still putting up .915+ behind the Sabres team D led by a soccer coach.
- Tomahawk

I think that downturn was inevitable as the quality of opponent rose deeper into the season. I would guess most players on the Flyers have seen their numbers diminish in the last two months.

I think it would be a big mistake to trade Hart. The Flyers for the first time in forever (OK, I admit it, I like this song) are set in goal with Hart and Ersson. I would not break up the one strong part of the team for draft picks. I don't want to trade TK either, because I think he can be a leader on this team moving forward, in the mold of a Dave Poulin or Mike Richards. If I have to trade a good player, I guess it has to be Provorov, but to be clear, the Flyers have no one on the team or in their system to replace him. I think the Flyers will get little back for Sanheim, Hayes or Risto, other than cap relief. Laughton would net a good return also.
- jd250

As much as it pains me to say it, I think Hart HAS to be traded. The timeline for this team to be good is optimistically 5 years and probably closer to 7-10. Wasting Harts prime years jousting at windmills, having to pay him 8, or close to 8 aav over that time period doesn't make any sense. Especially when the draft capital is so bare.

Why ? So he can stand in front of a poopty team for the best years of his career? They have other options that can act as target practice for the next 3 years. I actively look to move him if this is a rebuild.
- landros 2

Teams with great goaltending tend to turn around much quicker than teams that don't. I just don't believe finding a great goalie is that easy, as we have all seen over the decades, and thus now that the Flyers have it, I think it would be a mistake to let it go. One lucky bounce of the ping pong balls could change everything around here very quickly, as long as you have the goalie.

As much as it pains me to say it, I think Hart HAS to be traded. The timeline for this team to be good is optimistically 5 years and probably closer to 7-10. Wasting Harts prime years jousting at windmills, having to pay him 8, or close to 8 aav over that time period doesn't make any sense. Especially when the draft capital is so bare.
- MBFlyerfan

I don't agree that the timeline has to be that far out. IF competent leadership comes in here, and I know that's a big IF, this thing can be turned around sooner. But without a goalie, you truly have nothing.

Teams with great goaltending tend to turn around much quicker than teams that don't. I just don't believe finding a great goalie is that easy, as we have all seen over the decades, and thus now that the Flyers have it, I think it would be a mistake to let it go. One lucky bounce of the ping pong balls could change everything around here very quickly, as long as you have the goalie.
- jd250

How are the FLyers going to acquire talent with no draft picks? Winning the draft lottery will not make a whole lot of difference on this team as currently constructed

Yes, I agree trading for it is the only option they have. I just wouldn't trade Hart unless I absolutely had no choice. I would start with Provey and then Laughton and TK.
- jd250

The Flyers need to judge who they trade on who will get the best return at this point.

How are the FLyers going to acquire talent with no draft picks? Winning the draft lottery will not make a whole lot of difference on this team as currently constructed
- corduroy

I think winning it this year absolutely would. Bedard seems to be the guy. Would not fix everything for sure. But would definitely be a significant jumpstart.

I agree with the philosophy of stockpiling picks when you are in the mode the Flyers need to be in.

If (when) they choose not to sing O'Brien is the compensatory second rounder this year or next?

Well, I don’t think they even get to Boston so your point above is irrelevant to me
- ClaudeFather

It may be irrelevant to you but that would just be ignoring reality that the Canes will not be at full strength without Svechnikov. Making your point that they failed to get it done again, moot. Even though a single playoff game has not been played yet.

looking at the schedules, not sure if the flyers can gain a spot over arizona or habs. unless a lottery....
- Peter Richards

Flyers play the Habs one more time. Huge game to say the least. I belIeve AZ will add more points then the Flyers by the end of the season. I expect the Flyers to finish 5th or 6th.

I don't agree that the timeline has to be that far out. IF competent leadership comes in here, and I know that's a big IF, this thing can be turned around sooner. But without a goalie, you truly have nothing.
- jd250

I hope you are right. But I just don't see it. Maybe if they go after some big name FA's and try for the short term fix they may catch sooner. (still think that would be 5 years). But I want this team to get into a cycle of going long term sustainability. That takes time.

They need to restock the picks, make the right picks, clear the cap space, have a smarter long term cap strategy, and revamp how they develop the picks they DO make. IMO signing a goalie to a big dollar contract to sit around while all this happens makes zero sense. It's like buying a Corvette to go to the corner Wawa. They need the draft assets and cap space WAY more.

I think winning it this year absolutely would. Bedard seems to be the guy. Would not fix everything for sure. But would definitely be a significant jumpstart.

I agree with the philosophy of stockpiling picks when you are in the mode the Flyers need to be in.
- mickel25

right. hard to stockpile picks when people identify players like seeler as important

The perfect goalie for Toronto
- ClaudeFather

Haha Yes. Toronto is better with a 3 goalie system anyway. Colorado proved that you don't need a goalie to win a cup.

You didn't really watch the game then.

He made a number of offensive and NZ defensive plays. IIRC a couple of rips from the point too.
- Tomahawk

It was watched but with bias.

His goals saved above expected numbers are dropping like a rock too. You can't just chalk it all up to having a bad team in front of him. He's not making tough saves at the same rate he was earlier in the season. And he's letting in more stoppable pucks as the season goes on too.

Ullmark was still putting up .915+ behind the Sabres team D led by a soccer coach.
- Tomahawk

I personally think that Hart wears down mentally over a season. You can label that a fault if you'd like but I'd like to see what he can do with a better team.

I think that is more on the team than Hart. As mediocre as those Mason Flyers teams were, they still had at least three forwards that are a lot better than anyone who put on the Flyers jersey this year.

Hart has been very good this year on a terrible team. I believe he will only get better. For the record I believed that all along. But he will not get the stats everyone wants to see until the team in front of him adds significant talent.
- mickel25

I completely agree. The team that he has had in front of him the last 2 years has been horrid. The chances that he sees are grade and it's just not sustainable for him to dominate.

I can't wait until we trade Hart for a 2026 3rd round pick and then begin our classic 20 year search for a goalie while he goes on to success elsewhere...

Teams with great goaltending tend to turn around much quicker than teams that don't. I just don't believe finding a great goalie is that easy, as we have all seen over the decades, and thus now that the Flyers have it, I think it would be a mistake to let it go. One lucky bounce of the ping pong balls could change everything around here very quickly, as long as you have the goalie.
- jd250

The Flyers don't currently have a great goalie.

I don't agree that the timeline has to be that far out. IF competent leadership comes in here, and I know that's a big IF, this thing can be turned around sooner. But without a goalie, you truly have nothing.
- jd250

Leadership. There is the Flyers brainwashing in full effect. Intangibles, that's what they need.

right. hard to stockpile picks when people identify players like seeler as important
- Peter Richards

LOL ok.

LOL ok.
- MBFlyerfan

you disagree? why?

LOL ok.
- MBFlyerfan

Such desperation.

you disagree? why?
- Peter Richards

Listen, I get it, you are trying to make a point by over emphasizing what people were saying about Seeler.

You see a guy that is worth less than a 5th round pick who would probably never play in the NHL.

I see a guy signed at the league minimum who is a veteran. A guy I would be comfortable having as the 7th guy over a younger player who I would rather be playing.

And if Seeler has to play he is much better than his cap hit.

I get that you would rather have the draft pick and sit a kid in the press box. We just disagree. It's about asset management nothing more. I would rather pay Seeler 750k and have a guy who can actually play if needed over a guy you may have to pay a million but cant play a lick.

Either way, I don't want a kid being the 7th guy.