I don’t think Konecny is as popular with either side of the fan base as he’s being portrayed. The media loves him but I don’t think the fans would shed a tear if he’s moved especially if Michkov is here.
- psuhockey

I disagree completely with that. This fanbase is going to have the illusion that with the improvement last season, adding Michkov that they can do something under their false god in Tortorella. The fanbase as a whole would be pissed if they traded Konecny in that situation.

So why couldn't Vancouver beat Edmonton when everyone thought they would?

Was it because Tocchet got out coached
Was it because Edmonton has the superior talent
Was it because Vancouver had to rely on the 2nd and 3rd string goalies
Was it because Vancouver was missing their top scorer

So why couldn't Vancouver beat Edmonton when everyone thought they would?

Was it because Tocchet got out coached
Was it because Edmonton has the superior talent
Was it because Vancouver had to rely on the 2nd and 3rd string goalies
Was it because Vancouver was missing their top scorer
- WhiskeyMan

The difference between top teams is so miniscule. It comes down to one goal in game 7.

So why couldn't Vancouver beat Edmonton when everyone thought they would?

Was it because Tocchet got out coached
Was it because Edmonton has the superior talent
Was it because Vancouver had to rely on the 2nd and 3rd string goalies
Was it because Vancouver was missing their top scorer
- WhiskeyMan

It's sad that most of us can't stay up late enough to watch these games.

Utah has a tremendous young team. They need leadership and veterans and have $40mil in space. They won’t take cap dumps they want talent. TK, Laughton, Courturier are what they need. It’s gonna take a lot to pry #6 from them. Does TK and Laughton and Floridas pick get it done?
- mikeyo27

why would they want the flyers "leadership' that hasnt done squat? ex selke has very veyr limited value if any at all

When is the last time the Flyers drafted a legit #1 NHL defenseman? Let alone outside of the top 10.
- MJL

travis sanheim.

So cates is a RFA after this year with arbitration rights. Makes 2.625 per. Unless he has a very big year what do the flyers do?

Doesnt seem to me he is worth a raise at this time or a long term commitment. Are the smart enough to look to move him?

Utah has a tremendous young team. They need leadership and veterans and have $40mil in space. They won’t take cap dumps they want talent. TK, Laughton, Courturier are what they need. It’s gonna take a lot to pry #6 from them. Does TK and Laughton and Floridas pick get it done?
- mikeyo27

I think UT sticks to their draft choice. Your first draft prospect as a franchise is a big deal.

wasn't thinking of the deal, just the fanbase and like any business the Flyers will consider the fan base. I would not mind keeping TK for the right deal, that would be a contract that can be moved with a return. I am ok moving TK, but the return has to be rock solid, like you say, drafting isn't always a sure thing. I prefer a pick and a good young prospect that has some known talents.
- wcorvette

Me too. I’d take a more known commodity and a lower pick. Plus multiple assets hedge your bets on whiffing.

So cates is a RFA after this year with arbitration rights. Makes 2.625 per. Unless he has a very big year what do the flyers do?

Doesnt seem to me he is worth a raise at this time or a long term commitment. Are the smart enough to look to move him?
- hello it's me 2050

I would let it play out with him. I also read the report that Mitchkov buyout is only 400,000$….seems like a number he can get done.

So cates is a RFA after this year with arbitration rights. Makes 2.625 per. Unless he has a very big year what do the flyers do?

Doesnt seem to me he is worth a raise at this time or a long term commitment. Are the smart enough to look to move him?
- hello it's me 2050

2 years 5 mil. If he won’t agree arbitrate him

I would let it play out with him. I also read the report that Mitchkov buyout is only 400,000$….seems like a number he can get done.
- landros 2

That could buy them a drone

It's sad that most of us can't stay up late enough to watch these games.
- MBFlyerfan

It was a fairly good series. Vancouver just couldn't get it done. They were up 3 2 in the series and just couldn't finish Edmonton off. I think Vancouver found their future back up goalie in Silvos.

Edmonton just had too much fire power.

2 years 5 mil. If he won’t agree arbitrate him
- Just5

maybe a tad high if he duplicates last year

So why couldn't Vancouver beat Edmonton when everyone thought they would?

Was it because Tocchet got out coached
Was it because Edmonton has the superior talent
Was it because Vancouver had to rely on the 2nd and 3rd string goalies
Was it because Vancouver was missing their top scorer
- WhiskeyMan

I blame torts and briere.. haha

Good series and i was surprised that Van city took them to 7. Maybe with Boeser they win that game 7.. who knows. Sure seems like Tocc is doing a great job there and I am pulling for him to succeed.

Wonder if Edm can get past Dallas after that war. I feel like DAL have an advantage in goal and they've beaten two strong teams (I really thought COL would win that series) to get here and Oilers have had an easier path on paper. Should be a good one.. Really hoping the Panthers can take out the rangers.. That will be a war.

Who’s the target? Trading up for defensemen is stupid. A team can get #1 defensemen well outside the top 10 picks and there is a big bust/underwhelming rate for drafting defensemen high.
- psuhockey

Are you joking?

Pietrangelo 4th
Makar 4th
Hedman 2nd
Doughty 2nd
Exblad 1st
Heiskanen 3rd
Dahlin 1st
Q. Hughes 7th

And there are several top selections that are showing promise from the last few drafts.

There are fewer busts from top 10 defenseman than there are forwards.

Additionally, it’s understanding the makeup of a draft. This year has as many as 5 defenseman that are seen to have #1 upside. Whereas there’s only 3 centers who have potential #1 upside. The wings beyond Demidov are not spectacular either. Centers and defenseman are much more valuable than wingers. Then you look at 2025, a draft that is said to be deeper at center and thinner on defense. So you have a smaller chance at an elite defenseman next year. All this points to moving up this year to take a defenseman.

When is the last time the Flyers drafted a legit #1 NHL defenseman? Let alone outside of the top 10.
- MJL

The best defensemen they’ve drafted might be:

Behn Wilson, 1978
Tom Bladon, 1972
Jimmy Watson, 1972

There’s a few solid 2nd pair guys throughout the years. Honestly, they tend to draft a lot more forwards higher in the draft which could explain at least some of their issues.

I disagree completely with that. This fanbase is going to have the illusion that with the improvement last season, adding Michkov that they can do something under their false god in Tortorella. The fanbase as a whole would be pissed if they traded Konecny in that situation.
- MJL

Just look at the meltdown from the fan base during the losing streak to end the season. I felt like I was the only one who realized it was actually a good thing.

The best defensemen they’ve drafted might be:

Behn Wilson, 1978
Tom Bladon, 1972
Jimmy Watson, 1972

There’s a few solid 2nd pair guys throughout the years. Honestly, they tend to draft a lot more forwards higher in the draft which could explain at least some of their issues.
- Schmojo

How could you forget

Steve Smith
Jeff Chychrun
John Stevens
Kerry Huffman
Darren Rumble
Steve Beadle
Jason Bowen

Who’s the target? Trading up for defensemen is stupid. A team can get #1 defensemen well outside the top 10 picks and there is a big bust/underwhelming rate for drafting defensemen high.
- psuhockey

"Well outside the top 10 picks" is a large area. Where exactly? Lets say the chances of drafting a 1D is the same in the top 10 picks and in the picks 11-100.

But this means the likelihood of getting a 1D is 900% times higher in the top 10 than rest of top 100.

correction: I meant, say # of 1D emerging from 11-100 = #1D from picks 1-10. (Not chances).

So why couldn't Vancouver beat Edmonton when everyone thought they would?

Was it because Tocchet got out coached
Was it because Edmonton has the superior talent
Was it because Vancouver had to rely on the 2nd and 3rd string goalies
Was it because Vancouver was missing their top scorer
- WhiskeyMan

They lost by 1 goal in game 7 with a 3rd string goalie and one of their best players out. All but 1 game were 1 goal games.

Me too. I’d take a more known commodity and a lower pick. Plus multiple assets hedge your bets on whiffing.
- coffee junkie

You can’t operate from a place of fear. A lot of the best deals in the NHL are when a team takes a risk and hits it big. If you’re only willing to trade for a known commodity then you don’t trust your scouts. If you don’t trust your scouts then you need a whole new scouting staff.

Look at Dallas, imagine if they said, gee this Wyatt Johnston kid hasn’t played all year and isn’t a known commodity in the NHL, let’s trade this pick for a middle six winger instead of drafting him…

See how ridiculous that sounds?

Funny that Utah is being brought up as a possible trade partner. I was thinking Connor Geekie could be someone the Flyers target in a trade. 12 straight up for Geekie at the draft if no one special falls in our laps? Utah could definitely use one of the wingers or D available on the board at 12.

Utah actually has a bunch of centers. Seems like a good match for a trade.

You can’t operate from a place of fear. A lot of the best deals in the NHL are when a team takes a risk and hits it big. If you’re only willing to trade for a known commodity then you don’t trust your scouts. If you don’t trust your scouts then you need a whole new scouting staff.

Look at Dallas, imagine if they said, gee this Wyatt Johnston kid hasn’t played all year and isn’t a known commodity in the NHL, let’s trade this pick for a middle six winger instead of drafting him…

See how ridiculous that sounds?
- Schmojo

How about a bottom pairing oft injured defenseman instead? And then doubling down and signing that defenseman to a 5 year contract.

If MM comes over for the upcoming season, the flyers should stay the course and look at it as an unforeseen benefit that may accelerate their path to contention, but they should not accelerate their plan to get there. Much to be seen yet on how he acclimates to the flyers and the NHL.