Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/11/20 @ NYI

Would be sweet to pick up another W tonight

Leading up to the deadline what is the biggest need for the Flyers?

Top 9 forward and experienced D?

Would Ghost be worth moving or better to keep him and ride this thing out with what they have?

I think you ride it out until the off season, unless the deal makes you a better team next year too.

Seems like the Penuins gave up a pretty big haul for Zucker.

I feel like the pens got off cheap. Gal was a pure salary dump... probably need to give up a 2nd to get rid of him... so Zucker only cost them a good prospect, and the difference between a 2nd and a protected 1st

I think you ride it out until the off season, unless the deal makes you a better team next year too.
- mkabbeko

That's a good point. If you have a deal that makes you stronger moving forward go for it. Rentals don't make sense at this point.

Seems like the Penuins gave up a pretty big haul for Zucker.
- PLindbergh31

At first I thought Pitt got fleeced, but then I realized Zucker has 3 years left. Galy seems like a cap dump, but after reading some Pen fans thoughts/comments... Seems Galy never got a fair shot and was in Sullivan's doghouse early into the season and never got out.

Leading up to the deadline what is the biggest need for the Flyers?

Top 9 forward and experienced D?

Would Ghost be worth moving or better to keep him and ride this thing out with what they have?
- MrPerfect316

I think you have to keep Ghost right now. His value can't go much lower, better to see if he can turn things around down the stretch. If not, I can definitely see him being moved this summer.

That said, if moving him is the centerpiece to bring in a good, non-rental player (kinda like Zucker, for instance), then you'd have to entertain it.

At first I thought Pitt got fleeced, but then I realized Zucker has 3 years left. Galy seems like a cap dump, but after reading some Pen fans thoughts/comments... Seems Galy never got a fair shot and was in Sullivan's doghouse early into the season and never got out.
- arichardson22

A first, from what I read a pretty good prospect in Addison, and Galchenyuk. Zucker is a better player than Galchenyuk so in the short term it makes them better. That must be their thinking. They are going for it.

Leading up to the deadline what is the biggest need for the Flyers?

Top 9 forward and experienced D?

Would Ghost be worth moving or better to keep him and ride this thing out with what they have?
- MrPerfect316

Fourth line center if you can get one for cheap. Bunnaman has played the best at this position so far, but I think the Flyers could benefit from a fourth line center who can also kill penalties in case Couturier continues to “embellish”.

Seems like the Penuins gave up a pretty big haul for Zucker.
- PLindbergh31

Basically, they traded Kessel, Addison, a 4th, and a 1st (protected) for Zucker and PO Joseph. Given that Kessel needed to go, it's essentially Kessel and a 1st for Zucker. and an upgrade on projected D prospects.

Not a great trade, but they didn't get fleeced either. And like you said, the Pens are going for it. The Crosby and Malkin window will not last forever (sure seems like it though) so they probably have a 3-year shot, which is where Zucker's contract lands.

I think you have to keep Ghost right now. His value can't go much lower, better to see if he can turn things around down the stretch. If not, I can definitely see him being moved this summer.

That said, if moving him is the centerpiece to bring in a good, non-rental player (kinda like Zucker, for instance), then you'd have to entertain it.
- jmatchett383

I would have moved Ghost last summer. What strengths he has, are very high. What weaknesses he has are very low. Hayes has been very good for us, I’m pleasantly surprised most nights. However, I would rather have Kadri or any other cheaper second or third line center. It’s not a knock on Hayes, I just feel like we blew an opportunity.

So the Caps lost back-to-back games to the lowly Flyers and 3rd place Islanders.

Surely, this must mean their fanbase should be worried about them missing the playoffs, based on Flyers' fans mentality, no?

So the Caps lost back-to-back games to the lowly Flyers and 3rd place Islanders.

Surely, this must mean their fanbase should be worried about them missing the playoffs, based on Flyers' fans mentality, no?
- jmatchett383

Nah, but the Bruins fanbase is in tatters. 0-2 against the Wings. TB is going blow past them like they are standing still.

The Caps are still 8 points ahead of the wildcard teams, but they are in danger of losing the top Metro seed to the Pens.

Leading up to the deadline what is the biggest need for the Flyers?
- MrPerfect316

This team really shouldn't be doing much if NP has a realistic shot at coming back.

Ryan Pulock ended up being a really good pick for the Isles.

Would have really liked the Flyers to get Zucker, would rather have him in our top 6 instead of Laughton.

Nah, but the Bruins fanbase is in tatters. 0-2 against the Wings. TB is going blow past them like they are standing still.
- PLindbergh31

I can't believe the Bruins let Zucker go to the Penguins. Zucker in the Bruins top 6 would have given them two legitimate scoring lines and made them close to impossible to beat in the playoffs.

Zucker has a big cap hit. Maybe the Bruins had no way of fitting him in.

Would have really liked the Flyers to get Zucker, would rather have him in our top 6 instead of Laughton.
- jd250

Laughton won't be in the top 6 when Farabee is healthy.

This team really shouldn't be doing much if NP has a realistic shot at coming back.
- Tomahawk

If Patrick is unable to get over these migraines, coupled with the Morin washout in 2013 that would be pretty brutal. Can't miss twice in that short period of time with assets like those.

I think you ride it out until the off season, unless the deal makes you a better team next year too.
- mkabbeko

I would love the Flyers to get Hoffman, but I can't see Florida trading him at the deadline while they are right in the thick of the playoff hunt.

If Patrick is unable to get over these migraines, coupled with the Morin washout in 2013 that would be pretty brutal. Can't miss twice in that short period of time with assets like those.
- PLindbergh31

Being that they're human beings, 1st round picks aren't immune to injury or disease.

And that would still leave the Flyers with this group of 1st rounders from the 2010s.

Couturier
Laughton
Sanheim
Provorov
Konecny
Rubtsov
Frost
Farabee
O'Brien
York

Being that they're human beings, 1st round picks aren't immune to injury or disease.
- Feanor

Morin wasn't going to be a legit NHL player imo regardless of injuries. You can debate it all you want. Picking him 11th was a reach any way you slice it.

And it turns out even if Patrick didn't have the migraines you can argue he would have been the least productive player taken in the top 5.