Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Flyers Daily (Expansion Draft), Community Caravan & More

Bil

Do you think there is a greater chance Patrick gets moved, as opposed to staying here?

Bil

Do you think there is a greater chance Patrick gets moved, as opposed to staying here?
- BroadSTmayhem

I think there's a good chance he gets moved. Won't put odds on it, but I think the Flyers' viewpoint is that they aren't giving him away from nothing (Expansion Draft) but they are certainly open to dealing him.

It's time to take out the trash.

We all love our Flyers players, but Chuck needs to replace several guys that simply aren't working out. Unload them if you have to, but it's time for some change. It's make or break time. Curious to see what happens in the next few weeks.....

Just saw that the Devils traded for Ryan Graves, who looks like a solid, not-old defenseman... i.e. someone good for the Flyers to acquire. It cost NJD a prospect and a 2nd round pick. Is this something the Flyers could have done? Or would it have further muddled up whom we're protecting in the expansion draft?

I think there's a good chance he gets moved. Won't put odds on it, but I think the Flyers' viewpoint is that they aren't giving him away from nothing (Expansion Draft) but they are certainly open to dealing him.
- bmeltzer

That sounds down right reasonable. *gasp*

I can't imagine the anxiety for players during this expansion draft. Draft is bad enough but imagine if your boss' boss, who may or may not know you very well, could move you on a whim to a completely different part of the country? Add that to the trade scenarios normally swirling around the draft and free agency and I'd be having heart palpitations.

Just saw that the Devils traded for Ryan Graves, who looks like a solid, not-old defenseman... i.e. someone good for the Flyers to acquire. It cost NJD a prospect and a 2nd round pick. Is this something the Flyers could have done? Or would it have further muddled up whom we're protecting in the expansion draft?
- copelal

Left-handed, left-side defenseman. Flyers need right-side Dmen, preferably right-handed.

I can't imagine the anxiety for players during this expansion draft. Draft is bad enough but imagine if your boss' boss, who may or may not know you very well, could move you on a whim to a completely different part of the country? Add that to the trade scenarios normally swirling around the draft and free agency and I'd be having heart palpitations.
- FlyersGrace

if I was making millions, I probably wouldn't be having heart palpitations although I think there are definitely family issues.

Left-handed, left-side defenseman. Flyers need right-side Dmen, preferably right-handed.
- bmeltzer

They couldn't do it because of ED issues but if hypothetically for example, they had to move Sanheim in a deal for a top pair RH defenseman, Graves is a player that could've filled that hole. Overall I think there are going to be plenty of decent players available for bargains that teams with cap space can take advantage of.

Left-handed, left-side defenseman. Flyers need right-side Dmen, preferably right-handed.
- bmeltzer

I stand corrected. Thanks, Bill.

FWIW, here’s what I’d like to see happen this offseason:

IN
A better 1B option than Elliott in net
A quality top 4 RH Dman
Another solid middle 6 center as I don’t think you can risk counting on Patrick or Frost to fill that role.
and
A new assistant coach who is from outside the organization and not a crony of Fletcher or AV. A fresh voice, IMO, would be a positive

OUT
Either JVR or Jake in the ED
Ghost in (hopefully) a trade for a pick or a Dman better than Braun or Hagg
One of Braun/Hagg

Bill,
Would you care to share your opinion on what the Flyers should do to address the back-up goalie spot? I'm not looking for specific names (although those would certainly be welcomed), but more so what do you think their general approach will be. Do you think they're looking for a less expensive, clear-cut back-up type, or do you think they'll allocate more cap to this position and go for a 1B type guy? In addition to what you think they'll do, what do you personally think they should do?
It seems like a pretty sticky situation given how young Hart is, and how poorly he played at times this past season.

Apologies if you've already addressed this topic. If so, I obviously missed it. Thanks

FWIW, here’s what I’d like to see happen this offseason:

IN
A better 1B option than Elliott in net
A quality top 4 RH Dman
Another solid middle 6 center as I don’t think you can risk counting on Patrick or Frost to fill that role.
and
A new assistant coach who is from outside the organization and not a crony of Fletcher or AV. A fresh voice, IMO, would be a positive

OUT
Either JVR or Jake in the ED
Ghost in (hopefully) a trade for a pick or a Dman better than Braun or Hagg
One of Braun/Hagg
- BiggE

That would be one hell of a busy summer. AKA an average summer for Homer, lol.

Bill,

Do you see the Flyers buying out JVR or JV if they are not claimed in the ED or traded?

A better 1B option than Elliott in net
- BiggE

Think they gotta go younger than Elliott.

Ullmark would be my choice. He's held up well under fire, he's big and the perfect age to extend in case Hart can't get his game back.

Plus, that Minions mask, lol.

I think it would be fun to be in the Kraken room putting together their team. I'd start with all the available players and challenge my staff to build me the best team possible ignoring contracts completely - probably a couple guys deep in each position. Just build me the pie in the sky best team no contract and no trade concerns. Once you had an idea of what you wanted then you could contact teams with those high contract players to see what kind of sweeteners they would add for you. And then you start the wheeling and dealing.

Think they gotta go younger than Elliott.

Ullmark would be my choice. He's held up well under fire, he's big and the perfect age to extend in case Hart can't get his game back.

Plus, that Minions mask, lol.



- Tomahawk

The way Ullmark handled himself in Buffalo he might think he's a 1A and try getting a starting gig elsewhere.

I do agree with you though. He'd be the first guy I'd go after.

Anyone who hates Hagg and wants him gone probably never played a day in their life.

Think they gotta go younger than Elliott.

Ullmark would be my choice. He's held up well under fire, he's big and the perfect age to extend in case Hart can't get his game back.

Plus, that Minions mask, lol.



- Tomahawk

Just my thought, not based on any reports, but I would think Buffalo would be looking to re-sign Ullmark. He's a home grown guy, young, and did fare pretty well for them last year.
He & Hutton are both UFAs. Hutton turns 36 in December, and his numbers are not good over the 3 years he's been in Buffalo. I would think letting Hutton walk and trying to re-sign Ullmark would be their plan. We'll see I guess

Nailed it

Anyone who hates Hagg and wants him gone probably never played a day in their life.
- black_francis

I like Hagg as a depth guy. Don’t get the hate. He isn’t feast or famine like Ghost and he doesn’t play with his head up his ass like Myers. Just a solid 3rd pair guy they end up asking too much of.

I like Hagg as a depth guy. Don’t get the hate. He isn’t feast or famine like Ghost and he doesn’t play with his head up his ass like Myers. Just a solid 3rd pair guy they end up asking too much of.
- hereticpride

If he could make a pass without it getting turned over, I'd like him a lot more.

Just my thought, not based on any reports, but I would think Buffalo would be looking to re-sign Ullmark. He's a home grown guy, young, and did fare pretty well for them last year.
He & Hutton are both UFAs. Hutton turns 36 in December, and his numbers are not good over the 3 years he's been in Buffalo. I would think letting Hutton walk and trying to re-sign Ullmark would be their plan. We'll see I guess
- Big_E_88

He may not want to stay.

I like Hagg as a depth guy. Don’t get the hate. He isn’t feast or famine like Ghost and he doesn’t play with his head up his ass like Myers. Just a solid 3rd pair guy they end up asking too much of.
- hereticpride

I don't hate him either, but he does have real trouble completing any pass over 30 feet.