We can do this sort of thing all day, but one easy one to look at is the case of Philip McRae, a second-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, 33rd overall, in 2008.

I was watching that draft, and boy, was TSN marveling at that pick. McRae is Basil McRae's kid, and he's got NHL bloodlines, and he knows all about nutrition and fitness and commitment. He's got far more skill that his father ever had, and an NHL body, and wow, that kid could easily have gone in the first round.

Five years later, Philip McRae has played 15 games in the NHL, scoring 1 goal and three points.

That's 83 fewer games than 2008 sixth-round pick Zac Rinaldo, who received a two-year contract extension a couple of months ago.

All the chatter, all the rankings and speculation and mock drafts...it's just noise. It should be fun to talk about, fun to dream and speculate about what these kids might do.

Instead, it's turned into this funeral dirge of what these kids can't do and won't ever do.

How does that makes sense to anyone?
- AllInForFlyers

I am very intrigued by your line of thinking, I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
- Deasr1

Homer.

I'm not really a Lecavalier fan myself but in my opinion he is the option or bust. His size helps us match up to Malkin at the dot. I just think Giroux and Lecavalier against Crosby and Malkin could be fun the next few years.

Short-term, yesterday doesn't fix any of the Flyers problems for next season. So, to be entirely frank, the draft doesn't matter for another two or three years.
- KGBflyers10

Very true. Flyers still need to fix the holes for next year.

I'm not saying they know best. I'm saying they know better then you do. And better then I do, and all the other fans.

How many complete games have you watched either of the first 3 players the Flyers drafted, play?
- MJL

You also have a good head on your shoulders: I ask you this. Nashville....needs offense. There were plenty to choose from at their pick. Now I understand they took Jones because he was most likely the highest rated player there. They could have taken Nushshaskiniveskiplo. However, with Weber's huge deal and them being a strapped market, coupld they be going back over a possible deal with us once his year is up? Jones could be a cheaper replacement? Just curious. If they got rid of Coburn and mezz, then Weber is afordable. Plus Kimmo off the books next year and the cap goes up. Maybe?

I'm not really a Lecavalier fan myself but in my opinion he is the option or bust. His size helps us match up to Malkin at the dot. I just think Giroux and Lecavalier against Crosby and Malkin could be fun the next few years.
- dingo8urbaby

I have zero confidence that Lecavalier picks the Flyers.

Homer.
- wolfhounds

I like you... a lot.

(was it Pierre doing the gushing?)
- Tomahawk

IIRC, it was he and the Godfather. They loved the pick -- and that's fine. I don't begrudge them their opinion.

But at some point, everyone should just take a deep breath and admit they just don't know what these kids are gonna do.

I look at Andreas Nodl's speed, size, body type and shot, and have no idea why he can't play.

But he can't. He has no hockey sense at the highest level. And that's just the way that goes, and it's unfortunate, because he tried hard. But he just couldn't play, just like Philip McRae and Jason Bonsignore and Alexander Svitov and so many more. So many, many more.

IIRC, it was he and the Godfather. They loved the pick -- and that's fine. I don't begrudge them their opinion.

But at some point, everyone should just take a deep breath and admit they just don't know what these kids are gonna do.

I look at Andreas Nodl's speed, size, body type and shot, and have no idea why he can't play.

But he can't. He has no hockey sense at the highest level. And that's just the way that goes, and it's unfortunate, because he tried hard. But he just couldn't play, just like Philip McRae and Jason Bonsignore and Alexander Svitov and so many more. So many, many more.
- AllInForFlyers

Just have to wait and see what happens.

So we can just make moves assuming the money is off the cap, then?
- JAKEw1234

No, you can't. There is an off season Cap. And Pronger won't come off the Cap at any point.

I like you... a lot.

(was it Pierre doing the gushing?)
- Tomahawk

Great poster added to the mix! Very knowledgeable. And with common sense to boot!

I have zero confidence that Lecavalier picks the Flyers.
- stveshdy

Did you think Roenick, Forsberg or briere would choose the flyers?

You also have a good head on your shoulders: I ask you this. Nashville....needs offense. There were plenty to choose from at their pick. Now I understand they took Jones because he was most likely the highest rated player there. They could have taken Nushshaskiniveskiplo. However, with Weber's huge deal and them being a strapped market, coupld they be going back over a possible deal with us once his year is up? Jones could be a cheaper replacement? Just curious. If they got rid of Coburn and mezz, then Weber is afordable. Plus Kimmo off the books next year and the cap goes up. Maybe?
- Deasr1

Anything is possible. But Jones is going to need a few years.

I have zero confidence that Lecavalier picks the Flyers.
- stveshdy

IMO Coburn or Mesz would have been dumped by now if they were seriously gearing up for Vinny. They still need a goalie first and foremost, and they will also probably bring back Gagne. I dont see where the space for Vinny is coming from right now. A team with cap space is going to offer him 5mil.

Did you think Roenick, Forsberg or briere would choose the flyers?
- dingo8urbaby

Briere and Roenick ---> Yes

Forsberg ---> No

IMO Coburn or Mesz would have been dumped by now if they were seriously gearing up for Vinny. They still need a goalie first and foremost, and they will also probably bring back Gagne. I dont see where the space for Vinny is coming from right now. A team with cap space is going to offer him 5mil.
- hereticpride

It's still possible the Flyers move one of those defenseman.

There is a chance Vinny signs here but I think its a long shot.

IMO Coburn or Mesz would have been dumped by now if they were seriously gearing up for Vinny. They still need a goalie first and foremost, and they will also probably bring back Gagne. I dont see where the space for Vinny is coming from right now. A team with cap space is going to offer him 5mil.
- hereticpride

With the 10% overage, the Flyers can offer him $5mm...They can't just dump Coburn as a salary dump, they need to get value for him.

With the 10% overage, the Flyers can offer him $5mm...They can't just dump Coburn as a salary dump, they need to get value for him.
- Jsaquella

Still a chance the Flyers work out a trade with Edmonton for Coburn.

Lots of talk yesterday.

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=18867

Flyers trade Syvret for Kris Newbury

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=18867

Flyers trade Syvret for Kris Newbury
- Jsaquella

Another fighter. Not that it matters but what is the obsession with getting enforcers?

We can do this sort of thing all day, but one easy one to look at is the case of Philip McRae, a second-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, 33rd overall, in 2008.

I was watching that draft, and boy, was TSN marveling at that pick. McRae is Basil McRae's kid, and he's got NHL bloodlines, and he knows all about nutrition and fitness and commitment. He's got far more skill that his father ever had, and an NHL body, and wow, that kid could easily have gone in the first round.

Five years later, Philip McRae has played 15 games in the NHL, scoring 1 goal and three points.

That's 83 fewer games than 2008 sixth-round pick Zac Rinaldo, who received a two-year contract extension a couple of months ago.

All the chatter, all the rankings and speculation and mock drafts...it's just noise. It should be fun to talk about, fun to dream and speculate about what these kids might do.

Instead, it's turned into this funeral dirge of what these kids can't do and won't ever do.

How does that makes sense to anyone?
- AllInForFlyers

That is fine. I'm entitled to my opinion, and a 33 overall pick is a little difference then an 11 overall pick, even more so in a deep draft.

I have my opinions and I stick by them.... Hated Hartnell, wanted to trade him... I was wrong about that. Said the Flyers would use the Buy-Out on Briere after the NJ series and I was right about that. I'm entitled to my opinion and to voice it here too. I find it funny that the people saying stuff about being negative are the same ones moaning about Bryzgalov's contract or Bob being traded. What happened there, I thought the Flyers knew better then you....

When the Flyers make a mistake, I will call them for it. I will also defend moves that I like even if you dont. I think Morin is going to be a fine defenseman, I just dont think he was the right defenseman at that pick. And I will be vocal about saying that. And its not as if I am alone in scratching my head at the Flyers choice here.

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=18867

Flyers trade Syvret for Kris Newbury
- Jsaquella

Somewhere a dark haired girl with a camera around her neck is on her knees sobbing.

Somewhere a dark haired girl with a camera around her neck is on her knees sobbing.
- mayorofangrytown

Yes. Poor Ladyneat

Another fighter. Not that it matters but what is the obsession with getting enforcers?
- stveshdy

He's a very good AHL player.

Another fighter. Not that it matters but what is the obsession with getting enforcers?
- stveshdy

Newbury will likely be a Phantom