Some people have him going 1st-overall... has a bit of Anze Kopitar to him.
- Tomahawk

damn it thought he might fall.

I think that might happen. I just read quotes from Hextall and read between the lines on things and think Kimmo is most likely done. Players place a value on themselves and he will see himself as a 5 time olympian, all-star, fan favorite dman who made 6 million last year. A pay cut for him would be 4.5-5 million. I would be shocked if the flyers paid him that.

Now maybe they go to camp and all the young d are terrible and no of them are ready. As maybe a backup plan they sign kimmo for 4 million after not having any other options and if kimmo hasn't gotten a deal from someone else.
- J35Bacher

I think there is a team out there who would pay Timonen 4.5 - 5 mil for 1 year. I just don't know if it's us...

Look at the teams though. Tampa finished with 74 points the year before. Columbus made the playoffs and have a strong, young nucleus. There is excitement in Columbus for the first time.

It would be much easier for the Lightning to justify collecting picks/prospects and rebuilding.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think the Bolts wanted to let Gratton go, and they had just made the PO's for the first time the previous season... but they just couldn't financially match the huge signing bonus/contract that Clarke put out there. Imagine where they'd be if they had kept all those 1sts, instead of being stupid and trading them all for Renberg.

If I'm Columbus, and I'm staring down the barrel of a Weber-structured OS courtesy of the Leafs, I would have to really believe that Johansen is going to be a top-10 player in the league, and not another Gratton, to match the OS.

Think every college/junior star gets away with a bit of ad hoc/improv that they wouldn't be able to get away with at the next levels. On the other hand, I'd love to see more kids be encouraged to keep most of that swagger/creativity, instead of so many NHL coaches focusing in on drumming it out of them... like what Carlyle & Co are trying to do to Gardiner.
- Tomahawk

As we discussed at the time. The first goal in the final was the result of a play where I gasped in dismay as he started it, thinking he'd get burned, and instead he got the puck and buried it. He's got hockey smarts though, so I expect he can adjust to the reality of better competition.

I think there is a team out there who would pay Timonen 4.5 - 5 mil for 1 year. I just don't know if it's us...
- FlyersGrace

I don't think the Flyers want to but could see it if it was the only option after camp and none of the younger players showed enough to stay. But I think you can always find a veteran for cheaper if need be for one year or someone that can sit once the young guy is ready tyo take over.

Ghost is going to face some significant adjustments as he plays his first pro season. He is going to have to get at least a little stronger physically and reduce some of the higher-risk plays he makes. He has the speed to get back if he's caught up ice but you don't want to tempt fate too often.

In regard to players the Flyers can target at the NHL level, let's see first what they do to free up a bit of cap space. Right now, they can add a minor piece or two but nothing major unless they can free up some room.

I think there is a team out there who would pay Timonen 4.5 - 5 mil for 1 year. I just don't know if it's us...
- FlyersGrace

How disgusting would it be if he did his farewell tour w/ Flyers West and we had to watch him raise the Cup w/ Frick n Frack?

I don't think the Bolts wanted to let Gratton go, and they had just made the PO's for the first time the previous season... but they just couldn't financially match the huge signing bonus/contract that Clarke put out there. Imagine where they'd be if they had kept all those 1sts, instead of being stupid and trading them all for Renberg.

If I'm Columbus, and I'm staring down the barrel of a Weber-structured OS courtesy of the Leafs, I would have to really believe that Johansen is going to be a top-10 player in the league, and not another Gratton, to match the OS.
- Tomahawk

Gratton parlayed one red hot month... a 12-goal month in a 30-goal season... into that ridiculous offer sheet from the Flyers.

So trying to think of what the d would look like next seaso0n I am really hoping Mark Alt proves he can stay. I actually think based on his size and skating and skills he could be a solid dman who could actaully log good minutes.

Ghost is going to face some significant adjustments as he plays his first pro season. He is going to have to get at least a little stronger physically and reduce some of the higher-risk plays he makes. He has the speed to get back if he's caught up ice but you don't want to tempt fate too often.

In regard to players the Flyers can target at the NHL level, let's see first what they do to free up a bit of cap space. Right now, they can add a minor piece or two but nothing major unless they can free up some room.
- bmeltzer

I am fine with this team staying put for the most part. I think they need to figure out the VL situation. But other than that draft well and make smart trades when they are available.

I am also fine with them trading any player over 30 for player(s) under 30. They are young for the most part so give that young talent a chance to blossom or fail.

How disgusting would it be if he did his farewell tour w/ Flyers West and we had to watch him raise the Cup w/ Frick n Frack?
- Tomahawk

If they aren't beating the Flyers to do it, then it doesn't bother me at all.

Gratton parlayed one red hot month... a 12-goal month in a 30-goal season... into that ridiculous offer sheet from the Flyers.
- bmeltzer

Bill do you have anything coming up that will deal with this years draft prospects?

So trying to think of what the d would look like next seaso0n I am really hoping Mark Alt proves he can stay. I actually think based on his size and skating and skills he could be a solid dman who could actaully log good minutes.
- J35Bacher

I wouldn't bank on it. When the flyers higher ups have talked freely about the young dmen in the system, his name never gets mentioned

I am fine with this team staying put for the most part. I think they need to figure out the VL situation. But other than that draft well and make smart trades when they are available.

I am also fine with them trading any player over 30 for player(s) under 30. They are young for the most part so give that young talent a chance to blossom or fail.
- mickel25

They need to break up the lines some. VL needs some skill to play with & BSchenn & Simmonds just don't play that way. I think they can get by just adding a Mason Raymond type of player. They had 7 20 goal scorers so I think they can figure out how to be successful with this group of forwards. How about we try...

Harts - G - Read
Raffl - VL - Jake
BSchenn - Couts - Simmonds
Rinaldo - Laughton - Akeson

They need to break up the lines some. VL needs some skill to play with & BSchenn & Simmonds just don't play that way. I think they can get by just adding a Mason Raymond type of player. They had 7 20 goal scorers so I think they can figure out how to be successful with this group of forwards. How about we try...

Harts - G - Read
Raffl - VL - Jake
BSchenn - Couts - Simmonds
Rinaldo - Laughton - Akeson
- iladel90

That may be interesting. I am one of those in the camp that says I have never seen any evidence that Schenn is a better player at center than wing. And I feel like his skill set is much more suited to the wing. They just have to leave him there permanently.

Some people have him going 1st-overall... has a bit of Anze Kopitar to him.
- Tomahawk

He's my favorite player in this draft

They need to break up the lines some. VL needs some skill to play with & BSchenn & Simmonds just don't play that way. I think they can get by just adding a Mason Raymond type of player. They had 7 20 goal scorers so I think they can figure out how to be successful with this group of forwards. How about we try...

Harts - G - Read
Raffl - VL - Jake
BSchenn - Couts - Simmonds
Rinaldo - Laughton - Akeson
- iladel90

I agree with separating G and Voracek. They are the best play makers on the team. Neither seems to take the goal scoring bull by the horns though.

I think there is a team out there who would pay Timonen 4.5 - 5 mil for 1 year. I just don't know if it's us...
- FlyersGrace

Anaheim maybe?

He's my favorite player in this draft
- BiggE

I like Dal Colle but admittedly I've seen him the most. I don't like Fabbri so I'm pretty sure he'll be our pick. Dal Colle has no chance of slipping to us we'd have to move way up.

I wouldn't bank on it. When the flyers higher ups have talked freely about the young dmen in the system, his name never gets mentioned
- Just5

Yeah but a lot of time people only know who Haag, Morin and Ghostisbiere are. Not a lot of people know who Alt is since he was a throw in for us to take Boucher off Carolina's hands. He also didn't look out of place in the preseason games I saw him in.

I like Dal Colle but admittedly I've seen him the most. I don't like Fabbri so I'm pretty sure he'll be our pick. Dal Colle has no chance of slipping to us we'd have to move way up.
- mayorofangrytown

I like Dal Colle and Nick Ritchie and I agree i don't think any of them will slip.

I hope Hextall has a plan to get rid of Rinaldo and Rosehill. 70+ games of Rinaldo, and 30+ of Rosehill is a waste of time.

Think every college/junior star gets away with a bit of ad hoc/improv that they wouldn't be able to get away with at the next levels. On the other hand, I'd love to see more kids be encouraged to keep most of that swagger/creativity, instead of so many NHL coaches focusing in on drumming it out of them... like what Carlyle & Co are trying to do to Gardiner.
- Tomahawk

You think Carlyle was bad? Word out of Lehigh is terry Murray plans on having ghost wear a shock collar and running a wire underneath the red line at training camp

I hope Hextall has a plan to get rid of Rinaldo and Rosehill. 70+ games of Rinaldo, and 30+ of Rosehill is a waste of time.
- PLindbergh31

I don't think there is a need to move Rinaldo. He is cheap and can play solid 4th line minutes. He is young and if there is a fight I would much rather him do it then Simmonds or one of our better players. Once he is due a raise then they can move on from him or he can take Rosehil's spot once his deal is up. There really isn't a market to deal Rinaldo and when he is going good he does provide good energy and maybe playing with a more skilled player like Laughton will create a btter 4th line

You think Carlyle was bad? Word out of Lehigh is terry Murray plans on having ghost wear a shock collar and running a wire underneath the red line at training camp
- Just5

I'm not a Murray fan, but he's been molding in poop in Adirondack the last few years. He's old mother Hubbard, and there is nothing but dung in the cupboard.