I'm gonna use a quote of my own making. The Flyers are only as good as their offseason. This has not been a good offseason. To make matters worse, it's harder to make the playoffs under the new format. I truly believe unless a concrete blueprint was in place from the start, Hextall should have left his perfectly good team alone. Don't put your stamp on it just to do so. At least he had a good draft though. One of the bright spot of the summer so far.
- SuperSchennBros

You come up with the weirdest stuff. The Flyers have a better team now than they started last season with. Talbot on the third line, Rinaldo and Rosehill on the 4th line, Gus and Mez as the 6th defenseman and Gill as backup.

I do think the Flyers would have made a pitch for Niskanen and perhaps Matt Moulson if they had the cap space to do so. Hextall said he'd have ideally liked to be have gotten involved in a "little bit of July 1 madness but not too much" (or words to that effect).
- bmeltzer

The Flyers could've taken a risk and dealt Grossmann around the draft, so they could pursue Niskanen. And they also could've tried to trade Hartnell for draft picks, and targeted Moulson.

How would you know it's Eklund? He's anonymous.
- jmatchett383

I can identify one. Ek had on glasses and wore a ski mask.

I disagree. Based on what was available and what they were getting paid, I think it was a fantastic offseason so far by not doing anything.

But if you want to use that measuring stick...how was the LA Kings' offseason last year?
- jmatchett383

The LA Kings have won a Cup twice in three years. How much better can they get?

I can identify one. Ek had on glasses and wore a ski mask.
- mayorofangrytown

So dramatic

The Flyers could've taken a risk and dealt Grossmann around the draft, so they could pursue Niskanen. And they also could've tried to trade Hartnell for draft picks, and targeted Moulson.
- MJL

Now that teams can "officially" talk to free agents early (that opened before the draft right?), I wonder if they already had an idea that they'd be out on those players beforehand.

10/10; perfect relevancy and appropriateness, would laugh again
- Giroux_Is_God

ty for the positive feedback

The only difference right now is Hartnell/Umberger right? Everything else is the same. You think that bumps them out of the playoffs?
- eayost

Umburger isn't a front line player. Taking from Giroux isn't a smart move. The hole needs to be filled.

The LA Kings have won a Cup twice in three years. How much better can they get?
- SuperSchennBros

Well you said a team is only as good as their offseason. Based on that, please tell me what made their last offseason so good?

I can identify one. Ek had on glasses and wore a ski mask.
- mayorofangrytown

They how can you be sure it was him?

Umburger isn't a front line player. Taking from Giroux isn't a smart move. The hole needs to be filled.
- SuperSchennBros

I think Schenn, Vinny, Read, hell, even Raffle, Akeson, and Bellemare could go to G's wing and produce at Hartnell's level if they see the same ice time and pp time.

Umburger isn't a front line player. Taking from Giroux isn't a smart move. The hole needs to be filled.
- SuperSchennBros

That's what she said. Zing!

The Flyers could've taken a risk and dealt Grossmann around the draft, so they could pursue Niskanen. And they also could've tried to trade Hartnell for draft picks, and targeted Moulson.
- MJL

I could live with trading Lecavalier but if you live and let live, the team was better with him last season then without. It doesn't seem to me a concrete plan is in place.

I know at least one lifer.
- mayorofangrytown

Really? What are these people doing that gets them such extreme sentences, beating up old ladies for their medical marijuana?

I think Schenn, Vinny, Read, hell, even Raffle, Akeson, and Bellemare could go to G's wing and produce at Hartnell's level if they see the same ice time and pp time.
- FlyersGrace

this to me is called experimenting. It may, or may not work.

This does not surprise me. You have the "I like criminals" mindset.
- FlyersGrace

I love me a good train wreck.

I think Schenn, Vinny, Read, hell, even Raffle, Akeson, and Bellemare could go to G's wing and produce at Hartnell's level if they see the same ice time and pp time.
- FlyersGrace

I think Schenn and Akeson will get fair looks. Vinny at LW should not be an option any more, and I'd be wary of putting an unknown in Frenchie there. Raffl should be a bottom-6 player, and I like Read's chemistry with Couturier.

Wow, that low?
- Feanor

is it a one way or two way deal?

I could live with trading Lecavalier but if you live and let live, the team was better with him last season then without. It doesn't seem to me a concrete plan is in place.
- SuperSchennBros

The only thing I'll say is that it is July 3rd.

this to me is called experimenting. It may, or may not work.
- SuperSchennBros

Sadly most of last season was experimenting.

But I get your point. And they'll have training camp and all of pre-season to try new bodies.

is it a one way or two way deal?
- jak521

Two way, but he's not waiver exempt so if they demote him to the AHL he may be claimed.

bump

and if you did it, it would be more seniorish.



zing
- Doc_Sarcasm



no doubt. my 42nd birthday is one month from today.


truth

You come up with the weirdest stuff. The Flyers have a better team now than they started last season with. Talbot on the third line, Rinaldo and Rosehill on the 4th line, Gus and Mez as the 6th defenseman and Gill as backup.
- Feanor

How is what I'm saying weird? the Flyers didn't get better until after the Max Talbot trade. I thought the deal for Steve Downie was fantastic. He had great chemistry with this line mates and instantly improve this team. The Flyers got better as the club evaluated their team during the regular season. What's weird about that?

They how can you be sure it was him?
- jmatchett383

He had the dog with him. Sure give away.

Sadly most of last season was experimenting.

But I get your point. And they'll have training camp and all of pre-season to try new bodies.
- FlyersGrace

I think a full training camp and preseason with a solid foundation will go a long way. I'm confident they'll find an adequate replacement within the organization.