Great write up as always Bill.

I'm really looking forward to seeing laughton with the big club this year. I got a chance to meet him, stolarz ghost another one of the phantoms (cant rememberhis name) over the summer, ran into them at the old Echelon Mall. Laughton just has that look of killer instinct in his eyes. Seems to be a very poised and confident person. The little I have seen of him on the ice shows he's strong on the puck and very decisive. He's gonna make an excellent centerman. I have a feeling he'll be the second line center in 2-3 years.

All of this is due to having d man who are good skaters and move the puck well
- AGL_91

I would agree but morin and Pettersen aren't burners. The Flyers can do this. You also need the forwards to come a little deeper to support the puck. How many times did they move the puck from below the goaline to between the circles because the center came down. They seemed to exit the zone pretty quickley and with the puck instead of just dumping it out

did we sign with bobby ryan yet?
- BulliesPhan87

If he did turn down the deal in Ottawa..............................you know it might happen

The best part of yesterday's game is the fact that Holmgren is no longer GM. Thankfully 3 or 4 of these kids will NOT be swapped for Byfuglien or Yandle!!

After watching today's game here is a list of players I want to see get some preseason action in order:

Laughton
Straka
Cousins
Leier
Alderson

Alt
Morin
Ghost
Haag
Sanheim

Stolie

So pretty much the first 2 lines again. The reason why I left NAK out is that I don't see him pushing for a spot in next two years.
- AGL_91

. I think NAK should see some preseason. Also that's too many players IMO we have our main roster that all need time too. Lier Laughton morin ghost and NAK is plenty.

If he did turn down the deal in Ottawa..............................you know it might happen
- NickTheKid87

Wouldn't surprise me either way. It will come down to:
A. Are the Flyers looking to spend significant $$ to add a winger
and
B. Will Ryan give them any type of hometown discount

Great write up as always Bill.

I'm really looking forward to seeing laughton with the big club this year. I got a chance to meet him, stolarz ghost another one of the phantoms (cant rememberhis name) over the summer, ran into them at the old Echelon Mall. Laughton just has that look of killer instinct in his eyes. Seems to be a very poised and confident person. The little I have seen of him on the ice shows he's strong on the puck and very decisive. He's gonna make an excellent centerman. I have a feeling he'll be the second line center in 2-3 years.
- JoeRussomanno

Where's Couturier going?

After watching today's game here is a list of players I want to see get some preseason action in order:

Laughton
Straka
Cousins
Leier
Alderson

Alt
Morin
Ghost
Haag
Sanheim

Stolie

So pretty much the first 2 lines again. The reason why I left NAK out is that I don't see him pushing for a spot in next two years.
- AGL_91

re forwards: Laughton Leier and Alderson yes, Cousins maybe. I don't see Straka ever playing for the Flyers.

re D: agree with all, though I wouldn't give too much time to Sanheim, as there is only so much ice time to go around and he will get a longer look next year.

G: Stolie for sure as he, Zepp, Mason and Emery are the only 4 that will likely see any preseason game time anyway.

Where's Couturier going?
- Feanor

Hopefully nowhere!!

I really don't see Laughton ever being more than a very strong #3 center, which is fine.

Wouldn't surprise me either way. It will come down to:
A. Are the Flyers looking to spend significant $$ to add a winger
and
B. Will Ryan give them any type of hometown discount
- BiggE

If schenn shows he can give them that winger on the first line or someone else does, then i dont think so. Otherwise i have no problem with them making an effort to sign Ryan in the offseason. Having to trade fpr him in the past would have been dumb since he's gonna be an FA this summer.

Where's Couturier going?
- Feanor

He'll stay where he is and or traded.

If schenn shows he can give them that winger on the first line or someone else does, then i dont think so. Otherwise i have no problem with them making an effort to sign Ryan in the offseason. Having to trade fpr him in the past would have been dumb since he's gonna be an FA this summer.
- JoeRussomanno

Agreed

Wouldn't surprise me either way. It will come down to:
A. Are the Flyers looking to spend significant $$ to add a winger
and
B. Will Ryan give them any type of hometown discount
- BiggE

We need a Lw and Ryan is Rw. We have Simmonds and voracek and he isn't much better than either. I want him on flyers but you have to assume he will get 7+ on his next contract and that's a huge chunk. If they are going to trade for him no way IMO. I'd rather trade for a lw like E Kane or a d man. But if he hits FA absolutely take our best run for him but it can't be much more then 7million. Even then it's tough. We will have out in house talent all needing to be signed in the next 4 years when Ryan is turning 32.

Wouldn't surprise me either way. It will come down to:
A. Are the Flyers looking to spend significant $$ to add a winger
and
B. Will Ryan give them any type of hometown discount
- BiggE

Timonen, MDZ, Schultz, Emery, Rosehill, White and Akeson will be FAs freeing up $7,375,000. They'd need some of that to replace these guys. Voracek, BSchenn, Couturier, Raffl, LSchenn, Grossmann all become FAs the year after and some will need to be extended for more money. The cap will go up presumably at least but I'm not sure giving a big contract to Ryan would be wise even with a hometown discount (which I think will be unlikely). They might have to make other moves to accommodate a big contract.

We need a Lw and Ryan is Rw. We have Simmonds and voracek and he isn't much better than either. I want him on flyers but you have to assume he will get 7+ on his next contract and that's a huge chunk. If they are going to trade for him no way IMO. I'd rather trade for a lw like E Kane or a d man. But if he hits FA absolutely take our best run for him but it can't be much more then 7million. Even then it's tough. We will have out in house talent all needing to be signed in the next 4 years when Ryan is turning 32.
- 28Girouxsalem28

Just so you know, Ryan has played both left and right wing during his career and has been successful on either side.

Timonen, MDZ, Schultz, Emery, Rosehill, White and Akeson will be FAs freeing up $7,375,000. They'd need some of that to replace these guys. Voracek, BSchenn, Couturier, Raffl, LSchenn, Grossmann all become FAs the year after and some will need to be extended for more money. The cap will go up presumably at least but I'm not sure giving a big contract to Ryan would be wise even with a hometown discount (which I think will be unlikely). They might have to make other moves to accommodate a big contract.
- NickTheKid87

And therein lies my point A

Where's Couturier going?
- Feanor

Right now?

Hopefully, to the rink. I think camp starts today.....

Just so you know, Ryan has played both left and right wing during his career and has been successful on either side.
- BiggE

I believe he's actually been better at LW.

(not saying I actually think signing him to a massive contract is a good idea...)

Great write up as always Bill.

I'm really looking forward to seeing laughton with the big club this year. I got a chance to meet him, stolarz ghost another one of the phantoms (cant rememberhis name) over the summer, ran into them at the old Echelon Mall. Laughton just has that look of killer instinct in his eyes. Seems to be a very poised and confident person. The little I have seen of him on the ice shows he's strong on the puck and very decisive. He's gonna make an excellent centerman. I have a feeling he'll be the second line center in 2-3 years.
- JoeRussomanno

Wait.....

The Echelon Mall is actually open?

And therein lies my point A

- BiggE

well if you look at the flyers cap situation. They are actually lining themselves up pretty good for the future. Presuming the cap hits 74 mil next year,rumor, they will have 12 mil in space including progers ltir which now can be used last day of camp in new cba. Sign ryan to maybe 6 or 6.5 leaving plenty of space lest to fill the holes with a young dman and forward. following year if need be buy out umberger or trade a vet dman or fill the d holes with another young dman all while cap increases year by year. I think they are going to be a big contender in two years. This year I think is a transition year and maybe we make the playoffs, or maybe we dont. doesnt matter this year to me. But ryan would be a huge addition to a team on the upswing.

I have always tried to temper my enthusiasm when it came to Stolarz because goalie development is the least predictable, London had a defense oriented team, and he did not have much hype in his draft year. That being said, he is improving every year and looked very composed yesterday. I think even my tempered expectations have him up with the big four on defense and big three on offense as far as people I expect to make it to the NHL.

And therein lies my point A

- BiggE

Yup. I wonder if Hextall will have the same propensity for going after the big name FAs that Clarke and Holmgren seemed to have. Or, to rephrase that, I wonder if Snider will be pulling the strings as aggressively with Hextall as he did with Clarke and Holmgren.

Timonen, MDZ, Schultz, Emery, Rosehill, White and Akeson will be FAs freeing up $7,375,000. They'd need some of that to replace these guys. Voracek, BSchenn, Couturier, Raffl, LSchenn, Grossmann all become FAs the year after and some will need to be extended for more money. The cap will go up presumably at least but I'm not sure giving a big contract to Ryan would be wise even with a hometown discount (which I think will be unlikely). They might have to make other moves to accommodate a big contract.
- NickTheKid87

VL will be gone too. Also timmonen will be pretty much gone. One of the prospects on D will be moved up next season if they presumably keep progressing. If emery's salary requirements go any higher I don't have problem replacing him. Also one of the schenn's or both will be gone in a trade. With these prospects shining the way they are the schenn's bros are losing their luster with me.

Wait.....

The Echelon Mall is actually open?
- johndewar

Lol yea it called the voorhees town center now

I have always tried to temper my enthusiasm when it came to Stolarz because goalie development is the least predictable, London had a defense oriented team, and he did not have much hype in his draft year. That being said, he is improving every year and looked very composed yesterday. I think even my tempered expectations have him up with the big four on defense and big three on offense as far as people I expect to make it to the NHL.
- aflyerpower8

Food for thought: If Stolarz turns into a legit #1 goalie, how will the Bob trade be viewed? Not nearly as much of a "mistake" as it's viewed now. Although I don't consider it a mistake at all given the circumstances.