Am I the only one who will miss big Nik Grossmann?
Totally get the trade but I liked the guy.

By age 25 most in N America have antibodies to mono, meaning the virus is really prevalent and has been in nearly everyone. Not every person gets full blown mono though. I don't think it is well understood why some people have a mild illness and some get really sick. I guess in athletes it is noticed because it plays havoc with their stamina for 6+ weeks.
- Marc D

i had that epstein barr or whatever in my 30s and i was running at about 75% energy for months

I actually thought the same thing. Edmonton is an ideal partner for trade because of need. I wonder if maybe and Eberle deal could be hashed out. IDK, I just feel that is an organization who might see our still crowded blue line and take some of the pieces we would trade to bring in a top 6 guy. I also doubt Gagner plays here, although I think they should keep him for the one year. If they do buy him out, they better have a good reason for needing those funds.
- nonpoint22

I look at it this way, I think Hexy is going to use the cap space for someone. In reality, he really didn't need the cap space this year to lock-up any of the potential core players effecting the cap this year. Maybe he really believes Gagner can reach some potential which he hasn't shown in his career thus far. I find that to be highly doubtful.

Everything leads me to believe Hexy is buying out Gagner and has something in mind to add to the core long-term. It might mean trading a young guy currently in the organization who was potentially viewed as part of the future. Maybe even two pieces.

anyone have a video or article about the supposed bad interview with barzal?

Am I the only one who will miss big Nik Grossmann?
Totally get the trade but I liked the guy.
- Marc D

i liked him but with age/concussions/knee problems i have no problem with him being gone

his kicksave last year was a real highlight

Am I the only one who will miss big Nik Grossmann?
Totally get the trade but I liked the guy.
- Marc D

For me, the knee injuries Nik incurred over the last couple of years, really limited his effectiveness. When he was traded to the Flyers, his mobility was so much better, which gave him the opportunity to turn and retrieve pucks dumped behind him a lot easier. He was never a great passer, so once his mobility started to be limited, his effectiveness suffered. I don't think the Flyers overspent to get him. You can never forecast significant injuries. I believe it was just the right time for Nik to move on and I hope Tippett can use him to maximize his talents.

anyone have a video or article about the supposed bad interview with barzal?
- black_francis

Elaborate on bad please

Elaborate on bad please
- Giroux_Is_God

Kid's got confidence. Very similar to the Ho-Sang incident last year. Comes off a bit arrogant and that seems to put teams off.

Their loss. Our gain.
- hereticpride

maybe

Am I the only one who will miss big Nik Grossmann?
Totally get the trade but I liked the guy.
- Marc D

me too. thought they shouldve moved luke.

Just read a scouting report on Konecny that compared his shot to Phil Kessel. That is some damned high praise.

I'm still kind of baffled how the kid dropped all the way to 24.
- hereticpride

Injuries/concern about durability.

I really hope they hold onto Gagner. Cap hit isn't bad, and it's only for 1 year. I read a comment from an Arizona fan who said that Gagner is more comfortable at wing, and was forced into a center spot there. He was still 2nd on their team in points (41) last year, with only OEL being ahead of him with 43 points. He's right handed, so I'm assuming he plays right wing. THey could put him in a playmaking role, maybe something like Read-Coots-Gagner, or they could try sliding Simmonds down to strengthen that line and slide Gagner into the top 6. They could put him on the 2nd PP in the same role that Giroux plays on the 1st PP. He could definitely put up 40-50 points, with the majority of those being assists. I think he's just as good, or better, than anyone we'd get as a UFA, and he'd definitely be the cheaper option. The only downside for me would be that he'd make it harder for prospects to win a spot.

Injuries/concern about durability.
- bmeltzer

Boston going off the board 3 times in a row also helped.

Boston going off the board 3 times in a row also helped.
- JAKEw1234

Whoever made the picks is getting canned if those guys don't pan out in big ways. Could you imagine if a Flyers GM pulled that?

Hexy on the other hand, after this weekend the league should just cue up Shawn Michaels entrance music every time the Flyers are ready to make a pick.

concussion history.
- JoeRussomanno

It's more his style of play

It's more his style of play
- ob18

that results in concussions

Whoever made the picks is getting canned if those guys don't pan out in big ways. Could you imagine if a Flyers GM pulled that?

Hexy on the other hand, after this weekend the league should just cue up Shawn Michaels entrance music every time the Flyers are ready to make a pick.
- hereticpride

Hamilton was their Chara replacement, so I didn't understand trading him to begin with. I also don't understand why they wouldn't just trade down if they were gonna go that far off the board with picks that high. There were teams that wanted to move up. All of it is just confusing.

Hamilton was their Chara replacement, so I didn't understand trading him to begin with. I also don't understand why they wouldn't just trade down if they were gonna go that far off the board with picks that high. There were teams that wanted to move up. All of it is just confusing.
- JAKEw1234

I really thought they were going to package picks and make a trade with the Devils to steal Provorov from us. I am still sort of surprised that they didn't.

Am I the only one who will miss big Nik Grossmann?
Totally get the trade but I liked the guy.
- Marc D

Yes, he is a warrior and worked hard for Philly. Though I am happy he was the one to go for this teams needs.

I'm looking forward to seeing what they spend there new cap savings on. Hope they keep realistic about the next few years. No UFA is going to make them a contender. I would prefer Gagner just to keep from a long term contract.

Hamilton was their Chara replacement, so I didn't understand trading him to begin with. I also don't understand why they wouldn't just trade down if they were gonna go that far off the board with picks that high. There were teams that wanted to move up. All of it is just confusing.
- JAKEw1234

chowda heads

Whoever made the picks is getting canned if those guys don't pan out in big ways. Could you imagine if a Flyers GM pulled that?

Hexy on the other hand, after this weekend the league should just cue up Shawn Michaels entrance music every time the Flyers are ready to make a pick.
- hereticpride

they get canned if there are 10 guys taken after them that have 10 year pro careers

I really thought they were going to package picks and make a trade with the Devils to steal Provorov from us. I am still sort of surprised that they didn't.
- hereticpride

Even then, why go for Provorov over keeping Hamilton? He's primed to have his breakout year next season. 50+ points and 24 mins a night type of season. Seems like Sweeney wanted to leave his mark on the team as the new GM, which is fine, but that he had no patience in doing it.

Raffl-giroux-voracek
Frolik-couturier-kessel
Umberger-Laughton-Simmonds
White-bellemare-cousins

Schenns, read, 1st to Toronto?

Richie coming back to Philly or what fellas ?!?!?!?

Raffl-giroux-voracek
Frolik-couturier-kessel
Umberger-Laughton-Simmonds
White-bellemare-cousins

Schenns, read, 1st to Toronto?
- Just5

Does that even work cap wise. Plus I need the Leafs taking back AMac in any deal for Kessel.