Yeah -- I hear what you're saying. And I agree, the trade target would need to be right (for me, I'd look for more proven track-record than potential). I just think they're closer than 3-4 years out from fielding a legitimate contender.
With Hextall making some magic in getting out from VLC and only having a year left of Umberger (unless they buy him out in offseason for cap space), I think they can do some things to look to improve sooner rather than later.

Packaging one or two of those unproven prospects (maybe the tier-two guys -- Hagg, Friedman, Alt) or one of the tier-one prospects (Sanheim or Morin) for a bonafied top-six forward might help them win now and in the future.

I mean, the problem this season is scoring because there aren't really any pure shooters on the forward corps. And their need for a pure shooter is more evidenced by their inability to win in less emotion driven games (they struggle to get goals and offense against lesser opponents, but their emotion drives them to compete with greater opponents). Having a pure shooter in that top-six might help them rely less on emotion to win games.
- Moose_15

If it makes sense for now and the future I am all for it.

But I really do think that we are gonna have a real strong crop of forwards coming up over the next 3 years.

Imagine this for a second...

Jake-G-Simmonds
Schenner-Couts-Konecny?
Aub-Kubel-Laughton-Lindblom

Forwards drafted this year, and the next 2 years.

We could be in really good shape all around within a few years.

If we could add a guy like Jaden Schwartz for the right price.. nice.


EDIT: Im not insisting this will happen or these are gonna be the lines.. just listing players who could be big offensive help.

What do you mean by traditional 4th line and being asked to play 3rd line? Traditional 4th line to me is go out for like 6-8 minutes a night and hit people for "energy" and other stuff that barely resemble hockey against another teams 4th line usually.

Since it is not the way it works anymore, the Flyers need a 4th line that can either score or can defend. The PEB, White, VV line dont really do either. They can forecheck and keep the puck in the offensive zone occasionally, but most often get throttled in possession. I dont have a problem with any of the 3 guys individually, but putting them out to defend other teams best offensive lines often leads to subpar results....which to me is the actual problem with them
- YuenglingJagr

Washington is the best team in the league right now, correct? Take a look at the possession numbers for some players on that team, specifically some of the bottom 6 forwards.

The NHL gets their collective panties in a wad because that All-Star weekend is to schmooze advertisers and sponsors.

It's why they were willing to die on the completely ridiculous, tone deaf hill of not having John Scott there, despite the fact he was voted in.

So, you see, the All-Star game isn't for "the fans". It's a terrible hockey game. Every hockey fan knows this.

It's all about the sponsors. That's why they are willing to crucify a player who is supposed to show up, but doesn't.
- johndewar

it's for the kids


not sure why adults get so worked up over this. if you're not into it, dont watch

wonder if the jets would move myers. I like him.
- rinaldo

That's what I am talking about. Finding a guy that might not be there yet but has the skills and intangibles to be there.

I wanted Bogosian last year. I would take Myers for right price. I am wondering if there are any RFA type guys that teams would be willing to swap. Something like Schenn for (insert RFA defenseman)

Gudbranson would be tough to get but maybe someone else. Would Columbus move Ryan Murray? Jamie Oleksiak?

I would have claimed Brandon Gormley when on waivers.

That's what I am talking about. Finding a guy that might not be there yet but has the skills and intangibles to be there.

I wanted Bogosian last year. I would take Myers for right price. I am wondering if there are any RFA type guys that teams would be willing to swap. Something like Schenn for (insert RFA defenseman)

Gudbranson would be tough to get but maybe someone else. Would Columbus move Ryan Murray? Jamie Oleksiak?

I would have claimed Brandon Gormley when on waivers.
- J35Bacher

bogo always hurt though

Tyson barrie is a RFA

Another reason having the fans vote is a dumb idea. You have a farcical situation like John Scott get voted in.

I mean Scott must have the longest goal drought in the NHL right?
- PLindbergh31

He's no RJ Umberger, but yeah.

I just think the game is a joke, in general. Scott's presence doesn't change my opinion of the game.

Literally just watched a video on them. One was frozen, and then thawed after 30 years and successfully regained all normal functions.
- jak521

These (frank)ers survived in space

bogo always hurt though

Tyson barrie is a RFA
- rinaldo

He is.

What about Erik Johnson? You think Colorado would move him? I would look into Ryan Murray from Columbus. Maybe they could use Schenn and some package since they lost a center.

it's for the kids


not sure why adults get so worked up over this. if you're not into it, dont watch
- Crimsoninja

I'd love to believe this was true.

I was just being a Richard there...yes they are all different things, but you are saying Voracek is not an elite player even though by most measurable statistics, he clearly is. You even brought up the questions in one of your posts, but if you actually took the time to answer them you would see he is.

There is no question Jake is an elite playmaker, but he is also an elite player. He would be the best player in the league if he became an elite goal scorer as well...what you have conjured up in your head is unattainable.

From your posts it seems like in order to be an elite player you have to:
score 30 goals per season multiple times
have a high amount of career points and goals
be in the hall of fame
be lite out
score on a nightly basis and in shootouts
- YuenglingJagr

and never ever ever get pinned in your own zone cause that doesn't ever happen to Kane, Crosby, Malkin and every other elite player in the league.

He is.

What about Erik Johnson? You think Colorado would move him? I would look into Ryan Murray from Columbus. Maybe they could use Schenn and some package since they lost a center.
- J35Bacher

How do you replace Schenn?

I'd love to believe this was true.
- johndewar

I loved it when I was a kid. Used to tape the game and re watch it later with friends.

I'm not really a fan of the voting process though. Just let the writers or coaches or players pick the teams.

Is Jake Voracek equal to Peter Forsberg, when Forsberg was 23 to 26? Google it! Go!
- SuperSchennBros

you do realize that players develop at all different rates. its not a standard that player one breaks out the same time as player two? you get that, right? God help me for getting involved in this because I know I will lose my sanity but the point is Jake has stepped up and become one of the elite RW's in the league for the last 4 years.

How do you replace Schenn?
- jak521

Do you want the real answer, or the picture of Van DeVelde?

I loved it when I was a kid. Used to tape the game and re watch it later with friends.

I'm not really a fan of the voting process though. Just let the writers or coaches or players pick the teams.
- PhillySportsGuy

Guys actually tried at one time in the game. That's really not even close to the case anymore. They could eliminate the all-star game tomorrow and I wouldn't miss it.

Guys actually tried at one time in the game. That's really not even close to the case anymore. They could eliminate the all-star game tomorrow and I wouldn't miss it.
- johndewar

I miss the Greats of the Game alumni they did in the early 90s.

And my favorite ASG memory was Owen Nolan's called shot.

What if Sanheim is as good as Ghost, but five inches taller and 25 pounds heavier?
- Feanor

those 5 inches and 25 lbs are the difference between first round and third round in the mind of scouts IMHO. so happy the Flyers scouted the kid

If it makes sense for now and the future I am all for it.

But I really do think that we are gonna have a real strong crop of forwards coming up over the next 3 years.

Imagine this for a second...

Jake-G-Simmonds
Schenner-Couts-Konecny?
Aub-Kubel-Laughton-Lindblom

Forwards drafted this year, and the next 2 years.

We could be in really good shape all around within a few years.

If we could add a guy like Jaden Schwartz for the right price.. nice.


EDIT: Im not insisting this will happen or these are gonna be the lines.. just listing players who could be big offensive help.
- jak521

I like Jaden Schwartz too -- but the price would probably be astronomical for a 23-year-old 2-time 25+ goal scorer.

To be honest, I think it might be okay to take a chance on a guy like Michael Grabner -- 3 million dollar cap hit (but 5 million salary), last year of deal, only 27/28. Has had success in the past, but fell out of favor in NYI and doesn't seem to be a good fit in the dumpster-fire of Toronto. Maybe try a trade revolving around an Alt + Weal or Friedman + Weal and take on his full salary (giving Toronto cap relief). If it works out, resign him -- if not, hasn't really burned the club too badly.

His speed and shot might work well on a line with Giroux and Voracek or with Couturier and Schenn. Certainly not "old" either at 28.

I like Jaden Schwartz too -- but the price would probably be astronomical for a 23-year-old 2-time 25+ goal scorer.

To be honest, I think it might be okay to take a chance on a guy like Michael Grabner -- 3 million dollar cap hit (but 5 million salary), last year of deal, only 27/28. Has had success in the past, but fell out of favor in NYI and doesn't seem to be a good fit in the dumpster-fire of Toronto. Maybe try a trade revolving around an Alt + Weal or Friedman + Weal and take on his full salary (giving Toronto cap relief). If it works out, resign him -- if not, hasn't really burned the club too badly.

His speed and shot might work well on a line with Giroux and Voracek or with Couturier and Schenn. Certainly not "old" either at 28.
- Moose_15

no way I move freidman for grabner. hell not even Alt

Guys actually tried at one time in the game. That's really not even close to the case anymore. They could eliminate the all-star game tomorrow and I wouldn't miss it.
- johndewar

Neither would I. I don't know how much kids care about it now. It's much easier to watch your favorite players than it used to be.

Washington is the best team in the league right now, correct? Take a look at the possession numbers for some players on that team, specifically some of the bottom 6 forwards.
- MJL

Okay? They are #1 in offense and some of the bottom 6 forwards have 13 goals...

No one would care about Vandevelde's corsi if he had 13 goals. The problem I stated is that they offer little offensively and arent that great defensively...but yes, you are correct Washington is the best team in the league right now.

I like Jaden Schwartz too -- but the price would probably be astronomical for a 23-year-old 2-time 25+ goal scorer.

To be honest, I think it might be okay to take a chance on a guy like Michael Grabner -- 3 million dollar cap hit (but 5 million salary), last year of deal, only 27/28. Has had success in the past, but fell out of favor in NYI and doesn't seem to be a good fit in the dumpster-fire of Toronto. Maybe try a trade revolving around an Alt + Weal or Friedman + Weal and take on his full salary (giving Toronto cap relief). If it works out, resign him -- if not, hasn't really burned the club too badly.

His speed and shot might work well on a line with Giroux and Voracek or with Couturier and Schenn. Certainly not "old" either at 28.
- Moose_15

I think Grabner is overrated because of one season and his style of play. He is exciting, but really his main talent is shorthanded breakaways. I would equate him to Sam Gagner....I would never be too happy about going out and acquiring him, but if he ends up on the Flyers in the midst of some trade I would be okay with it

How do you replace Schenn?
- jak521

I draft a guy.

I sign a guy.

I think defenseman are harder to get so if I could get Murray for schenn just say I would do it and worry about replacing schenn in the draft or FA.

no way I move freidman for grabner. hell not even Alt
- rinaldo

What do you think the odds are of the Flyers hitting big on two sub-six foot, sub 180 lb. offensive defensemen drafted in the the third round? Especially if the d-corps in a few years "might" look more like the following (in no particular order):

Del Zotto / Gudas
Gostisbehere / Morin
Sanheim / Provorov
Hagg / Alt

Grabner probably wouldn't command major-break-the-bank money to re-sign; I'd imagine he'd get a "prove-it contract" -- and with his age and family situation, he might take more years for less money to bring stability to a family.

I like Jaden Schwartz too -- but the price would probably be astronomical for a 23-year-old 2-time 25+ goal scorer.

To be honest, I think it might be okay to take a chance on a guy like Michael Grabner -- 3 million dollar cap hit (but 5 million salary), last year of deal, only 27/28. Has had success in the past, but fell out of favor in NYI and doesn't seem to be a good fit in the dumpster-fire of Toronto. Maybe try a trade revolving around an Alt + Weal or Friedman + Weal and take on his full salary (giving Toronto cap relief). If it works out, resign him -- if not, hasn't really burned the club too badly.

His speed and shot might work well on a line with Giroux and Voracek or with Couturier and Schenn. Certainly not "old" either at 28.
- Moose_15

I wouldn't move Alt or Friedman for a reclamation project. If you're really that interested, he can be had in free agency.