I think Bellemare would be better off on the wing with less defensive responsibility and more opportunity to use his sped, just like Laughton. Adding a veteran center like Nielsen is what I'd like to see. He's 32, but I think he has plenty of good years left.

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Raffl-Giroux-Voracek
Laughton-Nielsen-Read
VdV/Leier-Cousins-Bellemare
- Feanor

I like Raffl a lot more in a bottom 6 role then a top 6. Would love for them to slot a different player in that 2 LW position.

This is in no way a critique of your suggestion, but I personally question if putting Konecky in a 3rd line role will slow his offensive development (I.E. Coots daily argument!!!). If he doesn't make the top 2 lines...send him back!
- juiced

I think Konecny should be sent back next year but IMO there is zero problem with him starting on the 3rd. One of the reasons the Penguins have been so hard to match up with is because they have a scoring threat on 3 lines. It is also what made the Flyers so good in their cup run is when they had Giroux and JVR on a third line.

Couturier was used primarily as a shut down center. That would not be the case with Konecny because Couturier would still be matching up against the best opponents so Koencny would get realitively easy matchups to start.

I see Therien and am forced to punch myself in the throat. God I hated him as a player and even more now as a commentator.

I think Konecny should be sent back next year but IMO there is zero problem with him starting on the 3rd. One of the reasons the Penguins have been so hard to match up with is because they have a scoring threat on 3 lines. It is also what made the Flyers so good in their cup run is when they had Giroux and JVR on a third line.

Couturier was used primarily as a shut down center. That would not be the case with Konecny because Couturier would still be matching up against the best opponents so Koencny would get realitively easy matchups to start.
- psuhockey

Solid point but I really would love to see how Giroux would do flanked by Konecky and Simmonds...Drop Schenn to 2nd and slot Raffl on 3rd

I like Raffl a lot more in a bottom 6 role then a top 6. Would love for them to slot a different player in that 2 LW position.
- opeth_pa

I want Raffl on the top line for a good amount of time next season

Let's hope Hextall can add some speed speed speed. Can't stand the Pens but their speed has been impressive. 3flyerkids

You're going to get in trouble for trying to win last years Cup.

I want Raffl on the top line for a good amount of time next season
- YuenglingJagr

is there a strong top ten in the 2017 draft that you want them to tank for?

I see Therien and am forced to punch myself in the throat. God I hated him as a player and even more now as a commentator.
- MikesPillBottle

Proceed.

I think we all have to continue to remind ourselves that this team is a work in progress and also that development will have its ups and downs. For example, if they work in one or 2 kids on D and a rookie or 2 up front next season, they could very well take a small step back and miss the playoffs.

There are no magic moves or shortcuts that will make this team a legit Cup contender in 16-17. There are just too many holes that need to be filled to get there: another quality center, a top 6 LW and, of course, 2 top pair dmen.

All in all though, I am in complete agreement with Hextall's philosophy of using the draft and player development to build your core and then using trades and free agency to fill holes in your roster.

Other than the draft, I still think Hexy goes into this summer with moving bad contracts, and unloading deadwood having a higher priority than adding free agents. He may, and probably will, add a low cost FA or 2 to add to the forward mix, but I can't see him making any big money acquisitions.

My best guess is that Streit gets moved this offseason, with only 1 year left and with the Flyers able to withhold some $$, he won't be that hard to move. I also think they may do the same with Read. My guess is they sign a relatively inexpensive FA to fill a hole at LW and bring back 6 vets on D (2 of whom will be AMac and Manning) which leaves an opportunity for one young Dman to make the club out of camp.

With that in mind, I think the opening night roster looks something like:

Schenn-G-Simmonds
Raffl-Coots-Jake
New FA or Laughton-Cousins or Laughton-Laughton or Konecny
Laughton or VDV-PEB-White or perhaps an FA who will cost less than White

MDZ-Gudas
Ghost-AMac or Manning
Schultz-Provorov or another kid or AMac or Manning
Manning or perhaps Alt as the 7th D

Mason
Neuvirth

Now there can and probably will be changes as the season goes on, but I really don't expect the opening night roster to be much different from the one that finished the season.
- BiggE

I agree with the gist of this. Move some bad contracts if he can is first priority and then see who steps up from within their own guys to fill in.

The only thing I would change is in the scenario where Hexy is able to move Streit and
Read, I would then make a move to sign a guy like Nielsen. With those two contracts off their books they would have to dollars to add a guy and he makes a lot of sense with their needs. It would be money much better spent then the ridiculous deals they used on VLC and Amac.

Also if both Streit and Read are gone that is a lot of veteran leadership missing. Asking rookies to fill both those roles would be tough and they would definitely take a step back next season unless they sign a vet to fill those holes created.

is there a strong top ten in the 2017 draft that you want them to tank for?
- mayorofangrytown

If they dump Streit/Schultz/Read and replace them with Phantoms I think we will be in the lottery next year.

Not that I am against this.

If they dump Streit/Schultz/Read and replace them with Phantoms I think we will be in the lottery next year.

Not that I am against this.
- Marc D

If you're still forced to play Raffl on the first line you're pretty much conceding that you've done very little to empower last season's offense and that has to be a priority this off season.

I see Therien and am forced to punch myself in the throat. God I hated him as a player and even more now as a commentator.
- MikesPillBottle

I can remember yelling at Therien as a player through the TV, but he was alright. Bundy was one of the last defenseman drafted and developed by the Flyers that actually stayed with the Flyers for a preponderance of his career.

He's OK by me as a commentator.

I see Therien and am forced to punch myself in the throat.
- MikesPillBottle

REALLY!?!?!?















Let me know if your trachea is crushed or not, I can always post more.

If you're still forced to play Raffl on the first line you're pretty much conceding that you've done very little to empower last season's offense and that has to be a priority this off season.
- mayorofangrytown

Well, we can hope that Koneckny is ready...
it seems a bit of a stretch.

Also I don't see Hexy signing a top line wing in ufa this summer.

Ideally Raffl is on the third line, and maybe used on PK.

If you're still forced to play Raffl on the first line you're pretty much conceding that you've done very little to empower last season's offense and that has to be a priority this off season.
- mayorofangrytown

That's Jordan Weal's spot.

Well, we can hope that Koneckny is ready...
it seems a bit of a stretch.

Also I don't see Hexy signing a top line wing in ufa this summer.

Ideally Raffl is on the third line, and maybe used on PK.
- Marc D

Maybe he can do a trade where he takes on someone's contractual problem that vaguely fits the idea of a Top 6 forward for one of our contractual problems?

Craig Button's latest rankings:

http://www.tsn.ca/craig-s...position-matters-1.503562

I would not be opposed to this.
- BiggE

To be honest, my biggest concern is finding a young center who will pick up some of the slack when Giroux begins to decline. In a couple years, G may need to be moved to wing and will certainly be taking on fewer minutes. He'll still be a good player, but he won't be a guy you can lean on as heavily. Hell, they're already leaning on him too much.

Getting a young C who can play in the top 9 now and hopefully grow into a 60-70 point guy would be my top priority over the next couple of years. Maybe it's a guy they move up to draft or a straight up prospect exchange or they build a package around Schenn, Sanheim/Morin and a pick.

To be honest, my biggest concern is finding a young center who will pick up some of the slack when Giroux begins to decline. In a couple years, G may need to be moved to wing and will certainly be taking on fewer minutes. He'll still be a good player, but he won't the guy you can lean on as heavily. Hell, they're already leaning on him too much.

Getting a young C who can play in the top 9 now and hopefully grow into a 60-70 point guy would be my top priority over the next couple of years. Maybe it's a guy they move up to draft or a straight up prospect exchange or they build a package around Schenn, Sanheim/Morin and a pick.
- PhillySportsGuy

stamkos

To be honest, my biggest concern is finding a young center who will pick up some of the slack when Giroux begins to decline. In a couple years, G may need to be moved to wing and will certainly be taking on fewer minutes. He'll still be a good player, but he won't be a guy you can lean on as heavily. Hell, they're already leaning on him too much.

Getting a young C who can play in the top 9 now and hopefully grow into a 60-70 point guy would be my top priority over the next couple of years. Maybe it's a guy they move up to draft or a straight up prospect exchange or they build a package around Schenn, Sanheim/Morin and a pick.
- PhillySportsGuy

Are you lying to us other times?

stamkos


- Marc D

I'm talking about a guy who hasn't even entered his prime yet. Someone on their ELC. Someone like Hertl before the world realized he's actually very good.

Well, we can hope that Koneckny is ready...
it seems a bit of a stretch.

Also I don't see Hexy signing a top line wing in ufa this summer.

Ideally Raffl is on the third line, and maybe used on PK.
- Marc D

We're on the same page here. There's always some hope that you find out you have another Gostisbehere on your hands up front. A kid who struggles with the relative chaos on a bad AHL team but excels in the structure of his NHL job.

Are you lying to us other times?
- flyer_nutter

I lie like a rug

That's Jordan Weal's spot.
- jmatchett383

What is the deal with that kid? Did they make us take him? They certainly don't act like they want him on the ice any where.

Bundy looking good.
Awesome photo.