I agree. Stephen Stamkos is a wonderful idea.
- Mononoke

- ob18

I find your moji more endearing

That's more what I was looking at. I don't know though, the more I dig into Pirri, the more lukewarm I get on him. His stats really paint a picture of a one dimensional guy who really scores because of favorable use.

I'm fine with Schultz, even if Provorov makes the team. Manning or MacDonald can end up as the 7th D. I think they are good-or as good as can reasonably be expected on D.

I want to see upgrades to the bottom 6, though. I'd like to see VandeVelde as the 13th forward. Bring in Leier. Maybe add Connolly or whomever. They should still have enough cap room to add another forward, even if it's not a cheaper guy.
- Jsaquella

They have to try something -- even if it doesn't work. The guys we have are flawed, as well. I am not a scout or anything, but I simply refuse to believe that there is no way to improve the fourth line with who is out there

I find your moji more endearing
- nails

They have to try something -- even if it doesn't work. The guys we have are flawed, as well. I am not a scout or anything, but I simply refuse to believe that there is no way to improve the fourth line with who is out there
- AllInForFlyers

So wouldn't it be better to bring in a skilled winger, if you can find one, and move a raffl or read down the lineup and force out a VdV?

I was more thinking forwards, but yeah, I know the analytics project that is Wiercioch. I don't know if I'd call his minutes demanding, but he'd be a positive possession big 3rd pair guy. I highly doubt they sign any d men though. Even w/ a d corps comprised of MDZ-Ghost/Provy-Gudas/Schulz-Streit, that leaves Manning and AMac still available as the #7 and #8(00). And with Schultz and/or Streit maybe departing by mid-season, Morin could need a spot too.
- Mononoke

If you're just talking forwards, I pass on everybody, and that includes Eriksson, Neilsen, Boedker, and anybody else that might semi-make sense. Just go w/ kids, I ain't trying to make the PO's. Just keep taking steps forward in the process.

So wouldn't it be better to bring in a skilled winger, if you can find one, and move a raffl or read down the lineup and force out a VdV?
- nails

I am totally open to that, as well.

There are absolutely different ways to skin this cat

If you're just talking forwards, I pass on everybody, and that includes Eriksson, Neilsen, Boedker, and whoever else could semi-make sense. Just go w/ kids, I ain't trying to make the PO's. Just keep taking steps forward in the process.
- Tomahawk

I don't want those guys either. But I mean we could sign an affordable bottom 6 guy for low term and money w/out it affecting anything. Stop being such a cheapskate, Tomahawk!

So wouldn't it be better to bring in a skilled winger, if you can find one, and move a raffl or read down the lineup and force out a VdV?
- nails

That's what I started out doing with Pirri, but looking more into him, despite his goal scoring, I'm not sure Hakstol would dress him enough to make a difference.

Might need to land a bigger fish, who can be a more effective two way player

They have to try something -- even if it doesn't work. The guys we have are flawed, as well. I am not a scout or anything, but I simply refuse to believe that there is no way to improve the fourth line with who is out there
- AllInForFlyers

Use the draft for that, and give some younger players a shot. I want one UFA addition, and that's a cheap veteran center who can play the PK, and take some D zone draws. Someone who is an improvement over White, other than that, I want the Flyers to stay away from these so called + possession players that other teams are setting adrift, and don't even think is worth a Q offer.

- ob18

If you're just talking forwards, I pass on everybody, and that includes Eriksson, Neilsen, Boedker, and anybody else that might semi-make sense. Just go w/ kids, I ain't trying to make the PO's. Just keep taking steps forward in the process.
- Tomahawk

Know what, you can add some kids, and make the playoffs.

If you're just talking forwards, I pass on everybody, and that includes Eriksson, Neilsen, Boedker, and anybody else that might semi-make sense. Just go w/ kids, I ain't trying to make the PO's. Just keep taking steps forward in the process.
- Tomahawk

I would look at slotting konecny into the top 6.
Then slot somebody further down into a more appropriate role

That's what I started out doing with Pirri, but looking more into him, despite his goal scoring, I'm not sure Hakstol would dress him enough to make a difference.

Might need to land a bigger fish, who can be a more effective two way player
- Jsaquella

He needs soft usage and good linemates. In that soft usage and with those good linemates, it isn't even like he'll put up more points than a guy like Raffl. Actually, he puts up less. He's the very definition of 1-dimensional. Put him with Coots and Jake and they will score no more but have their 2-way game hurt. He isn't playing bottom 6 either.

If you're just talking forwards, I pass on everybody, and that includes Eriksson, Neilsen, Boedker, and anybody else that might semi-make sense. Just go w/ kids, I ain't trying to make the PO's. Just keep taking steps forward in the process.
- Tomahawk

Ugh. Gotta balance it -- bring in kids if they make the team, don't blow ridiculous cash on another Wheels type of scenario, but they have enough space to do something constructive

They need to be creative and not just sit back and hope that Matt Read looks like a 3.6 million dollar player. I think part of Hextall's responsibility is to save some of that space for the future but not pretend that everything is fine and time will solve all woes

Know what, you can add some kids, and make the playoffs.
- MJL

So long as we don't trigger an Amber Alert doing it, I agree.

Know what, you can add some kids, and make the playoffs.
- MJL

Sure, that would be gravy.

He needs soft usage and good linemates. In that soft usage and with those good linemates, it isn't even like he'll put up more points than a guy like Raffl. Actually, he puts up less. He's the very definition of 1-dimensional. Put him with Coots and Jake and they will score no more but have their 2-way game hurt. He isn't playing bottom 6 either.
- Mononoke

The more I dig, I just see him as a less rounder version of Gagner. Hakstol isn't going to hand that guy a prominent role, and I agree he can't play a bottom six role.

If the coach isn't going to use a guy, it's wheel spinning to sign him.

Just go raid the Swedish leagues, Hexy. Cheap, sound 2-way, underrated. We found Raffl in the Swedish second tier league and PEB in the SEL. Find me one and bring him to me!

He needs soft usage and good linemates. In that soft usage and with those good linemates, it isn't even like he'll put up more points than a guy like Raffl. Actually, he puts up less. He's the very definition of 1-dimensional. Put him with Coots and Jake and they will score no more but have their 2-way game hurt. He isn't playing bottom 6 either.
- Mononoke

Just re-sign Gagner (and watch the heads explode)

So, Lucicandchong and Demers are said to have handshake agreements with the Oilers.
- Mononoke

Oilers gonna wish they were on Mr. Toads Wild Ride after signing these deals

Just re-sign Gagner (and watch the heads explode)
- Tomahawk

I would if he wanted 1 year. But that's probably not enough. Plug him with Coots and Jake or on the 3rd, which is more sheltered anyways. He's certainly more one-dimensional than 2-way, but he is more talented and showed a lot of improvement when he finally got ample playing time late in the season and into the playoffs. This all seems unlikely though.

I wouldn't mind Laughton being put as a scoring winger with Coots and Jake. The two best possession guys on the team can cover for him, and it's not like he's that bad 2-way as a wing. And he adds a bit of sniping dynamic to that line. Bump Raffl down to 3LW and that line becomes an outstanding possession line with Cuz and Read that could surprise points wise.

Just re-sign Gagner (and watch the heads explode)
- Tomahawk

Not my first option, but there are worse players. He competed in the playoffs, showed that while he is flawed, he doesn't necessarily hurt you

I understand that you have to be careful with these guys and not expect too much from them, but if it's between VDV and Gagner over 82 games, to me, Gagner is a better NHL player. I just can't believe that because VDV has a niche that you have to keep,him in it until the perfect 12/13 forward comes along

I mean, seriously. It's like when Adam Hall got set free. Yeah, you could always keep him, but you never really have to

Not my first option, but there are worse players. He competed in the playoffs, showed that while he is flawed, he doesn't necessarily hurt you

I understand that you have to be careful with these guys and not expect too much from them, but if it's between VDV and Gagner over 82 games, to me, Gagner is a better NHL player. I just can't believe that because VDV has a niche that you have to keep,him in it until the perfect 12/13 forward comes along

I mean, seriously. It's like when Adam Hall got set free. Yeah, you could always keep him, but you never really have to
- AllInForFlyers

I'm not even sure VDV has a niche. He's an ordinary bubble guy. He's an average PK body. His best attribute is he's cheap.

I wouldn't mind seeing Colin McDonald take his spot.