Bill Meltzer: Flyers Free Agency Outlook

I hope the fact White hasn't re-signed yet meant Hextall's offer to him was small, and they will go in a different direction

Another year of the 4th line getting heavily out shot, out skated, out chanced and out scored despite getting 50% OZ starts would be tough to take.

It's probably going to be a boring day for us Flyers fans. I don't see Hextall signing anyone of note without some major moves first taking place.

It should be fun watching the Leafs vastly overpay someone to appease their Stamkos crazed fans though.

The flyers best ufa contract was one they still had to buyout

It's probably going to be a boring day for us Flyers fans. I don't see Hextall signing anyone of note without some major moves first taking place.

It should be fun watching the Leafs vastly overpay someone to appease their Stamkos crazed fans though.
- hereticpride

Yea, I think Hextall might be busier a week from today, versus today, but you never know.

The only real excitement we could possibly see would be a Read or Streit trade....which I doubt

FWIW, here are my odds on the top prospects chances of making the big squad in 16-17:

AHL ineligible
Provorov-60/40
Konecny 25/75

AHL eligible
Morin 40/60 at start of the season, 80/20 he is on the roster by the trade deadline
Hagg 20/80 at start, 50/50 by the deadline
Sanheim 10/90 at the start, 25/75 by the deadline
Leier 40/60 at the start, 60/40 by the deadline
Aube-Kubel 5/95 at the start, 30/70 by the deadline
Stolarz 0/100 at the start (unless there is an injury), if one of the vets is traded at the deadline, he is a near lock to be called up.

While I'm not sure that they will move any vets during the off season, I do believe that at least 2 of: Streit, Schultz, AMac and Read are gone by the trade deadline so there will be spots opening up. And, sadly, as always, injuries will factor in as well.

I hope the fact White hasn't resigned yet meant Hextall's offer to him was small, and they will go in a different direction

Another year of the 4th line getting heavily out shot, out skated, out chanced and out scored despite getting 50% OZ starts would be tough to take.
- Feanor

As a 4th line, VDV-PEB-White is fine (though I think they can upgrade from VDV), the problem was that Hak was forced to use them as more of a 3rd line and that was just asking them for way too much.

Provorov will go back to juniors. Reese Wilcox will be the first dman called up( if not he will see time with the flyers this year.

The flyers best ufa contract was one they still had to buyout
- Just5

Actually the best one, though not technically a UFA since his rights were acquired in a trade, was Timonen.

FWIW, here are my odds on the top prospects chances of making the big squad in 16-17:

AHL ineligible
Provorov-60/40
Konecny 25/75

AHL eligible
Morin 40/60 at start of the season, 80/20 he is on the roster by the trade deadline
Hagg 20/80 at start, 50/50 by the deadline
Sanheim 10/90 at the start, 25/75 by the deadline
Leier 40/60 at the start, 60/40 by the deadline
Aube-Kubel 5/95 at the start, 30/70 by the deadline
Stolarz 0/100 at the start (unless there is an injury), if one of the vets is traded at the deadline, he is a near lock to be called up.

While I'm not sure that they will move any vets during the off season, I do believe that at least 2 of: Streit, Schultz, AMac and Read are gone by the trade deadline so there will be spots opening up. And, sadly, as always, injuries will factor in as well.
- BiggE

I can get behind some of them... Funny thing about Aube-Kuble... I sorta remember Hextall saying something about him being able to play in the NHL sooner than later. I remember it because of his usual cautious approach didnt seem to apply to him.

Bottom line .. I just want to see an upgraded product that takes the ice to start this season. Don't think that is unreasonable. Hopefully that would include Provorov and maybe a 2nd or 3rd line player

Actually the best one, though not technically a UFA since his rights were acquired in a trade, was Timonen.
- BiggE

Yes, agreed. But it doesn't "officially" count.

As a 4th line, VDV-PEB-White is fine (though I think they can upgrade from VDV), the problem was that Hak was forced to use them as more of a 3rd line and that was just asking them for way too much.
- BiggE

I agree, if you're going to look at shot totals, have to consider how they were used. They were over played out of necessity. Overall, based on what they were asked to do, they did okay.

Bottom line .. I just want to see an upgraded product that takes the ice to start this season. Don't think that is unreasonable. Hopefully that would include Provorov and maybe a 2nd or 3rd line player
- 3flyerkids

I personally think that can happen without adding a single player.

FWIW, here are my odds on the top prospects chances of making the big squad in 16-17:

AHL ineligible
Provorov-60/40
Konecny 25/75

AHL eligible
Morin 40/60 at start of the season, 80/20 he is on the roster by the trade deadline
Hagg 20/80 at start, 50/50 by the deadline
Sanheim 10/90 at the start, 25/75 by the deadline
Leier 40/60 at the start, 60/40 by the deadline
Aube-Kubel 5/95 at the start, 30/70 by the deadline
Stolarz 0/100 at the start (unless there is an injury), if one of the vets is traded at the deadline, he is a near lock to be called up.

While I'm not sure that they will move any vets during the off season, I do believe that at least 2 of: Streit, Schultz, AMac and Read are gone by the trade deadline so there will be spots opening up. And, sadly, as always, injuries will factor in as well.
- BiggE

Seems reasonable sitting here right now... but, of course, subject to change

Yes, agreed. But it doesn't "officially" count.
- bmeltzer

Seems reasonable sitting here right now... but, of course, subject to change
- bmeltzer

Ain't that the truth. I suppose another team looking to add veteran D could either strike out in free agency or feel that what is out there is overpriced, leading to a deal with the Flyers for one of their vets. However, if no one is moved, it is going to be very hard for any of the young D prospects to crack the opening day lineup.

It must suck a little bit for Jonathan Marchessault to sign his name. Does he just do a big M? Maybe he has a stamp? I suspect a verbal agreement around noon and a signed contract by like August 17th

I would like to think there will be some changes. The main issue I have is the defence wasn't very good...and hasn't been for a while. Yes d take time to develop but leaving Provorov in junior may be more harming to his over all development. When you've out grown a league like that you tend to get lackadaisical and do things out of character..you pick up bad habits because quite frankly you feel you can do no wrong.
Hopefully Hextall learned from last years mistake....Ghost deserved to be on the team from game 1.... He proved it by all most winning the Calder and by being their best D man....pretty sure those 14 games in the minors did squat for his development.

no issue with the 4th line though would love to go in another direction and replace all 3...or keep PEB

All the build-up and I think its going to be kinda dead for the Flyers. Limited cap space & other teams trying to fill holes via FA probably limits the trade opportunities

I would like to think there will be some changes. The main issue I have is the defence wasn't very good...and hasn't been for a while. Yes d take time to develop but leaving Provorov in junior may be more harming to his over all development. When you've out grown a league like that you tend to get lackadaisical and do things out of character..you pick up bad habits because quite frankly you feel you can do no wrong.
Hopefully Hextall learned from last years mistake....Ghost deserved to be on the team from game 1.... He proved it by all most winning the Calder and by being their best D man....pretty sure those 14 games in the minors did squat for his development.
- landros 2

Do you think that Gostisbehere was hurt by being sent back to the lesser league.

I would like to think there will be some changes. The main issue I have is the defence wasn't very good...and hasn't been for a while. Yes d take time to develop but leaving Provorov in junior may be more harming to his over all development. When you've out grown a league like that you tend to get lackadaisical and do things out of character..you pick up bad habits because quite frankly you feel you can do no wrong.
Hopefully Hextall learned from last years mistake....Ghost deserved to be on the team from game 1.... He proved it by all most winning the Calder and by being their best D man....pretty sure those 14 games in the minors did squat for his development.
- landros 2

we've been over this. You think Ghost comes into the league on fire like that without a spot on the first power play unit? He got the opportunity and he took it. That is literally the only thing we can hope and ask for with these prospects. None of it means the Flyers should start calling guys up earlier