Last night I awoke in a cold sweat from a nightmare I had.

I dreamed it was a warm summer day and I was eagerly awaiting the NHL draft. As I was browsing hockeybuzz and twitter, breaking news came across my feed. The Flyers have extended Chris Vandevelde to a two year deal with an AAV of 875k. Hextall came on CSN to describe the great physical and defensive presence VDV brings to anchor the already accomplished and decorated 4th line. Mercifully this is where I woke up.


Only six more games of VdV*.
- StepfordSam

I don't believe that you had a dream this vivid. I'm calling bullpoop.

Instead, I am assuming that you had a dream about a scary clown.

Connor McDavid is not just another hockey player.

He is a minor deity, whose presence in sport reminds us all of Canadian hockey supremacy.
- johndewar

I have it exactly right. You can compare them anyway you choose. I'll rate them and compare them how I see fit. Next time Hextall calls a player such as Raffl a good player, makes sure you correct him!
- MJL

I'm about to dig up video of Hextall calling Weise, Lecavalier, Boyd, PEB, and VdV good hockey players

Last night I awoke in a cold sweat from a nightmare I had.

I dreamed it was a warm summer day and I was eagerly awaiting the NHL draft. As I was browsing hockeybuzz and twitter, breaking news came across my feed. The Flyers have extended Chris Vandevelde to a two year deal with an AAV of 875k. Hextall came on CSN to describe the great physical and defensive presence VDV brings to anchor the already accomplished and decorated 4th line. Mercifully this is where I woke up.


Only six more games of VdV*.
- StepfordSam

All in favor of establishing a holy day for VV's departure say, "Boyd Gordon."

I am just curious.....

Where did people think this team would be at this time? This is Hextalls 3rd year and Hakstols 2nd. When you take a build through the draft approach, how quickly do you think players enter your NHL lineup?

Do I love some of the guys on this team(Vandevelde). NO. Will they be here when the team takes the step to be a consistent playoff team?NO.

So I am not sure what some people want. Do you want a consistent playoff Stanley cup contender which they are trying to build or do you want them to just try and throw money around and trade away the draft picks and prospects for vets and 1-2 year windows?

Last night I awoke in a cold sweat from a nightmare I had.

I dreamed it was a warm summer day and I was eagerly awaiting the NHL draft. As I was browsing hockeybuzz and twitter, breaking news came across my feed. The Flyers have extended Chris Vandevelde to a two year deal with an AAV of 875k. Hextall came on CSN to describe the great physical and defensive presence VDV brings to anchor the already accomplished and decorated 4th line. Mercifully this is where I woke up.


Only six more games of VdV*.
- StepfordSam

6 games. He averages about 11 minutes of ice time per game.

66 more minutes of Chris VandeVelde playing hockey for the Flyers.

66 is also the number of Mario Lemieux.

I am just curious.....

Where did people think this team would be at this time? This is Hextalls 3rd year and Hakstols 2nd. When you take a build through the draft approach, how quickly do you think players enter your NHL lineup?

Do I love some of the guys on this team(Vandevelde). NO. Will they be here when the team takes the step to be a consistent playoff team?NO.

So I am not sure what some people want. Do you want a consistent playoff Stanley cup contender which they are trying to build or do you want them to just try and throw money around and trade away the draft picks and prospects for vets and 1-2 year windows?
- J35Bacher

At which point? When Hextall took over, after last season, or 2 days ago?

6 games. He averages about 11 minutes of ice time per game.

66 more minutes of Chris VandeVelde playing hockey for the Flyers.

66 is also the number of Mario Lemieux.
- johndewar

Seriously, if he gets resigned, Bill's blog will have 20,000 replies.

To be honest, you don't have a clue what Hextall is thinking or planning.
- Feanor

He doesn't, but evidence suggests he is right with that specific comment

6 games. He averages about 11 minutes of ice time per game.

66 more minutes of Chris VandeVelde playing hockey for the Flyers.

66 is also the number of Joshua Ho-Sang.
- johndewar

ftfy

Don't type that!!! If someone shows him that, he'll have "some of his guys" fight you.
- jmatchett383

My guys have no fear of his guys.

Seriously, if he gets resigned, Bill's blog will have 20,000 replies.
- jmatchett383

I might rejoin twitter if that happens, just to watch Flyers twitter burn.

At which point? When Hextall took over, after last season, or 2 days ago?
- jmatchett383

At this point today.

I mean when Hextall took over he laid out a plan. At the end of last year he even said that this year could be a step back.

He's done everything he said he planned to do.

My guys have no fear of his guys.
- BiggE

That's because "your guys" are just bottles of scotch.

Players signed to a no playoff team that by all accounts outside of the Philadelphia area has been a disappointment. When you have average to below average players through out your line up your going to be a average to below average team.
- landros 2

Both Raffl and Bellemare were players on a team that made the playoffs last season. There are many reasons why this team is a disappointment this year. Both Raffl and Bellemare are players who are capable of playing a role on top teams as depth forwards in my opinion.

At this point today.

I mean when Hextall took over he laid out a plan. At the end of last year he even said that this year could be a step back.

He's done everything he said he planned to do.
- J35Bacher

As of today, I expected them to be right where they are.

As of 2 years go, I had no idea where they'd be.

As of last season, I had hoped they'd be in the playoff hunt.

I am just curious.....

Where did people think this team would be at this time? This is Hextalls 3rd year and Hakstols 2nd. When you take a build through the draft approach, how quickly do you think players enter your NHL lineup?

Do I love some of the guys on this team(Vandevelde). NO. Will they be here when the team takes the step to be a consistent playoff team?NO.

So I am not sure what some people want. Do you want a consistent playoff Stanley cup contender which they are trying to build or do you want them to just try and throw money around and trade away the draft picks and prospects for vets and 1-2 year windows?
- J35Bacher

Talent wise, I they are right where I expected them to be. However, I do think an inordinate number of players have had subpar seasons, and that I do find troubling.

I thought they'd finish somewhere between 4th and 6th in the Metro and I expected them to either squeak into the playoffs or at least be in the hunt until the last game or 2. Overall, the season has been slightly disappointing.

I really liked Leier when he was up. He looked ready to me to play that role.
- johndewar

Agree...he look like he really had some spark and fight in him. I liked his play better then Laughton's for the long haul.

He doesn't, but evidence suggests he is right with that specific comment
- YuenglingJagr

The evidence is Weal has remained on the team after Konecny returned and has played ahead of Weise and Cousins in the lineup.

So no, it doesn't suggest he's right. Common sense would tell you that Hextall, who closely monitors his farm team and saw Weal excelling down there offensively and also improving his defensive game, would not want to let Weal go to free agency without seeing him get a real shot in the NHL first.

Bringing Weal up after the deadline when there no roster limits was always very likely.

That's because "your guys" are just bottles of scotch.
- jmatchett383

results do matter in the NHL....when Hextall has built a team that actually accomplishes something I will share your zest for the quality of the GM and his evaluation of the players. Right now its just promises and conjecture.


what's he supposed to say?????? I think this guy blows but here's 6 mil for 3 years?
- landros 2

Yea, you're right, it was just GM speak, he doesn't really think Raffl is a good player. That's why he signed him to a 3 year contract. C'mon, you're better than this.

Hextall is a GM that has taken over a team with a plan of drafting and developing, that is going to take time.

That's because "your guys" are just bottles of scotch.
- jmatchett383

They are looking at you now. Watch your step.

The evidence is Weal has remained on the team after Konecny returned and has played ahead of Weise and Cousins in the lineup.

So no, it doesn't suggest he's right. Basic common sense would tell you Hextall, who closely monitors his farm team and saw Weal excelling down there, would not want to let him got to free agency without seeing him get a real shot in the NHL first.
- Feanor

lol okay...I am sure he saw Weal play and then thought...now that Konecny is back, we can finally get rid of this AHL player so he can keep working on his defense.

It was his plan all along to wait for Mark Streit to get injured before calling up Ghost too

I am just curious.....

Where did people think this team would be at this time? This is Hextalls 3rd year and Hakstols 2nd. When you take a build through the draft approach, how quickly do you think players enter your NHL lineup?

Do I love some of the guys on this team(Vandevelde). NO. Will they be here when the team takes the step to be a consistent playoff team?NO.

So I am not sure what some people want. Do you want a consistent playoff Stanley cup contender which they are trying to build or do you want them to just try and throw money around and trade away the draft picks and prospects for vets and 1-2 year windows?
- J35Bacher

Not sure I thought results would be much better, but I did figure their was enough talent to be a playoff team.....I really hoped they would have a younger team that was entertaining and was forming an identity of a team that regardless of being young showed up every night and made it tough on the other team.
I had also hoped that the development of Schenn and Couturier would be such that if Vorecek and Giroux weren't going on a certain night that they would be there on a consistent basis to pick up the slack.
I guess I also thought Mason was a better goalie then what he has been able to show. I also thought Macdonald would become a very valuable piece that could be depended on to help bridge the gap between the current D core and the future.

The major issue is that on a lot of night there's a team that lacks jump and considering there representing this organization and playing in the greatest league in the world I don't get it.

Talent wise, I they are right where I expected them to be. However, I do think an inordinate number of players have had subpar seasons, and that I do find troubling.

I thought they'd finish somewhere between 4th and 6th in the Metro and I expected them to either squeak into the playoffs or at least be in the hunt until the last game or 2. Overall, the season has been slightly disappointing.
- BiggE

I'll agree with this part. The big guys haven't been good enough and I still won't be fully confident in Giroux unless I see a great start from him next season.

But they are about where smart people think they would be.

I just think it's funny where people complain about Vandevelde and Bellemare like they are holding the team back form being this playoff contender. They are cheap guys who are bridging the cap until more talent is ready.