If Patrick turns out to be the real deal, they're absolutely stacked up the middle. However, they may need to think about moving Giroux to the wing if his even strength game doesn't improve.
- Baxter27

I'm hoping he was not fully healthy last season and a summer of no shenanigans will have him 100% healthy when camp opens.

I'm hoping he was not fully healthy last season and a summer of no shenanigans will have him 100% healthy when camp opens.
- Scoob

Have the same hopes but he did not look like the same player of previous seasons from the world cup to the world championship and everything in between. Will have to try something if the same concerns are there next season.

I was being facetious. They are wearing numbers 76 and 78 for camp...
- jak521

I would liken Strome more to Patrick Maroon in his draft year. Not just skating issues, but also questions over conditioning (though not to same degree as Maroon).
- bmeltzer

Hopefully that comes with a a little maturity.

- Mononoke

This is my new phone wallpaper

I would liken Strome more to Patrick Maroon in his draft year. Not just skating issues, but also questions over conditioning (though not to same degree as Maroon).
- bmeltzer

It boggles my mind that someone good enough to be a professional hockey player has conditioning issues.

- Mononoke

This is too good.

sixers might actually make the playoffs next season the east is going to be so horrible outside of CLE and BOS

Question! In your honest opinions, what should we do with Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds and Jake Voracek?

I know I'm just beating a dead horse but really think about those three players specifically career wise. If Hextall is going to sign the lesser Brian Elliot instead of Steve Mason, or trade Brayden Schenn for a package of picks and bottom six forward, or trade Streit for an aging player without a future in Philadelphia, what kind of message does this send these three players? Fans feelings aside, are these three wasting their best years here?
- SuperSchennBros

I'm guessing they trade Simmonds at next year's draft. He could bring back more than what Hextall got for Schenn (Brayden). I don't think Hextall will want to pay in years or dollars any where near what Simmonds could get on the FA market and won't want to lose him for nothing.

I hope I am wrong, I think the Flyers need more players like Wayne Simmonds. Maybe he does give a hometown discount but it would have to be a big one.

Pure speculation on my part.

I'm guessing they trade Simmonds at next year's draft. He could bring back more than what Hextall got for Schenn (Brayden). I don't think Hextall will want to pay in years or dollars any where near what Simmonds could get on the FA market and won't want to lose him for nothing.

I hope I am wrong, I think the Flyers need more players like Wayne Simmonds. Maybe he does give a hometown discount but it would have to be a big one.

Pure speculation on my part.
- FlyerFan16

I think Simmonds will probably be offered a much longer term than would be prudent for a physical forward who will be 30 before the 2018 season starts. Teams do seem to be willing to gamble on long term contracts.

Look at Hartnell, the Flyers were able to trade him despite being overpaid but it cost them even with him still being productive. In hindsight, I still think you do that trade for Umberger. Cap space in future years is an asset, especially when you aren't a serious contender.

I'd be willing to pay Simmonds full value on a short term contract, 2 years, but a long term contract at full value will hamstring the team stuck with him when the music stops.

I'm guessing they trade Simmonds at next year's draft. He could bring back more than what Hextall got for Schenn (Brayden). I don't think Hextall will want to pay in years or dollars any where near what Simmonds could get on the FA market and won't want to lose him for nothing.

I hope I am wrong, I think the Flyers need more players like Wayne Simmonds. Maybe he does give a hometown discount but it would have to be a big one.

Pure speculation on my part.
- FlyerFan16

I think we go the distance with him and lose him in free agency. Which is fine he owes us nothing.

I think we go the distance with him and lose him in free agency. Which is fine he owes us nothing.
- Just5

He owes the Flyers nothing but I don't see Hextall losing him for nothing. It's one thing to let Schultz, Del Zotto go for nothing. Simmonds could bring them back a haul.

He owes the Flyers nothing but I don't see Hextall losing him for nothing. It's one thing to let Schultz, Del Zotto go for nothing. Simmonds could bring them back a haul.
- FlyerFan16

If the flyers are a good team competing for the playoffs in 18-19, I wouldn't expect him to be traded mid season. I certainly don't expect a trade the summer of 18. This is why he's making headway in picks/prospects now. When it comes time to compete, he's not going to shake it up. Just my opinion

This is my new phone wallpaper
- Mordecai

liar

Just want everyone to know that in his 10+ year MLB career, Tainter Jainter is 2/2 with two singles and 1 RBI.

He gets it done on both sides of the baseball.
- Giroux_Is_God

He is the next hunter greene

liar
- ob18

You're right, guess I'll just leave it as Hazoret the Fervent

Can't wait to hear that Rubstov and Myers both got concussions on day 1 of Development Camp


- jmatchett383

damn you

sixers might actually make the playoffs next season the east is going to be so horrible outside of CLE and BOS
- 2Real

(frank) Boston. Nothing but goddamn racists there

It boggles my mind that someone good enough to be a professional hockey player has conditioning issues.
- Scoob

He has always been naturally bigger and better than everyone else coming up through the ranks. Now he is at the point where everyone is as good or better. So hopefully he realizes that if he wants to be successful he needs to grow up and be serious about a bunch of things.

The only troubling aspect of it is that he already had two older brothers who have kind of showed him the way it should be done. I guess that is where the maturity issues come in to play.

You're right, guess I'll just leave it as Hazoret the Fervent
- Mordecai

So I did a quick list of possible top rookies this upcoming year (I know I probably forgot some). Who do you think will be the top rookie candidates for the Calder?

Svechnikov (DET)
Gurianov (DAL)
Honka (DAL)
Vrana (WSH)
Lindblom (PHI)
Sanheim (PHI)
Tuch (LVK)
Hudon (MON)
Ho-Sang (NYI)
Pulock (NYI)
Barzal (NYI)
Demko (VAN)
Juolevi (VAN)
Jankowski (CGY)
Aston-Reese (PIT)
Meier (SJS)
Connor (WPG)
Chabot (OTT)
Chlapik (OTT)
Jost (COL)
Dubois (CLB)
Milano (CLB)
Sergachev (TBL)
Kunin (MIN)
Eriksson Ek (MIN)
Nylander (BUF)
Ullmark (BUF)
Fleury (CAR)
Gauthier (CAR)
Puljujarvi (EDM)
Mcleod (NJD)
Quenneville (NJD)
Keller (ARI)
Strome (ARI)
Patrick (PHI)
Hischier (NJD)

A decision on Simmonds isn't required until next off season IMO but it will be a big one. He has a modified NTC so trade options may be limited. Could still get a good return, but not much more than what Schenn just brought in. My mind tells me he's not a player you should give a 6 or 7 million 5+ year deal to but after another 30 goal season, you know some GMs will feel differently.

Giroux and Voracek are in it for the long haul. I would hope they can recognize that Hextall is doing what's best for the future of the team without tanking their hopes to remain competitive. I don't see the moves you mentioned as negatives and doubt they do either.

Elliot was brought into replace Mason because he's seen as a better fit. I agree he may not be as talented as Mason but he's had a much more successful career.

Schenn was traded because Hextall recognized he has numerous young players knocking on the door to replace what he brings. He capitalized on an asset's value.

Trading Streit for Fillpula was a move made in interest of being more competitive last season as well as this one.
- Baxter27

Oh boy, I think Hextall threw in the towel on our season without even knowing it the moment he traded Schenn. I think Schenn has some upside still that goes higher a ceiling than Simmonds, while Giroux and Voracek have had uneven seasons recently.

My guess is that people with more than a peripheral knowledge of the movie are probably more involved in that "scene" than folks like you and me.

No judgement, just guessing.
- Scoob

Showed it to us in health class in high school, in the 70's.

If the flyers are a good team competing for the playoffs in 18-19, I wouldn't expect him to be traded mid season. I certainly don't expect a trade the summer of 18. This is why he's making headway in picks/prospects now. When it comes time to compete, he's not going to shake it up. Just my opinion
- Just5

Been mentioning this for a while. Oshie just set the bar for 31 YO power forwards. What was that about 8 x 6? So what is Simmer worth 2 years from now. What if he hits 40 this year? Or 35-38? He has been consistently better than Oshie his whole career. I love Simmer but this is where power forwards start to have drop offs. If he turns into a prospect and picks or 2 firsts plus later round pick(s), is this a bad thing? Don't want to see a contract of 8x7 or 8 for 30-31 YO Simmer.