Hopefully, the goaltending is more reliable this year but here's how I see it:

Morin: Already an upgrade over what we had last year.

Hagg: Quietly effective

Sanheim: Has the highest upside of the three and seems to be getting better with each game.

I don't see a compelling reason to NOT go with the three rookies.
- fls13

Agreed. They aren't contending this year anyway so let the kids learn on the job. Will they all make mistakes now and then? Sure, but these aren't B level prospects. These kids on D all have at least one pro season under their belts and Provorov already plays like a 10 year vet. Put Provy with Hagg who plays a smart, safe game and there is a pair that can be used in any situation. Sanheim can pair with the one true vet Gudas, since he's the least experienced of the bunch. Morin who also plays a smart game and has 2 full pro seasons on his resume can pair with Ghost.

All of the 3 rookies are bigger, stronger and more talented than AMac, they should be in the lineup. AMac would then be an excellent 7th man.

Manning gets waived. If he clears great, he can pair with Myers on the Phantoms top pair. If not, no big deal. You can always acquire a Brandon Manning type cheaply if you need one. Fretting over losing Manning on waivers, is much ado about nothing.

I don't think dump is the proper word to describe the Schenn trade nor do I think Hexy woke up draft-day thinking let's trade Schenn today. I just think he thought the STL offer was too good to turn down as well as landing #2 pick and Lindblom's development playing a factor.
- arichardson22

Could be, but the net result for the trade this year is swapping a 25+ goal scorer for a rapidly fading playmaker. The Flyers, even in this exe season, look like they'll be offensively challenged again. They need goals if they're serious about competing.

Could be, but the net result for the trade this year is swapping a 25+ goal scorer for a rapidly fading playmaker. The Flyers, even in this exe season, look like they'll be offensively challenged again. They need goals if they're serious about competing.
- fls13

They'll miss Schenn on the PP unless one of Patrick/Lindblom can replace what he did. But he was a 5v5 anchor out there, and I think getting 2 firsts, possibly (but unlikely) a top-10 pick, is a great return for him. Lehtera is whatever, but his contract is also 2 years shorter, right when Provorov, Sanheim, and Simmonds would be up for raises.

Bill Meltzer: Preseason Gameday @ NYR, Remaining Roster Battles, Prospect Updates
- bmeltzer

I have a slight concern with the Simmonds, Patrick, Weal line. Patrick's inexperience. The uncertainty of Weal (if he can continue being a consistent goal scorer. As for Simmonds, awesome penalty killer but not a great two even strength guy.

Agreed. They aren't contending this year anyway so let the kids learn on the job. Will they all make mistakes now and then? Sure, but these aren't B level prospects. These kids on D all have at least one pro season under their belts and Provorov already plays like a 10 year vet. Put Provy with Hagg who plays a smart, safe game and there is a pair that can be used in any situation. Sanheim can pair with the one true vet Gudas, since he's the least experienced of the bunch. Morin who also plays a smart game and has 2 full pro seasons on his resume can pair with Ghost.

All of the 3 rookies are bigger, stronger and more talented than AMac, they should be in the lineup. AMac would then be an excellent 7th man.

Manning gets waived. If he clears great, he can pair with Myers on the Phantoms top pair. If not, no big deal. You can always acquire a Brandon Manning type cheaply if you need one. Fretting over losing Manning on waivers, is much ado about nothing.
- BiggE

In my opinion losing Manning is not much ado about nothing although I do agree he can be replaced. Honestly, if Sanheim is going to make the team out of camp, the move to make is to waive and demote MacDonald. Why lose Manning if you don't have to? If there is an injury or one of the kids falter then you have MacDonald available to call up. Manning remains the 7th.

I think he knew he was trading Schenn eventually
- YuenglingJagr

In my opinion, GM's don't think that way. He may have been open to trading Schenn if the right deal presented itself, but I don't think he know he was going to trade him at some point. It was all about the return being too good to pass up.

I think he knew he was trading Schenn eventually
- YuenglingJagr

Agreed eventually, but he was only resigned a year prior, which seemed like a necessity after how little offense we had in that Caps series. If we are picking #13, I don't think Schenn is traded and that trading Simmonds happens eventually instead (even though Simmonds trade could still happen).

They've played 3 pre season games and you're ready to deem them as offensively challenged?
- Baxter27

From the output last year plus the exe season. Yup, that's how it's looking to me now. This can change in a hurry and I hope they explode the next four games and some guys make these decisions tougher but until it happens on the ice, it hasn't happened.

They've played 3 pre season games and you're ready to deem them as offensively challenged?
- Baxter27

I hope I'm wrong, but I also believe they're going to be offensively challenged at least to start. I think Lindholm and Patrick are going to need time to find their offensive games. Hopefully Giroux and Voracek start out well or it will be worse.

Could be, but the net result for the trade this year is swapping a 25+ goal scorer for a rapidly fading playmaker. The Flyers, even in this exe season, look like they'll be offensively challenged again. They need goals if they're serious about competing.
- fls13

In the trade they swapped, but their roles and production certainly will not be swapped. I think flyers were comfortable with the emergence of Lindblom, Patrick, and Weal to make up for Schenn's goals/points.

In the trade they swapped, but their roles and production certainly will not be swapped. I think flyers were comfortable with the emergence of Lindblom, Patrick, and Weal to make up for Schenn's goals/points.
- arichardson22

Dude got beat up by Kovalchuk. Just sayin.

Dude got beat up by Kovalchuk. Just sayin.
- jmatchett383

Forgot about that lol. He clocked him pretty good.

Could be, but the net result for the trade this year is swapping a 25+ goal scorer for a rapidly fading playmaker. The Flyers, even in this exe season, look like they'll be offensively challenged again. They need goals if they're serious about competing.
- fls13

That rapidly fading playmaker was a throw in on this deal. The picks were what was really the prize.

In the trade they swapped, but their roles and production certainly will not be swapped. I think flyers were comfortable with the emergence of Lindblom, Patrick, and Weal to make up for Schenn's goals/points.
- arichardson22

I do figure Lindblom/Patrick put up, if not surpass, whatever Schenn and whoever else is pushed from the Top 9 score. If that happens, they've broken even for this year. That is certainly doable but I think they'll need more. You can't win 1-0 consistently.

The output last year is of course concerning but they have a completely different looking, IMO deeper bottom 6 forward group. They should have more speed and skill all around the line up. Have to think many of last year's main contributors will be better, even those who didn't disappoint. There is reasons to believe the offense will bounce back.
- Baxter27

Last year's opening night roster had Boyd Gordon, Chris VandeVelde, and PEB. This year, the 4th line cannot look worse. We finally have people slotting into positions that suit them in the forward ranks. That in itself will help the offense, not to mention a better back-end.

That rapidly fading playmaker was a throw in on this deal. The picks were what was really the prize.
- MBFlyerfan

No, it was Schenn straight-up for Lehtera. Please stick to the narrative.

That rapidly fading playmaker was a throw in on this deal. The picks were what was really the prize.
- MBFlyerfan

Yeah but the picks didn't make the team. The trade may prove to be a steal but I doubt even Hextall expects the deal will improve the team this season and we're talking about, among other things, going all in with other kids this year. I say do it . . . at least for today.

I hope I'm wrong, but I also believe they're going to be offensively challenged at least to start. I think Lindholm and Patrick are going to need time to find their offensive games. Hopefully Giroux and Voracek start out well or it will be worse.
- MJL

I wouldn't be too worried about Lindblom. If he can't find his game early I think he'll be in the AHL pretty quickly. Patrick is more of a wild card at this point, only option is to be patient with him. Giroux and Voracek need to be better but I see a deep team with all 4 lines contributing this season. There are many players to expect better years from and replacements who will upgrade roles played by others last season.

Yeah but the picks didn't make the team. The trade may prove to be a steal but I doubt even Hextall expects the deal will improve the team this season and we're talking about, among other things, going all in with other kids this year. I say do it . . . at least for today.
- fls13

What if they swap those picks for Connor McDavid and a 6th?

Last year's opening night roster had Boyd Gordon, Chris VandeVelde, and PEB. This year, the 4th line cannot look worse. We finally have people slotting into positions that suit them in the forward ranks. That in itself will help the offense, not to mention a better back-end.
- jmatchett383

Wasn't even just the 4th line. The third line was an unstable mess for the majority of last season.

Yeah but the picks didn't make the team. The trade may prove to be a steal but I doubt even Hextall expects the deal will improve the team this season and we're talking about, among other things, going all in with other kids this year. I say do it . . . at least for today.
- fls13

I don't care if the picks didn't make the team.

I don't think anyone, including Hextall, expected that this deal would improve the team this season. I think that Hextall believes that a bounceback year from Giroux, The additions of Patrick, Lindblom, Lehtera, along with an improvement in Konecny, Laughton, Provorov, Ghost, and the 4th line in general will make up for the Schenn production lost. Hell, even throw in Couturier and Voracek having better seasons.

I don't even think it is that big of a leap to expect at least the majority of those things to happen.

LETS GO FLYERS !!!!!!!!

In my opinion, GM's don't think that way. He may have been open to trading Schenn if the right deal presented itself, but I don't think he know he was going to trade him at some point. It was all about the return being too good to pass up.
- MJL

To a certain extent. I just think that Schenn didn't play the way Hextall sees the team playing and it was a matter of time before he was traded. I don't think two first round picks is enough of a return for a "core" player you see sticking around

Would you sit MacDonald as the 7th then?
- FlyersGrace

Yes & I'd do it while he is a member of the Phantoms

No, it was Schenn straight-up for Lehtera. Please stick to the narrative.
- jmatchett383

lol yes Lehtera was NOT a throw in