so do you not think the flyers need an upgrade in goal next year?

getting a goalie, whoever that may be, on a 3 year deal isnt going to hurt any long term plans imo. 3 years is good term considering where Hart is right now.

IMO the flyers need a better, more dependable goalie next year. One who the team has confidence in; just my thoughts they dont have that confidence with what they currently have. Otherwise just spinning your wheels until you hope Hart or whoever is ready.
- rinaldo

What makes you think Reimer would do any better here than Elliott did behind Lappy's terrible PK?

Jay Beagle is going to cash in on this incredible cup run. Can't wait

I haven't looked back but didn't Oshie not even have the puck when he hit Miller? Thought you needed the puck to do that but w/e. It has been a fun series to watch even though the Caps try to make it boring. They have enough firepower to make neutral zone traps exciting. I do love how locked in Holbty is (and how lucky he is). The Lebron meme of Neal missing the open net is top notch
- YuenglingJagr

Top kek

Jay Beagle is going to cash in on this incredible cup run. Can't wait
- YuenglingJagr

As long as it isn't here

What makes you think Reimer would do any better here than Elliott did behind Lappy's terrible PK?
- Feanor

I believe Reimer is a better goalie and an upgrade.

Also stated whoever it may be; doesn’t have to be Reimer.

So your are comfortable going into next year with what they currently have?

As long as it isn't here
- Giroux_Is_God

I'm going to enjoy basking in the warmth of your rage when he does. It should cut down dramatically on my winter heating bills.

Mr. Lacroix is a very nice man. I grew up with his son Andre Jr. when they would live in Brigantine during the summers. Andre jr. was a monster sized kid compared to his dad and had a blast of a slapshot.

I’ve been very back and forth on moving Simmonds and I think we have to do it. Imo, the risks outweigh the rewards. Does Simmonds deserve a hard look this season after last years injuries? Sure. Does he deserve a significant raise? Sure. Can Simmonds bounce back like G, Ghost and even Patrick to an extent (2nd half of season)? Sure. But what if he doesn’t bounce back; what if his style of play starts to break his body down and becomes injury prone? Hexy is just getting us out of cap hell, The last thing we need is an aging player with term (*if he doesn’t bounce back). Yes there are a lot of ifs involved but you simply can’t hold onto Simmonds, have another down year, and let him walk via FA or hope he takes a decent discount for back-to-back down seasons. As much as I love the guy and would love to keep him, I think I rather clear the cap (now and for later; despite cap rising) and keep adding to this amazing prospect core whether it’s a young current NHLer or a guy from this draft who can be ready in 2-3 years.

I’ve been very back and forth on moving Simmonds and I think we have to do it. Imo, the risks outweigh the rewards. Does Simmonds deserve a hard look this season after last years injuries? Sure. Does he deserve a significant raise? Sure. Can Simmonds bounce back like G, Ghost and even Patrick to an extent (2nd half of season)? Sure. But what if he doesn’t bounce back; what if his style of play starts to break his body down and becomes injury prone? Hexy is just getting us out of cap hell, The last thing we need is an aging player with term (*if he doesn’t bounce back). Yes there are a lot of ifs involved but you simply can’t hold onto Simmonds, have another down year, and let him walk via FA or hope he takes a decent discount for back-to-back down seasons. As much as I love the guy and would love to keep him, I think I rather clear the cap (now and for later; despite cap rising) and keep adding to this amazing prospect core whether it’s a young current NHLer or a guy from this draft who can be ready in 2-3 years.
- arichardson22

This is all well and good, but what if no team is willing to make an offer that Hextall feels is fair value for Simmonds? GMs, well other than Chiarelli, aren't stupid. They all see what is going on with Lucic's decline and they are all aware of Simmonds age and recent health issues. I don't think anyone is parting with a quality young NHL player or a top 15 draft pick for Simmonds right now.

If that's the case, best bet is to hold on to him, hope he is playing his usual brand of hockey by mid season and moving him to a contender at the deadline. That's the best time to find a GM willing to overspend for what he feels is that one missing piece that will put his team over the top.

It does please me that Oshie was once traded for Troy Brouwer as veteran presents/grits to get STL over the hump and now in the same situation he is doing that for the Caps

This is all well and good, but what if no team is willing to make an offer that Hextall feels is fair value for Simmonds? GMs, well other than Chiarelli, aren't stupid. They all see what is going on with Lucic's decline and they are all aware of Simmonds age and recent health issues. I don't think anyone is parting with a quality young NHL player or a top 15 draft pick for Simmonds right now.

If that's the case, best bet is to hold on to him, hope he is playing his usual brand of hockey by mid season and moving him to a contender at the deadline. That's the best time to find a GM willing to overspend for what he feels is that one missing piece that will put his team over the top.
- BiggE

I'll differ with this thought as a playoff team I think would. Since Simmonds is on a favorable cap hit, if they see him as the missing piece to push to a cup next year I could see it in that capacity. I think any Simmonds trade would be to a team that pushes close to the cap and trying for a cup next year.

These are just my thoughts.

This is all well and good, but what if no team is willing to make an offer that Hextall feels is fair value for Simmonds? GMs, well other than Chiarelli, aren't stupid. They all see what is going on with Lucic's decline and they are all aware of Simmonds age and recent health issues. I don't think anyone is parting with a quality young NHL player or a top 15 draft pick for Simmonds right now.

If that's the case, best bet is to hold on to him, hope he is playing his usual brand of hockey by mid season and moving him to a contender at the deadline. That's the best time to find a GM willing to overspend for what he feels is that one missing piece that will put his team over the top.
- BiggE

I think Simmer has a giant burr in his saddle next season. He is coming up on a contract and feels like he has something to prove. You know he hears the trade/decline talk(I was one of them). He knows he played through a slew of injuries that would sideline a normal baseball/football/basketball player for a whole season and he still put up 24 goals.

I bet he has a career year next season provided he is healthy. 30 plus goals 100 plus Pms while being an animal in his customary PP1 slot position.

I think Simmer has a giant burr in his saddle next season. He is coming up on a contract and feels like he has something to prove. You know he hears the trade/decline talk(I was one of them). He knows he played through a slew of injuries that would sideline a normal baseball/football/basketball player for a whole season and he still put up 24 goals.

I bet he has a career year next season provided he is healthy. 30 plus goals 100 plus Pms while being an animal in his customary PP1 slot position.
- MBFlyerfan

That's all well and good.....except that doesn't prevent injuries, especially to a guy who plays a physical game and takes punishment in the position he plays on the PP.

That's all well and good.....except that doesn't prevent injuries, especially to a guy who plays a physical game and takes punishment in the position he plays on the PP.
- J35Bacher

I'm not sure of your point. I expect him to be healthy. And overall he has been a pretty durable player over his career.

That's all well and good.....except that doesn't prevent injuries, especially to a guy who plays a physical game and takes punishment in the position he plays on the PP.
- J35Bacher

The type and style of game that Simmonds plays does not guarantee that he will be injured. He's played that way all of his career and before last year he has been very durable.

I think Simmer has a giant burr in his saddle next season. He is coming up on a contract and feels like he has something to prove. You know he hears the trade/decline talk(I was one of them). He knows he played through a slew of injuries that would sideline a normal baseball/football/basketball player for a whole season and he still put up 24 goals.

I bet he has a career year next season provided he is healthy. 30 plus goals 100 plus Pms while being an animal in his customary PP1 slot position.
- MBFlyerfan

lets say he is having a career year and the trade deadline is upon us. The flyers are one of 5 teams battling it out for those last 2 playoff spots.

do you move him, resign, or ride it out and let him walk?

http://www.hockeyfights.c...8/index2.html#post2582168

The league sure got its' money's worth with Hull. I think he was still the best LW in hockey a few years into the WHA segment of his career. The league lasted 7 seasons, Hull played in all of them and scored 50+ goals 4 times topping out at an amazing 77! You'd think he'd be the highest scorer in league history . . . but he's #3, behind Tardif and Andre Lacroix.

Lacroix's NHL career got off to a good start with the Flyers. he had 3 20+ goal seasons in a row and led the team in scoring twice, but then got shipped to CHI and got buried on a great Hawks team. Then he jumped leagues and knocked down 6 consecutive 100+ pt seasons and had 106 assists in 74-75. He was with the Whalers when they came into the NHL, his last year as a player and he still picked up 17 pts in 29 games.

798 WHA pts + 198 NHL pts for 996 pts in only 876 games. Not too shabby.

Mr. Lacroix is a very nice man. I grew up with his son Andre Jr. when they would live in Brigantine during the summers. Andre jr. was a monster sized kid compared to his dad and had a blast of a slapshot.
- MBFlyerfan

Target of opportunity for Brigantine's green head fly population

The type and style of game that Simmonds plays does not guarantee that he will be injured. He's played that way all of his career and before last year he has been very durable.
- MJL

I get it.

But coming off the injuries this year I don't believe he'll come back and be able to avoid future injuries. Once you get one your tend to start getting more nicks and they seem to take longer to recover. Just my feeling.

His style of play doesn't lend himself to being protected from much. Especially if everyone wants to see the fighting, hitting, net front PP player.

If I am wrong, great. But I am not getting my hopes up for a huge resurgence.

a player I would like to see them acquire is Reinhart from buffalo. Not even sure he is available.

what are peeps thoughts on him? what would it take?

a player I would like to see them acquire is Reinhart from buffalo. Not even sure he is available.

what are peeps thoughts on him? what would it take?
- rinaldo

Probably too much then you would want to pay.

Probably too much then you would want to pay.
- J35Bacher

flyers have the assets, need to give to get

flyers have the assets, need to give to get
- rinaldo

Sabres need everything except C’s.

They’re terrible on the wing, don’t have a starting goalie and desperately need D

flyers have the assets, need to give to get
- rinaldo

Understand.

But not sure if he's the one I want to give for.

Could he be a 3rd line center? Possibly. I still think i would prefer a guy like Bennett in Calgary

This is all well and good, but what if no team is willing to make an offer that Hextall feels is fair value for Simmonds? GMs, well other than Chiarelli, aren't stupid. They all see what is going on with Lucic's decline and they are all aware of Simmonds age and recent health issues. I don't think anyone is parting with a quality young NHL player or a top 15 draft pick for Simmonds right now.

If that's the case, best bet is to hold on to him, hope he is playing his usual brand of hockey by mid season and moving him to a contender at the deadline. That's the best time to find a GM willing to overspend for what he feels is that one missing piece that will put his team over the top.
- BiggE

Good points (and counter). I do wonder his value at draft vs deadline; especially if he does get hurt somehow again. But I also wonder what Simmonds and a 2nd could do or Simmonds + 19.