Okay....FINE! I will settle for Kyle Connor

From my view, which is much further away than yours, I agree and have the chances of him being traded away as pretty slim. I do think getting a good package for him would outweigh the negatives you mentioned. Not as easy of a pill to swallow without a direct replacement right this moment, but doable.
- YuenglingJagr

As much as I love Simmonds and want him to resign, I would drive him to the airport for Kyle Connor.

I get all the specifics of why they need to trade Simmer. I also know how clutch it would be to get the 10th pick. But then, Hexy needs to go out and bring someone of substance back during free agency. And that can’t be just Riley Nash.

I know all the young players and guys deserving playing time. But that’s another 25-30 goals that need to be replaced. I’m also worried about what taking Simmonds out of that room does to the team dynamic. This is a tough decision to make for Hexy.
- Flyers1218

To get some goals in free agency they could throw some cash at Vanek. 1 year at $4 million.

Alt was waived, not traded.
- Feanor

And Matt Read/Val Filppula are still here technically

To get some goals in free agency they could throw some cash at Vanek. 1 year at $4 million.
- Feanor

Flagged.

Flagged.
- Glak18

yeah despite his reasonably successful stint in Columbus, I really hate Thomas Vanek

They moved #7 after quite honestly getting screwed in the lottery and missing out on the higher end talent in the draft. They also did it for a 1/2 center with term and their goalie for the foreseeable future. My guess is that it would take a lot more than Wayne Simmonds
- YuenglingJagr

Well imo they made that move to start to try to win. First half of the year they were putrid. 2nd half much much better. They have a young team and good prospect pool. They want to win now I believe.

the goalie was a free agent to be. who they resigned. There was no guarantee he was going to resign.

Yes i agree it would take more than wayne as i suggested.

OK, this is strictly my own take based on a gut feeling. Ron Hextall keeps everything close to the vest.

However, from the gist of what I've heard from those I know in and/or are trusted by the upper-levels in the organization, I would not be surprised if they are fine with listening to offers for Simmonds. I also think they are NOT inclined to move him at the end of the day unless it is a no-brainer in Hextall's own estimation.

Otherwise, the intention appears to be to try to resign him, even if it goes into next season without a new deal. There is a goal internally to push the regular season point total over 100 points and to win a playoff round but without dealing assets/ prospects or pursuing the top-of-the-line external free agents. That's going to require all hands on deck to do.

Hextall is very big on the intangibles. If you listened to Anthony SF's podcast with Hexy last week, the GM talked a lot about fit within the room, general work habits and a player's desire to be a Flyer as things he factors along with all the on-ice stuff. It was said in reference to NHL-level roster decisions and not the Draft, in this case.

I know for an absolute fact that the players in the room consider Simmonds to be the guy who internally operates as the bad cop when needed yet is deeply respected and admired. Unless it's for a bigger return than the Flyers are likely to get, it would likely go over poorly within the room if he's traded. That is especially true on the heels of all that he played through this past season and the way he has everyone else's back on the ice and in public. Simmonds wears his heart on his sleeve, and wants to spend the rest of his career as a Flyer. He's said as much, but everyone knew it, anyway.

Is it impossible that Simmonds gets traded, whether at the Draft or by the trade deadline of next season? No.

Right now, though, it would take a lot of incentive to do so, and not primarily a draft pick asset in his particular case. The teams that are picking atop the Draft aren't the market where Simmonds would be their main off-season target. And what team that is a Simmonds type away from Cup contention would trade from its fast-rising young NHL roster talent plus a conditional high-end pick (even if it is in 2019) to do it, because I think that is the price tag the Flyers would have in mind.

Again, I could be proven 100 percent wrong. It's just my read.
- bmeltzer

Dammit Bill, I just wrote that I worried about what would happen if you took Simmonds out of that room with all of these young players. I’m not saying G and Jake aren’t leaders at all, but it always felt like Simmonds was the one that kept everyone in check and stood up and answered the hard questions.

And that is just from a guy viewing from the outside with zero sources or knowledge of the teams inner workings.

yeah despite his reasonably successful stint in Columbus, I really hate Thomas Vanek
- YuenglingJagr

Cause he's Australian?

Cause he's Australian?
- Feanor

No, I have unconditional love for Team Australia

Perron is another option, but he'll be looking for term. So will JVR and Neal.

OK, this is strictly my own take based on a gut feeling. Ron Hextall keeps everything close to the vest.

However, from the gist of what I've heard from those I know in and/or are trusted by the upper-levels in the organization, I would not be surprised if they are fine with listening to offers for Simmonds. I also think they are NOT inclined to move him at the end of the day unless it is a no-brainer in Hextall's own estimation.

Otherwise, the intention appears to be to try to resign him, even if it goes into next season without a new deal. There is a goal internally to push the regular season point total over 100 points and to win a playoff round but without dealing assets/ prospects or pursuing the top-of-the-line external free agents. That's going to require all hands on deck to do.

Hextall is very big on the intangibles. If you listened to Anthony SF's podcast with Hexy last week, the GM talked a lot about fit within the room, general work habits and a player's desire to be a Flyer as things he factors along with all the on-ice stuff. It was said in reference to NHL-level roster decisions and not the Draft, in this case.

I know for an absolute fact that the players in the room consider Simmonds to be the guy who internally operates as the bad cop when needed yet is deeply respected and admired. Unless it's for a bigger return than the Flyers are likely to get, it would likely go over poorly within the room if he's traded. That is especially true on the heels of all that he played through this past season and the way he has everyone else's back on the ice and in public. Simmonds wears his heart on his sleeve, and wants to spend the rest of his career as a Flyer. He's said as much, but everyone knew it, anyway.

Is it impossible that Simmonds gets traded, whether at the Draft or by the trade deadline of next season? No.

Right now, though, it would take a lot of incentive to do so, and not primarily a draft pick asset in his particular case. The teams that are picking atop the Draft aren't the market where Simmonds would be their main off-season target. And what team that is a Simmonds type away from Cup contention would trade from its fast-rising young NHL roster talent plus a conditional high-end pick (even if it is in 2019) to do it, because I think that is the price tag the Flyers would have in mind.

Again, I could be proven 100 percent wrong. It's just my read.
- bmeltzer

as someone said need much better goaltending.

Also I think is very reasonable to expect clode, jake, and #14 to regress some, point wise. To what degree will be the big question. Yes others they all hope will improve from last year. some may, while others may not.

as someone said need much better goaltending.

Also I think is very reasonable to expect clode, jake, and #14 to regress some, point wise. To what degree will be the big question. Yes others they all hope will improve from last year. some may, while others may not.
- rinaldo

The chance of Giroux, Voracek and Coots all matching or beating their career bests is very very low.

https://twitter.com/maxmi...tatus/1009460622537510912

scoob is twitter famous

Alt was waived, not traded.
- Feanor

You're right, I remembered we lost him and gained Oduya the same day, thought it was a trade.

The chance of Giroux, Voracek and Coots all matching or beating their career bests is very very low.
- Glak18

you would also expect TK and Patrick to improve. Simmonds as well.

you would also expect TK and Patrick to improve. Simmonds as well.
- Ftown19125

No no no, they will all remain the same or do worse, and it's guaranteed that Giroux, Couturier, and Voracek will be much worse.

Please get with the program.

Realistically, I expect the team, as whole, to produce about the same offensively and I expect the defense, as a whole, to be better. Goaltending is the biggest question mark. If Elliott can stay healthy and play like he did the first 4 months of last year, we'll be fine. If not, well...we'll see.

FFS, just buy me a damned drink.

- BiggE

I'd buy you 5 five drinks then we'll kiss later

No no no, they will all remain the same or do worse, and it's guaranteed that Giroux, Couturier, and Voracek will be much worse.

Please get with the program.

Realistically, I expect the team, as whole, to produce about the same offensively and I expect the defense, as a whole, to be better. Goaltending is the biggest question mark. If Elliott can stay healthy and play like he did the first 4 months of last year, we'll be fine. If not, well...we'll see.
- jmatchett383

I agree, maybe expecting too much, but I think Patrick is going to have a much better season next year. He just looked so much better the second half.

I agree, maybe expecting too much, but I think Patrick is going to have a much better season next year. He just looked so much better the second half.
- Ftown19125

They were Top 10 in goals scored over the second half of the season...i.e. when they separated G/Jake, moved Konecny to the first line, had a real 2nd line center, had an actual top pairing

What year specifically is Hextall aiming for this team to be a legitimate cup contender and who will the goalie be?

They were Top 10 in goals scored over the second half of the season...i.e. when they separated G/Jake, moved Konecny to the first line, had a real 2nd line center, had an actual top pairing
- YuenglingJagr

So? If Konecny doesn’t do the right things and play the game the right way away from the puck he is going to be back on the third line so fast his head will spin.

That or to spark more offense out of some third line corpses. What’s that saying about things that are dead stay dead?

It’s not about results it’s about process.

you would also expect TK and Patrick to improve. Simmonds as well.
- Ftown19125

Also Lindblom should be better in year 2.

So? If Konecny doesn’t do the right things and play the game the right way away from the puck he is going to be back on the third line so fast his head will spin.

That or to spark more offense out of some third line corpses. What’s that saying about things that are dead stay dead?

It’s not about results it’s about process.
- StepfordSam

I believe what you're actually referring to is "what is dead may never die"

I get what your purpose is, but Konecny did the right things as soon as he started scoring on the top line. A true case of a player elevating his play once he was paired with better linemates

I believe what you're actually referring to is "what is dead may never die"

I get what your purpose is, but Konecny did the right things as soon as he started scoring on the top line. A true case of a player elevating his play once he was paired with better linemates
- YuenglingJagr

I could be wrong, but I don't think he was getting stapled to the bench or demoted as much either after a bad penalty or play.

https://twitter.com/maxmi...tatus/1009460622537510912

scoob is twitter famous
- YuenglingJagr

Next thing you know, he'll be dating a Kardashian and then be completely unbearable.