Nov 27

Scott indicated that he wanted to see an end to the team annually finding itself in a dog fight to get into the playoffs as a wild-card or divisional third seed. Both he and Holmgren want to see the team win more consistently.

"Our fans deserve better," Scott said.

Holmgren said that the next GM will have a lot of resources at his disposal to improve the team this season or beyond. He did not elaborate except to say that he thinks many different options should be considered and enacted.
- Scoob

Still think these statements handicapped fletcher

I'm intrigued by Dylan Cozens.
- MBFlyerfan

The baseball player?
- johndewar

I'm sure his skating speed would fit right in

Still think these statements handicapped fletcher
- Tfaehner

Are you suggesting that Scott blew it?

I am.

Can Hughes be a similar player to Johnny hockey? If so he would be worth the pick.
If by some miracle the flyers get the first pick I would entertain trade offers. I would be more comfortable with Kappo I haven’t seen either play much outside of the world juniors.
Unless Hughes is head and shoulders better I would pass. The flyers need size and skill.

I just read Vorecek"s interview at philly.com.....even he thinks its time for moves....he says he's been saying it for 2 years....that's funny. Apparently he doesn't see this poop show fixing itself either.

Now this is somewhat logical thinking.

I wouldn’t make a deal now either. While I’m not sure Myers coming up right now, I am for waiting to see what we have before blind dealing. Can Morin play nightly in this league? We won’t know until February. Can we put together a decent combination of players within the next month. I personally believe that any line up that includes Jordan Weal on the third line is a bad line up. I personally believe constantly moving forwards from center to wing is bad for consistency.
- SuperSchennBros

If I'm the Flyers I try to move all my UFA's plus Voracek but I want Voracek to be hockey trade. I also reach out to see what GM's are offering on Ghost. No need to move him, but if someone blows you away with like 2 good prospects, 2 firsts, and a bunch of other picks.... I think Tampa would kill to have ghost on thier team, signed for what he's signed at.

Can Hughes be a similar player to Johnny hockey? If so he would be worth the pick.
If by some miracle the flyers get the first pick I would entertain trade offers. I would be more comfortable with Kappo I haven’t seen either play much outside of the world juniors.
Unless Hughes is head and shoulders better I would pass. The flyers need size and skill.
- bird_dog_pa

In our position it would be absurd to trade the #1 pick. If we won the lottery this could set us up to rebuild the right way and quite quickly. I do see Hughes as a Gaurdreau type player.

Still think these statements handicapped fletcher
- Tfaehner

I don't think they help helped Fletcher....But Im sure the GM's in St.louis, Florida, LA and Edmonton are getting it from their boss's as well. All those teams had much higher hopes then their putrid records as well.

Can Hughes be a similar player to Johnny hockey? If so he would be worth the pick.
If by some miracle the flyers get the first pick I would entertain trade offers. I would be more comfortable with Kappo I haven’t seen either play much outside of the world juniors.
Unless Hughes is head and shoulders better I would pass. The flyers need size and skill.
- bird_dog_pa

Hughes is hard to pass on. His skating is very elite. He has a descent shot but hes not kane like some suggest hes more play maker than finisher. I still think he makes too many "juniors" plays that wont translate to NHL. But he has the ability to turn into a very very good hockey player. Kakko and other guys are safer maybe but I dont see the same ceiling. I also think the size statement is tired. The league is no longer based on size and muscle. Speed kills.

So the Live Aid concert just popped up on my iPod. That was a dang good show.

Can Hughes be a similar player to Johnny hockey? If so he would be worth the pick.
If by some miracle the flyers get the first pick I would entertain trade offers. I would be more comfortable with Kappo I haven’t seen either play much outside of the world juniors.
Unless Hughes is head and shoulders better I would pass. The flyers need size and skill.
- bird_dog_pa

I think Hughes might be head and shoulders better. No way you pass on him.

Flyers Connect Four Players

Keep/No Trade
Giroux
Couturier
Provorov
Hart

Optional Trade—if awesome deal/Probably Keep
Voracek
Gostisbehere
JVR
Laughton

Trade/Release/Waive/Buy out/Must Go
Neuvirth
Elliott
Lehtera
Gudas

Likely Going
Simmonds
Folin
Raffl
Weal

Sigh...kids, Possible Trade—only for young comparable talent and better fit
Konecny
Patrick
Sanheim
Haag

More kids, 50/50 Possible Trade
Lindblom
Stolarz
Lyon
Vorobyev

Others (their possible role next season)
AMac (7th d-man)
Knight (13th forward)
Weise (14th forward)
Morin (6th d, PK specialist)

Your Guess
Varone
NAK
Myers
Goulbourne


Being real, this is the easy part, but the most important part is to fill all the roles as best as possible with available options and hope they can become a team and stay healthy. It doesn’t really matter to me if Fletcher doesn’t “win” every deal as viewed alone. It is so much more important that he does the best job possible regarding fit and future.

It is not a “blow it up scenario” but be real...from this list, a minimum of 6 won’t be with the team at the start of next season, likely closer to 9 and possibly up to 12.

I think Hughes might be head and shoulders better. No way you pass on him.
- landros 2

I am not passing on Hughes.

The things I have seen from him are he does everything at high speed. He will back off defenses. I am not passing on him.

I think Hughes might be head and shoulders better. No way you pass on him.
- landros 2

Everything I have heard about him is Patrick Kane but faster.

From what I have seen of him Ill go with another US hockey great...

Paul Kariya.

I am not passing on Hughes.

The things I have seen from him are he does everything at high speed. He will back off defenses. I am not passing on him.
- J35Bacher

Is he committed to a College hockey program? Michigan i'd assume if so.

Kakko intrigues me. I guess i'm just a little concerned with yet another small player in Hughes altho he does have speed.

A quick-thinking winger, Kakko never seems to be in a rush. He reads the game exceptionally well and finds himself a step ahead while the play is still developing. He is confident with the puck and capable of handling it in small spaces. With decent size for a player of his age, Kakko protects the puck well and uses his high hockey IQ to make smart offensive plays. He plays a mature game and is already strong enough to compete with men in the Finnish Liiga. Kakko excels offensively and beats opponents with smarts and skill both on and off the puck. (Matias Strozyk, 2018)

..quality hands.. able to keep the puck under control when physically challenged.. works in all areas to help his team get possession, Draftin Europe 2018
- nastyflyergirl

Not sure why people are so timid about Hughes. Not sure if it is because he is American and the Flyers have drafted "enough" already so no one wants another. Maybe Flyer fans are scared of getting burned because previous years they have drafted players who are taking longer to develop then some taken after.

Don't get me wrong, but I would take Kakko in a heartbeat and be thrilled if he became a Flyer. Although if I have a choice between Hughes and Kakko...Kakko who?

Hughes is not just fast, but he has elite skating only McDavid could be put in the conversation with. McDavid no doubt has way better top end speed, but when it comes to overall skating and edgework Hughes is better. That's not even mentioning his other high end skills.

The most common thing I have been seeing about Hughes is he is small. The kid is 17 and bigger than Patrick Kane, Gaudreau and Marner. Having another small forward is not an issue for the Flyers, it is actually the opposite. The Flyers have too many big, slow and sloppy players already which is a big reason they are getting crushed this year. Does Hughes have questions about his defensive commitment or hogging the puck too much, yes, but do the Flyers have anyone on their team or in their system with true elite offensive potential? He would easily become the best offensive player on the Flyers game 1 of next season just a tiny bit behind Giroux from the get go. No 3 year development program, kid will be in the NHL next year.

Hughes is hard to pass on. His skating is very elite. He has a descent shot but hes not kane like some suggest hes more play maker than finisher. I still think he makes too many "juniors" plays that wont translate to NHL. But he has the ability to turn into a very very good hockey player. Kakko and other guys are safer maybe but I dont see the same ceiling. I also think the size statement is tired. The league is no longer based on size and muscle. Speed kills.
- Tfaehner

Kakko is in no way safer... Hughes is the better player period.

I think Hughes might be head and shoulders better. No way you pass on him.
- landros 2

Depends on what you value more. Hughes definitely has the higher ceiling but Kappo imo is more likely to be a solid NHL player. I think Hughes is hit or miss. If he adds more tools to his speed its a no brainer. But if he doesnt he is another Alexander Daigle/Yakupov.

On a fun note....was listening to Howard Stern this morning and they played all the Chicago Bear fans reaction to Parkeys miss...(frank) those were funny.

On a fun note....was listening to Howard Stern this morning and they played all the Chicago Bear fans reaction to Parkeys miss...(frank) those were funny.
- landros 2

He didn't miss - it was blocked.

Depends on what you value more. Hughes definitely has the higher ceiling but Kappo imo is more likely to be a solid NHL player. I think Hughes is hit or miss. If he adds more tools to his speed its a no brainer. But if he doesnt he is another Alexander Daigle/Yakupov.
- youarewrong

You mean his super quick release? Maybe his elite accuracy? You mean his high hockey IQ? Elite passing?

The fact you even mentioned Daigle and Yakupov says it all.

Depends on what you value more. Hughes definitely has the higher ceiling but Kappo imo is more likely to be a solid NHL player. I think Hughes is hit or miss. If he adds more tools to his speed its a no brainer. But if he doesnt he is another Alexander Daigle/Yakupov.
- youarewrong

From what I've seen, he is a kid that can make plays at an extreme speed. Other then Macdavid that's not a skill very many guys have or have ever had. His vision and skill are off the charts and unlike those two guys you mentioned he loves the game and is a tireless worker. In todays no hit league...he's as close to can't miss star as you can have.

He didn't miss - it was blocked.
- Scoob

Flyers Connect Four Players


Being real, this is the easy part, but the most important part is to fill all the roles as best as possible with available options and hope they can become a team and stay healthy. It doesn’t really matter to me if Fletcher doesn’t “win” every deal as viewed alone. It is so much more important that he does the best job possible regarding fit and future.

It is not a “blow it up scenario” but be real...from this list, a minimum of 6 won’t be with the team at the start of next season, likely closer to 9 and possibly up to 12.
- NC Flyers Fan

This is the major issue IMO. There are no role players. No defensive specialists, no grinders, and too many slow guys that rely on someone else to setup a play, ie JVR, Simmonds, Patrick, and Couturier.

Well Couts is defensive specialist but your asking him to be a #1 center.

I mean seriously JVR-Weal-Simmonds... its a black hole of defensive and perimeter play.

You mean his super quick release? Maybe his elite accuracy? You mean his high hockey IQ? Elite passing?

The fact you even mentioned Daigle and Yakupov says it all.
- Glak18

folks suggesting Kakkoo over Hughes should stop commenting.