Pigeon
- dragonoffrost

Who is putting all the blame on Simmonds?

He's getting talked about because he's the one core guy that needs a contract this summer.

We'll deep dive into talking about moving JVR and Jake in the off season. Maybe even G too. But those aren't contracts that are likely to be moved in season. We're heading towards the trade deadline and that puts the focus the UFAs, of which Simmonds is most notable.
- hereticpride

I agree that his pending contract status is a part of it but can we please stop pretending that Simmonds is not a focal point for criticism? Anyone who spends regular time on here can see that is the case.

I agree that his pending contract status is a part of it but can we please stop pretending that Simmonds is not a focal point for criticism? Anyone who spends regular time on here can see that is the case.
- MJL

So is Voracek, JvR, Weise, Weal, Giroux, Patrick, Coots, Provorov, Ghost, Amac, Folin, every goalie not named Hart

As Jake said... this cores been together a while and hasn't sustained success. I'd be nervous if I'm anyone not named claude giroux.

What does that mean ? Claude Giroux will retire a flyer imo. And he should.
- Tfaehner

Claude is still pretty damn productive both on offense and at the dot. Kills penalties too. I would hold onto him. You can still build with him for a few years.

I think as far as the "core" goes Coots is likely safe too. Jake and Simmonds would be the guys on the hot seat imo. And I don't think any of the young D men are going to get moved any time soon.

- Glak18

Grrrrrrrrrrrr

So is Voracek, JvR, Weise, Weal, Giroux, Patrick, Coots, Provorov, Ghost, Amac, Folin, every goalie not named Hart
- Glak18

Not nearly with the frequency that Simmonds is.

So is Voracek, JvR, Weise, Weal, Giroux, Patrick, Coots, Provorov, Ghost, Amac, Folin, every goalie not named Hart
- Glak18

You are making me verrrrrrry angry

Move salary, become more flexible for additions when we have a shot.

We will get 2 great picks (early 2nd too) with a chance for the 1st overall. And could maybe move up for Hughes.

We are not competitive, so just think about next year....and changes! For the better (maybe).

The clinging to G amazes me. He needs to move on for his own sake. Despite the NMC, he would still bring a good return.

I agree that his pending contract status is a part of it but can we please stop pretending that Simmonds is not a focal point for criticism? Anyone who spends regular time on here can see that is the case.
- MJL

Is anyone not a focal point for criticism this year? Hart, Laughton, Sanhiem. Maybe Gudas and TK. Everyone else routinely gets poop on here. I gotta see posts calling Patrick a bust, JVR a lazy bum & Jake a low IQ player on a daily basis just to name a few.

Move salary, become more flexible for additions when we have a shot.

We will get 2 great picks (early 2nd too) with a chance for the 1st overall. And could maybe move up for Hughes.

We are not competitive, so just think about next year....and changes! For the better (maybe).

The clinging to G amazes me. He needs to move on for his own sake. Despite the NMC, he would still bring a good return.
- DrMidnite

A trade of Giroux is a non starter for me.

Gostisbehere when he is right is a top pairing defenseman. Other than on the PK, he should be getting heavy minutes. The NHL game today is a passing, skating, puck moving league. The best teams control the neutral zone and the blue lines and play in the other teams end more. In that scenario, Gostisbehere is an elite player. If he was bigger and stronger, and was better suited to play around the net and in the corners, he'd be among the best all around defenseman in the league. Like pretty much the entire team, he has just lost his way this year. He has the ability to make a big impact on the game and for a team.
- MJL

I agree with you mostly but this is outside the point I was making. The way Ghost is playing this year and the way Provy is playing this year don’t go together and definitely don’t make a top pairing. If.....if....if....is all anyone can say about the hope that they both return to form at the same time.

And I didn’t say that I want to trade Gostisbehere. He is not likely to be traded.

Is anyone not a focal point for criticism this year? Hart, Laughton, Sanhiem. Maybe Gudas and TK. Everyone else routinely gets poop on here. I gotta see posts calling Patrick a bust, JVR a lazy bum & Jake a low IQ player on a daily basis just to name a few.
- hereticpride

Many player have been criticized. None to the level that Simmonds has.

Not nearly with the frequency that Simmonds is.
- MJL

If Voracek was a UFA he would be 24/7

You are making me verrrrrrry angry
- dragonoffrost

Is that your favorite player?

I agree with you mostly but this is outside the point I was making. The way Ghost is playing this year and the way Provy is playing this year don’t go together and definitely don’t make a top pairing. If.....if....if....is all anyone can say about the hope that they both return to form at the same time.

And I didn’t say that I want to trade Gostisbehere. He is not likely to be traded.
- NC Flyers Fan

I gotcha!

Claude is still pretty damn productive both on offense and at the dot. Kills penalties too. I would hold onto him. You can still build with him for a few years.

I think as far as the "core" goes Coots is likely safe too. Jake and Simmonds would be the guys on the hot seat imo. And I don't think any of the young D men are going to get moved any time soon.
- hereticpride

Coots nopa tk and g make very little sense to trade. Sanheim gost and provy as well. Hart for goalies same. As far as prospects only really frost and farabee are untouchables to me. Anyone else on the current team or prospect pool can be had for the right trade. Especially considering someone from hagg Morin myers etc will likely be in Seattle. We need another center d man and a healthy vet goalie (could be elliot if he gets healthy). Outside of that unless it's a talent or scheme upgrade over the current high end players I dont see much a point in making the deal. As in upgrading Jake with stone. Etc.

Move salary, become more flexible for additions when we have a shot.

We will get 2 great picks (early 2nd too) with a chance for the 1st overall. And could maybe move up for Hughes.

We are not competitive, so just think about next year....and changes! For the better (maybe).

The clinging to G amazes me. He needs to move on for his own sake. Despite the NMC, he would still bring a good return.
- DrMidnite

You still need guys to build around and with what we have now I would want G to be one of them. He's the best point producer we have, can play multiple positions, plays the PK & PP and is great at the dot.

I get that he's the Captain and that comes with higher expectations but he's not one of the guys I'd be trying to ship out right now.

Is anyone not a focal point for criticism this year? Hart, Laughton, Sanhiem. Maybe Gudas and TK. Everyone else routinely gets poop on here. I gotta see posts calling Patrick a bust, JVR a lazy bum & Jake a low IQ player on a daily basis just to name a few.
- hereticpride

I remember clearly Giroux getting crapped on for 2 years in here...when it is deserved it is deserved.

A trade of Giroux is a non starter for me.
- MJL

I know

Many player have been criticized. None to the level that Simmonds has.
- MJL

A lot of it is due to the expectation that he doesnt return. Most people like to convince themselves if they're leaving they have to be bad players.

Many player have been criticized. None to the level that Simmonds has.
- MJL

Like I said, his contract is up. A decision has to be made. People are voicing their opinions how that should be handled.

If Jake's contract were up after this disaster season it'd be the same discussion.

A lot of it is due to the expectation that he doesnt return. Most people like to convince themselves if they're leaving they have to be bad players.
- Tfaehner

I call it how I see it. If Simmonds starts to play better than he gets credit, but scoring a goal in a game doesn't always mean they had a good game. The only reason anyone would want to re-sign Simmonds is because of pure loyalty.

Like I said, his contract is up. A decision has to be made. People are voicing their opinions how that should be handled.

If Jake's contract were up after this disaster season it'd be the same discussion.
- hereticpride

If Voracek was a UFA I would be shopping him for a new pair of skates for Hart.

I call it how I see it. If Simmonds starts to play better than he gets credit, but scoring a goal in a game doesn't always mean they had a good game. The only reason anyone would want to re-sign Simmonds is because of pure loyalty.
- Glak18

I like simmer. I dont think hes playing all that well but hes far from the only problem on this team. He like jvr has never been a play driver on his own. My biggest gripe with him is a similar one to most the team in that hes not back checking or getting involved physically like he used to. But again thats a team wide issue imo. I think it's in our best interest to trade him. But that's not because I dont think he has anything left.

You still need guys to build around and with what we have now I would want G to be one of them. He's the best point producer we have, can play multiple positions, plays the PK & PP and is great at the dot.

I get that he's the Captain and that comes with higher expectations but he's not one of the guys I'd be trying to ship out right now.
- hereticpride

My entire point is how quickly we can WIN. The cup.

I appreciate other opinions which is why I like this board.

He IS the best player, and has been for years, on this core that has been awful.

Also, I get that he may have been betrayed by his: Coach and GM, President & Owner (with their: old-boy, former player, 200 ft or bust nonsense.)

We need to load-up on young talent with high-ceilings and hope we hit on AT LEAST one of them....

Just like Giroux back in the day, as a late 1st rounder! Maybe Frost is that? Maybe he excels against Junior talent....

I swear that the whole, bad-but-not-awful sounds good but does not always work as quickly as by-the-book-factoids would like.