Sad to see Weal go, but happy they at least got something for him. I’m not sure what happened. He showed a few flashes of greatness a couple seasons ago, but he’s been invisible since then, along with taking dumb penalties. I miss Flippy, that’s for sure.

Let’s go Flyers.
- jsh139

Alex what are...

Things never said while they played for the Flyers

Admitted Bozo here.
Would like to see more flashes of the move he made turning the Dman inside out and see him finish. They just have been so few and far between it just has me wondering about this kid. I do realize he is quite young still. Maybe next year he puts it all together.
- konalover711

Everyone is somewhat disappointed in the player....hopefully for his sake and the teams he starts to put it together....the good thing is he’s ultra talented and he works hard. Sometime it just takes a bit longer. I think he have a decent second half if the last couple of games are any indication.

I would love to try to pry Coyle out from Minnesota, I think Gudas could help them and give them more depth for the playoffs, especially being a RH.
- Glak18

Me too I think hes a perfect fit. Even if we by a stroke of luck get Hughes coyle can slide to wing. Minnesota is another team that just seems like it needs its core shaken up. 3 wins in last 10 for them.

I know we are pretty much out of the playoff picture but lets not ignore what happened last year with Florida. They were in a similar position last season. They were 19-22-6. 44 points in 47 games and then within the last 2 months went 25-9-2 and only missed because the Flyers lost more games in OT

I’m with you, a Cup team cannot be built solely through the draft, nor are trades and FA only good for adding a supplemental piece or 2. Over the last decade key players on Cup teams were added via trade/FA; Carter, Richards, Hossa, Sharp, Chara, Kessel, etc. Those are key players. Jake Voracek is a core player on this team, he was acquired via trade, the pick that landed them Coots came in a trade, Gudas who has been our best Dman, you guessed it, came in a trade.

I don’t think Fletcher is going to go on and trade a bunch of firsts and all our top prospects for instant gratification, but odds are a couple may be on the move and a big dollar FA or 2 might be signed. I’m good with that. Let’s start winning!
- BiggE

I agree with you, no team can be built solely through the draft. It should be about an 85% draft and 15% with other methods. You aren't going to trade your way to the Cup. What you up becoming is that team that is up against the Cap but isn't good enough and doesn't have the draft picks to get there. That's where they were under Holmgren. That's not a good place to be. You also wind up overpaying for something both in terms of assets and cap space for something you could've filled by being patient. It's like buying something for full price a week before it goes on sale.

Do you really think acquiring players like Gudas is what gets a team to a Cup? There's a reason he was available. Not that he's a bad player.

I know we are pretty much out of the playoff picture but lets not ignore what happened last year with Florida. They were in a similar position last season. They were 19-22-6. 44 points in 47 games and then within the last 2 months went 25-9-2 and only missed because the Flyers lost more games in OT
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

And than they got a late first made very minimal off season changes and are out of the playoffs again..

Moral of the story dont be like Florida.

Yup. But also I acknowledge not everyone will make it. Giving up Myers frost farabee this years first those guys would be a hard pass. But would I consider rubtsov or allison or someone like that ? Yes I would. If it gets us a player that will be with this core. Guys like Coyle kapanen etc that are on the block are worth it if its possible. I dont want us to sign panarin duchene stone Bob. That's dumb. I would like 1 supplemented with a trade or 2 and some youth coming in. And Hughes would be icing on that.
- Tfaehner

Coyle is not worth giving up a quality prospect for.

I know we are pretty much out of the playoff picture but lets not ignore what happened last year with Florida. They were in a similar position last season. They were 19-22-6. 44 points in 47 games and then within the last 2 months went 25-9-2 and only missed because the Flyers lost more games in OT
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I commend your optimism, but it’s just not happening. Assuming a minimum of 92 points will be needed to get in, they need to go something like: 25-9-4

If it takes 95 points, they would have to go: 27-8-3

The odds of this happening are roughly equivalent to the odds of Donald Trump inviting Rosie O’Donnell to a White House dinner.

I commend your optimism, but it’s just not happening. Assuming a minimum of 92 points will be needed to get in, they need to go something like: 25-9-4

If it takes 95 points, they would have to go: 27-8-3

The odds of this happening are roughly equivalent to the odds of Donald Trump inviting Rosie O’Donnell to a White House dinner.
- BiggE

And it’s not like they are playing really good either. I don’t even think they will get back to .500....even that would shock me.

I agree with you, no team can be built solely through the draft. It should be about an 85% draft and 15% with other methods. You aren't going to trade your way to the Cup. What you up becoming is that team that is up against the Cap but isn't good enough and doesn't have the draft picks to get there. That's where they were under Holmgren. That's not a good place to be. You also wind up overpaying for something both in terms of assets and cap space for something you could've filled by being patient. It's like buying something for full price a week before it goes on sale.

Do you really think acquiring players like Gudas is what gets a team to a Cup? There's a reason he was available. Not that he's a bad player.
- MJL

I think 85% is a bit high. If on a 23 man roster 15 came via the draft, 4-5 via trades and 3-4 via FA; that would be more realistic. That’s roughly 65% via the draft which I think is more realistic. 85% would be 20 of 23 which is probably not going to happen. It’s not impossible, but it’s highly unlikely.

And it’s not like they are playing really good either. I don’t even think they will get back to .500....even that would shock me.
- landros 2

They have 3 wins with Carter hart in net sporting a .924 save percentage. I dont see this season changing its course.

I think 85% is a bit high. If on a 23 man roster 15 came via the draft, 4-5 via trades and 3-4 via FA; that would be more realistic. That’s roughly 65% via the draft which I think is more realistic. 85% would be 20 of 23 which is probably not going to happen. It’s not impossible, but it’s highly unlikely.
- BiggE

Maybe so but you get the idea. I see it as closer to 100% than 50%. That's the goal. That is sustainable.

And it’s not like they are playing really good either. I don’t even think they will get back to .500....even that would shock me.
- landros 2

Yup. At best they pick it up a bit, play with a little more heart and consistency and pick up 42-45 points in their remaining games. That would leave them in the 80-83 point range. More realistically, they finish in the 75-78 point range.

Yup. At best they pick it up a bit, play with a little more heart and consistency and pick up 42-45 points in their remaining games. That would leave them in the 80-83 point range. More realistically, they finish in the 75-78 point range.
- BiggE

I think we finish the season playing around .400 hockey. And likely finish with the 6-10 pick.

Maybe so but you get the idea.
- MJL

I’m just pointing out that most recent Cup teams acquired one or two key players via means other than the draft. That’s all. It’s really not a point that can be argued, it’s a fact.

They have 3 wins with Carter hart in net sporting a .924 save percentage. I dont see this season changing its course.
- Tfaehner

That’s what this season is....the season of change. The more the better. At least Hart is showing he belongs.

I think we finish the season playing around .400 hockey. And likely finish with the 6-10 pick.
- Tfaehner

If they go .400 the rest of the way, they will finish with 69 or so points. That would likely put them in the 29-31 range and guarantee them a pick in the top 6.

If they go .400 the rest of the way, they will finish with 69 or so points. That would likely put them in the 29-31 range and guarantee them a pick in the top 6.
- BiggE

Don’t forget it’s a lottery....you just never know. Even if you pick 5 or 6, you may still get the best player in the long run...look at Elias Patterson in VCR...you never know.

Don’t forget it’s a lottery....you just never know. Even if you pick 5 or 6, you may still get the best player in the long run...look at Elias Patterson in VCR...you never know.
- landros 2

We arent that lucky. And he is right now but I hardly put stake into year 2 vs a 15 year career.

I’m just pointing out that most recent Cup teams acquired one or two key players via means other than the draft. That’s all. It’s really not a point that can be argued, it’s a fact.
- BiggE

I agree with that 100%. What my point is that you have to build your team up first through the draft to the correct level and then identify how you have to supplement with other means. For example the Flyers signed JvR. Maybe you develop some of the prospects into quality NHL LW's? Now you have an older player pushed down in the lineup and a cap expenditure you really didn't need. Process, draft first, supplement later. I don't think this team is at the point where the team should go wild in the off season. I'm fine with a good hockey trade that is for the future. If they sign a big UFA, I would look to perhaps move Voracek to off set. Though I don't think that would be easy.

If they go .400 the rest of the way, they will finish with 69 or so points. That would likely put them in the 29-31 range and guarantee them a pick in the top 6.
- BiggE

I think other teams like Ottawa Detroit rangers sell off the team and bottom out. Kings Chicago flyers I think are better than their record and will win some down the stretch.

And than they got a late first made very minimal off season changes and are out of the playoffs again..

Moral of the story dont be like Florida.
- Tfaehner

Except Florida did make a huge change. They added Hoffman. The problem with Florida has been goaltending. Lu has been awful and injured

Unlike the Flyers we dont really need change. We need our young players to step up.

With Hart we have had top level goaltending

If Ghost and Provorov start to play well we got our D back

As for forwards we already know we have a good offense. We just got to finish and Koneny, Linblom and Patrick are going to be a big part of that.

As a team selling, only players we are selling that would help us by keeping would be Simmonds if the PP gets going and Raffl. Everyone else is basically addition by subtraction

xx

I'm not saying you haven't read the tea leaves correctly but this scares me.
- MJL

me too to be honest.

And it’s not like they are playing really good either. I don’t even think they will get back to .500....even that would shock me.
- landros 2

That is the thing though hot streaks happen and they arent described by logic. Flyers dont have to play good to win games. When you hot, everything just goes right. You get the bounces, opponents just cant seem to bury the puck, players confidence rises and they starttrying to make plays they werent confident making before. Like with Florida, they were not a good team either and werent a team playing good hockey for most the season and it was just like a switch was flipped.