I wouldn't even count Gudas. He will soon be moved on from because I feel him and Hagg are similar players. Nextyear Hagg could handle his role I believe.
- J35Bacher

Gudas has only been our most consistent and reliable Dman this year but yea sure. Would love to see Murray come in and one of these guys moved out because of it. Would be a constant talking point.

If you take away Simmonds goal scoring ability, he wouldn't be close to the player he has been. Those other qualities are nice but not the main value in his game. What you see is the league changing rather than Simmonds changing.
- MJL

Doesn't matter if Simmonds changed or the NHL changed. Its irrevelent. What does matter is that part of what made Simmonds more effective then another player that scores 30 goals... like JVR... was the "toughness" he brought to the team. Without that you just have JVR. We don't need 2 JVR's.

Murray is better than all of them at this point. We don't know about Myers yet. We don't know about Morin. Hagg is a 3rd pair player in my opinion. Gudas is a nice player.
- MJL

So we should move away from guys that are not far off in talent as of today, with more potential, for a 4-6 Dman? Count me out.

If that was the case, then he should have kept upper management in the loop. Keeping everyone in the dark gave them no indication the moves that were available weren’t positive for the team. Ultimately, I don’t believe his GM skills were lacking, I believe it was his lack of communication skills and omnipotence that doomed his tenure. On the other hand, Fletchers’ lack of moves so far give me hope that he isn’t a knee jerk, make something happen no matter what type of GM. Since this season is pretty much lost as far as playoffs go, i’m patiently waiting to see if the moves Fletcher does make, are positive LONG TERM moves, or make the team competitive NOW moves that ruin the cap position and gut the farm system. This delicate balance is what separates great GM’s from run of the mill retreads.

BTW, that Spanky clip and post to BiggE made me laugh out loud! Thanks!
- Hokeeguy9

GM's are on the phone constantly. Do you really think that a GM is required to document and submit to ownership every deal they were offered and didn't make? No GM would want to work under that level of micro managing and scrutiny.

Here is what is missing. It's a process of turning around a team and it involves levels and steps. Hextall wasn't going to remain patient for ever. When the time is right he would've made the moves to shore up the team. There are models of what Hextall was trying to do in NHL history.

So we should move away from guys that are not far off in talent as of today, with more potential, for a 4-6 Dman? Count me out.
- ClaudeFather

Adding Murray improves the team. They can then use other players if they have an excess to acquire and help fill other needs.

Doesn't matter if Simmonds changed or the NHL changed. Its irrevelent. What does matter is that part of what made Simmonds more effective then another player that scores 30 goals... like JVR... was the "toughness" he brought to the team. Without that you just have JVR. We don't need 2 JVR's.
- youarewrong

I disagree that the toughness isn't still there. You mentioned fighting. That's what is irrelevant. Simmonds fights are down because it's down in the NHL. So it does matter.

What also stays is your post.

"And those 30 goals have really made them a really good team."
- MJL

Checks standings...nope it hasn't.

I'd just like to say that I disagree with every single post made today, including my own.

Adding Murray improves the team. They can then use other players if they have an excess to acquire and help fill other needs.
- MJL

In another scenario yes, but moving Simmonds for a 4-5 Dman would be foolish.
I'll value a first round pick in the low 20s higher than Murray, we already have a few of those with more potential.

Why?
- J35Bacher

I despise Bracco then you added in Zaitsev...neither player I want for free.

Checks standings...nope it hasn't.
- Glak18

Checked the standings. Giroux hasn't helped either!

GM's are on the phone constantly. Do you really think that a GM is required to document and submit to ownership every deal they were offered and didn't make? No GM would want to work under that level of micro managing and scrutiny.

Here is what is missing. It's a process of turning around a team and it involves levels and steps. Hextall wasn't going to remain patient for ever. When the time is right he would've made the moves to shore up the team. There are models of what Hextall was trying to do in NHL history.
- MJL

You completely missed the point. I’ll pass on discussions with you.

In another scenario yes, but moving Simmonds for a 4-5 Dman would be foolish.
I'll value a first round pick in the low 20s higher than Murray, we already have a few of those with more potential.
- ClaudeFather

Adding a player like Murray for a soon to be UFA would be a really good deal.

You completely missed the point. I’ll pass on discussions with you.
- Hokeeguy9

Okay!

Adding a player like Murray for a soon to be UFA would be a really good deal.
- MJL

Rather get a first round pick than a 4-5 Dman. We have those.

Checked the standings. Giroux hasn't helped either!
- MJL

You're right, as long as the Flyers keep Weise next year with his 5 goals the team will be improved.

Rather get a first round pick than a 4-5 Dman. We have those.
- ClaudeFather

So this team doesn't need to improve it's defense?

You're right, as long as the Flyers keep Weise next year with his 5 goals the team will be improved.
- Glak18

Still not making any sense.

So this team doesn't need to improve it's defense?
- MJL

So the team doesn't need to improve it's goal tending and offense? If we are in agreement that the team needs to improve everywhere, and that we probably won't be challenging for the cup next year, then we sure as hell should not be trading Simmonds for a 4-5 Dman. I'd rather get a first round pick and let our young Dmen play all of this year and next. Hell, come January next year all of our young D could be better than Murray. Simmonds for him would be foolish and a waste.

Just read Garth's blog.

If the Flyers trade Couturier I am going to burn down the team offices.

Carry on .

So the team doesn't need to improve it's goal tending and offense? If we are in agreement that the team needs to improve everywhere, and that we probably won't be challenging for the cup next year, then we sure as hell should not be trading Simmonds for a 4-5 Dman. I'd rather get a first round pick and let our young Dmen play all of this year and next. Hell, come January next year all of our young D could be better than Murray. Simmonds for him would be foolish and a waste.
- ClaudeFather

Id also be concerned about his injury history and that he makes Sanheim look physical

Why can't re-signing Simmonds lead to the team to be improved next season? He's going to score close to 30 again.
- MJL

It's not about improving just for next season. How much longer do you think he can continue to score 30?

I think that's why I'm feeling neither side will agree on the length.

Id also be concerned about his injury history and that he makes Sanheim look physical
- juiced

Talk about a guy that does not player Flyers hockey. There is a strong chance that we have 6 Dmen that are all better than Murray by next January, I can't believe this is even a discussion.

My goal for a Simmonds trade would be something like this:

To Boston: Simmonds
To Philadelphia: Ryan Donato, conditional 3rd rounder on if Boston gets to the finals then turns to first rounder, or turns to first rounder if Simmonds re signs.

or

To Toronto: Simmonds, Hagg, 2019 4th rounder
To Philadelphia: Jeremy Bracco, Mason Marchment, Nikita Zeitsev, 2019 3rd
rounder
- J35Bacher

I'm digging that Boston trade.

Just read Garth's blog.

If the Flyers trade Couturier I am going to burn down the team offices.

Carry on .
- MBFlyerfan

Typos
Horrible grammar
Incorrect timeline of events

Pretty sure I'll never read another of his blogs.