1. I think we match up with the caps much better and would rather face then in round 1

2. Pens have more games in hand
- bulet13

1. Yes.
2. Yes.

How so? Org is down on Vorobyev, Ginning is third-pair type prospect, a 2021 2nd rounder gives you plenty of time to replace that asset and this scenario has Wild retaining half of Staal. He is still productive and has only one contract year after this one. At 50% of his cap hit, it'd be hard to turn that down.
- bmeltzer

I think a lot of guys are Hextall-ized....they are use to in- action and consider stock piling of assets the smart move in almost all instances. But what they fail to see this team is different then two years ago. If that is all it would take to get Staal you do that deal EVERY time.

Is it gibbing or the second that scares you? For 50% retention through next year I don’t think it’s crazy. Voro is the throw in for this year roster spot. So prospect and pick for staal. Gibbing to me is 3 or 4 down the list for our d men prospects. Zamula and York ahead.

Would attard be better or just not willing to send a prospect and pick.
- Peter Richards

Neither scare me. I would do this deal in a heartbeat.

Pens blew it

I thinking adding Staal could be a great move but I’d be worried about the cost. That proposed deal won’t cut it. If not a 1st I think you’re talking a 2nd and a pretty good prospect.

Ultimately I think they’ll take a cheaper route if anything.

I'm not overrating Vorobyev at all. Including him in the deal does not give me any pause. I think Ginning is a solid defense prospect that the Flyers should keep.

I haven't made any comments on what Minnesota would do only that I don't want the Flyers to make that deal.
- MJL

I side with Bill but I dont honestly know much about Ginning besides what I read and from that it doesn’t seem like a big lose.

What makes you think he has upside ?

What is there 5 teams in the NHL with more points than the Flyers? Teams come out of nowhere to win just look at the Blues last year. Worst to Cup.

Fetcher owes it to this collective group of players to upgrade. They have been a top 3 team in the NHL over the last two months. That is a big enough sample size to realize they are a contender. Need another player who can add offense.

I thinking adding Staal could be a great move but I’d be worried about the cost. That proposed deal won’t cut it. If not a 1st I think you’re talking a 2nd and a pretty good prospect.

Ultimately I think they’ll take a cheaper route if anything.
- hereticpride

I think Staal would be a great add for both this and next year. Great player and style of play for Patrick to mold after. We’d be a pain in the ass to play with Couts-Hayes-Staal down the middle. Guys won a Cup before too.

I side with Bill but I dont honestly know much about Ginning besides what I read and from that it doesn’t seem like a big lose.

What makes you think he has upside ?
- wcorvette

That he was drafted with a #2 pick.

Here is what I think and what factors into my overall opinion. The team is playing really well. People think this team has a shot. Maybe they're right about that. We'll see.

My overall thinking is that I see something special developing. The only reason they have any cap space now is because of players in LTIR. I think that the Flyers have a lot of youth in key spots and I think that will be exposed some in the playoffs. I think they'll be competitive but ultimately fall short and lose to a better team. I think adding a player at the deadline helps but how much will it actually elevate them.

Looking forward to next year, they gain a little bit of cap space, 500K or so losing the retained Gudas salary and the increase in the MacDonald buyout. The cap going up will add to available cap space. Are the Flyers going to make any moves in the off season?

As their younger players get better and better , the team will get better. To the point where they hopefully become legit contenders. At that point is when the Flyers should absolutely use top prospects and draft picks to bolster the team for Cup runs. The question is if that point is now. When a team gets to that point, they start to dwindle their prospect base. I think if you start doing that too soon, you make that situation worse and make it harder to keep a team together under the cap. You then have to overpay to fill holes. My thought is that it is premature to start trading for older veteran players. Remember, this is not just going to happen this season but most likely future seasons as well. It is cumulative.

I think the Flyers need to remain patient a little longer. However I fully admit that the possibility exists that Hart could get hot and they could make a run this year. My hunch though is that they won't. Those that disagree can take solace in the possibility that I very well could be wrong.

That he was drafted with a #2 pick.

Here is what I think and what factors into my overall opinion. The team is playing really well. People think this team has a shot. Maybe they're right about that. We'll see.

My overall thinking is that I see something special developing. The only reason they have any cap space now is because of players in LTIR. I think that the Flyers have a lot of youth in key spots and I think that will be exposed some in the playoffs. I think they'll be competitive but ultimately fall short and lose to a better team. I think adding a player at the deadline helps but how much will it actually elevate them.

Looking forward to next year, they gain a little bit of cap space, 500K or so losing the retained Gudas salary and the increase in the MacDonald buyout. The cap going up will add to available cap space. Are the Flyers going to make any moves in the off season?

As their younger players get better and better , the team will get better. To the point where they hopefully become legit contenders. At that point is when the Flyers should absolutely use top prospects and draft picks to bolster the team for Cup runs. The question is if that point is now. When a team gets to that point, they start to dwindle their prospect base. I think if you start doing that too soon, you make that situation worse and make it harder to keep a team together under the cap. You then have to overpay to fill holes. My thought is that it is premature to start trading for older veteran players. Remember, this is not just going to happen this season but most likely future seasons as well. It is cumulative.

I think the Flyers need to remain patient a little longer. However I fully admit that the possibility exists that Hart could get hot and they could make a run this year. My hunch though is that they won't. Those that disagree can take solace in the possibility that I very well could be wrong.
- MJL

Most sensible people agree with you on that it doesnt make sense to trade futures for pieces u till the team is a legit contender. I think the issue is some people think the team is a legit contender now.

I think the flyers currently are a top tier 2 contender, and that I'd better than what it has been in the past. But I dont think they can take down Boston or Tampa or Colorado or Vegas currently in a 7 game series. It's totally possible they will, but it will require winning key games on the road and I'm not sure this team has that in them. However, if they lock up a home ice advantage that may change

That being said, I'm open to moves now if it makes sense long term also and only involves group b or c prospects

That he was drafted with a #2 pick.

Here is what I think and what factors into my overall opinion. The team is playing really well. People think this team has a shot. Maybe they're right about that. We'll see.

My overall thinking is that I see something special developing. The only reason they have any cap space now is because of players in LTIR. I think that the Flyers have a lot of youth in key spots and I think that will be exposed some in the playoffs. I think they'll be competitive but ultimately fall short and lose to a better team. I think adding a player at the deadline helps but how much will it actually elevate them.

Looking forward to next year, they gain a little bit of cap space, 500K or so losing the retained Gudas salary and the increase in the MacDonald buyout. The cap going up will add to available cap space. Are the Flyers going to make any moves in the off season?

As their younger players get better and better , the team will get better. To the point where they hopefully become legit contenders. At that point is when the Flyers should absolutely use top prospects and draft picks to bolster the team for Cup runs. The question is if that point is now. When a team gets to that point, they start to dwindle their prospect base. I think if you start doing that too soon, you make that situation worse and make it harder to keep a team together under the cap. You then have to overpay to fill holes. My thought is that it is premature to start trading for older veteran players. Remember, this is not just going to happen this season but most likely future seasons as well. It is cumulative.

I think the Flyers need to remain patient a little longer. However I fully admit that the possibility exists that Hart could get hot and they could make a run this year. My hunch though is that they won't. Those that disagree can take solace in the possibility that I very well could be wrong.
- MJL

well said, and i agree. i like the team and its chemistry and the talent in the wings. overpaying for a rental, or worse taking a modest talent improvement for an anchor contract is not my idea of smart. Even if it improves the team for rest of 2020.

Most sensible people agree with you on that it doesnt make sense to trade futures for pieces u till the team is a legit contender. I think the issue is some people think the team is a legit contender now.

I think the flyers currently are a top tier 2 contender, and that I'd better than what it has been in the past. But I dont think they can take down Boston or Tampa or Colorado or Vegas currently in a 7 game series. It's totally possible they will, but it will require winning key games on the road and I'm not sure this team has that in them. However, if they lock up a home ice advantage that may change

That being said, I'm open to moves now if it makes sense long term also and only involves group b/c prospects
- bulet13

That's the million dollar question. People are excited about the team. That's understandable. I'm open to a move with a future component but I don't think that kind of move is going to happen at the deadline.

He would probably be devastated and his career would end.
- MJL

Thanks for confirming I’m right. The fact is the flyers have always been considered a classy organization.
Sure make light of the argument but the flyers aren’t going to do that.
For any low level move they might even make this conversation has outlived any useful energy.

Yes, I get that it varies and is calculated based on a portion of revenues. A distant fourth, at over 5 billion. It's a tough debate, but one that should be discussed and has been discussed on TSN.

McDavid's contribution and value to the league is far more than 12.5 million and far more than just the points he puts up in Edm (even still that justifies a higher pay).
- Bryz's Buyout Fund

Just did a quick search, don't have time for a more detailed analysis, but for 2018 the highest revenue of an NBA team was around 426M (Knicks).
In comparison, the NHL had the Rangers as the team with the highest revenue at 250M.
The MLB had the Yankees generate 600M income in 2018.
Given all the above and the fact that roster sizes differ as nhl teams carry more playing contracts than the NBA, it is easy to see the reason for the salary discrepanciess.
Unfortunately hockey is not as popular as the other three sports with lower revenues from merchandising and TV deals and since we are living in a money driven world, this is the result.

That's the million dollar question. People are excited about the team. That's understandable. I'm open to a move with a future component but I don't think that kind of move is going to happen at the deadline.
- MJL

Prolly not. I do think Staal could be a good fit but he wont be as cheap like most posters here seem to think. I outlined what it would probably take in a previous blog and I dont want the flyers to give up those pieces yet

Thanks for confirming I’m right. The fact is the flyers have always been considered a classy organization.
Sure make light of the argument but the flyers aren’t going to do that.
For any low level move they might even make this conversation has outlived any useful energy.
- bird_dog_pa

Continuing to conduct hockey business during the Flyers wives carnival would not make them a classless organization. It's a simple process of pulling the player aside so he can be informed that a move was made and he has been traded. A transaction is not official until the trade call is made at the NHL offices. A team could change their mind on a deal if they find a better deal. That is why your premise is incorrect. The team takes priority.

That he was drafted with a #2 pick.

Here is what I think and what factors into my overall opinion. The team is playing really well. People think this team has a shot. Maybe they're right about that. We'll see.

My overall thinking is that I see something special developing. The only reason they have any cap space now is because of players in LTIR. I think that the Flyers have a lot of youth in key spots and I think that will be exposed some in the playoffs. I think they'll be competitive but ultimately fall short and lose to a better team. I think adding a player at the deadline helps but how much will it actually elevate them.

Looking forward to next year, they gain a little bit of cap space, 500K or so losing the retained Gudas salary and the increase in the MacDonald buyout. The cap going up will add to available cap space. Are the Flyers going to make any moves in the off season?

As their younger players get better and better , the team will get better. To the point where they hopefully become legit contenders. At that point is when the Flyers should absolutely use top prospects and draft picks to bolster the team for Cup runs. The question is if that point is now. When a team gets to that point, they start to dwindle their prospect base. I think if you start doing that too soon, you make that situation worse and make it harder to keep a team together under the cap. You then have to overpay to fill holes. My thought is that it is premature to start trading for older veteran players. Remember, this is not just going to happen this season but most likely future seasons as well. It is cumulative.

I think the Flyers need to remain patient a little longer. However I fully admit that the possibility exists that Hart could get hot and they could make a run this year. My hunch though is that they won't. Those that disagree can take solace in the possibility that I very well could be wrong.
- MJL

I don’t disagree, as I said yesterday the Flyers still have a mini slump coming this season, we will have to see how They respond to that, all teams go through it and younger teams at crunch time have more to prove. Pens are going through it now, so are the Caps but we know they have the playoff tested teams to push through.

That said, losing Vorb and Ginning for Staal I would do, I do agree the group has earned the best chance to win.

My preference, Patrick comes back and they stand pat.

Most sensible people agree with you on that it doesnt make sense to trade futures for pieces u till the team is a legit contender. I think the issue is some people think the team is a legit contender now.

I think the flyers currently are a top tier 2 contender, and that I'd better than what it has been in the past. But I dont think they can take down Boston or Tampa or Colorado or Vegas currently in a 7 game series. It's totally possible they will, but it will require winning key games on the road and I'm not sure this team has that in them. However, if they lock up a home ice advantage that may change

That being said, I'm open to moves now if it makes sense long term also and only involves group b or c prospects
- bulet13

I think if you can add staal who is signed through next year makes us a contender next year. Gain the exp this year but also adding him makes us more dangerous for this years playoffs.

Also understand standing pat and tweaking the rest this offseason.

Agree he would be great for patty when/ if he returns and would be a solid insurance to that.

The leafs really remind of the sixers.

The leafs really remind of the sixers.
- Just5

Don’t insult the Leafs like that

Please Flyers, don't do this.
- MJL

That’s a steal for the Flyers. There’s a difference between not wanting to make moves and being scared to make moves. Don’t drink the Hextall koolaid.

That’s a steal for the Flyers. There’s a difference between not wanting to make moves and being scared to make moves. Don’t drink the Hextall koolaid.
- Flyers1218

Moves are just moves. Being smart about things is not being scared. The Hextall comments are asinine.

Looks like Ustimenko just might be a top notch prospect, nice.
- BiggE

Hope he pushes Hart and Hart pushes him.

Watching the leafs lose to their farm team zamboni driver has to be one of my best hockey memories. Being a flyer fan from Toronto it really doesn't get much better than this
- flyeredup85

The person most happy about it is probably Sanheim. Nobody is talking about Gerbe pushing him over anymore.

Hope he pushes Hart and Hart pushes him.
- Tomahawk

Dont forget about Ersson