I’d be happy if Ghost stays and plays a full time role next season. His puck skill is an element they need.

But I can’t get over the fact that with the PP struggling so badly in the playoffs they didn’t trust ghost enough on the D side to play him, when he surely would have been a boost to the awful PP. And that makes me think he doesn’t likely have a future here.

I don’t see them trading him for a forward. Fletcher spoke about needing defensive depth. I think they part ways with Braun and if ghost is traded it will be for a guy to play #5-6 D that they feel is a better fit to the system.


Congrats to Couturier, he’s our MVP now.

This year, the Flyers were able to roll three LH/RH pairs. That's not always possible but I think they would like to have two such pairs if possible.

They have one more year with Niskanen. After that, they will need to develop another RH defenseman apart from Myers. York and Zamula both are LH and both should fit in the top 6 mix by 2021-22.

Friedman is RH but I am not sure if he is internally viewed as much more than being on the 6/7 bubble at the NHL level.

Wylie is RH, but we'll have to see first how he develops at AHL level. He isn't a fast-tracker right now. In January, Flahr said that, while he's become an all-situations D as a junior, Wylie is more likely to be strictly a defensive/PK guy as a pro. A guy who keeps it pretty simple when he has the puck.

So, a couple years out, I could see it looking something like this:

Provorov-Myers
Sanheim-Zamula
York- RH defenseman
Hägg, Friedman or another No. 7
- bmeltzer

Has Flahr mentioned Attard? He is a righty that might not need a long time in the AHL.

Coots will be the new g/Jake in 3-4 years from now. Bank on it. And you laughers will be saying we should’ve traded him
- SMS4016[url]

The GM is in tough spot. Bad economy, teams cutting back, and he has to decide what direction to go.\

Though your premise is valid. Might be 2/3 years after his new deal though. Hockey wise lots of miles.

I just don't want to see this GM piss away his prime like the prior one did with Giroux and Jake.

Bergy in his prime also had pasta Marchand a complete d and 2wxcellent goalies. Different story. Our team isn’t in that position. Not now as proved by these playoffs. Thinking this team is anywhere near cup contenders is just not true.
- SMS4016

Pastrnak wasn't around until Bergeron hit his 30's... and IIRC, Marchand wasn't that hot yet when Bergeron was in his scoring prime (24-27) either.

Point is, Coots is what you anchor this team to. Everything else will come together around him.

The GM is in tough spot. Bad economy, teams cutting back, and he has to decide what direction to go.\

Though your premise is valid. Might be 2/3 years after his new deal though. Hockey wise lots of miles.

I just don't want to see this GM piss away his prime like the prior one did with Giroux and Jake.
- login

That’s the dilemma. We need way too much to actually contend now or next few years. Top line goal scoring winger. Maybe true too center. Another top pair dman. We won’t be drafting high enough to get that. No cap room for fa. So realistically we aren’t contending so not fletch fault. Like hexy said it’s not go time. We should be still building. How many times people have to see a slightly above average flyer team have some success and hype themselves up only to come across a younger faster more top end talent team that beets is before it’s realized that win now mentality without the the full rebuild doesn’t ever work. Need the foundation. I’m not worried about pissing coots prime away I’m worried about pissing harts prime away. Which will come in 4 years or so. Coots prime will be long gone by then. Keep building. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Yeah will be frustrating at times but the end goal will be worth it. Or listen to the win now crowd like Scott and fall like last 45 years

Depends how they’d want to go. Could go pick and prospects or prospects and picks or young player on cash strapped team. Many options. As long as it’s younger and for the future
- SMS4016

They would need immediate help to stay competitive too. There's 0% chance the Flyers are starting over after coming within a win of the ECF and winning a round for the first time in 8 years.

And let's for argument's sake say they would start over, pretty sure you would keep a Selke winner in his mid 20's.

Pastrnak wasn't around until Bergeron hit his 30's... and IIRC, Marchand wasn't that hot yet when Bergeron was in his scoring prime (24-27) either.

Point is, Coots is what you anchor this team to. Everything else will come together around him.
- Tomahawk

Well if prime is 24-27 then coots prime is over right? Boston was a veteran all around great team back then. We are a young team at key positions. That doesn’t win cups. Bergy comparison is just bad example. Look at the young players that will be here on cup contender hopefully and add the not known players yet. You’re talking at least 3 more years til their ready for go time. In 3 years coots will be how old? A lot older than bergy was at start of his run. And comes with a new high cap contract? Isn’t that the debate now with g/Jake? Sorry but coots brings back probably multiple pieces for future if traded now. Look at recchi trade back in 1995. Got dejardins leclair. People hated that trade at first. Including me. Just bought my first flyers jersey (recchi) still have it. But it was great move. It’s not like trading coots for 3rd round pick.

I must have missed it but what was the nature of Couturier’s knee injury?
I read high ankle sprain for Raffl, amazing he could skate and play through that. Was TK playing through an injury?

I think they'd like to see what Sandin and Laczynski can bring. If the price is right (no more than his current $1M), could see them resigning Pitlick or making a trade.
- bmeltzer

Bill,
Your class is showing. You've been accused of being MJL to increase viewership and been mocked as the best writer on HB (someone HAS to be best), yet you take the time to answer questions.
Can you answer this? I still see many people essentially blaming Dave Scott for Hextall's firing. I always understood it that it was not as much "win now" as it was wanting to know the long-term plan and Hextall was reluctant to share with his bosses what that was. That seems more evident with Fletcher's quotes about staying the course; basically continuing with Hexy's formula. At that time, you seemed to have a better understanding than us about what went down, but could not disclose the details.
Is Dave Scott running the Flyers on-ice product, or have the last two GM's been in charge?

Pastrnak wasn't around until Bergeron hit his 30's... and IIRC, Marchand wasn't that hot yet when Bergeron was in his scoring prime (24-27) either.

Point is, Coots is what you anchor this team to. Everything else will come together around him.
- Tomahawk

never argue with idiots. they drag you down to their level and then they beat you with experience.

Bill,
Your class is showing. You've been accused of being MJL to increase viewership and been mocked as the best writer on HB (someone HAS to be best), yet you take the time to answer questions.
Can you answer this? I still see many people essentially blaming Dave Scott for Hextall's firing. I always understood it that it was not as much "win now" as it was wanting to know the long-term plan and Hextall was reluctant to share with his bosses what that was. That seems more evident with Fletcher's quotes about staying the course; basically continuing with Hexy's formula. At that time, you seemed to have a better understanding than us about what went down, but could not disclose the details.
Is Dave Scott running the Flyers on-ice product, or have the last two GM's been in charge?
- Stanley Cup

I’ll gladly answer that for you. Scott was listening to fans for blood (hak) and less than full arena $(Comcast) hexy told him to piss off he wasn’t firing hak(right or wrong) and he was staying the course of his plan. That he wasn’t gonna be run by a suit. That got him fired

I’ll gladly answer that for you. Scott was listening to fans for blood (hak) and less than full arena $(Comcast) hexy told him to piss off he wasn’t firing hak(right or wrong) and he was staying the course of his plan. That he wasn’t gonna be run by a suit. That got him fired
- SMS4016

Oh and the puss homer sold him out and didn’t back him to save his own hide

Oh and the puss homer sold him out and didn’t back him to save his own hide
- SMS4016

But bill will probably say same thing in more polite way

Patience pays!
Since Couts (French version) has finally arrived at center stage, microphone in hand, trophy in the other, and announced the two also-rans, I admit he is one nice guy. Really.
I have anticipated his ascension when he was drafted. He never seemed to panic. He always had an idea of what was occurring and how to deal with it. One day he rediscovered that his stick could also be used for offense.
Ta-Da!!
The Complete Player.
I was elsewhere and was reading articles. The one fellow dismissed +/- in the first portion of his notions. He then said Couts had more goals for than against and gave those totals.
I like +/-. It's simple enough for even my non-actuarial mind and explains much quickly. It may not suit the deep dive guys but I am swimming with a snorkel tube, and not equipped for statistical SCUBA.
I am taking the off-season as a quagmire that I will not enmesh myself in....but I always lie to myself. 32 teams, unknown $, unknown schedule and unknown ways to present a complete season?
And so many of you want to jump in? It's random and chaotic and you wish to make statements that you think something? WTH can you be considering?
It's like you're Astrologers with the Hubble. It does not matter how clearly you see events, you have no idea WHY they are unfolding.
Now, entertain me. I'm retired and have the time.

I must have missed it but what was the nature of Couturier’s knee injury?
I read high ankle sprain for Raffl, amazing he could skate and play through that. Was TK playing through an injury?
- Marc D

mcl sprain for couturier.

Well if prime is 24-27 then coots prime is over right? Boston was a veteran all around great team back then. We are a young team at key positions. That doesn’t win cups. Bergy comparison is just bad example. Look at the young players that will be here on cup contender hopefully and add the not known players yet. You’re talking at least 3 more years til their ready for go time. In 3 years coots will be how old? A lot older than bergy was at start of his run. And comes with a new high cap contract? Isn’t that the debate now with g/Jake? Sorry but coots brings back probably multiple pieces for future if traded now. Look at recchi trade back in 1995. Got dejardins leclair. People hated that trade at first. Including me. Just bought my first flyers jersey (recchi) still have it. But it was great move. It’s not like trading coots for 3rd round pick.
- SMS4016

I don't know what to tell you if you think the kids are 3-years away, lol.

And in 3-years, Coots will still be point per game, like Bergeron was at that age, despite all the hard miles of starting his career fresh out of the draft.

Well if prime is 24-27 then coots prime is over right? Boston was a veteran all around great team back then. We are a young team at key positions. That doesn’t win cups. Bergy comparison is just bad example. Look at the young players that will be here on cup contender hopefully and add the not known players yet. You’re talking at least 3 more years til their ready for go time. In 3 years coots will be how old? A lot older than bergy was at start of his run. And comes with a new high cap contract? Isn’t that the debate now with g/Jake? Sorry but coots brings back probably multiple pieces for future if traded now. Look at recchi trade back in 1995. Got dejardins leclair. People hated that trade at first. Including me. Just bought my first flyers jersey (recchi) still have it. But it was great move. It’s not like trading coots for 3rd round pick.
- SMS4016

So if they trade Coots for a Number 1 D-man and a perennial 40+ goal scorer I will be fine with that. So if they get Brayden Point and Victor Hedman in a deal I am all for it.

mcl sprain for couturier.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Similar to a prior injury then.

I like what I hear from Fletcher. I thought he nailed every question and I'm pretty positive he will make the right decisions moving forward (such as not trading a core player). The key question is how Dave Scott will impact the decision making going forward.

Also from Fletcher regarding Nolan Patrick's migraines and possible connection to concussions: "Well, there’s lots of different opinions. I don’t even know how to answer that. Everything could be connected. It may not be connected."

Bill, in your opinion, is this a change from what was said before in that it could have a connection to concussions?
- StepfordSam

Ive never had a doubt that this is concussion related

Ive never had a doubt that this is concussion related
- KINGKENZO

“It May be connected” lmao. Seem sms4016 the migraine expert finally gonna get a confession from team. Somewhat anyways. Roasted on HockeyBuzz for a year for saying it was concussion related. Hilarious. Trade this bust while their still might be a gm clinging to some hope he can help them and desperate

Hart's going to get a raise in a few years. Let's trade him too.

Similar to a prior injury then.
- Marc D

he had an mcl sprain in the last pittsburgh playoff series ('18?), but i'm not sure if its the same knee or not. also, he scored a hat trick with that mcl sprain vs. pitt... didnt do jack against NYI with an mcl sprain. I feel like he's slipping noticeably in his ability to play on one leg.

So we are selling high on Coots now right?

Maybe Parise? Lucic? B.Ryan?

So we are selling high on Coots now right?

Maybe Parise? Lucic? B.Ryan?
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

nah eichel..he wants out

So we are selling high on Coots now right?

Maybe Parise? Lucic? B.Ryan?
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Honest question. Bobby Ryan or JVR? Bobby Ryan has one less year. He is 33 though and has a NMC. I am sure he would waive the NMC to come to Philly.