Assume it should be a buyers market with most UFA's, bottom six players mainly
- wcorvette

I agree. There are going to be a good number of players that remain unsigned late. Might be some bargains for short term deals.

I agree. There are going to be a good number of players that remain unsigned late. Might be some bargains for short term deals.
- MJL

So do you wait it out before you would sign a nate Thompson?

So do you wait it out before you would sign a nate Thompson?
- login

I would. There’s not an incredible list of centers. But there may be a slight upgrade. If not it appears Nate would like to stay.

I would. There’s not an incredible list of centers. But there may be a slight upgrade. If not it appears Nate would like to stay.
- Peter Richards

Honestly if they can't upgrade Nate that could be a sign that we are not going to go much further next year then we did this year. Nate is a serviceable 4th line center on a bottom half of the league team with a shot at making the playoffs

I would. There’s not an incredible list of centers. But there may be a slight upgrade. If not it appears Nate would like to stay.
- Peter Richards

Of course he wants to stay as there will be limited interest in him on the free gent market imo. He will talk it up and I don't blame him. I let him walk try to create a better 4th line. Go in a different direction.

I would. There’s not an incredible list of centers. But there may be a slight upgrade. If not it appears Nate would like to stay.
- Peter Richards

Absolutely you wait. Really need to keep as much available space as possible in case a bargain opportunity arises.

Honestly if they can't upgrade Nate that could be a sign that we are not going to go much further next year then we did this year. Nate is a serviceable 4th line center on a bottom half of the league team with a shot at making the playoffs
- wcorvette

You hope that a young player will come into camp and seize the spot. However how many times have we seen a young player win a spot out of camp only to falter? This year is different. Don't know how things are going to play out with the AHL. Can they bury contracts, etc?

good therapy read for Flyer fans


https://theathletic.com/2...e-playoff-disappointment/

the final thought from the article


Of course, it’s far from a foregone conclusion the Flyers will take full advantage of their current standing. Maybe key players regress. Maybe older veterans dramatically fall off. Maybe the front office makes all the wrong moves and sits out all the right trades. They wouldn’t be the first promising club to have a shorter-than-expected window: Just ask the 2018 Winnipeg Jets or the 2019 Calgary Flames for lessons on how a promising situation can quickly go sour.

But in the here and now, the Flyers’ window of contention appears to be just opening. Their veterans are still very good — underwhelming playoffs aside — and the youngsters are rapidly improving. Another wave of quality prospects is on the way, and the organization isn’t lacking for future draft picks to replenish the system or cash in for NHL assets. Their head coach came a few votes shy of winning the Jack Adams Award for best in the league at his job.

Take a deep breath, Flyers fans. Try to shake off the less-than-stellar playoffs. There’s every reason to believe more and better runs are on the horizon.

the final thought from the article


Of course, it’s far from a foregone conclusion the Flyers will take full advantage of their current standing. Maybe key players regress. Maybe older veterans dramatically fall off. Maybe the front office makes all the wrong moves and sits out all the right trades. They wouldn’t be the first promising club to have a shorter-than-expected window: Just ask the 2018 Winnipeg Jets or the 2019 Calgary Flames for lessons on how a promising situation can quickly go sour.

But in the here and now, the Flyers’ window of contention appears to be just opening. Their veterans are still very good — underwhelming playoffs aside — and the youngsters are rapidly improving. Another wave of quality prospects is on the way, and the organization isn’t lacking for future draft picks to replenish the system or cash in for NHL assets. Their head coach came a few votes shy of winning the Jack Adams Award for best in the league at his job.

Take a deep breath, Flyers fans. Try to shake off the less-than-stellar playoffs. There’s every reason to believe more and better runs are on the horizon.
- wcorvette

Just as equally to believe the other end when you look at the conference.

So do you wait it out before you would sign a nate Thompson?
- login

I’d wait it out before signing anyone. I personally don’t like our mix of forwards. Good players bad mix. There is an argument that we’re not fast enough, or tough enough or hard working enough.

I’d wait it out before signing anyone. I personally don’t like our mix of forwards. Good players bad mix. There is an argument that we’re not fast enough, or tough enough or hard working enough.
- SuperSchennBros

Individually def talented. The smart GM's will find the bargains. Also going to be interesting to see who signs first as may not want to risk waiting.

Not tough (easy to play against and have been for years) and fast I agree. Not Hard working to an extent.

In lieu of the traditional exit day interviews with the media -- in which all players speak, sometimes a few at a time, individual ones for the bigger names -- they are doing a series via teleconference. Really nothing hard to figure out. The impending UFAs and RFAs speak, too.
- bmeltzer

But, but, WHY is Nate Thompson speaking!??!??

On JVR, I get that it’s a consistency issue. I understand that he thinks the game well and that as a goal-scorer, they are streaky. I hear the argument of usage vs. putting the players that are currently playing best higher. I know that his contract is pricey to move especially in the flat cap. I just don’t feel the fit. If we are stuck with each other, JVR, please prove me wrong—for the team!

Honestly if they can't upgrade Nate that could be a sign that we are not going to go much further next year then we did this year. Nate is a serviceable 4th line center on a bottom half of the league team with a shot at making the playoffs
- wcorvette

He's the kind of player any team would want for the playoffs. Faceoffs, penalty kill, energy, grit, experience and still a pretty good skater.

Honestly if they can't upgrade Nate that could be a sign that we are not going to go much further next year then we did this year. Nate is a serviceable 4th line center on a bottom half of the league team with a shot at making the playoffs
- wcorvette

To me it’s the cost to upgrade. Depending on other signings or what happens. Just under 9 mil to sign rfa s and a backup goalie.

To me it’s the cost to upgrade. Depending on other signings or what happens. Just under 9 mil to sign rfa s and a backup goalie.
- Peter Richards

if he wants Elliot back he has to play hardball imo. Goalie market is flooded. I tell Elliot 1 year 1 million. Maybe a few hundred k more, otherwise say good luck.

I wonder if they have any confidence in Lyon being th backup. Bill any insight to that at all?

You hope that a young player will come into camp and seize the spot. However how many times have we seen a young player win a spot out of camp only to falter? This year is different. Don't know how things are going to play out with the AHL. Can they bury contracts, etc?
- MJL

good point, with some luck the Flyers have a Frost and Patrick to choose from, Allison can play bottom six, even with that they still need speed on the wings.

All teams will be going through it, Charlies article really pointed that out, most teams will be in the same boat but the Flyers have good prospects, ones that are a little more mature and maybe they can step in. They definitely have multiple prospects at most positions, if Frost cant play wing can Allison, If not Allison, Ratcliffe, Kase, if not them maybe Laczynski. They need a couple of surprises from the youngens. They need Hart to not have a sophomore slump.

He's the kind of player any team would want for the playoffs. Faceoffs, penalty kill, energy, grit, experience and still a pretty good skater.
- easY

while that appears to be true he was caved in pretty much the whole playoff. He won a lot of draws but I have never seen so many won draws turn into the other teams possession. Some of that is on the 5 but It seemed he put everything into one move to win the draw and he couldn't make the next move or tie up the center. They really need a prospect to step in and play really well at 4c

if he wants Elliot back he has to play hardball imo. Goalie market is flooded. I tell Elliot 1 year 1 million. Maybe a few hundred k more, otherwise say good luck.

I wonder if they have any confidence in Lyon being th backup. Bill any insight to that at all?
- login

I would think you want a vet to work with hart. The upgrade was in reference to Nate. Just pointing out the goalie as well.

I would think you want a vet to work with hart. The upgrade was in reference to Nate. Just pointing out the goalie as well.
- Peter Richards

Need to save as much money as possible and not overpay for a backup. Elliot has no leverage to me; or very little at best.

Yes probably a vet i agree.

if he wants Elliot back he has to play hardball imo. Goalie market is flooded. I tell Elliot 1 year 1 million. Maybe a few hundred k more, otherwise say good luck.

I wonder if they have any confidence in Lyon being th backup. Bill any insight to that at all?
- login

I doubt they even have to play hardball.

Need to save as much money as possible and not overpay for a backup. Elliot has no leverage to me; or very little at best.

Yes probably a vet i agree.
- login

I don’t disagree with saving money a capable backup will not be 1 mil. Not sure about the flat cap but most backups you would want can still get more than 1 mil. His leverage could be that other teams will still offer him more. I’m sure some discount will have to be made. Just don’t think taking a 50 percent pay cut will happen. But who knows.

I doubt they even have to play hardball.
- MBFlyerfan

Well when you sign Chris Stewart all bet are off!!

I’m pretty impressed by Dallas. Beating the Aves (injury issues aside) and then Vegas.
Hot goaltending, budding superstar #1 D and a nice mix of forwards.

Watching them makes me want the Flyers to get more Finns!