Well under that option they can only protect 4 forwards: G, Hayes, Couts, TK.

V is exposed anyway. Patrick and Lindblom have their obvious risk factors. I could see both being bypassed by Seattle particularly if their play does not improve this season.
- Djapana

correct my bad. They would take patrick imo. Worth the risk

This is terrific news!

Also thank you, Bill, for all the updates and info.
- NC Flyers Fan

Sounds like G might be coming off the COVID list today.

- KINGKENZO

All of our “bad contracts” are literally the only guys getting points outside of farabee. It’s still the older guys driving the bus, if this team is going to take a step forward we will need a LOT more from TK/Oskar/Patrick
- ClaudeFather

Totally valid point about the vets driving the bus. That kinda ties in with my statement that they're stuck with what they've got.
And I 100% agree about the younger guys needing to step up. Especially TK. For me, he has been by far the biggest disappointment since play resumed in the bubble.

Totally valid point about the vets driving the bus. That kinda ties in with my statement that they're stuck with what they've got.
And I 100% agree about the younger guys needing to step up. Especially TK. For me, he has been by far the biggest disappointment since play resumed in the bubble.
- Big_E_88

Yea I see what you’re saying, my biggest issue is this next wave, for the forwards at least. Yea TK has been horrible, I really hope he turns it around sooner than later because we need to start winning some games. We were fortunate enough to play poorly and win some games, but the gap is starting to close quick.

Yea I see what you’re saying, my biggest issue is this next wave, for the forwards at least. Yea TK has been horrible, I really hope he turns it around sooner than later because we need to start winning some games. We were fortunate enough to play poorly and win some games, but the gap is starting to close quick.
- ClaudeFather

The next wave of forwards don't look like anything special. Maybe some solid players; so they hav e any who you can say are legit top 6 level? excluding this years draft as to early.

G back at practice

O'Brien continues, hope he pans out

Friedman on waivers

The next wave of forwards don't look like anything special. Maybe some solid players; so they hav e any who you can say are legit top 6 level? excluding this years draft as to early.
- login

TK can without a doubt be a top 6 player, farabee has the potential as well. Oskar and Patrick are a bit of an unknown. Same with Frost, would have really liked to see him take off this year but

Comparables were a first-round pick and two prospects (Carl Grundstrom and Sean Durzi) for Muzzin in January 2019 and two second-round picks for Martinez in February 2020.

O’Connor lays out the Flyers options with the expansion draft if they did trade for Ekholm. I kind of think the third one might be the best choice.

“ Expose Ekholm and likely lose him to Seattle.

Protect Ekholm in place of one of Provorov, Sanheim or Myers and likely lose that player to Seattle.

Protect all four defensemen and likely leave both Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick exposed for Seattle to take.

Protect all of Provorov, Sanheim, Myers and seven forwards, and pay Seattle in assets to not select Ekholm.

Trade Ekholm after the season but before the expansion draft to recoup some of the cost of trading for him.”
-Djapana

I agree, option 3 is the best option. If we lose Lindblom or Patrick, I would be willing to live with that given we would be solidifying our D core for years to come.

I agree, option 3 is the best option. If we lose Lindblom or Patrick, I would be willing to live with that given we would be solidifying our D core for years to come.
- jd250

Years to come? His contract expires next season, does it not?

TK can without a doubt be a top 6 player, farabee has the potential as well. Oskar and Patrick are a bit of an unknown. Same with Frost, would have really liked to see him take off this year but
- ClaudeFather

Thought you were talking about the next wave of prospects. I am not including those 4.

Frost is only one i see and that isnt a lock.

to expand on the 3rd one; leave Jake unprotected. Protect Patrick. Have to give him some time. It would suck to lose Oscar though that's the cost of doing business. Top 4 dman more crucial than a top 9 winger.

Or do nothing and wait until the summer
- login

Not quite. If you protect 4 defenseman, then you can only protect 4 forwards, and those would have to be Giroux and Hayes because they have NMCs, TK and Couturier. Thus Jake, JVR, Patrick and Lindblom would be exposed. If JVR keeps this up, he may be the one selected by Seattle, which would open up mega cap space for the Flyers.

I really like Jake, but I really have a feeling that if they need a core shakeup, he could be exposed. Top 4 dman is more crucial. Jake has a NMC correct? He'd need to waive that to be exposed?
- Hextall271

Jake does not have NMC, only Giroux and Hayes do.

O'Brien continues, hope he pans out
- wcorvette

Yes, I was going to say O'Brien took a nice step this year. If he keeps this up for BU I can see him playing one more year in college and then trying to make the Flyers directly. If he can do it I can see him being a top 6 guy. Also I am high on Tyson Foerster. He has a shoot first mentality and a wicked shot.

Years to come? His contract expires next season, does it not?
- ClaudeFather

Yes, but I would hope the Flyers would resign him, and by then hopefully have traded Ghost to make cap room. Also Gust's $3M is off the books after this season.

G back at practice
- wcorvette

Nice

Yes, but I would hope the Flyers would resign him, and by then hopefully have traded Ghost to make cap room. Also Gust's $3M is off the books after this season.
- jd250

What does his next contract look like, and isn’t that the same year Sanheim needs to get renewed? Along with G coots?

TK can without a doubt be a top 6 player, farabee has the potential as well. Oskar and Patrick are a bit of an unknown. Same with Frost, would have really liked to see him take off this year but
- ClaudeFather

I am recycling a post I made on the previous blog because I think its an important point regarding Patrick, Lindblom and Frost.

David Pastrnak was drafted 23rd overall, the same draft position as Giroux, Laughton and Tyson Foerster. By 20 years old Pastrnak was a 30+ goal scorer, which is one way I define "elite" in todays game. Braydon Point was drafted in the 3rd round and by my definition became elite at 21 years old. Marchand was drafted in the 3rd round and scored 28 goals by 23 years old, and by 26 years old was elite. This is what I mean when I say "you just know it when you see it". Certain players just show you something special. Coming into this season I was thinking TK was going to be that type of player with two 24 goal seasons already, but to be honest I am really disappointed with him this year so far. I still think he has a chance to become an elite player for the Flyers. Farabee at 20 years old is showing us something as well.

My point here is with forwards, I think you can see pretty early in their pro careers what they will become, not 100%, but most of the time. Thus as a GM you need to evaluate potential the best you can and if a deal comes along that will improve your team now you have to take a chance. You can't sit back and wait until you know for sure one way or the other, because by then its too late.

What does his next contract look like, and isn’t that the same year Sanheim needs to get renewed? Along with G coots?
- ClaudeFather

I think Sanheim's new deal with be close to Ghost's deal. I think Couturier will get roughly what Giroux is making. I think Ekholm will get something around $5M for 5 years. I personally would not resign Giroux for anything over $4M per season.

I think Sanheim's new deal with be close to Ghost's deal. I think Couturier will get roughly what Giroux is making. I think Ekholm will get something around $5M for 5 years. I personally would not resign Giroux for anything over $4M per season.
- jd250

If a larger contract is not taken by Seattle I do feel we need to make a hockey trade this off-season. I’d like to get a piece for the back end to have at least a solid top 4 for a few years. I would not mind ekholm but I’m just not sure the cost +Seattle issue makes it worth it right now.

I am recycling a post I made on the previous blog because I think its an important point regarding Patrick, Lindblom and Frost.

David Pastrnak was drafted 23rd overall, the same draft position as Giroux, Laughton and Tyson Foerster. By 20 years old Pastrnak was a 30+ goal scorer, which is one way I define "elite" in todays game. Braydon Point was drafted in the 3rd round and by my definition became elite at 21 years old. Marchand was drafted in the 3rd round and scored 28 goals by 23 years old, and by 26 years old was elite. This is what I mean when I say "you just know it when you see it". Certain players just show you something special. Coming into this season I was thinking TK was going to be that type of player with two 24 goal seasons already, but to be honest I am really disappointed with him this year so far. I still think he has a chance to become an elite player for the Flyers. Farabee at 20 years old is showing us something as well.

My point here is with forwards, I think you can see pretty early in their pro careers what they will become, not 100%, but most of the time. Thus as a GM you need to evaluate potential the best you can and if a deal comes along that will improve your team now you have to take a chance. You can't sit back and wait until you know for sure one way or the other, because by then its too late.
- jd250

True, and for every one you can mention there are guys like Coots, Joe Thornton, Mike Knuble, Patrick Marleau, etc who took a little longer to get to where they ended up.

True, and for every one you can mention there are guys like Coots, Joe Thornton, Mike Knuble, Patrick Marleau, etc who took a little longer to get to where they ended up.
- MBFlyerfan

Coots for sure! Man I thought he was going to be a bust and I butchered Holmgren for passing on Dougie Hamilton. I was wrong on this one for sure. Joe Thornton was the 1st overall pick in 1997, and by his 3rd year you knew you had something special, though the Bruins traded him because he wasn't a thug like the rest of them. Knuble bounced around until he ended up on a line with Joe Thornton in Boston, and then played with Roenick for the Flyers, so in some cases who you play with matters a lot. Patrick Marleau showed something within the first 3 years of his career. So its not 100% for sure, but most of the time you can tell pretty quickly with young NHL forwards.

True, and for every one you can mention there are guys like Coots, Joe Thornton, Mike Knuble, Patrick Marleau, etc who took a little longer to get to where they ended up.
- MBFlyerfan

Yes, I guess I really don’t see the point behind jd250 post regarding forwards. I could say look here at MacKinnon who has the classic development curve for an elite center. What is the point though? Are we discussing ceilings of current Flyers young forwards? Or trying to justify making roster moves to move to cup contention? Or moves to blow it up?

Glad to see he is slowly down from the fence about Farabee though.