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.
- NC Flyers Fan

Personally I think the players he mentioned are the exception. Most players take longer to develop regardless of their pedigree.

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.
- NC Flyers Fan

I surely don’t want to get ahead of myself, but there’s been times this year where I thought Farabee flashed some Giroux-like poise and play.I’m sure it didn’t help that he was playing the left wall on the PP like Giroux does, but I think Farabee is just scratching the surface with his skill. He had a very nifty move in the 3rd in Tahoe that made me think I haven’t seen a Flyer try something like that in a while.

I surely don’t want to get ahead of myself, but there’s been times this year where I thought Farabee flashed some Giroux-like poise and play.I’m sure it didn’t help that he was playing the left wall on the PP like Giroux does, but I think Farabee is just scratching the surface with his skill. He had a very nifty move in the 3rd in Tahoe that made me think I haven’t seen a Flyer try something like that in a while.
- arichardson22

I love that not only is he skilled but he doesn’t shy away from contact and is a great forechecker. For a little guy he plays with a ton of heart.

G back at practice
- wcorvette

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.
- NC Flyers Fan

Nathan MacKinnon was the number 1 pick overall in 2013 and his first year he was a 20G, 40A player. There was nothing classic about Nathan, you knew he had the potential to be an elite player from the get go, and he hasn't disappointed. And nothing has changed in my opinion of Farabee, in that I needed to see more before I could evaluate him, and so far this year at 20 years old he is showing me something. What I am looking for from him as this season goes along is consistency (no long stretches of games with no points) and his ability to stay healthy, something that has unfortunately eluded many Flyers prospects.

I love that not only is he skilled but he doesn’t shy away from contact and is a great forechecker. For a little guy he plays with a ton of heart.
- ClaudeFather

I think he's been fantastic this year. You can tell he put in the work, and is a little more muscular. I think he's going to be a solid top 6 guy.

Here is hoping that placing Friedman on waivers is the first step in many that will free cap space and enable the Flyers to make some trades to improve this team now.

Nice to see Bunnaman get the slot on the third line, I also think Patrick on the wing can do him some good. Focus on offense more.

With TK, I think it’s been clear that his game hasn’t entirely re-emerged since the first Covid pause last March. All-in-all, there hasn’t been that many games in the year since. With such a weird year, I’m not sure I can take much from that timeframe. His development up to then, was pretty stellar.

This season I have found it hard to gauge where I see a young Flyers regarding improvement or development. This isn’t meant to be negative either as I don’t think anything could be done differently. It is really just an observation.

Like the Tahoe game, so many players were playing above their ideal depth level and subsequently not with linemates that I would normally expect them to have, that it was hard to have a measure of play that is fair.

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.
- jd250

Have told this story before. The consensus pick was Brodin or Hamilton among the scouts. But the Flyers had just traded Richards and Carter (obtaining the 8th overall pick) and Holmgren told the scouts, "We need to rethink this. We just traded two good centers." Next on the list was Couturier and he got bumped up in the final meeting.

Have told this story before. The consensus pick was Brodin or Hamilton among the scouts. But the Flyers had just traded Richards and Carter (obtaining the 8th overall pick) and Holmgren told the scouts, "We need to rethink this. We just traded two good centers." Next on the list was Couturier and he got bumped up in the final meeting.
- bmeltzer

Thank the hockey gods for happy accidents.

Have told this story before. The consensus pick was Brodin or Hamilton among the scouts. But the Flyers had just traded Richards and Carter (obtaining the 8th overall pick) and Holmgren told the scouts, "We need to rethink this. We just traded two good centers." Next on the list was Couturier and he got bumped up in the final meeting.
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill! I'm glad you retold this story because I hadn't heard it before. Makes perfect sense given the circumstances, and it turned out to be the right pick!

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.
- jd250

I am ok losing a Patrick or a Lindblom if I knew I was going to sign Ekholm after. There is lies the rub. I guess they can address it upfront to some extent but both parties will have to have the want too. Who knows the Flyers could have Zamula and or York really take a step forward or there could be a better option out there.

Any trade has risk and this one has a lot but if the cost was 2 2nd's and Ghost, and the Flyers were firing on all cylinders, I would be hard pressed to pass.

Another piece of it is that I don't think this team make up gets you a cup in the next 2 years, for that reason Fletcher will make big move to change a core piece.

I am ok losing a Patrick or a Lindblom if I knew I was going to sign Ekholm after. There is lies the rub. I guess they can address it upfront to some extent but both parties will have to have the want too. Who knows the Flyers could have Zamula and or York really take a step forward or there could be a better option out there.

Any trade has risk and this one has a lot but if the cost was 2 2nd's and Ghost, and the Flyers were firing on all cylinders, I would be hard pressed to pass.

Another piece of it is that I don't think this team make up gets you a cup in the next 2 years, for that reason Fletcher will make big move to change a core piece.
- wcorvette

Ekholm is signed through next year, its not like he would be a rental. Most players that come to the Flyers want to stay, that is one of the most consistent things we can say about the Flyers organization, that they are recognized for treating their players well. I do not think the Flyers will ever be firing on all cylinders unless they fix their defense. I guarantee you if the Flyers get Ekholm, their PK will improve right away because they have a more physical slot area presence which they currently lack.

Nathan MacKinnon was the number 1 pick overall in 2013 and his first year he was a 20G, 40A player. There was nothing classic about Nathan, you knew he had the potential to be an elite player from the get go, and he hasn't disappointed. And nothing has changed in my opinion of Farabee, in that I needed to see more before I could evaluate him, and so far this year at 20 years old he is showing me something. What I am looking for from him as this season goes along is consistency (no long stretches of games with no points) and his ability to stay healthy, something that has unfortunately eluded many Flyers prospects.
- jd250

Illness and injury are certainly unpredictable. My mention of another elite player in addition to the many you mentioned, is that it has little to no relevance. Why aren’t you using players from the same draft years as the young Flyers forwards? Players that have gone through the development curve during the same timeframe in the league, even though on different teams. Young players who also faced this pandemic stoppage during early NHL development.

Also, just spell it out for me...what is the connection you are making between the Flyers young forwards and the desire for trade acquisitions now?

Even though he'll always be a Ranger, it's good to see HL back on the ice.

Also, just spell it out for me...what is the connection you are making between the Flyers young forwards and the desire for trade acquisitions now?
- NC Flyers Fan

My point is there is always a danger of overrating and falling in love with your own young players to a point where it stagnates your organization because you won't make deals to better your team now. I believe you can make a pretty accurate evaluation of a young NHL forwards early enough to not be afraid to move on from them if the right deal comes along, and you feel you have others in your org that have a similar skillset and upside. I think Patrick, Lindblom and even Frost fall into this category for me. I think we should not be afraid to move on from them simply for fear they might turn out to be the next Connor MacDavid, or even the next Sean Couturier.

Ekholm would I think really solidify the Flyers top 4 D now, and I am willing to take the risk and trade prospects, picks and even roster players to get him. And If I lose a player to Seattle also, so be it.

I am ok losing a Patrick or a Lindblom if I knew I was going to sign Ekholm after. There is lies the rub. I guess they can address it upfront to some extent but both parties will have to have the want too. Who knows the Flyers could have Zamula and or York really take a step forward or there could be a better option out there.

Any trade has risk and this one has a lot but if the cost was 2 2nd's and Ghost, and the Flyers were firing on all cylinders, I would be hard pressed to pass.

Another piece of it is that I don't think this team make up gets you a cup in the next 2 years, for that reason Fletcher will make big move to change a core piece.
- wcorvette

Nothing says we need to expose Patrick at all. Im sure teams could be interested in a Young C. Maybe he's even part of the Ekholm deal. At the end of the day with Frost as an option as 3C. Patrick can be made expendable. It will just suck to have him develop and not be on our team anymore

Predict the Flyers trade deadline acquisition.

Eric Gundbradson.

Predict the Flyers trade deadline acquisition.

Eric Gundbradson.
- login

For the love of god please do not get him

My point is there is always a danger of overrating and falling in love with your own young players to a point where it stagnates your organization because you won't make deals to better your team now. I believe you can make a pretty accurate evaluation of a young NHL forwards early enough to not be afraid to move on from them if the right deal comes along, and you feel you have others in your org that have a similar skillset and upside. I think Patrick, Lindblom and even Frost fall into this category for me. I think we should not be afraid to move on from them simply for fear they might turn out to be the next Connor MacDavid, or even the next Sean Couturier.

Ekholm would I think really solidify the Flyers top 4 D now, and I am willing to take the risk and trade prospects, picks and even roster players to get him. And If I lose a player to Seattle also, so be it.
- jd250

Alright then, I absolutely agree with filling the hole in the top 4 D. Let me ask this way...Are you sure Ekholm is the right fit there? Are you thinking he would be slotted—right side with either Provy or Sanheim? Is the one extra year on his contract enough to fill the gap between York or Zamula coming in?

The odd thing about the 3 guys you mentioned is that depthwise Lindblom is the easiest to replace, but the one that would hurt the most to lose (attachment speaking).

Predict the Flyers trade deadline acquisition.

Eric Gundbradson.
- login

Mikael Granlund and/or Bobby Ryan

Predict the Flyers trade deadline acquisition.

Eric Gundbradson.
- login

Thought the idea was to improve the defense.

I surely don’t want to get ahead of myself, but there’s been times this year where I thought Farabee flashed some Giroux-like poise and play.I’m sure it didn’t help that he was playing the left wall on the PP like Giroux does, but I think Farabee is just scratching the surface with his skill. He had a very nifty move in the 3rd in Tahoe that made me think I haven’t seen a Flyer try something like that in a while.
- arichardson22

totally agree. after the playoffs last year he just seemed snake bitten, he had several opportunities to score goals and i just attributed it to being a rookie/being nervous. he's going to be really good.

Predict the Flyers trade deadline acquisition.

Eric Gundbradson.
- login

For who?