NAK is absolutely a good bottom 6 player. He has had a rough season with penalties but he proved last season he is capable of being disciplined. He's exactly the guy I want on our 4th line. Discipline issues can be fixed.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

IF he can cut out the penalties i agree. but i still think it's going to be hard for him to stay in the lineup due to young young kids pushing for spots.

So 1 girl 3 cups? Sounds right for sid
- Bob Habib

I just threw up in my mouth with that old reference.

Wouldn't bother me either way. I like his forechecking ability for the 4th line, but don't like the amount of penalties he takes. I think some players are already higher than him on the depth chart as well. Frost, Allison, and Laczynksi will be pushing for spots next season. Could be a 13th forward maybe.
- Ftown19125

I would hope that Frost and Allison are pushing for top 9 and maybe even 6 spots actually.

Hot shot lmao you are the hot take king around here
- ClaudeFather

At least I have ideas .. what do you offer this forum? Its easy to sit in judgement of other people's ideas when you have no guts to state your own!

The all knowing JD250, you make a mockery of yourself everyday, glad to see you are still going strong
- ClaudeFather

Like I tell MJL regarding Myers, if you want to sink with the SS Sanheim and offer him a big contract, I am very happy to see you do so!

At least I have ideas .. what do you offer this forum? Its easy to sit in judgement of other people's ideas when you have no guts to state your own!
- jd250

I have expressed my thoughts on this forum, there is no big bad monster preventing me from that. In this case you were talking about resigning a RFA to a one year deal that made no sense, just be better for the sake of everyone on here.

I would hope that Frost and Allison are pushing for top 9 and maybe even 6 spots actually.
- jd250

Yeah, and if that happens it pushes other players down the lineup.

Like I tell MJL regarding Myers, if you want to sink with the SS Sanheim and offer him a big contract, I am very happy to see you do so!
- jd250

What’s a big contract? Are you expecting him to get Provys deal? I don’t understand where you are coming from here. If I had to guess he will probably get 3 years in the 4.8M range and if he goes 5 years it might be something more like 4.2M

I'm not concerned with results. I'd of been ok if they lost in regulation. I just want to see effort and decent fundamental hockey. Whatever happens, happens.
- Pelle31Forever

I understand why you are saying that, but sometimes in sports, once you are bad, its better to be very bad.

There is essentially no carryover from one season to the next in terms of teamwork, character, structure etc. Look at last year and this year. Look at us beating Boston after being down 3-0 in 2010 and then getting swept in 2011 by largely the same team.

So, the often provided narrative that young players are learning something, in my experience, is pretty much nonsense.

I know this year's draft is random. But it cuts both ways. There is a greater chance you will get the 20th best player at #15. But there is also a greater chance you will get the 10th best player at #15.

I think the lack of practice is a factor, granted all teams are in the same boat so it does ring as an excuse. The coaching staff has done a poor job making adjustments no doubt.

This has by in large been the same core of players for a while now. It is obvious it isn't the right mix. The players have to be held accountable as well. Losing 7 games by 5 goals or more is an absolute disgrace. No other team in the League has been that non competitive. Just a lack of compete and pride.

Finally, Fletcher. By accounts he knew Niskanen was retiring shortly after the 2020 playoffs concluded. He did an incompetent job replacing him on a blueline that was eaten alive in the playoffs as it was. The biggest concern Flyers fans should have is having Fletcher in charge trying to build this roster into a contender. There is a decade track record showing he can't do it.
- PLindbergh31

I am willing to cut Fletcher some slack here and see what he does this offseason and then see how next season goes before I get really concerned. Top 4 Dmen do not grow on trees, and those teams lucky enough to have one are not trading them away. The closest we may have saw to this happening was in Nashville before they put it together and are now a playoff team. Niskanen was a good trade by Fletcher and it was bad luck that he decided to retire when he did, nothing I believe Fletcher could have done about this. Hextall drafted only 1 legitimate top 4 Dman in Provey, that's what Fletcher was given to work with. We'll see what York becomes but there is a chance at least he will become another legitimate top 4 Dman. So now Fletcher has augment these two with another legitimate top 4 Dmen IMO; that is why I suggested to sign Hamilton or trade with Nashville if the opportunity presents itself in the off season.

Also Fletcher must address the veteran leadership on this team in the offseason, and I think at a minimum he has to get out from under JVR's and Jake's contracts, and get a better veteran top 6 forward in here, like Jaden Schwartz and Nick Foligno, that will make the Flyers much tougher to play against. Augment the rest with your young players, sign a veteran FA goalie to backup Hart, and let's see what next season looks like.

I am willing to cut Fletcher some slack here and see what he does this offseason and then see how next season goes before I get really concerned. Top 4 Dmen do not grow on trees, and those teams lucky enough to have one are not trading them away. The closest we may have saw to this happening was in Nashville before they put it together and are now a playoff team. Niskanen was a good trade by Fletcher and it was bad luck that he decided to retire when he did, nothing I believe Fletcher could have done about this. Hextall drafted only 1 legitimate top 4 Dman in Provey, that's what Fletcher was given to work with. We'll see what York becomes but there is a chance at least he will become another legitimate top 4 Dman. So now Fletcher has augment these two with another legitimate top 4 Dmen IMO; that is why I suggested to sign Hamilton or trade with Nashville if the opportunity presents itself in the off season.

Also Fletcher must address the veteran leadership on this team in the offseason, and I think at a minimum he has to get out from under JVR's and Jake's contracts, and get a better veteran top 6 forward in here, like Jaden Schwartz and Nick Foligno, that will make the Flyers much tougher to play against. Augment the rest with your young players, sign a veteran FA goalie to backup Hart, and let's see what next season looks like.
- jd250

If he keeps Couts, which, lets face it, is a near certainty, given the way this franchise rock-and-rolls, you will have Couts-Hayes-Laughton as your 1-2-3 down the middle for the next 5 years.

Imo, we are then going to be a well-below average offensive club. If they go that way, they have to make defense their strength*. They need a player better than Provorov on the first pairing. They need a strong, rugged defense. I am not sure a player like Sanheim or Ghost fits that mold. And they need stronger 2 way players among the forwards: people like TK will also need to go.

*Like Predators of a couple years ago, CBJ, even Minnesota a few years back, and Blues of course.

I am willing to cut Fletcher some slack here and see what he does this offseason and then see how next season goes before I get really concerned. Top 4 Dmen do not grow on trees, and those teams lucky enough to have one are not trading them away. The closest we may have saw to this happening was in Nashville before they put it together and are now a playoff team. Niskanen was a good trade by Fletcher and it was bad luck that he decided to retire when he did, nothing I believe Fletcher could have done about this. Hextall drafted only 1 legitimate top 4 Dman in Provey, that's what Fletcher was given to work with. We'll see what York becomes but there is a chance at least he will become another legitimate top 4 Dman. So now Fletcher has augment these two with another legitimate top 4 Dmen IMO; that is why I suggested to sign Hamilton or trade with Nashville if the opportunity presents itself in the off season.

Also Fletcher must address the veteran leadership on this team in the offseason, and I think at a minimum he has to get out from under JVR's and Jake's contracts, and get a better veteran top 6 forward in here, like Jaden Schwartz and Nick Foligno, that will make the Flyers much tougher to play against. Augment the rest with your young players, sign a veteran FA goalie to backup Hart, and let's see what next season looks like.
- jd250

besides being grittier maybe, those 2 aren't better than voracek, probably not jvr either. foligno is also a few years older than both of them.

besides being grittier maybe, those 2 aren't better than voracek, probably not jvr either. foligno is also a few years older than both of them.
- Ftown19125

Schwartz gives you some speed and knows what it takes to win it all. Foligno has been a team captain and can play up and down the lineup, both give you grit, leadership and timely goals. Both will give this team a lot more than JVR or Jake could ever give. Hamilton gives you the quarterback on the PP this team is lacking, and there are many options for a good quality veteran backup goalie for Hart to continue his growth. With the young players like Frost, Allison and maybe even Foerster coming up, and Farbee and TK having bigger roles, I think this would go a long way to fixing this Flyers club!

besides being grittier maybe, those 2 aren't better than voracek, probably not jvr either. foligno is also a few years older than both of them.
- Ftown19125

There is no maybe about it, both players are grittier and provide oodles of leadership compared to JVR and Jake. I think these are the type of professional players that will be good for the younger players to look up to.

If he keeps Couts, which, lets face it, is a near certainty, given the way this franchise rock-and-rolls, you will have Couts-Hayes-Laughton as your 1-2-3 down the middle for the next 5 years.

Imo, we are then going to be a well-below average offensive club. If they go that way, they have to make defense their strength*. They need a player better than Provorov on the first pairing. They need a strong, rugged defense. I am not sure a player like Sanheim or Ghost fits that mold. And they need stronger 2 way players among the forwards: people like TK will also need to go.

*Like Predators of a couple years ago, CBJ, even Minnesota a few years back, and Blues of course.
- PT21

Why would you want to get rid of TK? He is only 24 and he has responded well since his attitude adjustment earlier this season. I want to keep him if they can.

Schwartz gives you some speed and knows what it takes to win it all. Foligno has been a team captain and can play up and down the lineup, both give you grit, leadership and timely goals. Both will give this team a lot more than JVR or Jake could ever give. Hamilton gives you the quarterback on the PP this team is lacking, and there are many options for a good quality veteran backup goalie for Hart to continue his growth. With the young players like Frost, Allison and maybe even Foerster coming up, and Farbee and TK having bigger roles, I think this would go a long way to fixing this Flyers club!
- jd250

besides the point totals they put up i guess. i can't speak on their leadership because i don't know. but neither of them are putting up the point totals that voracek puts up.

What’s a big contract? Are you expecting him to get Provys deal? I don’t understand where you are coming from here. If I had to guess he will probably get 3 years in the 4.8M range and if he goes 5 years it might be something more like 4.2M
- ClaudeFather

I agree with your projection of what Sanhiem would want to be paid, and all I am stating is I don't want to pay him that money. I would rather use that money to sign a player like Ekholm if I could get him in a trade.

I agree with your projection of what Sanhiem would want to be paid, and all I am stating is I don't want to pay him that money. I would rather use that money to sign a player like Ekholm if I could get him in a trade.
- jd250

Sanheim is our second best defenseman, I pray he is on the roster next year or we are in trouble. No problem with adding but he needs to be here as well.

besides the point totals they put up i guess. i can't speak on their leadership because i don't know. but neither of them are putting up the point totals that voracek puts up.
- Ftown19125

Jake givith, and Jake takith much greater away. I am counting on the younger players to score more with Schwartz and Foligno in the lineup and Hamilton quarterbacking the PP, because they will create more space, and most importantly not turn the puck over with as much frequency.

Sanheim is our second best defenseman, I pray he is on the roster next year or we are in trouble. No problem with adding but he needs to be here as well.
- ClaudeFather

Being the 2nd best defenseman (which I don't disagree with you) on one of the worst defensive teams in the league is not much to write home about. I would trade Sanheim while there is still upside because in the end I believe he is too soft defensively.

I have expressed my thoughts on this forum, there is no big bad monster preventing me from that. In this case you were talking about resigning a RFA to a one year deal that made no sense, just be better for the sake of everyone on here.
- ClaudeFather

Yes, I forgot Sanheim was a RFA after this season, but there are ways to point this out without bashing someone.

Being the 2nd best defenseman (which I don't disagree with you) on one of the worst defensive teams in the league is not much to write home about. I would trade Sanheim while there is still upside because in the end I believe he is too soft defensively.
- jd250

So you are trading the second best defenseman on one of the worst defensive units and adding one player to the backend. How much better did we really get?

Why would you want to get rid of TK? He is only 24 and he has responded well since his attitude adjustment earlier this season. I want to keep him if they can.
- jd250

Purely because his style of play would not mesh with the way the club would be structured. He is getting the most offensive zone starts of any forward in the regular line up (the next 3 are, as you might suspect, Voracek, Hayes and JVR). He needs space to play his game. He struggles in tight checking games. He would flourish more in an offensively oriented club. He is weak along the boards. He makes bad reads when going in on the forecheck.

Purely because his style of play would not mesh with the way the club would be structured. He is getting the most offensive zone starts of any forward in the regular line up (the next 3 are, as you might suspect, Voracek, Hayes and JVR). He needs space to play his game. He struggles in tight checking games. He would flourish more in an offensively oriented club. He is weak along the boards. He makes bad reads when going in on the forecheck.
- PT21

EDIT: This doesn't mean I give him up for peanuts. But I would consider him to be part of the package for better fitting pieces.

Above all, I would love to have this club show a vision. Either in rebuild, or style of play, and so on.

Blues had a vision which survived major roster changes. They lost Backes, who was one of their prototypical checking forwards. Yet the guys they brought in: ROR, Schenn, were true to the style they play. Heavy on the forecheck. They did not suddenly trade for a a JG type of guy.

So you are trading the second best defenseman on one of the worst defensive units and adding one player to the backend. How much better did we really get?
- ClaudeFather

I want to sign Hamilton and get another Dmen via trade, so I would like to come into next season with Provy, Hamilton and another veteran Dmen like Ekholm, and augment with York, Morin and one other younger defenseman.