Difference is Couts was contributing in a big way defensively and was an engaged player. Patrick looks like he is playing in fear. I would still give him another year nothing to lose and everything top gain but I hold out very very little hope
- hfc355

I would give Patrick another year if he does not have enough trade value this off season.

How many stars make it to free agency? Not many if any. The legitimate star of that offseason was Tavares, who wanted to go home. JvR wanted to go home, so right away that has nothing to do with whether or not Philly can bring in stars out of free agency.

Since 2011 we’ve brought in Jagr, LeCavalier, JvR and Hayes. All of which were the top names in their perspective UFA class. So what is the argument here, the Flyers can’t bring in top UFAs, when they’ve done it four times in ten years? You wanna sign a star every year? Is that your argument?

The Patrick stuff isn’t nonsense. It’s fact. I’d like to see you make me stop though. It’s very simple. Patrick has back to back 30 point seasons and his career was derailed by injury. Not hard to understand...for some.
- SuperSchennBros

Jagr and lecavier those are your name drops , keep trying.

Well, not doing that at all. Simply pointing out that the two biggest superstars in hockey are about to be out in round one. I keep hearing from all you hockey geniuses that we don't win because we don't have any superstars. Maybe its not as simplistic as you all think to build a winner.
- MBFlyerfan

Well they are out in round 1 losing to teams with their own superstars.

Don’t deflect on what other teams are doing to try to make your argument for the flyers ineptness. None of that matters. Does the GM tell his boss well 29 other teams failed so I get a pass?

You make your own success. Again seems like more excuses from flyers fans.
- hello it's me 2050

OK, want to look at some other teams? How did Colorado do rebuilding their team in the same time period? How about Tamp Bay? Boston had the worst 2015 draft probably in the history of the NHL, squandering 3 1st round picks in a row, and they still are better than the Flyers. Which team would you rather have right now, the Rangers or the Flyers? I would pick the Rangers. I can keep going but you get my point, when you miss on several high picks, continue to draft middling players, make stupid FA signings and are afraid to make good hockey trades, you become the Flyers!

All I can say to Hextall is please keep up the good work in Pittsburgh!

The 22 year old, out in a few years? Not likely.

Also, I thought you said you don’t bash players. Not likely.
- NC Flyers Fan

Nolan Patrick is already having a better start to his career at 22 than Pavel Zacha. Or at least Patrick prior to his setback. Now if Patrick should be defined by one season, why bother re-signing him or protecting him during the expansion draft?

Jagr and lecavier those are your name drops , keep trying.
- ClaudeFather

Because they were the top UFAs at the time.

How are you this slow?

Sheesh, how dramatic is this post.

So let me guess this right. If we trade for Seth Jones, we’re OK. If we don’t, we’re irrelevant and we’ll never get anywhere....right??
- SuperSchennBros

Um, nooo.

But if we DONT try to get elite talent through trades, we clearly cannot draft them.

So they are unnecessary to winning altogether, right?

Oh wait! Wait! STL! All winners will be comparable to STL going forward...

Forget the Lightning, Bruins, Blackhawks, Kings, Capitals, Penguins...

NONE of them had high end/elite talent. Because it's so overrated.

No we will only be relevant if we sign old stars at the twilights of their careers, lecavier and jagr haha that’s all we needed. Late 90s rangers method, let’s bring it back.
- ClaudeFather

Who did we miss on in the passed ten years that makes you so sour?

Um, nooo.

But if we DONT try to get elite talent through trades, we clearly cannot draft them.

So they are unnecessary to winning altogether, right?

Oh wait! Wait! STL! All winners will be comparable to STL going forward...

Forget the Lightning, Bruins, Blackhawks, Kings, Capitals, Penguins...

NONE of them had high end/elite talent. Because it's so overrated.
- DrMidnite

The Penguins were on the verge of bankruptcy before the draft an Sidney Crosby. Could you even name the Blackhawks captain prior to Jonathan Toews becoming Captain, without googling it? I can. These two teams were nothing before they got better. You guys couldn’t handle the sort of torture. You guys can’t even handle this average team right now.

Because they were the top UFAs at the time.

How are you this slow?
- SuperSchennBros

The top UFAs, they were both in the latter of their career man. Vinny barely played after Philly and wasn’t good when he was here. He was nothing close to a top UFA at the time , unless the UFA class was just complete hot garbage. Jagr was a good signing but you referencing them as top FAs is asinine but I would expect nothing less.

The Penguins were on the verge of bankruptcy before the draft an Sidney Crosby. Could you even name the Blackhawks captain prior to Jonathan Toews becoming Captain? I can. These two teams were nothing before they got better. You guys couldn’t handle the sort of torture. You guys can’t even handle this average team right now.
- SuperSchennBros

I was talking about teams that have recently WON, you fraud.

But I agree, what happened before and after they actually won is more important.

Since you are such an expert, when EXACTLY will be the Flyers time?

I was talking about teams that have recently WON, you fraud.

But I agree, what happened before and after they actually won is more important.

Since you are such an expert, when EXACTLY will be the Flyers time?
- DrMidnite

When Nolan Patrick becomes a star !

How many stars make it to free agency? Not many if any. The legitimate star of that offseason was Tavares, who wanted to go home. JvR wanted to go home, so right away that has nothing to do with whether or not Philly can bring in stars out of free agency.

Since 2011 we’ve brought in Jagr, LeCavalier, JvR and Hayes. All of which were the top names in their perspective UFA class. So what is the argument here, the Flyers can’t bring in top UFAs, when they’ve done it four times in ten years? You wanna sign a star every year? Is that your argument?

The Patrick stuff isn’t nonsense. It’s fact. I’d like to see you make me stop though. It’s very simple. Patrick has back to back 30 point seasons and his career was derailed by injury. Not hard to understand...for some.
- SuperSchennBros

Not hard to understand that injuries derail careers sometimes. Especially head injuries.

He went second overall behind Hischier. Is there really that much of a difference between their health in the NHL thus far?

Patrick has missed 82 NHL games. Hischier 59. So they’ve both significantly had inconsistent time to grow/adapt/mature.

Yet Hischier has been asked to do way more. Basically NJ 1C, offense driver, faced other teams top pairing & now the captain leader of the organization. Meanwhile Patrick has played with significantly more talent, had the fortunes to be hidden play more in depth role & done jack squat.

Patrick 197 30 40 70 -37
Hischeir 230 57 89 146 -15

It’s not even close to how far away Patrick is from being anywhere of significance. & it goes without saying Pettersson drafted three spots behind Patrick has out performed him too.

Nolan Patrick is already having a better start to his career at 22 than Pavel Zacha. Or at least Patrick prior to his setback. Now if Patrick should be defined by one season, why bother re-signing him or protecting him during the expansion draft?
- SuperSchennBros

Often times it seems that young players who have set backs early, usually unfortunate circumstances sometimes slow development, do get traded. However, assuming good health, saying a 22 year old, high draft pick, who has already played 3 NHL seasons will be out of the league in the next few years is nonsense.

Dramatic bashing

No, Patrick is not defined by one season. He may very well get another opportunity come Flyers training camp. We will see. But his future is not his past.

Nolan Patrick is already having a better start to his career at 22 than Pavel Zacha. Or at least Patrick prior to his setback. Now if Patrick should be defined by one season, why bother re-signing him or protecting him during the expansion draft?
- SuperSchennBros

Zacha was ranked 8th & drafted 6th.
Patrick was ranked 1st & drafted 2nd

How do they closely compare? Better comparison is Patrick & Hischeir. & we know what that looks like

Often times it seems that young players who have set backs early, usually unfortunate circumstances sometimes slow development, do get traded. However, assuming good health, saying a 22 year old, high draft pick, who has already played 3 NHL seasons will be out of the league in the next few years is nonsense.

Dramatic bashing

No, Patrick is not defined by one season. He may very well get another opportunity come Flyers training camp. We will see. But his future is not his past.
- NC Flyers Fan

Right already played 3 seasons & hasn’t shown anything so 2 more & he will head to europe. Yakupov....but I guess that was non sense

Well, at least the first few mock draft sites I checked have us taking a Center with a great shot and net front presence... Oh and a lingering knee injury that’s kept him from playing this year! It’s Chaz Lucius btw. If they take a Center it should really be Raty who’s been projected to go later for some reason (skating?) but there’s also Lambos and Lysell projected around there. Why gamble on another injured player?

Well, at least the first few mock draft sites I checked have us taking a Center with a great shot and net front presence... Oh and a lingering knee injury that’s kept him from playing this year! It’s Chaz Lucius btw. If they take a Center it should really be Raty who’s been projected to go later for some reason (skating?) but there’s also Lambos and Lysell projected around there. Why gamble on another injured player?
- ShadowsX42

Please no more forwards that have to work on their skating!!!! They need to add more speed to this forward group. It's like a snail convention out there and this needs to change! Just watch the current playoffs.....speed, speed and more speed along with physicality! Been saying this a for few years with this forward group! I think the condensed schedule this season made it even worse as their legs became weary! PLEASE DRAFT SPEED UP FRONT!!! Thanks!

The top UFAs, they were both in the latter of their career man. Vinny barely played after Philly and wasn’t good when he was here. He was nothing close to a top UFA at the time , unless the UFA class was just complete hot garbage. Jagr was a good signing but you referencing them as top FAs is asinine but I would expect nothing less.
- ClaudeFather

What do you think UFA is?

Way to strike out on Malkin, Flyers!! UFA is players who are passed their prime. Teams who don’t want them anymore. Are you gonna be pissed when the Flyers miss out on Alex Ovechkin this summer?

I was talking about teams that have recently WON, you fraud.

But I agree, what happened before and after they actually won is more important.

Since you are such an expert, when EXACTLY will be the Flyers time?
- DrMidnite

How am I a fraud? What a weird thing to call me.

Often times it seems that young players who have set backs early, usually unfortunate circumstances sometimes slow development, do get traded. However, assuming good health, saying a 22 year old, high draft pick, who has already played 3 NHL seasons will be out of the league in the next few years is nonsense.

Dramatic bashing

No, Patrick is not defined by one season. He may very well get another opportunity come Flyers training camp. We will see. But his future is not his past.
- NC Flyers Fan

It’s crazy dramatic bashing. I’m with you there.

What do you think UFA is?

Way to strike out on Malkin, Flyers!! UFA is players who are passed their prime. Teams who don’t want them anymore. Are you gonna be pissed when the Flyers miss out on Alex Ovechkin this summer?
- SuperSchennBros

Just recently there were a bunch, panarin, AP, Tavares, do those guys not count? So you’re methodology is we got the best guys in a heap of crap, vinny did so well here. You’re spot on as usual.

Zacha was ranked 8th & drafted 6th.
Patrick was ranked 1st & drafted 2nd

How do they closely compare? Better comparison is Patrick & Hischeir. & we know what that looks like
- Fopa21

So you take more stock in draft position than production because you just told us all Patrick would be out of the league in three years. Patrick producing at all keeps him in the league. Draft picks are just lottery tickets.

Just recently there were a bunch, panarin, AP, Tavares, do those guys not count? So you’re methodology is we got the best guys in a heap of crap, vinny did so well here. You’re spot on as usual.
- ClaudeFather

So you just named three. Two of which announced where they were going before free agency opened that summer. I gave you four free agents that the Flyers signed in the passed 10 years and you brushed it off.

So you just named three. Two of which announced where they were going before free agency opened that summer. I gave you four free agents that the Flyers signed in the passed 10 years and you brushed it off.
- SuperSchennBros

Which of those players helped turn things around here?