Ended up w York and Brink for the 11 pick. York appears to have serious top 4 puck moving potential and Brink is arguably the best forward in college hockey this year who might be in orange and black next year if not this spring.

The jury is still out on if they did the right thing there, but their choices in that draft seem like the least of our worries.
- Joe Nardone

or Brink may be the next Ryan Potulny

That would make the acquisition a bad trade then. Atkinson is a top 6 winger, not a 3rd liner.
- MJL

This has nothing to do with the trade, but instead has to do with where Fletcher focus your efforts to retool this roster. Cam is top 6 this year, maybe even next year, but as he gets older you have to project he will no longer be a top 6 forward, so at that point you project where he will play in the lineup and thus what you need to have to replace him. IMO the Cam trade was a good one because I see him being a useful player now and in the next 3 seasons, just not as a top 6 forward throughout. BTW, the same is true IMO with Jake also.

This has nothing to do with the trade, but instead has to do with where Fletcher focus your efforts to retool this roster. Cam is top 6 this year, maybe even next year, but as he gets older you have to project he will no longer be a top 6 forward, so at that point you project where he will play in the lineup and thus what you need to have to replace him. IMO the Cam trade was a good one because I see him being a useful player now and in the next 3 seasons, just not as a top 6 forward throughout. BTW, the same is true IMO with Jake also.
- jd250

If Atkinson doesn't remain a top 6 winger throughout the majority of the contract then it is a bad trade. Otherwise you have a 3rd liner with a 5.8M cap hit.

Frost was outstanding -- by far the best player on the ice for either team-- in his first game back against Providence. All the more impressive because Providence is a top defensive team in the league.

His next two games against Charlotte were OK. Nothing special. Played well defensively. Created a couple chances. Didn't dominate the way he did in the Providence game although he scored a goal in the second game.

Frost had a poor game in Hershey last night. But so did the entire team: York, Laczynski, Ratcliffe and most everyone else, vet or prospect. When your best players are Connor Bunnaman and Cooper Zech, because at least they had their feet moving and made second and third effort plays, it's been a bad night.

It's not good enough for Frost to play one great game, two OK ones and a poor one out of four. He was flying in the Providence game: winning battles, turnstiling defenders, threading gorgeous passes, finding the seams, backchecking like crazy, directing teammates on faceoffs and winning it cleanly to him. No one can do that every night but he has to be much closer to THAT player with consistency than someone who blends into the background of a low-energy game teamwide.
- bmeltzer

Do not see Frost succeeding here though Bill. I think they have just for lack of a better word ruined him.

Maybe when Jim Montgomery is named coach he can turn him around....

The Flyers don't have time to mess around with a player who is essentially an NHL rookie in terms of games played? What is the rush? The impending Stanley Cup run?
- MJL

Its a question about how much more you want to invest in the development of the player and what you project the player will be. For example the Flyers decided early on that Farabee was the real deal and locked him up. With Patrick the Flyers decided it was best to cut bait while the player still had some trade value. The same has to happen with Frost. Wait too long and you invested tons of capital on a player that was not worth it. Decide too soon and you can lock up a bust and strap your team. My only point here is IMO that pivot point is coming up on Frost and team either needs to decide whether he can be a top 6 NHL center and thus continue to invest into the development of the player, or decide he will never reach his ceiling and trade him while he still has some value to other teams. Maybe I am wrong about this, but I would make that call sooner rather than later, definitely by this off season.

This has nothing to do with the trade, but instead has to do with where Fletcher focus your efforts to retool this roster. Cam is top 6 this year, maybe even next year, but as he gets older you have to project he will no longer be a top 6 forward, so at that point you project where he will play in the lineup and thus what you need to have to replace him. IMO the Cam trade was a good one because I see him being a useful player now and in the next 3 seasons, just not as a top 6 forward throughout. BTW, the same is true IMO with Jake also.
- jd250

I’ve never seen someone ramble on about crap with no direction or common sense like you, bravo.

Anybody else think Vegas was getting away with running the goalie? I dont know how many times Hart was bumped.

If Atkinson doesn't remain a top 6 winger throughout the majority of the contract then it is a bad trade. Otherwise you have a 3rd liner with a 5.8M cap hit.
- MJL

Its better than having a 3rd liner with a $8M cap hit that can't score goals and is a defensive liability. Cam brings other things to the table, speed, leadership, tenacity for his size. These are important assets to a team.

Its a question about how much more you want to invest in the development of the player and what you project the player will be. For example the Flyers decided early on that Farabee was the real deal and locked him up. With Patrick the Flyers decided it was best to cut bait while the player still had some trade value. The same has to happen with Frost. Wait too long and you invested tons of capital on a player that was not worth it. Decide too soon and you can lock up a bust and strap your team. My only point here is IMO that pivot point is coming up on Frost and team either needs to decide whether he can be a top 6 NHL center and thus continue to invest into the development of the player, or decide he will never reach his ceiling and trade him while he still has some value to other teams. Maybe I am wrong about this, but I would make that call sooner rather than later, definitely by this off season.
- jd250

This is wrong. Frost is an RFA who is not going to command a large contract. The Flyers have no reason not to exercise patience. They will not have to invest tons of capital in Frost at this point in time. LOL

Its better than having a 3rd liner with a $8M cap hit that can't score goals and is a defensive liability. Cam brings other things to the table, speed, leadership, tenacity for his size. These are important assets to a team.
- jd250

Voracek remains an elite play maker to this day and is still a top 6 forward.

Hart is going to blow this top 5 pick for us. It's time to showcase martin Jones! Let him have the bulk of the upcoming starts. Make it happen, yeo!

I’ve never seen someone ramble on about crap with no direction or common sense like you, bravo.
- ClaudeFather

But here is the good news for you. If you are having trouble following along you can just decide all by yourself to skip my posts and don't even waste a second of your time reading or responding. I for one would really appreciate that.

Voracek remains an elite play maker to this day and is still a top 6 forward.
- MJL

IMO, you can't win with Jake in your top 6, not in today's game with the skill that is out there on the serious contenders.

IMO, you can't win with Jake in your top 6, not in today's game with the skill that is out there on the serious contenders.
- jd250

He is top 15 in the league in assists. That is elite. Voracek is highly skilled. What does Atkinson do that is elite?

This is wrong. Frost is an RFA who is not going to command a large contract. The Flyers have no reason not to exercise patience. They will not have to invest tons of capital in Frost at this point in time. LOL
- MJL

When I say capital, its not just the money, its the coaching capital, its the roster spot, etc. I would rather spend my development cycles on players that I truly believe are going to help the NHL team someday. The Flyers need to determine if Frost is worth those development cycles or he is more valuable as a trade piece.

He is top 15 in the league in assists. That is elite. Voracek is highly skilled. What does Atkinson do that is elite?
- MJL

Sooo ... your definition of elite is top 15 in assists? I mean, top 15 assists is good, but ... Jonathan Huberdeau has 60 assists in 57 games, I would call that elite.

When I say capital, its not just the money, its the coaching capital, its the roster spot, etc. I would rather spend my development cycles on players that I truly believe are going to help the NHL team someday. The Flyers need to determine if Frost is worth those development cycles or he is more valuable as a trade piece.
- jd250

So the Flyers can't afford to invest a roster spot, I guess with all the high level top flight talent they have for Frost. Their coaches can't invest the huge coaching capital on Frost? I'll refer you to what Claudefather posted.

Sooo ... your definition of elite is top 15 in assists? I mean, top 15 assists is good, but ...
- jd250

Another handful of assists and he's close to top 5. Again, what does Atkinson do that is elite?

Its a question about how much more you want to invest in the development of the player and what you project the player will be. For example the Flyers decided early on that Farabee was the real deal and locked him up. With Patrick the Flyers decided it was best to cut bait while the player still had some trade value. The same has to happen with Frost. Wait too long and you invested tons of capital on a player that was not worth it. Decide too soon and you can lock up a bust and strap your team. My only point here is IMO that pivot point is coming up on Frost and team either needs to decide whether he can be a top 6 NHL center and thus continue to invest into the development of the player, or decide he will never reach his ceiling and trade him while he still has some value to other teams. Maybe I am wrong about this, but I would make that call sooner rather than later, definitely by this off season.
- jd250

Schitt they need to determine if he can play on an everyday basis in the NHL. Be happy if he turns into that at this point.

I would love to know the real reason Prorovov is a permanent fixture on the power play despite looking like a deer in headlights out there. Yeo joked about using Braun on the PP last night, but being ranked 31st in the league isn't funny. With results that bad, I don't get why the coaches are afraid to make major changes.

And that delay of game penalty from Provy would have been a bad one for a rookie to take. Luckily for him the other dmen were able to kill off his stupid mistake.

Another handful of assists and he's close to top 5. Again, what does Atkinson do that is elite?
- MJL

Jonathan Huberdeau has 60 assists in 57 games, that is what I would consider elite. Jake is 16th in the league in assists and not even in the top 50 in scoring, so that is not elite by any definition. There is nothing that Cam does that is elite IMO also.

IMO, you can't win with Jake in your top 6, not in today's game with the skill that is out there on the serious contenders.
- jd250

OK. The Flyers are not winning without him, either. They're 27th overall, and have the 31st ranked Net PP.

Schitt they need to determine if he can play on an everyday basis in the NHL. Be happy if he turns into that at this point.
- hello it's me 2050

Ok, if that is all the Flyers project Frost will be then doesn't it make sense to trade him sooner rather than later, since he's still young and other teams may think he has higher upside?

Sounds like Frost is really lighting it up in the AHL. Oh, I get it. It's not on him. It's because he's playing with bad players. How long are people going to keep up this mantra as an excuse for this kid? Growing concerns about York as well. Really glad that Fletcher skipped over Caufield twice for this guy.

Remember when Provorov was a reliable/steady defender that looked like he had a tremendous upside(possibly even as a Norris trophy contender)? Either do I. It's like every time he touches the puck you are waiting for the inevitable mistake. Stellar ending to his game last night. Makes a mistake on a bad icing play and then the next time he touches the puck he shoots it over the glass. Yippee!!
- Phillywhiteout

what a miserable, miserable (frank) you are

OK. The Flyers are not winning without him, either. They're 27th overall, and have the 31st ranked Net PP.
- Feanor

That is very true, they are clearly not any better without Jake. Just look at the PP as an example, look at how the Flyers just pass the puck around aimlessly, assuming they can even get into the zone, and rarely shoot the puck. As an example, consider the play last night where Risto down low on the PP made a perfect pass to Hayes who instead of one timing a shot top shelf in a vacant net decided to collect the pass and look for another pass. The Flyers DO NOT have the talent in their lineup and the 31st ranked PP is the perfect indicator of this. Successful PPs come from the skill level and creativity of the players, it has vey little to do with coaching. Look at the Vegas PP last night where every pass has purpose and each sequence ended in a high danger scoring chance. That is what talent on your roster looks like, and its what the Flyers seriously lack right now.