I was thinking about this recently also. The Oilers are going no where and I can see a scenario where they trade Draisaitl for a boatload of players and picks. If I were the Flyers I would trade whatever I had to for Draisaitl and then work to build around him. I would package the 2013 & 2014 1st round picks, Provorov, TK and Brink. Not sure this is enough but that is what I would start with.
- jd250

the issue is draisaitl is at $8M, and they are tight to the cap as it is. That nurse contract is not a good one.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but what do the Flyers have to offer to get a player of that caliber. I hate to say it, but their best chance to get a high level forward would be to sign Johnny Hockey(30 goals and 55 assists last time I checked). That's going to require a king's ransom and then he'll probably put up half those numbers after he signs a big deal. Any deal with Edmonton for Draisatl(however you spell it) would probably have to start with Hart since they need a goalie badly. You prepared to do that?
- Phillywhiteout

I mean Hart is a pretty average starting goaltender if we’re being completely honest with ourselves.

I was thinking about this recently also. The Oilers are going no where and I can see a scenario where they trade Draisaitl for a boatload of players and picks. If I were the Flyers I would trade whatever I had to for Draisaitl and then work to build around him. I would package the 2013 & 2014 1st round picks, Provorov, TK and Brink. Not sure this is enough but that is what I would start with.
- jd250

They're gonna want Hart in any trade with the Flyers to stabilize their goaltending once and for all.

I wouldn't because then you are back to the 2020 problems the Flyers had on defense with Myers and Sanheim. York is definitely starting and honestly right now I think he is the Flyers best defenseman. I really haven't seen enough from Zamula to know if he is close to ready. I know he needs to add much more muscle at a minimum.
- jd250

i dont know about the muscle part. The ahl isnt full of kids.

I mean Hart is a pretty average starting goaltender if we’re being completely honest with ourselves.
- hereticpride

I really hate to say it, but I agree. I think it may be a case where he is a great goalie at lower levels, but not as good at the NHL level due to shooter talent. NHL players can pick that top corner that is always open as soon as he goes into that maddening crouch whereas players at lower levels can't hit those spots as often. I really have my doubts that he will ever be an elite tender at the NHL level.

Kadri talent: Couts, Farabee, Hart, and probably others.

We should avoid Kadri and JG with a barge pole. Reeks of trouble. Huge career years on contract years.
- PT21

I agree I really don't want the Flyers to go after either player. If the Flyers did want to sign a FA for their top 6 I would look at players like or Filip Forsberg or Andre Burakovsky.

Kadri talent: Couts, Farabee, Hart, and probably others.

We should avoid Kadri and JG with a barge pole. Reeks of trouble. Huge career years on contract years.
- PT21

I agree with the Flyers staying away. However, Gaudreau has 84 and 99 point seasons already under his belt. He's shown this ability in multiple seasons.

I agree I really don't want the Flyers to go after either player. If the Flyers did want to sign a FA for their top 6 I would look at players like or Filip Forsberg or Andre Burakovsky.
- jd250

You know they are going after Johnny Hockey cause they need to make a big splash to supposedly get out of the doldrums(to put it mildly). And yes, I think it will be a big mistake.

I agree with the Flyers staying away. However, Gaudreau has 84 and 99 point seasons already under his belt. He's shown this ability in multiple seasons.
- MJL

His regular season numbers are impressive and there is no denying that, but he has a serious reputation of softness come playoff time.

I really hate to say it, but I agree. I think it may be a case where he is a great goalie at lower levels, but not as good at the NHL level due to shooter talent. NHL players can pick that top corner that is always open as soon as he goes into that maddening crouch whereas players at lower levels can't hit those spots as often. I really have my doubts that he will ever be an elite tender at the NHL level.
- Phillywhiteout

Let's see Hart play on a team that defends well with structure and has the ability to actually play significant time in the other teams end and see what happens.

His regular season numbers are impressive and there is no denying that, but he has a serious reputation of softness come playoff time.
- Phillywhiteout

So he's perfect then.

You know they are going after Johnny Hockey cause they need to make a big splash to supposedly get out of the doldrums(to put it mildly). And yes, I think it will be a big mistake.
- Phillywhiteout

If the Flyers got Forsberg I would argue that would be as big of a splash. I honestly don't think JG would want to play for his home town team anyway. But if you look at the Flyers their need is a really to get speed and top end skill on their wings. With Couts, Hayes, Laughton and Brown down the middle I think the Flyers believe they are set.

Let's see Hart play on a team that defends well with structure and has the ability to actually play significant time in the other teams end and see what happens.
- MJL

That's why I was hoping that the NHL players would play in the Olympics. I wanted to see how he performed behind a team like that.

Thing is, they really aren’t one or two players away. If you watch other teams in this league, and not just the Flyers one can see that pretty quickly.

Gaudreau is a very talented player, but signing him will be a mistake.

What this team needs more than anything is a few years of top 10 picks, to grow their own talented core from within. With hopefully slightly cheaper entry level contracts.

By seemingly forcing themselves into the FA, or trade route to building a team the Flyers are constantly forced to pay a premium for talent that’s often incorrectly coveted to begin with (Ristolainen).

There is a worse place to be than we are this season. At least the team is getting a high pick out of it. A worse place that will have them picking in the middle of the first round in 2023, having to claw to just make the playoffs.

People talk about it a lot, but the organizational direction is so flawed. They are so desperate to get themselves out of being a bottom team in the league they they don’t realize staying there for a few years is likely the best course of action.

If the Flyers got Forsberg I would argue that would be as big of a splash. I honestly don't think JG would want to play for his home town team anyway. But if you look at the Flyers their need is a really to get speed and top end skill on their wings. With Couts, Hayes, Laughton and Brown down the middle I think the Flyers believe they are set.
- jd250

You need play drivers and set up guys at center. Couturier is really the only player who qualifies for part of that. Neither of those other players are going to be 2nd line centers on a true contending team. You always build up the middle. If Frost or another player they draft doesn't develop into that high point producing center, then they have a big need there that none of those players you list call fill after Couturier.

There is a worse place to be than we are this season. At least the team is getting a high pick out of it. A worse place that will have them picking in the middle of the first round in 2023, having to claw to just make the playoffs.

People talk about it a lot, but the organizational direction is so flawed. They are so desperate to get themselves out of being a bottom team in the league they they don’t realize staying there for a few years is likely the best course of action.
- FlyerFan3260

Yes, they are completely misguided. The injuries have bailed them out some. Otherwise they would've been a bubble team picking mid round or later. At least now they'll get a top pick. If they get healthy and make a few adds. They'll put themselves right back in hockey purgatory and the worst place to be as a team in the NHL. They are completely clueless as an organization.

Yes, they are completely misguided. The injuries have bailed them out some. Otherwise they would've been a bubble team picking mid round or later. At least now they'll get a top pick. If they get healthy and make a few adds. They'll put themselves right back in hockey purgatory and the worst place to be as a team in the NHL. They are completely clueless as an organization.
- MJL

What hurts more is how willing they are to cap themselves out. Scott even said it himself.

It’s the last thing they should be doing, but we have already seen with Ghost that they are forced to make decisions they usually end up on the wrong side of. JVR has talks of being bought out, but can anyone really feel shock when Fletcher moves him along with a pick for cap relief?

Outside of Hextall, who very much so had flaws they continue to show a poor grasp of how to manage the cap. Better yet, how to weaponize it to accumulate more assets in times of a rebuild.

I’m really not sure where this ends. There will be pleasure for some with likely a bit of an improvement next year, but the bar is set so low with ownership not having a clue. Fletcher, and the advisors have carte blanche with no repercussions.

Briere is not going to be some saviour, when he’s just going to have to work with those who are incompetent around him. He will not have the authority, or bravery to tune them out. There is a reason why collaboration is frequently touted as a positive during most press conferences.

Even if they did, what do we have to offer?

The best package we could offer is Konecny, (Prov/Sanheim) Sandstrom and a 1st. Sure that would address a talent needs but then our D has a huge gapping hole.

What hurts more is how willing they are to cap themselves out. Scott even said it himself.

It’s the last thing they should be doing, but we have already seen with Ghost that they are forced to make decisions they usually end up on the wrong side of. JVR has talks of being bought out, but can anyone really feel shock when Fletcher moves him along with a pick for cap relief?

Outside of Hextall, who very much so had flaws they continue to show a poor grasp of how to manage the cap. Better yet, how to weaponize it to accumulate more assets in times of a rebuild.

I’m really not sure where this ends. There will be pleasure for some with likely a bit of an improvement next year, but the bar is set so low with ownership not having a clue. Fletcher, and the advisors have carte blanche with no repercussions.
- FlyerFan3260

Spot on. Hextall made some errors and needed to execute better but his approach was the correct approach. As a team you are better off with failed prospects and cap flexibility than you are as a capped out team with aging vets on long term deals that is not good enough. Worst place you can be as a team. If you fail in that situation, you are screwed.

Spot on. Hextall made some errors and needed to execute better but his approach was the correct approach. As a team you are better off with failed prospects and cap flexibility than you are as a capped out team with aging vets on long term deals that is not good enough. Worst place you can be as a team. If you fail in that situation, you are screwed.
- MJL

They are screwed. I think most knowledgeable hockey fans would know that, even if hope tries to mask reality.

The state I am kind of in is simply one of waiting. Waiting for change in that front office, but I have a strong fear that Fletcher retains a president role with Briere sliding up to GM.

Which really changes absolutely nothing other than temporarily placating a fanbase. It’s very clear how this team is run, and how entrenched some members in the organization are.

It’s really great, and I’ll use only a couple names as an example here… That Dean Lombardi has been able to continue collecting a paycheque with the Flyers. Or that Bob Clarke continues to have any influence on the team.

Looking for some good hockey today? High School state championships today at Iceline. Cant make it out all games live streamed....check out Flyers Cup site for teams and times.
- hfc355

good hockey will be at USA youth nationals in the next 2 weeks. Love those Yale Bulldogs to win 18U

Spot on. Hextall made some errors and needed to execute better but his approach was the correct approach. As a team you are better off with failed prospects and cap flexibility than you are as a capped out team with aging vets on long term deals that is not good enough. Worst place you can be as a team. If you fail in that situation, you are screwed.
- MJL

his approach of tearing down the team, getting rid of hartsy for umberger and signing JVR, and wanting mid round picks is part of the reason why we are where we are. IF he tore it down and tried to bottom out wouldve been much better. Not even touching his spotty drafting. If we kept schenn, wouldnt have needed hayes either. The more time goes on the worse hextalls moves look. Not sure why you want to keep protecting him. Chuck and Saint Ronnie havent done much to make this team better.

The Flyers have that Russian goalie who was really good in the WJCs, perhaps Edmonton would take him as part of the deal. I would not give Hart up, especially given the history the Flyers have with goalies.
- jd250

yep the flyers average players for a top 5 player in the world. How can edmonton turn that down

his approach of tearing down the team, getting rid of hartsy for umberger and signing JVR, and wanting mid round picks is part of the reason why we are where we are. IF he tore it down and tried to bottom out wouldve been much better. Not even touching his spotty drafting. If we kept schenn, wouldnt have needed hayes either. The more time goes on the worse hextalls moves look. Not sure why you want to keep protecting him. Chuck and Saint Ronnie havent done much to make this team better.
- bradster

Just a thought, and don’t count me as some Hextall fan because I am not. He had many flaws even if I appreciate parts of his building style.

People now focus on his drafting, and the lack of success it has yielded the team today. It’s funny because I can’t for the life of me find much change in the Flyers scouting staff since his departure.

Just think about that for a bit. The current regime has made him a very convenient scapegoat, to absolve the rest of the staff of any sin or responsibility.

As long as most of that country club remains happy all is well.

Let's see Hart play on a team that defends well with structure and has the ability to actually play significant time in the other teams end and see what happens.
- MJL

funny as you can claim that about many goailes who will play well with a good team in front of them. Show me the goalie who plays well with slop in front of him.

Take the 5 best goalies and put them on the flyers. How much diff is their stats from Harts. Revers and put hart o those teams. What does it look like.

Flyers have bigger issues than goalie at this point. Hart isn't an issue though I do not think he is elite at this time. The optics look bad for Hart. Anyone watching the games knows what is going on.