Kane has a NMC. Even if Chicago retains salary, there aren't a lot of true contending teams that can take him on now. Might get better value at the trade deadline.
- MJL

Yeah his cap hit will be tough to swallow for a contender for sure. Maybe a team on the cusp will pony up for him.

Yeah his cap hit will be tough to swallow for a contender for sure. Maybe a team on the cusp will pony up for him.
- mickel25

Don't think it will that much of a concern. Always bad contracts to send back if the price is right.

Look at the rangers just as an example. Nemeth and Reeves go the other way to offset some cap. Plus hawks retain some as well.

Did they really? That is fn awesome. Kudos to them.
- hello it's me 2050

No clue if they played it, I just though that would've been awesome if they did. They were not about to "accidently" win a game and screw things up.

No clue if they played it, I just though that would've been awesome if they did. They were not about to "accidently" win a game and screw things up.
- Flyers_01

Ha...yes it would have been

Did you read the rest of it? Actually compliments him the rest of the way. Guy who goes into the boards, very solid vertical game with a great fast break, and has a slick, sniper shot.

The latter especially makes me happy, because where have our snipers been? Who have they been, for that matter?

Bleacher Report gives a C-, but then lauds him. Meanwhile The Sporting News hands out an A-

We’ll see. Who knows? We’ve got at least a year to speculate before he’s a pro, and a couple more before we know what we have
- Hesh_

I'd put very little stock in what Bleacher report says about hockey. They are too busy humping the spoiled brat NBA player's jocks, so I'll look at other outlets and see what they say. Like you said, they give a C- grade and then laud the guy. Typical Bleacher report BS.

Just in time for Bedard
- DrMidnite

Even if they finish dead last in the NHL, there's still an 81.5 percent chance of NOT getting the first overall pick.

Got to think Kane is going to request a trade. One year left on his deal makes him easier to deal. That team will be horrible next year.
- mickel25

He's already said he doesn't want to leave. And the 'Hawks have been terrible for some time. He's gonna produce no matter who's on his wings.

Morning flyers fans how we doing today?

Love what Chicago did, despite the low return on ADB. He should have waited imo. Though clearly they have q plan and process in place. They will get a top pick next year and be back in business. All while the flyers chug along in irrelevancy.

Also like what Arizona is doing. Want to watch them over the next few years. See if Armstrong can actually add NHL talent not just picks.

One concern is the flyers draft a kid who doesn't have a set positon. What could go wrong.....Hopefully the BC development team can figure out where he is best situated.
- hello it's me 2050

Not sure why you are concerned about the Flyers drafting a guy that doesn't have a set position. He can play center or LW. I think they prefer he play center and that's what he is going to play at BC. This seems to be a trend in today's NHL. Teams like to have guys that are versatile and can play multiple forward positions. I see nothing wrong with that whatsoever.

Even if they finish dead last in the NHL, there's still an 81.5 percent chance of NOT getting the first overall pick.
- bmeltzer

Not to mention the 100% chance that he magically ends up in Pittsburgh.

Even if they finish dead last in the NHL, there's still an 81.5 percent chance of NOT getting the first overall pick.
- bmeltzer

But a 100% chance of being top 3. Being in the top 3 next year would still be a great position to be in and that's the worst case. Regardless, if you don't have a Stamkos, or a McKinnon on your team you have little shot of lifting the cup.

If you want to win the Stanley cup don't you have to take that 18.5% chance?

Even if they finish dead last in the NHL, there's still an 81.5 percent chance of NOT getting the first overall pick.
- bmeltzer

They are wisely putting themselves in positon to get that pick. Plus he isn't only potential franchise player.

Not sure why you are concerned about the Flyers drafting a guy that doesn't have a set position. He can play center or LW. I think they prefer he play center and that's what he is going to play at BC. This seems to be a trend in today's NHL. Teams like to have guys that are versatile and can play multiple forward positions. I see nothing wrong with that whatsoever.
- Phillywhiteout

Rather be great at 1 spot than good at 2.

So the expert draft analysis at Bleacher Report has sway about the Gauthier pick, interesting. It was a swing for the fences pick. Jiricek would have been the safe pick.

So the expert draft analysis at Bleacher Report has sway about the Gauthier pick, interesting. It was a swing for the fences pick. Jiricek would have been the safe pick.
- Trox88

Saw a few scouting reports that give CG a floor of 3rd line center and ceiling of 1st line forward.
Even if he tops out in the middle and is a pretty good 2C it is a good pick.
To be honest no one knows yet.
It’s up to the flyers to prove they can develop talent.
So far in recent history that’s a sore spot.
Oh and please keep the current training staff away from this kid.

So the expert draft analysis at Bleacher Report has sway about the Gauthier pick, interesting. It was a swing for the fences pick. Jiricek would have been the safe pick.
- Trox88

He may have been safer pick. But fans have been saying we need to take a risk on a high upside player. Feel we did that with Cutter.

He's already said he doesn't want to leave. And the 'Hawks have been terrible for some time. He's gonna produce no matter who's on his wings.
- Tomahawk

Giroux did not want to leave either. The more I think about it he will probably not agree to move until the deadline.

Can't imagine it will be fun playing for the Hawks next season.

Not to mention the 100% chance that he magically ends up in Pittsburgh.
- Tomahawk

Like what happened with Lemieux being ready to retire and Crosby getting drafted? Yea, we will never find leaked video of that closed door draft lottery.

It saved the bankrupt franchise it and made the new arena possible.

So the expert draft analysis at Bleacher Report has sway about the Gauthier pick, interesting. It was a swing for the fences pick. Jiricek would have been the safe pick.
- Trox88

Such a weird take, the “safe pick.” No. No. The Flyers just prioritized something differently and went with that. Jiricek is a defenseman, so apples to oranges. His ceiling is a top pairing, possibly #1D. Gauthier is a power forward with a top 6 ceiling, possibly #1LW. One is not more safe and one is not a bigger swing. Simply different choices.

With Arizona taking on Kassian is that one less dumping ground for JVR?

Even if they finish dead last in the NHL, there's still an 81.5 percent chance of NOT getting the first overall pick.
- bmeltzer

You miss every chance you don't take.

With Arizona taking on Kassian is that one less dumping ground for JVR?
- hello it's me 2050

They need spend money to get to the cap floor. So I do not think the Kassian trade closes that door. I am also not interested in sending additional assets to get someone to take JVR. Just buy him out if that is the case.

Saw a few scouting reports that give CG a floor of 3rd line center and ceiling of 1st line forward.
Even if he tops out in the middle and is a pretty good 2C it is a good pick.
To be honest no one knows yet.
It’s up to the flyers to prove they can develop talent.
So far in recent history that’s a sore spot.
Oh and please keep the current training staff away from this kid.
- bird_dog_pa

Totally agree on all of this.

Such a weird take, the “safe pick.” No. No. The Flyers just prioritized something differently and went with that. Jiricek is a defenseman, so apples to oranges. His ceiling is a top pairing, possibly #1D. Gauthier is a power forward with a top 6 ceiling, possibly #1LW. One is not more safe and one is not a bigger swing. Simply different choices.
- NC Flyers Fan

Why I wrote "safe" pick for Jiricek is he has played against pros already. Gauthier is more of a projection based on the fact his ability to transition effectively to center.

They need spend money to get to the cap floor. So I do not think the Kassian trade closes that door. I am also not interested in sending additional assets to get someone to take JVR. Just buy him out if that is the case.
- mickel25

You absolutely don't buy him out. You wait until the deadline and get SOMETHING for him. If not, you ride it out for the last year and be done with him.

With Arizona taking on Kassian is that one less dumping ground for JVR?
- hello it's me 2050

I don't think so. If they retain money they can move him. 20 goal scorer at say 3.5 is doable for teams looking for scoring.

I also think there will still be other moves. I still see Konecny as maybe a piece that will be moved and also Lindblom based on his salary.