OK, but i am more worried about the dead silence about Couturier. 3-4 months recovery was the estimate. It could be 3-4 years or a career end.
- THE EVIL WITHIN

ramping up the workouts

It isn't that outlandish. Add a pick or prospect with Laughton becomes more palatable.

look at what goodrow, coleman and the like have got recently. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder lol
- hello it's me 2050

Agree with this. If those other guys can bring in a solid return then I believe Laughton has value around the league.
Imo, he is the type of player that xup contending teams value very highly.
I'm not saying I want to see him be traded but if the return is right then feltcher needs to make that move. Sell high. This team isn't going anywhere for a few more seasons, at the VERY earliest

It's funny talking about trades as fans. Doesn't matter the fan base because we are all the same. In this blog alone there's plenty of trade talk. People say one guy should be traded for X reason and should get Y return while another shoots it down because Z reason.

It's why trades are so difficult to make in the NHL. Players values differ between GMs, team needs, team assets able to pay for said player and of course the cap. Cap kills most movement for various reasons.

Not hating on anyone, just an observation I made and I fully understand how wanting to trade players away is difficult to assess.

It's funny talking about trades as fans. Doesn't matter the fan base because we are all the same. In this blog alone there's plenty of trade talk. People say one guy should be traded for X reason and should get Y return while another shoots it down because Z reason.

It's why trades are so difficult to make in the NHL. Players values differ between GMs, team needs, team assets able to pay for said player and of course the cap. Cap kills most movement for various reasons.

Not hating on anyone, just an observation I made and I fully understand how wanting to trade players away is difficult to assess.
- Aaron_85

It always helps for me to remove myself from the position of a home town fan and look at it from the other side. For example, Flyers fans want to move Hayes. I view it if I was a fan of a contending team, would I want my team to trade for Hayes, even at 50% retained for 3 more years of term? Nope!

Hayes is lazy. I really think he has some talent (guess that is obvious), but you don't win with guys like him. That's why I find it very hard to believe that a true contender would want him on their team. And to think that there were people on here that thought Hayes should be the captain of this team. The only team Hayes should be captain of is the Polo team at the local country club.

It always helps for me to remove myself from the position of a home town fan and look at it from the other side. For example, Flyers fans want to move Hayes. I view it if I was a fan of a contending team, would I want my team to trade for Hayes, even at 50% retained for 3 more years of term? Nope!
- MJL

You nailed it here and was thinking the same thing as i was scrolling through today's comments. I'd think a contending team would have to have a few signifiant injuries to consider taking a chance on someone like Hayes. He is having a nice season but he's 30 and has had a few injuries. No thanks.

It always helps for me to remove myself from the position of a home town fan and look at it from the other side. For example, Flyers fans want to move Hayes. I view it if I was a fan of a contending team, would I want my team to trade for Hayes, even at 50% retained for 3 more years of term? Nope!
- MJL

Well I would also suggest, which contender needs a 2nd line center and wants to pay assets for Hayes?

Well I would also suggest, which contender needs a 2nd line center and wants to pay assets for Hayes?
- Aaron_85

The other issue is that Hayes really isn't a 2nd line center on a contending team. I mean, the Flyers are currently hurting at the center position and they aren't even utilizing him as a second line center. No one is taking on that salary and giving up assets for what is at best a 3rd line center on a contender. Just my opinion of course.

Hayes is lazy. I really think he has some talent (guess that is obvious), but you don't win with guys like him. That's why I find it very hard to believe that a true contender would want him on their team. And to think that there were people on here that thought Hayes should be the captain of this team. The only team Hayes should be captain of is the Polo team at the local country club.
- Phillywhiteout

Yes, definitely hard to believe someone would take a chance. He is streaky, and as I just replied to MJL, has also had injuries the past few years. I didn't want him to be captain but go on record as someone who felt he was a lock for the captaincy...that is until we hired Torts. I figured Chuckles would have wanted Hayes but no way for Torts. Would love for some miracle and somehow be able to unload him, but chances are slim.

It’s like an HBO series with the Flyers right now – a cross between Game of Thrones and The Sopranos. On the one hand, everyone is looking out for their best interest and has no problem working in the shadows to share secrets in hopes that one person’s failure or demise will lead to their own ascension, albeit everybody targets different thrones.

Yet, at the same time, these same people, especially the collective in Voorhees, who are spinning narratives of dissension, discord and deceit from within, will bond together through a sworn allegiance of blood to ensure their circle of trust and power stays small and manageable. They’ll ensure it doesn’t include everyone, even those who are part of the larger organization tasked with working together for the success of the franchise.

But don’t let that circle get too small, because then the others who have been so unwilling to yield authority for so long will put a proverbial bullet in the back of your head. Just ask Ron Hextall how poop went down.

via Flyers presser

It’s also why certain individuals are hell-bent on finding leaks in their organization, looking for rats so they can take care of them just as the mafia does when one of their own agrees to become an informant.

And at the top is Scott, who right now is running the Flyers much in the way Uncle Junior Soprano was running the crime family. He’s in charge, but we all know who’s really pulling the strings.

That’s why Scott needs to switch to more of a Thrones mentality. He needs to plan the Red Wedding. He needs to take out the “network” before they find a way to get to him.

On the day Charlie’s story came out, I spoke with two people who I frequently talk to on the hockey operations side of the organization. These are two individuals who I have built a trusting relationship with and who often share sourced information with me that I then try to figure out the best way to pass on to the fanbase, ensuring all tracks are covered.

I have to admit I was surprised by both when discussing the decision not to communicate what was going on with Provorov to business operations and ownership in advance of Pride night.

One of them said, “They’re on a need-to-know basis with us, and they didn’t need to know until they did.”

The other said, “(They) can be pissed off all (they) want. They don’t run hockey ops.”

A franchise can not operate when all parties aren’t pulling on the same rope. It becomes traitorous on the inside, it looks like a complete and utter poop show from the perch where I sit, not close enough to be involved, but close enough know a lot of what goes on behind the curtain.

But for the fans, for the people who spend their hard-earned money supporting this franchise, and giving their heart and soul to them, although they remain on the outside, all that is left are for there to be feelings of anger, frustration and disappointment.


This franchise is a joke.....but hey at least theyre more entertaining this year

The other issue is that Hayes really isn't a 2nd line center on a contending team. I mean, the Flyers are currently hurting at the center position and they aren't even utilizing him as a second line center. No one is taking on that salary and giving up assets for what is at best a 3rd line center on a contender. Just my opinion of course.
- Phillywhiteout

He's kinda too good to be a 3rd liner though. Maybe you're right. I don't know. Either way it would be expensive. My question is if he's so useful to a contender why are the Flyers wanting to get rid of him and expect anything back? Flyers aren't rebuilding from what I can tell so why would they be shoving him out the door so quickly if he is good enough for a contending team?

If he's a cap dump then wouldn't it cost the flyers more assets to get rid of him?

I love analytics. Especially when I miss the game. I can just check the internet and introduce myself into conversations without any real expertise whatsoever.

I love analytics. Especially when I miss the game. I can just check the internet and introduce myself into conversations without any real expertise whatsoever.
- Joe Nardone

That's nice grandpa. Now back to bed! 👴💤

Hayes is s consistent 40+ point player. Should be a market with 50% retention.
- hello it's me 2050

He is actually a 50+ point player and there should be a market at 35% retention IMO.

Well I would also suggest, which contender needs a 2nd line center and wants to pay assets for Hayes?
- Aaron_85

If Hayes is in a supporting role on the 3rd line, I don't think any fanbase would be upset if their team acquired him, especially since his cost would be reasonable and certain given his experience and production and the return on the trade would be minimal, like a 3rd round pick.

Well I would also suggest, which contender needs a 2nd line center and wants to pay assets for Hayes?
- Aaron_85

Not to mention the salary cap. It's tight around the league. Teams need to sign their own players. It only takes one GM to agree and nothing is impossible but a trade of Hayes is going to be difficult.

He is actually a 50+ point player and there should be a market at 35% retention IMO.
- jd250

How can he be a 50+ point player when he has never scored 50 points in his career?

If Hayes is in a supporting role on the 3rd line, I don't think any fanbase would be upset if their team acquired him, especially since his cost would be reasonable and certain given his experience and production and the return on the trade would be minimal, like a 3rd round pick.
- jd250

His cost would not be reasonable. You're making numerous unfounded assumptions here.

Not to mention the salary cap. It's tight around the league. Teams need to sign their own players. It only takes one GM to agree and nothing is impossible but a trade of Hayes is going to be difficult.
- MJL

If Hayes can put up 45+ points this season and stay healthy and do the same next, then with only 2 years remaining and assuming the Flyers are willing to retain at least 3 million of his cap hit, they could probably move him without adding an asset to the deal.

Moving him now or even this spring, without eating 50% and adding a sweetener, isn’t impossible but it won’t be easy.

Of course the above is under the assumption that Fletcher is replaced by a competent GM. If old Cuckles is making the deal, it won’t be pretty.

If Hayes can put up 45+ points this season and stay healthy and do the same next, then with only 2 years remaining and assuming the Flyers are willing to retain at least 3 million of his cap hit, they could probably move him without adding an asset to the deal.

Moving him now or even this spring, without eating 50% and adding a sweetener, isn’t impossible but it won’t be easy.

Of course the above is under the assumption that Fletcher is replaced by a competent GM. If old Cuckles is making the deal, it won’t be pretty.
- BiggE

Anything is possible but I don't see there being much of a market for Hayes. With the cap only projected to rise 1M, teams need to re-sign their own players and will be reluctant to take on term for a player like Hayes. There is also his 12 team NT list. Nothing is impossible and it only takes one team to agree but a trade of Hayes is going to be difficult. Down the road as he has less term, depending on how he plays, it might change but the context is the expectation of trading him at this deadline or offseason.

The other issue is that Hayes really isn't a 2nd line center on a contending team. I mean, the Flyers are currently hurting at the center position and they aren't even utilizing him as a second line center. No one is taking on that salary and giving up assets for what is at best a 3rd line center on a contender. Just my opinion of course.
- Phillywhiteout

you might find a team that catches fire and believes he can help them with a few rounds and if lighting strikes make a run. It would need to be a perfect storm but not impossible. Hayes for a 5th, Flyers retain 1/2


If Hayes was traded, say the team wants to buy him out with 2 years left, considering the Flyers held 1/2, what would the buyout be for the last 2 years of the contract?

you might find a team that catches fire and believes he can help them with a few rounds and if lighting strikes make a run. It would need to be a perfect storm but not impossible. Hayes for a 5th, Flyers retain 1/2


If Hayes was traded, say the team wants to buy him out with 2 years left, considering the Flyers held 1/2, what would the buyout be for the last 2 years of the contract?
- wcorvette

That team that catches fire wouldn't be trading for him for just this playoffs. They'd have to want him for 3 more years after this year also. There's going to be options available without term.

How can he be a 50+ point player when he has never scored 50 points in his career?
- MJL

Hayes scored 55 points in 71 games in 2018-2019 season, and was on a 53 point pace last season and this season is on a 75 point pace. I know how much you appreciate facts.

His cost would not be reasonable. You're making numerous unfounded assumptions here.
- MJL

Look around the league at what 2nd and 3rd line players are costing, I am not making up anything, you just refuse to look at the recent contracts. Hayes at $4.5M for 3 years is a bargain, especially given the cap will increase this year and beyond.

you might find a team that catches fire and believes he can help them with a few rounds and if lighting strikes make a run. It would need to be a perfect storm but not impossible. Hayes for a 5th, Flyers retain 1/2


If Hayes was traded, say the team wants to buy him out with 2 years left, considering the Flyers held 1/2, what would the buyout be for the last 2 years of the contract?
- wcorvette

I think its the same as in any situation, its 2/3rds of what the team owes the player extended over twice the remaining contract length. So after this season Hayes is owed a total of $14.5M. After next season Hayes would be owed $8M according to cap friendly. If the Flyers covered half then the team would owe Hayes $4M. If they buyout Hayes at that point, the team would pay Hayes $2.6M over 4 years, or $650K per year.