Columbus wouldn’t be a great landing spot for Bedard either.
- Minnyhock

At least there's room to grow the game in Ohio. A number of decent-sized media markets within the vicinity and a lot of untapped potential.

Montreal offers very little headroom. Who's not already watching there? Would be like sending your best missionary to convert people in Vatican City.

At least there's room to grow the game in Ohio. A number of decent-sized media markets within the vicinity and a lot of untapped potential.

Montreal offers very little headroom. Who's not already watching there? Would be like sending your best missionary to convert people in Vatican City.
- Tomahawk

It would be great FOR Columbus but they have trouble holding onto star players. I’d fear a Fox/Panarin scenario in a few years. I don’t know how Bedard thinks but most guys like a big market with more opportunity and attention.

Montreal, Columbus and Arizona would be giant disappointments for me personally, not just for Bedard, but winning the lottery (1 or 2).

Sadly I just have this gut feeling, bit of a conspiracy theory, that Montreal wins the lotto. Hopefully it does not happen, but if it does it confirms my theory even more.
- Glak18

It wouldn’t shock me if Montreal did get it and I don’t think it’s wild conspiracy to say there could be manipulation in the process. I still think Slaf has the biggest bust potential of the top six in the last draft. I think Nemac, Cooley and Jiricik will have better careers and I still like Cutter.

It would be great FOR Columbus but they have trouble holding onto star players. I’d fear a Fox/Panarin scenario in a few years. I don’t know how Bedard thinks but most guys like a big market with more opportunity and attention.
- Minnyhock

Unless he pulls a Lindros he'd be stuck there until he's 27, so a good 9 years of market building. Then I'm sure the league would have no problems if he jumped to a big market team in UFA.

I'll go conspiracy theory and forecast the team at first overall will not be in the Western time zone and also it will not be Columbus.

Unless he pulls a Lindros he'd be stuck there until he's 27, so a good 9 years of market building. Then I'm sure the league would have no problems if he jumped to a big market team in UFA.
- Tomahawk

But I think Columbus could have trouble surrounding him with enough talent to contend. It’s tough to keep a stuck guy if he wants out. Rick Nash had all those wasted years until they got Carter. But Carter was a bust because he didn’t want to be there. A total disaster for Columbus. Philly got Jake and a pick that turned into Couturier. Then Nash wanted out. Maybe they’ve learned and good players will go there to play with Bedard if they got him. We’ll see.

At least there's room to grow the game in Ohio. A number of decent-sized media markets within the vicinity and a lot of untapped potential.

Montreal offers very little headroom. Who's not already watching there? Would be like sending your best missionary to convert people in Vatican City.
- Tomahawk

Exactly. Same in Philly. Still way way too many dummies defending and supporting this dysfunctional organization. League knows it too

Outside chance at 6. Go habs go
- SMS4016

They had their chance in the head to head vs.Habs. In typical Flyers fashion the Habs will win the lottery now from their 6th position.

The Flyers could be a better team next year. Have to see what moves they make this off season. If they are, that means that last year and this upcoming draft were their best chance at drafting an elite player. They better hit. If they're improved, that means lower draft picks. Flyers already have plenty of complimentary players. They need elite players.
- MJL

100% agree! Given what I have seen from the young players on this team and the players coming up, I don't see this team finishing in the bottom 10 next season. But you're right, we have to see what moves are made in the off-season starting with who is hired as President, as well as see how healthy Couts and Cam are. I expect the subtraction Torts talks about will be JVR, Hayes and Provorov.

I wish Provy the best on his new team, just like G. I have a feeling Provy will have a similiar career resurgence. I don't think it is outlandish that a player would get beat down in a deteriorating team environment. Certainly, not a stretch that over the last decade the team environment has been abysmal
- Trox88

He may do better elsewhere, but let's not go nuts with the Giroux comparison. G had two top four MVP finishes as a Flyer during that last decade where you say the team environment was abysmal. In 17-18 the only player in the league with more points was McDavid, and he only scored 6 more than Giroux did.

https://www.hockey-refere...-2014.html#all-hart-stats

https://www.hockey-refere...-2018.html#all-hart-stats

Two original 6’s and Philly? Why Philly? San Jose has a great fan base. High tech people from all over the country have relocated there and become season ticket holders.
- Minnyhock

Philly is a major market with a rich hockey and sports history. San Jose has no soul and a much smaller fan base.

Yeah, there's a poop load of corporate money in that area and Bedard could be the key to cranking open that firehose.

Anaheim, being in the 2nd biggest NA media market, would be a huge win for the NHL too. They're already marketing the hell out of Zegras. Adding Bedard on top of that might replicate the kind of interest boom they got from Gretzky being traded to LA.

- Tomahawk

Such a shame Crosby didn't go there in 2005.

I gotta draft Michkov if by chance he is there at 7.
- Flybynight88

Michkov very well might be there at 7, but then the question is, do the Flyers have the patience to wait possibly as long as Minnesota waited for Kiprizov? Unless the Flyers somehow get assurances, I don't see them picking him, however would the Flyers trade down a few spots for a team that did want Michkov badly?

He may do better elsewhere, but let's not go nuts with the Giroux comparison. G had two top four MVP finishes as a Flyer during that last decade where you say the team environment was abysmal.
- Feanor

My comparison merely was to point out I expect Provy to have an increase in level of play after leaving a dreadful losing environment. I'm not sure why you would have thought I think Provy will be a Norris finalist in the next couple of years after leaving the Flyers when I brought up G.

I think they should scratch Provy and Hayes these last couple of games. They want a trade to happen, the organization wants it to happen, why risk injury to impede it? I doubt healthy scratches the last few games is going to scuttle trade value.

Michkov very well might be there at 7, but then the question is, do the Flyers have the patience to wait possibly as long as Minnesota waited for Kiprizov? Unless the Flyers somehow get assurances, I don't see them picking him, however would the Flyers trade down a few spots for a team that did want Michkov badly?
- jd250

The Flyers are pretty deep at RW, I'd wait for him. They are already going to wait for Cutter 2 years and that's if he makes the team. I think Michkov steps into the lineup in 3. He's a special player IMO

The Flyers are pretty deep at RW, I'd wait for him. They are already going to wait for Cutter 2 years and that's if he makes the team. I think Michkov steps into the lineup in 3. He's a special player IMO
- Flybynight88

Honestly, if we "ignore" all the potential issues in the world and just look at it from a hockey perspective. If Michkov is there when the Flyers pick, it's a no brainer to pick him. The Flyers aren't going anywhere in 3 years.

Provy has played a ton of minutes and only missed games because of the Covid protocols. I'm sure he's worn down, but he has to be disgusted with the way the team has been run during his time here. I still think he can get his mojo back, but if the right trade comes along, then Briere should jump on it. I would like to see Hayes go, he has been dogging it for a while. I'm worried that Briere will be trading from weakness in regards to Hayes and the takers will be limited. There's no way Briere trades Hayes without retaining salary...

Honestly, if we "ignore" all the potential issues in the world and just look at it from a hockey perspective. If Michkov is there when the Flyers pick, it's a no brainer to pick him. The Flyers aren't going anywhere in 3 years.
- MJL

Agreed. He may turn out to be a Kucherov or Marner.
Now if they can only fix the mess of a defense. I did read that there are 3 RHD projected to go in the first 10 picks in the 2024 draft. lol Long way off tho..sigh

https://theathletic.com/4...ferty-interview-gm/?amp=1

After reading this I feel a little better about the consulting thing. Seems Hilferty has a vision of evolving in to a 21st century organization. He’s saying all the right things and it’s clear he’s a fan which hopefully translates in to knowing what fans want.

Philly is a major market with a rich hockey and sports history. San Jose has no soul and a much smaller fan base.
- jd250

The point is that if the NHL were gonna rig it, they'd rig it to grow the game for maximum potential $$$ down the road. Bettman would LOVE Bedard in Phoenix, Anaheim or San Jose.

Anything but another generational star in Canada. They already tried nerfing Edmonton's odds of getting McDavid in 2015 but it backfired.

The point is that if the NHL were gonna rig it, they'd rig it to grow the game for maximum potential $$$ down the road. Bettman would LOVE Bedard in Phoenix, Anaheim or San Jose.

Anything but another generational star in Canada. They already tried nerfing Edmonton's odds of getting McDavid in 2015 but it backfired.
- Tomahawk

Agreed. Count Chocula loves Arizona and its tiny college stadium.

Only 2 ping pong balls get picked....#1 and #2 spots are open to lottery, can not move up more than 10 spots.
- Glak18

we're not winning the lottery this year cause there are actually good players in this draft

Philly is a major market with a rich hockey and sports history. San Jose has no soul and a much smaller fan base.
- jd250

None of that really matters. The NHL is trying to emulate the big 3 (MLB,NBA and NFL) by focusing on TV contracts and licensing and lesser on putting butts in the seats. They really can’t model that because the NHL is at a lower level. But that won’t keep Bettman from trying.

None of that really matters. The NHL is trying to emulate the big 3 (MLB,NBA and NFL) by focusing on TV contracts and licensing and lesser on putting butts in the seats. They really can’t model that because the NHL is at a lower level. But that won’t keep Bettman from trying.
- Minnyhock

The NHL has to do something because the ticket prices have just gone into the twilight zone, at least in the experience that I have in Boston. I see much more live college games now because of this.

The NHL has to do something because the ticket prices have just gone into the twilight zone, at least in the experience that I have in Boston. I see much more live college games now because of this.
- jd250

This year the Gopher hockey games are much more entertaining than the Wild games. NHL hockey ticket prices are insane but people still have money.