Rangers come from behind and win, which is good for us. Of course 3 point game though…

The problem I see for DB is that the team makes the playoffs and expectations are high for the next season. The flyers may win a round but let’s face reality they aren’t contenders.
The flyers being generous need a #1 center and dman. How are you getting either? That’s why TK has to be traded in the offseason. He either is going to bring a very high 1 st round pick or a high end prospect that a contender can’t wait to mature to be cup contender worthy.
The other issue is getting a very capable backup goalie. I would write of Hart if I was DB because of the unknown circumstances.
While this season has been fun and unexpected you can’t lose sight of the ultimate goal.
- bird_dog_pa

Thinking we need a goalie as well

Thinking we need a goalie as well
- Bayareaflyer

I’m not sure if we know Ersson’s ceiling yet but when Hart was here, it was good that one could push the other. So I am all for another young goalie, drafted or signed.

Thinking we need a goalie as well
- Bayareaflyer

See how Petersen does down the stretch. If he does okay, might as well role with him rather than having dead money on the cap.

I’m not sure if we know Ersson’s ceiling yet but when Hart was here, it was good that one could push the other. So I am all for another young goalie, drafted or signed.
- roenick97

Another young goalie can’t hurt. I can’t base it on anything other than gut feeling but I think Ersson might be the better goalie between him an Hart.
Hart may not even play for the flyers again so it’s all speculation on my part.

What team has a spare #1 center or #1 center prospect?

How many #1 centers or #1 center prospects have been traded in their 20’s in the last 10 years? Eichel, ROR if you consider him a #1 center. Tage Thompson was a winger. Gabe Vilardi is the only high end center prospect I can think of traded recently but never thought of him as a #1. Point being trades of top notch centers are so rare that the likely of the Flyers pulling one off a very very low.
- psuhockey

Depends what one views centers like Zibanjed, Zacha, Coyle, Schenn, and Seguin off the top of my head (farther back Carter and Richards). I'm not here to suggest these names are bona fide #1 centers. However, I am curious what the definition of a bona fide #1 center is in today's games. McDavid, McKinnon and Matthews no doubt. Maybe Barkov, Crosby, Peterssen, Eichel, and Point can be included. I do find the first 3 I listed to be in a class of their own. Any other centers- not sure-please add to the list if I missed. Seems to me most of the league is missing bona fide stud #1 centers. The centers I listed earlier that were traded are not stud #1 centers. However, I believe they are in the category of very good top 6 centers which savvy GMs can acquire. We'll see if Briere can be savvy because right now the organizational depth for top 6 center is lacking.

Depends what one views centers like Zibanjed, Zacha, Coyle, Schenn, and Seguin off the top of my head (farther back Carter and Richards). I'm not here to suggest these names are bona fide #1 centers. However, I am curious what the definition of a bona fide #1 center is in today's games. McDavid, McKinnon and Matthews no doubt. Maybe Barkov, Crosby, Peterssen, Eichel, and Point can be included. I do find the first 3 I listed to be in a class of their own. Any other centers- not sure-please add to the list if I missed. Seems to me most of the league is missing bona fide stud #1 centers. The centers I listed earlier that were traded are not stud #1 centers. However, I believe they are in the category of very good top 6 centers which savvy GMs can acquire. We'll see if Briere can be savvy because right now the organizational depth for top 6 center is lacking.
- Trox88

In my opinion, there are 10 teams in the NHL that currently don't have a #1 center. A few of them have a player with potential to become that but not yet.

In my opinion, there are 10 teams in the NHL that currently don't have a #1 center. A few of them have a player with potential to become that but not yet.
- MJL

Interesting post. I'm curious what your definition of #1 center. I would assume you would include someone like Dylan Larkin or Kopitar as #1 centers. I find those centers as very good, but cannot place them on a level of McDavid, Matthews, or McKinnon. Just curious.

Interesting post. I'm curious what your definition of #1 center. I would assume you would include someone like Dylan Larkin or Kopitar as #1 centers. I find those centers as very good, but cannot place them on a level of McDavid, Matthews, or McKinnon. Just curious.
- Trox88

In any sub category of players, there is also a ranking. Do you have to be an elite superstar player on the level of those 3 to be a #1 center? Of course not. If you did then there are only a handful of #1 centers in the league. If you're a center and scoring around the 70 point mark, you're a #1 center in the NHL.

Interesting post. I'm curious what your definition of #1 center. I would assume you would include someone like Dylan Larkin or Kopitar as #1 centers. I find those centers as very good, but cannot place them on a level of McDavid, Matthews, or McKinnon. Just curious.
- Trox88

I see Larkin and Kopitar as tweeters. A point a game is my criteria. I think BOS, DET, OTT. PHI, WSH,CLB, MiN, ARI, CHi, SEA, CGY, ANA SJ are all arguably without a 1C. Obviously, Bedard will be there but he is in the 30s now.

What team has a spare #1 center or #1 center prospect?

How many #1 centers or #1 center prospects have been traded in their 20’s in the last 10 years? Eichel, ROR if you consider him a #1 center. Tage Thompson was a winger. Gabe Vilardi is the only high end center prospect I can think of traded recently but never thought of him as a #1. Point being trades of top notch centers are so rare that the likely of the Flyers pulling one off a very very low.
- psuhockey

Good luck getting it done without one. I don't how they get one but I don't think they can count on sitting back and drafting one with the 20th pick and crossing fingers. I went through all the Cup teams. You have to go back to the '11 bruins to find a cup winner that didn't have a center at the very least right near a point a game. Krecji had 62 pts in 75 games. That team also had Bergeron obviously.

No real point discussing that since pretty much the only answer is the draft. Maybe they can trade for a young defenseman another team gives up on too early but that’s it. Not a lot to talk about.
- psuhockey

Its doable....Rangers got their #1 center Zibabejad in a trade when Ottawa gave up on him too early. Also got their #1 defenseman Fox in a trade for two #2 draft picks. It can be done need savvy GM and luck

Good luck getting it done without one. I don't how they get one but I don't think they can count on sitting back and drafting one with the 20th pick and crossing fingers. I went through all the Cup teams. You have to go back to the '11 bruins to find a cup winner that didn't have a center at the very least right near a point a game. Krecji had 62 pts in 75 games. That team also had Bergeron obviously.
- Just5

They are going to have to get lucky drafting later then usual for first line centers or be bold and move up in the draft.

Also just because they are competing for a playoff spot this year doesn’t mean they will next year. A few key injuries say to Couturier and Ersson and this team is picking in the top 10 again. They have for the most part been very lucky with injuries this year.

They are going to have to get lucky drafting later then usual for first line centers or be bold and move up in the draft.

Also just because they are competing for a playoff spot this year doesn’t mean they will next year. A few key injuries say to Couturier and Ersson and this team is picking in the top 10 again. They have for the most part been very lucky with injuries this year.
- psuhockey

I agree. I think they are quite a long shot for the playoffs next year

I see Larkin and Kopitar as tweeters. A point a game is my criteria. I think BOS, DET, OTT. PHI, WSH,CLB, MiN, ARI, CHi, SEA, CGY, ANA SJ are all arguably without a 1C. Obviously, Bedard will be there but he is in the 30s now.
- Minnyhock

Tim Stutzle is not a #1 center? Had 39 goals and 90 points last season. Has 49 points in 51 games this season. The two points means he's not a #1? Dylan Larkin in Detroit is also a #1 center in my opinion,

I’m not sure if we know Ersson’s ceiling yet but when Hart was here, it was good that one could push the other. So I am all for another young goalie, drafted or signed.
- roenick97

I’m hoping one of the drafted goalies can make the jump soon. I wouldn’t waste assets or cap space on a vet backup. Worry I have is giving Ersson too much too soon and it wrecks his confidence and development. He was fantastic when hart was still here and when we were rolling the two of them.

Another young goalie can’t hurt. I can’t base it on anything other than gut feeling but I think Ersson might be the better goalie between him an Hart.
Hart may not even play for the flyers again so it’s all speculation on my part.
- bird_dog_pa

It’s not speculation. Hart’s career in the nhl is over even if he’s completely exonerated. No one will sign any of those guys. Seems clear from bettmans commentary on the matter. Completely distancing themselves from them. Bettmans comments come off as being from a money hungry robot worried more about sponsors and being perceived as a progressive company rather than really caring about the lives of the victims or maybe rehabilitation of the young perpetrators. Also makes me shake my head about how the hawks never really paid a price for covering up that scandal. They are a. Flagship organization in the league and have different rules.

Anyone notice what happened with Lucic? Charges were dropped but he’ll remain on indefinite leave and he’s on a 1 yr contract so hes effectively retired. The NHL does a fantastic job supporting its players when warranted eye roll.

I’m hoping one of the drafted goalies can make the jump soon. I wouldn’t waste assets or cap space on a vet backup. Worry I have is giving Ersson too much too soon and it wrecks his confidence and development. He was fantastic when hart was still here and when we were rolling the two of them.
- Hextall271

I think this is a bingo! I think the Ersson/Hart combination most likely would have gotten this team to the playoffs. I'm just not sure if Ersson is ready to stand on his own as the #1 guy. He's good for a rookie and will be on the all rookie team, but I think he was more comfortable having Hart as the tandem with him. He came up small on Saturday and to me that was a big game. TK all over the ice in that game while Coots was invisible. I'm beginning to think Atkinson is just flat out cooked at this point.

The only thing more humorous than Ek’s rumor chart is he wants people to pay him for access to it

It’s not speculation. Hart’s career in the nhl is over even if he’s completely exonerated. No one will sign any of those guys. Seems clear from bettmans commentary on the matter. Completely distancing themselves from them. Bettmans comments come off as being from a money hungry robot worried more about sponsors and being perceived as a progressive company rather than really caring about the lives of the victims or maybe rehabilitation of the young perpetrators. Also makes me shake my head about how the hawks never really paid a price for covering up that scandal. They are a. Flagship organization in the league and have different rules.

Anyone notice what happened with Lucic? Charges were dropped but he’ll remain on indefinite leave and he’s on a 1 yr contract so hes effectively retired. The NHL does a fantastic job supporting its players when warranted eye roll.
- Hextall271

I think if they are completely exonerated their NHL careers could resume. It probably depends what type of info comes out during the trial I suppose.

Its doable....Rangers got their #1 center Zibabejad in a trade when Ottawa gave up on him too early. Also got their #1 defenseman Fox in a trade for two #2 draft picks. It can be done need savvy GM and luck
- hfc355

It's doable? Is that the same as not impossible? It is highly, highly unlikely the Flyers can trade for a #1 center. You also know the circumstances behind the Fox situation. Also a highly unlikely scenario that will repeat.

I think this is a bingo! I think the Ersson/Hart combination most likely would have gotten this team to the playoffs. I'm just not sure if Ersson is ready to stand on his own as the #1 guy. He's good for a rookie and will be on the all rookie team, but I think he was more comfortable having Hart as the tandem with him. He came up small on Saturday and to me that was a big game. TK all over the ice in that game while Coots was invisible. I'm beginning to think Atkinson is just flat out cooked at this point.
- Phillywhiteout

I don’t think it’s fair or accurate to say Coots was invisible in that game. It felt more like pond hockey to me the way both teams were playing, and that is not a game Coots can play.

I don’t think it’s fair or accurate to say Coots was invisible in that game. It felt more like pond hockey to me the way both teams were playing, and that is not a game Coots can play.
- jd250

Couturier can't keep up with the play, right?

I don’t think it’s fair or accurate to say Coots was invisible in that game. It felt more like pond hockey to me the way both teams were playing, and that is not a game Coots can play.
- jd250

I want my captain to drag his team into the fight every night. TK was all over the place in a big game! I know that isn't Coots' personality, but that is why I wanted TK as the captain. Nothing against Coots. I like him as a player. I just wish this team had a true #1 center so he could be in the proper role as #2 center.

I think if they are completely exonerated their NHL careers could resume. It probably depends what type of info comes out during the trial I suppose.
- Phillywhiteout

I agree with you but what we know right now is there were 23 players on that team and 18 of them were not asked to surrender themselves. Even if Hart did not actually assault the girl, he apparently was there in the room, and if true that will be enough.