I think this statement is flawed. How do you know the Flyers were the only team that thought Luchenko had a higher upside than Buium? Just because the Wild wanted Buium doesn't mean your statement is accurate. From what I have read, Luchenko was rapidly rising on many team's draft boards and most likely would have been picked by 16. Some mocks actually had the Flyers picking Luchenko at one point.

Just consider this. Luchenko was rising rapidly on many team's boards, while Buium was projected to go in the top 5 and dropped to 12. Could it be after the combine and interviews of both players, teams soured on Buium a bit and really liked Luchenko? I think the lesson that should be learned here is that rankings and mock drafts are for our amusement, nothing more.
- jd250

The Wild wanted Buium because he was the BPA. But what they wanted more was a top six forward but there were none that were the BPA. They already have a glut of defenseman draft picks.

I think this statement is flawed. How do you know the Flyers were the only team that thought Luchenko had a higher upside than Buium? Just because the Wild wanted Buium doesn't mean your statement is accurate. From what I have read, Luchenko was rapidly rising on many team's draft boards and most likely would have been picked by 16. Some mocks actually had the Flyers picking Luchenko at one point.

Just consider this. Luchenko was rising rapidly on many team's boards, while Buium was projected to go in the top 5 and dropped to 12. Could it be after the combine and interviews of both players, teams soured on Buium a bit and really liked Luchenko? I think the lesson that should be learned here is that rankings and mock drafts are for our amusement, nothing more.
- jd250

Show me one predraft ranking where Luchenko was above Buium. There are none. Only Button went out on the ledge saying the Flyers at 12, but that was because he had heard the Flyers liked Luchenko.

Luchenko was not rated anywhere above Buium. Anywhere.

And no, the lesson we learned was that the Flyerrs think they are smarter than the other 31 teams in the league, and their history contridicts that train of thought.

The worst UFA signing in league history.

Elite goalies Curits Joseph and Mike Richter was right there and they chose option c.
- TheFreak

Jeff Hacket says hi

Ok, so I get what you are trying to say, but I see holes.

You start with the premise of a good draft is 2 players playing 200+ games....

2019 York and Brink...just over 200 games combined 5 yers after their draft...

2020 you say it is a good draft year, but the players combined have played less than 100 games, not 200+ games each.

2021 Toumaala was a fringe AHLer before a strong first half in the AHL last year was followed by a subpar second half. Kolosov, another highly rated Flyers prospect, wants out of the organization apparantly.

2022 draft..Bump and Kaplan are huge question marks, and Mcdonald has hardly even played in the AHL. Combined for only 1 game of NHL hockey..but it's a good draft.

Under the 200 games per for 2 players, so far none of these drafts are good. Some have the potential to be, Flahr is anything but a draft wizpin.
- TheFreak

It takes time to develop a player and get them 200+ NHL games. It does not happen overnight; unless a team is picking Connor Bedard 1st overall. I said the 2022 and 2023 drafts have the potential to be great drafts, just can't judge them yet. Kolosov would be unfortunate, but how could you fault Flahr for that?

Show me one predraft ranking where Luchenko was above Buium. There are none. Only Button went out on the ledge saying the Flyers at 12, but that was because he had heard the Flyers liked Luchenko.
- TheFreak

I didn't say there was a ranking or mock that had Luchenko higher than Buium. All I stated was the fact that Luchenko was rising on many team's draft boards and Buium fell to 12.

Show me one predraft ranking where Luchenko was above Buium. There are none. Only Button went out on the ledge saying the Flyers at 12, but that was because he had heard the Flyers liked Luchenko.
- TheFreak

I think he was referring to that you seemed to claim to know the 32 teams’ rankings. Now bring up public rankings from writers is another matter.

Jeff Hacket says hi
- WhiskeyMan

LOL hated that one too, but the Beezer signing to me was worse because of who they could have gotten instead.

LOL hated that one too, but the Beezer signing to me was worse because of who they could have gotten instead.
- TheFreak

For what it's Beezer gave up 9 goals and CuJo gave up 9 in the H2H series in '99. Flyers somehow lost that series with Beezer only giving up 9 goals.

For what it's Beezer gave up 9 goals and CuJo gave up 9 in the H2H series in '99. Flyers somehow lost that series with Beezer only giving up 9 goals.
- mickel25

I don’t even know why Beezer is such a sore subject around here. Beezer practically carried the Panthers to a Stanley Cup Final. These weren’t your today’s panthers. Cujo hadn’t accomplished anything in his career outside creating a cool helmet.

LOL hated that one too, but the Beezer signing to me was worse because of who they could have gotten instead.
- TheFreak

Having lived in the STL area during his prime, I can say Curtis Joseph was not the answer. Not sure why Flyers fans have always held him in some mythical status... guy saw a lot of rubber over his career, and wore down at the most inopportune times throughout his career.

Its not like the Flyers are the Sabres and picking in the top 10 every year, with a couple of top overall picks. The draft is a roll of the dice, nothing more. If a team drafts 8 or 9 players and gets 2 to 3 NHL players, that is a great draft. That is the only standard you can use.
- jd250

stfu with the sabres nonsense. this is why the flyers will forever be stuck in below/average to mediocrity at best. but you kleep having hope.

again simple fact is flahr isnt a great drafter. all the proof is in the pudding.

And how many games have you watched Hunter play? I have been watching this kid for the past two seasons at Northeastern and all he has done is improve. He already had the size, physicality and skating ability to be an NHL player, but he improved so much, plus he has great leadership qualities. The Flyers may have found themselves a real diamond in the rough here. He will not score 50+ points in a season, but he has top 4 potential and can provide the size and physical play all NHL teams covet on the back end.
- jd250

wrong as usual as his skating ability is not nhl level.

did you watch him in the ahl? of course you didnt. do you know what kind of role he played there?

top 4 potential. you are o a roll today.

Having lived in the STL area during his prime, I can say Curtis Joseph was not the answer. Not sure why Flyers fans have always held him in some mythical status... guy saw a lot of rubber over his career, and wore down at the most inopportune times throughout his career.
- BaronVonShiznit

I wanted Richter more than Cujo, Beezer was already old before he came to Philly.

I wanted Richter more than Cujo, Beezer was already old before he came to Philly.
- TheFreak

Same here. For me, it was Mike Richter or no one else.

I agree that the Flyers took a risk in passing on Buium and picking Luchenko. But to the Flyers' scouts, Luchenko had a the higher upside in a position they wanted to build up in their organization so they took a chance. Buium was picked in the top 5 but went 12th, so there were other teams that apparently didn't think Buium was a top 5 prospect either. He wouldn't be the first top 5 ranked prospect that slipped down in the draft, or worse was a bust, and we have seen prospects ranked later in the 1st round who in a redraft would be a top 5 pick. So we will see how this looks 2 years from now.
- jd250

Your reasoning is flawed. Luchanko slipped also. It was a draft where there was no true consensus after a few players, so a player could go anyway. The Flyers passed up a gift. Better hope they're correct.

Has Flahr been perfect? Not even close. But I think he has been very good. The measure of a good draft is if a team gets two players that play 200+ NHL games. A great draft is 3+ players that play 200+ games. So lets go through it.

2019, the Flyers got York and Brink, and it maybe Attard in the future. York is developing into a solid top 4 defenseman, maybe even top pairing. Right now, I rate this a subpar draft but if Brink develops this can be a good draft.

2020, Tyson Foerster is developing into a very good NHL player. I think we will see Andrae make the team this year. If so will be a good draft.

2021, Samu Tuomaala is starting to develop into a good pro and has a chance to be an NHL player. We'll see how Kolosov develops (goalies take even longer to develop). This was the Covid year and the Flyers lacked a 1st round pick, but thus far this draft looks to be a subpar draft overall.

2022, Gauthier, Bump, Kaplan and McDonald are all great prospects. Gauthier is already an NHL player and McDonald is very close according to Briere and Jones. Bump had a great freshman college season and I get to watch Kaplan play a lot. This has the potential to be a great draft.

2023, Michkov will be an NHL player, and then you have Bonk and Barkey who had great +1 seasons, and the two goalies also. This has the potential to also be a great draft.

2024, too early to call.

So in 6 drafts, two potential great drafts, 1 subpar draft, 2 potential good drafts and the most recent one too early to call. IMO, the good outweighs the bad and thus I have faith in Flahr and his team.
- jd250

Interesting. I think you need to revise your stated opinions of Hextall's drafts. Nolan Patrick played 222 NHL games. He was a good pick according to your formula.

Torey Krug out for the season if surgery is necessary on his pre-arthritic ankle. He should have come here. Him, Ellis and Risto could have bought an island to nurse their injuries on.

I think this statement is flawed. How do you know the Flyers were the only team that thought Luchenko had a higher upside than Buium? Just because the Wild wanted Buium doesn't mean your statement is accurate. From what I have read, Luchenko was rapidly rising on many team's draft boards and most likely would have been picked by 16. Some mocks actually had the Flyers picking Luchenko at one point.

Just consider this. Luchenko was rising rapidly on many team's boards, while Buium was projected to go in the top 5 and dropped to 12. Could it be after the combine and interviews of both players, teams soured on Buium a bit and really liked Luchenko? I think the lesson that should be learned here is that rankings and mock drafts are for our amusement, nothing more.
- jd250

You just can't help yourself. You constantly contradict yourself without even realizing it. First you use that Buium dropped after being forecasted to go top 5 as a reason to support the Flyers not picking him. Then you say that rankings and mock drafts are our amusement, nothing more. Do they matter or don't they?

Interesting. I think you need to revise your stated opinions of Hextall's drafts. Nolan Patrick played 222 NHL games. He was a good pick according to your formula.
- MJL

cant help yourself can you cliff when it comes to daddy dearest

Its not like the Flyers are the Sabres and picking in the top 10 every year, with a couple of top overall picks. The draft is a roll of the dice, nothing more. If a team drafts 8 or 9 players and gets 2 to 3 NHL players, that is a great draft. That is the only standard you can use.
- jd250

No it's not. A great draft is a draft where you get a great player. If you don't, it can't be a great draft.

I think your perception of Luchenko is inaccurate. Your reading scouting reports from the first part of last year, before Luchenko was given more responsiblities on his Guelf team. By the end of this past season, many scouts saw Luchenko as having a much higher ceiling.
- jd250

Before you tell other that their perception is inaccurate. Maybe learn to spell his name.

And how many games have you watched Hunter play? I have been watching this kid for the past two seasons at Northeastern and all he has done is improve. He already had the size, physicality and skating ability to be an NHL player, but he improved so much, plus he has great leadership qualities. The Flyers may have found themselves a real diamond in the rough here. He will not score 50+ points in a season, but he has top 4 potential and can provide the size and physical play all NHL teams covet on the back end.
- jd250

"I've been watching Jay O'Brien playing at BU for two seasons and I'm telling you he is going to be an NHL player. He has the goods"

It takes time to develop a player and get them 200+ NHL games. It does not happen overnight; unless a team is picking Connor Bedard 1st overall. I said the 2022 and 2023 drafts have the potential to be great drafts, just can't judge them yet. Kolosov would be unfortunate, but how could you fault Flahr for that?
- jd250

I can't for that, but you had said 200 games for 2 players, and 1 of those 2 players mentioned for his draft year was Kolosov. If he decides to stay home, and is able to force a termination of his contract with Philly, he won't be in the NHL any time soon, so then he doesn't reach your definition of a good drat year.

The bigger concern for me here is why we keep hearing this rumor, Briere keeps denying it, and why are Flyer prospects suddenly trying to flee in the last 12-18 months? What is really going on?

"I've been watching Jay O'Brien playing at BU for two seasons and I'm telling you he is going to be an NHL player. He has the goods"
- MJL

you also said andy mac was a legit top pair dman. every one makes bad observations cliff.

It takes time to develop a player and get them 200+ NHL games. It does not happen overnight; unless a team is picking Connor Bedard 1st overall. I said the 2022 and 2023 drafts have the potential to be great drafts, just can't judge them yet. Kolosov would be unfortunate, but how could you fault Flahr for that?
- jd250

you cant. however you can put some blame on danny boy and orgineyzation no? this would be the 2nd player they would lose. both who they had high hopes for.