Just flashes. Otherwise he's disengaged, low motor and is your classic "junior" style player that will hit a wall when he hits pro. At this rate he's probably gonna fall out of the 1st-round.
- Tomahawk

Perfect player to take a chance on with the Colorado or Edmonton pick if he is still there IMO.

The conversation was about the level of talent. The conversation was about the team beiong young. There are some core pieces there. Lots of work to be done. Many of these players are not a complete product.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

When you're talking about the team being young, the level of that young talent is completely relevant. Simply because if it doesn't lead to a path to legit contention. Then it doesn't mean a whole lot. There is one elite level talent in the entire bunch. Finished or not.

You sure about that? He's not that good.
- jd250

Everyone but you is sure of it.

So on the Rantanen trade...I am surprised that he couldn't see past his greed. Playing with one of the best players in the world in Mckinnon, and being a major part of a Cup winning core who has already made 10's of millions, just needed to get that next huge paycheque. I am sure Colorado was willing to give him 8 digits, just not higher than McKinnon. This is really a huge loss for the Avs, as he was a hell of a player. I think the Av's are a worse team than when Friday started.

Good on Sakic for moving on from him, as he would have probably moved on in the summer. The return is not the best. Necas is having a good year, but he hasn't had a track record of it in his career...might be another Middlestadt trade..hoping for more, and getting just ok. Drury is nothing special and they didn't even get a first round pick.

Those who think Laughton or Risto will get a first if traded (doubtful, as extensions are coming asap) are dreaming. Just like the Rangers trades to date..the returns have been lower than what you would expect. This also means that it lowers the chances of either being traded, as DB wants a return than is more than their value on the ice.

So on the Rantanen trade...I am surprised that he couldn't see past his greed. Playing with one of the best players in the world in Mckinnon, and being a major part of a Cup winning core who has already made 10's of millions, just needed to get that next huge paycheque. I am sure Colorado was willing to give him 8 digits, just not higher than McKinnon. This is really a huge loss for the Avs, as he was a hell of a player. I think the Av's are a worse team than when Friday started.

Good on Sakic for moving on from him, as he would have probably moved on in the summer. The return is not the best. Necas is having a good year, but he hasn't had a track record of it in his career...might be another Middlestadt trade..hoping for more, and getting just ok. Drury is nothing special and they didn't even get a first round pick.

Those who think Laughton or Risto will get a first if traded (doubtful, as extensions are coming asap) are dreaming. Just like the Rangers trades to date..the returns have been lower than what you would expect. This also means that it lowers the chances of either being traded, as DB wants a return than is more than their value on the ice.
- TheFreak

I was completely shocked by that trade. I couldn't understand why Colorado would do that but then figured it was contract related. Canes are taking a gamble but that team is calculated. I figure they know what they'll have to do to re-sign him. You don't make that trade if you're not going to re-sign Rantanen.

I was completely shocked by that trade. I couldn't understand why Colorado would do that but then figured it was contract related. Canes are taking a gamble but that team is calculated. I figure they know what they'll have to do to re-sign him. You don't make that trade if you're not going to re-sign Rantanen.
- MJL

So..I wish the Flyers had hired Tulsky...I am sure the team would feel like it had more of a direction than it currently has. I don't have much confidence in Briere and Crew.

I was completely shocked by that trade. I couldn't understand why Colorado would do that but then figured it was contract related. Canes are taking a gamble but that team is calculated. I figure they know what they'll have to do to re-sign him. You don't make that trade if you're not going to re-sign Rantanen.
- MJL

How much different is this from the Guentzel trade? He wasn’t re-signed. They let him walk.

I get your point

But you can draft top 2 and fail we fans already witness that, giroux was a late 1st rd pick and became a true number 1 c

We just need to hit on the picks we make.
We can still get what we need though the draft

Just need to hit. Albeit it's harder and sometimes feels like luck but it's still possible.

We have 3 first rd picks, surely we can find something or make a trade to put us into a better position to draft 1
- SlNlSTER

That’s the problem with the whole plan that Jones and Briere have in place; it relies on luck. Their plan to acquire a Stanley cup level 1C is to draft one in the teens or get one in free agency or trade. Those things do happen but maybe once or twice a decade. It’s planning on becoming a millionaire by playing the lottery.

Unless they get extremely lucky they will be stuck where that have been the last decade in the mediocre middle. Unfortunately too many fans can’t see that because they like Jones and Briere as people. The one thing this franchise has always been great at is marketing to their fans.

That’s the problem with the whole plan that Jones and Briere have in place; it relies on luck. Their plan to acquire a Stanley cup level 1C is to draft one in the teens or get one in free agency or trade. Those things do happen but maybe once or twice a decade. It’s planning on becoming a millionaire by playing the lottery.

Unless they get extremely lucky they will be stuck where that have been the last decade in the mediocre middle. Unfortunately too many fans can’t see that because they like Jones and Briere as people. The one thing this franchise has always been great at is marketing to their fans.
- psuhockey

Correct. There is no plan besides to get lucky and bide their time until they can wheel and deal for some unknown player in the future.

A completely nutless monkey coGM and PRoho.

The very amusing part is Hilferty peacocking around like the triumvirate is some genius masterstroke on his part. The Flyers do nothing new at all that other teams havent practiced since the salary cap era. It is quite funny in a way. The reality is it is just a new way for the Flyers to demonstrate their dysfunction.

Phantoms PP looks as bad as the Flyers’
- Dkos

How is the culture down on the farm?

That’s the problem with the whole plan that Jones and Briere have in place; it relies on luck. Their plan to acquire a Stanley cup level 1C is to draft one in the teens or get one in free agency or trade. Those things do happen but maybe once or twice a decade. It’s planning on becoming a millionaire by playing the lottery.

Unless they get extremely lucky they will be stuck where that have been the last decade in the mediocre middle. Unfortunately too many fans can’t see that because they like Jones and Briere as people. The one thing this franchise has always been great at is marketing to their fans.
- psuhockey

And it may be slightly apocryphal, but many say the Flyers planned to pick Bobby Sanguinetti with their pick but The Rangers beat them to it. Leading to the Giroux pick where Clarke famously "forgot" his name. If that ain't luck I don't know what is. Do we really want to rely on luck? Because as the picks and rounds go on, luck becomes a much bigger factor.

How is the culture down on the farm?
- corduroy

Coach is oozing culture. He blocked a puck with his face.

Correct. There is no plan besides to get lucky and bide their time until they can wheel and deal for some unknown player in the future.

A completely nutless monkey coGM and PRoho.

The very amusing part is Hilferty peacocking around like the triumvirate is some genius masterstroke on his part. The Flyers do nothing new at all that other teams havent practiced since the salary cap era. It is quite funny in a way. The reality is it is just a new way for the Flyers to demonstrate their dysfunction.
- StepfordSam

The infuriating thing is there are opportunities out there but this organization constantly falls in the love with their own crap ie own players that they will never capitalize on them. They could probably go get Mason McTavish right now at the cost of Bonk + a high pick but they won’t do it because they love Bonk, who at best is a defensive 2nd pair defenseman. A nothing special player but because they drafted him he’s untouchable. Same is Foerster. Same with Tippett.

They will draft more middle of the roster types this year fall love and repeat the same nonsense.

The infuriating thing is there are opportunities out there but this organization constantly falls in the love with their own crap ie own players that they will never capitalize on them. They could probably go get Mason McTavish right now at the cost of Bonk + a high pick but they won’t do it because they love Bonk, who at best is a defensive 2nd pair defenseman. A nothing special player but because they drafted him he’s untouchable. Same is Foerster. Same with Tippett.

They will draft more middle of the roster types this year fall love and repeat the same nonsense.
- psuhockey

Explain to me why Anaheim is willing to move Mctavish?

Explain to me why Anaheim is willing to move Mctavish?
- MJL

Their coach called him a 3rd liner with some offensive talent just this week. He has been playing wing and centering the 4th line. Anaheim has no young talent on the right side of defense with all puck movers on the left. Verbeek is another GM obsessed with size and would absolutely love a guy like Bonk.

None of us are in Rantenan’s head or privy to the contract talks between him and the AVs.
He might want to play in the east because the travel is lighter
He might have wanted something Colorado was not willing to give re $$, term, trade protection etc…

Players have a limited window, I don’t blame them for wanting to make as much as possible or trying to take full advantage of the CBA. They’d be fools not to.

Their coach called him a 3rd liner with some offensive talent just this week. He has been playing wing and centering the 4th line. Anaheim has no young talent on the right side of defense with all puck movers on the left. Verbeek is another GM obsessed with size and would absolutely love a guy like Bonk.
- psuhockey

That's just a coach trying to motivate a player. Mactavish is averaging over 16 minutes a game. I don't think any of that points to Anaheim being willing to trade him.

The infuriating thing is there are opportunities out there but this organization constantly falls in the love with their own crap ie own players that they will never capitalize on them. They could probably go get Mason McTavish right now at the cost of Bonk + a high pick but they won’t do it because they love Bonk, who at best is a defensive 2nd pair defenseman. A nothing special player but because they drafted him he’s untouchable. Same is Foerster. Same with Tippett.

They will draft more middle of the roster types this year fall love and repeat the same nonsense.
- psuhockey

I can see Anaheim maybe looking to move Zegras for the right deal, but I don't really see them moving McTavish for that deal.

That’s the problem with the whole plan that Jones and Briere have in place; it relies on luck. Their plan to acquire a Stanley cup level 1C is to draft one in the teens or get one in free agency or trade. Those things do happen but maybe once or twice a decade. It’s planning on becoming a millionaire by playing the lottery.

Unless they get extremely lucky they will be stuck where that have been the last decade in the mediocre middle. Unfortunately too many fans can’t see that because they like Jones and Briere as people. The one thing this franchise has always been great at is marketing to their fans.
- psuhockey

Briere has pretty much acknowledged he cannot get a 1C in a trade because the price is too high. He has deemed most of his prospect pool off limits. Basically, he seems content to take a flier on a Payton Krebs and hope he turns into a top 6 center. Long odds to say the least. Quite a plan that relies on finding a 1C outside the top 10. Closest this organization got with that theory was Carter and Richards. I would be thrilled if Briere could get that type of prospect.

Bold GMs. Sakic and Tulsky destroy their respective winning cultures? No. Now while realistically the Flyers could not match the value nor should they take on an expiring contract, the frustration is this:

This era of orange is not different than the two previous eras… no bold moves. Talk talk talk. Trades are hard. Etc. Not too 5-10 pick, not quite a legitimate playoff team. No improvement in either direction. So tired of watching other teams making moves that make sense for the direction they’re going.

I can see Anaheim maybe looking to move Zegras for the right deal, but I don't really see them moving McTavish for that deal.
- MBFlyerfan

The ship has sailed on Verbeek getting anything of value on Zegras. McTavish is a rfa at the end of the year and Verbeek hates paying his rfas. He also wants to bring in vets but no one wants to sign in Anaheim. They will also have another top 5 pick this year. This isn’t really a hard deal to make. Even if he won’t bite on just Bonk and a 1st overpay throw our other names like Frost, Farabee, or even Tippett. I doubt they would say no to Tippett Bonk and a 2nd.

Point being is there is a bad franchise misusing a player that they may have some doubts about now that could really help the Flyers. The price would be big but pay it. Outside of Michkov there is nothing on the Flyers roster that can’t be easily replaced.

The ship has sailed on Verbeek getting anything of value on Zegras. McTavish is a rfa at the end of the year and Verbeek hates paying his rfas. He also wants to bring in vets but no one wants to sign in Anaheim. They will also have another top 5 pick this year. This isn’t really a hard deal to make. Even if he won’t bite on just Bonk and a 1st overpay throw our other names like Frost, Farabee, or even Tippett. I doubt they would say no to Tippett Bonk and a 2nd.

Point being is there is a bad franchise misusing a player that they may have some doubts about now that could really help the Flyers. The price would be big but pay it. Outside of Michkov there is nothing on the Flyers roster that can’t be easily replaced.
- psuhockey

We all know this, but the front office refuses to acknowledge it.

I agree with you on this! We are younger but our youth unfortunately is mediocre. The Brinks and Farabees are nice players but aside from Michkov, we are a bunch of 2nd and 3rd line players at best.
- Don Nachbaur

while I wish there was more 1st line talent, it is not all bad. For the ones they keep, their prime is coming, call it 2 years and there will be a group hitting their prime. That is a good thing, TK is an example of prime, he was good but if you compare him to 24-25, he is way better. I am not saying the group will take that kind of leap but the Flyers do have talent that will hit its prime and be better. I think MM in 2 years will be in his prime and getting better, better talent matures quicker typically.

I never hope for a lose but it is good they lost their last 2, it be good from them, while playing metro teams to lose a few more, get them clear eyed on moving players this season and finishing around 8th. They need to look at the pool and trade youth for youth to upgrade positions of need. They don't have elite assets but they have assets and a good bit of them. DB doesn't do this TDL and offseason right, I with team negative, torches and pitchforks time.

I guess the good news, 2-3 years from now, maybe McD and alike wont be as dominate.

The ship has sailed on Verbeek getting anything of value on Zegras. McTavish is a rfa at the end of the year and Verbeek hates paying his rfas. He also wants to bring in vets but no one wants to sign in Anaheim. They will also have another top 5 pick this year. This isn’t really a hard deal to make. Even if he won’t bite on just Bonk and a 1st overpay throw our other names like Frost, Farabee, or even Tippett. I doubt they would say no to Tippett Bonk and a 2nd.

Point being is there is a bad franchise misusing a player that they may have some doubts about now that could really help the Flyers. The price would be big but pay it. Outside of Michkov there is nothing on the Flyers roster that can’t be easily replaced.
- psuhockey

McTavish is not being misused. He is getting top 6 ES and PP ice time. RFA's that Verbeek has re-signed include Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras and Jaime Drysdale

while I wish there was more 1st line talent, it is not all bad. For the ones they keep, their prime is coming, call it 2 years and there will be a group hitting their prime. That is a good thing, TK is an example of prime, he was good but if you compare him to 24-25, he is way better. I am not saying the group will take that kind of leap but the Flyers do have talent that will hit its prime and be better. I think MM in 2 years will be in his prime and getting better, better talent matures quicker typically.

I never hope for a lose but it is good they lost their last 2, it be good from them, while playing metro teams to lose a few more, get them clear eyed on moving players this season and finishing around 8th. They need to look at the pool and trade youth for youth to upgrade positions of need. They don't have elite assets but they have assets and a good bit of them. DB doesn't do this TDL and offseason right, I with team negative, torches and pitchforks time.

I guess the good news, 2-3 years from now, maybe McD and alike wont be as dominate.
- wcorvette

Those players hitting their prime in two years is not a good thing. It's a bad thing. This team if they're lucky is 5-7 years away. By then, those players will be aging and at the tail end of their prime. Likely overpaid if still here. I don't see any of them late blooming like Konecny.