Exactly, so drafting this kid, and taking a Goalie who can play now. Doesn't make Howson an idiot.
- MJL

Just let them develop, especially goalies

Bob for stolarz
- Philly1980

Stolarz will be a monster in 2018

Stolarz will be a monster in 2018
- PLindbergh31

And he'll only be 24

OK, weighing in on the pick. Like a lot of you guys, I really don't like the move, particularly at #20. As MJL, we're not really qualified to say if Laughton will be better or worse than Maata or Finn or anyone else. But lots of other scouts had him ranked much lower, so that needs to factor in as well.

Also, a lot of people seem to be given Homer the benefit of the doubt because of previous draft success in the first round. I agree to some extent. But playing devil's advocate for a second, let's look at that (including time as understudy to Clark)

2011 Couturier - Awesome pick. Almost impossible not to take there, but he gets an A there.

2010 / 2009 - No picks

2008 Sbisa - Seems to be a decent pick. Coulda had Eberle, Ennis, Carlson but a better than a bunch of other guys drafted after.

2007 JVR - Jury still out, but was definitely ranked in top 3. I personally wanted Couture or Turris (.500 batting average). JVR will likely be 5-10 best player in that draft.

2006 G - Obviously the pick that earned the reputation.

2005 Downie - OK player. A "Flyers" player. I think he was a reach tho given his background. Not too many good players picked later, though coulda had Neal or Stasny.

2004 - no pick

2003 - Carter/Richards - Again, another draft that made their bones so to speak. But really, it was almost impossible to not screw up in the 1st round in 2003. And I'd argue that Carter was an ok pick (coulda had Parisi, Getzlaff, Brown, etc) and Richards was pretty good value there.

My point is...they have done ok in last 10 years, but are really not prospect whisperers either.
- TheGreat28

I think they've done better then okay. They've done phenomenal. Out of those picks, one player is considered one of the best players in the entire League. Two are top players who just won a Cup. Carter was just an okay pick? And the others are all solid NHL players.

Howson looks like he's so afraid of getting taken in dealing Nash while asking & staying on his stance for the moon for the guy.

Seems Anaheim is doing the same, really, JVR, AND Schenn or Courturier????

I can see JVR not being enough (obviously), but doesn't he have to move the guy?
He wants out.
- puckhead17

Howson fudged up BIG TIME last night when they asked if the market on Nash was not what he thought and he actually said "yes, it's not". Totally screwed himself. He tried to redeem himself afterwords but god, that was a dumb thing to say.

I for one am ecstatic that the Flyers who are void of any defensemen in their system didn't take Maataa or Thrower.

Howson looks like he's so afraid of getting taken in dealing Nash while asking & staying on his stance for the moon for the guy.

Seems Anaheim is doing the same, really, JVR, AND Schenn or Courturier????

I can see JVR not being enough (obviously), but doesn't he have to move the guy?
He wants out. (Nash I mean)
- puckhead17

There is no reason for either Howson or Murray to be impatient, and make a trade just to make one.

Stolarz is a Devils fan.

Howson fudged up BIG TIME last night when they asked if the market on Nash was not what he said and he actually said "yes, it's not". Totally screwed himself. He tried to redeem himself afterwords but god, that was a dumb thing to say.
- hereticpride

Nothing Howson said is going to have any effect on the market for Nash.

Stolarz will be a monster in 2018
- PLindbergh31

When was the last time the flyers had patience to develop a goalie?

My point is...they have done ok in last 10 years, but are really not prospect whisperers either.
- TheGreat28

You really need to go over other teams' recent draft performances to gain some perspective...

OK, weighing in on the pick. Like a lot of you guys, I really don't like the move, particularly at #20. As MJL, we're not really qualified to say if Laughton will be better or worse than Maata or Finn or anyone else. But lots of other scouts had him ranked much lower, so that needs to factor in as well.

Also, a lot of people seem to be given Homer the benefit of the doubt because of previous draft success in the first round. I agree to some extent. But playing devil's advocate for a second, let's look at that (including time as understudy to Clark)

2011 Couturier - Awesome pick. Almost impossible not to take there, but he gets an A there.

2010 / 2009 - No picks

2008 Sbisa - Seems to be a decent pick. Coulda had Eberle, Ennis, Carlson but a better than a bunch of other guys drafted after.

2007 JVR - Jury still out, but was definitely ranked in top 3. I personally wanted Couture or Turris (.500 batting average). JVR will likely be 5-10 best player in that draft.

2006 G - Obviously the pick that earned the reputation.

2005 Downie - OK player. A "Flyers" player. I think he was a reach tho given his background. Not too many good players picked later, though coulda had Neal or Stasny.

2004 - no pick

2003 - Carter/Richards - Again, another draft that made their bones so to speak. But really, it was almost impossible to not screw up in the 1st round in 2003. And I'd argue that Carter was an ok pick (coulda had Parisi, Getzlaff, Brown, etc) and Richards was pretty good value there.

My point is...they have done ok in last 10 years, but are really not prospect whisperers either.
- TheGreat28

There's not a Hugh Jessiman in the bunch.

Nothing Howson said is going to have any effect on the market for Nash.
- MJL

BS. Nothing Homer says has no effect on the market for his players?

BS. Nothing Homer says has no effect on the market for his players?
- hereticpride

No it doesn't. It just talk.

Howson fudged up BIG TIME last night when they asked if the market on Nash was not what he said and he actually said "yes, it's not". Totally screwed himself. He tried to redeem himself afterwords but god, that was a dumb thing to say.
- hereticpride

Agreed!!

he should have answered like Brian Burke, "No comment"

I undersatnd Nash's return could mean Howson's ass, essentially, but Nash's salary is working against his bargaining power & doesn't help when expecting the moon for the guy, I was really thinking Bob going there for picks yesterday was a pre move for Nash later on, (the way some teams do).

When was the last time the flyers had patience to develop a defenseman?
- Philly1980

Fixed?

As for goalie, of the ones they've picked since Hexy, have any gone on to another organization and been anything special? It isn't patience to develop, it's identify and draft. But maybe you know yourselves as an organization. Choose what you are good at choosing and trade that for whatever else you need. It feels like Nashville is the yang to their yin.

I for one am ecstatic that the Flyers who are void of any defensemen in their system didn't take Maataa or Thrower.
- PLindbergh31

the flyers will use their forward depth and trade for dmen...that's the plan.

When was the last time the flyers had patience to develop a goalie?
- Philly1980

Hmmm... Good question.

Fixed?

As for goalie, of the ones they've picked since Hexy, have any gone on to another organization and been anything special? It isn't patience to develop, it's identify and draft. But maybe you know yourselves as an organization. Choose what you are good at choosing and trade that for whatever else you need. It feels like Nashville is the yang to their yin.
- bodiva88

Agreed

I think they've done better then okay. They've done phenomenal. Out of those picks, one player is considered one of the best players in the entire League. Two are top players who just won a Cup. Carter was just an okay pick? And the others are all solid NHL players.
- MJL

Maybe ok is a little bit of an understatement, but I disagree with phenomenal as well. I'm rating the Flyers draft ability, not the players they got per se. Yes, it is easy to play armchair quarterback. But I'm looking at who they drafted relative to others drafted after them, need, strength of draft, scouting service rankings, etc. Because

Really, only G was a phenomenal pick at where he was picked and who was available. Maybe Couturier as well, but when he fell to 8th it was hard not to pick him.

But in 2003 there were only a few "misses" in the entire first round and arguably the 2nd round as well. I would have trusted you, Jsaq, Bill, and probably even Ek to read the scouting reports and still not screw up the 1st round in that draft.

And considering who they could have had at Carter's spot, it may turn out to be a so so pick at that spot relative to the careers of everyone picked after when all is said and done.

the flyers will use their forward depth and trade for dmen...that's the plan.
- isaiah520

Seems to be. I think the inability to cultivate any defensemen over the course of 2+ decades is factoring in. I mean when the best homegrown d-man over the last 20 odd years is Chris Therien, you got issues.

There is no reason for either Howson or Murray to be impatient, and make a trade just to make one.
- MJL

well, Murray has pissed off Ryan big time as the kid is annoyed & pissed that his name is being thrown around again, so he may not have the luxury.

it's not like that team has a world of depth to piss off a big bargaining chip like they did.
All they need is for him is to go public that he wants out, and then Murray's price comes down some what.

well, Murray has pissed off Ryan big time as the kid is annoyed & pissed that his name is being thrown around again, so he may not have the luxury.

it's not like that team has a world of depth to piss off a big bargaining chip like they did.
All they need is for him is to go public that he wants out, and then Murray's price comes down some what.
- puckhead17

He did and said specifically he wants to be traded to the flyers lol

Seems to be. I think the inability to cultivate any defenseman over the course of 2+ decades is factoring in. I mean when the best homegrown d-man over the last 20 odd years is Chris Therien, you got issues.
- PLindbergh31

taking the "best available" always seems to be a center, usually.

Maybe ok is a little bit of an understatement, but I disagree with phenomenal as well. I'm rating the Flyers draft ability, not the players they got per se. Yes, it is easy to play armchair quarterback. But I'm looking at who they drafted relative to others drafted after them, need, strength of draft, scouting service rankings, etc. Because

Really, only G was a phenomenal pick at where he was picked and who was available. Maybe Couturier as well, but when he fell to 8th it was hard not to pick him.

But in 2003 there were only a few "misses" in the entire first round and arguably the 2nd round as well. I would have trusted you, Jsaq, Bill, and probably even Ek to read the scouting reports and still not screw up the 1st round in that draft.

And considering who they could have had at Carter's spot, it may turn out to be a so so pick at that spot relative to the careers of everyone picked after when all is said and done.
- TheGreat28

Isnt the Flyers draft ability, not the players they got per se, one and the same. How are they different. Just because there was a better player available in hindsight, doesn't make a pick a so so pick. Carter is a very good 2 way NHL 1st line Winger. That makes it a good pick.