Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Flyers Daily, Goalies, Morin, York, Foerster, Desnoyers & More

Really liked Morin's play the last part of the season when he finally got moved back to D. If he continues to develop and provide steady minutes, he adds more snarl. Braun is in his last year of the current contract. Sam could easily fill that 6th D spot.
I agree that we may spend a little more on a back up goalie. I do expect Hart to bounce back in a big way. Just knowing what I do about his character, he will be working his ass off this summer.

Don’t block the kids. Let them play. Morin, Z
& York should all compete for the 3rd pairing with Braun. Offensively, Frost needs the opportunity to play 3C potentially with TK & Allison

I don’t mind adding a depth 7th Dman but I really would like to see a younger guy get a shot there. We’ve plugged almost all the other holes with established guys, let’s see what we have in some of these younger guys. Same with 3C, always have Laughton of Frost doesn’t work out at center immediately.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Flyers Daily, Goalies, Morin, York, Foerster, Desnoyers & More
- bmeltzer

Posted this on the last blog.

Here's the way I am seeing this. When's the last time we traded our first? 2010 for Pronger? So it's not like we've been pissing away picks forever. We have generally sought to build the core through the draft and have some very good pieces. TK, Provy, Hart Bee, Sanheim, York Foerster and more. Fletch didn't empty the cupboard. He sent out the 13 in a weak draft where we couldn't scout much. Myers hurts but you have to give to get. No free rides in the show.

We've got that core. Are they good enough to contend? I don't know. Two years ago I'd say they were on the way. Last year. Not even close.

What can't happen is that we don't support those key pieces properly with vets so that they can build confidence, learn and be properly led. Set them up for success so that they are more likely to reach that potential. For good measure, we sent out one of the core guys in a great value trade to change chemistry and hoping to stop the decade long trend of slow starts/not showing up/terrible PK.

I'll wait til after UFA, but so far I see the logic. It may not be go time yet like Hexy used to say, but we also cannot go down a path that the youthful core is led to slaughter. We most certainly have nor gutted the prospects/picks youth that we spent 7 years accumulating, but I think we're doing the right thing.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Flyers Daily, Goalies, Morin, York, Foerster, Desnoyers & More
- bmeltzer

From last blog too.

I think that they will bring in a solid backup but give Hart every chance to regain his confidence and the net. I think Fletch alluded to this as well. I don't see this as being a 1a 1b scenario.

I have been reading a lot of chatter (not necessarily on here) from fans basically saying they don't think Hart will recover and be our starter. I really think they need to give him a long leash to regain his form. One thing to note, is that while last year was terrible, historically he's been very good going back to junior and the beginning of his NHL career. He's still very young. I see this as a confidence issue, and with better team support around him, I expect him to excel once again.

I remember clearly that Price went through some of the same struggles early in his career and people tend to forget them because he became one of the best ever. In 2010, many Habs fans were clamoring to trade him and run with Halak and were mad when he was dealt. Price was the better technical goalie and the team could see this. He just needed more seasoning which I believe is the same for Hart. He is one of the better technical goalies I've seen and I think we really have to allow him to grow with the team.

While we're in win now mode, and I can see why some may see that getting an established vet starter might be the best play, the most critical piece is the tender, and I still think Hart is able to get us there if the team supports him properly.

Don’t block the kids. Let them play. Morin, Z
& York should all compete for the 3rd pairing with Braun. Offensively, Frost needs the opportunity to play 3C potentially with TK & Allison
- Fopa21

Not a bad idea. York, Frost and Allison should be given a shot.

Would like to add some size and sandpaper to our forward group. A free gent like Nick Foligno might be a nice addition. He would also add even more character and leadership to this team. I think we can do a lot better than NAK in the starting lineup.

OK, is Morin still a Flyer or not? I haven’t heard anything about us resigning him but his name is still Floating around here

A potential line up of:

G Coots Atkinson
JVR Hayes Farabee
TK Frost Allison
Oskar Laughts NAK

Provy Ellis
Sanheim Risto
Morin/York Braun

The back end will be tougher to play against but definetly not enough size/physical presence up front. The top 6 is probably the least physical top 6 in the league. However, it is what it is at this point cuz the spots need to be left open for Frost & Allison. If Laughts & Oskar accept their roles as 4th line guys who have to play physical it might not be horrible

OK, is Morin still a Flyer or not? I haven’t heard anything about us resigning him but his name is still Floating around here
- SuperSchennBros

It was in the Fletcher post-draft transcript. Yes, he's being re-signed imminently.

A potential line up of:

G Coots Atkinson
JVR Hayes Farabee
TK Frost Allison
Oskar Laughts NAK

Provy Ellis
Sanheim Risto
Morin/York Braun

The back end will be tougher to play against but definetly not enough size/physical presence up front. The top 6 is probably the least physical top 6 in the league. However, it is what it is at this point cuz the spots need to be left open for Frost & Allison. If Laughts & Oskar accept their roles as 4th line guys who have to play physical it might not be horrible
- Fopa21

Good assessment. How much cap do we probabaly have left after we sign the rfa and sign a backup to say a mil?

Maybe we need a vet on short term that can provide more jam in the top 9. We go up against the isles we’re going to get trucked. I can see it. Oh good. Frost out against the isles fourth line… dead.

I don't think the Flyers plan to skimp on what they'll spend for a backup goalie to restricted free agent Carter Hart.
- bmeltzer

Yeah, I don't either.

It's the one potential positional weakness that could sink everything else he's done this summer to push the team to the next level. And it would be really tough to see Fletcher (and AV) surviving another season where they miss the POs badly.

Yes, bet on Carter to bounce back, but you gotta really hedge that bet w/ somebody more effective than a 35+ Brian Elliott, or some bargain option.

Great write up, Bill.

Would love Brossoit as our back-up. I think he's not only a great option skill wise but also a very economic one. Does a 2 year, 4 or 5 mil deal get it done?

Goligoski would be a dream IMO. I think he's probably a little out of the Flyers price range. I'd be very happy if the Flyers could land either Jake McCabe or Derek Forbort.

Any money left over after signing Sanheim, back-up goalie and 7th D should go to a FA center. I'd love Zajac but he might be out of our price range at that point.

If we're looking for a bargain, I'd love to bring in Freddy Gaudreau. Huge center who only ever got limited minutes with the Leafs but managed 10 points in 19 games last year. I think he's worth a look as a 12-14 forward.

A guy like Ben Hutton would be an excellent vet guy to play on the bottom pair. He wont cost a lot in $$ or term.

Def be interesting what they do for 3rd line center. Is Frost better off starting in the AHL seeing he hasn't played much in 2 years?

Good assessment. How much cap do we probabaly have left after we sign the rfa and sign a backup to say a mil?

Maybe we need a vet on short term that can provide more jam in the top 9. We go up against the isles we’re going to get trucked. I can see it. Oh good. Frost out against the isles fourth line… dead.
- Hextall271

Right now little over 12 million. Just my guesses, maybe a little high but siding with caution.
Hart gets 5
Sanheim 3
Morin 1
Back up goalie 1-2

Leaving 1-2 million in cap space for a 12/13 forward w jamm

Yeah, I don't either.

It's the one potential positional weakness that could sink everything else he's done this summer to push the team to the next level. And it would be really tough to see Fletcher (and AV) surviving another season where they miss the POs badly.

Yes, bet on Carter to bounce back, but you gotta really hedge that bet w/ somebody more effective than a 35+ Brian Elliott, or some bargain option.
- Tomahawk

Based on the moves he made and Harts bad season no way he doesnt address this with a very good other option. Would make zero sense if he didn't.

Based on the moves he made and Harts bad season no way he doesnt address this with a very good other option. Would make zero sense if he didn't.
- hello it's me 2050

I think we need a solid backup but I don’t see this as signing Andersen with the promise of splitting time or stating that the starters job is open.

Right now little over 12 million. Just my guesses, maybe a little high but siding with caution.
Hart gets 5
Sanheim 3
Morin 1
Back up goalie 1-2

Leaving 1-2 million in cap space for a 12/13 forward w jamm
- Fopa21

I’d slit hart in at around 4 for 2 years. Others look correct. 2 mil for a quality backup sounds about right.

I think we need a solid backup but I don’t see this as signing Andersen with the promise of splitting time or stating that the starters job is open.
- Hextall271

We shall see as both the GM and Coaches job imo are not that secure. Def not the coaches.

No need to make promises you let them battle it out.

Right now little over 12 million. Just my guesses, maybe a little high but siding with caution.
Hart gets 5
Sanheim 3
Morin 1
Back up goalie 1-2

Leaving 1-2 million in cap space for a 12/13 forward w jamm
- Fopa21

Flyers won't spend to the ceiling. Sanheim will get significantly more than 3... I'd say 4.5 range. Hart will get less than 5 on a bridge deal. Morin probably comes in less than 1M. They'll spend market value depending on the backup.

Still a possibility of trade(s).

Flyers won't spend to the ceiling. Sanheim will get significantly more than 3... I'd say 4.5 range. Hart will get less than 5 on a bridge deal. Morin probably comes in less than 1M. They'll spend market value depending on the backup.

Still a possibility of trade(s).
- bmeltzer

Agreed on Hart. After last season, he'd be wise to do a bridge deal and prove himself in anticipation of a big payday after having done so. Makes sense for the Flyers, as well.

Regarding another trade, having watched the remake CF has done so far, I'd say the bias is toward making another trade. Who and for what is the only question. Any ideas on that?

Flyers won't spend to the ceiling. Sanheim will get significantly more than 3... I'd say 4.5 range. Hart will get less than 5 on a bridge deal. Morin probably comes in less than 1M. They'll spend market value depending on the backup.

Still a possibility of trade(s).
- bmeltzer

Do you see Hart taking/getting a 1 year deal for now?

Morin better be less than 1m.

Do you see Hart taking/getting a 1 year deal for now?

Morin better be less than 1m.
- hello it's me 2050

Why would he or the team want a 1 year deal

I would offer Hart 3x$3