Bill Meltzer: Fletcher and Flahr Transcript: On Draft, Hayes, RFAs and More

Bill Meltzer: Fletcher and Flahr Transcript: On Draft, Hayes, RFAs and More
- bmeltzer

Jeremy Roenick, Danny Briere, Scott Hartnell, Kimmo Timonen, James Van Riemsdyk, Jaromir Jagr, Vincent LeCavalier. Obviously under different management, we’ve talked to players and for guys signed right away. Higher profile players, with a much greater resume. I’m not at all looking forward to to Kevin Hayes.

I’m just not really sure what you were expecting.

Prior to his recent offensive explosion, Flyers fans have spent many years appreciating Sean Couturier's two way game and everything he brings to the team.

I'm surprised at the reluctance of some of those same Flyers fans to embrace the idea of Kevin Hayes bringing those same, much-needed things to the team.

Jeremy Roenick, Danny Briere, Scott Hartnell, Kimmo Timonen, James Van Riemsdyk, Jaromir Jagr, Vincent LeCavalier. Obviously under different management, we’ve talked to players and for guys signed right away. Higher profile players, with a much greater resume. I’m not at all looking forward to to Kevin Hayes.

Out of all those players though, only Hartsy and Kimmo were signed prior to July 1, and there have been barely any other UFA's or RFA's to sign yet. Have patience brotha, we're over a week and a half away from the draft still.

Out of all those players though, only Hartsy and Kimmo were signed prior to July 1, and there have been barely any other UFA's or RFA's to sign yet. Have patience brotha, we're over a week and a half away from the draft still.
- sjk540

So wait until after July 1st. If anything, you would think it would be tougher to sign a guy on the open market because their ears are to all 31 teams in the league. Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell also agreed to the trade and signed within the next 24 hours of their rights being traded.

Kevin Hayes isn’t even a star.

So wait until after July 1st. If anything, you would think it would be tougher to sign a guy on the open market because their ears are to all 31 teams in the league. Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell also agreed to the trade and signed within the next 24 hours of their rights being traded.

Kevin Hayes isn’t even a star.


As Bill said, Kimmo and Hartnell the ground work was laid out. When they got Bryzgalov and Streit rights, prior to free agency, it took about 14-16 days.


I think he'll come this week, tour facilities and city, maybe be signed this weekend or next. It will be done before the draft.

So wait until after July 1st. If anything, you would think it would be tougher to sign a guy on the open market because their ears are to all 31 teams in the league. Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell also agreed to the trade and signed within the next 24 hours of their rights being traded.

Kevin Hayes isn’t even a star.
- SuperSchennBros

There’s only 3 “stars” arguably hitting the open market (if they hit the open market) and that’s Panarin, EK, Duchene. They’re all more expensive and Flyers maybe got the early inside scoop they don’t wanna sign here. Hayes is that next tier and is the 2nd best center in the free agency class. It’s better than nothing, see last year when we didn’t add a strong center.

So wait until after July 1st. If anything, you would think it would be tougher to sign a guy on the open market because their ears are to all 31 teams in the league. Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell also agreed to the trade and signed within the next 24 hours of their rights being traded.

Kevin Hayes isn’t even a star.
- SuperSchennBros

it didn't really cost the Flyers anything to have this opportunity. The Flyers are openly shopping the 11th over all pick because they already have a boat load of prospects that they don't have room for. So a 5th round pick doesn't register. I like the aggressiveness but if your in Haye's shoes why not wait a couple of weeks and see if you can maximize your contract and hand pick your destination...It still might end up being Philly even after July 1rst.

There’s only 3 “stars” arguably hitting the open market (if they hit the open market) and that’s Panarin, EK, Duchene. They’re all more expensive and Flyers maybe got the early inside scoop they don’t wanna sign here. Hayes is that next tier and is the 2nd best center in the free agency class. It’s better than nothing, see last year when we didn’t add a strong center.
- arichardson22

agreed...if the top tier isn't interested, then the trade route might end up being what the Flyers do....god knows they have more then enough ammo to be very aggressive.

agreed...if the top tier isn't interested, then the trade route might end up being what the Flyers do....god knows they have more then enough ammo to be very aggressive.
- landros 2

The top tier also just got expensive when Skinner is getting 9 per year.

Depending who is there at 11, do any of those players project to be better or more potential than either farabee or frost?

Depending who is there at 11, do any of those players project to be better or more potential than either farabee or frost?
- daryl stanley

Yes, there are guys that can drop that might have more potential then Farabee and Frost. I think Podkolzin is a guy who should be in the top 5 but is dropping out because of his KHL contract.

Is this the right guy to add at this time for 5-6 years at $6-6.5M? If he signs, I think it will be very helpful in the next 2-3 years but after that there will be decisions that need to be made regarding the roster. I'd like to be a good team for the next 2-3 years so I don't have na issue with it, everyhting else can be settled later on. Sick of being the Fringe team.

Yes, there are guys that can drop that might have more potential then Farabee and Frost. I think Podkolzin is a guy who should be in the top 5 but is dropping out because of his KHL contract.
- youarewrong

They are clearly looking to move the pick if a deal is there to be made.

So that being said would they move frost or farabee instead of the 11th pick? Especially if someone drops who the like a lot. Those 2 may have more value to other teams than the 11th pick. Just throwing it out there for some conversation

They are clearly looking to move the pick if a deal is there to be made.

So that being said would they move frost or farabee instead of the 11th pick? Especially if someone drops who the like a lot. Those 2 may have more value to other teams than the 11th pick. Just throwing it out there for some conversation
- daryl stanley

Someone would have to drop, you can't trade them now on the hops you would get your guy. It would be ill advised to trade one of them hoping to hit at 11, especially when you have a solid prospect at hand. Doesn't make much sense.

Is this the right guy to add at this time for 5-6 years at $6-6.5M? If he signs, I think it will be very helpful in the next 2-3 years but after that there will be decisions that need to be made regarding the roster. I'd like to be a good team for the next 2-3 years so I don't have na issue with it, everyhting else can be settled later on. Sick of being the Fringe team.
- ClaudeFather

Agree about the fringe part. I think after the 2-3 years of being very helpful he can move to the wing and be helpful there as well, even if its as a defensive specialist and PK guy. Or maybe we can move him with a bit of salary retention, or maybe he gets taken in the expansion draft.

People can talk about the "buts and ifs" all they want, they don't know how the next 5-6 years are going to shape up. Does this make the team better now and a few seasons from now. IMO yes, and that is all you can go on. When something happens to change that...whether its rookies making the team, RFAs needing more expensive contracts, or Hayes' decline.... they will handle that when they need to depending on what situation is happening.

Prior to his recent offensive explosion, Flyers fans have spent many years appreciating Sean Couturier's two way game and everything he brings to the team.

I'm surprised at the reluctance of some of those same Flyers fans to embrace the idea of Kevin Hayes bringing those same, much-needed things to the team.
- Coburns_Nose

Pre-production Sean Couturier wasn't making $6-7M on a contract signed thru age 33-34, tho, that's the difference.

Nobody is saying Kevin Hayes isn't a good player or fills a semi-need now. It's about tomorrow, with all these kids in the pipeline, and bridge deals becoming less and less common... do you really want a Kevin Hayes limiting your options when he hits that power forward wall?

Agree about the fringe part. I think after the 2-3 years of being very helpful he can move to the wing and be helpful there as well, even if its as a defensive specialist and PK guy. Or maybe we can move him with a bit of salary retention, or maybe he gets taken in the expansion draft.

People can talk about the "buts and ifs" all they want, they don't know how the next 5-6 years are going to shape up. Does this make the team better now and a few seasons from now. IMO yes, and that is all you can go on. When something happens to change that...whether its rookies making the team, RFAs needing more expensive contracts, or Hayes' decline.... they will handle that when they need to depending on what situation is happening.
- youarewrong

This team has been running on whats and ifs for quite some time now. Bottom line is he helps in the short term and is probably not a huge hindrance down the road

They are clearly looking to move the pick if a deal is there to be made.

So that being said would they move frost or farabee instead of the 11th pick? Especially if someone drops who the like a lot. Those 2 may have more value to other teams than the 11th pick. Just throwing it out there for some conversation
- daryl stanley

I think in Frost and Farabee you know what your getting more so then someone you would take at 11 right now, and they are 2 years closer to being on the team. Frost and Farabee's value is higher IMO then the 11th alone because there is less of a guess and they are close to NHL ready. So but trading them instead of the 11th just pushes the Flyers return on investment further down the line with and adds a bigger chance of a "bust". Frost and Farabee could be "busts" but I think we know there is more of a chance of them being NHL players then anyone outside the top 2. I still think Hughes could be a bust also... He's either going to be a homerun or bust IMO. I would take Kakko at 1st and be happy I know I'm getting an All-Star NHL player instead of a shot at a super star.

Pre-production Sean Couturier wasn't making $6-7M on a contract signed thru age 33-34, tho, that's the difference.

Nobody is saying Kevin Hayes isn't a good player or fills a semi-need now. It's about tomorrow, with all these kids in the pipeline, and bridge deals becoming less and less common... do you really want a Kevin Hayes limiting your options when he hits that power forward wall?
- Tomahawk

He's only been playing for 5 seasons. He doesn't have the "typical" wear and tear that power-forwards have. And I wouldn't consider him a power forward either.

This team has been running on whats and ifs for quite some time now. Bottom line is he helps in the short term and is probably not a huge hindrance down the road
- ClaudeFather

Agreed.

Someone would have to drop, you can't trade them now on the hops you would get your guy. It would be ill advised to trade one of them hoping to hit at 11, especially when you have a solid prospect at hand. Doesn't make much sense.
- ClaudeFather

Not saying trade them now, all depends on what is there at 11 and they make a pick.

well it does make sense since they are listening to offers for the 11th. If they get someone they want at 11 they may look to move one of the other 2. Not saying it will happen or advocating it.

He's only been playing for 5 seasons. He doesn't have the "typical" wear and tear that power-forwards have. And I wouldn't consider him a power forward either.
- youarewrong

Stylistically he's not, but he's built like one, and plays a lot of heavy minutes.

Pre-production Sean Couturier wasn't making $6-7M on a contract signed thru age 33-34, tho, that's the difference.

Nobody is saying Kevin Hayes isn't a good player or fills a semi-need now. It's about tomorrow, with all these kids in the pipeline, and bridge deals becoming less and less common... do you really want a Kevin Hayes limiting your options when he hits that power forward wall?
- Tomahawk

you cant keep waiting for tomorrow or all these kids in the pipeline as that day may never come.

also keep in mind the business end. The flyers attendance is down, sales are down for season tickets, they just raised the prices, moved some people around to new seats that were not happy. They need to do something to get them for lack a of a better relevant again. They are the turd in the bowl when compared to the sixers, phils, eagles right now. They need playoff money to make money. Its just not as simple as being "patient" any more. They need to make moves; right or wrong.

According to many the flyers have a great team just needed coaching and goal-tending. So with a few smart moves there is no reason why they cant contend much sooner than later no?