BobbyClarkeFan16

14 hours ago, radoran said:

I saw at least one report referring to the "playoff-hopeful" Flyers.

 

Just want to reiterate, the goal *ain't* "the playoffs."

 

Michkov 1000% better off in Voohees than Sochi for his development no matter what we think of the organization's ability to develop players.

This is spot on. There are still lots of holes in this lineup and there's all kinds of money issues. Play this season out, let Michkov get settled and then when the money issues are done at the end of the year, reassess everything. No need to rush through things.

6 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

Getting Matvei is return will now get me to watch they are so damn smart they just want to be the talk of the town right now stealing sunshine?

The Flyers management played this smart. I'm not one to care for Flyers management, but Jones and Briere (mainly Briere) played this to perfection. The question will be how Tortorella uses Michkov and if he's going to play him in the bottom six to 'acclimate' him or if he's going to let him run loose. Getting a legit number one center will be paramount. They'll also need to clear A LOT of cap space.

4 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

Love it!!!! He's going to get lots of playing time, no need to rush him over and he's going to make money. It's a win, win all around.

15 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

 

He has that true potential to be the #1 they need IMHO.

 

Yak tops out at #3 at best IMHO.

Yakemchuk reminds me of a more physical/meaner John Carlson. I think he'll grow into a number 2, especially if Shaw remains. I'll give credit where it's due and that man is a defense whisperer. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do with Drysdale, Ginning and Attard over a full year. Add those three to Sanheim, York and Seeler and that has real potential to be a very solid top six. That also gives Yakemchuk time to clean up his game and there's no rush to get him into the lineup.

40 minutes ago, flyercanuck said:

 

No surprise, if the guy would have worked on his skating, and his play without the puck, and his passing, and so on, which, apparently he did NONE of, he'd likely still be at worst a top 5 pick. Sounds like a coaches nightmare.

And that's the thing. When the teams start the interview process with the prospects, we're probably going to see more sliders and risers. 

As for Eiserman, he has no one to blame but himself. He rested on laurels while others busted their collective backsides. He's lazy and he's in for a rude awakening when he gets to college. Honestly, if there's a guy that gives me Jay O'Brien vibes, it's him.

Here's the other thing to remember with the draft. There's always a riser and someone always falls. I mean, we haven't even got to the draft yet and Eiserman, who started the year as the consensus number two is now expected to go as late as 13. And nobody expected Silayev to potentially go as high as he's going. Plus, with the Memorial Cup tournament starting, it's possible that Dickinson could go in the top five if he has a dominant tournament. And we haven't even got the combine yet. Buckle up because this draft is going to be all over the place.

2 hours ago, RonJeremy said:

Last thing I want is a 160 lb center.

He hasn't even turned 18 yet and he wouldn't be on the club for a minimum of two years. He's going to be fine if they select him. Remember, Peter Forsberg was 5'8, 160 pounds when he was drafted by the Flyers. These kids are going to grow. 

2 minutes ago, RonJeremy said:

Over the years I have found that as you get closer to the draft, writers like Dreger and Button usually have an accurate list of who the team's are picking. I would love to somehow get Dickinson and pair him with Bonk.

Button did his mock draft and he thinks the Flyers are going to take Guelph's Jett Luchanko at 12. People on Twitter/X had a nuclear poop fit over that. 

5 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

Bro really what are we doing here?

 

We are just literally raising a bunch of pu$$ies by not allowing shittalking.

 

As long as it ain't rascist it shouldn't even matter.

 

Can't belive this.

 

 

Oh somebody cried about something. Feelings were hurt, didn't feel safe, the usual kind of things that are said when somebody says something like this. Glad to see we're raising kids that have a tough time dealing with **** talking.....

5 hours ago, OccamsRazor said:

Dickinson in my mind would be the perfect partner for Drysdale.

 

 

...or Bonk

On 5/5/2024 at 2:15 PM, mojo1917 said:

I think they are an interesting study for this conversation.

 

Their core of talented players is fantastic.

Auston Matthews? That guy can ball. Willie Nylander? yessir even Perimi-mitch Marner is an all-star caliber hockey player.

They've failed to build around that group effectively.

There's an allocation of cap resources to blame and maybe some poor scouting and development of defensive players.

Point here is that team has the high-end guys; and they've done nothing and gotten nowhere. They have okay depth at forward but they are a top-heavy, salary-strapped team. This group was built through the draft. Does it seem like they could win a cup? I mean if they don't have to play Boston then maybe, but the way the league is now, they have to play Boston.

 

Do the Leafs have the organizational courage to go in a different direction based on the playoff performance of this group? 

I think the only team that's done that successfully has been the Avalanche when they moved on from everyone but Landeskog in the early Sakic years.

But, it looks to me like a move like that needs to happen for the Leafs to go where the fan base wants them to go.

 

 

You hit the nail on the head. Allocation of cap resources, player development and poor scouting. When $46 million is tied up into four players, you've got to hope your scouting department and your player development system is top notch. Toronto failed to do that. And with Benoit Groulx leaving the Tampa Bay organization, we're probably going to see a decline there. People can say what they want, but Groulx was vital to Tampa Bay. 

6 hours ago, ctid said:

I'm so split between Helenius and Iginla. I'm afraid it's the last name that is blinding me, but I think there is more high end skill with Iginla and Helenius is the more "safe" choice. He is going to be a very good two way forward. I see him in the mold of a lundell (stylistic comparison). But my order if they are available at 12 is Catton, Iginla/Helenius, Yakemchuck. Yakemchuck is falling I hear, apparently he is a d-man who is not really that good at defense. Still think he is going to be good, but there is risk with him. I don't like the idea that we need to teach defense to our dmen. 

 

Another thing. I think there is a trade to be made with Buffalo for their 11th. The need NHL ready players, not prospects that are 2-3 years away. I would start with Laughton plus a 1st (Florida pick). I think that is fair. Would love if we picked 11 and 12, that way we immediately get two out of those three/four names we are talking about and stockpile the prospects cupboard.

I was reading something about Helenius where some scout said he does everything well, but nothing exceptional. Well, he's an 18 year old playing against men and he's fared pretty well. I'd call that exceptional. Being an 18 year old who is competing against men and not looking out of place while playing a regular turn on the power play and penalty kill is pretty damned impressive.

As for Yakemchuk, it's not that the defense is bad. The IQ seems to be there and he seems to understand the nuances of the position. What kills him is that at times when things get hairy in the defensive zone, he kind of loses his cool. Having a veteran mentor to point out those things would go a long way in getting Yakemchuk to settle down. Other than that, he's a plus skater, he's a superb puck handler, he's got a good shot, he's physical, he's mean, he can stand players up at the blueline, he has an active stick and he can man the point on the power play.  

If the Flyers can't get that 11th overall choice from Buffalo, I'm perfectly fine if the Flyers target someone like Isak Rosen or Jiri Kulich (I'm much more preferable to Kulich). Not getting a first isn't the end of the world, but getting an elite prospect certainly makes up for it. And contrary to what some might think, Laughton could bring back a very good prospect. I know that he's not popular with some on here, but he can play all throughout the lineup, he's a good character guy, he's an elite penalty killer and he's good for 35 to 40 points a year, regardless of the role he's put in. That's valuable come playoff time and teams look for that. 

Wouldn't it be something though if the Flyers moved Laughton and the Florida first to Buffalo for pick 11 and they end up getting Catton AND Helenius. What a way to rebuild the center spot (although I think they'll probably look for some size down the middle and it wouldn't surprise me if 11 was used to draft Catton or Helenuis and then use pick 12 for someone like Michael Hage <- who's really starting to grow on me the more and more video I see of him).  

Is it just me or does Emil Andrae not get enough love around here? He's going to be really good when he arrives. I'm going to give Flyers management kudos on this one. They did him right by sending him to Lehigh Valley and play him in all situations. Not only that, but they left him there uninterrupted and let him play. That was an incredibly smart move. Same with Tuomaala. I think Andrae is a top four next season and while Tuomaala might need a little bit more seasoning, when he arrives, he's going to make things interesting on the right side. Somebody will be moving left side. 

On 4/26/2024 at 3:43 PM, thegx.ca said:

Love that movie haha

Right?!?!?! They should make the team logo Fred Gwynne. See what it would cost to license his image and go from there. They'd make a killing!!!!

1 minute ago, radoran said:

 

Buffalo giving up their pick for Laughton and a 25+ (32?) pick in a shallow draft would be peak Sabre.

 

And not in a good way.

 

I'm all for exploring options with #12 overall.

 

Pending who's on the board of course.

Buffalo is under the gun though in terms of getting into the playoffs. There's real pressure now. And yeah, that's a buffalo thing too.

3 hours ago, pilldoc said:

 

Sadly Lindstrom will probably be top 5 ...there is no way he drops to #12

Most experts have Iginla going to Calgary where his dad played.  If the Flyers truly covet him, then they might have to trade up in order to draft him.  Again ...unless there is a HUGE run on D-men, I see the Flyers just missing out on Iginla.

I know that I'm in the minority, but why not see what someone would give for pick 12? For instance, say Dallas came knocking and they were "hey, we really like someone, but they won't be there when we draft. We're willing to build a package around our first, Mavrik Bourque and Christian Kyrou to move up." I think that's something that should be considered, especially if the Flyers plan on using Laughton and the Florida first to move up (apparently they're targeting Buffalo). So, you'd be looking at pick 11, Mavrik Bourque, Christian Kyrou and the Dallas 1st (probably 31 - 32). That's not a bad haul.

In the end, I know that I want one of the centers (Catton, Helenius, Iginla) or Yakemchuk, if they don't move. But, it's food for thought.

I'm torn on this one. I'd love to be someone that wins, but at the same time, there are times when you have to tear it down because either you didn't win within your window, your team simply isn't constructed to win or your franchise is stuck in a perpetual state of mediocrity (think the Flyers and their one year in the playoffs, one year out, rinse and repeat). 

So, with regards to the draft, if none of the three centers are there and if Yakemchuk and Silayev are gone, how many would be comfortable if they reached slightly for Michael Hage? He's expected to go 16th/17th, so not a real huge drop. Great skill, great physical attributes and great character to endure through the year he had. He's going to go to a really good hockey program in Michigan, so he's going to be coached well when he arrives.

1 hour ago, radoran said:

 

It's also a franchise that is more concerned with making the playoffs than developing players.

 

Sound familiar?

Fair enough. At the same time, in the outgoing interviews, players said if he remains then they want out. He clearly made enemies in the locker room and nobody went to bat for him when he got fired. I'm not sure he'll work in the NHL again in a head coach capacity. I think he'll return to the NCAA. Some just can't coach at the NHL level. He clearly has issues.

1 minute ago, ctid said:

How about going after a guy like Shane Wright? He's 20, still potential to be a 1C even though he dropped a little in his draft year and is taking his time developing. What's the word on him, can he be lured away from Seattle or are they going all in on him? 

I'd love Shane Wright. The guy is dripping in talent. I'm thinking with the 'tard gone in Seattle, the next coach will be more inclined to get Wright into the lineup and play him more. That was definitely a Dave thing not playing him, similar to what he did with Konecny because Konecny wasn't veteran enough. I'm sure Francis is going to basically tell the next coach that they have to give Wright playing time because he was the first ever franchise pick and that they need to start seeing a return on the investment.

If it's true that the Sabres are looking at Scott Laughton and if the Flyers are looking for a center prospect, Jiri Kulich or Noah Ostlund would also be ideal, especially Kulich. He's going to be a real good one.

Just now, flyercanuck said:

It would be so stupid, I can see us doing it. 

Right?!?!? I mean, the old boys club are all senior advisors and you know that they'd be chomping at the bit for something like this. They'd be siding with Tortorella and telling Helferty that Torts could fix him and guys like Marner don't come along very often. And it's funny that Marner is a perimeter player, especially because he's so good defensively.

I'm not sure if anyone reads any of the Philadelphia publications, but Johnathan Bailey posted an article pleading with the Flyers to not trade for Mitch Marner. Considering that there has been no outward talks about the flyers being a suitor, I found it interesting that the Flyers are attached to Marner. I know there have been little tidbits in the past about Philadelphia and Marner (I read one trade rumour about Marner for Provorov and them Marner, Woll and Lilegren for Konecny and Hart), but this seems like there is serious smoke there. If they are looking at Marner, one of those firsts are going. Personally, I hope they avoid Marner (I like him, but think he's a bad fit in Toronto) and continue rebuilding. However, Tortorella and his comments about getting more talent are starting to ring loudly in that they're looking to trade. I could only imagine what Marner would cost.....

17 hours ago, flyercanuck said:

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Calgary takes Iginla, he's ranked right around their pick. 

 

Celebrini isn't generational...neither is Bedard or Matthews. Think Jonathan Toews in his prime...that's Celebrini. I guy you can count on shorthanded, 5 on 5 or PP. A great 200 foot player.

I got to thinking about that and it wouldn't surprise me if Tij Iginla didn't want to go to Calgary because of his dad's legacy. Ridly Greig said he didn't want to go to Philadelphia because of his dad being part of the organization. It's very possible Iginla might tell Conroy and his dad that he doesn't want to be drafted by them. 

4 hours ago, flyercanuck said:

 

He was ranked as the 1st overall pick the previous 2 years leading up to the draft. 

My older sister went to university in Peterborough and she said that the Petes were the hardest ticket because of Ricci. He was borderline God like there.