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@pilldoc Very cooool stuff. Thx. pilldoc, here is your new avatar - a perfect graphical representation of your persona:

Okayyyy - let's get this season started - GARY BETTMAN COM, NHL The NHL has a call with the Board of Governors scheduled for noon ET on Sunday. That's in addition to the call with the general managers, which is scheduled for 2pm ET on Sunday. The NHL and NHLPA have reached an agreement for a 56-game season and the NHLPA has already endorsed it, but the NHL Board of Governors still has to ratify the agreement. That makes this upcoming call with the Board of Governors a key one. As previously reported, the call with the general managers will serve to answer questions team personnel have about the upcoming season. If all goes well, we could see the 2020-21 campaign begin on Jan. 13, though that's still subject to change. SOURCE: Pierre LeBrun on Twitter Dec 19, 2020, 3:48 PM ET

@pilldoc Ahh, Thx. Good group of guys here. Sharp. Fun. I'm very old. Very retired. Flyers STH for 35 years starting year two in 68'-69'. Had/have a Flyers player as a friend. A zillion experiences. Example: some in this thread are talking Carter, it reminded me of having breakfast in Voorhees with a hockey buddy and Carter and Scottie Upshall (they just had coffee) joined us at our table to chat prior to practice one morning. Fun time. And, one of the highlight experiences in the 90's is when after practice, my Flyers' player friend (can't name him here) took us to the pizza place and included Lindros and Robby DiMaio. A fun lunch. So many stories - - . Tocchet, Recchi, Roenick - - - Watching Cowboy Flett fly across the ice. Behn Wilson pound payers, nobody wanted to fight him. The night Bobby Clark scored his 1,000 point watching with my lady friend visiting from Manitoba! And, the night Hextal scored the goal vs Boston. Two Stanley Cup Parades. And, being at the 2014 Draft watching GM Hextall meet with other GMs on the floor to discuss trades and all the trade speculation with my hockey buddies. (Flyers selected some defenceman named Sanheim with the 17th pick. Don't know how he turned out? So many memories. Sorry - - got carried away. Pelle. I drove past that curve, and those cement steps, many times and had a lump in my throat. Sad. Good Board here. Thx.

@BobbyClarkeFan16 I respect your opinion. But, disagree some. >> York and Frost/ Patrick are non-starters in any trade talk << I am also very high on York/Frost/Patrick. But, when looking at the big picture, losing York and Frost or Patrick in a package for Laine is well worth it IMO. Laine, at age 22, is already a proven big goal scorer in the NHL. Again, put him with quality linemates like Couturier and Giroux and he is a sure-fire 40+ goals per season for the next 10 years. And, as this kid matures, he is only going to get better and better. As you said, 'that's Laine, Voracek and Konecny on the right side' [for this 2020-21 season]. I was projecting RW Sandin on that right side vacancy. But, add Laine's 40+ goals and that translates into many additional wins as this Flyers team is a SC threat in the near term. >> 'where do you put Brink? There's no space'. << Brink is a good prospect at age 19. He is headed back to the University of Denver for year 2 and then probably turning pro with our Phantoms for 1 season. He has 2 high quality RW prospects ahead of him: Sandin and Allison. We wouldn't want to quash a potential deal for the NHL proven Laine because we are waiting for 3 seasons for Brink. >> As for Cates, he's a Maurice type player. He does all the things that Maurice likes in players. << Likewise, LW Noah Cates, soon to be 22, is a good prospect. But he is somewhat down on the Flyers LW prospect depth chart behind Ratcliffe, Kase, and Twarynski. >> 'Attard is right handed defense prospect with some size and meanness to boot and he's got decent offensive skills.' << Yes, your right. But, the 21 YO defenceman Attard is also way down on the Flyers Defence prospect depth chart behind Zamula, Wylie, York, Hogberg, Andrae, and maybe even Friedman (who is ready now) and Morin. Winnipeg is re-shaping their team to win now as well as the future. It's been reported that they want contributors now at 2C and a top-4 Defencman (see earlier post). All GMs have a feel for the other teams depth charts including the Jets GM Cheveldayoff. RW Brink, LW Cates, and D Attard would not be attractive to them as primary pieces in a package for Laine IMO. >> 'Ghost and JVR are the roster players that the Jets want.' << Disagree. They may be a nice add-on in a package, but Winnipeg wants at least one high-profile player in the package for the high-profile Laine. That is why I suggested including Patrick - or - Frost in the package as their needed 2C. LW JVR, age 31, with 3 yrs remaining on his contract at a 7 M Cap Hit all 3 years, is a high probability to be traded or bought-out by Fletcher. Although some like to look at his 19 goals, in this new NHL with speed and quickness, JVR is regressing. In the offensive zone, his lack of 'puck-pursuit quickness' is glaring. He is being beat continually. That is why he was benched for much of the playoffs. And, the team has other options for net-front work on the Power-Play. JVR is clearly on the down-side of his career. Winnipeg knows this. Ghost. I'm with you BCF16. He still has some value at age 27 and hopefully returning to form as a quality offensive defenceman limited in the D-zone (I chose 'limited' over 'liability' or 'sub-par'.) Fletcher has been trying to trade Ghost prior to this coming June Expansion Draft so that he gets some compensation rather than losing him to the Seattle Kraken. No takers so far. Hopefully Winnipeg would like Ghost in the package, but he would not be the top-4 type 'all-zones defenceman' they want. So, IMO - - RWBrink LW Cates D Attard D Ghost, RW JVR 1st Rounder in 2022 - - doesn't do it for Winnipeg. Far short on quality in return for the burgeoning star 40+ goal RW Laine. I'll stick with - - If Fletcher can get Laine for any variation of this package, then do it: - Patrick C or Frost C (Winnipeg's choice) - Ghost D - York D or Wylie D (Winnipeg's choice) - JVR or Voracek (Winnipeg's choice) - required to be included for Flyers Cap Management - 1st Rounder 2021 Draft Good discussion on this trade topic. Your opinion is very valued. Laine just scores goals - - big time. 40+ with Courturier and Giroux.

Damn !! You guys are too good at this Flyers history and recognition stuff. I'ma gonna find another Board! Contest points tabulation coming. Next Saturday 12 N will have a Flyers Photo that guaranteed nobody on this Board will get !! Good job P25. Good score.

The other view of Patrik Laine to the Flyers is: On a bad Winnipeg team and average linemates, young Laine, in a prorated 82 game season, averaged 38 goals. Patrik Laine 2019-20 Winnipeg NHL 68 28 35 63 8 2018-19 Winnipeg NHL 82 30 20 50 -24 2017-18 Winnipeg NHL 82 44 26 70 8 2016-17 Winnipeg NHL 73 36 28 64 7 Surprisingly, in 3 of his 4 seasons (age 18 to 21), he was a 'plus' player. Put Laine with quality playmaking linemates, and he may be a 40+ goal scorer for many years. Especially considering that at age 22, he has not yet fully matured in committment and drive and has not yet reached his peak. Wow! Yes, you are right about his maturity level. But, he is 22 years old. We think about what he may be when he matures and develops a hard-work ethic with that awesome talent level. This guy is now a goal scoring machine - - and will grow into an awsome goal producer when he gets good linemates, good coaching, good team, and matures. That said, I agree with you guys that there is a bigger picture - - cost in trade assets and Cap Management. And our current Flyers team is a very good team and will score goals. However, if the trade asset cost is manageable, then the reward could be awesome. Winnipeg is in desperate need of a second-line center and a top-four defenceman. If Fletcher can get Laine for any variation of this package, then do it: - Patrick C or Frost C (Winnipeg's choice) - Ghost D - York D or Wylie D (Winnipeg's choice) - JVR or Voracek (Winnipeg's choice) - required to be included for Flyers Cap Management - 1st Rounder 2021 Draft I agree with you guys - - no way giving Provorov/Sanheim/Myers. Or Zamula.

Saturday Mystery Photo Nobody will get this one - - not even CX - Who is this Flyers player? ( NO CHEATIN ! )

Interested in the perspective of you guys on this - Jets’ Best Trade Partners for Patrik Laine BY ISAIAH WAGNER THE HOCKEY WRITERS Philadelphia Flyers Laine would slot in very well for the Flyers as their top-line right winger. Jakub Voracek is getting old at 31 years of age. an injection of the younger Laine on to the top line would be lethal beside playmaker Claude Giroux and defensive forward Sean Couturier. Travis Konecny had a breakout season last year for the team, so he and Laine could be a great one-two punch on the right side of the forwards. The Jets have many players on the Flyers that they would be interested in for production now and in the future. Konecny, Joel Farabee, Nolan Patrick, Morgan Frost, and Shayne Gostisbehere would be notable names who could be included. Nolan Patrick A potential swap could look like Winnipeg native Patrick, Gostisbehere, and a 2021 first-round pick for Laine. This price may not be enough for the Flyers to sway the Jets, but it is a start in a long negotiation process. Nolan Patrick - Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba SWAP JERSEYS?

Flyers Michael Raffl getting ready for the NHL Season :

Getting Closer to the Season Start GARY BETTMAN COM, NHL The NHL and NHLPA have come to a tentative agreement on a 2021 NHL season. The deal needs to be voted on by the players and the owners, but it's good to see that there's something to vote on at this point. The players association will have a conference call after 8 p.m. ET tonight, while the board of governors will be meeting at some point this weekend. According to this proposal, training camps will open on Jan. 3 (Dec. 30 for teams that didn't return to play last August). The plan is for the regular season to begin on Jan. 13. TSN's Frank Seravalli is reporting that those dates could be changed though. The salary cap will stay at $81.5 million for each team's 23-man roster, but they'll also be allowed to carry four to six-man taxi squads. Each of the taxi squad players will earn their full AHL salaries and they'll travel and practice with their respective NHL clubs. This is great news for hockey fans. SOURCE: Frank Seravalli on Twitter Dec 18, 2020, 8:11 PM ET GARY BETTMAN COM, NHL The possibility of an all-Canadian Division still could occur in a hub city if agreements can't be reached with provincial health authorities. This could serve as a "hybrid solution," per Pierre LeBurn, to allow teams to stay in Canada and not have to look for alternate homes in the United States. Health protocols still have to be agreed to by health authorities in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. Toronto and Edmonton served as secure zones for the NHL during the 2020 postseason. The NHL's preference is to have all seven Canadian teams play in their own cities and they are still working towards that goal. SOURCE: TSN.ca Dec 18, 2020, 6:57 PM ET GARY BETTMAN COM, NHL The NHLPA is scheduled to have an executive board call on Friday night. According to Pierre LeBrun, the player reps will be given an update on where things currently stand with respect to the 2020-21 season. He added that he didn't believe that the NHL Board of Governors had a call scheduled for today and no vote will take place yet during the NHLPA talks. "The transition rules in the season document with the NHL would need to be completed by tonight's call for a vote to take place, I think." LeBrun said on Twitter. "Those rules are (not) done yet. And there's the whole Canadian teams' situation..." There still appears to be plenty of work left to do, but the targeted start for the year is still Jan. 13. SOURCE: TSN.ca Dec 18, 2020, 5:22 PM ET "I believe that we’re on the right track as far as moving forward to win a Stanley Cup," Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault said. "What we’ve gone through this past year is going to help us in the next year. Without being specific on one thing, I do firmly believe that we have the players, we have the pieces, we have the will. We have a lot of work left to do, but we are on the right track to get it done."

Good news this afternoon (Dec 18, 2020) - Big-time sleeper in Flyers' system signs his entry-level contract 42M AGO BY JORDAN HALL FLYERS Mason Millman, a fleet-skating, puck-moving defenseman in the Flyers' system, is set up for his last hurrah at the junior hockey level before turning pro. The Flyers on Friday signed the 2019 fourth-round draft pick to his three-year entry-level contract. In 2020-21, the 19-year-old will play his final season with the OHL's Saginaw Spirit, who drafted Millman during the seventh round of the 15-round 2017 OHL draft and have seen impressive development from the blueliner. The OHL is looking to start its season in February and Saginaw is coming off a 41-16-5 campaign in 2019-20. Millman was a plus-31 (fifth best among OHL defensemen) with 44 points (13 goals, 31 assists) in 58 games for that club. "It is a true testament to a player’s hard work combined with the focus on development from the Saginaw Spirit coaching staff to achieve this goal," Saginaw general manager Dave Drinkill said to NBC Sports Philadelphia on Friday. "We take great pride in the environment and program we have created here in Saginaw, one that allows players like Mason to develop on and off the ice and to allow them to reach their dreams of being NHL players. We couldn’t be more happy for Mason and the Millman family as they have been a huge part of the culture we have here with the Spirit." Millman looks like a sleeper in the Flyers' prospect pool because he was the third defenseman taken by the club in that 2019 draft and the organization has its share of blue-line prospects, led by Cam York and Egor Zamula. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Millman recently took part in Canada's selection camp for the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship but did not make the team. He is a smooth skater who pushes the puck with speed and controlled pace. Defensively, he's smart in his own end and getting stronger. Our Flyers are deep in quality defencemen prospects. Flyers Defence Depth Chart: Ivan Provorov Travis Sanheim Philippe Myers (RH) Erik Gustafsson Justin Braun (RH) Robert Hagg Mark Friedman (RH) Shayne Gostisbehere Sam Morin Prospects: Egor Zamula Cameron York Wyatte Wylie (RH) Linus Hogberg Emil Andrae Ronald Attard (RH) Mason Millman Adam Ginning John St. Ivany (RH) Valeri Vasilyev Mason Millman: The Flyers best under the radar prospect By Stephen Frank Philadelphia Sports Nation Posted on 2 weeks ago During the 2019/20 season, Millman quadrupled his goal total from the previous season and ultimately accumulated 44 points (13 G, 31 A) in 58 games. His 0.759 points per game ranked in 14th among OHL defensemen and 4th among 18-year-old defensemen. The left-shotted defenseman from London, Ontario quickly became the best defenseman on the Saginaw Spirit and one of the better defensemen in the entire Ontario Hockey League. The performance that Millman put up during the shortened 2019/2020 season was good enough for him to get selected to the 2021 Team Canada World Junior selection camp. One of the aspects of Millman’s game that separates him from his peers is his ability to lay down nasty hits to the opposition. A look at some of Saginaw’s games from last season shows that Millman wasn’t afraid to lay down hits when the situation called for it. Which is impressive since he’s only 19 years old, and measures in at 6’1 and 176 lbs. His game is really reminiscent of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie, who has similar defensive skills, and puck-moving ability. Both defensemen also have similar frames and the ability to snipe the puck between the pipes from the blue line. [Millman will] start the 2021/22 season with the Phantoms. In the next couple of years, the Phantoms look to be stacked with one of the deepest Flyers prospect pools we’ve seen in a while so it will be interesting to see how he develops in the AHL.

In today's news - NHL Likely To Approve Helmet Ads Soon By Mark J. Burns Sports Business Daily Thursday, December 17, 2020 The NHL’s Board of Governors could approve helmet ads for the '20-21 season as early as today, sources tell SBJ. These people said it’s “likely” that the asset will be approved. A Board of Governors call is scheduled for today. We wonder if they will require goaltenders to re-do their helmet masks. Some are awesome. It would be criminal to cover them in advertisements! But, the advertisers may push for this because of the high TV exposure that goaltenders get. Can you imagine what our Flyers would look like if step 1 is helmets and step 2 is uniforms?

@OccamsRazor @mojo1917 Good thinking OR and mojo. Here is some background from multiple sources - >> All Patrik Laine wants to do is play with his team's best players, and he's never had the chance in Winnipeg. Head coach, Paul Maurice loves to balance out his top-2 lines, and Laine is always stuck with whatever's left after Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. Turns out, Laine has had enough of riding in the coat-tails and according to a Jets source, he's informed Jets management his preference is to be traded! It's hard to reach your potential when you feel you're constantly being held back by your coach. That soon will change for Patrik Laine and he'll be happy to hear the news. << >> There is a lot of buzz surrounding Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine, who is under contract for one more year before becoming a restricted free agent. TSN's Darren Dreger recently said on the Insider Trading podcast that the Winnipeg Jets were "serious" and listening to offers on the star forward (h/t Pro Hockey Rumors). Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic added that both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes have interest in Laine, with Carolina already inquiring before balking at Winnipeg's asking price. << >> Sometimes you have to give to get and the Winnipeg Jets appear to be balancing that fact this off-season. Specifically, the team is weighing whether trading Patrik Laine will help the club fill other voids it has at centre and on defence. It’s no secret that they need to upgrade a defense corps that lost Jacob Trouba, Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers all in one offseason, but how exactly will they address that underperforming offense? << >> The Winnipeg Jets have one of the biggest names available on the trade market as Darren Dreger of TSN reports, the Jets are listening to offers on sniper, Patrik Laine. It appears they have received one from the Columbus Blue Jackets and it may be worth considering. According to sources connected to Winnipeg, Columbus is offering a deal centered around RHD David Savard, forward Boone Jenner and several draft picks and prospects. Patrik Laine has also been linked to the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Buffalo Sabres as the Jets are trying their best to land a package that includes at least one RHD and a #2 centre. This deal with Columbus won't be the best one they see, so it doesn't appear likely Laine is headed to Ohio. << >> Laine, 21, is one of the top goal-scorers in the NHL, scoring 138 goals in 305 career games. But the Jets are loaded at forward and if Laine was moved, Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor are all still options on offence. With only one-year remaining on his contract at $6.25 million, plus restricted free agent rights, Laine would be a very popular player on the trade market, but would also be very expensive. But if Wayne Gretzky can be traded, anyone can, and teams will be lining up on Portage Avenue to pitch Kevin Cheveldayoff if the Jets decide to explore their options. << >> Multiple reports in recent days have tabbed the Flyers as serious suitors for a potential trade with the Winnipeg Jets for their star right-winger, Patrik Laine. The 22-year-old has quickly become one of the most dangerous — albeit streaky — pure goalscorers in the NHL since his arrival on the scene. Laine posted at least 30 goals in each of his first three NHL seasons, including 44 in his second campaign two years ago. He was on pace to break that mark this season with 28 goals in 68 games before the coronavirus pandemic halted play in March. Normally, such an impressive young talent would be untouchable for NHL teams — but the Jets find themselves in quite a precarious situation. They have an estimated $15 million in cap space available and only have 14 players under contract. Considering they are a team that needs to address multiple, glaring needs, keeping Laine long-term wouldn’t necessarily help. He’ll be a restricted free agent following next season and will fetch much more than his current two-year, 13.5 million deal — which is why the Jets haven’t seemed too eager to secure him for the foreseeable future. Trading Laine and eliminating that potential enormous contract would allow the Jets to fill in those roster holes. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Winnipeg is looking for at least a second-line center and a second-pairing defenseman. Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim could certainly fit in a deal as a 24-year-old promising blue liner that is also a Winnipeg native. However, Philadelphia’s defense already experienced a rather unexpected loss when Matt Niskanen announced his retirement. When it comes to producing a second-line center for the Jets, that’s where things get a bit more difficult for the Flyers. It would have to be one of their younger prospects, regardless, whether that’s Morgan Frost or Nolan Patrick. Analyzing what Laine brings to the Flyers is already a foregone conclusion. A pure sniper would do wonders for a power play that came up lame when they needed it most during the postseason while taking some of the offensive pressure off the aging likes of Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, and Jakub Voracek. Laine would help lead the charge of Philadelphia’s next generation, which already has a big piece in 23-year-old Travis Konecny. << >> The Philadelphia Flyers might get a little bit more Finnish over the next week. According to The Athletic’s Pierre Lebrun, the Flyers and the Winnipeg Jets have held discussions over a possible trade that would see winger Patrik Laine on his way to Philadelphia. The 22-year-old has found himself lost in the shuffle, as other forwards such as Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor have overstepped him in the depth chart for the Jets. With just one year remaining on his two-year bridge deal that holds a cap hit of $6.75-million, the sniper will only get more expensive. Winnipeg has a total of 10 players on their NHL roster that are pending unrestricted free agents and four restricted free agents, with only $14-million in cap space — GM Kevin Cheveldayoff might have his busiest offseason yet. This level of flexibility and uncertainty leaves the Jets in a tight spot with Laine. He is going to get a substantial bump in pay and will only leave his current team wanting more cap space to fill out the roster. With this in mind, it makes sense to take some calls on the player and the Flyers appear to be the frontrunners in terms of such calls. What can Laine bring to the Flyers? Laine has been heralded as the next elite goalscorer ever since the Jets drafted him second overall in 2016. His ability to get into his spot and rifle the puck behind the opposing goaltender has been well documented. Through 305 games, the 22-year-old has scored a total of 138 goals, with 52 of them coming on the man advantage. That’s nothing to scoff at, but his play away from the puck has been heavily criticized in just the four years he’s been in the league. Although he is reportedly working towards becoming a complete player, the results have not shown that ability quite yet. This past season, Laine posted an on-ice 46.9 CF% at 5-on-5. That’s good for 16th on the Jets and 531st among all skaters with at least 200 minutes at even-strength. While he might not control the play like some of the best in the league, he is still able to score goals at an insane rate and that can be extremely valuable to a club like the Flyers. Although the Flyers were able to earn their way into the upper echelon of teams in the standings this regular season and score the eighth-most goals in the league at all situations, they could still use a pure sniper like Laine. Someone on the powerplay that you can lean on and know that you will be a threat no matter what. I am certainly not one that enjoys hypothesizing trades, but I will make an exception because Laine in Philadelphia would just be so fun. Winnipeg is in desperate need of a second-line center and a top-four defenceman — like pretty much every single team in the NHL — and the Flyers have the latter in Sanheim. A good ol’ Winnipeg boy would be welcomed with open arms and can solve some problems on their blue line. Whether it’s worth letting go the 24-year-old for a flashy Finnish product, is ultimately unclear. Receiving a bonafide scorer that still has time on his side is tantalizing and with some defencemen coming through the prospect pipeline, it could make sense in the grand scheme of things. One thing is for certain though, having Laine on this team would be fun as hell. <<

The Hockey Writers' Jim Parsons reports today (Dec 18, 2020) - The Jets have set a high price for Laine, especially after adding Paul Statsny almost exclusively to help make Laine more comfortable. If they do move him, it won’t be for cheap and it is believed the Jets will want a top-pairing defenseman in return or a young blueliner with top-two potential as part of a package deal. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would likely ask for Ivan Provorov straight up or for Philippe Myers to be part of any package deal. Ah! 'or a young blueliner with top-two potential as part of a package deal'. Again, no way giving Myers (or Provorov) IMO. But if Winnipeg lowers their demands, maybe Wylie (D) or York (D) as part of a package would do it? (Reluctant to include Zamula.) Profiles on Wylie and York is a few posts above.

Flyers' Claude Giroux, with Flyers Training Camp shirt, working-out with his son:

GARY BETTMAN COM, NHL The 2020-21 NHL season could be played entirely in the U.S. if agreements can’t be struck to make the all-Canadian Division a reality. The league would prefer to have all the Canadian-based teams play in their own cities to limit travel to being domestic and to not have to worry about border restrictions. However, that plan is being held up by the need for approval from health authorities in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. The NHL is still discussing protocols with the NHLPA and those measures will need to be okayed by the Canadian provinces. The fallback option if approval doesn't come is to have the Canucks, Flames, Oilers, Jets, Maple Leafs, Senators and Canadiens play out of the United States. This would change how realignment could look going into the 2020-21 campaign. SOURCE: Sportsnet.ca Dec 17, 2020, 5:13 PM ET

True. But, they are both considered high value prospects. The Flyers Depth Chart for Defence: Ivan Provorov Travis Sanheim Philippe Myers (RH) Erik Gustafsson Justin Braun (RH) Robert Hagg Mark Friedman (RH) Shayne Gostisbehere Egor Zamula Wyatte Wylie (RH) Cameron York Samuel Morin Linus Hogberg Emil Andrae Ronald Attard (RH) Mason Millman Adam Ginning John St. Ivany (RH) Valeri Vasilyev Cam York Age 19 SCOUTING REPORT An excellent skater with a very smooth stride, he is adept at joining the rush and putting up points. He also displays very good hockey sense, and he defends his position rather well. Lacks size and strength, so he needs to add more bulk and get physically stronger for the highest level. His quickness and hockey savvy make him a constant threat in transition. Long Range Potential: Swift-skating, talented defenseman with upside. [Flyers AGM] Flahr called York an “elite skater” who needs to improve his strength before he’s ready to turn pro. “He’s very smart. He’s good moving the puck, and he’s got a strong offensive dimension," he said. "For him, it’s just being able to handle the bigger, stronger guys at the pro level and being able to handle the rigors of the NHL’s 82-game schedule.” - After Team USA World Jrs, York will play at Michigan for the 2020-21 Season and most likely will get 1 year's pro experience with the Phantoms in the 2021-22 Season. - At age 21 he will join our Flyers for the 2022-23 Season. IMO. Wyatte Wylie Age 21 SCOUTING REPORT Wylie is a great skater and stick handler for that matter. He remains calm and poised, as he is very rarely out of position defensively. Hextall selected Wylie to help aide the Flyers with transitioning out of the zone, but more importantly join the rush when he sees fit. The Flyers will need speedy right-handed defencemen in the future, as the name of the game in the NHL is speed. There is no doubt Wylie can eventually be that speedy spark to amp up the offense, but play a sound defensive game, as well. What most Flyers fans do not know is that Wylie played on his off-hand last season for the Everett Silvertips. He also told me at Developmental Camp that he can play either side on Defense because of such. These tools became valuable when Chuck Fletcher decided to ink him to a three-year ELC, “I wanted to come here this Summer to prove to the Flyers I wanted to be here,” Wylie told me at Developmental Camp. Cam York - Team USA

Basically, I agree with you. Like you said, pd, be extremely cautious. I admit drooling over acquiring RW Laine, however foolish it may be. Put Laine with quality playmaking linemates, and he may be a 40+ goal scorer for years. Especially considering that at age 22, he has not yet fully matured in committment and drive and has not yet reached his peak. Wow! The key issues that Fletcher is dealing with are: 1) trade asset cost 2) Cap Management 3) Expansion Draft impact (should be okay) Cap Management As Laine has a 6.75 M Cap Hit this season, and will be a RFA, he and his agent will probably want 8/9 M+ over a multi-year deal. Ouch! Giroux is 8.275, Voracek 8.25, JVR 7.0, and Ghost 4.5. Unless Fletcher can unload a significant salary / Cap Hit, it is not tenable to take on Laine. All NHL teams are very Cap cautious during this time of NHL Flat Cap. Moving JVR for example is virtually impossible, unless a trading partner gets something else of great value to them and agrees to take JVR as a requirement. And that team would have to have the Cap Space. Trade Asset Cost Winnipeg wants a top-4 defenceman, preferably 'right side' RH. They would ask for Myers. IMO, no way. Young, big, quality defenceman are much harder to get than quality forwards. IMO, Provorov, Sanheim, and Myers will be cornerstones for this Flyers team for many years. They are virtually untouchable. (Myers in a package for a super-star like Connor McDavid - - - - - hmm, I'd have to think about that one .) To get Laine by including Sanheim or Myers in the package, knowing that Zamula, York, and Wylie are coming, is a big risk. Tempting, but very risky. IMO, no. In the end, I don't think Fletcher moves Sanheim or Myers. They both are 'big' mobile defencemen with quality play in the D-zone and have good offensive skills - - and both are young and far from their peak. As much as I would like to have Laine, IMO the chances are slim. IMO, this team is set - - a very good team. Sure, if Fletcher has an opportunity to trade to enhance the team - do it (w/o killing the Cap or sacrificing quality draft picks or prospects). But, his comments recently say he is high on this team. I tend to agree. Positives: 1) Goal scoring may not be a big issue. Our Flyers last season were 7th in the 31-team NHL in 'goals scored' (They played 1 and 2 games less than the two teams ahead of them, and could easily have been 5th in the League). 2) The reminder from GM Fletcher - don't draw conclusions from the small sample size of the 13 games of the Bubble Playoffs. I think he is right. 3) The possibility, depending on circumstances, of one of these skill forwards making the team soon: Sandin, Frost, Allison - - most likely Sandin this season - - age 24, is a goal scorer with SHL pro experience. 4) the addition of Lindblom and potentially Patrick 5) young rostered players have not yet peaked and will get better and better: Konecny, Farabee, NAK, Bunnaman (in his 4th line role), Sanheim, Myers, Provorov, Hart Actually, thinking about the end of the 2019-20 regular season success to climb to the top and how well the team was in sync under AVs system, and also knowing that finally a top-rated prospect pool is/will be ready to emerge, the future seems bright for our Flyers. All of that said, I would offer Winnipeg this deal: - Ghost (D) - Wylie (D) or York (D) - choice . . . . (if York is big in this World Jrs Tourney, he may be very attractive for a rebuilding Jets) - Voracek (RW) age 31 (probably not wanted by Winnipeg) - Sandin (RW) or Allison (RW) - choice - 1st Round pick in the 2021 Draft - JVR - Winnipeg must take him to consumate the deal (Flyers Cap relief) I don't think Winnipeg takes this deal. Maybe? I could be off in this thinking. What do you all think? (Apologize for the loooong post.)

PATRIK LAINE RW, WINNIPEG JETS The Philadelphia Flyers reportedly had trade talks regarding Patrik Laine, but those discussions have since cooled. It's still possible that the talks with the Jets could start up again, but as we get closer to the season, it's looking more and more likely that Laine will start the season with Winnipeg. Although Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff did suggest back in October that Laine could be traded, the Jets would only move him if they could get a return they'd be happy with. Laine is already a high-end forward and he has the potential to become an elite one, but his future is somewhat uncertain in part because the Jets haven't locked him up yet. He's entering the second season of a two-year, $13.5 million contract and will be a restricted free agent after that. SOURCE: NBC Sports Philadelphia Dec 17, 2020, 10:00 AM ET And, Eklund today (12/17/20) According to two sources, one in Winnipeg and one in Chicago, the Jets are very willing to listen to trade concepts involving Patrik Laine. The scoring star winger re-signing in Winnipeg isn’t going the way the sides had hoped and Laine could land the Jets few key pieces as the price will be extraordinarily high as has been reported in the past. The Flyers were the team who got closest to making a deal around the draft, but they found the price to be difficult and the sudden retirement of Niskanen took the Flyers in a different direction...largely because losing Niskanen AND the defenseman that would have been required to make the deal happen was too much too soon for Philly. I am hearing Carolina, Ottawa, NJ, Boston and Philly all are open to talks...I will be updating Laine on the rumor chart after I talk to some people today.

Burned !!!

Dying for some Flyers hockey? Flyers on TV - - it's finally here! In 3 days - Sunday Dec 20 . Full details posted over in the 'Flyers: 2020-21 Phantoms/Prospect info/update' thread.

Dying for some Flyers hockey? Flyers on TV - - it's finally here! In 3 days - Sunday Dec 20 - on the NHL Network. (I can subscribe to NHL Network for $10/mo, so it's worth $10 to see all 28 games.) Meltzer reported - World Junior Championships Coverage NHL Network will carry live broadcasts of all 28 games of the 2020-21 World Junior Championships in Edmonton, including every pre-tournament game. Team USA, featuring Flyers prospects Cam York and Bobby Brink, will play an exhibition game on Sunday (Dec. 20) against Switzerland at 6 p.m. ET. There will also be an exhibition game against Finland next Tuesday (Dec. 22) at 6 p.m. ET. Team USA's preliminary round-robin slate starts next Friday on Christmas Day against Russia at 9:30 p.m. ET. That will be following the next day with a game against underdog Austria (same start time) and then matches with the Czech Republic (2 p.m. ET) on Tues. Dec. 29 and Sweden on New Year's Eve (9:30 p.m. ET). Team Sweden features Flyers 2020 second-round pick Emil Andrae. The medal round quarterfinal game will be on Sat. Jan. 2. The semis are Mon. Jan. 4 and both the bronze medal (5:30 p.m.) and gold medal (9:30 p.m.) games are on Tue. Jan. 5. Additionally: * NHL Network, on Christmas Eve Day, starting at 10 a.m. ET, there will be a marathon of Team USA gold-medal winning games at the WJC, featuring the 2010 (6-5 overtime win against Canada), 2013 (3-1 win over Sweden), and 2017 (5-4 shootout win over Canada in Montreal) gold medal games. The 2010 gold medal game featured future Flyer Brayden Schenn (then an LA Kings prospect) on the Canada side. The 2013 game had Shayne Gostisbehere on Team USA and Robert Hägg on Team Sweden. The 2017 game had Carter Hart in goal for Canada and Tanner Laczysnki on the fourth line for Team USA. Hart went 3-for-4 in stopping shootout attempts but Troy Terry's goal in the third round stood as the winner. Terry had previously scored three times in the Americans' shootout win over Russia in the quarterfinal. * At 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, NHL Network will have a 2020-21 World Junior Championship preview show.

Meltzer reported this morning (12/17/20) - Flyers players at the Voorhees Flyers Training Center: Travis Konecny Michael Raffl (returned from playing in Austria) Linus Sandin (on his way to quarantine) Carter Hart Ivan Provorov Phil Myers Sam Morin Robert Hägg Oskar Lindblom Nicolas Aube-Kubel Carsen Twarynski Tanner Laczysnki Camp is expected to start around January 2 once the final return-to-play plan is announced. . . . . . .

I remember that. Yeah, you are right.

Do we remember Jaromir Jagr? Played for our Flyers in the 2011-12 season. Played 24 years in the NHL and scored 844 goals. Jagr's total NHL salary is $128 M. He is now age 48. Today's news -