Zzeke

In the next few days - 

What are the pros and cons of this proposed trade deal between GMs Fletcher and Francis - 

Flyers get:
  - Seattle's committment to select Voracek (8.25M Cap Relief for Flyers)
  - Veteran Goaltender selected by Seattle in Expansion (see list below**) 
      (a Flyers #2 Goalie to mentor Hart and who is a good part-time back-up)
  
Seattle gets:
   - Ghost (4M Cap Relief for Flyers)
  -  Prospect off Flyers provided list (see list below*)

*Seattle selects one young player from this list:

Carsen Twarynski
Isaac Ratcliffe 
Connor Bunnaman
German Rubtsov 
Maksim Sushko
David Kase

Goaltenders - Seattle will perhaps select these 3 for their organization:

Ben Bishop
Vitek Vanecek
Kaapo Kahkanen

**Might Fletcher want Seattle to also select one of these to then send to our Flyers? 

(Yes, contract status and Cap Hit are important considerations in addition to being a mentor to Hart and a good part-time back-up.)

Jaroslav Halak (G)
Tuukka Rask (G)
Carter Hutton (G)
Devan Dubnyk (G)
Jonathan Bernier (G)
Mike Smith (G)
Jonathan Quick (G)
Pekka Rinne (G)
Cory Schneider (G)
Braden Holtby (G)
Craig Anderson (G)

With the 12.25M Cap Space gained + the current 9.3M Cap Space (total 21.5M), Fletcher can sign:

- Hart (RFA)
- Sanheim (RFA)
- Morin (UFA)
- Goaltender #2 
- a UFA 2nd pair RH defencman from this list:

- Adam Larsson, age 28, 6'-3", 208, RH/RD, UFA, currently 2nd pairing, probable Cap Hit 4.5M
- David Savard, age 30, 6'-2", 233, RH/RD, UFA, probable Cap Hit 5.5M, strong in D-zone, tough, 2nd pairing
- Cody Ceci, age 27, 6'-2", 210, RH/RD, UFA, currently 2nd pairing, probable Cap Hit 6M
- Brandon Montour, age 27, 6'-0", 194, RH/RD, UFA, current Cap Hit 3.85M, shot-blocker, slick puck-mover, depth defenceman
 
This trade - What don't you like? What do you like? How would you tweak it?

Disagree with this tweet (below). Yes, Fletcher will probably not spend any valuable assets like Frost, Zamula, 1st Round pick, etc on a trade for the next defenceman acquisition such as Jones.

But, there is a high probability he fills the defense second-pairing vacancy with one of the UFA defenceman as he gains the valuable Cap Space by losing JVR (7M) to Seattle and potentially finds a way to move Voracek (8.25M) and/or Ghost (4M). 

Therefore, Hamilton may be in play if Fletcher gets the Cap Space.

Provorov - Hamilton* (RH)

Sanheim - Ellis (RH)

York - Braun (RH)

Hagg

Morin

* or one of the other RH UFAs: Larsson, Savard, Ceci, or Montour (they would be 2nd pairing).

At this point, we don't bet against Fletcher.

Best players left exposed to the expansion draft. This list does not include unrestricted free agents:

Anaheim Ducks: Kevin Shattenkirk, D

Boston Bruins: Connor Clifton, D

Buffalo Sabres: Jeff Skinner, LW

Carolina Hurricanes: Nino Niederreiter, LW

Columbus Blue Jackets: Max Domi, C

Calgary Flames: Mark Giordano, D

Dallas Stars: Ben Bishop, G

Detroit Red Wings: Vladislav Namestnikov, RW

Florida Panthers: Chris Driedger, G

Los Angeles Kings: Jonathan Quick, G

Montreal Canadiens: Carey Price, G

New Jersey Devils: P.K. Subban, D

Nashville Predators: Ryan Johansen, C; Matt Duchene, C

New York Islanders: Josh Bailey, RW; Jordan Eberle, RW

Ottawa Senators: Matt Murray, G

Philadelphia Flyers: James van Riemsdyk, LW; Jakub Voracek, RW

St. Louis Blues: Vladimir Tarasenko, RW

Tampa Bay Lightning: Yanni Gourde, C; Tyler Johnson, C; Ondrej Palat, RW; Alex Killorn, LW

Toronto Maple Leafs: Jared McCann, LW; Alex Kerfoot, C

Vancouver Canucks: Jake Virtanen, RW

Washington Capitals: Conor Sheary, LW
 

A Mock Draft at Reddit:

LW    C    RW
James van Reimsdyk    Alex Wennberg    Tyler Johnson
Jason Zucker        Joonas Donskoi
Eric Robertson    Chris Tierney    Mason Appleton
Jared McCann    Johan Larsson    Julien Gauthier

Defense

LD        RD
Vince Dunn
Will Butcher        Colin Miller
Jake Bean        Connor Clifton
Tory Stecher

Goalies

Ben Bishop

Vitek Vanecek

Kaapo Kahkanen

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Available
Andy Andreoff (F)
Connor Bunnaman (F)
David Kase (F)
Pascal Laberge (F)
Samuel Morin (F)
German Rubtsov (F)
Carsen Twarynski (F)
James van Riemsdyk (F)
Jakub Voracek (F)
Mikhail Vorobyev (F)
Chris Bigras (D)
Justin Braun (D)
Shayne Gostisbehere (D)
Robert Hagg (D)
Derrick Pouliot (D)
Nate Prosser (D)
Tyler Wotherspoon (D)
Brian Elliott (G)
Alex Lyon (G)
Felix Sandstrom (G)

Protected
Nicolas Aube-Kubel (F)
Sean Couturier (F)
Claude Giroux (F)
Kevin Hayes (F)
Travis Konecny (F)
Scott Laughton (F)
Oskar Lindblom (F)
Ryan Ellis (D)
Ivan Provorov (D)
Travis Sanheim (D)
Carter Hart (G)

All 30 NHL Team Lists as Seattle Strategizes:

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/kraken/big-surprises-and-undoubtedly-a-few-letdowns-as-expansion-draft-protection-list-made-available-to-kraken/

As assumed, with Fletcher adding NAK to the Protected List vacancy, he puts more pressure on Seattle to select Voracek (8.25M), JVR (7M), or Ghost (4.5M), as he seeks more Cap Space for his next moves.

Of course, Seattle could select Hagg or Braun, but potentially NAK would have been prime for them.

Cap Space needed for:

- Hart (RFA)

- Sanheim (RFA)

- Morin (UFA)

- Goaltender #2 (UFA)

- Another UFA defenceman:

- Dougie Hamilton, age 28, 6'-6", 227, RH/RD, UFA, probable Cap Hit 9M, excellent in all zones

- Adam Larsson, age 28, 6'-3", 208, RH/RD, UFA, currently 2nd pairing, probable Cap Hit 4.5M

- David Savard, age 30, 6'-2", 233, RH/RD, UFA, probable Cap Hit 5.5M, strong in D-zone, top-pairing defenceman borderline

- Cody Ceci, age 27, 6'-2", 210, RH/RD, UFA, currently 2nd pairing, probable Cap Hit 6M

- Brandon Montour, age 27, 6'-0", 194, RH/RD, UFA, current Cap Hit 3.85M, shot-blocker, slick puck-mover, depth defenceman
 

Projection:

1) Expansion Protection List vacancy (from Patrick) will be filled with NAK - - not JVR. Therefore the Exposed List will include - 
Voracek (8.25M Cap Hit), JVR (7M Cap Hit), and Ghost (4.5M Cap Hit).

- Fletcher will hope Voracek or JVR is selected by Seattle, and he would reap significant valuable Cap Space for his next move.

2) Sign another RH/RD from the UFA ranks when Free Agency opens on July 28.

One of these:

- Dougie Hamilton, age 28, 6'-6", 227, RH/RD, UFA, probable Cap Hit 9M, excellent in all zones

- Adam Larsson, age 28, 6'-3", 208, RH/RD, UFA, currently 2nd pairing, probable Cap Hit 4.5M

- David Savard, age 30, 6'-2", 233, RH/RD, UFA, probable Cap Hit 5.5M, strong in D-zone, physical, top-pairing defenceman borderline

- Cody Ceci, age 27, 6'-2", 210, RH/RD, UFA, currently 2nd pairing, probable Cap Hit 6M

- Brandon Montour, age 27, 6'-0", 194, RH/RD, UFA, current Cap Hit 3.85M, shot-blocker, slick puck-mover

The addition of defencemen Ellis plus Xxxxxx from above would significantly improve our Flyers.

How about:

Provorov - Ellis (RH)
Sanheim - Larsson (RH)
York - Braun (RH)
Morin
Hagg

Hart
Goalie #2

Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
Xxxxxxx-Hayes-Farabee
Lindblom-Frost-Allison
Laughton-Laczynski-NAK

Voracek, JVR, Ghost - - gone.

LW Xxxxxxx = via trade that includes Voracek or JVR or Ghost (based on who Seattle selects) - or - UFA LW Hyman

Now it's clear - why Ghost was waived - needed flex for rest scratches, Taxi, and roster compliance. They expected that Ghost would not be taken.

1 minute ago, radoran said:

 

I'm not sure I'm wanting to pay this sort of a price for a rental to maybe make the postseason this year.

 

YMMV.

 

The ideal situation for Fletcher is to get GM Kekalainen's permission to talk with Savard and his agent. This is not unusual. If Fletcher can propose a new mult-year contract to be signed after the Expansion Draft (with an overpayment), that would be attractive to Savard, and reach a verbal handshake agreement, then Columbus would reap a larger asset return.

Any package suggestions for this scenario?

30 minutes ago, Podein25 said:

 

I like the Savard choice a lot.  He's having a subpar year stats wise (e.g., -14), not sure what that's all about. Maybe it lowers the price slightly. 

This Right-Handed Defenseman, Savard, can play in any situation the coaching staff asks of him. Savard could also provide veteran leadership for the young defencemen including Provorov, Sanheim, and Myers. He also logs 19:32 of ice time per night.

Savard excels at defending his position and shutting down high-scoring opponents. He has good lateral mobility and plenty of size as he stands at 6’2 and weighs 229 pounds. Savard can block shots with the best of them and is physical which is an area the Flyers desperately need to shore up to have a playoff run.

Savard is 5th in the NHL in blocked shots with 77 while averaging just under 20 minutes a night. He is fearless. You will always find him in the shooting lane giving himself up to block shots. He is one of John Tortorella’s favorite players because of the way he handles his business: like a true professional.

Savard is just outside the top-30 in hits as well. When he’s most successful, he’s in your face playing an honest game. But when you look at the scoresheet at the end of the night, you’ll see a handful of hits and blocks on his line. He’s made for playoff hockey. Close, tight-checking games fit his style perfectly.

There are multiple teams interested. As for a potential price, the Blue Jackets start with a first rounder. But in a buyer’s market, that price might seem steep. Realistically, the Blue Jackets could land two seconds in a potential package for Savard.

The Blue Jackets have to make a tough decision on Savard. He has spent his entire career with the Blue Jackets. Trading him would be a tough pill to swallow. But given the state of the organization, they need to restock their cupboards because compared to other teams, it is quite bare. They need to rebuild. They need a center badly.

Any suggestions on a trade package willing to give up considering Savard would play for our Flyers into and through the playoffs and then be a UFA and maybe, maybe not, resign a multi-year deal with us?

2 minutes ago, CoachX said:

Does this make Ghost more valuable as a trade chip?

Fletcher has been trying to trade Ghost for a year. No takers.

For the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft, there is a high probability that Seattle will not select Ghost. Since Seattle is required to take 1 player from each of the 31 teams, they are more likely to select Hagg or Morin as the team is presently constituted.

Probable Exposed List:
van Riemsdyk (Age 32, Cap Hit 7M)
Voracek (Age 32, Cap Hit 8.25M)
Bunnaman F
Twarynski F
Kase F
Gostisbehere D
Hagg D
Morin D
Sandstrom G 2nd year (Fletcher will expose to meet the Expansion Draft Rules for goaltenders)

3 minutes ago, Zzeke said:

As a pending UFA, he won't have to be protected. Seattle won't select a pending UFA. If it is mutally agreeabe, Fletcher can sign this defenceman after the Expansion Draft. 

This is why a trade for Ekholm doesn't work. He has another season on his contract. It's a high probability that Seattle selects Ekholm as he would be on our Flyers Exposed List. Then the trade assets would be lost w/o compensation - - - unless Fletcher can make a handshake deal with Seattle here 4 months prior to the July 21 Expansion Draft. Very unlikely this early.

Yes, the 3 protected defencemen will be Provorov, Sanheim, Myers. Yes, some shortsighted will say not Sanheim or Myers. But, that is not logical, not wise, IMO.

Now we look for GM Fletcher to consumate a deal between now and the April 12 trade deadline for a defenceman to pair with Provorov. Ideally he is a pending UFA (for tactful Expansion Draft purposes), RH/RD, excellent in the defensive zone, tough (will drop the gloves), logs big ice-time, very dependable, and an ideal complement to Provorov.

As a pending UFA, he won't have to be protected. Seattle won't select a pending UFA. If it is mutally agreeabe, Fletcher can sign this defenceman after the Expansion Draft. 

Who fits this profile?

DAVID SAVARD, RD/RH, Columbus Blue Jackets, 6'2", 233 lbs. A pending UFA (UFA after this 2020-21 Season). Age 30 with 9 seasons NHL experience. Cap Hit for 2020-21 is 4.25 M and prorated.

Fletcher may have to overpay some. There is competition from other GMs. Unknown - if Fletcher is given permission to talk with Savard and his agent ahead of time to try to get a verbal agreement on a multi-year contract to be done after the Expansion Draft. (Fletcher will just say NO to including Frost or Zamula, Wylie, York, etc.)

SCOUTING REPORT- David Savard
Excels at defending his position and shutting down high-scoring opponents. Is a good puck mover from the back end. Has great lateral mobility and plenty of size. Is rugged and a fearless shot blocker. Can log big minutes and be relied upon in important situations. Was a high-scoring defenseman in junior hockey, so his talent is somewhat underrated at the NHL level. Quality shutdown defenseman.
 

My speculation - 

1) Clearing Cap Space for an agreed and pending trade for a defenceman

2) Hagg is ready to return from IR and with Morin playing well, and 8 defencemen, someone had to be moved

At 12 Noon today, our Flyers placed Ghost on waivers.

Below is the ideal target 'to trade for' as GM Fletcher is looking for a Niskanen replacement since it is clear now that there is not a good compatible RD to pair with Provorov currently on the Flyers team - - 

First - - some qualifiers - - 

Fletcher must trade for a pending UFA defenceman for a good reason:

If he trades for a defenceman who has at least one more year remaining on his contract (will be a Flyers player for 2021-22), that player will not be protected by Fletcher in the July 21, 2021 Expansion Draft. 

(The desired 7/3/1 Protected List Formula allows 3 defencemen to be protected, and they surely will be Provorov/Sanheim/Myers. A 4th quality defenceman under contract for 2021-22 is highly vulnerable to be selected by Seattle in the Expansion Draft. Therefore, Fletcher loses the player and the trade asset(s) he spent.)

If Fletcher trades for a pending UFA defenceman who is on the final year of his contract (a UFA on July 28, 2021), Seattle would not select pending UFAs. And, Fletcher would not have to protect him.

Assuming that defenceman had played well (a quality Niskanen type) over the final stretch of this 2020-21 season and through the playoffs, and assuming Fletcher and this defenceman are mutually agreeable to sign a multi-year contract after the Expansion Draft, a high satisfactory outcome is very possible.

A pending UFA, RH/RD, Niskanen type, defenceman - - who might that be?

DAVID SAVARD RD
Columbus Blue Jackets
6'2", 233 lbs.
Born:Oct 22, 1990 (30 yrs) in St. Hyacinthe, Que.
Experience:9 years
Drafted:Drafted by Columbus in 2009 (4/94).
Shoots:R

SCOUTING REPORT
Excels at defending his position and shutting down high-scoring opponents. Is a good puck mover from the back end. Has great lateral mobility and plenty of size. Is rugged and a fearless shot blocker. Can log big minutes and be relied upon in important situations. Was a high-scoring defenseman in junior hockey, so his talent is somewhat underrated at the NHL level. Long Range Potential: Quality shutdown defenseman.

UFA after the 2020-21 Season.

THERE MAY BE ANOTHER UFA EXODUS FROM COLUMBUS AFTER THE 2020-21 SEASON

DAVID SAVARD ($4.25 MILLION 2020-21)
Savard is the one who is most likely to get traded if things don't go the Blue Jackets' way to start the season. He's a veteran defenseman who doesn't take many risks, but is incredibly dependable. He had more trade value over the last two years, but the Blue Jackets weren't able to complete a deal. He's one that the Blue Jackets will likely try to sign to a two or three-year extension. 

https://www.1stohiobattery.com/columbus-blue-jackets-analysis/2020/11/5360/ufa-exodus-from-columbus-after-2020-21-season

The Columbus Blue Jackets are having another bad season. The Columbus GM knows that there will be another exodus of UFAs. There will be opportunity for our Flyers' Fletcher to trade for Savard soon if the trade asset price is not overwhelming. There most likely will be competition, and Fletcher may have to overpay with a quality prospect or draft pick.

Provorov - Savard (RH)
Sanheim - Myers (RH)
Gostisbehere - Braun (RH)

Gustafsson
Hagg

47 minutes ago, RonJeremy said:

Hopefully Elliot and Braun read my post. - - - Braun you suck, you caused the tying goal because you can’t skate - - - 

@RonJeremy

Whoa, my friend. Some of you guys are always easily targeting the two 3rd pairing defencemen Hagg and Braun. Often unfairly.

It has always been that way over the years. There is always a few players on the home team - our Flyers - that a group of fans like to vent on - - continually. Some people need to continually put others down - - as away to lift themselves.

And, these players that often are unfairly targeted are on our own team - - our Flyers! There is no negative posting on the opposition team - - but on our own team's players, continually. There is not 'posting of encouragment', when our players struggle, that they can pick-up their game, but hard critical posting that is often unreasonable and borders on hate.

On that tying goal that you referenced, I saw it differently, as many others probably did. I went back to confirm on my recording. And yup, the main failure was not Braun.

As braun chased down Anders Lee along the left boards and into the corner - below the line, and as Braun was on him where Lee could go no further, Lee got the pass off between Braun's stick and skate (a type of play that happens numerous times throughout a game with defencemen) to Barzal who was totally open, uncovered, coming down the middle. Why was he uncovered? As we saw in real time, Giroux, in the middle, got caught watching the play in the deep corner and Barzal skated right past him to get the wide-open shot.

But, as often happens, who does the group of negative posters target - - the player that is on this season's hate list. Totally unfairly in this case.

>> Hopefully Elliot and Braun read my post. - - - Braun you suck, you caused the tying goal because you can’t skate - - - <<.

Wow! Read my post. Who are you?

How you respond to this will tell us much about your character. Humble and wise? Or prideful and stupid?

I hope for the former, my friend, because you are also a very good poster - - outside of crap like this.

Zz

Interesting. But where?  Low slot / crease - - instead of Konecny? Any suggestions on the Power Play units?

PP1: 
Giroux - left half-boards
Hayes - high slot
JVR - low slot / crease
Voracek - right half-boards, rotate right point
Provorov - point, left to center

PP2: 
Lindblom - left half-boards
Patrick - high slot
Konecny - low slot / crease
Gostisbehere - right point, right half-boards
Sanheim - point, left to center

12 hours ago, Howie58 said:

The O and B are are marginal favorites but I am posting less than an hour after the Saturday win.  The message to TK sank in for the first period and we were playing as well as we have this season.  Then we succumbed to the Devils Trap Redux.  

 

I hope the Bunnaman line continues to work hard and dig deep.  They seem to be carrying play better than their top-6 teammates.  Ghost is playing well, which is a positive. 

 

 

Another positive is the excellent play of defenceman Myers.

Myers was able to return with his fractured rib 'medicated'. He had two shots and had 23:17 of ice time.

After a four-game, 10 day, absence, Myers paired with his usual partner Sanheim, was a key member of the PK unit that went 4-for-4. He skated well, played well in the D-zone with some excellent poke-checks, and he played physical.

Also, we saw some continued progress in Patrick's game, especially 'creating' in the offensive zone. We see the signs. Patrick is going to be a high-level center. Hopefully he can stay healthy from his past head/migraine issues and he can minimize being at the wall.

Some positives.

Today (1/31/21) Sam Carchidi, in the Philadelphia Inquirer, wrote a comprehensive, well-done, article on the Flyers top-12 prospects.  Sam writes:

They are the 12 Flyers prospects who seem destined to reach the NHL and be key contributors. Actually, one of them, Connor Bunnaman (ranked No. 10), is already with the Flyers.

Playmaking center Morgan Frost is atop the ratings, compiled by The Inquirer in consultation with scouting experts. Defenseman Cam York is a close second.

The ratings are based on the players’ progress and their upside at the NHL level.

The list only includes players who still have rookie status.

Here are the rankings' names only. The depth of the article for each player can be read by those who can get access.

1. Morgan Frost, 21 years old, center

2. Cam York, 20, defenseman

3. Wade Allison, 23, right wing

4. Egor Zamula, 20, defenseman

5. Bobby Brink, 19, right wing

6. Tyson Foerster, 19, right wing

7. Tanner Laczynski, 23, left wing/right wing

8. Noah Cates, 21, left wing

9. Emil Andrae, 18, defenseman

10. Connor Bunnaman, 22, center

11. Isaac Ratcliffe, 21, left wing

12. Linus Sandin, 24, right wing

RW Wade Allison

Check the Game 9 Flyers vs Islanders thread for more info.

NYI tough guy Ross Johnston, RW, #32, is 6-5, 235 and will play tonight. Johnston is rarely bested when fists fly. According to HockeyFights.com, Ross Johnston has fourteen NHL fights in his career. 

Maybe AV inserts Sam Morin to counter Johnston running Flyers players?