Digityman

Yea I agree with this. I've been watching him since he was drafted. He's got a very good shot, good hands. Vision is good and skating is good enough. He needs to put on muscle for sure and make it through a solid 50 games or so without injury. I do think he's middle 6 material if he can put it together. This is the year for him to do it.

If this is the stock market last March, if you sold while it was crashing you missed out on a lot of money 6 months later. Sometimes it's better to just sit back and let things happen while keeping a watchful eye because things that once were (there's a reason he was considered the #2 pick by many people) can once again come back. I'm not saying he will, but giving him a full off-season, training camp...and 30-40 games. Then, if he still shows he's a -30 player, get what you can for him or simply walk away.

^^^ This. It comes down to a business decision. Patrick's potential is greater than anything they would get in a trade. Plain and simple. I get the frustration with him obviously. It's compounded by having (2) #2 picks being JVR and Patrick. It's infuriating. But that's not his fault, nor are his health issues. Patrick actually has potential. JVR? Jake? Hayes? We've seen their best and now they are on their way down. Also, a professional athlete (or their agent) asking for more money doesn't seem that strange to me. In fact, I asked my boss for more money and do it every year. Why is that strange/wrong? It's a business, he's an employee. I bet none of you have ever said, "boss, I don't think I deserve more money this year because I didn't do my best last year." Also also, this is coming from Serivalli.... So 50/50 it's true but even if it is, Patrick getting 1-1.25m in a full, prove-it or else season is the right choice to me.

So you are saying that Patrick might, maybe, could become a average #3 center?

Well then. You just ruined the next 5 years of my life. Thanks.

I understand this completely and if they did it, I wouldn't have a problem with it. However, I think giving him one more year with a full off-season, training camp and so on could really help him. I think this season was him proving to himself he could take hits and skate 50 games. Now that's proven possible, I bet next season he will show more of what made him the 2nd overall pick. He might never be a #1 or #2 center, but if they can get him to be a better than average #3 center, that would help this team a lot.

Like everyone else, I don't really know what the problem is but I wouldn't pin this on AV. From what I saw/read/felt something is wrong with Hayes. He flat out sucked all year save for a few games. I'm not sure what happened but he was dreadful. Maybe he's part of the lock room issues if there are any. Not sure. It's all hearsay at this point.

Thanks for doing it all year @Howie58

Any player can be had for the right (over) price. Flyers have plenty of pieces to make something happen. I'm not saying they will happen, I'm just saying that those are the 2-3 players I would target and see what it would take. Can't hurt to ask.

@radoran Re: UFAs Dougie Hamilton Gabriel Landeskog Tyson Barrie

I try to start watching with about a minute left in the first, then after about 15 minutes go do something else. Check back in about 45 minutes later at the end of the 2nd. If the score at the start of the 3rd is decent I'll watch the rest.

Outside of Ghost, Farabee is the only creative player on the team. It would have to be a hell of a return for me to say yes.

As someone else said, I watched the whole game so that's something. Second period was best Flyers hockey all season. Also, Morin/Ghost is turning into a decent 3rd pair. Ghost was the best player on the ice last night. He actually has creativity. Something that is sorely lacking on this team.

Morin/Ghost was better than Sanheim//Meyers vs Bruins. I like Morin's play so far with Ghost.

I'll go out on a limb and say it was sarcasm.

I'm done with the Flyers for today. 5ish years. That's a decent tenure considering the average career length for a NHL player is about 5 years according to ESPN. ( I know..)

Jesus that hurt to remember.

Just had another thought.... what if it's all the gingers on this team. I'm only half-kidding and mean no offense to our ginger-posting friends. Full ginger = Giroux, Jake, Couturier, (Harnell still counts as a broadcaster), Gritty Half ginger ? = Raffl? Hayes? Hart? Braun? Morin is close Thank god for Oskar and his blonde locks.

I read that whole book you wrote You made some good points. My only argument is that, as you stated, the draft is pretty much a lottery. So collecting quality draft picks might lead them to this exact same spot in 5 years. Scalpel or hatchet. I'm in the scalpel group.

Agreed, they need to make sure they get it all. GM and the head coach Cerberus (plus Lappy) should have insight into exactly where it's festering.

The only way I'm with you on this is if there is a legit known factual problem within the team. Player issues. Then, I'd be okay with cutting out the infection.

It shorted the preseason to nearly nothing. Covid effected the schedule and led to the most grueling month in Flyers history. Those are two direct, irrefutable correlations. You said "anything" so I'm just pointing out two facts against that argument. Now, if you said something like "I don't see covid having much to do with what we are seeing.... " I know, I know, semantics. But sometimes it matters.

Good post. We are on the same page. I wouldn't mind losing one of JVR/Jake to Settle. Get a #2 dman in the off season and reset for next year. Then lets see what tweaks they need to make. My guess is only a few here and there. There are some good players getting ready to come up. That influx of youth should really help.

I don't disagree with you. Any of the 4 for me. Giroux, Jake, Hayes, JVR. But I can't see Fletch selling off the big name splash he made happen. I could see the other 3 happening before Hayes.

She read this over my shoulder. You're screwed.