5 Thoughts Going Into the Offseason

[FD19372]

7 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

Let's flip Jake to the Jets for the #2 pick in the draft....maybe they take it.

Why stop there? Trade him to Toronto for their #1 and draft Austin Matthews. They are the Leafs, after all.

[OccamsRazor]

1 minute ago, FD19372 said:

Why stop there? Trade him to Toronto for their #1 and draft Austin Matthews. They are the Leafs, after all.

 

 

I don't want to trade him within the conference. The Jets will do. It would maybe take something more maybe. Think of it as a salary dump.

[OccamsRazor]

If the guys on this team go into the off season with this kids mind set the Flyers will have a good season and make the playoffs again...

 

“I want to be a top-six forward in the NHL,” Laughton said, referring to playing on a top-two unit. “And I am going to do everything I can this summer to try and do that.”

 

http://www.csnphilly.com/hockey-philadelphia-flyers/scott-laughton-ready-after-injury-scare-i-want-be-top-6-forward

 

This is what separates being good to great....preparation, hard work and conditioning and drive to be the best. And it starts in the off season. It sounds like he means it and truly wants it. This will pay dividends for the Flyers. I only hope more of the guys have his mind set. From Jake on down. This team is close but there is a lot they need to work on.

 

With the injection of more skill and competition they will get there some luck in the health department can't hurt. Provorov will be a Flyer next year just not sure who else will join him earning a spot. TK i expect will get a long look as well. 

[OccamsRazor]

I know i have seen some mention taking a run at Stamkos.

 

I'd be ok with this on one condition i know him and Giroux are real tight.

 

So my condition would be hey have to move Jake and his big contract 1st.

 

Not enough room for 3 monster contracts on this roster.

 

And sure i know that is even if Tampa let's him test the market.

 

I think he'd be an upgrade to the team for sure.

[FD19372]

The Stamkos situation is very interesting. He would definitely cure a lot of the team's scoring woes. He has proven that he is a good captain and a hell of a player and sniper who has improved his defensive game every season he's been in the league. The problem is twofold however, for me. The first thing is he's coming off of missing a year with blood clots. That is something that although not likely, could very perceivably force him to retire early.  Secondly, are they going to be willing to sacrifice the ton of money (not to mention years) on a contract for him? They have to find at least another center and left wing, and maybe another veteran Dman. I think there are cheaper options that are almost as good. Why not Andrew Ladd? He's a cheaper option, a physical player that can create space and can throw some big hits and can give you 30 goals a season. 

[King Knut]

On 4/25/2016 at 8:10 PM, AJgoal said:

The Flyers exceeded my expectations this season. There are still a lot of question marks going forward. Still happy with the season, happy with the steps forward some players took, and the team looked way more like a team than in previous years.

 

1. The Flyers need an infusion of offense. Their defense was respectable this season, though a lot of that had to do with the stellar play of Mason and Neuvirth. The team lacks both size and skill up front. I talked briefly with @ruxpin in the chatbox about Stamkos. He'd be a perfect add for the club, IMO. He'd take pressure off of Giroux, and would be a natural guy to play with Voracek. That said, it's wishful thinking, the length and term required will be too much - even if they had the cap space to do it, I don't want to pay someone 60+ million over 6 years. I stick by my belief that Giroux and Jake need to not play together. I don't know if I stick with Schenn - Giroux - Simmonds, or if I play Schenn on the left with Voracek on the right and Couturier in the middle, and find another LW for Giroux's line. But the top 6 needs something. Other than the 8 million dollar men not disappearing for stretches. Schenn will be re-signed, but for how much? Is Konecny and/or Lindblom the answer? Leier? Laughton?

 

2. Following on that, they need to make a decision on which way to go with Couturier. He has excellent peripheral offensive stats (points/60, corsi/fenwick, etc.), but injuries and his deployment as a defensive forward limited his actual point production (He tied his career high in points in about 3/4 of the time spent on the ice). The Flyers need to decide if he's a defensive specialist or their 2nd line center. I don't think they're doing him any favors from a development standpoint if they are going to start him in the defensive zone all the time (To be fair, Hakstol did increase his OZ starts this year, but he was still under 50%).  They could have a decent to good 2nd line center, or a very good to excellent third line center in Couturier. I think they just need to decide which they prefer (To be clear, I am thinking of third line as the shutdown line, 2nd as an offensive line).

 

3. Mason and Neuvirth were impressive this year. The team doesn't make the show without them. There's going to be a tough decision for the team as the deadline approaches, especially with potential expansion looming. If they're in the dance, do they keep both? Do they deal one even if they are? I think a lot will come down to how much they believe in Stolarz. If the speculation is true and they can only keep one goalie protected, would they deal Mason, protect and re-sign Neuvirth as the insurance policy, and go into 2017 splitting starts? Do you keep Mason and hope he and Stolarz can be a 1A/1B, with the expectation of dealing Mason should Stolarz prove up to the task? What about the other goalies in their system? Lots of unknowns here, but in a good way.

 

4. Do they deal a defenseman this offseason? I think Hextall does if he wants to get one of the youngsters into the lineup. Streit, Del Zotto, Gostisbehere, Schultz, and MacDonald are all signed for next season. Gudas, Manning, and Alt are all RFAs, and they are not waiver-eligible (Well, Gudas might be, but like Gostisbehere, he's not going to the AHL at this point). MacDonald and Schultz played well down the stretch - MacDonald will never earn his contract, but that doesn't mean he was a terrible defenseman for the Flyers, either. Schultz is a perfect #7. MacDonald would be a good choice for #7 as well. I think a lot will depend on what they think of Alt's future. He and/or Manning could probably provide some ammunition for a move on the forward end, or to move up in the draft. MacDonald can be waived down to the minors. Schultz could be moved. But unless and until one of those eight gets traded or flat out let go (Manning/Alt), I don't think you can expect to see Morin/Sanheim/Provorov, etc. on the Flyers blueline to start next season.

 

5. The Flyers draft 18th, barring Nashville advancing. With two 2nds and two thirds this year, and an extra third next year, two goalies coming off outstanding seasons under contract, and some young pieces that just may not be fits, they have ammunition to do some maneuvering in the draft. It will be interesting to see if Hextall stands pat, or tries to move up to target someone specific. I haven't gotten into the draft stuff yet this year, but I would expect them to target forwards.

 

 

My main question is your #1.  All the others just inform different ways to make that happen.  Stamkos is IMHO a bad idea.  The right age and skill set maybe but this inujry isn't going to degrade his earning potential enough that signing him will become anything more than another dead ablatross contract in a few years.  We already have to pay Jake and G 16 million for the next bagingos years.  The scoring has to come from someplace else besides another 8 or 9 million dollar guy.  

 

They need to replace the Reads and Raffls and Umbergers(under way I think).  The guys who do 'so many things right' but just don't have the hands to put the puck in the net.  Koneckny will help.  He'll play soon IMHO.  But some vet presence in this regard will be a big deal.  Who can they sign and and what would they trade for which speaks to most of your other questions.

 

On Couturier, I'd propose that they might need to fill out the lineup a bit before they can decide that. Right now there is not enough offensive talent on the team to create 2 genuine scoring lines no matter who the center is.

 

I'll also posit that they don't have a better offensively minded center to drop into that slot to begin with.  

 

Maybe next year Laughton or Cousins will advance enough to suggest that one can be a shut down possibility or the other could be a genuine scoring threat.  Mean time, Coots isn't going anywhere and I think he can work on his development as a 2 way guy as they fill in the pieces around him.

 

Streit might go at the draft or the deadline.  Some team will leave the final 4 frustrated and think a puck moving D man rental is exactly what they need.

 

Now that they made the playoffs and would expect to do so again, I think the draft is more likely.  Also, a healthy MDZ makes that an easier choice.

 

 

 

 

[King Knut]

On April 25, 2016 at 9:51 PM, OccamsRazor said:

 

 

Yeah i thought i was forgetting someone.

 

An updated version......

 

10 Brayden Schenn - 28 Claude Giroux - XXXXXXXX
93 Jakub Voracek - 14 Sean Couturier  -17 Wayne Simmonds
12 Michael Raffl - 52 Nick Cousins - 21 Laughton
XXXXXXXXXXX - 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare - 25 Ryan White 
 

15 Michael DelZotto - 53 Shayne Gostisbehere
XXXXXXXXXX- 32 Mark Streit
XXXXXXXXX - 3 Radko Gudas

30 Michal Neuvirth
35 Steve Mason

 

The X's mark the spot i would fill. Not every spot is set in stone but it's a start.

 

So i would trade Read, Schultz. Waive Mcdud and Vandevelde to the AHL and let Gagner walk. RJ i would buy out. 

 

 

Waive McDonald if you have the players refill out the lineup in sanheim or Provo.  Otherwise the rest of us need to set his stupid contract aside and acknowledge that he played well enough when needed.

 

point to this mistake or that one, but he wasn't a killer and he proved that he can make other players moveable or that he's a viable safety net if you risk of investing in Provo or Sanheim.   Waive him if you need 100k of cap room again only. 

 

Schultz was a hero but if we can get scoring depth or draft depth move hm.

 

 

[RJ8812]

you need a 13th forward and 7th defenseman. VdV is fine as the 13th and Manning is most likely the 7th

[OccamsRazor]

So just looking at the draft coming now the Flyers pick 18th (own), 48th (own), 52nd (Blackhawks) and 79th (own) and 81st (Kings).

 

That is a nice 1st 5 picks i say WOW!!! 

 

18

Philadelphia

Julien Gauthier

RW

Val-d'Or (QMJHL)

6' 3"

220

48

Philadelphia

Noah Gregor

C

Moose Jaw (WHL)

6' 0"

174

52

Philadelphia

Taylor Raddysh

RW

Erie (OHL)

6' 0.75"

197

78

Philadelphia

Andrew Peeke

D

Green Bay(USHL)

6' 3"

205

81

Philadelphia

Jordan Kyrou

C

Sarnia (OHL)

5' 11"

169

 

The mock picks by last look.

 

http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2016/

 

Thoughts comments whines welcome..........

 

 

...my 2 cents i don't agree with any of it....they have enough depth at RW....they need LW and Centers and guys with size to boot.

[OccamsRazor]

This mock...

 

18

Riley Tufte

Ht/Wt:6' 5"/205 lbs
Position:LW
Team: Fargo 

 

http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Mock-Draft/

 

 

 

image: http://www.draftutopia.com/philadelphiaflyers.gif

 Philadelphia Flyers: Luke Kunin, C, Wisconsin

image: http://www.draftutopia.com/wisconsinbadgers.gif

 
 

http://www.draftutopia.com/2016nhlmockdraftround1.html

 

 

 

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=245278

 

[flyercanuck]

How about Kieffer Bellows Max Jones or Riley Tufte (all LW) instead of Gauthier?

[AJgoal]

Meltzer retweeted this: Per Flyers, Giroux and Gostisbehere will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair their right hips as well as bilateral lower abdominal tears.

[OccamsRazor]

10 hours ago, flyercanuck said:

How about Kieffer Bellows Max Jones or Riley Tufte (all LW) instead of Gauthier?

 

It's what i said at the bottom of my post the Flyers are deep enough at RW they need LW and Centers.

 

I like either really Flyers need some size with speed on the wings could use some depth at center too.

 

 

 

 

 

Jones would be my 1st choice he has the size they need 6-3 201 at 18.

[OccamsRazor]

Jake the 18th pick and Hagg for the #2 pick.............

 

.......then take this guy....

 

 

 

....thoughts?

[OccamsRazor]

I like this mock pick for the Flyers better...

 

1		Toronto	Auston Matthews	RW	Zurich (NLA)	6' 2"	198
2		Winnipeg	Patrik Laine	LW	Tappara Tampere(SM-liiga)	6' 4"	210
3		Columbus	Jesse Puljujärvi	RW	Kärpät (SM-liiga)	6' 2.75"	196
4		Edmonton	Matthew Tkachuk	LW	London (OHL)	5' 11.75"	188
5		Vancouver	Pierre-Luc Dubois	C	Cape Breton(QMJHL)	6' 1"	181
6		Calgary	Alexander Nylander	LW	AIK (Allsvenskan)	5' 10.75"	160
7		Arizona	Mikhail Sergachev	D	Windsor (OHL)	6' 2"	205
8		Buffalo	Jacob Chychrun	D	Sarnia (OHL)	6' 2"	194
9		Montreal	Olli Juolevi	D	London (OHL)	6' 2"	185
10		Colorado	Jake Bean	D	Calgary Hitmen(WHL)	6' 0"	176
11		New Jersey	Dante Fabbro	D	Penticton (BCHL)	6' 0"	172
12		Ottawa	Michael McLeod	C	Mississauga(OHL)	6' 0.75"	183
13		Carolina	Clayton Keller	C	US-Under-18(USAH-NTDP)	5' 9"	173
14		Boston	Tyson Jost	C	Penticton (BCHL)	5' 11.5"	190
15		Minnesota	Logan Brown	C	Windsor (OHL)	6' 5"	215
16		Detroit	Keiffer Bellows	C	Sioux Falls(USHL)	6' 0"	185
17		Nashville	Julien Gauthier	RW	Val-d'Or (QMJHL)	6' 3"	220
18		Philadelphia	Max Jones	LW	London (OHL)	6' 1.5"	180
19		NY Islanders	Adam Mascherin	C	Kitchener (OHL)	5' 9"	192
20		Arizona	Luke Kunin	C	Wisconsin	6' 0"	192
21		Carolina	Brett Howden	LW	Moose Jaw (WHL)	6' 1"	191
22		Winnipeg	Logan Stanley	D	Windsor (OHL)	6' 6.25"	212
23		Florida	Charles McAvoy	D	US-Under-18(USAH-NTDP)	6' 0"	206
24		Anaheim	German Rubtsov	C	Vityaz Podolsk HC (Rus Jr)	6' 1"	174
25		Dallas	Cameron Morrison	LW	Youngstown(USHL)	6' 2"	202
26		Washington	Carl Grundström	LW	Modo Hockey(SHL)	6' 0"	187
27		Tampa Bay	Markus Niemeläinen	D	Saginaw (OHL)	6' 4"	190
28		Boston	Kale Clague	D	Brandon (WHL)	5' 11"	179
29		Toronto	Filip Gustavsson	G	Lulea HF (SHL)	6' 2"	185
30		St. Louis	Riley Tufte	LW	Fargo (USHL)	6' 4.75"	210

 

 

http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2016/

[OccamsRazor]

Anyone out there no much about Ivan Telegin kid has some nice size 96-2 185) and moves.

 

Is he signable??

 

I know he played in the KHL and the Thrashers (Jets) drafted him.

 

 

 

 

 

Just curious slow morning.

[mojo1917]

4 hours ago, OccamsRazor said:

Jake the 18th pick and Hagg for the #2 pick.............

 

.......then take this guy....

 

 

 

....thoughts?

his highlights are great ?

I don't see too many people within 3 feet of him when he's shooting so how's he do when that happens every shift in the NHL ?

I don't see where moving Voracek helps anything if we want to contend in the next 2 to 3 years.  I know contract blah, blah blah, Jake's numbers have steadily improved each season until this last season, when he was injured, and i think is the outlier  not the trend.

For me there is so much open ice when he's playing i am having a hard time seeing how that translates to the NHL.  I didn't see a whole of "compete" highlights.  Maybe i should watch the MVP video.  

 

[flyercanuck]

40 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

Anyone out there no much about Ivan Telegin kid has some nice size 96-2 185) and moves.

 

Is he signable??

 

I know he played in the KHL and the Thrashers (Jets) drafted him.

 

 

 

 

 

Just curious slow morning.

 

Watched him play for the Colts for a year...he was big and fast. A bit of a puck hog, but not brutal in that dept. I think concussion issues were his problem going forward.

[flyercanuck]

18 minutes ago, mojo1917 said:

his highlights are great ?

I don't see too many people within 3 feet of him when he's shooting so how's he do when that happens every shift in the NHL ?

I don't see where moving Voracek helps anything if we want to contend in the next 2 to 3 years.  I know contract blah, blah blah, Jake's numbers have steadily improved each season until this last season, when he was injured, and i think is the outlier  not the trend.

For me there is so much open ice when he's playing i am having a hard time seeing how that translates to the NHL.  I didn't see a whole of "compete" highlights.  Maybe i should watch the MVP video.  

 

 

 

Laine can play in traffic. I think he's the most dynamic player in the draft. Matthews will go 1st because his position is more important, especially for the Leafs. Can't go wrong with either, both should be franchise players.

[mojo1917]

@flyercanuck 

I'm not a huge fan of the silly season speculating, I find the draft to be such a crap shoot. 

I always have a hard time with the thought of giving up productive NHL players for a 17 year old that "projects well". 

@occamsrazor

I do think it will take a package like you suggested if not more  to move up to #2, I just don't know if i'd have the stones to kick the rebuild farther down the road. 

[flyercanuck]

It's just conversation mojo....though I'd do that trade... Laine is a gamebreaker.

 

 I'm not sure if the Jets do it after the season Voracek had. I have confidence he'll rebound, but still hate that contract.

[OccamsRazor]

6 minutes ago, flyercanuck said:

It's just conversation mojo....though I'd do that trade... Laine is a gamebreaker.

 

 I'm not sure if the Jets do it after the season Voracek had. I have confidence he'll rebound, but still hate that contract.

 

 

Yes just conversation. I'd do that trade too. Laine is being thrown around as a generational talent...just saying i think he could play in the NHL immediately.

[JR Ewing]

38 minutes ago, flyercanuck said:

 

 

Laine can play in traffic. I think he's the most dynamic player in the draft. Matthews will go 1st because his position is more important, especially for the Leafs. Can't go wrong with either, both should be franchise players.

 

I have to admit that I'm not as pumped about Matthews as others. He's a terrific prospect, but If he was just a couple of days older, he'd have been in last year's draft. Age is a MASSIVE thing with players of this vintage.

 

[flyercanuck]

Just now, JR Ewing said:

 

I have to admit that I'm not as pumped about Matthews as others. He's a terrific prospect, but If he was just a couple of days older, he'd have been in last year's draft. Age is a MASSIVE thing with players of this vintage.

 

 

I agree. Still he's a very good player. And centre factors in here too. But as I said, Laine is definitely more of a "get you out of your seat" type player.

[JR Ewing]

39 minutes ago, mojo1917 said:

@flyercanuck 

I always have a hard time with the thought of giving up productive NHL players for a 17 year old that "projects well". 

 

 

Agreed. I'm a fan of a team which has spent the last 25 years trading away actual NHL players in favor of "can't miss" prospects and magic beans. It's not a really good thing. Get good players and keep good players.