Carchidi Wants Blowup

[icehole]

2 hours ago, murraycraven said:

For 3 years we have seen the "In Hexy We Trust" moniker all over this board and all over any Flyers fan page.   The simple fact is that fans were on board b/c (1) he had a different approach to building a team and (2) he was simply not Homer.   There are a few on this board that have never bought into that BS since Hextall took over and chose to let Hextall's coronation wait until another day - you know, when things actually started taking shape.

 

I love the process of what Hextall is doing.  Build through the draft and add pieces when necessary.   I do believe Hextall has added through the draft but we really do not know if we have any "franchise" pieces yet.  Prov looks like the real deal but it will be a few years until we know if he can truly be an elite defender.   TK is a nice player and if he ends up being a top 6 forward I would consider that a success - he is not a star player in the NHL but he will be a nice player.   As it stands right now all the others are prospects - unproven but should provide some cause for excitement.   

 

Looking at what Hextall has done as GM when it comes to signing players really gives me a long pause and the reason for my disbelief in Hextall.   Understand and recognizing talent is one thing - knowing how to build a Team is another.   We all talk about the "Plan" like it is some type of sacrament but we should be questioning the plan.    We are in year 3 of the original 5 year plan and nowhere closer to the goal.   Trying to win and trying to remain competitive is like trying to fill a bucket with water - only the bucket has holes all over it.   As Hextall tries to remain competitive other Teams are gaining ground and have "franchise" players to build around.   The East is not getting easier and we have simply not gotten much better - if at all.

 

Banking on G and Vorachek to be the star players of this Team is truly a major wrench in the plan.   Last I checked G was 252nd in the league (!!!!) in 5 vs 5 scoring.   He has become a PP specialist that appears to have lost a step.  He is not the type of player that is going to carry this Team.   Jake was signed to a bloated/ridiculous contract after his breakout year.   Hextall created the market and paid him like a top player in this league - the thing is Jake is not a top star talent in this league.  He is a very nice player but nowhere near what his contract tells us he should be.  To top it off he didn't even need to sign Jake when he did.    

 

Hextall was part of the McDud signing, overpaying GROSSLY for Weise and bringing in Gordon.   Gordon I can throw away as a low risk deal but there has been a trend with Hextall's signings - overvaluing players and giving them contracts that are questionable at best.   He also signed Couts to a deal that was based on potential and now realizing that Couts (i hope he realizes) is not a 2C in this league and is better served as a defensive 3C.

 

Hextall went against the grain and hired a college Coach instead of getting a Coach that has NHL experience.  It remains to be seen how this is going to pan out but right now there are valid concerns.   

 

This isn't about doom and gloom but the questionable signs have always been there with Hextall.  I am not saying this is not going to work out but there are serious questions on how he is going to mold this Team going forward.   Having two players paid at 8+M a year that are not stars and not producing makes things very tough.   

 

We are talking about year 3 of a 5 year plan so when do we stop blaming Homer and start really questioning Hextall?   We are still talking 3-5 years away from contending in my estimation.    I hope he knows what he is doing b/c from where I sit I see more questions/concerns than answers.

Bingo.  You said it a little more eloquently than I did but we see it the same way.  3 years is plenty of time to make a positive impact, but he has this team looking pretty bad.  It would be different if the team consisted of a bunch of exciting kids that are making young mistakes, but it isn't.  They haven't even got to that point yet because bad players are still blocking players from being on this team.

 

I think any contract that he can drop in the off-season he should.  Then, I don't even want to hear about who's going to make the team or not in September.  Any player in their system that is part of the "plan", makes the team.  If hextall drafted so well, I want to his draft picks on the team.  I don't want any more excuses of why these players can't be on the team.

[hf101]

2 minutes ago, icehole said:

If hextall drafted so well, I want to his draft picks on the team.  I don't want any more excuses of why these players can't be on the team.

 

 

But, Hextall has said he isn't rushing his picks to the NHL.  For the most part once they finish juniors they need time in the NHL.  The current Flyers are not going to be replaced with a team of 19-21 year olds.

[ruxpin]

15 hours ago, hf101 said:

they have Mason and Neuvirth to expose.  -- Both aren't being traded.

 

No, but one of them would also have to be signed by then.  

[ruxpin]

8 hours ago, vis said:

Flyers need a goalie to expose in the expansion draft.  As UFAs, neither Mason nor Neuvirth satisfy the requirements.   They will have to sign or trade for someone.  

 

This is correct.  As currently unsigned, neither Mason nor Neuvirth qualifies for this.

[ruxpin]

4 hours ago, hf101 said:

So I'll assume that leaves some time to sign Mason or Neuvirth then expose them before the deadline of the protected lists, 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time on Saturday, June 17, 2017.

 

So you're signing one just to expose them to the draft?  I don't see where this is an intelligent business decision.  So, you sign Mason (random) to expose him and he's NOT exposed.  Now you're stuck with him even if for just one year.   And he knows damn well you signed him just to get rid of him.

 

And why would either he or Neuvirth want to sign for just one year at this point in their careers?  So now you've signed one of them to multiple year terms just to expose them..and are stuck with them when they're not taken.

 

If the Flyers sign one, it's not to expose them.   I don't think this is plausible.

[hf101]

8 minutes ago, ruxpin said:

 

No, but one of them would also have to be signed by then.  

 

 

 

 

Right, but I think there is a window of time allowing them as Free Agents to talk to Vegas prior to the Expansion Draft deadline for having to expose Stolarz.  If one of the two signs in Vegas - Flyers are done, that counts as their player in the expansion draft.    If they chose not to sign with Vegas or if Vegas isn't interested in them, then one could sign with Philly, pretty much knowing that Vegas doesn't want them.  --- So then the Flyers expose them.  

 

Signing goes both ways too.  I would think Vegas will have more cap money to sign one of them than what the Flyers have.

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

When all is said and done, when it comes to goaltending, Neuvirth and Mason are gone. Whether it be expansion draft, free agency or trade deadline, they're gone. In terms of everyone else on the club, nobody other than Provorov, Konecny, and Simmonds should consider themselves safe.

[icehole]

28 minutes ago, hf101 said:

 

But, Hextall has said he isn't rushing his picks to the NHL.  For the most part once they finish juniors they need time in the NHL.  The current Flyers are not going to be replaced with a team of 19-21 year olds.

If he does that, he's a coward.  If he drafts players and stashes them away, nobody can judge his drafts too harshly because there's no real frame of reference.  

 

Why can't we play with a team of 19-21 year olds.  Are we scared?  Is there a chance they could miss the playoffs?  Is there a chance they go on an offensive drought and be really hard to watch?  We wouldn't want that to happen...that would be so much worse than watching this good group they ice every night.

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

1 minute ago, icehole said:

If he does that, he's a coward.  If he drafts players and stashes them away, nobody can judge his drafts too harshly because there's no real frame of reference.  

 

Why can't we play with a team of 19-21 year olds.  Are we scared?  Is there a chance they could miss the playoffs?  Is there a chance they go on an offensive drought and be really hard to watch?  We wouldn't want that to happen...that would be so much worse than watching this good group they ice every night.

Some guys simply aren't ready physically to compete in the NHL. To throw them to the wolves is doing a disservice to those kids and can end careers prematurely. Morin was a guy who needed time in the AHL because he still hasn't fully grown into his body. As a result, his high center of gravity was causing issues with his footwork. If he would have been playing in the NHL, his footwork and high center of gravity gets badly exposed and people would yell "BUST". Sanheim had defensive issues that needed to be addressed. Better to address them at the AHL than having him get picked apart in the NHL. Aube-Kuble also had defensive issues that need to be addressed.

 

When you're drafting, each pick develops differently. And honestly, what's wrong with having your picks spend time in the AHL? It didn't hurt any of the Detroit Red Wings draft picks. The Nashville Predators have a defense in which every one of those guys spent time in the AHL. The Washington Capitals defense have all spent time in the AHL, same with numerous forwards on the club. Sometimes, picks NEED to go to the AHL. To dress a team full of 19, 20 and 21 year olds simply isn't a feasible option. Look at how well that's worked for Edmonton prior to this year. Hextall has shown he's willing to put 19 year olds in the lineup if they earn it. Provorov and Konecny are examples of that.

 

19, 20 and 21 year olds need to earn their place on the club. You just don't hand it to them because of draft status and position.

[hf101]

3 minutes ago, icehole said:

If he does that, he's a coward.  If he drafts players and stashes them away, nobody can judge his drafts too harshly because there's no real frame of reference.  

 

Why can't we play with a team of 19-21 year olds.  Are we scared?  Is there a chance they could miss the playoffs?  Is there a chance they go on an offensive drought and be really hard to watch?  We wouldn't want that to happen...that would be so much worse than watching this good group they ice every night.

 

 

This isn't Yahoo Fantasy hockey here. The Flyers have such things as the 50 player contract limit.  23 players on the roster limit.  A Cap minimum to meet.  All 19-20 year olds are under ELC's and 23 of them on the roster wouldn't even come close to making the cap floor.  Let alone acknowledge that these players are committed to junior and European teams.

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

4 hours ago, murraycraven said:

For 3 years we have seen the "In Hexy We Trust" moniker all over this board and all over any Flyers fan page.   The simple fact is that fans were on board b/c (1) he had a different approach to building a team and (2) he was simply not Homer.   There are a few on this board that have never bought into that BS since Hextall took over and chose to let Hextall's coronation wait until another day - you know, when things actually started taking shape.

 

I love the process of what Hextall is doing.  Build through the draft and add pieces when necessary.   I do believe Hextall has added through the draft but we really do not know if we have any "franchise" pieces yet.  Prov looks like the real deal but it will be a few years until we know if he can truly be an elite defender.   TK is a nice player and if he ends up being a top 6 forward I would consider that a success - he is not a star player in the NHL but he will be a nice player.   As it stands right now all the others are prospects - unproven but should provide some cause for excitement.   

 

 

Hextall was part of the McDud signing, overpaying GROSSLY for Weise and bringing in Gordon.   Gordon I can throw away as a low risk deal but there has been a trend with Hextall's signings - overvaluing players and giving them contracts that are questionable at best.   He also signed Couts to a deal that was based on potential and now realizing that Couts (i hope he realizes) is not a 2C in this league and is better served as a defensive 3C.

 

A couple of things.

 

I have no problems with Hextall as GM. I get he's a 'former' Flyer, but he spent his chops learning from Dean Lombardi in Los Angeles. No better GM in the game to learn from and Lombardi has often said that Hextall is the guy who deserves credit for changing the culture in Los Angeles and he was also the guy who developed the player development system. Lombardi said on numerous occasions that Hextall was vitally important. So, it's not as if he was a Flyer who inherited the job. Hextall put his time in under a different organization. I don't think he's the typical 'Flyer' that buys into the traditional Flyer MO of guys who held the job before him.

 

In terms of his drafting, Ron has been bang on with he draft. Sanheim, Provorov and Konecny are home runs. Lindblom is looking to be a grand slam. Vorobyov is looking to be a great selection and the 2016 picks are looking to be an outstanding group of prospects. When Hextall took over, there was nothing in the system. Holmgren completely depleted the system. Hextall had the unenviable task of rebuilding it from scratch and the mandate of keeping the team competitive. Any other franchise would have given him the OK to blow it up. Hextall wasn't. He had to keep the club competitive while rebuilding. If he would have been given the Toronto Maple Leafs mandate, they'd be further ahead than where they are.

 

However, it's not all gloom and doom. The young players are developing in Lehigh Valley. Up to three defensemen are going to be on the big club next year. Leier should be a full timer next year and Provorov and Konecny will have another year under their belts. VdV and Bellemare will walk. Weise should be a candidate for a bounce back (honestly, nobody thought he was going to be this bad when the signing was made). As well, I expect a bounce back year from Giroux. It's clear he's hurt. Look at him out there and how hard he's labouring and look at him wince when he's skating. He's not healthy and rather than shut it down, he's got that C on his sweater and it's like he believes that he has to play through whatever is ailing him and it's doing more harm than good.

 

Now, MacDonald. That wasn't a Hextall signing and it's clear from numerous interviews, Hextall was never a fan of the trade or the signing. That was 100% Holmgren. There have been times that Holmgren ignored his scouts and made moves for the sake of saving his job. The easiest thing for Hextall would be to buy out MacDonald, but Hextall also has a salary cap mess that he needed to fix as well. Adding a MacDonald buy out to the cap misery was something he simply didn't have the luxury of doing. This upcoming off season is the perfect time to eat some salary on MacDonald and move him, which I think he will. Hextall can eat up to 50% of MacDonald's salary and with up to 23 million coming off the books, eating 2.75 million for the next three years to gain an additional $2.75 million in cap space is the best way to go.

 

I know Hextall has said he's not going free agent buying, so I expect he's going to do an Arizona thing and he's going to acquire some contracts from cash strapped clubs and get some additional pieces added. I've mentioned this in other posts, but what we're witnessing this year should have taken place last year. I expect that this year is the worst that we're going to see and that going forward, it's nothing but a steady climb for this club.

 

 

 

[Howie58]

Some Thoughts:

 

1)  We might have a strategic signing of Neuvy.  Keeping him here for another year at low cost might be OK.  And Vegas might want him as a backup for low cost.  Strange thinking...but I don't think he will fetch much anywhere. 

 

2)  I am willing to give Hexy another two years to show progress.  After that,I say patience may not be a virtue.

 

3)  19-21 old youngins who are ready to play...cool.  If not...no.

 

4)  If Montreal GM Bergervin offered us something decent for G...and G wanted to go...I would say fine.  The average retirement age in the league is 28.  Giroux is 29 with a decade of wear.  Injured or not, his drop-off the last few years is pretty steep. 

 

As long-time fans, there is real hurt and disgust with this squad.  The term "unwatchable" has come up several times and others play with the remote and DVR.  Whatever's going on leaves a bad taste.  And the number of ads for seasons tickets on broadcasts tells me the product might not be selling the way it used to.  

 

 

[OccamsRazor]

27 minutes ago, Howie58 said:

Some Thoughts:

 

1)  We might have a strategic signing of Neuvy.  Keeping him here for another year at low cost might be OK.  And Vegas might want him as a backup for low cost.  Strange thinking...but I don't think he will fetch much anywhere. 

 

2)  I am willing to give Hexy another two years to show progress.  After that,I say patience may not be a virtue.

 

3)  19-21 old youngins who are ready to play...cool.  If not...no.

 

4)  If Montreal GM Bergervin offered us something decent for G...and G wanted to go...I would say fine.  The average retirement age in the league is 28.  Giroux is 29 with a decade of wear.  Injured or not, his drop-off the last few years is pretty steep. 

 

As long-time fans, there is real hurt and disgust with this squad.  The term "unwatchable" has come up several times and others play with the remote and DVR.  Whatever's going on leaves a bad taste.  And the number of ads for seasons tickets on broadcasts tells me the product might not be selling the way it used to.  

 

 

 

 

Yes Neuvy is a good bargain signing.

[hf101]

On 2/18/2017 at 5:46 AM, vis said:

Flyers need a goalie to expose in the expansion draft.  As UFAs, neither Mason nor Neuvirth satisfy the requirements.   They will have to sign or trade for someone.  

 

 

The Flyers also need to protect 1 goalie.

 

So here is my question as it seems there are two rules in play here and I'm not sure which one has precedence?  The Flyers are allowed to protect one goalie.  The Flyers also have to expose one goalie.  Stolarz is the only goalie in the Flyers system available for protection, I would think this is the first rule in play here for the expansion draft as teams should be able to protect 1 goaltender.

 

Why should the Flyers or any other team be forced to sign or trade someone to meet this requirement?  

[vis]

@hf101

 

Not sure I understand the question.  It's mandatory that they expose at least one and, after satisfying that requirement, they have the option to protect another one.  The two are mutually exclusive.  Cannot be the same player.  Have to meet the requirement before thinking about protecting.   

 

I don't know what the penalties are for not exposing the requisite players, but I'm sure they aren't pleasant.  

 

 

[hf101]

43 minutes ago, vis said:

@hf101

 

Not sure I understand the question.  It's mandatory that they expose at least one and, after satisfying that requirement, they have the option to protect another one.  The two are mutually exclusive.  Cannot be the same player.  Have to meet the requirement before thinking about protecting.   

 

I don't know what the penalties are for not exposing the requisite players, but I'm sure they aren't pleasant.  

 

 

 

 

According to the NHL rules it does state the protection allotments first before it states the requirements.  just sayin...

 

 The Flyers seem to be the only team with this predicament.

 

 

 

[vis]

@hf101

 

Gotcha.  I was just reading that exposing players is required whereas protecting is optional (up to certain limits).   

[flyercanuck]

22 hours ago, icehole said:

Bingo.  You said it a little more eloquently than I did but we see it the same way.  3 years is plenty of time to make a positive impact, but he has this team looking pretty bad.  It would be different if the team consisted of a bunch of exciting kids that are making young mistakes, but it isn't.  They haven't even got to that point yet because bad players are still blocking players from being on this team.

 

I think any contract that he can drop in the off-season he should.  Then, I don't even want to hear about who's going to make the team or not in September.  Any player in their system that is part of the "plan", makes the team.  If hextall drafted so well, I want to his draft picks on the team.  I don't want any more excuses of why these players can't be on the team.

 

 

 

 Ya, where's Hextalls draft picks (well other than Provorov who just so happens to be the Flyers best defenceman...by far, at 19, and Konecny who's one of the few guys who plays with heart) ...why aren't they leading the NHL in points? 

 

 You said it...bad players are blocking the way....like McDud, and Streit on the blueline...you know, those veteran types you cherish so much.

 

 Any player in their system makes the team? Ya, the rush the prospect technique has always worked so well. I'm sure Hextall cares more about YOU not wanting anymore excuses than he does about the players development. 

 

It would be easier to get quality prospects by going the Pens/Leafs/Sabres route and tanking on purpose. of course then guys like you would be calling for Hextalls head because the team would be even worse right now. 

 

 Let me ask you something....who do you prefer on our blueline...Provorov or McDud and Streit? Would you prefer a guy like Konecny or the last pitiful years of Vinnie? 

 

 

[icehole]

41 minutes ago, flyercanuck said:

 

 

 

 Ya, where's Hextalls draft picks (well other than Provorov who just so happens to be the Flyers best defenceman...by far, at 19, and Konecny who's one of the few guys who plays with heart) ...why aren't they leading the NHL in points? 

 

 You said it...bad players are blocking the way....like McDud, and Streit on the blueline...you know, those veteran types you cherish so much.

 

 Any player in their system makes the team? Ya, the rush the prospect technique has always worked so well. I'm sure Hextall cares more about YOU not wanting anymore excuses than he does about the players development. 

 

It would be easier to get quality prospects by going the Pens/Leafs/Sabres route and tanking on purpose. of course then guys like you would be calling for Hextalls head because the team would be even worse right now. 

 

 Let me ask you something....who do you prefer on our blueline...Provorov or McDud and Streit? Would you prefer a guy like Konecny or the last pitiful years of Vinnie? 

 

 

What are provorov and konekny doing on the team anyway?  Didn't hextall get the memo that they HAVE to spend 4 years in the superior development league?  I look at it like this.  Provorov is their best defenseman.  TK is probably a third line center at this point.  So I assume he made the team because he is the best talent.  So the best talent they could get on the team is third line talent at 19 years old?  What does that say about the guys that can't make the team?  The 20, 21, and 22 year olds are worse than a third line 19 year old is what I get out of that.

 

So if hextall wants to hold those guys back for "development", that's fine.  I'll just assume they aren't good enough to make the team over the vandeveldes, bellemares, cousins, reads, and weises of the team.

 

It would be easier to go the pens route.  Actually, it might be the only way.  Hextall's path right now will probably end with a slightly better than average team...maybe top 10 NHL team.  They won't be a true contender without a few top picks.  The flyers were a top ten team going the Homer route.

 

I don't understand your last question.  We get the pleasure of streit and macdonald in addition to provorov.  I don't have to choose.  I'd rather see Morin and two other highly rated prospects on the blue line.  Did the flyers trade Vinny for TK?  I like TK but I don't know if he'll ever be a star due to his size.

 

The bottom line is this team is in shambles under hextall's control.  He might turn it around, but that's an assumption.  Nobody can tell me they are right and I'm wrong.  The flyers positive future is in question.  The flyers horrible present is a reality.

[flyercanuck]

44 minutes ago, icehole said:

What are provorov and konekny doing on the team anyway?  Didn't hextall get the memo that they HAVE to spend 4 years in the superior development league?  I look at it like this.  Provorov is their best defenseman.  TK is probably a third line center at this point.  So I assume he made the team because he is the best talent.  So the best talent they could get on the team is third line talent at 19 years old?  What does that say about the guys that can't make the team?  The 20, 21, and 22 year olds are worse than a third line 19 year old is what I get out of that.

 

So if hextall wants to hold those guys back for "development", that's fine.  I'll just assume they aren't good enough to make the team over the vandeveldes, bellemares, cousins, reads, and weises of the team.

 

Provorov and Konecny made the team because they were ready. It's not an age thing, it's when you are NHL ready. Some players are ready at 18. Some at 20. Some at 25. Tim Thomas (you know, Conn Smythe Tim Thomas) was around 30 when he finally made the NHL. You would have considered him a bust well over a decade before that. 

 

Do you seriously think Travis Konecny is done developing, and will only be a 3rd liner? Do you really think this is as good as Provorov is ever going to get ? 

 

44 minutes ago, icehole said:

 

It would be easier to go the pens route.  Actually, it might be the only way.  Hextall's path right now will probably end with a slightly better than average team...maybe top 10 NHL team.  They won't be a true contender without a few top picks.  The flyers were a top ten team going the Homer route.

 

 If you really think Holmgrens way was so good, why on earth did Hextall have to spend his first 3 years just trying to get rid of his horrible contracts and trying to rebuild a farm system that Homer had left in shambles?

 

 I'm pretty sure if Hextall wanted to trade away Provorov and Konecny and Rubtsov and Lindblom and Laberge and Sanheim and Morin and Myers and our next 5 years worth of draft picks he could have a better team right now that could go a round or two in the playoffs...maybe even lose in the finals if all the planets aligned that year.

 

 Of course he doesn't have the luxury of penalty-free buyouts to get out from under those Bryz-zaster type contracts though. We're STILL trying to get out from Mcduds. 

 

44 minutes ago, icehole said:

 

I don't understand your last question.  We get the pleasure of streit and macdonald in addition to provorov.  I don't have to choose.  I'd rather see Morin and two other highly rated prospects on the blue line.  Did the flyers trade Vinny for TK?  I like TK but I don't know if he'll ever be a star due to his size.

 

 Provorov is what hextall is trying to do in philly....have young players coming up on cheap contracts who can make a difference on a team...instead of buying washed up free agents (the Homer route) If you'd have a bit of patience maybe you'd see the results of drafting and developing, as opposed to throwing money and picks out the window and hoping something sticks. Just because Hextall doesn't bring all his draft picks into the NHL, and watch them be demoralized and lose all confidence, doesn't mean they'll never make it.

 

 

44 minutes ago, icehole said:

 

The bottom line is this team is in shambles under hextall's control.  He might turn it around, but that's an assumption.  Nobody can tell me they are right and I'm wrong.  The flyers positive future is in question.  The flyers horrible present is a reality.

 

 The team is in shambles...just like when Homer was running it. The difference is Hextall has an excellent group of prospects in the pipeline, and even his "bad' signings are nowhere near as horrible as some of Holmgrens were. 

[murraycraven]

14 minutes ago, flyercanuck said:

 

Provorov and Konecny made the team because they were ready. It's not an age thing, it's when you are NHL ready. Some players are ready at 18. Some at 20. Some at 25. Tim Thomas (you know, Conn Smythe Tim Thomas) was around 30 when he finally made the NHL. You would have considered him a bust well over a decade before that. 

 

Do you seriously think Travis Konecny is done developing, and will only be a 3rd liner? Do you really think this is as good as Provorov is ever going to get ? 

 

 

 If you really think Holmgrens way was so good, why on earth did Hextall have to spend his first 3 years just trying to get rid of his horrible contracts and trying to rebuild a farm system that Homer had left in shambles?

 

 I'm pretty sure if Hextall wanted to trade away Provorov and Konecny and Rubtsov and Lindblom and Laberge and Sanheim and Morin and Myers and our next 5 years worth of draft picks he could have a better team right now that could go a round or two in the playoffs...maybe even lose in the finals if all the planets aligned that year.

 

 Of course he doesn't have the luxury of penalty-free buyouts to get out from under those Bryz-zaster type contracts though. We're STILL trying to get out from Mcduds. 

 

 

 Provorov is what hextall is trying to do in philly....have young players coming up on cheap contracts who can make a difference on a team...instead of buying washed up free agents (the Homer route) If you'd have a bit of patience maybe you'd see the results of drafting and developing, as opposed to throwing money and picks out the window and hoping something sticks. Just because Hextall doesn't bring all his draft picks into the NHL, and watch them be demoralized and lose all confidence, doesn't mean they'll never make it.

 

 

 

 The team is in shambles...just like when Homer was running it. The difference is Hextall has an excellent group of prospects in the pipeline, and even his "bad' signings are nowhere near as horrible as some of Holmgrens were. 

 

 

Great post FC and I agree for the most part.   TK and Prove deserve to be in the NHL and are still developing.   We are nowhere near the finished product with either player.   The issue I have is that we are at the finished product with Jake and G....     Both players that are being paid like stars and simply not backing it up with their play.

 

That is a ton of money invested in two roster spots and they need to perform it this plan is literally nothing more than a pipedream.

 

I think Hexy has done some good things but I also think it is okay to question some of his decisions.   

 

Patience is one thing but investing a lot of money in the wrong players is another....   It is all about where this ends up.   And for all the D prospects we still don't have a bona fide top tier forward in the system.   

[mojo1917]

@icehole

 

Something to consider about the development of prospects is that it isn't a linear process.  There might be guys who are physically ready to play in the NHL but are immature, we are dealing with 19-22 year old human males here.  I wasn't done pupating at 22, I had talent for my occupation but I had to learn some life stuff, before I could apply it fully. I imagine the same thing happens with hockey players.  Where our team has picked we weren't getting the "generational talents" who are no brainers to make their ****** teams.  Our team while not awesome isn't ****** either, it's not up to our standards.   Bringing guys into the league who aren't ready is a disservice to all involved. It hasn't worked out so well for Tyler Myers and Luca Sbisa, both those guys have not reached their "ceilings" in part because they were rushed. I'd rather Sanheim learn his positioning in LV than in the NHL. 

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

47 minutes ago, murraycraven said:

 

 

Great post FC and I agree for the most part.   TK and Prove deserve to be in the NHL and are still developing.   We are nowhere near the finished product with either player.   The issue I have is that we are at the finished product with Jake and G....     Both players that are being paid like stars and simply not backing it up with their play.

 

That is a ton of money invested in two roster spots and they need to perform it this plan is literally nothing more than a pipedream.

 

I think Hexy has done some good things but I also think it is okay to question some of his decisions.   

 

Patience is one thing but investing a lot of money in the wrong players is another....   It is all about where this ends up.   And for all the D prospects we still don't have a bona fide top tier forward in the system.   

 

The only big money investment Hextall made was Voracek and I'll agree with you 100% on that. It was a signing Hextall didn't need to make at the time and if he waited, he could have had him for cheaper or he could have moved him for a far superior package. Giroux wasn't his signing, so his hands are tied there.

 

In terms of a top tier forward, I really think Rubtsov is that guy, along with Konecny. Lindblom is certainly looking like a top tier forward and Allison has been the best freshman power forward in the NCAA this year. I think people are looking for 'sexy' with regards to a top tier and Hextall is looking for a complete package. I look at Rubtsov and I see Anze Kopitar. I look at Konecny and I see a young Mark Recchi. I look at Lindblom and I see a Gabriel Landeskog type of forward. I look at Mikhail Vorobyov and I see a potentially elite checking centerman with Selke upside.

 

Hextall is building a quietly spectacular forward group to match the defense. Next season, we'll see Lindblom make the jump to North America and play in a top six role (he could be that elusive left winger that Giroux needs). Vorobyov is going to be in Lehigh Valley along with two other prized prospects - Phillipe Myers and Mark Friedman (there's word that he's going to sign an ATO after his season at Bowling Green and then sign the standard 3 year entry level deal with the Flyers). We're probably going to see a goaltender from Europe join the ranks (Sandstrom might be on his way over as well).

 

It's going to be an act of patience with regards to the prospects. We're slowly seeing Hextall's plan unfold. Last season, it was Gostisbehere who joined the ranks. This season, it was Provorov and Konecny. Next season, I expect that Morin, Sanheim and Hagg all make the jump on the defense and Leier and Laughton should make the jump to the forward ranks. The season after that, we'll see more veterans on the way out and more youth on the way. Aube-Kubel should be ready by then and so should Rubtsov and Allison. This is a great time for the Flyers and prospects. The biggest issue is trying to weed out the veterans who don't belong, but have long term deals that nobody wants to touch.

[Jam1986]

On 2/18/2017 at 9:41 AM, hf101 said:

 

The 48 hour window has been said it will be prior to teams summiting who they protect.  So I'll assume that leaves some time to sign Mason or Neuvirth then expose them before the deadline of the protected lists, 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time on Saturday, June 17, 2017.

 

On 2/17/2017 at 10:25 PM, Howie58 said:

Sam Carchidi of the Inquirer just posted this.  He may have been reading us.

 

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20170219_Time_to_break_up_the_flawed_Flyers.html

 

The comments on Giroux are strong.  His drop-off can't be ignored.  It's hard to disagree with what's said. 

 

 

First off into trading most if team but G and Ghost never got better from their surgeries. Should have not played in World Cup. No kids up let them play in A get to playoffs and learn there , No Rushing!

[flyerrod]

On 2/18/2017 at 2:27 PM, ruxpin said:

And why would either he or Neuvirth want to sign for just one year at this point in their careers?

Because it is only 1 year they would be imprisoned in Vegas even if they are exposed for the draft.