obviously a big offseason -- prob the most important in the last decade for the flyers.

will be interesting to see what they do with the expansion draft.  Obvious that Hextall is building this team from the back to front -- recent drafts of defense, then goalies, now forwards.  Based on expected developmental time, this makes a ton of sense (LA Kings strategy).  I'm glad that DelZaster is gone.  Nick Schultz is gone.  

Dream scenario is that MacDonald gets selected.  Or Matt Read.  Or Raffl (who sucks).  At the end of the day, I don't think it matters who vegas takes.  This roster is mostly filler - Hextall is building this thing and it's going to take time to repair what holgrem did before Mr Snider passed.  

I believe in what this team is doing.  Not gonna happen overnight, but any fan who knows what's up will recognize that the future is bright

Dr. Delight said:

The  probable addition of Oskar Lindblom and whomever of Nico/Nolan(if they make it out of camp) to the Top 9 of the offense should be a huge boost.
One or both of Haag and Morin will most likely be added to the D, with Sanheim and Myers most likely in the AHL.
It is starting to take shape already.

Morin is a lock unless he bombs in camp.  one of samheim/hagg could also earn a spot
sounds like the prob lose weal via FA, but who really cares?

The Fixer said:

real question is which goalie do you want to see exposed -- mason, neuvirth, stolarz?

Masons contract is done with the Flyers. Doubtful he'll be back. He had some less than stellar words about Hextall during the exit interviews.
I'd like to see Neuvirth taken by LV, as the money on that deal is too much for him. Then Hextall can sign one of these UFA goalies and place Stolarz as the backup. A goalie good enough to be a short term bridge until one of the touted kids, Hart or Sandstrom is ready which wont be for another 2-3 years at best.

Very curious to see who Hextall picks up as starting goalie, more so if Neuvirth  were to be somehow picked by Vegas.

Dr. Delight said:

I do not like the Schenn trade at all. Zero toughness/physicality left on this team besides Simmonds now.
Team struggled to score and just dealt away one of its best PP players. 

i don't get it either. most of his goals were on the PP but I think he has gotten a bit better each year. I know they needed to free up the center position a bit but i would have rather traded Giroux.  By the time this team is a top team Giroux will be pretty much done.

I just dont understand what Hextall is doing. He keeps claiming that its not a rebuild but his actions, esp of late show otherwise.
Thats fine, if youre gonna do a full rebuild then do it, but dont keep the Captain and Voracek around then. He shouldnt have signed V to that huge contract.
By the time this young core grows together in a couple of years those two will be older, and who knows what Giroux will even play like then. His play is already in decline.
Hextall should look to deal at least one or both and get back younger NHL ready players. It will be a challenge with their cap hits though.
Simmonds is another story. I'd keep him around as long as possible. He is gonna get a huge payday when his time comes so he too will prob be a trade canidate. I love Simmonds but the return for him would be very high. A situation where its prob best to trade him while his value is highest. The type of player he is, his next contract likely will be overpayment and too long in years. 

Dr. Delight said:

I just dont understand what Hextall is doing. He keeps claiming that its not a rebuild but his actions, esp of late show otherwise.
Thats fine, if youre gonna do a full rebuild then do it, but dont keep the Captain and Voracek around then. He shouldnt have signed V to that huge contract.
By the time this young core grows together in a couple of years those two will be older, and who knows what Giroux will even play like then. His play is already in decline.
Hextall should look to deal at least one or both and get back younger NHL ready players. It will be a challenge with their cap hits though.
Simmonds is another story. I'd keep him around as long as possible. He is gonna get a huge payday when his time comes so he too will prob be a trade canidate. I love Simmonds but the return for him would be very high. A situation where its prob best to trade him while his value is highest. The type of player he is, his next contract likely will be overpayment and too long in years. 

i wouldn't consider them in full rebuild mode. they are building to be a contender when the young defensemen fully mature. 2 are already here and going to be very good and at least 2 more are on the way.  they could be a playoff team next year but are building to be a legitimate title contender by 2020.  Ideally you could get young players for Giroux but his salary and production decline is going to limit those possibilities.  

Dr. Delight said:

Flyers again will be lucky to grab a 7 or 8 playoff seed this year.

Apparently Elliot is the guy Hextall plans on signing..to a 3 year deal. Awful. 
I dont have any big expectations for this season but a platoon of Elliot/Nuevirth is really scary.  Let one of Stolarz or Lyon play. At some point you have to see what you have at the NHL level rather than signing these bottom barrel goalies to 3 year deals. 

Per Dreger, Weal has signed a 2 year deal. 
$1.75M per year according to LeBrun.
He, Lindblom and Patrick will be counted on to replace the scoring lost from Schenn.
Needless to say there is an absolute logjam of forwards, and most are of the bottom 6 variety.

revolving door or mediocre goalies is the Flyers MO.  Wouldn't be this franchise without it.  Whats the point of having both Elliott and Neuvirth? Why not give Stolarz the backup job? they don't seem to like Stolarz much.  Hopefully one of the young goalies is ready sooner than later.

pjhawks said:

Dr. Delight said:

Flyers again will be lucky to grab a 7 or 8 playoff seed this year.

Apparently Elliot is the guy Hextall plans on signing..to a 3 year deal. Awful. 
I dont have any big expectations for this season but a platoon of Elliot/Nuevirth is really scary.  Let one of Stolarz or Lyon play. At some point you have to see what you have at the NHL level rather than signing these bottom barrel goalies to 3 year deals. 

Per Dreger, Weal has signed a 2 year deal. 
$1.75M per year according to LeBrun.
He, Lindblom and Patrick will be counted on to replace the scoring lost from Schenn.
Needless to say there is an absolute logjam of forwards, and most are of the bottom 6 variety.

revolving door or mediocre goalies is the Flyers MO.  Wouldn't be this franchise without it.  Whats the point of having both Elliott and Neuvirth? Why not give Stolarz the backup job? they don't seem to like Stolarz much.  Hopefully one of the young goalies is ready sooner than later.

It really is scary and also makes me further believe Hextall isnt concerned with the playoffs. Flyers better hope one of Sandstrom or Hart hit big.

So Mason complains about not being a starter.....rips Hextall on his way out and now signs with Winnipeg....to be part of a probable platoon situation. Hilarious

Gonna be another long year. I dont see them being better than 7th in their own division.
Season hasnt started and I'm already annoyed at the head coach. Appears he is sitting both Morin and Sanheim tonight for AMac and Manning.
Throw in a completely mediocre goaltending tandem and this will be a similar season to last year.