2016-17 Philadelphia Flyers
Posted 2:39 PM ET | Comments 7
The Philadelphia Flyers are in the midst of a rebuild. This season we have seen the Flyers have their ups and downs but have still managed to keep themselves as a Playoff bubble team. Despite the fact that they could make the playoffs, the Flyers will not be buyers at the Trade Deadline, they will stand pat or Sell. So what are the Flyers best options for next season?
Going into Next Season the Flyers have the following players signed:
Forward
Giroux - C
Voracek - LW/RW
Simmonds - RW
Umberger - LW/C/RW
Read - LW/RW
Couturier - C
Laughton - C
Vandevelde - LW/RW
Defence
Streit
Gostisbehere
Shultz
Del Zotto
Goalies
Mason
Neuvirth
Notable RFA/UFA
Raffl
Weal
White
Schenn
Gudas
Medvedev
Straka
Cousins
Alt
I fully expect Schenn, Weal, Gudas, Straka, Cousins and Alt to be resigned. Looking at the trade deadline. I think a guy like Medvedev or Shultz will be shipped out. If Shultz is traded I can see Medvedev being resigned as well.
We now hit the draft so what should the Flyers do? They could draft and stay put or look to trade some players. In Hextall's shoes I would shop around Umberger, Streit and Laughton.
Now into the FA pool. Looking at the roster assuming what I have said to be true. What do the Flyers need? The need a 2nd line LW, 4th line RW, #1 Dman if Streit was dealt, top 4 dman and they might look for a 2nd line Center if they do not believe Couturier has what it takes.
So what are the Flyers options? They Currently have 15 mill freed up for next season. So if the Flyers managed to trade Umberger or Streit, it could be a lot more plus if Vinny retires like expected. Most notable FAs that fit Flyers needs are:
Byfuglien(WIN)
Lucic(LA)
Eriksson(BOS)
Boedker(ARI)
Ladd(WIN)
Foligno(CBJ)
Backes(STL)
Byfuglien would only be a target IF Streit was dealt. He is a good top pair guy who would be able to handle the top pair for a couple of years while the young Dmen of the Flyers transition to the Roster.
For that LW position some interesting players in Eriksson, Boedker, Lucic, Foligno and Ladd are available. I would skip Lucic as his goonish style is the reputation the Franchise is trying to shake. Boedker would be my first choice but chances are ARI will resign him. I think Ladd or Eriksson would be a great fit on the Flyers 2nd line and shouldnt command more than 5 mill a year.
For the 4th line RW, the Flyers may opt to resign White, Dale Weise would be an interesting option or the Flyers could call someone up from the miniors.
At D the Flyer will need to fill one position most likely. They could deal Streit like I mentioned but I feel that is a risk as if Buff commands too much or signs elsewhere, who do we have on the top pair? In my opinion I think the Flyer sign a journeyman Dman who will play only if Morin, Sanheim, Hagg, Alt or Povorov are not ready. If multiple are ready Shultz would be the 7th Dman and on the trade block. It should also be mentioned that the FLyers could just use AMac who was demoted for cap reasons.
I am a big Backes fan so I would love him on the Flyers and would be a great 2nd line C if the Flyers gave up on COuturier in that role. The Flyers likely wont and his cap hit will likely be too much so expect Couturier as our 2nd line Center next season.
So the most realistic product would be:
Voracek - Giroux - Simmonds
Eriksson - Couturier - Schenn
Read - Laughton - Weal
Vandevelde - Bellemare - White/Weise
Umberger
Streit - MDZ
Gudas - AMac
Ghost - Alt
Shultz
Mason
Neuvirth
What do you guys think?
Going into Next Season the Flyers have the following players signed:
Forward
Giroux - C
Voracek - LW/RW
Simmonds - RW
Umberger - LW/C/RW
Read - LW/RW
Couturier - C
Laughton - C
Vandevelde - LW/RW
Defence
Streit
Gostisbehere
Shultz
Del Zotto
Goalies
Mason
Neuvirth
Notable RFA/UFA
Raffl
Weal
White
Schenn
Gudas
Medvedev
Straka
Cousins
Alt
I fully expect Schenn, Weal, Gudas, Straka, Cousins and Alt to be resigned. Looking at the trade deadline. I think a guy like Medvedev or Shultz will be shipped out. If Shultz is traded I can see Medvedev being resigned as well.
We now hit the draft so what should the Flyers do? They could draft and stay put or look to trade some players. In Hextall's shoes I would shop around Umberger, Streit and Laughton.
Now into the FA pool. Looking at the roster assuming what I have said to be true. What do the Flyers need? The need a 2nd line LW, 4th line RW, #1 Dman if Streit was dealt, top 4 dman and they might look for a 2nd line Center if they do not believe Couturier has what it takes.
So what are the Flyers options? They Currently have 15 mill freed up for next season. So if the Flyers managed to trade Umberger or Streit, it could be a lot more plus if Vinny retires like expected. Most notable FAs that fit Flyers needs are:
Byfuglien(WIN)
Lucic(LA)
Eriksson(BOS)
Boedker(ARI)
Ladd(WIN)
Foligno(CBJ)
Backes(STL)
Byfuglien would only be a target IF Streit was dealt. He is a good top pair guy who would be able to handle the top pair for a couple of years while the young Dmen of the Flyers transition to the Roster.
For that LW position some interesting players in Eriksson, Boedker, Lucic, Foligno and Ladd are available. I would skip Lucic as his goonish style is the reputation the Franchise is trying to shake. Boedker would be my first choice but chances are ARI will resign him. I think Ladd or Eriksson would be a great fit on the Flyers 2nd line and shouldnt command more than 5 mill a year.
For the 4th line RW, the Flyers may opt to resign White, Dale Weise would be an interesting option or the Flyers could call someone up from the miniors.
At D the Flyer will need to fill one position most likely. They could deal Streit like I mentioned but I feel that is a risk as if Buff commands too much or signs elsewhere, who do we have on the top pair? In my opinion I think the Flyer sign a journeyman Dman who will play only if Morin, Sanheim, Hagg, Alt or Povorov are not ready. If multiple are ready Shultz would be the 7th Dman and on the trade block. It should also be mentioned that the FLyers could just use AMac who was demoted for cap reasons.
I am a big Backes fan so I would love him on the Flyers and would be a great 2nd line C if the Flyers gave up on COuturier in that role. The Flyers likely wont and his cap hit will likely be too much so expect Couturier as our 2nd line Center next season.
So the most realistic product would be:
Voracek - Giroux - Simmonds
Eriksson - Couturier - Schenn
Read - Laughton - Weal
Vandevelde - Bellemare - White/Weise
Umberger
Streit - MDZ
Gudas - AMac
Ghost - Alt
Shultz
Mason
Neuvirth
What do you guys think?
No. So much wrong with this.
Yea i agree, a lot wrong with this. A, streit probably wont be back and isnt one of our top pairing guys now. MDZ and Ghost have shown in relatively little time they seem to be handle top line duties. I dont see Hextall signing a 4th liner either when really we have two 4th lines were trotting out each night, why add to your bottom six pile when you need top 6 guys, not bottom 6 guys. Thirdly, i doubt hextall signs anyone, outside of a depth signing, until the 2017 offseason. he has already made moves to free cap space and unless stamkos comes to him and begs to play for the flyers on a 5mil/year contract, he isnt making any big signings. the plan hasnt changed and has stayed the same. we are not making trades to mortgage the future, we are not tying up cap collars for expensive free agents, and we will continue to ease the youth in the starting lineup. ghost and laughton are having that done now now. i would think leier, straka, possibly cousins, and also alt, morin, sanheim, provorov and hagg will all be given auditions next year. with all this youth you cant really afford to sign more players and make a logjam at the NHL level if you truly want to see what these prospects are capable of. Also, zero chance of them going after backes, not even for the money, but for the exact opposite reason you said. the flyers are absolutely committed to Couts as the 2C, he has proven to be one of the most consistent flyers defensively, and is now finally starting to see his offensive game come around. G - Couts will be our 1,2 punch for foreseeable future and hopefully beyond.
How is there a lot wrong with this? I just mentioned options. All your opinions equal that final roster that I put at the bottom of the blog. That is what I believe we will see next season. Eriksson was the only addition made to the current team. Everything else was a subtraction.
Consider Konecny, he will almost 90% be on the team right now... Also one (maybe two) of Provorov, Morin, and Sanheim. Provorv nearly made the team this year.With limited cap space and no notable free agents leave, I doubt the Flyers try to make a significant splash in the free agent agent.
The only way Konecny is not up next year if they think it will truly hurt his development. he has shown he can score and dominate Jrs. The A would be a nice jump, but man having this guy up for shootouts alone is tempting. Prov is without a doubt on the big club next year. Morin is physically ready, but it will likely be a wait and see with him this offseason. I can see Sanheim starting in the A, but making a move similar to what Ghost did.I think Medvedev is gone. I think they try and trade Shultz or Streit to get something decent back if there is a taker.Ghost, MDZ, Prov, Streit, Gudas, Morin, Sanheim, Shultz is the makeup of the defense in some combination next year.
They should trade Streit. Looking back I think they will be no worse off. MDZ has been able to shoulder the load. Ghost and AMac can handle 2nd pair and then one or two of the young guys. Alt should be up for sure next year. It is now or never for him
This blog was fucking awful.