Who is the one player (realistically) you would add this summer

[Ruck Over]

When has Hextall added a mid-tier player?
Filppula was the closest, but he was 32 when added. Basically a TDL throw-in (we got more for Streit than TB did from Pitt) and a 1 year FA signing.
The rest of his additions wouldn't be mid-tier, unless you want to include MDZ and Elliott on short-term deals.

That's my point. Hextall hasn't added this type of player to the roster, when it's clearly been a need since he took over the job. Not just in replacing deadwood with new lumber or fresh saplings, but he's only replaced deadwood with dying wood, or no wood at all.

N33D MOAR WOOD!

 

[deadhead]

That's why it's called a "rebuild," not a "patch job."
Hextall didn't sacrifice assets to lose in the first round.

 

[Striiker]

My original comment, "Trade route is the best route this summer. I agree" was meant as an opinion. It is my opinion that going the trade route would be best this summer if we decide to improve the team through external acquisition. I don't like the realistic available free agents. Next time i'll include "In my opinion."

That would make a difference but my point (which isn’t even argumentative, I’m just saying unfortunately it’s impossible to know what’s even possible on the trade front) still stands.

The FA options may be less than ideal, but for all we know that might be the best possible outside source for us. The trade landscape may be even more bleak, depending on the other GMs (many of which are idiots) around the league.

Plus, even if the potential available trade targets are better than the FA targets, that increase in quality comes at a massive cost. Suddenly you’re giving up players or picks instead of solely cap space.

 

[Rebels57]

That would make a difference but my point (which isn’t even argumentative, I’m just saying unfortunately it’s impossible to know what’s even possible on the trade front) still stands.

The FA options may be less than ideal, but for all we know that might be the best possible outside source for us. The trade landscape may be even more bleak, depending on the other GMs (many of which are idiots) around the league.

Plus, even if the potential available trade targets are better than the FA targets, that increase in quality comes at a massive cost. Suddenly you’re giving up players or picks instead of solely cap space.

You're not telling me anything I don't know. It's not like I haven't thought about this. There are very few worthwhile free agents this summer. There are 30 other NHL teams with with 109 other top 9 forwards alone. That's where I think we should be exploring. We have enough assets to make a deal and have it not hurt us long-term, including Simmonds, 19th overall, etc.

 

[deadhead]

Ideally, you want to identify either a young center who's blocked and maybe too expensive for his role or an older center who has only 1-2 years left on his "overpriced contract." Flyers have short-term cap room, which is useful when constructing deals.

 

[LegionOfDoom91]

ROR isn’t worth it. He’s an average 5v5 player & needs top PP time just to max out in his normal 55-60 point range. He’s got a sizeable contract & isn’t going to be cheap in trade pieces. So I’d easily pass on him.

I don’t have any specific names off the top of my head nor do I really know who’s fully available but the Flyers should be looking for cheaper options. A player who’s a good 5v5 player & doesn’t need top PP time would be the most ideal.

 

[Jray42]

If ROR were a UFA would I want to sign him? Sure. Do I want to trade a bunch of very valuable assets for him? No.

 

[deadhead]

To me ROR as a free agent is probably worth $5-6M for the Flyers, probably his full contract $7.5M for a team where he'd play on PP1.
He's a 30-40 ES center, he's not especially physical, he's a 2C in his good years, 3C in his off years.

Inside the Sabres: The curious case of Ryan O'Reilly

 

[ponder719]

The one player? Grabner.

Beyond that, Bozak.

I'm not interested in any big trades unless we know we aren't resigning Simmonds, or if LA makes it known that Doughty is available.

 

[baudib1]

I think ROR would be a good fit and he could really be rejuvenated away from Buffalo but I don't want to give up great assets to get him.

 

[BigToe]

Ilya Bryzgalov.

 

[GapToothedWonder]

Who was the last impact UFA the Flyers signed? Briere? How many of their big reactionary moves have worked out well?

 

[FlyerFaithful17]

If possible, Tavares. This team is a Cup contender overnight with him.

 

[Prongo]

With Hexy’s comment about it being time for this team to push I think he will make an impact move to get a player via trade. UFA almost never work out due to salary and term. JT would be awesome but I don’t know if Hextall wants to add him at a higher salary than Voracek and Giroux.

Or sign John Tavares and trade Voracek to the kings for Drew Doughty. Boom. Cup is ours.

 

[CanuckistanFlyerfan]

If possible, Tavares. This team is a Cup contender overnight with him.

Not with the present goaltending it isn't. I'm pretty sure you could wheel out Gretzky/Howe/Lemieux/Orr/Lidstrom in their prime and Elliot would lose 11-10.

 

[Appleyard]

Apple, you're about the smartest guy around here, so I want to ask your opinion:

How would you feel about Kunitz?

3 years ago I would be interested. But now I think there are better players, who are better fits, out there.

 

[IvanProvorov]

None of the above. Build from within. Unless he wants to trade for Faulk.

 

[Rebels57]

Who was the last impact UFA the Flyers signed? Briere? How many of their big reactionary moves have worked out well?

Hartnell and Timonen same summer as Briere.

Streit gave us a few good years.

 

[Rebels57]

Not with the present goaltending it isn't. I'm pretty sure you could wheel out Gretzky/Howe/Lemieux/Orr/Lidstrom in their prime and Elliot would lose 11-10.

Id have more faith in Alex Lyon in an NHL Playoff game tbh.

 

[Flyotes]

Who was the last impact UFA the Flyers signed? Briere? How many of their big reactionary moves have worked out well?

This is an aside, but that offseason had Drury, Gomez, and Briere. People here by and large wanted Drury (he's won everywhere at every level!, etc) -- probably including myself.

Briere was the one of that bunch that did very well.

 

[Ghosts Beer]

The one player? Grabner.

Beyond that, Bozak.

I'm not interested in any big trades unless we know we aren't resigning Simmonds, or if LA makes it known that Doughty is available.

I'd stay away from Grabner.

He and Calvert are the best PKers out there, but it's not worth spending the $$$ and term Grabner is going to get on a PK specialist. We're talking a soon-to-be 31 year old who scored 5 points in 21 games for New Jersey after his deadline acquisition, and was a healthy scratch multiple times in the playoffs when NJ was desperate to win. No thank you.

I also should clarify my stance on Calvert. Personally, I wouldn't spend any UFA money on a 3rd/4th line PK type guy. They almost always get overpaid in money and term. So, if I were in charge, I'd take whatever money could be spent on a bottom six PK-type guy and put it toward a scoring wing instead. I am a fan of spending money on talent at the top of the lineup and filling in the bottom of the lineup. So I'd go with a 2nd line caliber C and a 2nd line caliber LW, in that order, in a perfect world. Then see which Phantoms earn their way into the bottom of the Flyers lineup.

The only reason I mention Calvert is because Hextall said he wanted to add a PKer. If he is hell bent on that, Calvert would be my preference (assuming his next contract doesn't exceed $2.5M). But I, personally, would avoid signing that type of player to any substantial contract altogether.

 

[MacDonald4MVP]

Even if we sign grabner I still believe he would be playing on second pk unit behind Torgo. Such is a life of flyers fan.

 

[ArchAngel55]

So Konecny (Simmonds) Frost (Schenn), and a 2nd round pick would be a comparable package. I think it would take more since Schenn was considered one of the best prospects in all of hockey at the time of the trade where as Frost is just a really good prospect. No thanks from me.

I don't get that you won't do that but you would do Konecny, Frost and the 19th OA. You created a thread called Flyers Buffalo Blockbuster.

To Philly - ROR

To Buffalo - Travis Konecny, Morgan Frost, 19th overall pick

And even argued to defend it

ROR
Couturier
Patrick

That's the type of 1-2-3 punch at center that contenders are made of. If you want to get something you have to give something up.

 

[Striiker]

I don't get that you won't do that but you would do Konecny, Frost and the 19th OA. You created a thread called Flyers Buffalo Blockbuster.



And even argued to defend it

 

[The Madrigal]

The fact that Tavares is leading the way with 19 votes (31%) tells me that is a clear silent majority who are indeed tired of the Hextall 10 year rebuild plan.