The New Unending Flyers thread

[Austinfan]

Turns out there were offers of a 1st for Tanev, but it required taking a bad contract back, something Briere has no problem doing if he's paid.

Lyubushkin went for a 3rd, and Seeler is much better.

[Aquapong]

Pursuing the Oilers 1st is interesting, but I wonder if Walker is enough of an upgrade. It would probably involve Cici or Kulak and probably sending them a 3rd or 4th.

The Leafs are in the defense market and the Stars may be looking for another.

[Aquapong]

Disappointing loss tonight after the Caps looked so flat in the 1st. Looking at the remaining schedule, there’s a lot of games against playoff teams. The Flyers are certainly going to have to earn it to make the playoffs. Their final two games are the Devils and Caps at home. Those could turn out to be huge.

[Austinfan]

Making the playoffs doesn't matter, trying to make the playoffs matter.

If you're Briere, you're carefully watching how the young players respond to competitive pressure and noting which ones are "keepers" to build a SC contender around. And for the young players, a great learning experience about what it takes to play at a higher level.

[Docs]

I’m curious when Alexei Kolosov will come over - i read he signed his ELC and is on loan so he maybe able to play this year if his team gets bounced similar to the KHL player that just joined the wild. I think the Flyers have at least three goalie prospects to be really excited about, including Kolosov.

[zambonir]

It's pretty much a choice at this point. If the price is right they may well subtract enough talent that it's likely they'd fall out, due to that and injuries, especially as they might not make it as a wild card. But if no one steps up with that first for Walker don't be surprised if they announce an extension for him instead.

I think they have already learned plenty about what they have, though certainly no downside to giving more action and responsibility to younger players in the last month of the season too. Especially since the Phantoms aren't going to make the playoffs.

[Austinfan]

An extension would surprise me, b/c I think Briere won't give veterans anything more than 3 years, he's not worried about AVV, he has cap room the next few years, but he doesn't want veterans blocking prospects from the 2023-2025 drafts.

With Sanheim, Drysdale, Risto, Bonk on the way, Attard making a case for a look down the stretch, there really isn't room for Walker.

[zambonir]

But they would clearly like to keep him, and he would like to stay. Talks have occurred (with Seeler too). Just not clear both sides could get what they want. Risto is still a trade possibility down the line too.

You don't want veterans blocking prospects. But, in fact, Briere will end up acquiring veterans and trading prospects eventually. Just not this trade deadline. Maybe not even next year. But certainly sooner than any of us would have guessed before this season started.

[Aquapong]

Are there any D prospects Briere really needs to worry about blocking?

Left side: Sanheim, York, Zamula
Right side: Drysdale, Risto, Attard

Bonk is likely at least a few years away. I don’t think we’re blocking anyone by signing Walker or Seeler. Torts says he think Sanheim is better on the right side, so really it could be better to sign Seeler.

So D over the next two seasons barring going after a bigger name could look like:

Left side: York, Seeler, Zamula
Right side: Sanheim, Drysdale, Risto/Attard

[Austinfan]

Sanheim will be a RHD going forward, Torts has said he's a better player on the right side and the eyeball test confirms this.

Bonk is only a couple years away, and he'll push for a spot in TC, having a great D+1 season in the OHL. Probably depends on how fast he fills out, has a high IQ that will make adjusting to the NHL easier.

LHD is why they might resign Seeler, but only on their terms, Andrae might get a shot in camp this fall, but no one else close in the system except maybe McDonald, defense first LHD. Attard, Grans, Samson, Sotheran all RHDs. Probably draft a couple LHDs this summer, deep defensive draft and if they add a 1st and 2nd to the (2) 1sts and 2nd they already have, it's a no brainer.

[Aquapong]

I was a last night’s game. Fitting with the Marvel theme they had Gritty in a Spiderman suit rappel down from the rafters in the pregame.

Caps lost and the Devils are losing.

[bigegypt0417]

Flyers reportedly looking into trading for Trevor Zegras

[zambonir]

Not much new (or news) in that post at all, just the same speculation that has existed ever since they got Drysdale (since they are friends and Ducks seemed to sour on both). What it actually says (via original report by Friedman) is that the Flyers are very unlikely to trade for him, since they won't want to meet Anaheim's price. Though it would certainly be reasonable to give up some things for a young asset that you never would for shorter-term or older players.

Meanwhile, Seeler is hurt. I suspect they're re-signing him anyway, as the cheaper/LD.

[Austinfan]

Zegras doesn't make sense unless it's a fire sale, he's the anti-Torts player (not the Michigan, the lack of interest in playing defense). What the Flyers need is a physical two way center to go with Frost with enough skill to anchor a line. They have plenty of wings, TK, Farabee, Foerster, Tippett, Brink, Cates with Michkov, Barkey in the pipeline. Couts and Poehling are fine n the bottom six, though they need to draft young centers to develop the next couple drafts.

Seeler would be a good partner for Drysdale, Attard and Bonk in a couple years. Veteran stay at home D-man who can cover for an inexperienced partner's mistakes. May have more value in that role than what he'd bring in a trade.

[bigegypt0417]

If he's healthy and continues to improve on the defensive side, Zegras would be a good cornerstone player for the flyers and he fits the mold of investing in young players. The flyers have the picks to make it happen...of course it shouldn't take a premium package to get him...

[zambonir]

Yeah the whole point of getting Zegras would be for Torts to turn him into something. He's young. There's probably 10 guys in the HOF who had similar reputations early in their career. And then they got coached/wanted to win.

And if you actually trade Walker or Seeler those are assets you could use. Tho I don't know that Seeler would be good enough "in a couple of years" (or even signed for longer than three).

[Austinfan]

You have to do your homework, most of these offensively talented player who don't like to play defense don't respond to hard coaching - and they end up getting paid based on their offensive production relative to their actual value (WAR).

The best outcome for the Flyers is for Michkov to move to center the next couple years, it might require an uptick in his skating, but otherwise he has the skill package to be an elite center, and he's highly competitive.

I'm a big believer in intangibles in hockey and the NFL, less so in baseball, where they still have value in terms of work ethic, but the game doesn't lend itself to ultra-competitive players b/c one key is to play within yourself and not get so hyped up that you overthrow/overswing.

[bigegypt0417]

It's hard to understand when you say do your homework and then turn around and using anecdotal information to formulate an opinion.

Zegras has shown some inprovement on the defensive side.

[zambonir]

One thing this front office is probably going to do after Fedotov and Gauthier is every kind of homework!

And while you don't want uncoachable players, you also can't coach talent.

It's gonna be an interesting deadline.

btw the same source as the Zegras talk says Leafs haven't put Martin Jones on waivers because they figure the Flyers or someone else would claim him (so they are hoping to work a trade).

[VoteForKalas]

Zegras doesn't make sense unless it's a fire sale, he's the anti-Torts player (not the Michigan, the lack of interest in playing defense).

The reports I read stated Zegras had started this year off well and was playing a better two way game, but then got hurt.

I think painting him as a no-defense or lazy player is not fully accurate in this case.

Plus he has elite offensive skill and is young which fits the Flyers rebuild plan. If you have to give up a lot to get him, then, sure, be cautious, but, if his value has dropped and they can get him for a reasonable price, I think it is well worth the chance.