Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers Weekly Mailbag: Draft and Free agency blues

By Posted on
USATSI_10801334_168382939_lowres-2

The Flyers are trying to write a new script. They are trying to become a more consistent bunch next season. One game they would score a ton of goals, and the next game they would putter. Becoming a more consistent bunch would have huge dividends within the division.

With the NHL Draft less than three weeks away. Ron Hextall I’m sure is licking his chops once again. Hextall has transformed this Flyers organization into a prospect juggernaut. Some may ask how did he do it? Well, Hextall is a wizard on draft day. The guy knows how to draft talent, and this includes in the latter rounds of the draft where he drafts hidden gem, after hidden gem. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.

https://twitter.com/Flyers4Cup/status/1006629829184245762?s=19

After Thursday’s presser with Ron Hextall on June 14, 2018. Hextall said he wouldn’t commit to players for a long-term investment this off-season. He said he wouldn’t mind adding a veteran piece regardless of price, if it was a short-term solution. To me this excludes impending free agents John Carlson, and John Tavares. Both will sign contracts for at least 5 years. Here’s what their deals may look like:

John Carlson- 5yrs- $52.5 million

John Tavares- 5-6 years- $55-66 million (Depending on length of years. $11 mil per)

Ken thanks for your support. Means a lot, and we wouldn’t be here without your support. I have come to love the daily Bible verses you send.

If the Flyers are giving up both first round picks in this year’s draft. It’s in the event the orange and black are indeed moving into the top 5. The Vancouver Canucks have many needs at pick 7 with Forwards (Henrik and Daniel Sedin recently retired) and Defense, that I believe they wouldn’t trade back in the first round. However, you never know anything is possible. If RHD Noah Dobson falls to at least the 7th or 8th pick, I can see Hextall trying to move up using either pick 14 or 19, a prospect, and an NHL ready player. To answer your question at least pick 7 is a safe bet for one, not two of the first round picks.

Boss can’t say thank you enough for your support. Means a lot. We wouldn’t be here without you.

Wayne Simmonds may very well be used as trade bait, depending on how far the Flyers intend to move up. Moving up to within the top 5-7 picks would more than likely take a blue chip Defenseman, 2 prospects, and both picks (Maybe even more picks). With Simmonds injury history this past season. It’s very hard to gauge what value he has for the Flyers to possibly move up to within that pick range.

Simmonds still holds value. I believe he will have a rebound year, to which he will pot 30-35 goals this season. However, with him still recovering from off-season surgery as Hextall pointed out in his presser this past Thursday. I believe his value dropped enough to possibly move up to picks 5-7, and possibly within the top 10. Hextall did say he expects Simmonds to be ready for the start of season, but to other teams it’s a risk as he’s not 100% healthy right now. Note: Per Hextall from his presser. He plans on contacting Simmond’s agent following July 1st. I would surmise its for an extension.

Mike always nice hearing from you. You’re the man. Noah Joseph appreciates your support my friend.

https://twitter.com/DarbyBoy69/status/1006950215096651779?s=19

https://twitter.com/DarbyBoy69/status/1006950638033539073?s=19

This is literally the hardest question to answer this time of year. On one hand I can see it, and on the other hand I can’t. I’m fifty-fifty with this one. If you want my honest opinion, why the heck not. The Flyers have the best farm system in the NHL, according to NHL.com. They are nearing the contractual limit of 50 players, so why not play an old game, “Let’s make a deal,” with Hextall as our host not Monty Hall.

There hasn’t been a better time till now, then to make a draft day splash. Trading Brayden Schenn on draft day last year made sense, but this draft is the draft that could really put the Flyers on the map. They have tons of prospects in the system thanks to the wizard in Hextall, and now would be a perfect time to use them to his advantage. Moreover, this draft is loaded to the gills with hidden gems. There really could be some late round steals. With the Flyers having six picks from rounds 4-7, and with how well Hextall drafts this is a safety net that he could also use to his favor. Hextall did state in this past Thursday’s presser that he would move up, or back if the right deal presented itself.

Darby thanks for your support.  We wouldn’t be here without your support.

https://twitter.com/archangels1111/status/1006970215832272896?s=19

This is a perfect time to tag team a question. I’m fifty-fifty with trading any first- round pick. I can’t see the Flyers moving into the top 5, as that would consist of both picks, more picks, an NHL ready player, and 2-3 prospects. If you want my honest opinion I could absolutely see Hextall moving anywhere between picks 7-10. The Flyers have the best farm system in the NHL according to NHL.com, so this affords them this luxury.

Hextall did state in this past Thursday’s presser that he would move up, or back if the right deal presented itself. Moreover, with that being said Sid, with the Flyers having nine total picks in the draft. It affords them this opportunity to move up by trading one or both first round picks. There’s so much talent in the mid to late rounds of the draft, and having six picks total from rounds 4-7. It sure helps stock the cupboard for the future like you say Sid.

2. Wayne Simmonds may very well be used as trade bait, depending on how far the Flyers intend to move up. Moving up to within the top 5-7 picks would likely take a blue chip Defenseman, 2 prospects, and both picks (Maybe even more picks). With Simmonds injury history this past season. It’s very hard to gauge what value he has for the Flyers to possibly move up to within that pick range.

Simmonds still holds value. I believe he will have a rebound year, to which he will pot 30-35 goals this season. However, with him still recovering from off-season surgery as Hextall pointed out in his presser this past Thursday. I believe his value has dropped enough to possibly move up to picks 5-7, and possibly within the top 10. The good news is Hextall did say he expects Simmonds to be ready for the start of season, but to other teams it’s a risk cause he’s not 100% healthy right now. Note: Per Hextall from his presser. He plans on contacting Simmond’s agent following July 1st. I would surmise its for an extension.

3. At this particular time I cannot see Hextall moving a core player, such as Jakub Voracek or Claude Giroux at the draft. With Hextall stating at the presser they wouldn’t get into a lengthy free agent deal this off-season, to me this shot down trades involving Giroux, and Voracek at the draft that is. However, I like where your head is at, in a sense if Hextall strikes a deal at the draft. I could see him trying (Key word-trying) to include a contract, such as Andrew Macdonald, or Jori Lehtera.

Michael and Sid you both are always thinking. I love it, and you know what anything can happen. Noah Joseph Baskow, and myself can’t say thank you enough for your support.

https://twitter.com/mikeyjadams/status/1006943649899401216?s=19

It was a possibility until this tweet:

This is a very credible source, asides from Darren Dreger or Pierre Lebrun. I just can’t see Hextall being in a bidding war with three other teams, if the Flyers were the fourth team. However, from a source the Rumor Break, they are reporting that the fourth team involved is the Florida Panthers.

Max would be an excellent, much-needed breath of fresh air in Philadelphia. He fits the bill as to what Hextall stated on Thursday he wants short-term solutions for Veterans. Pacioretty is 29 years old, and has a favorable cap hit of $4.5 million with an expiring contract at the end of the 2018-19 season. He potted 17 goals, and 20 assists in 64 games played last season. Pacioretty would provide much depth to the wing position, however as stated I just can’t see Hextall getting involved into a bidding war with multiple teams. I have been wrong before, and I would love to be wrong on this front.

Mike thanks so much for your support. Without people like you this site wouldn’t be here today.

If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Facebook page or on Twitter using #Flyersmail. This mailbag will continue throughout the off-season. Just because the season is over, we don’t stop here at this site. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag, and Let’s go Flyers. Without your support we wouldn’t be here today.

 

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

About the Author

Related Articles

More from our Sister Sites