Ron Hextall has turned the Flyers into a prospect juggernaut in just five offseasons. The Flyers will be faced with many questions in the future in regards to these prospects. For instance, which ones will make it to the big show, or which ones should the orange and black part ways with?
All in all the Flyers will be contenders for many years to come. Not just one season, but Hextall is building these Flyers teams to be contenders for the long haul. It’s a breath of fresh air these days on Broad Street, and the proud orange clad fans are about to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
#Flyersmail Hey Jamey. As of today let's hear your thoughts on the metro standings and where our Flyers will land and opening night roster front to back. ??
— Tommy (@TheGreen_3) August 15, 2018
Metropolitan Standings:
Washington- 110
Pittsburgh- 108
Flyers- 102
Columbus- 99
New Jersey- 98
Islanders- 92
Washington remains number one in the Division once again because of Braden Holtby. The Flyers on paper are a better team than last year. They should improve this season, and hopefully this includes their special teams. Moreover, to me their goaltending is still too inconsistent to move into the first or second spot in the Metro. However, the orange and black will contend once again for the Division, and may we see Carter Hart at some point with the big club? It will be an interesting, fun filled Flyers season for sure.
Opening Night Roster:
Giroux, Couturier, Konecny
JVR, Patrick, Voracek
Lindblom, Weal, Simmonds
Raffl, Laughton, NAK
Weise, Leier
Defense:
Provy, Ghost
Sanheim, Gudas
Hagg, Amac
Folin
Goaltenders:
Elliott
Neuvirth
Jori Lehtera will be placed with the Phantoms to start the season (Like Matt Read last season).
Tommy without you this site doesn’t exist. I can’t thank you enough for your continued support. God bless you and your family.
https://twitter.com/NAARobertWilson/status/1029821088874868741?s=19
https://twitter.com/NAARobertWilson/status/1029824240151920641?s=19
It doesn’t sound like Ron Hextall is breaking up any of his core players just yet, with the exception for possibly Wayne Simmonds (Only do to expiring contract at years end). Hextall appears to have complete faith in their core. The earliest I could realistically see the Flyers moving on from one of their core players is the 2020 Expansion Draft. Jakub Voracek I think gets left exposed, and Seattle could very well take him off the Flyers hands. This would be a perfect time for Hextall to use this as a salary dump. I could very well see Voracek being scooped up by an organization that needs some play making veterans to assert themselves in their inaugural season. Of course, if a team comes knocking for one of the Flyers core players via trade, Hextall I’m sure will listen to their pitch.
Pelle Lindbergh will at some point in the future head to the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center. There’s a reason no one has worn #31, since his unfortunate death. The question is when? However, the Goaltending curse will hopefully be a thing of the past with Carter Hart’s arrival with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this coming season (At least to start). Hart finished his career with the Everett Silvertips with a career record of 116-46-10-12, 2.13 GAA, a .921 Save Percentage, and 26 shutouts. He has the billing to be the real deal, and it’s only a matter of time before the Goaltending situation with the big club becomes the Carter Hart show. Hart may even win an Emmy in the future when his rookie campaign begins.
Rob thanks so much for your continued support. This site doesn’t exist without you. God bless you, your family, and America.
Does the Seattle expansion play a role in hexy's thought process of bringing up the kids? Ie Ratcliff and Frost.i think it would be huge to get them ice time and send down dale and jori.
— Andrew Alton (@AltonPhilly444) August 15, 2018
The looming 2020 NHL Expansion Draft will play no effect with the decisions of whether or not Morgan Frost or Isaac Ratcliffe make the big club out right. Both of these players in particular haven’t played more than two years at the professional level (ie. Like Philippe Myers or NAK have). Players who have played two years or less at the professional level are exempt from selection by Seattle. With Carter Hart, Isaac Ratcliffe, and Morgan Frost close to the NHL within a matter of a year or two (If that), they will not have to be protected in the 2020 Expansion Draft.
It’s hard to say if the Expansion Draft had an effect on drafting or adding players in free agency in the past. The Flyers haven’t had cap space till this off-season, and Hextall drafts who he thinks is the best player available. If a kid is ready, then Hextall will allow them to play in the NHL (ie. Robert Hagg and Travis Sanheim).
I think it’s fantastic you hinted at Jori Lehtera and Dale Weise heading to the AHL. Lehtera to me will be the odd man out and shipped to the AHL. He will be the Matt Read from last year. Weise will be used as an alternate filling in if there’s an injury or what not.
Andrew thanks so much for your support. Without you this site doesn’t exist. God bless you and your family. Let’sssssssss go Flyers
#FlyersMail Hi jamie. Who would be your guess if the flyers have a Training camp invite? Do you think Rubtsov will break through at the AHL Level? Fazleev is gone right?
— b86allday (@OrangeBlack12) August 16, 2018
Mitchell Balmas from a familiar team in the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, has been invited on a PTO for the Flyers Rookie Camp in September. If I’m a betting man, then my money will be on him to attend Flyers Training Camp on a tryout.
Radel Fazleev will still be with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for the 2018-19 season. Per Capfriendly, Fazleev’s cap hit is $675,000 for the year. German Rubtsov I think will take over a month to adjust to the new scenery at the PPL Center, but he will eventually find his knack. Head Coach Scott Gordon will do wonders for Rubtsov’s development. Rubtsov will not be…at times the lazy player he once was, rather he will put everything together to become a force for the Phantoms. I will not give up on any prospect until they prove me wrong, as I have been burnt in the past with doing such I must admit, with the likes of Patrick Sharp. At one time I thought Sharp was cooked, but he moved on to the Chicago Blackhawks and wound up having a really solid NHL career.
Flyersfan without your support this site doesn’t exist today. I can’t thank you enough for your support. God bless you and your family.
#FlyersMail Do you see a deal to unclog the goalie logjam to get some potential extra depth somewhere else? Do you see the #Phantoms making a legit run at the Calder? Will Lehtera have a better year & finally start seeing a return of the skills of his rookie self?#Flyers
— Barry (@TheRealCrowhuck) August 15, 2018
I cannot foresee a team trading for Goaltender Michal Neuvirth before the season begins. The only team that at one time may have been a possible destination for Neuvirth was the Calgary Flames. However, it’s becoming clear that the Flames are content on using Jon Gillies, or David Rittich as a backup to Mike Smith. It’s looking like an Elliott/Neuvirth tandem for the Flyers at least to start the season, unless Alex Lyon beats out Neuvirth in Training Camp.
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms will once again make a run for the Calder Trophy this season. They have a roster that is being built through a drafting Guru in Ron Hextall, that will eventually reign in the AHL for years to come. I will go on record as saying I believe the Phantoms will make the Finals this coming season. The Phantoms have good goaltending, good coaching, good special teams, and a team that is motivated to take the next step.
Jori Lehtera I think gets stashed away with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this coming season, at least to start. Much like the way Matt Read did last year. In the event an injury arises to a Forward, then Lehtera will be the first one getting a call-up.
Barry I pray for you every night with the great job you do for us (Citizens) on a daily basis. Your support means a lot, and without you this site doesn’t exist.
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: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
