Shayne Gostisbehere without question. His name has been floated around and floated around. I think with the way the season ended it sure didn’t help his cause to slow down the rumors. However, I hope Ghost is here next season, as I see him having a very good rebound season.
My top three targets are Jacob Trouba, Matt Duchene (Assuming he doesn’t resign), and Cam Talbot. Carter Hart needs a reliable backup mentor. Talbot can remain healthy and really provide stability on the backend.
The biggest need, in my opinion, is a top 4 Defenseman. Trouba would provide stability on the backend for sure. Another player of interest is
Kasperi Kapanen. Like the Lightning, the Maple Leafs will be against the cap for sure with trying to resign Mitchell Marner, thus making Kapanen expendable. The Maple Leafs cannot resign everyone, so Kapanen can be of interest for Fletcher.
Shayne Gostisbehere without question. His name has been floated around and floated around. I think with the way the season ended it sure didn’t help his cause to slow down the rumors. However, I hope Ghost is here next season, as I see him having a very good rebound season.
Brock Nelson, Joe Pavelski, Kevin Hayes, and Matt Duchene head the list of possible 2C’s that the Flyers may covet. I can see Duchene, Pavelski, and Nelson resign with their respective clubs, thus leaving this list to Hayes. Hayes has experience with playing with Alain Vigneault, so he would be my guess to fill the void of a 2C.
Tyler Johnson I have seen his name floated around, but he signed a seven-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and his contract does not expire until 2023-24. Johnson also has an NTC at the moment, then it goes to an MTC in the year 2021-22. Tampa will be against the cap, and they cannot resign everyone. Johnson might be a trade target for sure, and I wouldn’t put it past Fletcher to try and make a move. Fletcher did say this at the exit interviews, “We will be active to improve the team. Everyone is tradeable.”
I think Fletcher does trade for the rights of Jacob Trouba. This would be a huge steal in my opinion. Trouba is a Defenseman that would fit what the orange and black are looking for in a top 4 Defenseman.
Cam Talbot leads my list of being the backup Goaltender to Carter Hart. Talbot would be an excellent, and familiar mentor for Hart. If the Flyers keep Hart happy, then next season should be a good one. Brian Elliott’s injury history scares me a bit, so that’s yet another reason for me to go with Talbot over Elliott.
Kasperi Kapanen could also be of value for the orange and black. Like the Lightning, the Maple Leafs will be against the cap for sure with trying to resign Mitchell Marner, thus making Kapanen expendable. The Maple Leafs cannot resign everyone, so Kapanen can be of interest for Fletcher.
I would love to sign a player like Joe Pavelski. He will be 35 next season, however, the guy knows how to score. Pavelski potted a big goal Wednesday night in the series-clinching game against the Colorado Avalanche, and he also potted 38 goals this past season. Simply put, he knows how to find twine.
Brock Nelson would also be a good addition to the lineup. He would provide much-needed size down the middle, and the guy can board battle. Look at what St. Louis is doing, that is one gritty team. Nelson is a gritty, hard-nosed Forward that can also find the back of the net.
Both of these players would be welcome additions as 2C’s until the youth are ready to take over, that includes Nolan Patrick, as well. The future is coming, but the Flyers just need that 2C Veteran to get them over the hump for a few years.
Cam Talbot I think will backup Carter Hart next year. Talbot would be an excellent, and familiar mentor for Hart. If the Flyers keep Hart happy, then next season should be a good one.
I personally believe the Flyers will trade the 11th pick for a top 4 Defenseman. This draft is loaded with talent throughout the entire draft. Hopefully, the Flyers are able to still put forth a good draft, following a trade.
The Flyers wanted experience behind the bench and a voice. Well, they got just that. Fletcher wanted accountability within the locker room, well he got just that. There is nowhere for these players to hide anymore, and accountability will be a big word used this upcoming season. Fletcher wanted experience behind the bench, well he got just that. Let’s see how this plays out before we draw conclusions, as we have never seen this before in Flyer land.
Wayne Simmonds stock might have taken a hit this past season, however, I still think there’s a team that will overpay for his services. He’s a valuable asset in the locker room, and Simmonds plays his heart out. I think a team will pay him roughly $5 million a season for about 4 years.
The Flyers will win a cup in 2022-23. Contrary to popular belief, I believe they are a little closer than some believe. Finally, from the sake of God, the orange and black have a quality Goaltender in Carter Hart. By the 2022-23 season, the Defense should be “A” ok, primed and ready to take the next step. Oh yea one last prediction, Hart will win the Vezina Trophy in 2022-23, as well.
The Flyers season may have been wasted, but one player that had a good year was James Van Riemsdyk. Things started off slow for him in his a reunion with the Flyers, as he faced in the early obstacle with his injury, but he put together a solid season. He potted 27 goals this past year, and JVR was brought in to do what….score goals. JVR became that threat on the PP again, much as he did with the Toronto Maple Leafs. I believe under Therrien’s guidance on the PP, he could reach that 30-goal plateau again. There is stability with the coaching staff, so next season will be a big one for JVR.
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. 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: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
