Will Chuck Fletcher begin signing the RFA’s already? Will the NHL Draft get here already? The month of June is a fun month for those who crave the sport of hockey. A new champion is crowned, and the NHL Draft is in the same month. Hockey is the greatest sport on Earth, and June showcases the sport in a great way. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
For a second line center, I think a legit name is Kevin Hayes. Hayes has been linked to the Flyers for weeks, and I heard his name being floated around at the exit interviews. He is familiar with an Alain Vigneault system, and a contract of two years should suffice. However, due to the lack of centers on the open market, Hayes could look for term and payment. If Hayes values term and payment, then I hope Fletcher steers clear of such.
One winger that Flyers fans should keep their eyes on is Kasperi Kapanen. The Toronto Maple Leafs cannot re-sign everyone, so he may very well be the odd man out in Leaf land. If I’m Fletcher I’m licking my chops at Kapanen. He could immediately help the Flyers PK and play the PP. Kapanen is versatile and will do anything the coaching staff asks of him.
Lastly, a top-four defenseman that could end up with the orange and black is Jacob Trouba. Trouba is looking for a trade at this point I’m hearing. Again if I’m Fletcher I’m licking my chops at Trouba. He could be paired with Ivan Provorov, and provide much-needed stability on the backend.
A top-four defenseman with expiring rights is Jacob Trouba. Trouba is looking for a trade at this point I’m hearing. If I’m Fletcher I’m licking my chops at Trouba. He could be paired with Ivan Provorov, and provide much-needed stability on the backend. Trouba is a missing veteran, that the orange and black so desperately need.
Another player with expiring rights is Kasperi Kapanen. He is one winger that Flyers fans should keep their eyes on. The Toronto Maple Leafs cannot re-sign everyone, so he may very well be the odd man out in Leaf land. If I’m Fletcher I’m licking my chops at Kapanen. He could immediately help the Flyers PK and play the PP. Kapanen is versatile and will do anything the coaching staff asks of him.
I thought that at the very least Ivan Provorov was going to re-sign with the Flyers before the World Championships began. Unfortunately, obviously, that wasn’t the case. I would have to assume that by early next week, some should sign. Late last season, I received information that Fletcher did indeed talk to Provorov’s agent. One would assume the hold-up, in this case, is the term. The Flyers would benefit from a six-year deal, in my opinion, as opposed to maybe what Provorov wants in a three or four-year deal. Either way, he will re-sign for sure.
I think Fletcher will trade the 11th pick for a top-four defenseman. This, of course, is just my judgment here, I just got the feeling. The free agency market is just not that strong, to fill the top-four defenseman void the Flyers have at the moment. In the event Fletcher does not trade the 11th pick, I think the orange and black select Peyton Krebs who plays for Kootenay. However, if RHD Lassi Thomson is still on the board in the second round, I think Fletcher grabs him with the 41st pick.
Nolan Patrick will take the next step next season. My guess is that he will have 55 points this coming year (25g, 30a). Patrick is such a talented player, that possesses so much skill, it’s only a matter of time for him to break out. However, he does need to stay healthy for this to happen.
Patrick will benefit from less pressure while being a third line center next season. Some prospects take more time than others to develop. Patrick showed glimpses last season of being that dominant player he once was in the WHL with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Unfortunately, every time Patrick gained some confidence he got hurt. Hopefully, this year he can stay healthy the entire season. Patrick is speedy, he just needs to remain healthy.
If Fletcher does not fill the void of a second line center, then Claude Giroux will start the 2019-20 season off as a center. Hopefully, Patrick can grow into a second line center as the season wears on. But, at least to start the season I could envision Giroux at the center position. This should be avoided with all costs to save the wear and tear on Giroux, but it would have to be necessary if Fletcher does not add a second line Center this off-season.
This very well could happen. No one is safe with the exception of Giroux, according to Fletcher. Fletcher will be busy this offseason, I’m just shocked it is taking this long to negotiate with our pending RFA’s. Fletcher said the day of the exit interviews that he wanted to re-sign the pending RFA’s as soon as possible, to see exactly how much money the Flyers can spend this offseason. I know for a fact that Fletcher talked with Provorov’s agent at the end of the season, so I’m shocked he hasn’t re-signed either.
I’m hoping no one. This team will be fun next season. They will be a competitive bunch, thanks in large part to Alain Vigneault. Within 2-3 years I see a parade coming down Broad Street after the Flyers win the cup in six games. Gritty will lead the players on a bus.
- He will sign all the RFA’s to extensions, that way he knows exactly how much money he has to spend, whether it be via trade at the draft or free agency.
- He will trade for a top-four defenseman at the draft.
- I believe he signs Kevin Hayes to a multi-year contract.
- Re-signs cam Talbot to backup Carter Hart
I think the coaching staff will be a good fit for this club, thus I don’t think there will be any problems between the trio. The Flyers needed some discipline, so this trio will help in that regard. I think this coaching staff will right the ship for the Flyers, and we will see a dramatic turnaround next season.
Fletcher did consult Alain Vigneault with the new assistant coaches, so it’s hard for me to say if Vigneault selected his Assistants or not. From day one when Vigneault was hired, Fletcher said that he and Vigneault would select the Assistants together.
Mitchell Marner would change the complexion of this club for sure. However, I think the Leafs sign him with all costs. He’s like Auston Matthews, and I can’t see the Leafs walking away from that. I don’t blame Kyle Dubas, why not try to lowball, and see if he bites. Start low, then go high. One option I think Fletcher could do is trade for the rights of Kasperi Kapanen, rather than pursuing Marner.
I cannot wait for the start of the new hockey season. I’m fully engaged with the draft and looking towards Developmental Camp. Geez, I cannot wait, next season will be special I believe that. Misti, I look forward to seeing you this Fall.
Jakub Voracek will most likely be here next season. It will be very hard to replace his 66 points at the very least for next season anyway. However, Fletcher I’m sure is open possibly parting ways with him for the right offer. Nothing is guaranteed in hockey, and a trade for Voracek shall not be overlooked. I just find it highly unlikely with him being shipped to another team at the moment. One way the Flyers may part ways with Voracek and his contract is at the expansion draft.
To be honest, I haven’t heard any rumors regarding the backup goaltending situation the Flyers have at the moment. The feeling I got from the exit interviews is that Cam Talbot will be re-signed by the club. Talbot is the only name I have heard that would play behind Carter Hart. He would be a solid backup to Hart, as both are friends. Talbot could be an excellent mentor for Hart, and to me, if Hart’s happy then it’s a win-win.
At some point next season, I could see Philippe Myers being in that top four role. However, much like Nolan Patrick, Myers shouldn’t be rushed because of need. Let him grow into that role naturally, not forced into that role because of need. Myers will be a very good defenseman for the flyers for years to come, but all young kids need time. Jacob Trouba could help in so many ways, so I hope Fletcher pulls the trigger on this one.
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: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
