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Ideally I would still like to see the center depth sometime this season as follows- Zegras, Dvorak, Cates, and Couts. Couts as a 4th liner would still get more minutes then Abols right now with trying to protect a lead in the 3rd period. Moving Zegras to center hopefully allows the team to get more then a one goal lead heading into the third period more frequently. I’m not hopeful it will ever happen.
Above average goaltending just makes such a huge difference for a team. Vladar has been terrific. The blueline now with Risto back is probably safely top 3 in the division. I do not think that is controversial. Drysdale has really improved in the defensive zone. Andrae is not quite there yet in the defensive zone, but there is no reason not to leave him in the lineup. Really it is just time to move Zamula. Not doing him any favors, just sitting in the pressbox as the #8 Dman.
Would have been nice to see Tippett-Zegras-Michkov play more then 1 shift together. I guess baby steps for the HC who values defensive responsibility as priority for all 4 lines put on the ice. Team is now 9th from the bottom in goals scored. Might want to think about trying for a little more offense then trying to keep trying to squeak out 2-1 wins.
Zegras gonna get paid, he is saving the regime.
There is an abundance of forwards currently on the roster who would be ideally slotted on a third line if they were a cup contender. Here’s my list- Cates, Dvorak, Couts, Brink, Grebenkin, and Tippett. Would not even mind players like Couts and Grebenkin sliding down to 4th line and really be able to roll 4 good lines. I would assume if this season is about “being in the mix for playoffs”, next season should be in the playoffs, no excuses. Seems logical.
The issue with a big package going the other way in a trade is I disagree about any great abundance for the Flyers anywhere, at least at the moment, and certainly at center and D. I think the roster looks pretty good and the Flyers, to me, look like a solid level just below elite team . . . when they’re healthy. That’s a pretty dodgy proposition. Having said all that, I think the Flyers will hold on and make the playoffs this year, just that they’re a year or two away from being able to put together an offer some team that needs to deal an elite center or Dman can’t refuse.
Fair assessment especially if the team finally continues to get average to above average goaltending. For me, ideally I would create a third line with Couts and Cates playing together. Of course, the current situation at center does not allow that to happen considering Tocchet’s reluctance to make Zegras a full time center. I would like to see some time in the future Zegras centering and having Foerster as one of his wings. The team gets the dynamic play making ability of Zegras at center with the two way play of Foerster. I just do not believe this current HC has an appetite for playing an offensive minded center. Hard to argue Zegras cannot play center because of faceoffs when Cates is around 43%. Cates plays center because of his defensive awareness at center. Sure seems Tocchet values defensive awareness as a top priority to playing center. I am just not sure a team can truly be elite when a team’s top 3 centers has such a large gap between defensive responsibility to offensive skill. Dvorak has pretty much been stapled next to Zegras the entire season. I find it hard to believe Dvorak would be able to maintain his current offensive production if away from Zegras. Basically, I do not believe a team can be a true contender without at least 1 center being a minimum 60 point player. The current 4 centers do not have that ability even with potentially elite wingers. I am not going to write Luchanko cannot be that player, but it is very much an unknown.
This year appears to win as many games as possible with the current roster, which is fine to a point. I was hoping for more experimentation with the roster to fit players into different roles, which if successful gets them that much closer to being a true contender. Already mentioned Zegras at center. When healthy, moving Foerster up the lineup away from Cates. Move Michkov back to RW and let him work thru his slump on the side he feels more comfortable on. On the good note, allowing Andrae to stay in the top 4. Hopefully, that continues when Risto returns. Riding Vladar more who has been a career backup.
I am certainly not against trading for high ceiling low floor players. That strategy helped to build the FLA dynasty. Whatever name that can be floated will come with some skepticism whether that player will pan out. Of course, that is the reason they are available and for significantly less compensation for a player of Quinn Hughes skill level.
It does make me wonder if the Flyers have the assets to really compete to trade for the few times an elite talent under 30 becomes available. The far more likely situation seem to be a Zegras situations become available and hope Briere can hit. Young, underachievers relative to their draft status seems to be the menu. Right now, Flyers will probably be shopping in the Owen Power and Brad Lambert profile aisles. If this is the case, Martone and Michkov need to turn out to be elite wingers. Going to be a real kick in the groin if Briere extends a 30 year old Dvorak coming off a career year to start “we’re ready to compete in Summer ’26”. We’ll see what happens, but with the cap significantly increasing over the next few years, the very few times a Hughes type player becomes available for trade, there will be a significant increase amount of suitors to compete against then when the cap was relatively flat.
They clearly don’t NOW. MIN was in a unique position and they took advantage. They upgraded their D slot a ton with Hughes over Buium, Ohgren has a ways to go, they opened a hole at center but there was apparently some friction with Rossi, plus the pick and that package checked every box for VAN. I wouldn’t wring my hands over it. They seem to like Byram from BUF but GM Adams job looks tenuous. Lambert isn’t an answer. He’s regressed badly now into his 3rd pro year, he’s not short but he’s slight, D is an issue. Don’t need to see any moves any time soon. If they fall out of the race, which looks increasingly unlikely, they can still dump. If not, they can add but impossible to tell right now what they might need. Injury dependent.
These type of elite players with any term left on their contract are extremely rare. They certainly do not happen every year. Eichel being traded from BUF and Karlsson from OTT come to mind. So if trades for elite talents are so rare, other then getting lucky in the draft trying to trade for high ceiling, low floor guys like Zegras will be the way forward. If Martone and Michkov are off the table, then sure looks like trading for an elite talent will not be available. Look maybe BUF might be stupid enough to someday trade Thompson or Dahlin for something less. Who knows. More likely, a better shot to trade for Byram, Power, or even Rasmus Andersson. Seems like the entire league is looking for centers, not sure there is anyway to even trade for one unless a massive overpay for a player over 30. UFA market this summer at center is pretty much Dvorak, Coyle, and Wennberg, not great.
There is an abundance of forwards currently on the roster who would be ideally slotted on a third line if they were a cup contender. Here’s my list- Cates, Dvorak, Couts, Brink, Grebenkin, and Tippett. Would not even mind players like Couts and Grebenkin sliding down to 4th line and really be able to roll 4 good lines. I would assume if this season is about “being in the mix for playoffs”, next season should be in the playoffs, no excuses. Seems logical.
It does make me wonder if the Flyers have the assets to really compete to trade for the few times an elite talent under 30 becomes available. The far more likely situation seem to be a Zegras situations become available and hope Briere can hit. Young, underachievers relative to their draft status seems to be the menu. Right now, Flyers will probably be shopping in the Owen Power and Brad Lambert profile aisles. If this is the case, Martone and Michkov need to turn out to be elite wingers. Going to be a real kick in the groin if Briere extends a 30 year old Dvorak coming off a career year to start “we’re ready to compete in Summer ’26”. We’ll see what happens, but with the cap significantly increasing over the next few years, the very few times a Hughes type player becomes available for trade, there will be a significant increase amount of suitors to compete against then when the cap was relatively flat.
As this season progresses, I hope Briere does not pay Dvorak for a career year. Great job by Dvorak taking advantage of his opportunity this season. His career best is 38 points and he turns 30 in February. Dvorak is going to want a multi year deal for his next contract. It would make zero sense to sign an over 30 year old center to a multi year when there already is an over 30 year old center with multiple years left on his contract. Considering this current team is not a real Cup threat, stocking up on over 30 year old center seems like bad business.
4 years for 18-20 million. done deal. book it.
Dvorak signed 1 yr @ 5.4 million. With the cap rising, I would assume his agent has little interest in lowering that cap with a multi year extension. Considering the lack of center depth in the free agent market, pretty certain Dvorak will be coveted. I agree probably trying to get at minimum a 3 year deal considering his age. This would be an awful decision by the organization unless they trade Cates to improve the roster, which I doubt is going to happen.
As this season progresses, I hope Briere does not pay Dvorak for a career year. Great job by Dvorak taking advantage of his opportunity this season. His career best is 38 points and he turns 30 in February. Dvorak is going to want a multi year deal for his next contract. It would make zero sense to sign an over 30 year old center to a multi year when there already is an over 30 year old center with multiple years left on his contract. Considering this current team is not a real Cup threat, stocking up on over 30 year old center seems like bad business.
I guess the hope is when Risto returns he can help solidify the 3rd pair, which is a black hole. Juulsen and Zamula just get exposed way too much. If any of the top 4 miss significant time, the team is in deep trouble. York needs to get back sooner then later. I would hope Briere would take this winger surplus depth to address the blueline. I would assume he will try for Hughes first and is waiting to see how that plays out. I would hope Rutherford resolves the Hughes situation before the Olympic break, bot who knows.
Risto is really good. He’s a Top 4 guy here and for a lot of other teams too. He’ll make a difference. Juulsen had a rough 1st period. An errant pass led to the first goal and his penalty led to the 2nd. I’d be shocked if Hughes gets dealt anywhere this season.
We can debate whether is a top 4 Dman as far as play and production. Risto is now 31 and who has played over 70 games once since the ’20-’21 season. I think it is fair to question whether Risto really can be reliable for the duration of his current contract. The better hope I believe is Andrae solidifies his place in the top 4 with the current organizational depth chart.
As far as Hughes, VAN is basically a capped team who is now second worst in the league. Hughes has shown very little eagerness to extend with VAN this summer. In theory, VAN should be able to get better assets from a team that would have Hughes for two potential playoff runs as opposed to one. 1st round picks are nice, but if you are VAN how much value is there with multiple picks in the 20s in a particular draft. I believe when Hughes gets traded it will be similar to the Tkachuk trade with FLA. What would be different in a potential Hughes trade is he has term left on his contract. Tkachuk was traded during the summer when he could sign an extension with FLA. Rutherford should be able to do better from an asset standpoint trading Hughes before this trade deadline. What is the benefit of VAN keeping him past the deadline? Difficult to make the playoffs this season being so low in the standings. Unlikely, Rutherford can build a roster over the summer that can compete with EDM, ANA, or Vegas for next season to just even compete in the division. My personal belief is Rutherford would be foolish not to deal Hughes soon.
Once Hughes is traded, then I believe the next domino to fall would be BUF. Byram or Power would be my guess for the next young Dman with term left to potentially be traded.
I guess the hope is when Risto returns he can help solidify the 3rd pair, which is a black hole. Juulsen and Zamula just get exposed way too much. If any of the top 4 miss significant time, the team is in deep trouble. York needs to get back sooner then later. I would hope Briere would take this winger surplus depth to address the blueline. I would assume he will try for Hughes first and is waiting to see how that plays out. I would hope Rutherford resolves the Hughes situation before the Olympic break, bot who knows.
the scary part is what risto like dman will he acquire? big is better.
will risto ever see the playoffs? I think he has the longest streak of no playoff games.
Hard to say. Jones talking about his views on team building, Briere has not exactly followed. Zegras is certainly not a big forward. Right now, I would argue the Drysdale/Andrae pairing has been the best pairing since being put together. Somewhat small sample size. The pursuit of Hughes certainly suggest a lack of need for size on the blueline. With Risto’s injury history, not even sure he lasts the entire season when he returns. Seeler seems to be declining with age. Still a capable #6 Dman going forward.
I’m really hoping Hughes gets traded soon. I doubt Briere does anything meaningful until the Hughes situation is resolved.
I guess the hope is when Risto returns he can help solidify the 3rd pair, which is a black hole. Juulsen and Zamula just get exposed way too much. If any of the top 4 miss significant time, the team is in deep trouble. York needs to get back sooner then later. I would hope Briere would take this winger surplus depth to address the blueline. I would assume he will try for Hughes first and is waiting to see how that plays out. I would hope Rutherford resolves the Hughes situation before the Olympic break, bot who knows.
Amazing how much of a mess BUF still is this season. I still believe Briere should try and pry Dahlin, Power, or Thompson away. Power reminds me so much of a potential Zegras situation. His value continues to plummet, a change of scenery may do wonders. Not a guarantee, but a risk I believe would be worth taking. Dahlin is a pipe dream, but if somehow, some way, it can be done, whew.
I am more amazed those players and tuch haven’t asked out. maybe they are comfortable and have accepted losing like some flyers players.
There were rumblings last year that Dahlin was not happy, and then met with the GM Adams and supposedly things were smoothed over. They are going to have blow up the roster, the mix just does not work. They tore it down to the studs and have a bunch of top 10 picks drafted over the last decade. Have a feeling they would be more interested in player for player trades similar to the Cozen/Norris trade and Mittlestadt/Byrum trades. BUF still has not won a road game this season in regulation, pretty incredible.
Amazing how much of a mess BUF still is this season. I still believe Briere should try and pry Dahlin, Power, or Thompson away. Power reminds me so much of a potential Zegras situation. His value continues to plummet, a change of scenery may do wonders. Not a guarantee, but a risk I believe would be worth taking. Dahlin is a pipe dream, but if somehow, some way, it can be done, whew.
I do hope Grebenkin can seize this opportunity and be released from the purgatory of the 4th line forever. The game against BUF was a nice start. The play for Briere will be to trade some of these wingers to help improve the roster. We’ll see what he can get done.
It is fascinating to watch Drysdale-Andrae play with so much pace, and Zamula comes on the ice and looks like he is in slow motion. Maybe he adds value in the locker room somehow, but his on ice play might be slightly better then Juulsen. Maybe, maybe not.
A gpalie who can stop the puck and the top 4 on the blueline is the catalyst for success. I guess Risto is closing to coming back to help bolster the 3rd pair. Kind of hoping Kyrou would get a shot with Seeler on the 3rd pair. The blueline is not big, but constantly gets it out of the D zone with good outlet passes as opposed to chipping the puck up the boards every time. It would take real courage to embrace making the blueline smaller, but even more mobile and passing ability with inserting Kyrou. I do not expect it to happen any time soon, but with Drysdale and Andrae not getting caved in due to lack of size, it is something to think about.
That whole Drysdale trade still doesn’t sit well with me. Gauthier screwed the organization over with his request, he probably wouldn’t be having as much success offensively with the Flyers as they lack the talent that the Ducks have, but his talent level far exceeds Drysdale’s in my opinion. Bad trade!!
I don’t disagree about the results of the trade, but Drysdale is a big part of the results of the current team. This team currently built is not a true contender. Above average goaltending and a top 4 cannot take a team to the Finals. As far as asset management, no doubt trading for a top line winger for a second pair Dman is not ideal. A miss for Briere. Trading a 4th line center for at worst a top line winger is a win. I am not a Briere apologist. From day one, I thought the path of the rebuild laid out was a mistake. TK and Tippett extensions a mistake, IMO. If he can trade for Tippett before his NTC kicks in to bolster the team, then not a mistake. The way forward is trades and savvy free agent deals. Vladar full credit as a savvy free agent move. Pretty obvious, the next big move is trading some of these winger assets for a top 6 center or top pair Dman. It is really the only was forward to making this team relevant. That’s why if Hughes becomes available, Briere will try to acquire.
