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If Bowen Byram is available, I sure hope Briere has interest. Much like the discussion on the winger depth chart, Byram at worst is the 2nd best Dman in the organization if acquired. I would argue the best Dman, IMO. Rumor was Briere was willing to trade Gauthier to COL for Byram and COL said “no”. There has not been much change in the organizational depth chart since that time to suggest the Flyers are overflowing with potential top pair Dmen. I like the progression of Drysdale, but it would be foolish not to have interest in Byram because of the acquisition Drysdale.
I’m not sure a wing depth chart of Michkov, TK, Tippett, Foerster, and Brink is considered Cup worthy. Maybe a prospect can improve the quality. If there is a question that the $15 million dedicated to 2 of those wingers is not yielding enough production, might want to take the opportunity to upgrade even outside the organization. I do not believe the lack of center depth should inhibit the ability to upgrade in other positions.
If the Flyers choose to trade for a RFA, I have no issue, but I believe there are better options then Gabe Vilardi. Vilardi’s inability to play a full season is a huge question mark. The assets that will be needed to acquire a RFA along with the contract to sigh the player will be significant. Availability should not be a concern.
The organization needs to acquire more elite talent. It would be ideal if that piece would come as a center or Dman. However, to exclude the thought of acquiring winger because of the current depth chart makes little sense. It is decent depth, but if they can upgrade it should absolutely be done. It will cost significant cap space to acquire Marner, but that is the price every team will have to pay when they have an elite player on the roster. Easy solution to reduce how much cap is dedicated to the wing position is reduce the amount of cap allocated to wingers behind Mickhov and a potential Marner signing. Use that organizational depth at wing to fill out the wing position at a lower cap hit. If Tocchet can help attract talent to the team, here is a prime example. Next year supposedly is the big year. However, there is no guarantee any elite talent will be available in the free agent market. This summer was supposed to be the market for older #1 Dmen available. Well, Hedman and Slavin re signed, that possibility is gone, I would be thrilled for the Flyers to take a run at McDavid next summer. However, I find it silly to not pursue Marner this summer in the hopes that McDavid actually makes it to free agency next summer and the team can convince him to sign.
I like Vilardi, but have a hard time trading significant assets for a player who has played 70 plus games only once in his career. Bennett is another player I like, but to add another middle six forward to this roster makes me little sense. The only player that I hope they try and acquire is Marner. Michkov and Marner on opposite half boards would be dynamic on the PP. Marner is over a PP/game player in the regular season and .9 pts/game in the playoffs. Getting him out of TOR may do wonders for his postseason production, which is pretty good anyway. I have no issue moving Tippett and/or TK to create a winger spot in the top 6 for him. With all that being written on Marner, I do not expect the Flyers to show any interest in trying to pursue him. I don’t think they are bold enough to try such a move. Maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
I would think the ducks would accommodate and not send him to a team he didnt want to go to.
No doubt Verbeek will abide by the 10 team list. After that, it is try to get the best deal possible for his team. Dostall is an RFA. who played in 54 games. As of now, I would assume Dostall is the #1 goalie in ANA. From Gibson’s perspective, getting out of ANA might be something he looks forward to for a variety of reasons. First, he has been there his entire career. A change of scenery might be appealing. Being traded to a Metro team has a lot of travel advantages staying with a team in the Pacific Division. I do not think it is a stretch to believe the Eastern Conference is not as strong as the Western Conference for a team to make the playoffs. Finally, Gibson is from Pittsburgh so a chance to live on the East Coast might be appealing. The Flyers might have the inside track to acquire Gibson simply because they have the ability to take on his entire contract without ANA retaining. I just doubt the organization stands pat in goal and the UFA market is really slim.
I have a feeling they end up trading for John Gibson. Two years left on contract @ 6.4 million. Gibson’s game played starting from last season to previous years- 29, 46, 53, 56. Ersson’s contract is up after next season. I will add I highly doubt Fedotov will be on the roster. Possible to get the Petersen treatment and buried in the AHL if he really wants to stay in North America.
Not surprised with Shaw not staying. I think it was the right move for everyone. Shaw has been in the NHL for over 20 years, I doubt he would have interest in coaching in the AHL at this point if offered. Not sure why the goaltending coach is surviving, topic for another day.
The organization is going to try and upgrade the goaltending and I’m not sure Tocchet can have a worse PP. Unless the team is ravaged by injuries to key players, I do not expect them to be worse then the Torts years. The ability to climb in the standings is certainly a question. Briere cannot just rely on the prospect pool to improve the roster and the UFA market really for years has not given great options. Hockey trades will have to happen.
Dreger believes Luke Richardson will be on the staff. I would assume that means Shaw will not be running the defense. I am absolutely fine with a HC getting to name his own staff. With what Tocchet is being paid, kind of figured he would have free reign to appoint his staff.
Tocchet won’t be here in 3 years when those guys are ready to take off. his hire should have no bearing on who they take
Well considering Tocchet got 5 years and 5 million/yr, I think it is fair to assume Tocchet will have his input heard on the prospect rankings by the Flyers. Briere will have final say on who gets drafted. Also, the Tocchet hire represents a style of play and profile of player the organization wants to acquire. Again, Tocchet will have influence indirectly on the direction of the organization.
With Tocchet being named HC, I believe Frondell will be high up on their draft board. Desoyners and Martone probably will be higher then Hagens. If they want forwards who play more north/south, Hagens is probably the least likely to fit that mold.
If/when Tocchet gets hired, does he keep Shaw? Seems like VAN’s blueline was pretty effective without Shaw. Wonder if they sign Pius Suter as a stop gap center in free agency. Might be easier to sign him to a multi year deal, then Cates who looks like he wants to wait a year before signing multi term. My expectation is they trade for a goalie over trying to sign a UFA and hope for a good season.
IF Tocchet is the HC, I wonder who they convinced him would be his #1 goaltender. I find it hard to believe a HC, who at his age is probably his last stop would be satisfied rolling with Ersson as his #1 heading into his first season.
Dreger now reporting Tocchet likely to land a HC job now. Flyers, SEA, and BOS the likely contenders. As a Flyers fan at the present moment, BOS is closer to competing then the Flyers. McVoy, Pastranak, and Swayman is a foundation the Flyers currently do not have, just the reality. We’ll see if the Flyers just outbid everyone.
