2014 Philadelphia Flyers Offseason Thread

[Rome]

best ever!

[Geowhizzer]

Voracek signed:  8 years, $66M, $8.25 per year average

[Rome]

Whoa

[SunMo]

that seems like a regrettable contract

[Rome]

That's basically a max deal, right?

Jesus... Hexy's got a brass pair on him, I'll give him that.

[ice grillin you]

definitely a risk because he's only had one year that comes close to justify a deal like this....at the same time he was a top ten forward in the nhl last year and is entering the prime of his career so none of the years of this deal will fall during a time when you'd expect him to be done or terrible aka lecavalier or pronger

[Rome]

Or Richards or Carter or Giroux...

[ice grillin you]

giroux and jakes are identical deals cept I think girouxs will end when he's 34 vs 33 for jake....of course their deals were signed under the new cba not the old one that gave out ludicrously long contracts otherwise they would be on par with carter richards

[Rome]

I just hope Giroux & Voracek are truly the players you want as cornerstones for the franchise.  I'm not sure they are, actually.  Like anything else Philly sports-related, I'm prepared to be disappointed.

[ice grillin you]

lol...pretty much where i stand...they had to sign them...its worth the risk to get two first line players entering their prime....but i fully expect neither to live up to the price tags

[Rome]

Giroux has shown flashes but giving him the C was a big mistake.   Too late now, though.

[ice grillin you]

corey pronman just came out with his 100 top prospects....i dont really get how konecny is ahead of provorov or for that matter sanheim and i also dont know how lindblom even made it at all but seeing the ghost and morin as honorable mentions i think shows the depth the flyers have in their system for the first time in forever...in fact he ranked their overall system number 10 in the nhl


18. Travis Konecny, C, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 176 | 2014-15 team: Ottawa (OHL)
Previous ranking: Not eligible

Konecny is a dynamic forward prospect who plays with a high level of energy as well. The former No. 1 overall OHL draft selection is a top-end skater and puck-handler who can make creative plays at a fast pace. Konecny's frame is not ideal, but he wins battles despite his size and has a lot of skill. His production this year with Ottawa doesn't scream "big-time prospect," but this is more a scouting call on my part. I've seen Konecny a lot the last two years, and at least heading into the 2015-16 season, I'm buying on his big-time upside.

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31. Ivan Provorov, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 201 | 2014-15 team: Brandon (WHL)
Previous ranking: Not eligible

Provorov had an outstanding rookie season in the WHL, being among the most dangerous offensive defensemen in the league while also logging tough defensive minutes. He's a very skilled, highly mobile defenseman who plays the body and displays a significant level of hockey IQ at both ends of the rink. I think his value at the end of the day will be more offense-tilted and his upside defensively is a 2nd second-PK-unit type of guy, but his overall package points toward him being a legit top-end prospect. Provorov has been in North America for several seasons and is much acclimated to the style of play, potentially leading to a 1-2 one- to two-year wait before he's in the NHL.

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46. Oskar Lindblom, LW, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 192 | 2014-15 team: Brynas (SHL)
Previous ranking: Not ranked

There are a lot of good things you can say about Lindblom's game: (1) He's a good physical player who gets to the net and wins battles; (2) he has good vision as a playmaker and has a pretty good shot as a finisher; and (3) he defends well and has produced at high levels internationally and versus men. The only real flaw in Lindblom's game is that his speed isn't great. Lindblom was a mid-round pick last year, but after a strong 2014-15, has certainly opened some eyes.

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68. Travis Sanheim, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 198 | 2014-15 team: Calgary (WHL)
Previous ranking: 100

Six-foot-three defensemen who skate and handle the puck well don't grow on trees -- or at least any trees that I'm aware of at the moment -- and Philly has one of those defensemen in Travis Sanheim. He's a fantastic offensive defensemen, with great footwork and puck-moving poise, that produced a point per game in the WHL this season. He does need to continue to bulk up and tighten up his defensive play in terms of his decision-making and gaps. Sanheim was a first-team All-Star in the WHL East.

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Honorable mentions:

Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Robert Hagg, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Samuel Morin, D, Philadelphia Flyers

[Rome]

It's ESPN, dude. They don't even pretend to cover hockey anymore.

[ice grillin you]

its their website not their network and pronmen is regarded as one of the best in the biz when it comes to prospects

[Rome]

He had them ranked 25th last year and based on just this draft alone he raised them 15 spots.

Also - you questioned his rankings then defended his ability as an analyst when I agreed with you.  You realize that, right?