PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 17: Shayne Gostisbehere #53 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center on October 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Flyers are about to embark a tough road trip through the State of California. Three games, and at least two of those three games are winnable. Moreover, the Flyers then play the Vegas Golden Knights, Arizona Coyotes, and the Carolina Hurricanes. Let’s hope this third place Flyers team can keep the ball rolling on this six game road trip. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
One player that would not cost a ton, and would be a solid addition to this group is Chris Tierney from the Ottawa Senators. He would be a fine third-line Center (In case Nolan Patrick doesn’t play this season), or he could play in a top-six wing role if needed. Tierney is an RFA at year’s end, but this could be a cheap addition cap wise for depth purposes ($2.9 million). Another player the Flyers could be interested in is Chris Kreider. He could also fill in the top six role if needed, as well. Kreider is familiar with playing Alain Vigneault’s system, and he could fill the gap left by Oskar Lindblom and possibly Nolan Patrick.
I can’t really see the Flyers adding a top six Forward, as they do not have the cap flexibility to do such unfortunately. Let’s hope Nolan Patrick is able to make a return this season, and could possibly fill that void in the top six if need be.
It still shocks me that Claude Giroux isn’t used full-time on the left side of the Power Play. Giroux should be used on the left side 100% of the time. One change that may be forthcoming is bringing the top PP unit to a 3 Forward, 2 D unit. Matt Niskanen has a bullet from the point, and is accurate. If four Forwards can’t get it done, then why not right?
PP1: G, Coots, Voracek, Provy, Niskanen
PP2: JVR, Hayes/Frost, TK, Ghost, Sanheim
If Michel Therrien elects to stay with the 4 Forward, 1 D Top unit, then I would like to see:
PP1: G, Coots, Voracek, TK, Provy
PP2: JVR, Hayes/Frost, Farabee, Ghost, Niskanen
G, Coots, and Voracek have great chemistry, and TK does too with all aforementioned players. Keep it simple do not over think things with having a body in front of the net (JVR).
One prospect that comes to mind is Mikhail Vorobyev. Vorobyev could be used in a future trade to obtain depth at the trade deadline if need be. The Flyers are littered with depth versatile Centers to include Scott Laughton, Michael Raffl, and Andy Andreoff. Vorobyev could very well be out the door.
Another prospect that could be on his way out via a package is Matthew Strome. Isaac Ratcliffe’s ceiling is higher, and he is a better skater. Strome doesn’t skate very well, but can shoot. Pascal Laberge, and Maksim Sushko can do what Strome does, I just don’t see it HERE with Strome. Especially, with Bobby Brink knocking on the door for an ELC within the next year or so.
This question is interesting this time of year with the trade deadline nearing. It really depends on what Chuck Fletcher plans to obtain at the deadline. If Fletcher is looking for a top six Forward, then he will have to depart with a high end prospect or two, so I could very well be wrong with these aforementioned prospects.
One player that would not cost a ton, and would be a solid addition to this group is Chris Tierney from the Ottawa Senators. He would be a fine third-line Center (In case Nolan Patrick doesn’t play this season), or he could play in a top-six wing role if needed. Tierney is an RFA at year’s end, but this could be a cheap addition cap wise for depth purposes ($2.9 million). Another player the Flyers could be interested in is Chris Kreider. He could also fill in the top six role if needed, as well. Kreider is familiar with playing Alain Vigneault’s system, and he could fill the gap left by Oskar Lindblom and possibly Nolan Patrick.
I can’t really see the Flyers adding a top six Forward, as they do not have the cap flexibility to do such unfortunately. Let’s hope Nolan Patrick is able to make a return this season, and could possibly fill that void in the top six if need be.
Fletcher does not have the cap flexibility to add a top six Forward, so I really can’t see the Flyers making a big splash. However, Fletcher will add a depth player to the mix, and two players that could be of interest are Chris Kreider (Rangers) and Chris Tierney (Senators). Tierney is a versatile Forward that can play Center and Wing, whereas Kreider is familiar with Vigneault’s system.
One prospect that comes to mind is Mikhail Vorobyev. Vorobyev could be used in a future trade to obtain depth at the trade deadline if need be. The Flyers are littered with depth versatile Centers to include Scott Laughton, Michael Raffl, and Andy Andreoff. Vorobyev could very well be out the door.
Another prospect that could be on his way out via a trade package is Matthew Strome. Isaac Ratcliffe’s ceiling is higher, and he is a better skater. Strome doesn’t skate very well, but can shoot. Pascal Laberge, and Maksim Sushko can do what Strome does, I just don’t see it HERE with Strome. Especially, with Bobby Brink knocking on the door for an ELC within the next year or so.
In terms of Flyers Goalie prospects to possibly be moved. One that comes to mind is a rockstar right now in Russia Ivan Fedotov. Matej Tomek would also have to come to mind right now, as well. The Flyers own indefinite rights with Fedotov, so I would believe Tomek would be the first out. Goalies are so hard to predict, anyone could really work out, so personally I would like to keep as many Goaltenders in the pipeline as possible.
I’m hoping that Nolan Patrick can return after the All-Star break. If he does not return by March, I would have to think the Flyers would unfortunately shut him down for the year. Just for the health of the player. Let’s be honest here his health is more important. However, with Patrick traveling with the team again, and taking part in most practices (Non-contact). I trust my gut, and say he returns at some point this season.
I’m hoping that Nolan Patrick can return after the All-Star break. If he does not return by March like you said, I would have to think the Flyers would unfortunately shut him down for the year. Just for the health of the player. Let’s be honest here his health is more important. However, with Patrick traveling with the team again, and taking part in most practices (Non-contact). I trust my gut, and say he returns at some point this season.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Twitter page @flyersknitty using #Flyersmail, or @JameyBaskow. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag, and Let’s go Flyers.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
I wouldn’t give up on Strome yet, both his brothers were high #1 draft picks and were deemed flops after spending time in the minors ,failing to put up much scoring and being traded multiple times . Both are now pretty good players it just took them long to develop. Strome is a natural scorer , yes he can’t skate ,but you can learn to be a better skater ,, you can’t learn to score goals . Just look at Lindblom , he couldn’t skate either and he learned and became a good player. Giroux is 30, we don’t know if Lindblom is ever coming back or if he does, how the cancer affected his game. So the last thing I’m doing isn’t giving up a scoring winger. Vorobyev, no problem, we have Rubstov and O’Brian ahead of him at center.
I’m not giving up on Strome by any means, but I would include him in a package if need be. Teams need scoring, and that is the type of prospect that could have some value for depth purposes. Unfortunately, you have to give in order to receive
Vorobyev needs a trade to succeed in his career, because we have clearly given up on him! He has all the tools to become a star in NHL, but he needs much more playing time with better line mates in order to succeed in this league! It is a real pity, that Vorobyev needs a change of teams, before Flyers fans can see how good Misha really is!