Photo Credit: Zack Hill
The Flyers, like most teams are dead smack in the thick of the offseason, waiting for the NHL season to end. Of course, the Flyers are looking to add new faces, so let’s get it going already. Here are our answers to your questions.
James van Riemsdyk would make a perfect selection for Seattle to get rid of a high priced contract, thus offsetting the cost for a top pairing defenseman with Ivan Provorov.
van Riemsdyk had a good year with the Flyers this past season, but they will have to clear cap space in order to add the necessary pieces to challenge for the Stanley Cup next season.
Mike Yeo coaches the defensive side of the puck, and I do not see the Flyers overhauling their defensive style. Alain Vigneault’s system is defensive first that translates into offense. He allows his defensemen to aid the forwards with carrying the puck up the ice, and providing puck support for those said forwards.
Simply put, they have to get better. The penalty kill has to be better next season as well. This is a big season coming up for the Flyers, but I do not foresee them changing their defensive style based off one season.
I definitely understand why some fans are hesitant about giving up a ton of assets for a player that has significant neck/back issues at the particular moment. With that being said, if the Flyers did make the trade for Jack Eichel that would mean they have a team of doctors that feels as though his injuries aren’t significant enough to derail him for the rest of his career. Teams and team doctors know the situation about Eichel more than we do. They are afforded more information, so I would be confident with the organization if they did pull the trigger on this one
They may not have a deal in place for Seth Jones, but they know exactly what Columbus wants. Chuck Fletcher will definitely look to shore up the defensive position this season. The only thing that would steer Fletcher away is if he gets the feeling that Jones wants to test the market in 2022-23, regardless if he is traded or not.
Jones will be traded before the NHL Draft commences, I firmly believe that. The Flyers do make sense in terms of a trade for his services.
Josh Manson is a player that is very intriguing to me. He’s 29-years-old, Right-Handed, and a solid good RUGGED defenseman. A player that most teams would covet. Chuck Fletcher has been linked to many defenseman (Every Defenseman), and I would venture to say that he has been linked to Manson as well. I’m sure Fletcher has called the Anaheim Ducks to see what they would like for him, and keep in mind even if the Flyers acquire Jones. This does not mean that they will not try to acquire another defenseman.
Teams called the Ducks around the trade deadline to see what the Ducks wanted for Manson. Anaheim wanted a first round pick, and a high-end Prospect for Manson. As of right now the Flyers have what the Ducks want to obtain this rugged defenseman.
The Flyers have plenty of assets: Travis Konecny, JvR, Jake Voracek, Egor Zamula, Morgan Frost, and other prospects not named Cam York. Let’s not forget Scott Laughton also has value (If necessary). In addition, the Flyers also have the 13th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft. That is huge. Let’s be patient, multiple moves will transpire between now and the draft.
There is little chance, I give a 1% chance that Chuck Fletcher would submit an offer sheet for a player like Elias Pettersson. This would be harmful if the Flyers were planning on using Vancouver by means of a trade in the future. Would I love Pettersson…absolutely, but it’s unlikely.
The Flyers will trade for Seth Jones, and that will open the floodgates for another move, as well, between now and the NHL Draft.
I think the Flyers will lean towards Nick Schultz to handle his duties.
Cole Caufield will be a very good player, but I think Cam York will be too. Caulfield has done extremely well in the playoffs, and without his services the Montreal Canadiens might not be in the Stanley Cup Finals, For his efforts, he has potted four goals and five assists in 17 games played. His vision of the ice is impeccable as he threads passes through tight spaces. Caulfield is a goodie, and should vie for the Calder Trophy next season.
If the Flyers miss the playoffs next season. Current Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher, Head Coach Alain Vigneault, Mike Yeo, and Michel Therrien would all be dismissed. Trust me when I say this, the Flyers organization does not like missing the playoffs.
I have gone back and forth between JvR and Ghost. Last year I thought it was a shoo-in that the Seattle Kraken would select a defenseman from the Flyers, so I will stick with that. I say the Seattle Kraken will select Ghost from the Flyers, with an honorable mention going to Justin Braun.
Ghost had a resurgence this past year, and played rather well considering being waived and whatnot. With that being said, I believe they will select Ghost from the Flyers as he can be a quarterback of the power play. Remember the Kraken have to get to the cap floor, as well, so that should be considered too.
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.
