The Flyers could upgrade via trades or free agency, while Coyotes entered the offseason facing uncertainty.
Flyers’ possible upgrade plans.
Flyers might not move Sean Couturier or Brayden Schenn.
PHILLY.COM: Sam Carchidi recently reported Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall would like to find an upgrade on defense and a skilled forward via free agency or trade this summer. Carchidi notes the UFA market is thin on talent, ” and it includes wingers Matt Beleskey (Anaheim), Michael Frolik (Winnipeg), and Justin Williams (Los Angeles); center Carl Soderberg (Boston); and defensemen Christian Ehrhoff (Pittsburgh) and Cody Franson (Nashville).” Hextall also hopes to improve the backup goalie position, leading Carchidi to speculation Calgary’s Karri Ramo and the Islanders’ Michael Neuvirth could be on his radar. Young Flyers like Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier aren’t expected to be dealt. Hextall remains uncertain over what to do with unhappy center Vincent Lecavalier but said the club wouldn’t buy out the remaining three years of his contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If they’re seeking affordable UFA addition, Beleskey, Soderberg, Ehrhoff and Franson could be the best bets. Otherwise, adding an upgrade on defense or a skilled forward could cost them someone like Schenn or Couturier. I suspect, however, Hextall would prefer shopping Matt Read, Nicklas Grossmann or Luke Schenn. I also expect he’ll try like hell to find someone willing to take Lecavalier off his hands.
Coyotes facing offseason uncertainty.
THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC: Sarah McLellan last week reported an air of uncertainty hung over the Arizona Coyotes as they cleaned out their lockers and headed into the offseason. While the club isn’t facing the threat of relocation this summer, the futures of head coach Dave Tippett and captain Shane Doan are up in the air as questions linger over the trajectory of the club. Both have made it clear they don’t wish to be part of a draft-lottery team next season. Doan has one season left on his contract with a full no-movement clause. He intends to discuss the club’s future with his family.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Missed this story last week amidst all the hooplah over the Leafs, Bruins, Flyers and Sharks. A lot could depend upon what moves, if any, GM Don Maloney makes in late-June and early-July. If the plan is a full rebuild, Tippett and Doan could decide to move on.
July 1st should be renamed “Overspend Day” – which is what most GMs do who are active in the UFA market. Tim Murray sounds like he wants to spend more of Terry Pegula’s money on July 1, as he did last year. Frankly, I think it’s a waste of time and resources.
Agreed. I still can’t believe the Oilers paid $20 mil over five years for Benoit Pouliot. Decent player, but worth $4 mil per year over five years? I don’t think so…
you know what, I said the same thing when they signed him too. But…19 goals, 34 pts, -1 in 58 games this year, I’d say that is more or less the ratio/numbers of a 4 mil player these days.
I really like what he brought this year, and had great chemistry with Nuge/Eberle.
Pouliot earned his payday this year imo…can he do it for the duration of the contract is the real question.
Not much for rumours these days so was just thinking about the draft.
Wonder if Arizona, with basically rebuilding from not much. Would be interested in another high pick the year. A player like OEL would generate quite the bidding war on draft day and a team like philly would pay a pretty penny. 7th overall plus??
why would any team trade a 23 year old star defensemanif they are rebuilding? They w2ould rebuild around this young man, not trade him away? Perhaps the Flyers should rebuild and trade Giroux, 3rd overall plus?? Help reduce their cap!
If Arizona really wanted to draft Eichel maybe there is a deal there to move up with Buffalo. Maybe package the first they got from Chicago and OEL. If they are completely sold on Eichel that is,
Dino, can’t see that happening…Buffalo tanked for 30th for a reason to guarantee getting one or the other in McEichel. I know GMTM said he would listen to offers because it’s free to listen but realistically I don’t see him moving from 2nd overall. I think Arizona takes Strome and slots him between Domi and Duclair. They have no center depth on the team or in the system. Don’t be surprised if Arizona tanks (opps there’s that word again…lol) next season to have the best shot at home grown Matthews.
Just spit balling, in trades teams give up something to get something. So to get something of significance like said above Phillys 1st (7th overall) and say couturier or b schenn or Sam morin, Arizona would have to give up something of significance. They have stated anyone is available including OEL. So get a young top 6 forward and a top young d man in provorov or werenski ..
Hextall is not trading the draft pick. He has stated for a year now that he will build through youth and draft picks, and has done that so far. Yet other teams’ fans seem to know what they will do.
I would trade the 7th overall straight up for OEL so n fast if i was Philly.
Hextall is going to give Courtier and Brayden Schenn one last year to prove themselves. The thought is that Berube hasn’t put either of them in a position to succeed offensively. Schenn has bounced around from Center to wing and among lines. While Courtier has been focusing on Defense.
give vinny another shot …actually give him some decent minutes and play him at center with speedy wingers…if he doesnt work out at least it may bump up his trade value a little for the deadline next year plus there will be one less year on contract…obviously he is not the same player he was earlier in his career but he did deserve better treatment than he received last year…who do you think they will pick up over the summer and who will coach next year…anyone?
For the coach, I see Philly built as a big, bruising team with high-end skill players, but not many of the them. They’re best coached as a tough, punishing team.
With that in mind, and the fact that the new Bruins GM *might* want to fire Julien and bring in his own guy, I’d say the following:
– If Julien becomes available, he’d be a pretty perfect fit for the Flyers’ roster
– If Julien isn’t available… your guess is as good as mine! Only Babcock springs to mind, and there will be a war on for his services. Maybe the Flyers’ next coach could even be a highly-touted junior/AHL coach I don’t know of?
Flyers have a history of alternating a coach from within and a experienced NHL coach. Todd McLelland and the ever popular Mike Babcock will be on the list. Although Julian would be a fit as well.
Paddy- I am not so sure Julien would be the right fit for the Flyers. Great coach but not exactly the most patient man with young players. Schenn and Coutier might continue their inconsistent ways with him as coach. For Julien I actually see San Jose as a fit still some vets and the younger high end players like Pavelski and Couture are established stars themselves.
Very fair points, Chris!
I think Marc Crawford would be a great fit for many reasons.
Doan is a little late wanting out of Arizona and has a big cap hit for a cup contender to swallow ($5.3 million), and age seems to be catching up.
As for the Flyers well we just need to ask Mr. Ed Olczyk, according to him they are going to be signing Mike Babcock (They are old drinking buddies) because nothing says glory days like coaching those pesky Flyers. And with Sean Couturier hoping for back to back 15 goal seasons next year the cup should be a slam dunk for the Flyers. I mean after all they do have the best player in the world in Claude “All Balls” Giroux, huge trade bait in Matt “Over Paid Like Clarkson” Read and prospects on D that are gonna be sold one day … we arent sure when but one day. God it feels good to be a Flyers fan !
To add to the coaching merry-go-round, Todd McLellan agree to part ways. If I’m the Leafs, I would be all over trying to hire him (and I’m no Leafs fan).
Two points:
1. I know they want Babcock. Half the teams do. I’m not at all convinced he’s leaving the Wings. You don’t want to miss out on another great coach while you’re waiting for someone who might not even be available.
2. For those who bitch about McLellan’s playoff record as a reason not to hire him… the Leafs need someone to get them *to* the playoffs. They can worry about winning a round or two once the team improves.
I think he’s a great players’ coach, and just what the Buds need.
You know, I like Todd McLellan as a coach. But he hasn’t won anything with alotta talent which is a huge strike against him. Or did his coaching suffer from the lack of leadership on the ice? People considering him as a hire have to decide who is more at fault for the Sharks’ shortcomings.
On the other hand, McLellan didn’t paint the team into a cap corner by giving Thornton and Marleau complete vetoes on any trades, nor do I think he was the one behind stripping Thornton of the C and then had to play them after that big blow-up between Joe and Wilson. The real question in San Jose should be, how in hell does Wilson hang onto his job?
Right on. Wilson traded away a boatload of 1st and 2nd round picks over several years. All for guys that didn’t perform, walked, or were traded. No return, and now the farm system is bare. Not TM’s doing. He’s a good coach.
George – I am with you on the moves that were made that were not Tm’s doing. Understood – but every coach in the league has the same issues, unless the coach is GM too and that doesn’t happen anymore. TM had plenty of talent to work with in San Jose.
I think Todd ends up in Edmonton, Babcock goes to Pittsburgh and chirelli/bylsma reunite in TO.
i’ve been saying for a while that i think Doan would be a perfect player for the bruins…a guy that would fit well with their style. he could play the role similar to what Recchi had with the bruins…and maybe the bruins and coyotes could find a trade that works for both (savard’s cap space, prospect (subban), Smith and a pick for Doan???)
He might have fit their style of play a year or two ago but I think that contract stops him from being a fit in Boston at all.
Or the Penguins or Capitals. Personally, I’d want to go to a team that didn’t just miss the playoffs.
doan is in a tough spot makes a lot has lost a step contenders cant afford him and he wont want to go to a team that doesn’t have a shot at the cup
How’s about The Jets picking him up? LOL – what’s old is new and he would fit will there…
The flyers should move out contracts for picks. Even if late picks just rid the,selves of the contracts. Their defence is awful and their depth needs attention. I don’t really know what else to say. They have talent no doubt but they are stifled it seems by horrible defensive play. I don’t think they should move jv or cg but they need to move out other contracts. Vinny, umburger etc for picks. Find rentals to fill out the lines without overpaying. One ear contracts etc and focus on developing their current picks.
Positive is Hextall knows what has to be done-and has a plan in place to develop young players. The Penguin’s are in worse shape as the have less depth and problem contracts that are longer term..see Chris Letang.
What??? Outside of Letang who is just injured and still is a great offensive defense-men when healthy how are the Pens hampered by paying 2 of the top center-men what they are worth? Name another horrible contract that they have on their team?
They have good young dman that are playing now (Matta and Pouliot) and a decent prospect pool. They are leaps and bounds ahead of Philly, oh and they seem to consistently make the playoffs.
Penguins suck and they are on the down side.
So instead of backing your claim about horrible contracts you counter with “Penguins suck and they are on the down side.”
From the guy last week that was convinced the Flyers were gonna win the draft lottery and Babcock was gonna come running LMFAO!
For the record the Flyers have 5 horrible contracts that take up $23 million in cap space which is basically dead space for the production that comes from it.
Vinny L, RJ Umburger, Matt Read, Strait, McDonald all just pure awful deals.
I am just pushing your buttons to get one of your patented “your on drugs related phrases” I bet someone else on here a beer that you would use one of them.
That’s not coming until Babcock signs elsewhere.
Convinced that the would win the draft lottery-6.5% convinced?. Anything beyond that is your imagination?
Tim Murray is an idiot. Did he not have two statements prepared before the letters I case he didn’t win?? He basically just through eichel under the bus and didn’t start the relationship off very well. If you think about it Buffalo could potentially market eichel just as well as McDavid anyway since he is the American kid ..
any team in the top 5 this year will be picking. I can’t see anyone trading the pick away
Murray is sometime direct and abrupt, for better or for worse.
But the Sabres are taking Eichel. I am sure Jack Eichel knows the situation, when all is said and done he’ll be a Sabre and their number one center for years to come.