STILL ABOUT PIPES & POSTS
The Flyers have a plethora of building blocks, but they’re still seeking that super-stopper
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teeming prospect pipeline, GM Ron Hextall and his staff have left no discipline uncovered. The franchise has taken six goaltenders in the past six drafts while also selecting for size, skill, character and defense amongst the skaters. Winning the second overall pick in 2017 brought an unexpected boon in Nolan Patrick, and the internal competition for roster spots in the next few years will be fearsome. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Ahhh, it always comes down to goaltending, doesn’t it? Despite all the picks, Philadelphia still doesn’t have a dependable starter, and it’ll be at least another year or two before top prospect Carter Hart is even an option. In the meantime, the Flyers have to find someone via trade or free agency. LONG-TERM NEEDS: With the exception of Claude Giroux, the Flyers’ offense went silent in the playoffs, and while they’ve often been the underdog recently, eventually that has to change. Finding someone, internally or externally, who can come through in the clutch – a la Justin Williams – may be the final piece of the puzzle for a team that has everything in the pipeline. CAP SITUATION: Hextall has $20 million available this summer, and the subtractions will merely clear space for improvement. Valtteri Filppula, Matt Read and Johnny Oduya are all UFAs who can be replaced by either better or cheaper (or both) options. Petr Mrazek is an interesting RFA, since the Flyers still have Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth under contract. IN THE SYSTEM 2018-19: Based off his boffo post-draft campaign in Sault Ste. Marie, it’s hard to rule out center Morgan Frost next year, though he could also return to the OHL and dominate at the world juniors. A more likely candidate is Philippe Myers, the big and smooth defenseman who had a successful rookie pro season with AHL Lehigh Valley. DID YOU KNOW: At 6-foot6, it’s inevitable that Guelph left winger Isaac Ratcliffe has been asked if he’s been a basketball player at some point in his life. Genetically, that’s not out of line, since his father won two Canadian college titles with the Fanshawe Falcons.