The New New Unending Flyers thread

[LegoDoom]

meh...Edmonton outplayed them pretty much from the start of the second period.

I think Florida played well in OT and hit some posts in the 3rd period. Edmonton did outplay them, but it also took two perfect shots and a deflection to beat them.

[Austinfan]

You need a hot goaltender, but who would have thought Pickard?

No one will have the star power of Edmonton again, they had (4) #1 picks over a decade plus #3 Draisaitl and Bouchard #10. With the lottery, no one is going to get that many shots at landing the next McDavid.

Florida is more typical of team building, a few high picks, a few judicious trades, some smart waiver wire/low cost additions.

Put together two solid scoring lines, two bottom six lines that can hold their own against top lines in terms of puck possession.
Two pairs of D-men who can play against anyone, a 3rd pair that's not a defensive liability

A top star makes it easier to build a scoring line or D-pair, but with a hard cap, you need to balance high priced stars with young quality players and depth.

[bigegypt0417]

I think if ALL it takes is 3 first to move up to the #2 spot, you take it.

The flyers have the picks to move up in to the end of the round if a player they want falls...including the first in '27.

Misa is a tick behind the best player but a significant distance better than those behind him on the scouting lists.

[zambonir]

I'm with you, I do it if you really think he is that good. I just didn't know if he is (literally, like, what do I know). That price struck the person who first raised the idea as slightly high (versus two firsts and the 40th).

Are the Sharks tanking for McKenna themselves? Because it's a lot easier to not use your #2 pick if you still think you're going to be Top 5 next year anyway.

[Austinfan]

Scott Wheeler, my #1 amateur scout (The Athletic, along with Pronman) had some good points about Misa:

Michael Misa’s 134-point season has to be understood within the context of both the coach he plays for (Chris Lazary, who gives his players more offensive freedom than arguably any coach in major junior hockey) and the linemates he had (especially in the second half after the arrival of Yegor Chernyshov, who also immediately became one of the league’s best players). That doesn’t mean you necessarily have to discount the season Misa had. He was my vote for the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player award and deservedly won it. But it’s important information that teams should and do consider when plotting him side-by-side with the rest of the draft’s best prospects.

[bigegypt0417]

So this assessment is he got those numbers with an coach who enjoys offense and also he played with other good players...which would be needed in the NHL as well. Players look better when they play with better players.

I like Wheeler alot...but he's a guy who builds composite rankings off the reports of others...like most national reporters.

[zambonir]

I'm not sure that's actually fair (or true) about Wheeler though. He watches these guys. He talks to scouts and GMs. He probably does his own data (and has access to other data). This is his only beat.

[bigegypt0417]

I definitely didn't mean it as an insult...I'm sure he brings his own knowledge to the table...

[Austinfan]

No he doesn't. He probably watches more film than anyone else not on a NHL staff.

What is the scouting process for NHL Draft prospects? Everything you need to...

Bob McKenzie (TSN) builds his ratings off conversations with NHL scouts.

[zambonir]

Listen at the end of the day all that matters is whether Flahr and Briere assess him - and the market for other players and traded picks - properly. We just get to have an online barroom debate.

[bigegypt0417]

Yep...this is really all it comes down to...I would imagine the Flyers have all the information they need to decide value. Misa seems to fit the bill as a 1C but ultimately it takes two to tango...I just don't think the Flyers will be the obstacle if there is a deal to be made.

[Austinfan]

Yeah. Trust your scouts, if they're wrong, get new scouts.
Briere did some scouting with his staff before he got promoted, which was certainly useful experience, getting a feel for how it's done.

I think a big advantage Briere has was as an undersized player, who bounced between the AHL and NHL until he was 24, he understands how intangibles impact success. Same with Sharp. One problem for highly talented players in FO positions is they often don't understand why other players can't do what they did.

Hockey and baseball are more similar in player development than other sports.
Though as baseball drafts more college players, their job gets easier (projecting 21/22 year old players is easier than 18 year olds, the LA draft is the opposite extreme, 15-16 year old kids).
You're projecting from a body and skills how they'll develop over the next 4-5 years. Not an exact science.

[Florida_Sunshine]

LegoDoom and Docs,

Both of you need to stay as all opinions are valued. I get it, there are some people here that think they know everything. Maybe they do but I doubt it. Their ego just gets out of control at times. Just enjoy the board for what it is. A place to exchange info and learn from various viewpoints.

[Florida_Sunshine]

Good post Austinfan. I think I would keep #6 and trade up both #22 and #31 separately and come away with three really good prospects. IF, IF, IF it is possible.

[bigegypt0417]

Agreed...Edmonton is definitely not as good across the board as Florida...The oilers will have to play above their weight to have a chance.

[bigegypt0417]

I think the hazard is that hitting it three times is not as easy...

I still take the quality over the quantity...you have 4 more picks in the second round to move up if you see something you want.

I'm also fine if they stay at 6 and use the other two picks to move.

[Florida_Sunshine]

I hear you. It is going to be interesting to see what Briere does.

And the truth is that we may never know what opportunities he has and declines.

[bigegypt0417]

Agreed!

[zambonir]

I think a big advantage Briere has was as an undersized player, who bounced between the AHL and NHL until he was 24, he understands how intangibles impact success. Same with Sharp. One problem for highly talented players in FO positions is they often don't understand why other players can't do what they did.

Of course that could just as easily go the other way, i.e. Briere gives players who remind him of himself too much credit and then they don't actually have the same intangibles. I mean, this was also true of Bobby Clarke.

There aren't really that many highly talented players running NHL teams anyway. A few great ones, but other than Yzerman Briere might top the list, and the few others were all just as known for grit and effort, or were third-line types

[Florida_Sunshine]

I think the point is that Briere will not just dismiss a player because he is too small. He will look to see what other intangibles are there instead of just dismissing the player for being too small.