The Ditch part deux

I think that Philly and Buffalo match up well on the trade front. You could do MUCH worse than Rob Lehner and there's speculation that they're talking about him. Buffalo also has some second-tier F's like Gus Girgensons and Johan Larsson that supposed interest Philly. Will Hex give up one of his big D prospects? That's the question. (BTW, Philly has been scouting the Sabres heavily. That's no guarantee of a trade, but it's not idle trade rumoring either.)

 

depending on how big is BIG? certain guys are untouchable. some are not. if the Flyers are serious and making a run to the playoffs - they must do the deal, if not, more than one. if they don't, hextall needs to be canned like tuna, for not doing a damn thing.

 

its fair to say that not all of the Flyers D prospects are as good as reported.
Provorov is a stud and I really like Hagg. Sanheim and Morin havent panned out the way many thought they would've by now. Freidman and Myers, time will tell.
I also think people need to pump the brakes on Hart and let him organically grow without immense pressure. otherwise has has Pogge written all over it

 

sanheim and morin need more time to grow and mature. hakstol sending them down to the AHL every few days didn't help their confidence levels.

and the flyers have the Swedish goalie Sandstrom too. They can give Hart some time but come 2020 his ass better be in goal.

 

I think GM Bots is asking for one of the trio you cite. These are big boys and it looks like a change of scenery may be necessary. You take risks like that if your team sucks like the Sabres. Of course we're talking about a package of a young bottom six F & G - we're not expecting the type of return being bantered about for Kane.

Rob Lehner has played well behind a very bad D. He'll be an RFA after the season. There's no commitment needed, but he could turn out to be an NHL starter after all, or he'll carry some trade value into the offseason. I think if Hex is serious about this Spring then he needs to make a few trades without mortgaging the future.

 

I could see Lehner being a fan favorite in Philly. He’s definitely the most Hextall-like goalie in the league, if that’s a thing.
On the hockey side of it I don’t see it as a move that would really help them all that much. They seem to always have that sort of slightly better than average goalie and right now they already have 2. I like Lehner’s upside better than Elliott and Neuvirth’s but if I were Hextall I wouldn’t pay up for it.
Kane could definitely help if the Flyers decide to be buyers and would be worth it I think.

Lehner in a place like Calgary, Carolina or NYI makes more sense to me.

 

And I agree that Buffalo is in the place where it’s worth it to grab a Morin or Sanheim. I’ve always like Oliver Kylington in Calgary, Buffalo could be a perfect spot for him in you can pry him from the Flames.

 

I really think Markstrom would be good in Philly. He has played very well for the woefully challenged Canucks. I think it is time to pump the brakes on Thatcher Demko next year in a split role.

 

Isles leapfrog past the canes into playoff territory with a 3-0 win, despite being outshot 45-23.

Luongo back tonight after two months, panthers will have a tough time making ground to a playoff seed.

 

Islanders play a lot like the Leafs, plenty of offensive firepower, but man, they give up the shots.

 

Panthers have been playing well, just its a bit too late, not impossible, but its going to take one hell of a final run with some help.

 

Yeah, the biggest difference between the leafs and the isles is goaltending, that was their first shutout last night and greiss is having a bad year.

 

Getting that 8th seed is sometimes the toughest thing to do, they have to pass four teams, although it looks like the rags are folding. With overtime losses counting as a point, it's really hard, 7 points out and 4 teams to pass.

 

Griess was standing on his head. He really had a great game. He and the isles were being outshot, outhustled early on... they really shouldn't have won as easily as they did.

Your right on about the goaltending... the goalies in Toronto have been saving their Canadian bacon for ever now. Leafs need to work more on offensive puck control and back-check better or they will run into trouble come playoff time. I just dont see firepower alone being a winning formula when the second season starts... got to play better defensively.

 

Didn't the Islanders just shutout the Rangers a couple nights ago?

 

They don't seem to move their legs in the d zone and look confused at times. The leafs are a good breakout team, they have the speed to score on the odd man rushes. Another D at the deadline could help, but, this is what they are. With the cap restrictions, you'll always be hurting in one area.

 

Yeah, I just read an article that said it was their first, let me go back and see.

 

They went 58 games without a shutout and then had back to back.

 

Dynamic Duo? lol

 

They may never allow another goal again. lol