I wouldn’t say they are a long shot. They are an equal shot because nobody knows this players location preference or even if he has one. The big thing working for the Flyers is an abundance of picks that they can outbid any other team. Having his college roommate could help him wanting to sign if the Flyers have the best offer.
- psuhockey

They are along shot with all things being equal. He will have his pick of teams if goes to UFA. Any team can outbid any team if they want to pay the freight; therefore, the Hawks can outbid the Flyers easily. Pens, Hawks, and Sharks have a ton of picks as well off the top of my head.

What do you mean by best offer? All rookies’ contracts are paid the same. As far as making the best offer to Tampa why would Howard care about that? I would imagine Tampa wants ELC contract players who can slide in the lineup not picks.

Demidov's first game with Habs tonight. They sure gave him the red carpet treatment! I wonder who will end up having the better career (Michkov or this guy)? Habs only get one point against Da Hawks, so tomorrow night's game against the Jackets still means something. Could the Flyguys knock yet another team out of the playoffs? Is TK playing injured? For his sake I sure hope so. Eh what?
- Phillywhiteout

Why do you think TK is playing injured? Because he has cooled off big time? He is allegedly playing in the World Championships so doesn’t look like any injury.

Howard is a UFA next August. At that time, all teams will be interested in his services. When you look at it from that perspective the Flyers are a long shot. Where would you rank the Flyers on a free agent destination list at this time? Howard will have many more attractive options before he considers the Flyers.

Having his roommate in the organization has minimal to no effect. I am sure the list is long of free agents who sign with teams who have their former roommate in the system.
- furio16

Why would the Flyers be a longshot? Look at this team. Everyone knows due to lack of talent PHI would be one of the best places to have a legit shot at the NHL level

Parameters for a Howard trade to another team has already been identified with the Gauther and McGroarty trades. From those trades, teams basically traded assets that were similar in value to the draft slot of the prospect being traded. So compensation for Howard should be the value of a late 1st round pick. The benefit for to Howard being traded now and signing this summer is potentially better leverage to negotiate bonuses coming off a Hobey Baker winning season. No guarantee he plays to the same level next season. I would be surprised if he plays at Michigan State in the fall, but I have been wrong before.

I would hope Briere would try to trade for him considering, he probably will not be able to draft a prospect with better potential in this draft with his later 1st round picks and plethora of 2nd round picks. He plays LW and has size, organization is lacking in those areas.

Coots on Torts

“It was just alright. I’m not gonna lie,” Couturier admitted. “I think throughout the last year and a half and what was portrayed in the media—yeah, there wasn’t much of a relationship, I would say. We didn’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, and it was hard, but I just tried to work with him and do what’s best for the team because that’s my job as the captain.”
Source: https://rg.org/news/hockey/sean-

Coots on Torts

“It was just alright. I’m not gonna lie,” Couturier admitted. “I think throughout the last year and a half and what was portrayed in the media—yeah, there wasn’t much of a relationship, I would say. We didn’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, and it was hard, but I just tried to work with him and do what’s best for the team because that’s my job as the captain.”
Source: https://rg.org/news/hockey/sean-
- wcorvette

No surprise there. Getting scratched last season, moved to 4th line LW for the home opener this season. Couts could not crack any PP time until 3 forwards were traded. I am convinced if it was solely up to Torts Laughton would have been named captain and would still be on the team.

Briere cannot hire the next HC internally. Would be an awful move.

Parameters for a Howard trade to another team has already been identified with the Gauther and McGroarty trades. From those trades, teams basically traded assets that were similar in value to the draft slot of the prospect being traded. So compensation for Howard should be the value of a late 1st round pick. The benefit for to Howard being traded now and signing this summer is potentially better leverage to negotiate bonuses coming off a Hobey Baker winning season. No guarantee he plays to the same level next season. I would be surprised if he plays at Michigan State in the fall, but I have been wrong before.

I would hope Briere would try to trade for him considering, he probably will not be able to draft a prospect with better potential in this draft with his later 1st round picks and plethora of 2nd round picks. He plays LW and has size, organization is lacking in those areas.
- Trox88

The difference between Gauthier/McGroarty and Howard is the prior two had multiple years of college left before they could go free agent. Howard is a free agent after one more season. Tampa won’t have as much leverage. As of right now, they would be slated to get the 31 pick in the 2nd round of the 2027 draft as compensation for losing him. The Flyers could probably get him for one of their early 2nd picks plus something else like a 3rd or mid level prospect. I think Tampa would jump all over a late first round pick.

The difference between Gauthier/McGroarty and Howard is the prior two had multiple years of college left before they could go free agent. Howard is a free agent after one more season. Tampa won’t have as much leverage. As of right now, they would be slated to get the 31 pick in the 2nd round of the 2027 draft as compensation for losing him. The Flyers could probably get him for one of their early 2nd picks plus something else like a 3rd or mid level prospect. I think Tampa would jump all over a late first round pick.
- psuhockey

That makes sense. I expect TB to move him at the draft. I just cannot fathom they let Howard just run out the clock and get nothing from their draft pick. With 7 picks early in the draft this year, makes so much sense to acquire an "older" prospect with a good ceiling.

That makes sense. I expect TB to move him at the draft. I just cannot fathom they let Howard just run out the clock and get nothing from their draft pick. With 7 picks early in the draft this year, makes so much sense to acquire an "older" prospect with a good ceiling.
- Trox88

I don’t think the Flyers will be making 7 picks so they are definitely going to do something with some of them. It will make for an interesting offseason.

The one thing everyone is talking about that I believe there is zero chance of happening is offersheets. No team is going to risk losing McKenna for a rfa this offseason so that leaves only a 2nd rd compensation level which last year was $4.5. With the cap going up, I don’t see any worthwhile rfa being signed for around that amount that their team wouldn’t match.

I don’t think the Flyers will be making 7 picks so they are definitely going to do something with some of them. It will make for an interesting offseason.

The one thing everyone is talking about that I believe there is zero chance of happening is offer sheets. No team is going to risk losing McKenna for a rfa this offseason so that leaves only a 2nd rd compensation level which last year was $4.5. With the cap going up, I don’t see any worthwhile rfa being signed for around that amount that their team wouldn’t match.
- psuhockey

With the goaltending situation, I agree Briere cannot afford to use his '26 1st round pick to try and acquire a player. I do expect him to use one of his 2nd round picks for a goaltender. The UFA goalie market is pretty slim. Bourque from DAL is a popular name for an offer sheet just for that tender of a 2nd round pick because of the Stars cap situation.

Apparently Kaplan is signing and joining the Flyers. Another bottom 6 forward. I do not have a problem with Kaplan signing, but there has to be a plan to thin the middle six glut of forwards currently on the roster. Most of the bottom 6 is already under contract and this summer Foerster, Pelletier, and Cates will need contracts

With the goaltending situation, I agree Briere cannot afford to use his '26 1st round pick to try and acquire a player. I do expect him to use one of his 2nd round picks for a goaltender. The UFA goalie market is pretty slim. Bourque from DAL is a popular name for an offer sheet just for that tender of a 2nd round pick because of the Stars cap situation.

Apparently Kaplan is signing and joining the Flyers. Another bottom 6 forward. I do not have a problem with Kaplan signing, but there has to be a plan to thin the middle six glut of forwards currently on the roster. Most of the bottom 6 is already under contract and this summer Foerster, Pelletier, and Cates will need contracts
- Trox88

I dont see the rush to add a G. Id really like to just run it back another year and get another top pick