Philadelphia Flyers Rumors: Changes on Defense
By John Gove
Philadelphia Flyers Rumors: Changes on Defense
Every coach in every sport has there own system. These systems are developed based what a coach deems to be important to a team’s success. When the Flyers hired Dave Hakstol earlier this month, they inherited the system he implements. In order for the Flyers to be successful under Dave Hakstol and his philosophy, Ron Hextall is going to need to make some serious alterations to his defensive personnel.
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Hakstol’s system requires defensemen to be quick and mobile. In a news conference, Hakstol explained, “You have to be active from the back end to get the puck out.” The Flyers struggled mightily at getting the puck out of the zone quickly and getting back on transition last season. This was due to the lack of speed their defensemen possessed. Ron Hextall needs to provide his new coach with more mobile defensemen and get rid of the slugs.
When the Flyers re-sign Michael Del Zotto, he will join Mark Streit, Andrew MacDonald, and Evgeny Medvedev in the group of mobile defensemen currently on the orange and black. Already having four guys who can move around quickly from the back end is a good place to start; but unfortunately there are three other defensemen on the team that do not fit the desired profile.
Mar 19, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Michael Del Zotto (15) during the first period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Nicklas Grossmann, Luke Schenn, and Radko Gudas are far from mobile defensemen. One would imagine that Hextall will do what he can to move all three of them before the start of next season. Luckily, all of them are free agents at the end of next season (Gudas is restricted), so the Flyers are not stuck with any of them long term if they cannot find teams interested in making a deal.
It is hard to imagine that Hextall will struggle to find suitors for either Schenn or Grossmann. Schenn is still young with room for improvement; and Grossmann is an experienced, reliable defender that would prove to be an asset for some team. There will most likely be a smaller market for Gudas; but he is not costing the Flyers much money. They would be okay having him in the reserves for one more year just incase the team is bit by the injury bug.
When it comes to whether or not Hextall is able to deal these three players away, it all comes down to what he is seeking in return. The Flyers cannot be picky and must remember the reasons why they want to part ways with these guys in the first place. One would imagine that Philadelphia would be satisfied with mid-round draft picks or prospects that fit into what Hakstol is attempting to implement. If the orange and black want something with a little more value, they may consider pairing either Grossmann or Schenn with the first-round pick they received from Tampa Bay. Teams like the Penguins are looking for a draft pick in the first round; and although the two teams are rivals, maybe a deal can be worked out.
If the Flyers were able to part ways with these three defensemen, the blue-line would consist of Del Zotto, Streit, Medvedev, MacDonald, and Nick Schultz. This would leave a spot open for one of the Flyers many prospects to earn. If you ask me, this is not a bad defensive group by any means. Now we must wait and see if Ron Hextall is able to shed Philadelphia’s dead weight.