Flyers Weekly Mailbag: Will Ghost Be Traded?

Letttttttt's get this offseason started already. Everyone throughout the Delaware Valley misses the Fly guys, as Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers head into one of the most critical offseason's in recent memory. How will it end up? It's anyone's guess, but one thing for certain is the Flyers will be very active. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.

I hope so, and I will have to write another article on such. The Blues are also effective with breakouts and pushing the pace of the game. They have players that are hard to move off the puck, and to me, that is an area that the Flyers are lacking.

The Flyers have a lot of finesse players that are talented. However, teams are able to move them off the puck, thus shutting the play down. Another area of the Flyers game that has to get better to keep the play alive is board battling. The Flyers need a good battler, as the St. Louis Blues ate us alive in this area when they played each other last year, most notably a 7-3 loss on April 4, 2019. Moreover, on January 7, 2019 the Flyers suffered a 3-0 loss, so something has to be done in my opinion. They can ill afford to wait on Isaac Ratcliffe in the coming years to aide with board battling.

Michael Raffl used to be the Flyers best board battler, but he was very inconsistent last year. Raffl most likely will also be on the 4th line to start the season, as well. I will remain hopeful that the Flyers will address this area this off-season.

Isaac Ratcliffe will eventually become the best trade during the Hextall era, in my opinion. This young man has all the tools to have a long, successful career in the NHL. Of course, Ratcliffe could use some fine-tuning to his game with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for at least half of the season anyway.

For instance, he could learn how to better use his big frame to his advantage by getting stronger. Also, Ratcliffe could become an even better skater. Ratcliffe is a decent skater, and his maneuverability ranks off the charts. However, if he became an even better skater, that would add another level to his game.

I'm praying that the Flyers wouldn't have to use him a trade. Ratcliffe has so much upside, and the Flyers need bigger bodies on the wing in particular. For these reasons, I hope Fletcher does not use him as a bargaining chip. I know in this league you have to give in order to receive, but the Flyers are loaded to the gills with other young talented prospects, that Fletcher might be able to part ways with.

I thought that at the very least Ivan Provorov was going to resign with the Flyers before the World Championships began. Unfortunately, obviously, that wasn't the case. I would have to assume that by early next week, some should sign. Late last season, I received information that Fletcher did indeed talk to Provorov's agent. One would assume the hold-up, in this case, is the term. Without further delay, here are some numbers and terms below:

Travis Sanheim- 5 years- $4.5 mil AAV

Ivan Provorov- 4 Years- $6.5 mil AAV (The Flyers would love 6 years, but settle for 4)

Travis Konecny- 4 Years- $4.5-5 mil AAV

Justin Bailey- 1 Year- $800,000-1 mil AAV

Ryan Hartman- 2 Years- $1 mil AAV

Scott Laughton- 3 Years- $1.5-2 mil AAV

Continued on the next page below.

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Nolan Patrick will take the next step in my opinion. My guess is that he will have 55 points this coming year. Patrick is such a talented player, that possesses so much skill, it's only a matter of time for him to break out. However, he does need to stay healthy for this to happen.

If Fletcher obtains a top 4 Defenseman at the draft, then I would have to figure Ghost will be involved with that deal. Ghost I'm sure will be involved in any deal via trade for a top-four Defenseman. His contract is a favorable one, and many teams may covet that. I'm hoping the Flyers keep Ghost, as he will have a strong rebound season this coming season. But, the free agency market really isn't that strong for a top-four Defenseman.

It is very likely that a trade goes down at the draft. I could very well see Fletcher trading the 11th pick for an asset (Top 4 Defenseman or 2C). I do believe that all 6 RFA's will re-sign, and hopefully this will begin early next week. I'm shocked that Provorov hasn't re-signed yet, as Fletcher spoke with his agent before the season ended. Could Fletcher be thinking about a trade now using one of the RFA's? Sure. However, I personally believe all six will re-sign with the Flyers, and none of the 6 RFA's will be traded.

Both Vigneault and Coach Q will both be very successful next season. I think both teams could make the playoffs, but I think Vigneault will be more successful. The Flyers appear to be a little farther ahead of the rebuild, than the Panthers.

Coach Q will be the first one to leave, as he will retire from coaching. He's going to be successful in Florida, and he will not be forced out. This will be a decision that he makes himself, as Coach Q will be 60 years old to start the season. Both Vigneault and Coach Q will be successful with their respective teams

Cam Talbot I believe will be the backup Goaltender to Carter Hart next season. he would be a great mentor for him, as both of them are friends. Talbot I think would be willing to sign a two-year deal to remain with the Flyers. He did state such at the end of last season. It's been quiet on the Goaltending front as of late.

Isaac Ratcliffe will eventually become the best trade during the Hextall era, in my opinion. This young man has all the tools to have a long, successful career in the NHL. Of course, Ratcliffe could use some fine-tuning to his game with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for at least half of the season anyway.

For instance, he could learn how to better use his big frame to his advantage by getting stronger. Also, Ratcliffe could become an even better skater. Ratcliffe is a decent skater, and his maneuverability ranks off the charts. However, if he became an even better skater, that would add another level to his game.

I'm hoping Fletcher will not have to use him in a deal to acquire an asset. This young man will become a very special player in the future.

If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Facebook page or on Twitter using #Flyersmail. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag, and Let’s go Flyers. Without your support, we wouldn’t be here today.

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports