Bill, I’ve been here since 2007 and this is my favourite blog yet! Thank you!

Zito is the man I want managing this team.
If zito is that good at what he does that his boss will give him a recommendation and say he deserves the job is great!!
Sometimes teams hold onto talented guys like Zito but the respect he has from his peers and management who want to see him do good is a classy thing to do!
I wont lie... if fletcher gets the job over zito I will be disappointed. Not upset...just disappointed.
I really hope homer likes Zito and Zito presents some good ideas on how to take the team to the next level

I see this as a very positive step.
Its clear the D stopped listening to Murphy. That explains why ghost and provy both regressed.
And with a very strict diet and fitness program I doubt the players were too happy with that. Even though j work for a company and get paid well I would draw the line with them approving my meals.
Were the players unhappy? That's my real question. I wonder if they ssid any issues with hexy during interviews with paul.

And i also wonder if Scott and Holmgren saw a team like Buffalo use some of there assets to push there team forward this year. Not just keep stashing picks and prospects.

I know you can't run your team based off another but I do feel it made them at least think.
- J35Bacher

Well, in less than a season they went from much worse than the Flyers to way ahead of them while still keeping most of the prospect pool in tact because of a few deals they made that are paying dividends. The Jeff Skinner deal being the big one. The Flyers could have made that deal easily and it wouldn't have been a blip on their prospect radar.

Of course, getting Dahlin doesn't hurt either.

Zito is the man I want managing this team.
If zito is that good at what he does that his boss will give him a recommendation and say he deserves the job is great!!
Sometimes teams hold onto talented guys like Zito but the respect he has from his peers and management who want to see him do good is a classy thing to do!
I wont lie... if fletcher gets the job over zito I will be disappointed. Not upset...just disappointed.
I really hope homer likes Zito and Zito presents some good ideas on how to take the team to the next level

I see this as a very positive step.
Its clear the D stopped listening to Murphy. That explains why ghost and provy both regressed.
And with a very strict diet and fitness program I doubt the players were too happy with that. Even though j work for a company and get paid well I would draw the line with them approving my meals.
Were the players unhappy? That's my real question. I wonder if they ssid any issues with hexy during interviews with paul.
- sILKAsSINASALO

I truly do not know anything about him, would you please share your reasons?
Thank you.

Zito is the man I want managing this team.
If zito is that good at what he does that his boss will give him a recommendation and say he deserves the job is great!!
Sometimes teams hold onto talented guys like Zito but the respect he has from his peers and management who want to see him do good is a classy thing to do!
I wont lie... if fletcher gets the job over zito I will be disappointed. Not upset...just disappointed.
I really hope homer likes Zito and Zito presents some good ideas on how to take the team to the next level

I see this as a very positive step.
Its clear the D stopped listening to Murphy. That explains why ghost and provy both regressed.
And with a very strict diet and fitness program I doubt the players were too happy with that. Even though j work for a company and get paid well I would draw the line with them approving my meals.
Were the players unhappy? That's my real question. I wonder if they ssid any issues with hexy during interviews with paul.
- sILKAsSINASALO

Well, in less than a season they went from much worse than the Flyers to way ahead of them while still keeping most of the prospect pool in tact because of a few deals they made that are paying dividends. The Jeff Skinner deal being the big one. The Flyers could have made that deal easily and it wouldn't have been a blip on their prospect radar.

Of course, getting Dahlin doesn't hurt either.
- MBFlyerfan

I mean they moved O'Rielly and brought back some assets. Then they flipped some things and got Skinner for a very reasonable price.

I think that was the flexibility the front office was hoping for in hextall. They didn't need him to blow the plan up. Just allow for some tweaking or allow for special instances.

Just wanted to say thanks, Bill. That was probably my favorite article of yours. You really are unmatched.

The more I think about this the more I have to wonder WTH Hexy was thinking with Elliot and Neuvy as the goaltending plan for this season.

I have 0 problem with Elliot as the starter for this season in a bridge role realizing he can only give you maybe 50 games.. Neuvy on the other hand as the backup is a disaster waiting to happen.

Zito is the man I want managing this team.
If zito is that good at what he does that his boss will give him a recommendation and say he deserves the job is great!!
Sometimes teams hold onto talented guys like Zito but the respect he has from his peers and management who want to see him do good is a classy thing to do!
I wont lie... if fletcher gets the job over zito I will be disappointed. Not upset...just disappointed.
I really hope homer likes Zito and Zito presents some good ideas on how to take the team to the next level

I see this as a very positive step.
Its clear the D stopped listening to Murphy. That explains why ghost and provy both regressed.
And with a very strict diet and fitness program I doubt the players were too happy with that. Even though j work for a company and get paid well I would draw the line with them approving my meals.
Were the players unhappy? That's my real question. I wonder if they ssid any issues with hexy during interviews with paul.
- sILKAsSINASALO

I’m with you I’d like to see Zito or Hunter come in homer said fresh eyes and those two would be fresh and up and coming perfect for today’s nhl game.

Well, in less than a season they went from much worse than the Flyers to way ahead of them while still keeping most of the prospect pool in tact because of a few deals they made that are paying dividends. The Jeff Skinner deal being the big one. The Flyers could have made that deal easily and it wouldn't have been a blip on their prospect radar.

Of course, getting Dahlin doesn't hurt either.
- MBFlyerfan

I think the Sabres have four 1st round picks in the next two years as well.

Just wanted to say thanks, Bill. That was probably my favorite article of yours. You really are unmatched.
- YuenglingJagr

QFE

Reading the articles Bill posts not only help me better understand the Flyers but journalism as a whole.

Thank you!

Yeah, you could even roll him on the 2nd pair with the right partner, but he has no business defending against top lines on a regular basis. One of the major holes in this lineup is, even if Provy is playing well, there really isn't anyone that is ready to be paired with him in that type of role.
- BiggE

This is how I see it. Ghost is one option and the most puck skilled to play with Provy but not ideal to play big shut down minutes. Hagg is ok but still young and prone to some bad plays still.
They are all very young in their arc as nhl players.

I think a steady right handed guy would be ideal for Provy. But Gudas? Not really. The righty at LHV is not ready yet. Folin? lol.

Yeah, you could even roll him on the 2nd pair with the right partner, but he has no business defending against top lines on a regular basis. One of the major holes in this lineup is, even if Provy is playing well, there really isn't anyone that is ready to be paired with him in that type of role.
- BiggE

Understand your concern and point about Ghost defensive coverage, but as devils advocate....he doesn't need to defend as much if Giroux, Coots and him can keep the other first line penned in by controlling the puck and creating offense.

If Sandheim or Myers was knocking down the door for first pair minutes I totally see slotting him down, but I can also understand the other side that possession is just as good as super strong defensive takeaway ability (as long as you can keep the puck away more than you lose it). Last year was a prime example as was mentioned...when Provy and Ghost were clicking with the first line, their numbers were great.

Leadership is funny sometimes...you don't know how someone will act or perform until they are in the position. When you are supposed to be leading it is hard to recognize that you need lifelines out there that you can use (and need to use)

Ron may not have ever been in that position where he was truly "the one" before and as a goalie he really has always operated on an island...this was just a flaw in his leadership and he is a smart enough guy to work on it and fix it. Unfortunately he could not see the forest from the trees when he was protecting his plan...I find that really working with someone in a new leadership position that you need to look a the skills that helped them get to the that position and then discuss how using those same tools will not work in the new position, in Ron's case he was extremely detail oriented and at that level you just can't be in on anything without grinding the organization to a halt...it is too bad Ron has to learn this lesson publicly because he is beloved as a Flyer

QFE

Reading the articles Bill posts not only help me better understand the Flyers but journalism as a whole.

Thank you!
- opeth_pa

Bill truly stands out in that aspect.

Darren Dreger
‏Verified account @DarrenDreger
4m4 minutes ago

Chuck Fletcher and Paul Holmgren meeting today. Sounds like it’s Fletcher’s job to lose. Goalie and center will be among priority adds for the new GM when named.

I mean they moved O'Rielly and brought back some assets. Then they flipped some things and got Skinner for a very reasonable price.

I think that was the flexibility the front office was hoping for in hextall. They didn't need him to blow the plan up. Just allow for some tweaking or allow for special instances.
- J35Bacher

They also upgraded their goaltending which had been as much of a mess as the Flyers over the last few years. Other than the O'Reilly deal, the Flyers could have done the same. Hextall excelled at some facets of his job but his stubbornness was his downfall.

all GM's make some bad moves but gotta say really not impressed with the body of work

http://www.nhltradetracke...y_GM/Chuck_Fletcher/186/1

Understand your concern and point about Ghost defensive coverage, but as devils advocate....he doesn't need to defend as much if Giroux, Coots and him can keep the other first line penned in by controlling the puck and creating offense.

If Sandheim or Myers was knocking down the door for first pair minutes I totally see slotting him down, but I can also understand the other side that possession is just as good as super strong defensive takeaway ability (as long as you can keep the puck away more than you lose it). Last year was a prime example as was mentioned...when Provy and Ghost were clicking with the first line, their numbers were great.
- juiced

All true, but you still need that shutdown pair for PK and when protecting that one goal lead in the last minute of a game facing the 6 against 5. The Flyers are missing that right now.

I think the Sabres have four 1st round picks in the next two years as well.
- DraftandDestroy

Flyers need to clear it out. Jake and Simmonds will get you 1sts. Giroux can stay. It’s never been clearer to me what needs to happen here. If the right buttons are pushed. A quick turnaround will happen with the cap space and young players

They also upgraded their goaltending which had been as much of a mess as the Flyers over the last few years. Other than the O'Reilly deal, the Flyers could have done the same. Hextall excelled at some facets of his job but his stubbornness was his downfall.
- BiggE

In a way i think the Flyers could have moved Simmonds or even Voracek, like O'Reilly, for pieces to build the team and then went out and got Skinner.

But your right. He allowed no flexibility.

All true, but you still need that shutdown pair for PK and when protecting that one goal lead in the last minute of a game facing the 6 against 5. The Flyers are missing that right now.
- BiggE

Yep!! why I have a ton of hope invested in Big Sammy!

Flyers need to clear it out. Jake and Simmonds will get you 1sts. Giroux can stay. It’s never been clearer to me what needs to happen here. If the right buttons are pushed. A quick turnaround will happen with the cap space and young players
- Just5

I still think can make the playoffs this year with just some shrewd moves. they don't need to blow it up.

Darren Dreger
‏Verified account @DarrenDreger
4m4 minutes ago

Chuck Fletcher and Paul Holmgren meeting today. Sounds like it’s Fletcher’s job to lose. Goalie and center will be among priority adds for the new GM when named.
- PLindbergh31

I can see them announcing it today. Tool bags

In a way i think the Flyers could have moved Simmonds or even Voracek, like O'Reilly, for pieces to build the team and then went out and got Skinner.

But your right. He allowed no flexibility.
- J35Bacher

I expect Simmonds to be gone before the end of January, and Voracek may very well be playing elsewhere next season too.