Nope, no need to list anything. You basically said that Fletcher pulled out of thin air the notion that the top end of the lineup had more offensive zone time and scoring chances than they gave up. The numbers bear out that they did.

Didn't say they did nearly enough with that possession or XG edge. Just saying the numbers back up that Couturier's line did, in fact, have it overall.
- bmeltzer

Now that’s hilarious. Again doesn’t pass the butt clinching test. Doesn’t matter you have puck in zone cycling down low gaining zone time while never have dangerous chances. And let’s be honest while hart played great most of the time he was very and I mean very fortunate many time with passes going wide. Missed open nets. Post. No way just watching games can anyone say we “held our own” it’s false narrative. Every damn time Barzal was on the ice chances happened. Admit it you were nervous. Butt hole clinching. Like all of us. Did anyone get that feeling with our top line ever? Especially during pp to boot. Anyone that says yes and backs fletch stats as proof just a company line. Nationally we wore tore apart. But hey if philly isn’t saying so it must not be.

My premise already includes Haag as a 6/7 defenseman on the team.
- MJL

Haag is out?
- MJL

I'm not enthused by a Haag/Freidman pairing.
- MJL

Why are you consistently misspelling Robert Hägg's surname? I understand maybe substituting the Latin/English 'a' for the Swedish 'ä', but doubling the 'a's and removing one of the 'g's is a completely fooched-up error for someone who seems to be a detail-oriented person to make. By the way, Robert wants you to stop doing it immediately. You won't make any other Swedish friends, that's for sure.

And now you're a bad influence on others:

If that’s the case and people want to replace ghost with offense as Haag will be retained (guessing).
- Peter Richards

PS: In case anyone is wondering, I'm not Robert Hägg's alter ego.

I like what I hear from Fletcher. I thought he nailed every question and I'm pretty positive he will make the right decisions moving forward (such as not trading a core player). The key question is how Dave Scott will impact the decision making going forward.

Also from Fletcher regarding Nolan Patrick's migraines and possible connection to concussions: "Well, there’s lots of different opinions. I don’t even know how to answer that. Everything could be connected. It may not be connected."

Bill, in your opinion, is this a change from what was said before in that it could have a connection to concussions?
- StepfordSam

The people who say MJL being the alter ego of Meltzer are totally barking up the wrong tree. However, I'm not so sure it's all that far-fletched that StepfordSam is Chuck Fletcher's alter ego.

{snip}
I dont know why people construed what he said about Frost as saying he was a bust? Sounds like Frost needs to get stronger and that he needs learn to be a little smarter about his play in the neutral zone before he can be trusted to play in the NHL especially in the playoffs. Sounds reasonable to me.
- Dkos

That's because too many Buzzdeckos here have inherent biases that always force them to perpetually read into something that isn't there. Obviously.

Why are you consistently misspelling Robert Hägg's surname? I understand maybe substituting the Latin/English 'a' for the Swedish 'ä', but doubling the 'a's and removing one of the 'g's is a completely fooched-up error for someone who seems to be a detail-oriented person to make. By the way, Robert wants you to stop doing it immediately. You won't make any other Swedish friends, that's for sure.

And now you're a bad influence on others:
PS: In case anyone is wondering, I'm not Robert Hägg's alter ego.
- Bendecko

LOL, do you know who I'm referring to? I'll take notice and make the adjustment. Just for you.

Bill,
Your class is showing. You've been accused of being MJL to increase viewership and been mocked as the best writer on HB (someone HAS to be best), yet you take the time to answer questions.
Can you answer this? I still see many people essentially blaming Dave Scott for Hextall's firing. I always understood it that it was not as much "win now" as it was wanting to know the long-term plan and Hextall was reluctant to share with his bosses what that was. That seems more evident with Fletcher's quotes about staying the course; basically continuing with Hexy's formula. At that time, you seemed to have a better understanding than us about what went down, but could not disclose the details.
Is Dave Scott running the Flyers on-ice product, or have the last two GM's been in charge?
- Stanley Cup

There are some similarities between Chuck and Hexy's read on the organization's depth chart and particularly there are similarities between Sarge and Brent's scouting and drafting philosophies. Chuck and Hexy, though, have rather different management styles.

Dave Scott is not nearly as personally hands on and 1 AM phone call level emotionally invested as chairman as Ed Snider was (except as pertains big picture projects such as the training center in Voorhees), but Comcast-Spectacor has a much more active hand in the overall management style than it did before Ed Snider passed. From the top on down, things have changed to more of a CC corporate model.

Scott has tried to learn more about the hockey ops side, and the game itself. He's become a Flyers fan. But there was only one Ed Snider, who would recall or agonize over a particular game, play, or call because was also a diehard fan at heart and on-ice losses tore at him.

Hexy inadvertently alienated some internally, in various departments including some in hockey ops who felt, fairly or unfairly, like they were no longer being listened to/valued. Hexy kept a very small inner circle around him, which meant he got his way but also meant he didn't have enough allies when CC started to sour.

I don't want to go too much into Hexy vs. Homer. Both have been good to me, made themselves available and helped me (especially Homer) professionally. I genuinely like both of them as people and it's a very complicated subject.. will only say this: they were very close at one time and Homer was one of Ron's biggest advocates. Over time, the communications broke down.

Part of being a good GM in today's NHL is knowing how to manage up, manage people below you and also managing laterally to non hockey ops departments.

Homer is very good at managing in various directions. Hexy felt blindsided by how his firing went down. But I think Ron had tunnel vision to some extent in his approach. If the team had been winning, I think he'd have been given more time.

I don't know Chuck as well as know the others. He makes himself accessible less often than Paul or Ron but is easy to talk to when he is available. In general, he is more laid back about certain things and similarly adamant about others.

He does consult with a wider circle and seek broader concensus than Ron did. Chuck also seems good at managing directionally (most important managing up with CC but also laterally, such as more player accessibility for social media stuff, which is a very important content platform on the CC side).

One other thing to clear up: Hexy was NOT fired specifically due to him holding onto Hakstol as head coach. The new GM was going to get to hire his own guy (that's how it almost always goes) but it wasn't about Hakstol per se and wasn't originally intended to be rushed.

Chuck was initially prepared to give Hak the rest of last season. But the team continued to struggle and it got harder and harder to not make a change. With Dave as a lame duck, fanbase unhappiness sky high, CC clearly interested in hiring a big-name vet guy as the next HC and then what happened on the flight back from Vancouver after the team got trounced, it couldn't go on another day.

On the day Scott Gordon was named interim head coach, he was in Allentown. Hak was still supposed to run practice and be behind the bench next game against the Red Wings. I don't see any way that would've been doable, though. It would have been an ugly atmosphere at the WFC if Hak coached that game.

That morning, there was a meeting. Hak basically said he didn't want to be left twisting in the wind. He asked if Chuck couldn't commit to seeing it through. Chuck said he couldn't promise how many more games, days, weeks he could pledge to not make a coaching change.

So that was why Gordo had to hurry to Voorhees and the assistants ran practice that morning. It wasn't the original intent.

To this day, people within the Flyers speak well of Hakstol, both as a hockey person and as a man. At the same time, they will tell you that the ultimate hire of AV and all the experience he brought in himself and added around him with his staff were a vital part of the turnaround.

Thompson gets signed for 6 years, 2.2M per.

LOL, do you know who I'm referring to? I'll take notice and make the adjustment. Just for you.
- MJL

Not Robert Hägg, that's for sure.

There are some similarities between Chuck and Hexy's read on the organization's depth chart and particularly there are similarities between Sarge and Brent's scouting and drafting philosophies. Chuck and Hexy, though, have rather different management styles.

Dave Scott is not nearly as personally hands on and 1 AM phone call level emotionally invested as chairman as Ed Snider was (except as pertains big picture projects such as the training center in Voorhees), but Comcast-Spectacor has a much more active hand in the overall management style than it did before Ed Snider passed. From the top on down, things have changed to more of a CC corporate model.

Scott has tried to learn more about the hockey ops side, and the game itself. He's become a Flyers fan. But there was only one Ed Snider, who would recall or agonize over a particular game, play, or call because was also a diehard fan at heart and on-ice losses tore at him.

Hexy inadvertently alienated some internally, in various departments including some in hockey ops who felt, fairly or unfairly, like they were no longer being listened to/valued. Hexy kept a very small inner circle around him, which meant he got his way but also meant he didn't have enough allies when CC started to sour.

I don't want to go too much into Hexy vs. Homer. Both have been good to me, made themselves available and helped me (especially Homer) professionally. I genuinely like both of them as people and it's a very complicated subject.. will only say this: they were very close at one time and Homer was one of Ron's biggest advocates. Over time, the communications broke down.

Part of being a good GM in today's NHL is knowing how to manage up, manage people below you and also managing laterally to non hockey ops departments.

Homer is very good at managing in various directions. Hexy felt blindsided by how his firing went down. But I think Ron had tunnel vision to some extent in his approach. If the team had been winning, I think he'd have been given more time.

I don't know Chuck as well as know the others. He makes himself accessible less often than Paul or Ron but is easy to talk to when he is available. In general, he is more laid back about certain things and similarly adamant about others.

He does consult with a wider circle and seek broader concensus than Ron did. Chuck also seems good at managing directionally (most important managing up with CC but also laterally, such as more player accessibility for social media stuff, which is a very important content platform on the CC side).

One other thing to clear up: Hexy was NOT fired specifically due to him holding onto Hakstol as head coach. The new GM was going to get to hire his own guy (that's how it almost always goes) but it wasn't about Hakstol per se and wasn't originally intended to be rushed.

Chuck was initially prepared to give Hak the rest of last season. But the team continued to struggle and it got harder and harder to not make a change. With Dave as a lame duck, fanbase unhappiness sky high, CC clearly interested in hiring a big-name vet guy as the next HC and then what happened on the flight back from Vancouver after the team got trounced, it couldn't go on another day.

On the day Scott Gordon was named interim head coach, he was in Allentown. Hak was still supposed to run practice and be behind the bench next game against the Red Wings. I don't see any way that would've been doable, though. It would have been an ugly atmosphere at the WFC if Hak coached that game.

That morning, there was a meeting. Hak basically said he didn't want to be left twisting in the wind. He asked if Chuck couldn't commit to seeing it through. Chuck said he couldn't promise how many more games, days, weeks he could pledge to not make a coaching change.

So that was why Gordo had to hurry to Voorhees and the assistants ran practice that morning. It wasn't the original intent.

To this day, people within the Flyers speak well of Hakstol, both as a hockey person and as a man. At the same time, they will tell you that the ultimate hire of AV and all the experience he brought in himself and added around him with his staff were a vital part of the turnaround.
- bmeltzer

Great reply, Bill. Thanks.

Now that’s hilarious. Again doesn’t pass the butt clinching test. Doesn’t matter you have puck in zone cycling down low gaining zone time while never have dangerous chances. And let’s be honest while hart played great most of the time he was very and I mean very fortunate many time with passes going wide. Missed open nets. Post. No way just watching games can anyone say we “held our own” it’s false narrative. Every damn time Barzal was on the ice chances happened. Admit it you were nervous. Butt hole clinching. Like all of us. Did anyone get that feeling with our top line ever? Especially during pp to boot. Anyone that says yes and backs fletch stats as proof just a company line. Nationally we wore tore apart. But hey if philly isn’t saying so it must not be.
- SMS4016

Expected goals has everything to do with quality of chances for/against. Now:

* Was the power play a threat? No.
* Was the top line (or Konecny) nearly good enough in finishing chances when they had them? The goal totals are the bottom line and they say no.
* Did the players the Flyers count on the most match up to the Barzal, Nelson or Pageau lines when games were in reach going into third periods? No. Game 7? Absolutely no.

I am simply responding to you saying that Fletcher is making up the notion that the top line had the puck more often than not. They demonstrably did. But a plus expected goals number doesn't mean much if they don't translate to more actual goals.

Expected goals has everything to do with quality of chances for/against. Now:

* Was the power play a threat? No.
* Was the top line (or Konecny) nearly good enough in finishing chances when they had them? The goal totals are the bottom line and they say no.
* Did the players the Flyers count on the most match up to the Barzal, Nelson or Pageau lines when games were in reach going into third periods? No. Game 7? Absolutely no.

I am simply responding to you saying that Fletcher is making up the notion that the top line had the puck more often than not. They demonstrably did. But a plus expected goals number doesn't mean much if they don't translate to more actual goals.
- bmeltzer

It's really why expected goals stat is really not a good stat. Especially in the playoffs, goals are all that really matters. There is no process building in the playoffs. It's win or go home. No matter what stats you want to look at, the top players on the Flyers didn't get it done. I do find it interesting that Fletcher called out the bottom 6 and gave stats to try and "excuse" the top players. My guess is that he knows that he has to count on those players moving forward and he doesn't want to alienate any one. I think the days of Giroux and Voracek carrying a team are over. The question is can they be a key part of a strong team moving forward rather than the players relied on to carry the team. I think they can. Really, that's the plan moving forward.

There are some similarities between Chuck and Hexy's read on the organization's depth chart and particularly there are similarities between Sarge and Brent's scouting and drafting philosophies. Chuck and Hexy, though, have rather different management styles.

Dave Scott is not nearly as personally hands on and 1 AM phone call level emotionally invested as chairman as Ed Snider was (except as pertains big picture projects such as the training center in Voorhees), but Comcast-Spectacor has a much more active hand in the overall management style than it did before Ed Snider passed. From the top on down, things have changed to more of a CC corporate model.

Scott has tried to learn more about the hockey ops side, and the game itself. He's become a Flyers fan. But there was only one Ed Snider, who would recall or agonize over a particular game, play, or call because was also a diehard fan at heart and on-ice losses tore at him.

Hexy inadvertently alienated some internally, in various departments including some in hockey ops who felt, fairly or unfairly, like they were no longer being listened to/valued. Hexy kept a very small inner circle around him, which meant he got his way but also meant he didn't have enough allies when CC started to sour.

I don't want to go too much into Hexy vs. Homer. Both have been good to me, made themselves available and helped me (especially Homer) professionally. I genuinely like both of them as people and it's a very complicated subject.. will only say this: they were very close at one time and Homer was one of Ron's biggest advocates. Over time, the communications broke down.

Part of being a good GM in today's NHL is knowing how to manage up, manage people below you and also managing laterally to non hockey ops departments.

Homer is very good at managing in various directions. Hexy felt blindsided by how his firing went down. But I think Ron had tunnel vision to some extent in his approach. If the team had been winning, I think he'd have been given more time.

I don't know Chuck as well as know the others. He makes himself accessible less often than Paul or Ron but is easy to talk to when he is available. In general, he is more laid back about certain things and similarly adamant about others.

He does consult with a wider circle and seek broader concensus than Ron did. Chuck also seems good at managing directionally (most important managing up with CC but also laterally, such as more player accessibility for social media stuff, which is a very important content platform on the CC side).

One other thing to clear up: Hexy was NOT fired specifically due to him holding onto Hakstol as head coach. The new GM was going to get to hire his own guy (that's how it almost always goes) but it wasn't about Hakstol per se and wasn't originally intended to be rushed.

Chuck was initially prepared to give Hak the rest of last season. But the team continued to struggle and it got harder and harder to not make a change. With Dave as a lame duck, fanbase unhappiness sky high, CC clearly interested in hiring a big-name vet guy as the next HC and then what happened on the flight back from Vancouver after the team got trounced, it couldn't go on another day.

On the day Scott Gordon was named interim head coach, he was in Allentown. Hak was still supposed to run practice and be behind the bench next game against the Red Wings. I don't see any way that would've been doable, though. It would have been an ugly atmosphere at the WFC if Hak coached that game.

That morning, there was a meeting. Hak basically said he didn't want to be left twisting in the wind. He asked if Chuck couldn't commit to seeing it through. Chuck said he couldn't promise how many more games, days, weeks he could pledge to not make a coaching change.

So that was why Gordo had to hurry to Voorhees and the assistants ran practice that morning. It wasn't the original intent.

To this day, people within the Flyers speak well of Hakstol, both as a hockey person and as a man. At the same time, they will tell you that the ultimate hire of AV and all the experience he brought in himself and added around him with his staff were a vital part of the turnaround.
- bmeltzer

So corporate ruled. It’s absolutely not and never nor should ever be the gms Job to tow the corporate company line. That’s the presidents job. Hexy should not answer to the weasel Scott or let him influence any thought at all and neither should fletcher. Homer should’ve relayed the plans to Scott. If Scott didn’t like it he should’ve put mandate on homer in which case should’ve told him his place is in an office. Trust the (frank)ing process since fletch mostly doing that and continuing for the most part hexys plan. But homer sold hexy out plain and simple. Bill just said it a nicer way. Not only the core of players should be replaced but also the upper management. You lead from top down.

Expected goals has everything to do with quality of chances for/against. Now:

* Was the power play a threat? No.
* Was the top line (or Konecny) nearly good enough in finishing chances when they had them? The goal totals are the bottom line and they say no.
* Did the players the Flyers count on the most match up to the Barzal, Nelson or Pageau lines when games were in reach going into third periods? No. Game 7? Absolutely no.

I am simply responding to you saying that Fletcher is making up the notion that the top line had the puck more often than not. They demonstrably did. But a plus expected goals number doesn't mean much if they don't translate to more actual goals.
- bmeltzer

So basically fletch was making excuse ? By stating zone time stats while producing nothing 5v5 or pp means what? If we were to look at any other team in playoffs and looked at their top line like the g line like fletch was using as example I guarantee every single one of those lines produced. Obviously some more than other but every last one way way more than ours. That isn’t an anomaly this been going on for years in playoffs with this core. That can only mean one thing. For all the excuses and different opinions as to why is bottom line NOT GOOD ENOUGH. If the changes aren’t made then why would it change. Same ol same ol we will get. If that happens the only reason to watch this team is HART. 45 years is too long and not acceptable to be doing same things. Change the plan not the goal.

So basically fletch was making excuse ? By stating zone time stats while producing nothing 5v5 or pp means what? If we were to look at any other team in playoffs and looked at their top line like the g line like fletch was using as example I guarantee every single one of those lines produced. Obviously some more than other but every last one way way more than ours. That isn’t an anomaly this been going on for years in playoffs with this core. That can only mean one thing. For all the excuses and different opinions as to why is bottom line NOT GOOD ENOUGH. If the changes aren’t made then why would it change. Same ol same ol we will get. If that happens the only reason to watch this team is HART. 45 years is too long and not acceptable to be doing same things. Change the plan not the goal.
- SMS4016

This “core” hasn’t been together for long enough in the playoffs for you to be making, really, ANY sweeping generalizations. You are making it sound like we are TB or Wash of recent memories (year after year close but no cigar).

This is, for all intents and purposes, a NEW team and core. Just because 3 guys were on the same team means very little. The turnover next year will be slim and the real judging can begin, IMO.

This “core” hasn’t been together for long enough in the playoffs for you to be making, really, ANY sweeping generalizations. You are making it sound like we are TB or Wash of recent memories (year after year close but no cigar).

This is, for all intents and purposes, a NEW team and core. Just because 3 guys were on the same team means very little. The turnover next year will be slim and the real judging can begin, IMO.
- Wingdestroyer

That core 100% did not show up these playoffs tho and there seems to a different excuse made year after year as to why they can’t get it done.

I feel like I’ve been saying this for 5 years now. The top 6 is a poor mix of good/some great players. This team sorely needs speed and high end offensive skill infused into the top 6.

I agree with you. There was absolutely no reason to have Patrick in the bubble.
- MJL

What. Didn’t realize he was in the bubble.

There are some similarities between Chuck and Hexy's read on the organization's depth chart and particularly there are similarities between Sarge and Brent's scouting and drafting philosophies. Chuck and Hexy, though, have rather different management styles.

Dave Scott is not nearly as personally hands on and 1 AM phone call level emotionally invested as chairman as Ed Snider was (except as pertains big picture projects such as the training center in Voorhees), but Comcast-Spectacor has a much more active hand in the overall management style than it did before Ed Snider passed. From the top on down, things have changed to more of a CC corporate model.

Scott has tried to learn more about the hockey ops side, and the game itself. He's become a Flyers fan. But there was only one Ed Snider, who would recall or agonize over a particular game, play, or call because was also a diehard fan at heart and on-ice losses tore at him.

Hexy inadvertently alienated some internally, in various departments including some in hockey ops who felt, fairly or unfairly, like they were no longer being listened to/valued. Hexy kept a very small inner circle around him, which meant he got his way but also meant he didn't have enough allies when CC started to sour.

I don't want to go too much into Hexy vs. Homer. Both have been good to me, made themselves available and helped me (especially Homer) professionally. I genuinely like both of them as people and it's a very complicated subject.. will only say this: they were very close at one time and Homer was one of Ron's biggest advocates. Over time, the communications broke down.

Part of being a good GM in today's NHL is knowing how to manage up, manage people below you and also managing laterally to non hockey ops departments.

Homer is very good at managing in various directions. Hexy felt blindsided by how his firing went down. But I think Ron had tunnel vision to some extent in his approach. If the team had been winning, I think he'd have been given more time.

I don't know Chuck as well as know the others. He makes himself accessible less often than Paul or Ron but is easy to talk to when he is available. In general, he is more laid back about certain things and similarly adamant about others.

He does consult with a wider circle and seek broader concensus than Ron did. Chuck also seems good at managing directionally (most important managing up with CC but also laterally, such as more player accessibility for social media stuff, which is a very important content platform on the CC side).

One other thing to clear up: Hexy was NOT fired specifically due to him holding onto Hakstol as head coach. The new GM was going to get to hire his own guy (that's how it almost always goes) but it wasn't about Hakstol per se and wasn't originally intended to be rushed.

Chuck was initially prepared to give Hak the rest of last season. But the team continued to struggle and it got harder and harder to not make a change. With Dave as a lame duck, fanbase unhappiness sky high, CC clearly interested in hiring a big-name vet guy as the next HC and then what happened on the flight back from Vancouver after the team got trounced, it couldn't go on another day.

On the day Scott Gordon was named interim head coach, he was in Allentown. Hak was still supposed to run practice and be behind the bench next game against the Red Wings. I don't see any way that would've been doable, though. It would have been an ugly atmosphere at the WFC if Hak coached that game.

That morning, there was a meeting. Hak basically said he didn't want to be left twisting in the wind. He asked if Chuck couldn't commit to seeing it through. Chuck said he couldn't promise how many more games, days, weeks he could pledge to not make a coaching change.

So that was why Gordo had to hurry to Voorhees and the assistants ran practice that morning. It wasn't the original intent.

To this day, people within the Flyers speak well of Hakstol, both as a hockey person and as a man. At the same time, they will tell you that the ultimate hire of AV and all the experience he brought in himself and added around him with his staff were a vital part of the turnaround.
- bmeltzer

Jesus. Thank you for this. Hope no one is mad at you for sharing some of the more in depth details. AwRe if some things but not to this extent. Also. Jealous as f(;((( that you get to even witness some of this stuff. And wonderful integrity bc I know you know even more.

Thanks bill.

That core 100% did not show up these playoffs tho and there seems to a different excuse made year after year as to why they can’t get it done.

I feel like I’ve been saying this for 5 years now. The top 6 is a poor mix of good/some great players. This team sorely needs speed and high end offensive skill infused into the top 6.
- hereticpride

Totally agree with the fact THIS core (let’s call them the Carter Hart Core) failed. And I agree we need to add speed and high end skill to this CHC.

If luck is on our side, we have 2 internal options tho!

Speaking of hex and his plan. I liked it. I knew it would take time. The only thing that still I question.... he spoke about phases or what not. That phase one was complete and two was beginning. How / what was the purpose of the JVR signing. Don’t hate him. Really his age and style. Didn’t and still don’t see how it fits the plan o GB youth development. I always thought he was signed more as an appeasement to Scott. But I have no clue. Especially with what bill just shared

Speaking of hex and his plan. I liked it. I knew it would take time. The only thing that still I question.... he spoke about phases or what not. That phase one was complete and two was beginning. How / what was the purpose of the JVR signing. Don’t hate him. Really his age and style. Didn’t and still don’t see how it fits the plan o GB youth development. I always thought he was signed more as an appeasement to Scott. But I have no clue. Especially with what bill just shared
- Peter Richards

The writing was on the wall for Simmer, so there was a need for a net-front player at the time.

But I personally really never liked JvR as a competitor -- too easy going. He competed surprisingly well during the regular season but then he wilted when the intensity ramped up in the POs.

He's gonna end up like Vanek... 4th-line PP specialist/healthy scratch.

Lehner Vegas deal is fake news.

Speaking of hex and his plan. I liked it. I knew it would take time. The only thing that still I question.... he spoke about phases or what not. That phase one was complete and two was beginning. How / what was the purpose of the JVR signing. Don’t hate him. Really his age and style. Didn’t and still don’t see how it fits the plan o GB youth development. I always thought he was signed more as an appeasement to Scott. But I have no clue. Especially with what bill just shared
- Peter Richards

Thats the thing about a rebuild. There is no set timeline. Every team is in a different situation. The rebuild can be quick if you have some young talent in the system. Other times you don't. Then even when you do they need to develop.

The Flyers were in an awful position. The players they were selling, no one wanted, Minor league lacked young talent and we had no cap space. Hextall had a lot to do before this team could complete a rebuild. I would say Hextall's timeline was a little too fast.

Our rebuild is cutting it close to Giroux and Voracek's cup window. As we saw in the playoffs, Konecny, Sanheim, Myers Hart and Farabee still have a lot of growing to do. It doesnt seem like Frost is close and NoPa is a question mark. NoPa and Lindblom's situations were pretty big blows to our lineup and Ghost's decline hasnt helped.

Things are looking up though, we had a great season and I think this is the farthest we have gone in the playoffs since 2010. We just may have to accept that we may need our young guns to fill the skates of Giroux and Voracek and our success relies on them being ready.

I don't know when/if Patrick will be cleared to play. Fletcher stopped well short of saying he should be ready to start the season.

But if/when Patrick returns and if Frost is also on the team, I could see Frost technically being listed at LW but centering when play starts on his natural side and Patrick centering when it starts at center ice or the right side.
- bmeltzer

whats up with these folks trying to trade frost before we know what we have? the kid could turn into a wonderful goal scorer. he has oozed vision, hands and skill in his career so far. he is not strong yet, so he's lacking in puck battles, but that will improve as he strengthens in the hands, legs and core.
i am more concerned with the play of the top 6 in the playoffs and their playoff potential after a grinding next season than i am the potential of some of the kids to turn into excellent players.

whats up with these folks trying to trade frost before we know what we have? the kid could turn into a wonderful goal scorer. he has oozed vision, hands and skill in his career so far. he is not strong yet, so he's lacking in puck battles, but that will improve as he strengthens in the hands, legs and core.
i am more concerned with the play of the top 6 in the playoffs and their playoff potential after a grinding next season than i am the potential of some of the kids to turn into excellent players.
- biggbear77

What I’ve seen of him reminds me of point. Even he took a little time.

I agree. When the Flyers handled pressure properly they were fine. When they started turning the puck over left and right they were not good. Coach is not telling them to turnover pucks. The coach isn't telling them to lose 50-50 battles virtually every game of the playoffs.
- mickel25

Of course the coach isn’t going to tell you to turn the puck over. But, to clarify my point about our coaches being out coached: We didn’t adjust to the Islanders’ attack and were either shooting the puck around the boards to be intercepted or those dumb high dump passes out of the zone! Also, our top PP unit kept doing the same setups! We’ve been doing the same setup with a guy near the circle( As Hartnell used to ) for one timers. The Islanders sniffed those out. Our second PP unit was lucky enough to get out there with about 40 seconds left. Those are some on ice things that AV and his staff didn’t adjust to. It’s not personal, I like AV and think we’ll only get better.