It was really fun back reading today. Thanks, Bill, for the transcripts and all the conversation and insights! The cap squeeze is every team’s issue with this new flat cap. It’s going to be tricky but at least the Flyers have a deep prospect pool and young stars.

It doesnt seem like Frost is close
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Top-nine, if not top-six, next season. You can take that to the bank.

Top-nine, if not top-six, next season. You can take that to the bank.
- Tomahawk

If that’s the case, the Flyers are a much better squad. Fingers crossed

Top-nine, if not top-six, next season. You can take that to the bank.
- Tomahawk

Doubtful

Top-nine, if not top-six, next season. You can take that to the bank.
- Tomahawk

Please remind me why folks are a little down on Frost. I was disappointed not to see him in the round robin, but that was really just selfish because there wasn’t a high likelihood of him actually playing in the playoffs. I just wanted to see how he was doing. Since we didn’t see him and he has all this off time to build strength, why are folks not thinking the best of him?

Please remind me why folks are a little down on Frost. I was disappointed not to see him in the round robin, but that was really just selfish because there wasn’t a high likelihood of him actually playing in the playoffs. I just wanted to see how he was doing. Since we didn’t see him and he has all this off time to build strength, why are folks not thinking the best of him?
- NC Flyers Fan

We’ve seen Morgan Frost play. Management and the Coaching staff has seem more of him than us. To date, he hasn’t been overwhelmingly impressive. Expecting him to step in and instantly make us better isn’t realistic. He may need more time to develop, which by the way, what’s wrong with this? In my opinion Farabee still needs time to develop.

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

Man, as Stanley Cup mentioned, what other guy on this site is providing this deep or long of an answer with so much info in it. Thank you, Bill.

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.
- MJL

Good points in this. The only thing is if we can’t count on g/Jake carrying team which should be obvious to all then we’re screwed if we can’t move at least 1 of them. Can NOT pay 2 players 17mil against cap and not be your best players. That leaves no $ to get top player(s) can’t just leave it as is

Please remind me why folks are a little down on Frost. I was disappointed not to see him in the round robin, but that was really just selfish because there wasn’t a high likelihood of him actually playing in the playoffs. I just wanted to see how he was doing. Since we didn’t see him and he has all this off time to build strength, why are folks not thinking the best of him?
- NC Flyers Fan

Its not that ppl are down on him, we are just being realistic on our expectations. He needs to clean up aspects of his game which is why his time with PHI was so limited. I think expecting things from him next year is still too optimistic. I think its within the realm of possibility he makes the team but I see it as a similar experience to Farabee. We will see flashes at times but he will have many quiet games. I think he might be 2 years away.

Top-nine, if not top-six, next season. You can take that to the bank.
- Tomahawk

I can say confidently he is not going to be in the top 6. Top 9 is possible.

Doubtful
- SuperSchennBros

Maybe not to start, but Frost could certainly earn his way in there. I mean, if he plays at all for them, I doubt he gets the call up until they think he’s at least capable of 3rd line duties. I don’t see him being squandered on a line void of offensive players with which to work. They’ll wait even if he’s better than the 4th line talent they have. He most likely already is. Besides, although it’s nice to have scoring 4 lines deep, you do want those last three to be defensively adept.

3rd Line is most likely, sure. 2nd if they’re trying to spread talent through the top 9 for depth. Or if he just seems to click with a teammate.

It’s what they did with Giroux, too

We’ve seen Morgan Frost play. Management and the Coaching staff has seem more of him than us. To date, he hasn’t been overwhelmingly impressive. Expecting him to step in and instantly make us better isn’t realistic. He may need more time to develop, which by the way, what’s wrong with this? In my opinion Farabee still needs time to develop.
- SuperSchennBros

Well, if that’s all...Of course, he and Farabee still need time to develop. The question is should that development now be at the NHL level? I’m thinking yes.

Making us better is different than asking them to lead and carry the team. I think they can make us better, but that they will need time to reach their potentials.

Well, if that’s all...Of course, he and Farabee still need time to develop. The question is should that development now be at the NHL level? I’m thinking yes.

Making us better is different than asking them to lead and carry the team. I think they can make us better, but that they will need time to reach their potentials.
- NC Flyers Fan

Morgan Frost

In 41 Games had 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points with a plus/minus rating of even. Not bad but very, very average. So why are we so quick to rush him to the next level?

Morgan Frost

In 41 Games had 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points with a plus/minus rating of even. Not bad but very, very average. So why are we so quick to rush him to the next level?
- SuperSchennBros

He played on an offensively challenged team. He was the teams most productive player as a rookie.

He played on an offensively challenged team. He was the teams most productive player as a rookie.
- Tomahawk

He’ll be fine. Those of us that have watched him play a ton of games know what he is as a player. Add some size, grow up a little. He can really become a good player.

Morgan Frost

In 41 Games had 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points with a plus/minus rating of even. Not bad but very, very average. So why are we so quick to rush him to the next level?
- SuperSchennBros

Rookies have to start somewhere. He also was able to rack up 7 points in 20 games at the NHL level. His offense translates. It’s not a rush if he is surrounded with vet support and not expected to lead the team in scoring. Lots of very good rookie forwards only score around 30 points in first seasons. 30 points is often still more helpful than an aging bottom six forward would produce. I also think the Flyers have the coaching to help Frost with his defensive game.

What. Didn’t realize he was in the bubble.
- Peter Richards

You didn't follow along. He wasn't in the bubble.

Top-nine, if not top-six, next season. You can take that to the bank.
- Tomahawk

Maybe by the end of the year. What's going to come into play is if there is an AHL team to send a player to. I think Frost doesn't make the opening day lineup and is a part time player who will work his way in as the season comes along.

So all of you degenerate gamblers out there college football today, who you got?

So all of you degenerate gamblers out there college football today, who you got?
- login

Clearly Tulane to cover against Southern Alabama and take the over in Kansas v. Coastal...

Clearly Tulane to cover against Southern Alabama and take the over in Kansas v. Coastal...
- Hesh_

love the green wave...iilke the over in tulane....that kansas game cant bet an over there...

best bet army over

Morgan Frost

In 41 Games had 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points with a plus/minus rating of even. Not bad but very, very average. So why are we so quick to rush him to the next level?
- SuperSchennBros

Well. I don’t think those numbers are that bad for a rook.

Morgan Frost

In 41 Games had 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points with a plus/minus rating of even. Not bad but very, very average. So why are we so quick to rush him to the next level?
- SuperSchennBros

that whole phntoms team didnt put up any points individually. Not sure what the issue was/is though not so sue I judge him based on that

So all of you degenerate gamblers out there college football today, who you got?
- login[/quotes
S Florida -18.5 is easy lock of the day you’re welcome

Please remind me why folks are a little down on Frost. I was disappointed not to see him in the round robin, but that was really just selfish because there wasn’t a high likelihood of him actually playing in the playoffs. I just wanted to see how he was doing. Since we didn’t see him and he has all this off time to build strength, why are folks not thinking the best of him?
- NC Flyers Fan

Because he is 21 and hasn't led the team or league in scoring yet.