Its a shame for their fans, because I think they were really building something special there. It may be good for the Flyers though, we'll see.
- jd250

Screw them and their fans. I work with enough of them. I'd still be yelling 1940 if it weren't for those bums in Vancouver. Kirk Mclean, Trevor Linden, Pavel Bure and company.

Ridding yourself of Jake, JVR and Ghost (which if I were GM is what I would do) is only half the equation. With all that cap space you can sign some veteran FAs and trade for some good players. That will shake things up quite a bit in terms of leadership and voices in the room.
- jd250

I'd think there is no chance they get out from under all three of these contracts. Maybe Seattle takes one of them, that's probably it.

I agree with Bill that I would not give anyone a A grade for their performance on this team, but I would give a few B's and a few F's to players that played the full season.

Bs: Giroux, Couturier, Farabee
Fs: Myers, Hayes, Patrick

Great write-up Bill, thank you. I too have been a fan of this team for most of its existence and I don't put much stock into what gets said on exit day either.

However, the issue I have with this team did not just appear this year; it has been a plague for many years and through many different coaching staffs. What is it that allows this team to be non-competitive on so many nights? This happened before AV and before COVID. That is the only issue I care about because that flaw is fatal. If this doesn't get corrected, nothing else will matter. There is something in that locker room that seems to say "this is acceptable". They say the opposite when asked about it by the media, but it never changes on the ice. This is why I find this team quite unlikeable. It is one thing to just not be good enough. It is entirely another to be accepting of not even putting forth effort. For most of their history, this organization has always had a great work ethic. I just want to get back to that.

I agree with Bill that I would not give anyone a A grade for their performance on this team, but I would give a few B's and a few F's to players that played the full season.

Bs: Giroux, Couturier, Farabee
Fs: Myers, Hayes, Patrick
- jd250

I think Hart has to get an F as well.

I'd think there is no chance they get out from under all three of these contracts. Maybe Seattle takes one of them, that's probably it.
- Ftown19125

You may be right, but I believe its imperative for Fletcher to do more than just hope Seattle takes a problem off your hands. If that is all that happens this off season, I think Fletcher and AV lose their jobs.

Its not about points with Jake, its whether the bad out weighs the good. I believe the bad great out weighs the good in Jake's case and thus the Flyers need to move on from him. Too many times he was caught up ice and not back checking. Too many times he turned the puck over is really bad areas. Too many times he is pass happy and doesn't shoot the puck. Too many times he does not get off the ice when its clear he is gassed. Jake can skate and he is an excellent passer. But is this enough to justify $8.25M/season with all the deficiencies I just mentioned? If the Flyers can cover some salary and move on from him, I would.
- jd250

All fair points. A year ago, he really did buy in to better 200-foot play and shorter shifts. He didn't even have to sacrifice a lot in points to do it, and the pros definitely outweighed the cons IMO. This year was a step backwards for him.

As far as shooting the puck goes, scouts have said -- and it's an accurate descriptor -- that he often shovels the puck rather than shooting it. He can score off the rush but his finishing ability is not all that reliable when he does elect to shoot. Thing is, he'll sometimes surprise the goalie and score because everyone expects the pass.

I think Hart has to get an F as well.
- PLindbergh31

I thought about it but I ended up giving him a C- grade, because I thought he did have some good games early on and I do think he was a victim of some really bad defense this year. But eventually he did crack and have a bad stretch. He was actually playing better near the end of the season before he hurt his knee. Overall a very uneven year for him and I just hope he learns from it and improves significantly next season, because we need him badly!

I think Hart has to get an F as well.
- PLindbergh31

For March, he gets an F.

For January/Feb, he gets a C-.

For April, he gets a C+ or an incomplete.

He didn't play in May.

Screw them and their fans. I work with enough of them. I'd still be yelling 1940 if it weren't for those bums in Vancouver. Kirk Mclean, Trevor Linden, Pavel Bure and company.
- PLindbergh31

Honestly, one Cup in 81 years, and now 27 years removed from the most recent, is basically the same thing. Once a team is far enough removed from a Cup that there are zero still-active players in the NHL from that season, it's been a long time.

For March, he gets an F.

For January/Feb, he gets a C-.

For April, he gets a C+ or an incomplete.

He didn't play in May.
- bmeltzer

I thought his best game of the season was his last. The game in Pittsburgh. Maybe he would have built on that in May. The team was awful in front of him so that certainly has to be taken into consideration. My main issue with him this year was once he allowed a bad goal, he let it snowball. He was unable to battle his way through it. I'm still optimistic Hart can be a franchise goaltender.

All fair points. A year ago, he really did buy in to better 200-foot play and shorter shifts. He didn't even have to sacrifice a lot in points to do it, and the pros definitely outweighed the cons IMO. This year was a step backwards for him.

As far as shooting the puck goes, scouts have said -- and it's an accurate descriptor -- that he often shovels the puck rather than shooting it. He can score off the rush but his finishing ability is not all that reliable when he does elect to shoot. Thing is, he'll sometimes surprise the goalie and score because everyone expects the pass.
- bmeltzer

I know Jake did it a season ago, but I just don't think its in his DNA to play that way. He comes across to me as a pond hockey player that cares about the pretty play more than anything else. I don't doubt he wants to win and is passionate, but if he plays like he did a season ago, its the exception, not the norm. Regarding shooting, sometimes the best pass is an accurate shot that generates a rebound, versus trying to force a low percentage pass through a bunch of bodies.

The Flyer organization needs a "purge" of their own, much like the Rangers have done. It's time to accept the fact this group of core veteran players is no longer capable of winning a Cup and the supporting cast isn't much better. It's time to rebuild the organization!!

Shane Wright should be the target for 2022, he played for the Greater Toronto Hockey League’s Don Mills Flyers, has to be a sign

What is the worst case scenario for the Flyers expansion draft wise? Seattle takes a player making no money, opening up no cap space. I fully expect this to happen.
- PLindbergh31

My guess is NAK.

Honestly, one Cup in 81 years, and now 27 years removed from the most recent, is basically the same thing. Once a team is far enough removed from a Cup that there are zero still-active players in the NHL from that season, it's been a long time.
- bmeltzer

All true. But none in 81 years would be even better.

Ttt

My guess is NAK.
- JW98FlyerFan

I'd rather they take someone to give the Flyers some cap space moving into free agency. But good riddance to NAK if that is the case. I can't watch him take another neutral zone penalty.

Screw them and their fans. I work with enough of them. I'd still be yelling 1940 if it weren't for those bums in Vancouver. Kirk Mclean, Trevor Linden, Pavel Bure and company.
- PLindbergh31

lol

It is interesting you are a Giants fan and a Rangers hater. I don't know if I know anyone with that combination.

Yeah, their moves seem Dan Snyderish. I am a bit more skeptical of them than many, given that I have seen Mika Z play for years and I doubt him as a playoff #1C. His career #s have gone up by 50% since Panarin came aboard! If he plays the Flyers he will do well but other than that... and a lot of their young players are still a while away and they are all kind of the same age instead of staggered (Kakko, Alex, Phytil, Miller, Fox). They won't be able to keep them all.

Quinn out with Rags. They cleaned house.
- PLindbergh31

Did they really underachieve that bad? I thought they were maybe another year away from being a strong pal off team. Kinda shocking.

lol

It is interesting you are a Giants fan and a Rangers hater. I don't know if I know anyone with that combination.

Yeah, their moves seem Dan Snyderish. I am a bit more skeptical of them than many, given that I have seen Mika Z play for years and I doubt him as a playoff #1C. His career #s have gone up by 50% since Panarin came aboard! If he plays the Flyers he will do well but other than that... and a lot of their young players are still a while away and they are all kind of the same age instead of staggered (Kakko, Alex, Phytil, Miller, Fox). They won't be able to keep them all.
- PT21

I hate the Yankees equally as much as I do the Rags.

Hextall should've continued with his picking a defenseman mantra in the first round from 2014 to 2017, build the thing from the net out. Could've had Heiskanen or Makar instead of Patrick to go along with Provorov, Sanheim and Hart

I'd rather they take someone to give the Flyers some cap space moving into free agency. But good riddance to NAK if that is the case. I can't watch him take another neutral zone penalty.
- PLindbergh31

I don't think Seattle takes him, not with the other options the Flyers can offer. Remember cap space will not be an issue with Seattle, they have to get to the cap floor at least. Even so, I don't believe NAK will earn a spot on this team next season if Fletcher does his job this off season.

I'd rather they take someone to give the Flyers some cap space moving into free agency. But good riddance to NAK if that is the case. I can't watch him take another neutral zone penalty.
- PLindbergh31

I agree, I just don't think we are getting any cap help from the Kraken.

Did they really underachieve that bad? I thought they were maybe another year away from being a strong pal off team. Kinda shocking.
- Angus4444

Agreed, I didn't think they underachieved at all. Many picked them to miss the playoffs this year and finish behind the Flyers and Bruins, well they finished ahead of the Flyers and almost caught the Bruins. In fact, if the Bruins did not have an excellent trade deadline, the Rangers probably would have caught them.

You may be right, but I believe its imperative for Fletcher to do more than just hope Seattle takes a problem off your hands. If that is all that happens this off season, I think Fletcher and AV lose their jobs.
- jd250

Watch Seattle take Hagg, or Braun, and leave us with the expensive guys. Hoping to trade Ghost before the ED. Braun is our only decent RH D. Means we need to sign Savard and another RH D.