There are not many measuring stick teams IMO, but obviously Tampa is right at the top of the list. Maybe the Avalanche, Golden Knights and Boston only because they seem to do it with 1 line and a bunch of lunch pale guys season after season.

I think the Flyers forward group still lacks speed and a sniper so ultimately that will hold them back in the playoffs against a top team. Defensively on paper this team should be a lot better, but we won't know this until the season plays out. I think the most important thing is to make the playoffs and then anything can happen from there. We saw that in 2010, and in 2019 when the Bruins marched to the finals and didn't have to play the Caps or Tampa on their way. If everything bounces right for this team, they are capable of making a deep run IMO. But I know, you can say this about 10 or 12 teams this coming season.
- jd250

So you're backing off of your previous statements that this team should be a contender?

He's in danger of doing too much already. Gotta let the dust settle, see what he's got, observe the chemistry and then leave some flexibility to tinker in the future if needed.
- Tomahawk

There isn't much flexibility left. Here is my prediction. The Flyers have a really strong regular season and the fanbase is over exuberant and confident. Then in the playoffs, the fans are ultimately left disappointed and some fan favorites becomes the whipping boys. It wouldn't surprise me for many to reconsider their positions on the moves that Fletcher made in a reactionary manner.

There isn't much flexibility left. Here is my prediction. The Flyers have a really strong regular season and the fanbase is over exuberant and confident. Then in the playoffs, the fans are ultimately left disappointed and some fan favorites becomes the whipping boys. It wouldn't surprise me for many to reconsider their positions on the moves that Fletcher made in a reactionary manner.
- MJL

Flyers will be a bubble playoff team fighting for a spot as the bottom teams.NJ..Rags and Flyers move up and Met division is going to be a beast

Nick Ritchie signs 2 years 5 million with Toronto. Big physical wing that plays a heavy game. Would have been a great addition. But there isn't any money to even make a signing like this.

What other non contending teams are capped out other than the Flyers?

Flyers have been making a habit out of drafting players in the first round who can't play. Morin, Patrick, Rubstov, O'Brien... it goes on and on.
- PLindbergh31

how many were hextall picks?

There isn't much flexibility left. Here is my prediction. The Flyers have a really strong regular season and the fanbase is over exuberant and confident. Then in the playoffs, the fans are ultimately left disappointed and some fan favorites becomes the whipping boys. It wouldn't surprise me for many to reconsider their positions on the moves that Fletcher made in a reactionary manner.
- MJL

what a miserable (frank). you must be fun at all the parties you're not invited to.

He's in danger of doing too much already. Gotta let the dust settle, see what he's got, observe the chemistry and then leave some flexibility to tinker in the future if needed.
- Tomahawk

Exactly!!

So you're backing off of your previous statements that this team should be a contender?
- MJL

I think any team that is capable of making the final 4 is technically a contender, and I certainly think with the changes CF hs made so far this team can get there, but of course things have to break right for them. Their team defense has to improve immensely, their goalies have to rebound, they have to avoid major injuries to key players and Covid outbreaks, etc. But if these things happen, yes this team can make the final 4 and as I posted previously, once there anything can happen. I would still like them to get more speed in their lineup, but perhaps with a "regular" season with consistent practice, this team can learn to play faster and make better decisions.

There isn't much flexibility left. Here is my prediction. The Flyers have a really strong regular season and the fanbase is over exuberant and confident. Then in the playoffs, the fans are ultimately left disappointed and some fan favorites becomes the whipping boys. It wouldn't surprise me for many to reconsider their positions on the moves that Fletcher made in a reactionary manner.
- MJL

Ok, well I predict the Flyers will win the Metro and make a deep playoff run, and then we will all wait for you to admit CF is a better GM than Hextall! :-)

Nick Ritchie signs 2 years 5 million with Toronto. Big physical wing that plays a heavy game. Would have been a great addition. But there isn't any money to even make a signing like this.

What other non contending teams are capped out other than the Flyers?
- PLindbergh31

Did you actually watch Ritchie play for the Bruins this year??

We can make the same videos for every player on the team. You continue to use hyperbole. Why would an NHL GM trade for a player that sucks? Is it his analysis that is off base or is it yours?
- MJL

I will put my player evaluation skills up against anyone, including any GM in the NHL. I know you love Myers, but these videos were comical. This guy will never be a legitimate top 4 in this league IMO.

Nick Ritchie signs 2 years 5 million with Toronto. Big physical wing that plays a heavy game. Would have been a great addition. But there isn't any money to even make a signing like this.

What other non contending teams are capped out other than the Flyers?
- PLindbergh31

like his game but don't see a need for another slow skater

Ok, well I predict the Flyers will win the Metro and make a deep playoff run, and then we will all wait for you to admit CF is a better GM than Hextall! :-)
- jd250

while I hope your are right and I do like or at least see why CF did what he did, I think if the Flyers go deep it has as much to do with what others teams didn't do, couldn't do or had to do because of the cap.

Nick Ritchie signs 2 years 5 million with Toronto. Big physical wing that plays a heavy game. Would have been a great addition. But there isn't any money to even make a signing like this.

What other non contending teams are capped out other than the Flyers?
- PLindbergh31

Good signing….

I wish I had a dollar for every time you claimed I said something only to be wrong about what I actually said. This is a repeated issue with you.
- MJL

nah you said play York even if Yandle was better. just man up

Nick Ritchie signs 2 years 5 million with Toronto. Big physical wing that plays a heavy game. Would have been a great addition. But there isn't any money to even make a signing like this.

What other non contending teams are capped out other than the Flyers?
- PLindbergh31

We had more room to make this signing than Toronto did

what a miserable (frank). you must be fun at all the parties you're not invited to.
- black_francis

My opinion is that he is completely right. This team is built for the regular season.

When poop was hitting the fan, our last two head coaches went running to the Giroux, Couturier, Voracek line. Who gets on that top line now and sets up G?
- SuperSchennBros

I am guessing that many of those assists will be coming from newly acquired defenseman like Ellis and player like Couturier, TK and Farabee are better playmakers than they are given credit and have more opportunity now.

I had no idea Gio was such a mensch...

https://www.tsn.ca/depart...lgary-community-1.1675484

I'm guessing 239-goals, and I even feel like that's probably a dozen or so too many:

Giroux (16) Couturier (27) Konecny (24)
Farabee (24) Hayes (16) Atkinson (18)
JVR (21) Frost (9) Allison (14)
Lindbolm (12) Laughton (9) Aube-Kubel (7)
Thompson (1) Other (4)

Provorov (8) Ellis (12)
Sanheim (5) Ristolainen (5)
Yandle (6) Braun (0)
Morin (0) Other (1)
- Tomahawk

You and NC are like poppa bear and momma bear. One too optimistic, one too pessimistic.

I’m not gonna go and guess what each player scores because that’s pointless but I expect the Flyers to score somewhere in the 260-280 goal range. So, if they can get the goals against down to 240 or less, they should finish somewhere between 95-105 points.

So basically anywhere from 2nd in the division to just missing the playoffs by a point or 2.

https://www.diebytheblade...nhl-hockey-buffalo-sabres

And this is why we should stay away from Eichel.

https://www.diebytheblade...nhl-hockey-buffalo-sabres

And this is why we should stay away from Eichel.
- MBFlyerfan

Yup, more and more he seems to be a whiny little #%&$

If JVR opens the season with Flyers, I'd like to see him get PP1 time. He's a 30 goal scorer in the right situations.

I also think we are in trouble if Coots is our leading goal scorer. I'd like to see TK and Farabee put the puck in the net.

If JVR opens the season with Flyers, I'd like to see him get PP1 time. He's a 30 goal scorer in the right situations.

I also think we are in trouble if Coots is our leading goal scorer. I'd like to see TK and Farabee put the puck in the net.
- cdearth23

I’m really banking on TK bouncing back goal scoring wise. He was pretty snake bitten at times last year. Have full faith in Farabee. Kid can score and last year showed he scored in so many different ways.

I’m really banking on TK bouncing back goal scoring wise. He was pretty snake bitten at times last year. Have full faith in Farabee. Kid can score and last year showed he scored in so many different ways.
- arichardson22

It’s so hard to predict this stuff because it is all dependent on health and usage.