It's a real pickle for the Flyers isn't it. 1st of all what NHL-calibre coach wants to come attempt to coach these players? 2nd over 65% of this roster simply isn't even tradable. Additionally the players they could move they'll be moving for very cheap/low prices - the entire league has seen what's going on here in Philly. Haha they can't even tank and get the 1st pick - they'll probably end up getting like the 5th pick or something.

It's a real pickle for the Flyers isn't it. 1st of all what NHL-calibre coach wants to come attempt to coach these players? 2nd over 65% of this roster simply isn't even tradable. Additionally the players they could move they'll be moving for very cheap/low prices - the entire league has seen what's going on here in Philly. Haha they can't even tank and get the 1st pick - they'll probably end up getting like the 5th pick or something.
- Pixote Andolini

The good news is they got the right GM to tear it down, and build it back up.

It's a real pickle for the Flyers isn't it. 1st of all what NHL-calibre coach wants to come attempt to coach these players? 2nd over 65% of this roster simply isn't even tradable. Additionally the players they could move they'll be moving for very cheap/low prices - the entire league has seen what's going on here in Philly. Haha they can't even tank and get the 1st pick - they'll probably end up getting like the 5th pick or something.
- Pixote Andolini

No good coach in their right mind will come here. These players are coach killers.

They need to trade what vets they can and move up as much a possible in this next draft. They badly need something substantial to build around.

The good news is they got the right GM to tear it down, and build it back up.
- PLindbergh31

Did they hire Steve Yzerman!?

I'm harping on Panaring and Fox because without them, the Rangers are just another team. Both players have substantially upgraded that team. For the reasons previously discussed, I don't see the Rangers as a good model to emulate. There is absolutely something lucky when that free agent wants to play for your team over all others and will take less money to do so. You saying that the Flyers could've outbid the Rangers doesn't consider that other teams reportedly did outbid the Rangers. So I would ask WTF are you talking about? Not well thought out.
Again, if you think the Flyers can do what the Rangers did, you are misguided. As misguided as you've been all along with the culture change etc. Do yourself a favor and look at the UFA list for the next few years.
- MJL

No one outbid the Rangers..Isles made an offer that was higher then the Rangers and they countered with some 500-700k more then the Isles...Panarin went to the highest bidder.

It's a real pickle for the Flyers isn't it. 1st of all what NHL-calibre coach wants to come attempt to coach these players? 2nd over 65% of this roster simply isn't even tradable. Additionally the players they could move they'll be moving for very cheap/low prices - the entire league has seen what's going on here in Philly. Haha they can't even tank and get the 1st pick - they'll probably end up getting like the 5th pick or something.
- Pixote Andolini

Good points. Whoever comes here is just asking to get axed. I mean it looks like they already have up on yeo.

Good points. Whoever comes here is just asking to get axed. I mean it looks like they already have up on yeo.
- Hextall271

They gave up on him long ago - he's just in a new position.

They gave up on him long ago - he's just in a new position.
- Scoob

Don’t worry. ESPN says there is a 75% chance they hire Tocchet

We are not looking at trading richards or Carter.
- Peter Richards

Har har

What enrages me the most is that rather than looking in the mirror and saying let’s give it everything we have for this game so that maybe we don’t set the franchise record for losses, they completely mail it in. You clowns wanted a coaching change and gave up on the coach. Got what you wanted and still can’t play like you care. It’s disgusting to see this as a lifelong fan.
- Hextall271

Im with ya brother, they got no problem cashing the check though do they. They all should go for that crap. Look in the mirror and ask whos to blame. People want to blame AV and chuck/ron and give the players a pass. We saw columbus beat the leafs in a best of seven series, and most of that was through hard work. And we cant beat the devils after we fire a coach because .....players

No one outbid the Rangers..Isles made an offer that was higher then the Rangers and they countered with some 500-700k more then the Isles...Panarin went to the highest bidder.
- hfc355

Im just going by what I read.

https://www.foreverbluesh...ith-the-new-york-rangers/

Question. When Rick Tocchet is inevitably hired, does he bring a lunch pail into the locker room on the first day? And does it have some sandpaper in it?
- StepfordSam

He will bring in a brown bag to run numbers to South Philly and bet against his own team...at this point I would expect them all to make the same bet

It's a real pickle for the Flyers isn't it. 1st of all what NHL-calibre coach wants to come attempt to coach these players? 2nd over 65% of this roster simply isn't even tradable. Additionally the players they could move they'll be moving for very cheap/low prices - the entire league has seen what's going on here in Philly. Haha they can't even tank and get the 1st pick - they'll probably end up getting like the 5th pick or something.
- Pixote Andolini

i'll be happy with the 5th, its the 10th i'm worried about getting

oh yeah in an ironic sense the guys a legend for that.

Its hard as a fan to not. I understand the big picture, but theres something inherently unnatural about actually rooting for losses.

Would I have been thrilled with the big picture plan as a flyers fan when they brought in ellis? You can argue it hurts the goal of the ultimate greater picture. in the short term, it would be hard to not be at least a little excited seeing a good player youve liked for a while brought in at a position of need for peanuts.

its tough. I like the cap. I know some dont. I dont blame it all on the cap, but a lot of sports now is not only prolonged sucking but just luck of the draw as to when you suck and who is coming out. Thankfully hockey is different than say basketball where one single player defines everything, but still.
- stayinthefnnet

Oh for sure. It's bloody strange. And maybe part of the excitement of sports is that we tell ourselves that for once, we don't have to look at the big picture.

And then, the big picture bites you in the ass for neglecting it. Such as your Ellis comment: why exactly was Nashville, (who have far from engaged in a total rebuild - their market contraints is quite similar to ours, I think), let their top-pairing D man with a reasonable cap hit walk for peanuts again?

So you really have two choices. Neglect big picture? Sure, knock yourself out. But then, you lose your right to whine when big picture pays you back.

Here’s the problem with hextall approach… we will never know because he was fired way to soon by a corporate fool. Hexy said it wasn’t go time. Who knows what moves he would’ve made when he was fired. Scott wanted hart up and hexy wouldn’t do it. I think it’s safe to safe hexy was right. At least in that case. I think hexy big mistake was not tearing it down from day 1. Could’ve gotten a lot for players at time like g coots summer etc… be that as it may fletch needs to go and so does Scott. Full rebuild. Coots should’ve never been signed long term and who knows if they can even trade him. The longer they wait and the longer these players play bad the harder to find a sucker to take them
- Stayin alive

Again, I know guys like MJL and even Bill have said this was all Hexy's idea, but I cannot help but notice a few things.

1. Hexy got the job because of his work in LA, and success there. What did LA do in those barren years when they drafted Kopitar, Schenn (who got them Richards in part), Doughty? Years at a stretch out of playoffs, usually missing by a lot.

2. Hexy was apparently big in analytics. You would have to be numerically illiterate to not seeing the huge value of picking high in the salary cap age. Why would he commit to not getting this huge value if he could?

3. Hexy was steeped in Flyers culture. In fact, I remember in his introductory press conference, I think Holmgren joked that he had a Flyers tattoo on his ass. He could not have failed to know that the market and brand value of the Flyers would not tolerate the full rebuild you blame him for not doing.

My suggestion is, under the circumstances, he did a sly rebuild, bringing in salary cap padders who are not difference makers, while really focusing on draft and development.

It was doomed from the start. Habs engaged in roughly the same plan, and not coincidentally, our meltdowns are occurring in the same year.

They gave up on him long ago - he's just in a new position.
- Scoob

His new official contract is for head coach/sacrificial-lamb-in-waiting.

Oh for sure. It's bloody strange. And maybe part of the excitement of sports is that we tell ourselves that for once, we don't have to look at the big picture.

And then, the big picture bites you in the ass for neglecting it. Such as your Ellis comment: why exactly was Nashville, (who have far from engaged in a total rebuild - their market contraints is quite similar to ours, I think), let their top-pairing D man with a reasonable cap hit walk for peanuts again?

So you really have two choices. Neglect big picture? Sure, knock yourself out. But then, you lose your right to whine when big picture pays you back.
- PT21

oh i totally get it. im just saying, the heart and brain often tug in different directions. at least insofar as the small, immediate picture is concerned.

case in point. Kris letang. Moving him at the deadline for a first and a prospect may very well be the prudent move. Seeing that happen in real time would sadden me.

Resigning him for 4 years at 7.5 per would ultimately be a detrimental move. but the immediate knee jerk to that would sting less than the first scenario.

oh i totally get it. im just saying, the heart and brain often tug in different directions. at least insofar as the small, immediate picture is concerned.

case in point. Kris letang. Moving him at the deadline for a first and a prospect may very well be the prudent move. Seeing that happen in real time would sadden me.

Resigning him for 4 years at 7.5 per would ultimately be a detrimental move. but the immediate knee jerk to that would sting less than the first scenario.
- stayinthefnnet

Doesn't the head pay back the heart all of the sacrifices it asks it to make, and with lavish interest?

When you guys traded Jagr away, tanked for picks, etc etc, what the heart lost: didn't it get it back and then some with the 3 cup runs?

I am probably getting old in saying this, and this kinda smacks of ole librul elitism, but the head may know what is good for the heart better than the heart does itself.

We need Hinkie

Doesn't the head pay back the heart all of the sacrifices it asks it to make, and with lavish interest?

When you guys traded Jagr away, tanked for picks, etc etc, what the heart lost: didn't it get it back and then some with the 3 cup runs?

I am probably getting old in saying this, and this kinda smacks of ole librul elitism, but the head may know what is good for the heart better than the heart does itself.
- PT21

it may know but that doesnt mean the heart always listens haha

how many times in life has someone found their big head overruled and directed by their little head

it may know but that doesnt mean the heart always listens haha

how many times in life has someone found their big head overruled and directed by their little head
- stayinthefnnet

How come you are posting before 5 PM on a weekday? Heart led you here?

No one outbid the Rangers..Isles made an offer that was higher then the Rangers and they countered with some 500-700k more then the Isles...Panarin went to the highest bidder.
- hfc355

https://nypost.com/2019/0...-islanders-come-up-empty/

https://www.cbssports.com...in-with-massive-contract/

Plenty more out there.

https://nypost.com/2019/07/01/rangers-sign-artemi-panarin-as-islanders-come-up-empty/

https://www.cbssports.com...in-with-massive-contract/

Plenty more out there.
- MJL

Panarin reportedly left money on the table to join the Rangers. Columbus reportedly made a huge offer (somewhere around eight years and $96 million-$100 million in total) at the 11th hour Sunday, and the New York Islanders were also believed to be in on the bidding war.

Checkmate. GG.

Again, I know guys like MJL and even Bill have said this was all Hexy's idea, but I cannot help but notice a few things.

1. Hexy got the job because of his work in LA, and success there. What did LA do in those barren years when they drafted Kopitar, Schenn (who got them Richards in part), Doughty? Years at a stretch out of playoffs, usually missing by a lot.

2. Hexy was apparently big in analytics. You would have to be numerically illiterate to not seeing the huge value of picking high in the salary cap age. Why would he commit to not getting this huge value if he could?

3. Hexy was steeped in Flyers culture. In fact, I remember in his introductory press conference, I think Holmgren joked that he had a Flyers tattoo on his ass. He could not have failed to know that the market and brand value of the Flyers would not tolerate the full rebuild you blame him for not doing.

My suggestion is, under the circumstances, he did a sly rebuild, bringing in salary cap padders who are not difference makers, while really focusing on draft and development.

It was doomed from the start. Habs engaged in roughly the same plan, and not coincidentally, our meltdowns are occurring in the same year.
- PT21

Again, all completely anecdotal. Point #3 is really laughable. It was pretty clear that Hextall adamantly refused to escalate and go back to the way Holmgren ran things as the GM. Flyers culture had squat to do with it. He was schooled and taught under Lombardi in LA. Lombardi was patient as hell. To the point that the fans were calling for head for his level of patience.
Hextall was no more into analytics than any other GM. As if that actually takes analytics to know where most star players come from. As usual, you're reaching badly. Again, direct statements from Hextall as well as how he routinely added low cost vets to help the team try and stay competitive tells you all you need to know. Hextall believed that they could remain competitive while rebuilding.

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Drop 10th in a Row, Lose 3-0 in NJ; Phantoms Postponement
- bmeltzer

Should be 11 in a row if the Islanders game wasn't covid'd