Just baffles me how anyone can give this GM the benefit of the doubt when you look at his track with the Flyers and his prior stint.

He does much more bad than good at the NHL level. Yet he will have a blank check.

The funny thing is he talks about bolstering the staff across the organization. That don't mean schitt if the philosophy doesn't change.

What do you believe that Fletcher is actually going to do next off season? Is he going to sit back and rely on drafting or is he going to be aggressive and try for a quck fix? If it's the latter than how can you be encouraged by Fletcher saying they need more elite players? If you don't believe Gaudreau fits that bill. How about Kadri? Just like all of us, you heard Scott, a few moves and we're right back in it. There was really nothing in my view to be encouraged about from that press conference.
- MJL

I hope Fletcher does not go for the quick fix next season. However I agree with Dave Scott that it should not take 5 years to get a contending team either, not with the core of players on this team right now. =Note Dave Scott stated the team is only 1, 2 or 3 players away, but then he looked at Fletcher and stated "or maybe more". I think Fletcher knows this team is not 1 or 2 players away, but with the some health and a few smart moves this team can contend for a playoff spot next season and this is the first step. Kadri to me is in the same pot as Gaudreau, he is having a good season in a contract year. But he is also over 30, has never been more than 60 point/year player and has had discipline issues, thus not a player I would invest my valuable cap space in.

Just baffles me how anyone can give this GM the benefit of the doubt when you look at his track with the Flyers and his prior stint.

He does much more bad than good at the NHL level. Yet he will have a blank check.

The funny thing is he talks about bolstering the staff across the organization. That don't mean schitt if the philosophy doesn't change.
- hello it's me 2050

Agree completely.

Like a queen? (https://qotsa.com/)
- Bendecko

so good

So Laine is an elite talent that can't stay on the ice ... hmmm .. come to think of it, he is a perfect Flyer :-)
- jd250

Patrick Laine is only 23!!….guy has already had a 44 goal season and a couple in the 30’s….you mentioned he’s 6th on the team in scoring this year? 21 points in 24 games? What’s wrong with that? He was banged up this year, but has been pretty durable so far. Just to keep it in context…Laine is younger then Wade Allison.

Just baffles me how anyone can give this GM the benefit of the doubt when you look at his track with the Flyers and his prior stint.

He does much more bad than good at the NHL level. Yet he will have a blank check.

The funny thing is he talks about bolstering the staff across the organization. That don't mean schitt if the philosophy doesn't change.
- hello it's me 2050

Here is why I like Fletcher. The moves he made this past off season should have produced a much better result than they did. You cannot discount injuries and Covid. Its not an excuse, but you can't ignore it either. Ellis will be a very good defenseman for this team. Risto has provided this team with what he was brought in to do. Atkinson is arguably the Flyers best forward right now. The moves were solid, but other factors sunk this team this year and you just can't ignore them because they are inconvenient to you.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33203831/chicago-blackhawks-owner-rocky-wirtz-adamant-franchise-not-going-talk-kyle-beach

Wirtz is a *******. The question sounds reasonable and fair. It wasn’t to ask about the past but rather what is to be done now and in the future. If he can’t be transparent about that then it isn’t good enough. Details aren’t so important as the basic idea that layers are now in place to prevent gross misuse of position. A quick example of how that would work…that’s all that was needed.
- NC Flyers Fan

Yep. As bad as the Flyers have been lately it could be worse. We could be Blackhawks fans. What a vile organization that is.

so good
- Scoob

fcs

Patrick Laine is only 23!!….guy has already had a 44 goal season and a couple in the 30’s….you mentioned he’s 6th on the team in scoring this year? 21 points in 24 games? What’s wrong with that? He was banged up this year, but has been pretty durable so far. Just to keep it in context…Laine is younger then Wade Allison.
- landros 2

All I am saying is you have to take these things into account before you put all your chips in the middle for one player. Is Laine that player? He has already quit on one team and has been underwhelming for his new team so far.

I would also like to hear your answers to these questions.
- MBFlyerfan

get comfortable lol

Just baffles me how anyone can give this GM the benefit of the doubt when you look at his track with the Flyers and his prior stint.

He does much more bad than good at the NHL level. Yet he will have a blank check.

The funny thing is he talks about bolstering the staff across the organization. That don't mean schitt if the philosophy doesn't change.
- hello it's me 2050

That’s why I can’t get to excited about this “retool”…Fletcher hasn’t exactly installed much confidence so far. And as you’ve pointed out, it’s not exactly like his track record coming in here was like Keith Allen.

This is a completely unfair assessment of Fletcher and his staff.
- jd250

The part he doesnt understand and its apparent because he always bring up to you stuff you said last summer.

Plans gets adjusted, people reevaluate. That's part of the process. Tampa didn't stop tweaking until they won the cup. Fletch made moves and reevaluates based on players not competing and/or performing.

Here is why I like Fletcher. The moves he made this past off season should have produced a much better result than they did. You cannot discount injuries and Covid. Its not an excuse, but you can't ignore it either. Ellis will be a very good defenseman for this team. Risto has provided this team with what he was brought in to do. Atkinson is arguably the Flyers best forward right now. The moves were solid, but other factors sunk this team this year and you just can't ignore them because they are inconvenient to you.
- jd250

What I know for a fact is this, the GM made this team worse. That is all that matters. The majority of his moves were utter failures. They were not solid at the end of the day. You are an excuse maker.

how on earth can you say this about Ellis? You may want to say you hope.

All I am saying is you have to take these things into account before you put all your chips in the middle for one player. Is Laine that player? He has already quit on one team and has been underwhelming for his new team so far.
- jd250

Or you can give $50M to Kevin Hayes...I’m all for Laine but it doesn’t make sense if we can’t shed any of the large contracts we have.

get comfortable lol
- Scoob

fcs

Is Eichel going to be the same player he was in Buffalo? Are you willing to trade heaven and earth to find out? And about Laine, he is currently 6th on his team in scoring, behind a defenseman and someone called Boone Jenner. Is he the type of player that I move heaven and earth for? I am all for getting elite talent, but I am not putting all my chips in the middle unless I am fairly sure I am going to win the pot.
- jd250

Whats heaven and earth. Did you see what vegas gave up? that's hardly heaven and earth. Prob TK, Sanheim, Frost and a 1st would've done it easy compared to what they got. I would move those guys for eichel in a second. I'd move them for less.

All I am saying is you have to take these things into account before you put all your chips in the middle for one player. Is Laine that player? He has already quit on one team and has been underwhelming for his new team so far.
- jd250

What do all these talented guys have in common that have moved in the last 2 years? They all have some sort of baggage. That’s why they are available.

I let my doctors tell me that….as a GM I didn’t go to med school. When Laine was happy and healthy he’s scoring at a 35-40 goal pace. He’s a stud. If rather they take swings at difference makers instead of guys like Hayes….JVR….although both good players, not guys that are all star caliber although both are paid that way. I just pointed out a couple examples. Fair or unfair the Flyers are going to take some chances, because it’s rare elite talent is actually traded unless there are circumstances that give teams reasons for pause.
- landros 2

Yes I agree signing Hayes and JVR were not good moves. But taking swings at elite players requires a lot of resources, thus you don't have more than one or two swings to hit the ball out of park and win.

Whats heaven and earth. Did you see what vegas gave up? that's hardly heaven and earth. Prob TK, Sanheim, Frost and a 1st would've done it easy compared to what they got. I would move those guys for eichel in a second. I'd move them for less.
- bradster

Heaven and earth was my comment. But you got the gist. That package would have gotten it done.

Just simply pointing out that your point of him being "only" 6th on his team in scoring "behind a defenseman(who happens to be Zach Werenski) and someone called Boone Jenner" had some context that cut in to your point.

As for Laine, I wasn't too enamored in him as a player. He hasn't had a history of injury since lately. And also has a rep as a selfish player. But his talent and ability IS elite no matter how you slice it.
- MBFlyerfan

Yes, Laine has elite talent, but there a red flags that would stop me from going all in for him.

Whats heaven and earth. Did you see what vegas gave up? that's hardly heaven and earth. Prob TK, Sanheim, Frost and a 1st would've done it easy compared to what they got. I would move those guys for eichel in a second. I'd move them for less.
- bradster

I do not buy this at all. If that were the case then why isnt he on the flyers?

What does Sanheim do for them on a 2 year contract? Frost isn't as good a prospect as what Vegas gave them.

I am not saying Buffalo made out like bandits in any way. Just dont agree that package gets it done.

Heaven and earth was my comment. But you got the gist. That package would have gotten it done.
- landros 2

Prob wouldnt have had to include frost in that package lol

Johnny G is not on par with those guys….but there aren’t any that you could trade for. Tuomalla was a second round pick that had some flashes in training camp….the guy didn’t even make Finnish world junior team, because he hasn’t had a good year. One thing they both have though is speed. They do need to add guys that can skate…do they over pay a guy like Kadri if he hits FA this year? Do they move on from a guys like Risto and Sanheim?
One thing most can agree on is we need to figure out who is part of the solution and who is not. That goes for players and management. Young guys need to get an opportunity to play when healthy.
- landros 2

Absolutely agree with your latter points, Fletcher needs to figure out who is part of the solution here and who is not. I would trade Sanheim if the deal was right, and I would sign Risto only if his asking price was right. If Risto wants $6M+ per, I would not sign him based on what I have seen from him this year. I still like him, but I like him at $4.5-$5M per. With a flat cap, Fletcher has to be very strict on what he doles out for players.

I do not buy this at all. If that were the case then why isnt he on the flyers?

What does Sanheim do for them on a 2 year contract? Frost isn't as good a prospect as what Vegas gave them.

I am not saying Buffalo made out like bandits in any way. Just dont agree that package gets it done.
- hello it's me 2050

maybe the medical staff didnt approve? Maybe they dont like his attitude issues? Maybe chuck didnt think we needed him at the time. Could be a variety of reasons. Maybe they still think TK is gonna be a star lol. Pretty sure the thoughts on TK has changed pretty dramatically over the last year.

Absolutely agree with your latter points, Fletcher needs to figure out who is part of the solution here and who is not. I would trade Sanheim if the deal was right, and I would sign Risto only if his asking price was right. If Risto wants $6M+ per, I would not sign him based on what I have seen from him this year. I still like him, but I like him at $4.5-$5M per. With a flat cap, Fletcher has to be very strict on what he doles out for players.
- jd250

so 4.75 for 6 years you would give to RR?