That’s the scariest part, this summer is going to set this team back another 5 years. That’s what people don’t understand
- ClaudeFather

I do not agree with the direction they will go. So it will def be entertaining to see what moves this GM makes to try to save his job. He just is not a good GM. That's it.

Are you related to Fletcher?

Perspective is they suck. No game changers in the system. There is nothing to indicate it will improve. Still not a playoff team with ex selk ellis and Hayes. At best 1st rd fodder.

What has fletcher done since he took over to improve this team going forward?
- hello it's me 2050

To your first question, No, at least I don't think I am related to Fletcher. To your last question, I will point you to what Scott and Fletcher said in their press conference last week. You can choose to believe it or not, its your call.

Ive got no problem extending RR for 4.75. But i'm not a hater on him like most of you guys. I think he is worth 4.5-4.75
- bradster

I would hope you realize by now I am far from a Risto hater.

To your first question, No, at least I don't think I am related to Fletcher. To your last question, I will point you to what Scott and Fletcher said in their press conference last week. You can choose to believe it or not, its your call.
- jd250

Yes they are 2/3 players away if what they think. Otherwise it would not have been said. They are both delusional to think they can turn this around as quick as they think.

Did anyone follow up and ask them 2 or 3 players away from what?

That’s the scariest part, this summer is going to set this team back another 5 years. That’s what people don’t understand
- ClaudeFather

If there is a new GM it might not be that long.

I would hope you realize by now I am far from a Risto hater.
- jd250

no there a few on here that dont hate on him. He fills a need.

I do not agree with the direction they will go. So it will def be entertaining to see what moves this GM makes to try to save his job. He just is not a good GM. That's it.
- hello it's me 2050

I agree 100%. Whatever direction they choose I do not want CF calling the shots.

no there a few on here that dont hate on him. He fills a need.
- bradster

And he is overpaid for that need imo. Just don't see the value he adds at the cost.

I agree 100%. Whatever direction they choose I do not want CF calling the shots.
- mickel25

I cant believe he wont be calling the shots at this point. Do not see him getting canned or it would have happened by now imo.

Maybe he hires Danny boy as the GM and he stays as President.

If there is a new GM it might not be that long.
- Scoob

The press conference seemed to lean heavily towards Fletcher staying so I don’t think a new GM will be in place.

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.
- jd250

Scott said with the right moves they can be right back in it. I'd like to know what the definition of being right back in it in Scott's view? So you're setting the bar at contending for a playoff spot? Hell, they could do nothing this offseason and if they get a few players back healthy they could contend for a playoff spot. I've set the bar higher. If the moves you make don't push you legitimately into the contention range, then you're wasting time, assets and cap space.

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

That's the same way I look at it. I view what the moves should have produced rather than what they did produce. So I'm good.

What exactly was Ritolainen brought in here to do?

And he is overpaid for that need imo. Just don't see the value he adds at the cost.
- hello it's me 2050

I think he is a good 2nd pairing. And that salary falls right in line. The RHD is a premium also. You i assume would say he is a 3rd pairing. You think he is similar to Hagg?

I cant believe he wont be calling the shots at this point. Do not see him getting canned or it would have happened by now imo.

Maybe he hires Danny boy as the GM and he stays as President.
- hello it's me 2050

Could totally see that happening, and im fine with that.

The press conference seemed to lean heavily towards Fletcher staying so I don’t think a new GM will be in place.
- ClaudeFather

All we can hope for is that CF has a Howie Roseman 2017 offseason where everything he touches turns to gold. Outside of that, I think it will be a long process.

6 years? Hmmm .. not sure I want to commit for that long, but if he settles for a lower AAV, he would be asking for a longer term. I would seriously consider signing Risto to this deal.
- jd250

God help us.

Whats the argument? You guys want a rebuild right? If the moves fail, we suck and get the better pick. Isnt that what you want? If the moves work, they are a playoff team. Fletcher wont move our first. Hes done a good job on not moving picks and prospects. Last offseason was the first time he did and it was a shallow draft.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

There are other things that can come with a rebuilt. Following along the path the last few years, the team gets older and more expensive players. That's not easily reversed.

Hayes was a fine move. Fletcher overpaid but that was the market. Flyers needed a C badly. He was the only top 6 C available behind duchene. Hayes was going to get 6.5 mill regardless. .
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

You are a bit of an enigma to me. Some guys here ... I understand why they don't get it. I don't understand why you don't understand. Anyway, here is yet another same/different take on why Hez was not "a fine move" (sorry Tmhwk!)

The team is worse today compared to what? Last season? Or 2019 where the team really played well for only a couple of months? Or 2018 where this team had only 82 points and finished in 6th place? Its really important for all of us to put this team into perspective. Its not like the Flyers were a true contending team when Fletcher took over. They were a 6th place team with an interim coach. I wonder if this team is not better right now compared to 2018.
- jd250

The perspective is that through 3+ years of Fletcher and trading future assets and adding high cap hit players, the team has not improved.

That’s the scariest part, this summer is going to set this team back another 5 years. That’s what people don’t understand
- ClaudeFather

Most likely, yes.

To your first question, No, at least I don't think I am related to Fletcher. To your last question, I will point you to what Scott and Fletcher said in their press conference last week. You can choose to believe it or not, its your call.
- jd250

I think the issue is whether you believe what they said. Then after that if you have any legitimate reason to believe them and that the course they want to take is the correct one based on all the available information. Are they right people to get it done? We have a 12 year track record of Fletcher as an NHL GM.

I think he is a good 2nd pairing. And that salary falls right in line. The RHD is a premium also. You i assume would say he is a 3rd pairing. You think he is similar to Hagg?
- bradster

that's were we disagree. He is a bottom pair guy to me.

Handedness is a tad overrated imo. He is better than Haag though at the end of the day neither move the needle. Replace RR with Haag and record is probably the same. so what is RR doing to justify his money?

that's were we disagree. He is a bottom pair guy to me.

Handedness is a tad overrated imo. He is better than Haag though at the end of the day neither move the needle. Replace RR with Haag and record is probably the same. so what is RR doing to justify his money?
- hello it's me 2050

I just watched a Panthers game and I heard Gudas’ name all night…😩

I just watched a Panthers game and I heard Gudas’ name all night…😩
- FloHaake

Gudas much better value than RR to me.

If they tear it down to the studs because of this and start a 5 plus year rebuild. I guess ok but say it doesn’t work and we miss on the picks? You hope for Tampa pitt scenario but it could easily be an Edmonton scenario which is an utter disaster . We talk about probabilities with lots of first overall picks and that’s nice but hockey is a late development sport so it’s a crap shoot. . Also you need to surround the stars with a proper supporting cast. Ask Edmonton if that’s easy. They’ve missed on so many other picks from 2nd round on it’s ridiculous.

Imo. The point is moot short term. I fully expect trades at the deadline to bring in some prospects and picks then we will go hard after Johnny g. They stated that they need more high end skill. There you go. Will it work? I have no idea but if the injured players we have can come back the team should be better. That’s what the plan is I’m expecting.
- Hextall271

Why exactly is Edmonton so much worse than us? In the last 10 years, they have the same # of playoff series wins as us. And in the next 10 years, which team seems more likely to break through? They have 2 pieces, and need 2 more (#1D, goalie). We have _maybe_ 1 piece (Hart, and the case for Hart is far, far less settled now than the case for McDavid and Draisatl, and further, you can win with averagish goalies. You don't need a goalie stud to win). And which team is/has been more fun to watch?

Hockey is kinda a late development sport, agree, but in the top 5, it really isn't. Draft position there (all at the tender age of 18) is many multiple levels a better predictor of player success than late-blooming, development, or anything else.