There are 2 ways to get high picks in the draft, which in turn is the most likely way to get high end talent in team we all seem to agree we need:

1. By design
2. By dysfunction

The former is difficult to do in a big market team with an impatient fan base. This leaves 2. In fact, there is a case that design needs to masquerade as dysfunction because of the preceding sentence (not saying that is fully the case here but could be part of it).

Why are you and others so upset?
- PT21

This is just a crock of schit imo.

And I hope the team stays dysfunctional all over the ice so they get a top 5 draft pick and actually have a chance to get real top end talent in here. A new coach will be hired in the off season and they will have all off-season and training camp to communicate and teach their system. Yeo is just holding the fort to the end of the season, and hopefully for his sake earning a chance at a new job next season.
- jd250

Yea, one top 5 draft pick. That'll straighten it all out. More absurdity. Yeo is not holding anything. Well I shouldn't say anything. He is terrible and he should be fired.

Do you know how absurd that is? What players are they showcasing that will have any value in a trade? Next tell me why those same players can't remain the lineup while York and Frost are also in the lineup. Are you telling me that the Flyers are showcasing Seeler and Yandle? Good luck to them with that. Should fetch quite a haul that will set up the Flyers for the future. Your theory doesn't hold water and it's just more greenlighting of the Flyers mismanagement.
- MJL

Not necessarily Seeler and Yandle, but Brassard, Braun, Jones, JVR, G, TK. I think when Brown comes back you will see Ratcliff return to the Phantoms. Like I said, York and Frost will be back after the deadline and maybe sooner if injuries happen. I am not concerned at this point with either of them.

There are 2 ways to get high picks in the draft, which in turn is the most likely way to get high end talent in team we all seem to agree we need:

1. By design
2. By dysfunction

The former is difficult to do in a big market team with an impatient fan base. This leaves 2. In fact, there is a case that design needs to masquerade as dysfunction because of the preceding sentence (not saying that is fully the case here but could be part of it).

Why are you and others so upset?
- PT21

First, there is nothing to indicate that these folks are clever enough to pull off what you suggest. Second, letting the f-wads who put us in this predicament try to pull us out is placing hope over experience. In case you hadn't noticed, we have ventured into the flat comical now. So, placing any confidence in this crew to fix their own mess just looks delusional. If you are okay watching a non-NHL team play, then you should be happy with the team.

The Red Wings have some beaut youngsters. They're clearly still rebuilding but their effort and vigor was never in question. In the 2nd period you could clearly see them outworking the Flyers when the Flyers were on one of their few Powerplays. Carter Hart deserves better than this and so do the fans. Fielding a team with roughly 65% NHL talent isn't the best way to go either. Lindblom is not a 1st line winger, neither is Atkinson on most of the cup-contending teams. Braun is not a top pairing defenseman.

On the positive side – that short-side Sanheim blast was a thing of beauty.

Not necessarily Seeler and Yandle, but Brassard, Braun, Jones, JVR, G, TK. I think when Brown comes back you will see Ratcliff return to the Phantoms. Like I said, York and Frost will be back after the deadline and maybe sooner if injuries happen. I am not concerned at this point with either of them.
- jd250

Tell me other than Seeler or Yandle, which player would be taken out of the lineup so the Flyers wouldn't be able to "showcase" them to the rest of the league if York and Frost are in the lineup? Out of the list of players that you named. You didn't think this out very well.

First, there is nothing to indicate that these folks are clever enough to pull off what you suggest. Second, letting the f-wads who put us in this predicament try to pull us out is placing hope over experience. In case you hadn't noticed, we have ventured into the flat comical now. So, placing any confidence in this crew to fix their own mess just looks delusional. If you are okay watching a non-NHL team play, then you should be happy with the team.
- iamscore2day

If the Flyers get a top 5 pick, it all will be magically fixed apparently.

There are numerous blogs and websites that detail NHL systems. One of them which even deals with AV's systems when he was the Rangers coach is Blueseatblogs.com

Now I want you to show me a man to man NHL defensive system that directs a defenseman not to do that. I'll wait....


In the mean time, I have an exercise for you. Look at all the Flyers video replays of goals against. You will see every Flyers defenseman do that at one time or another. Are they all not doing what the coaches are telling them to do and playing outside of the system? Provorov, Braun, Ristolainen, Sanheim all of them do that in the Flyers man to man scheme.
- MJL

Ah ... actually Risto is quite disciplined in his defensive zone coverage and he stays in his zone. What I don't like sometimes with Risto, and I saw it a few times last night, is he sometimes doesn't engage opposing forwards aggressively enough, thus letting them make plays.

Yea, one top 5 draft pick. That'll straighten it all out. More absurdity. Yeo is not holding anything. Well I shouldn't say anything. He is terrible and he should be fired.
- MJL

Ah ... actually Risto is quite disciplined in his defensive zone coverage and he stays in his zone. What I don't like sometimes with Risto, and I saw it a few times last night, is he sometimes doesn't engage opposing forwards aggressively enough, thus letting them make plays.
- jd250

Oh my goodness. Ristolainen is frequently out of position on plays and loose and late in coverage. He is not good in any way defensively. Again, there are no zones in man to man coverage schemes.

Yes, and the Flyers prospect standing has consistently been in the top 5 and what has that go us exactly? You can make what the pundits think are good picks, but whether these players develop into impact NHL players is another issue all together.
- jd250

Has it? When?

Also, note I was not talking about absolute levels, but rather changes (improvements) since CF/BF left. Admittedly, their draft position improved a litte since then, but Wheeler supplies a huge amount of detail in justifying his writings. That countdown has been a real pleasure to read.

He says (and I did not check) that Canes have been the team that have most closely correlated with his draft rankings. That team sent 7 players to the WJC this year. Their drafting is textbook. So, if that correlates with his own rankings, that says something about his methods surely.

Yea, one top 5 draft pick. That'll straighten it all out. More absurdity. Yeo is not holding anything. Well I shouldn't say anything. He is terrible and he should be fired.
- MJL

Not one, but if you can hit on two that could really propel your team forwards. I just gave you Detroit as an example, they hit on their 4th and 6th picks overall, and you saw last night how they lead this team. The Flyers just have to suck it up and do the same thing.

Provorov was sold as a Franchise D "Desjardins Howe" Seider on Wings fits that billing

You are funny. Was he not part of the prior failed coaching staff?

It is both a player and coach problem. Both can and are true.
- hello it's me 2050

I’m with you on this…he should have been fired with the other two. It really showed Fletcher wasn’t prepared for such a move.

Not necessarily Seeler and Yandle, but Brassard, Braun, Jones, JVR, G, TK. I think when Brown comes back you will see Ratcliff return to the Phantoms. Like I said, York and Frost will be back after the deadline and maybe sooner if injuries happen. I am not concerned at this point with either of them.
- jd250

There value will not change at all in the next 5 weeks. What you see is what you get. There is nothing to showcase.

Yep they will keep Brown. Which is comical to me. Why this organization is laughable. .

I’m with you on this…he should have been fired with the other two. It really showed Fletcher wasn’t prepared for such a move.
- landros 2

One in a long list of things that he was not ready for.

Oh my goodness. Ristolainen is frequently out of position on plays and loose and late in coverage. He is not good in any way defensively. Again, there are no zones in man to man coverage schemes.
- MJL

Yes there are zones in man to man coverage, especially for defenseman. And I quote for your viewing pleasure:

Man on Man
Excerpt From: Hockey Plays and Strategies
This system relies on constant puck pressure and denying time and space to the opponent. D1 starts by pressuring the puck carrier and then, after a pass is made, sticks with that player as he tries to get open. The only place D1 won’t follow the when he doesn’t have the puck is out to the blue line; D1 has tight coverage on any players in the slot. F1 now pressures the pass and once again if the puck is moved sticks to his man (figure 9.10). This continues with D2 in the low zone area while F2 and F3 have responsibility for the opposing defensemen. F2 and F3 cover the defensemen whether they move in through the slot or slide down the boards. There is no confusion with the man-on-man system with regard to who a player is covering, but if the opposition is fairly creative and incorporates lots of motion, then it becomes harder to stay with your check. The new rules preventing clutching and grabbing have made it harder to play a true man-on-man system, but it can be very effective if the defenders are good skaters because the offensive team has minimal time with the puck before being pressured, and players away from the puck have trouble finding space to get open for a return pass.

Not one, but if you can hit on two that could really propel your team forwards. I just gave you Detroit as an example, they hit on their 4th and 6th picks overall, and you saw last night how they lead this team. The Flyers just have to suck it up and do the same thing.
- jd250

Can you only have success with developing young players if they were drafted in the top 10? The Flyers should start trying to do with same thing with York and Frost by bringing them up to the NHL and playing them in the best spot with the correct support.

I’m with you on this…he should have been fired with the other two. It really showed Fletcher wasn’t prepared for such a move.
- landros 2

Maybe there is also the fact maybe they didn't want to spend money on another coach at this time. Let it play out and revaluate. Dont have an issue if that was the thought process.

On the surface though yes he should have been canned. Former Minny boy....

Yes there are zones in man to man coverage, especially for defenseman. And I quote for your viewing pleasure:
- jd250

The key point is when the opposition player doesn't have the puck. That is when a defenseman should not follow his man up to the blueline.

Provorov was sold as a Franchise D "Desjardins Howe" Seider on Wings fits that billing
- THE EVIL WITHIN

He reminds me of a young Victor Hedman. Not saying he will be as good, but he has a chance to be a special talent.

He reminds me of a young Victor Hedman. Not saying he will be as good, but he has a chance to be a special talent.
- landros 2

He aint that young anymore in terms of hockey age.

Maybe there is also the fact maybe they didn't want to spend money on another coach at this time. Let it play out and revaluate. Dont have an issue if that was the thought process.

On the surface though yes he should have been canned. Former Minny boy....
- hello it's me 2050

They just look underprepared far to often for this to continue. Coming into this year after last years debacle Fletcher should have had a better plan B.

He aint that young anymore in terms of hockey age.
- hello it's me 2050

He meant Seider, who is only 20.

He aint that young anymore in terms of hockey age.
- hello it's me 2050

He’s 20 ?