I agree mostly, I would think Lou has a little something to do with NYI, I mean he brought in quite the vet presence over the last 2 seasons. Were the Caps really boring? or did the talent they have blend well with Trotz and his system?
- wcorvette

He’s going to bring the same system here. When it comes to winning games it makes sense to. The Flyers don’t match up anywhere to what those Capitals teams were sadly.

Looking at next season one can assume Jersey will be a better team. Improved goaltending would have had them higher up this season anyway. The Flyers have such a perfect chance to be right in the mix next season with Montreal, Seattle, Chicago, and Arizona yet again. Couturier with known knee issues, now with back questions. Ellis we know about already, and Hart hasn’t been the perfect picture of health either.

Continuing to try, and fight their way upstream from that pack is foolish. They want to throw their chance away at another top 5 pick for what exactly?

Thing is, Fletcher’s incompetence may just work to our benefit.

Yep, other than trying to shed cap space and acquire future assets, they shouldn't do a dang thing this off season.
- MJL

Agreed 100%. Worst thing this franchise should do is bring in any high priced/long term salary or any veteran scrap depth. They need to shed and restock immediately.

Yep, other than trying to shed cap space and acquire future assets, they shouldn't do a dang thing this off season.
- MJL

I’d keep JVR as well, cringe at the idea of moving assets with him just to unload that contract.

Does seem they want him out at any cost though. To use the cap space who knows what for.

I’d keep JVR as well, cringe at the idea of moving assets with him just to unload that contract.

Does seem they want him out at any cost though. To use the cap space who knows what for.
- FlyerFan3260

It’s only one more year. Might be worth something at the trade deadline. And why make space just to spend it on an overpriced long term free agent when not on the verge of a breakout anyway.

Been watching the Bruins-Hurricanes series which is going to game 7 tomorrow night. As I had posted earlier, IMO Carolina is not a top contender and after watching them for 6 games so far, they have done nothing to convince me otherwise. Their top line is good, but not nearly at the level of talent as the top lines of other playoff teams like Florida, Colorado, Tampa and Toronto. When the Canes get behind in a game, you can pretty much shut them down and the Bruins have. Also the Canes are very undisciplined, especially on the road. They have been down a few 5-3s already in this series and its come back to bite them hard. For me the biggest blown opportunity for the Canes this series was in game 4 where the Bruins were starting a rookie goalie and were missing both their top pairing defenseman McAvoy and Lindholm. That loss might end up spelling the end for the Canes in this series.

On another note, who here sees another royal choke job from the Leafs in game 7? I certainly do!

I’d keep JVR as well, cringe at the idea of moving assets with him just to unload that contract.

Does seem they want him out at any cost though. To use the cap space who knows what for.
- FlyerFan3260

JVR scored 24 goals playing for one of the worst teams in the league with the worst PP in the league. That is pretty good production for a so-called power play specialist. I think all the Flyers need to do is cover some salary and another team will pick him up thinking on their team with their PP JVR will score over 30 goals for them, and they might be right.

It all goes back to where you set the bar. Some will be happy with the fools gold and the participation trophy for improving next season and getting to bubble playoff status. "See, we're moving in the right direction". No we're not, we're just ascending back to perpetual mediocrity.
- MJL

You don't know that though, until it happens! Tell me, how do you define a legitimate step in the right direction for this team? How can you tell the difference between a step forward versus a step towards perpetual mediocrity? What if Fletcher does very little this off season and gives his young players a year to develop to see what he has, and the Flyers are a playoff bubble team simply because they have a competent coach and they are healthy? Would that be a step in the right direction to you or will you still be complaining? I think you need to see how this off season shakes out before you can just write off any improvement next year as "fools gold"

Agreed 100%. Worst thing this franchise should do is bring in any high priced/long term salary or any veteran scrap depth. They need to shed and restock immediately.
- Glak18

I honestly think that is what Fletcher is going to do. He is going to see what his healthy team looks like with a new a coach and several younger players including possibly who they pick at number 5 this year. That would be a step in the right direction IMO.

I want to see what direction they go player wise before deciding good or bad. The lack of elite talent and over all team makeup is more pressing in my mind then anything else. At this point I have no preferences with regards to coaching. I do agree that Torts or Maurice seem like an AV light type of decision. I’m not sure Tocchet ever had the horses to succeed as a head coach and much like Berube may be a solid coach one day …..I’m just not sure it’s here or now.
- landros 2

I find this interesting that many who liked the AV hire now don’t want anything to do with any coaches they deem as similar. Is it a matter of being wrong about the things they liked? Just because AV was the wrong fit doesn’t necessarily mean every aspect of the hire was wrong. Every coach is different in preparation and planning, how they approach issues, and how flexible they are to different lineup availability and different opponents. I don’t really think of Maurice, Torts or Tocchet as the same and definitely not inferior to AV.

This is why a lot of thought needs to go into this hire and multiple candidates need real consideration. They should not just choose someone vastly different just for a show of big change. I am personally not set in thinking that the right coach has to have vast NHL head coaching experience. At the same time, having that experience in the tool box isn’t a disqualification either. The reverse extreme also true that I don’t believe they need to have already won a cup. I see pluses and minuses to both cases.

I’d keep JVR as well, cringe at the idea of moving assets with him just to unload that contract.

Does seem they want him out at any cost though. To use the cap space who knows what for.
- FlyerFan3260

I would not move assets or buyout JVR. I'd retain salary in order to give him away.

Been watching the Bruins-Hurricanes series which is going to game 7 tomorrow night. As I had posted earlier, IMO Carolina is not a top contender and after watching them for 6 games so far, they have done nothing to convince me otherwise. Their top line is good, but not nearly at the level of talent as the top lines of other playoff teams like Florida, Colorado, Tampa and Toronto. When the Canes get behind in a game, you can pretty much shut them down and the Bruins have. Also the Canes are very undisciplined, especially on the road. They have been down a few 5-3s already in this series and its come back to bite them hard. For me the biggest blown opportunity for the Canes this series was in game 4 where the Bruins were starting a rookie goalie and were missing both their top pairing defenseman McAvoy and Lindholm. That loss might end up spelling the end for the Canes in this series.

On another note, who here sees another royal choke job from the Leafs in game 7? I certainly do!
- jd250

LOL, the Canes are undisciplined.

You don't know that though, until it happens! Tell me, how do you define a legitimate step in the right direction for this team? How can you tell the difference between a step forward versus a step towards perpetual mediocrity? What if Fletcher does very little this off season and gives his young players a year to develop to see what he has, and the Flyers are a playoff bubble team simply because they have a competent coach and they are healthy? Would that be a step in the right direction to you or will you still be complaining? I think you need to see how this off season shakes out before you can just write off any improvement next year as "fools gold"
- jd250

Yes, actually I do. You don't but I do. In the same way that I knew in previous off seasons when you didn't.
The Flyers getting healthy with the current lineup and becoming a bubble team would not be a step in the right direction. See if you can piece it together and figure out why. See if you can fall back and review your own posting.

I honestly think that is what Fletcher is going to do. He is going to see what his healthy team looks like with a new a coach and several younger players including possibly who they pick at number 5 this year. That would be a step in the right direction IMO.
- jd250

So you're going to ignore Fletcher's comments that he's going to be aggressive in free agency and with trades?

I honestly think that is what Fletcher is going to do. He is going to see what his healthy team looks like with a new a coach and several younger players including possibly who they pick at number 5 this year. That would be a step in the right direction IMO.
- jd250

The next couple drafts are extremely important for the Flyers. They really need to hit, and I mean really hit, on some picks. I've been going through current active players, specifically forwards, and it's not surprising to see that players that help teams win became productive impact players by the age of 22. Very few and I mean VERY few are late bloomers ala Couturier. The real special players of the league pretty much have an impact at the age of 18-19 years old. The last time the Flyers had any type of these players was Giroux. Currently the Flyers need not just another Giroux, but they probably need 2-3 of them to keep up. The days of waiting for players to hit their stride in their mid-20's has been over for a long time now.

The next couple drafts are extremely important for the Flyers. They really need to hit, and I mean really hit, on some picks. I've been going through current active players, specifically forwards, and it's not surprising to see that players that help teams win became productive impact players by the age of 22. Very few and I mean VERY few are late bloomers ala Couturier. The real special players of the league pretty much have an impact at the age of 18-19 years old. The last time the Flyers had any type of these players was Giroux. Currently the Flyers need not just another Giroux, but they probably need 2-3 of them to keep up. The days of waiting for players to hit their stride in their mid-20's has been over for a long time now.
- Glak18

In order to become a legit contender, at a minimum, the Flyers need an elite scoring defenseman and an elite offensive forward. Preferably a center.

The next couple drafts are extremely important for the Flyers. They really need to hit, and I mean really hit, on some picks. I've been going through current active players, specifically forwards, and it's not surprising to see that players that help teams win became productive impact players by the age of 22. Very few and I mean VERY few are late bloomers ala Couturier. The real special players of the league pretty much have an impact at the age of 18-19 years old. The last time the Flyers had any type of these players was Giroux. Currently the Flyers need not just another Giroux, but they probably need 2-3 of them to keep up. The days of waiting for players to hit their stride in their mid-20's has been over for a long time now.
- Glak18

I don’t even think Couturier was a late bloomer. I think he was throttled early just like Erickson-Ek. They both blossomed as soon as their teams gave them a chance to be more than checkers.

I being from the Centre of the universe am pulling for the Leafs….fun team to watch. I thought I could pull for the Rangers over the pens, but I can’t stand either. I do find myself thinking the Flyers are not close to any of these teams I’m watching every night. Dark days for sure.
- landros 2

I hear ya. I wasn't happy when those 2 teams were paired up cause that meant that one of them had to make it through to the next round.

Apparently, you have a lot of hatred in your heart. No way to go through life.
- MJL

You are one strange dude. It's a sports thread dude. When I say I hate a team it's not like I truly hate them. You need to get out more and lighten up. Thanks and go Sixas!!

In order to become a legit contender, at a minimum, the Flyers need an elite scoring defenseman and an elite offensive forward. Preferably a center.
- MJL

Agreed. The problem is I don't think the Flyers know what that is. Especially when they keep signing high price/high term players like Hayes, who has NEVER been a productive impact player ever in his WHOLE career for 7.1M per. Intangibles are important, not that important.

I don’t even think Couturier was a late bloomer. I think he was throttled early just like Erickson-Ek. They both blossomed as soon as their teams gave them a chance to be more than checkers.
- Minnyhock

I agree 100%. The Flyers stifled Couturier.

You are one strange dude. It's a sports thread dude. When I say I hate a team it's not like I truly hate them. You need to get out more and lighten up. Thanks and go Sixas!!
- Phillywhiteout

Not really. Normally that would be true but when someone uses the word hate and other negative derivatives at the extreme high volume that you do. Well then there is an issue. Your welcome

Agreed. The problem is I don't think the Flyers know what that is. Especially when they keep signing high price/high term players like Hayes, who has NEVER been a productive impact player ever in his WHOLE career for 7.1M per. Intangibles are important, not that important.
- Glak18

The Flyers routinely find themselves in the position, mostly of their own doing, of having to make a move. When you do that, you normally don't get the cream of the crop. Really good GM's on good teams wait for the right move to make.

The Flyers routinely find themselves in the position, mostly of their own doing, of having to make a move. When you do that, you normally don't get the cream of the crop. Really good GM's on good teams wait for the right move to make.
- MJL

A good example of what a good GM does is how Yzerman handled that toxic Drouin situation in TB.

If Rags win, Trouba should be series MVP.
- FlyerFan16

true but still infuriating haha

I wonder if anyone has read any more on Jiricek as I don’t expect Nemec to be available at #5.

The knee injury worries me. This pick is indeed crucial.