I'm saying we need to make moves. There is no elite talent on the roster. But I don't believe we are starting from garbage. There is no way we compete without making moves.

I'll also say that if we do bring in Johnny Hockey, we need another player that will compliment him. That player is not on the roster.
- cdearth23

It’s probably one of the worst starting points around the league

It's largely been (major and in a couple cases, multiple) injuries.
- bmeltzer

Sorry to disagree. Other than Patrick I don’t think the other 3 had the ability to be more than a bottom line player at best.

Oh terrific. That’s who I want them to spend the 5th pick on.
- Flyers1218

if he turns into a 30 goal scorer, i say bring it on

Of course they are. The proof is that Chuck Fletcher is the President of Hockey Operations and the General Manager.

Technically you're right, the old guard doesn't control the granulars of the draft. But they continue to heavily influence the macro-direction of the organization.
- StepfordSam

They don't. Yes Fletcher and Clarke are close . That doesn't mean Clarke gets major imput. That is a myth. He is not one to interfere or force his opinions on the GM. He didn't do it with Homer, was barely even around during Hexy's tenure and he doesn't do it with Fletcher either.

If ASKED for his opinion, he gives it. Straight up, no hedging or apologies.

The Flyers hired an outside agency to oversee the candidate pool for the coaching vacancy. Neither Clarke nor Homer sat in on a single interview. Fletcher, Flahr and Briere were only hockey ops people involved in first interview round. Those three plus Dean Lombardi (the least mentioned senior advisor yet the only one who is involved in higher end stuff anymore) were the ones in the room for the second interviews.

Fletcher was hired because, to Comcast Spectacor, being a Harvard grad, former agent and longtime NHL GM whom they felt could relate to the business side as well as hockey fit what they wanted. Clarke's personal endorsement was down on the list but a bonus. Zito (Yale grad, prolific former agent, Columbus AGM) was the runner up for the same basic reasons.

They don't. Yes Fletcher and Clarke are close . That doesn't mean Clarke gets major imput. That is a myth. He is not one to interfere or force his opinions on the GM. He didn't do it with Homer, was barely even around during Hexy's tenure and he doesn't do it with Fletcher either.

If ASKED for his opinion, he gives it. Straight up, no hedging or apologies.

The Flyers hired an outside agency to oversee the candidate pool for the coaching vacancy. Neither Clarke nor Homer sat in on a single interview. Fletcher, Flahr and Briere were only hockey ops people involved in first interview round. Those three plus Dean Lombardi (the least mentioned senior advisor yet the only one who is involved in higher end stuff anymore) were the ones in the room for the second interviews.

Fletcher was hired because, to Comcast Spectacor, being a Harvard grad, former agent and longtime NHL GM whom they felt could relate to the business side as well as hockey fit what they wanted. Clarke's personal endorsement was down on the list but a bonus. Zito (Yale grad, prolific former agent, Columbus AGM) was the runner up for the same basic reasons.
- bmeltzer

MJL keeps spewing that myth, thats why people wont let it go

It’s probably one of the worst starting points around the league
- ClaudeFather

We are absolutely not starting from a point of strength. But I really believe, with the right moves, we are not that far off from playoff contention.

Add a proven goal scorer.
Ellis back healthy or add a top 4 (RH)D.
Add top 6 center.

That puts the pressure on Torts and relies on Farabee returning healthy. Lots of questions but I'm not as pessimistic as many on this board.

They don't. Yes Fletcher and Clarke are close . That doesn't mean Clarke gets major imput. That is a myth. He is not one to interfere or force his opinions on the GM. He didn't do it with Homer, was barely even around during Hexy's tenure and he doesn't do it with Fletcher either.

If ASKED for his opinion, he gives it. Straight up, no hedging or apologies.

The Flyers hired an outside agency to oversee the candidate pool for the coaching vacancy. Neither Clarke nor Homer sat in on a single interview. Fletcher, Flahr and Briere were only hockey ops people involved in first interview round. Those three plus Dean Lombardi (the least mentioned senior advisor yet the only one who is involved in higher end stuff anymore) were the ones in the room for the second interviews.

Fletcher was hired because, to Comcast Spectacor, being a Harvard grad, former agent and longtime NHL GM whom they felt could relate to the business side as well as hockey fit what they wanted. Clarke's personal endorsement was down on the list but a bonus. Zito (Yale grad, prolific former agent, Columbus AGM) was the runner up for the same basic reasons.
- bmeltzer

Doesn’t he live in Florida majority of the year?

Florida got the runner-up Zito and were the league's best regular season team.

Flyers finished 29th.

Dream scenario if Cutter goes at #3 and somebody like Cooley drops to #5.

Lets hope the Yotes didn't learn their lesson after Lawson Crouse.
- Tomahawk

I think you mean Dylan Strome. Lawson Crouse was drafted by the Panthers.

Florida got the runner-up Zito and were the league's best regular season team.

Flyers finished 29th.
- Feanor

Zito got caught with quite a lot of egg on his face, Florida needs help

They don't. Yes Fletcher and Clarke are close . That doesn't mean Clarke gets major imput. That is a myth. He is not one to interfere or force his opinions on the GM. He didn't do it with Homer, was barely even around during Hexy's tenure and he doesn't do it with Fletcher either.

If ASKED for his opinion, he gives it. Straight up, no hedging or apologies.

The Flyers hired an outside agency to oversee the candidate pool for the coaching vacancy. Neither Clarke nor Homer sat in on a single interview. Fletcher, Flahr and Briere were only hockey ops people involved in first interview round. Those three plus Dean Lombardi (the least mentioned senior advisor yet the only one who is involved in higher end stuff anymore) were the ones in the room for the second interviews.

Fletcher was hired because, to Comcast Spectacor, being a Harvard grad, former agent and longtime NHL GM whom they felt could relate to the business side as well as hockey fit what they wanted. Clarke's personal endorsement was down on the list but a bonus. Zito (Yale grad, prolific former agent, Columbus AGM) was the runner up for the same basic reasons.
- bmeltzer

This is the issue. Chuck even asking at this stage.

They don't. Yes Fletcher and Clarke are close . That doesn't mean Clarke gets major imput. That is a myth. He is not one to interfere or force his opinions on the GM. He didn't do it with Homer, was barely even around during Hexy's tenure and he doesn't do it with Fletcher either.

If ASKED for his opinion, he gives it. Straight up, no hedging or apologies.

The Flyers hired an outside agency to oversee the candidate pool for the coaching vacancy. Neither Clarke nor Homer sat in on a single interview. Fletcher, Flahr and Briere were only hockey ops people involved in first interview round. Those three plus Dean Lombardi (the least mentioned senior advisor yet the only one who is involved in higher end stuff anymore) were the ones in the room for the second interviews.

Fletcher was hired because, to Comcast Spectacor, being a Harvard grad, former agent and longtime NHL GM whom they felt could relate to the business side as well as hockey fit what they wanted. Clarke's personal endorsement was down on the list but a bonus. Zito (Yale grad, prolific former agent, Columbus AGM) was the runner up for the same basic reasons.
- bmeltzer

Harvard is a nice school and it's great that he can relate to the other suits, but they might have wanted to take a look at his track record as a GM.

Rumor, to trade for Johnny's rights uto

Sorry to disagree. Other than Patrick I don’t think the other 3 had the ability to be more than a bottom line player at best.
- Djapana

Morin: May not have become more than a 3rd pairing D in the NHL over the long-haul but absolutely would have played. As a matter of fact, he had just been recalled for what was intended as an extended look-see in Nov. 2017 when he was shut down for a psoas muscle issue. Returned seven weeks later and reaggravated it in the outdoor game in Hershey. Returned in the Calder playoffs and suffered the first ACL tear. Then a second total ACL tear followed. Then additional knee injury for which he was no longer a good candidate for extensive surgery.

Rubtsov: NHL-wide was considered a potential top-six forward with a top-nine median and 4th line PKer in a worst-case scenario. Two concussions, broken nose, two shoulder injuries (one requiring season ending surgery after 14 games), and a wrist surgery followed his Draft year. He was always just a star-crossed type including the misfortune of being on Russia's national U18 team that got banned from the U18 Worlds because they were extensively doping the players. He's shown promise at times but then inevitably gets injured with something significant and comes back playing like he's afraid of his own shadow. Who knows? Maybe he just was never good enough, even if he'd stayed healthy. Maybe he'd have discovered what worked for him against pros.

O'Brien: He entered the 2018 Draft as a classic case of fans basing their opinions on public rankings but the player actually being much more highly regarded by various NHL teams' scouting departments. He fit the Bruins mold of local product they could snap up who far exceeded his Draft position. The Flyers weren't the only team prepared to use a first-rounder on him. Next, go back and watch the 2018 World Junior Showcase, where O'Brien was one of Team USA's best three players (actually produced as much on the third line as Farabee did on the stacked first line). Unfortunately -- and this still is the basis by which too many judge the player -- his 2018-19 season was an injury-filled (shoulder, concussion) disaster in which he was unhappy at Providence (where he'd actually been a very early decision recruit since he was about 15). In the years since then, he's only had one healthy season, 2020-21, and that was a 16-game schedule due to the pandemic. He has NHL wheels and an NHL-caliber shot, and could still have a pro career but needs a HEALTHY senior year at BU because he's played so little hockey due to all the injuries and the pandemic.

Not sure why they would need to trade for his rights, I get the extra year but it really puts the Flyers in a position of weakness to move JVR or others.

This is the issue. Chuck even asking at this stage.
- hello it's me 2050

There are different management styles. He's the collaborative type (which is something else that appeals to Dave Scott, by the way), for better or for worse.

I think you mean Dylan Strome. Lawson Crouse was drafted by the Panthers.
- Levit8

Ah right

Doesn’t he live in Florida majority of the year?
- ClaudeFather

Yes.

MJL keeps spewing that myth, thats why people wont let it go
- bradster

Ok, so if this is the case, it actually makes it worse because its all of his logic, assessment and decisions

Letang reupped 6-years $36.6M... that's one bullet dodged.

Morin: May not have become more than a 3rd pairing D in the NHL over the long-haul but absolutely would have played. As a matter of fact, he had just been recalled for what was intended as an extended look-see in Nov. 2017 when he was shut down for a psoas muscle issue. Returned seven weeks later and reaggravated it in the outdoor game in Hershey. Returned in the Calder playoffs and suffered the first ACL tear. Then a second total ACL tear followed. Then additional knee injury for which he was no longer a good candidate for extensive surgery.

Rubtsov: NHL-wide was considered a potential top-six forward with a top-nine median and 4th line PKer in a worst-case scenario. Two concussions, broken nose, two shoulder injuries (one requiring season ending surgery after 14 games), and a wrist surgery followed his Draft year. He was always just a star-crossed type including the misfortune of being on Russia's national U18 team that got banned from the U18 Worlds because they were extensively doping the players. He's shown promise at times but then inevitably gets injured with something significant and comes back playing like he's afraid of his own shadow. Who knows? Maybe he just was never good enough, even if he'd stayed healthy. Maybe he'd have discovered what worked for him against pros.

O'Brien: He entered the 2018 Draft as a classic case of fans basing their opinions on public rankings but the player actually being much more highly regarded by various NHL teams' scouting departments. He fit the Bruins mold of local product they could snap up who far exceeded his Draft position. The Flyers weren't the only team prepared to use a first-rounder on him. Next, go back and watch the 2018 World Junior Showcase, where O'Brien was one of Team USA's best three players (actually produced as much on the third line as Farabee did on the stacked first line). Unfortunately -- and this still is the basis by which too many judge the player -- his 2018-19 season was an injury-filled (shoulder, concussion) disaster in which he was unhappy at Providence (where he'd actually been a very early decision recruit since he was about 15). In the years since then, he's only had one healthy season, 2020-21, and that was a 16-game schedule due to the pandemic. He has NHL wheels and an NHL-caliber shot, and could still have a pro career but needs a HEALTHY senior year at BU because he's played so little hockey due to all the injuries and the pandemic.
- bmeltzer

the Philly Flu is still a thing, it just refers to injuries that the Flyer players keep having . O'Brien still has a shot, I assume there are still late bloomers in the NHL . I can't help but think this is huge year for the Flyers and their young players, with a healthy year, next season, they could have some real depth and some trade chips

Letang reupped 6-years $36.6M... that's one bullet dodged.
- Tomahawk

6 years...geez. Their downfall in a few years is inevitable but damn.

Letang reupped 6-years $36.6M... that's one bullet dodged.
- Tomahawk

hit is good for the value, who knows maybe he can fight father time. When considering older players I prefer players that have plus skating and hockey IQ

There are different management styles. He's the collaborative type (which is something else that appeals to Dave Scott, by the way), for better or for worse.
- bmeltzer

not hockey but in business I don't know any good leaders who don't collaborate. The top dog makes the call once they have all the best information

6 years...geez. Their downfall in a few years is inevitable but damn.
- ClaudeFather

35+ contract too, so no retirement shenanigans.