Cutting through all of the BS of today, the Flyers are still NO WHERE near contending. In fact, it's likely they got worse. Buying out a 24 yr old with some upside to sign an older guy for $2M that can't play but can only fight started the disaster that was today. Resigning an old D that couldn't make the starting line up on a contender is futile and pathetic. Further, trying to get rid of their #1 D (I know, I know, IP is not a #1 but on this team he is) to free up cap space to sign an elite player like JG will do nothing to improve this team. The plan is there is NO PLAN. That's the point. I think at this point, watching what CF does rather than what he says, this team is in tank mode without saying it out loud.

The good news. As horrendously bad as DeAngelo is defensively. He's not as bad as Keith Yandle was last year. The bad news is that he is starting on the top pair.
- MJL

He is not horrendously bad. Over exaggerating a tad.

Columbus Pitch to Gaudreau Gaining Momentum
The Jackets are now considered the favorite I am told. Crazy twist.
Source: Eklund
Discuss this Rumor

I heard JG wife is a closet Ohio State fan and she went to kindergarten with a woman who’s married to the towel guy on the wrestling team.

At least Fletcher had a line in the sand not to trade 1st rd picks. If he didn't do it to move JVR for JG, I doubt that lines gets moved. This year comes down to whether York, Frost, Cates, and Tippett are viable NHL players. If not, they ll be a top 5 lottery team again, which is a long term win for the organization. If they are viable, lower in the lottery, but better organizational depth. Being forced to keep JVR should lead to him traded for an asset at the deadline. With FA here, the longer no player for player trades involving TK or Provy make it doubtful they don't get moved to the deadline at the earliest, which only happens if the tank has been activated.
Now the big unknown is Sanheim. What happens with him. Don't know.
- Trox88

Did you forget about the 1st round pick he traded for Ristolainen?

You’re right. The Lindblom move is proof they were in on Gaudreau and Fletcher completely whiffed.
- StepfordSam

I disagree. But tell you what though: they did that kid a solid by not trading him. Given the term he got (almost equal to what he had here), and the speed with which he went, and what I hear about miltple team interest, demand was high. They could easily have traded him for a 4th at least, probably even a 3rd. But they chose to buy him out, thus giving him some extra $ and a chance to choose his spot.

Either this is some kind of intentional tank just made to look like an inept doofus is trying his best, or this is stupidity and ignorance (a fatal combination) run amok. Either way, unless there are major surprises in store, the WF center will be half empty on a regular basis. Regardless, congrats to Fletcher and Scott for turning one of the most rabid and unwavering fan bases into a wave of indifference who will not even pay $5 per ticket on stubhub to watch this abortion of a hockey team.

He is not horrendously bad. Over exaggerating a tad.
- furio16

Yes he is. He ranks in the bottom 4% of the league over a 3 year period defensively.

He is not horrendously bad. Over exaggerating a tad.
- furio16

Legit one of the worst in the league. No exaggeration. Ask any Canes/Rangers fan. He's only slightly better than cooked Yands.

As owners of a franchise how can Comcast run Fletcher out there as their GM after the last week? He’s like the new Chiarelli or Milbury.

Don't worry Fletch is going to bend Verbeek over by dumping all the crap you don't want on us... Verbeek Sucks as GM.. Already making me miss Murray.. UnFck'n real.. so you can sign Johnny..
- dozerD10

I could see JVR or TK in a Ducks jersey…

Cutting through all of the BS of today, the Flyers are still NO WHERE near contending. In fact, it's likely they got worse. Buying out a 24 yr old with some upside to sign an older guy for $2M that can't play but can only fight started the disaster that was today. Resigning an old D that couldn't make the starting line up on a contender is futile and pathetic. Further, trying to get rid of their #1 D (I know, I know, IP is not a #1 but on this team he is) to free up cap space to sign an elite player like JG will do nothing to improve this team. The plan is there is NO PLAN. That's the point. I think at this point, watching what CF does rather than what he says, this team is in tank mode without saying it out loud.
- Letterkenney

The Braun signing is not a bad move. They needed a vet RH shot for the 3rd pairing. Or else Seeler was a regular or Attard who is not ready.

Can teams walk away from a qualifying offer? The Deslauriers signing kind of makes Zac Attack redundant.
- MBFlyerfan

I can’t believe one of them being on a NHL roster in 2023 let alone having both of them 🤦‍♂️

4 years for Deslauriers is mind blowing, even for Chuck.

jesus guys

I could see JVR or TK in a Ducks jersey…
- anti-lame

I don’t know what the cap looks/looked like but I would think TK could’ve been dealt to make some room for JG.

I can’t believe one of them being on a NHL roster in 2023 let alone having both of them 🤦‍♂️

4 years for Deslauriers is mind blowing, even for Chuck.
- hereticpride

I swear I thought it was a typo.

JG to jackets done, I’m also done with the flyers.

Friedman says Gaudreau to Columbus

The Braun signing is not a bad move. They needed a vet RH shot for the 3rd pairing. Or else Seeler was a regular or Attard who is not ready.
- MJL

I'm not necessarily cutting on Braun. He is what he is. But in consideration of their defense pairings going forward, he's not even close to an upgrade. Further, he's another year older and isn't getting better. My point is that CF appears to be doing a tank without actually saying he's doing a tank. I think the choices before him was "get JG to contend" (a fallacy) or "go tank mode and don't say it."

Fruedman says Gaudreau to Columbus
- Flyerfan2868

Wait 'til his wife finds out

The swami strikes again! Hahahaha!

Did you forget about the 1st round pick he traded for Ristolainen?
- MJL

Not at all. I am commenting on current events. By all accounts , Fletcher had the opportunity to move JVR and a 1st rd pick to create cap space. So upon past events he was willing to trade a 1st rdr for Risto, but unwilling to trade a 1st rdr to create a cap space. As of right now it would appear to me that Fletcher seems more reluctant to.use a 1st rd draft pick as a trade asset then before.

This Deslauriers deal reminds me of the Jody Shelley deal way back when.

Yes he is. He ranks in the bottom 4% of the league over a 3 year period defensively.
- MJL

So the spreadsheet says I assume? What does that rank include metic wise? I have seen him enough to form an opinion that he isnt horrendous.

Besides to me he was signed for offense on the backend. As long as that is greater than his defensive miscues than that is a positive.

This Deslauriers deal reminds me of the Jody Shelley deal way back when.
- MBFlyerfan

It's actually a bigger % of the cap and a year longer than Shells

Id jg signs elsewhere I will eventually hear the blurb of what happened that’s for sure.