Your post actually made me think. I think I'm being disingenuous by saying apathy has set in for me. If that was true, then why am I so pissed off by the epic incompetence shown by this franchise. If I was truly apathetic, I wouldn't care. Like you said. It's baked in.
- MJL

It's complicated, it's subject to frequent change, and it never goes away. I don't know what it'd take to finally set me free, maybe if they change the logo.

The objectives for the season should be:
1) Be in position to get a top three pick in next year's draft (barring double bad ping pong ball luck);
2) Despite 1), it's OK to be outplayed, but don't get outworked;
3) To the greatest extent possible, find new homes for the 28 and over crowd by the trade deadline (I realize this may end up only being JVR);
4) Throw the under 25 group into the deep end to find out who should be here 3 years down the road and hope they don’t get scarred for life; and
5) Make determinations regarding players with career threatening injuries such that they're either able to play next year or they basically commit to permanent LTIR (the preferred option in my opinion - Couturier being the trickiest).

I have watched or listened to pretty close to every game for the last 50 years. I am not going to stop now. While I am not completely apathetic, I feel as though I want to hit the FF>> button on a DVR'd game that I already know they lost 5-2.

They need to start by clearing out, at a minimum, Scott and Fletcher by the New Year.

Do the Flyers have a brighter future than the Devils?
-Plindburgh31

If the Flyers get into the top 3 of this year's draft, I think so. That and Fletcher being moved out of the day to day.

The objectives for the season should be:
1) Be in position to get a top three pick in next year's draft (barring double bad ping pong ball luck);
2) Despite 1), it's OK to be outplayed, but don't get outworked;
3) To the greatest extent possible, find new homes for the 28 and over crowd by the trade deadline (I realize this may end up only being JVR);
4) Throw the under 25 group into the deep end to find out who should be here 3 years down the road and hope they don’t get scarred for life; and
5) Make determinations regarding players with career threatening injuries such that they're either able to play next year or they basically commit to permanent LTIR (the preferred option in my opinion - Couturier being the trickiest).

I have watched or listened to pretty close to every game for the last 50 years. I am not going to stop now. While I am not completely apathetic, I feel as though I want to hit the FF>> button on a DVR'd game that I already know they lost 5-2.

They need to start by clearing out, at a minimum, Scott and Fletcher by the New Year.
- GeorgeBailey

To do this right. Yes Scott and Fletcher need to go. I would bring someone from an organization with pedigree that will build this thing along the same lines hextall did. Identify what type of team they want to become and draft accordingly.

What hextall didn’t do is utilize all the cap space he had to bring vets in on one year deals. If they don’t push the team into the playoffs then flip them for picks at the deadline. He also left a lot to be desired in the draft. But his trades were on point and most of his philosophies were fine.

Make some real tough calls on players that can get you real value for the future. The konecnys and harts of the world. Players that can possibly get you a lottery ticket.

The focus would need to be on the phantoms and building the right culture there.

Fletcher has (frank)ed this thing up so bad and he’s not done. It’s paralyzing having to go through this as a fan

I'm not now nor will ever be apathetic about the Flyers. Until last night I wasn't even angry. However, being a Flyers fan living in Boston, there is nothing worse than having to sit here and hear my friends dog me. Every once is a while its OK, but its been years now and it does anger me a lot. When I see marginal players like Hayes, JVR, Risto and Sanheim getting signed to ridiculous contracts, while I see other big priced players like Atkinson, Ellis and Couts not even able to suit it, it really does frustrate me to say the least. But then I think, what if Atkinson, Ellis and Couts were playing, where would this team be? Its clear the Flyers would be completely stuck in mediocrity with no way out for several more seasons, and that really pisses me off! For me, the ONLY path forward I see for this Flyers team is to draft in the top 3, hope Cutter Gauthier turns into a very good player, and then fire Fletcher and bring in someone from the outside, someone like Stacy Roest from Tampa, to come in here and try to develop some players. Maybe by the time some contracts expire this team can have a new core of players ready to take that next step.

Or maybe for once the Flyers ownership can get ahead of the game and see if Barry Trotz would like to be the GM, they need someone from outside to come in here and try to right the ship.

So many are putting their hopes on a top 3 pick. It would be a start but that's all it would be. That player is likely going to need a few years to become a top player. Gautheir may need 2-3 years. Even if you get a few top players. You have to build around those players. This is not a quick fix and those thinking it will be I think are going to be disappointed.

It's complicated, it's subject to frequent change, and it never goes away. I don't know what it'd take to finally set me free, maybe if they change the logo.
- BulliesPhan87

Take it from a Redskins fan, that doesn’t work either.

So many are putting their hopes on a top 3 pick. It would be a start but that's all it would be. That player is likely going to need a few years to become a top player. Gautheir may need 2-3 years. Even if you get a few top players. You have to build around those players. This is not a quick fix and those thinking it will be I think are going to be disappointed.
- MJL

This is a sensible realistic take. Suppose the Flyers are fortunate enough to get Fantilli. He is the best player on his stacked #3 ranked Michigan team. Last night and tonight they dropped both games against #2 Minnesota by 6-3 and 5-2 at home and Fantilli didn’t register a point in the series.

My point is that even though he is a great college player, he can’t dominate every night in college. It will take time for him to become a stellar pro. Love to have him as one of the building blocks but it doesn’t happen overnight.

Devils looking like the real deal.

Finding a dude like Bratt in the 6th-round...
- Tomahawk

I drafted him on my fantasy team👍🏻

I drafted 0 flyers

I picked up tk off waivers👍🏻🖕should’ve known injury would happen

So many are putting their hopes on a top 3 pick. It would be a start but that's all it would be. That player is likely going to need a few years to become a top player. Gautheir may need 2-3 years. Even if you get a few top players. You have to build around those players. This is not a quick fix and those thinking it will be I think are going to be disappointed.
- MJL

Yet you approve of signing turning 30 year old coots to 8 year deal. How’s that working out? Hoping for good play in beginning of deal knowing back end horrible and getting nada in front half. Nah. Don’t be flipping now. You are all about the now

So many are putting their hopes on a top 3 pick. It would be a start but that's all it would be. That player is likely going to need a few years to become a top player. Gautheir may need 2-3 years. Even if you get a few top players. You have to build around those players. This is not a quick fix and those thinking it will be I think are going to be disappointed.
- MJL

Which posters are putting their hopes on a top three pick under the assumption that it is the answer to the problem (or prayers)?

I certainly don't. That's why I indicated letting the under 25 group be tested. I want to figure out which players should still be here for the 25-26 season and beyond.

It would be nice to be able to draft a potential franchise player, particularly after the whiff on Patrick. However, there are no guarantees. The odds are certainly a little better with a top 3 pick relative to a top 15 pick.

Since the team is really bad now and next year's draft appears to have a couple franchise type players available, this may be their best opportunity.

Also, are teams allowed to have a kangaroo court to fine players? I would set one up to punish for turnovers within five feet of either blue line and for offensive odd man rushes that do not result in a shot on goal.

Which posters are putting their hopes on a top three pick under the assumption that it is the answer to the problem (or prayers)?

I certainly don't. That's why I indicated letting the under 25 group be tested. I want to figure out which players should still be here for the 25-26 season and beyond.

It would be nice to be able to draft a potential franchise player, particularly after the whiff on Patrick. However, there are no guarantees. The odds are certainly a little better with a top 3 pick relative to a top 15 pick.

Since the team is really bad now and next year's draft appears to have a couple franchise type players available, this may be their best opportunity.

Also, are teams allowed to have a kangaroo court to fine players? I would set one up to punish for turnovers within five feet of either blue line and for offensive odd man rushes that do not result in a shot on goal.
- GeorgeBailey

Pretty much everyone. As if one player is going to be the savior of the organization. It won't be and even if they draft an elite player. It will take time for that player to get to that level. If you don't build the team adequately around that player. It won't matter much. Who has faith that the current regime can do that? How many teams have drafted multiple high level picks and have not succeeded? Far more than have.

Pretty much everyone. As if one player is going to be the savior of the organization. It won't be and even if they draft an elite player. It will take time for that player to get to that level. If you don't build the team adequately around that player. It won't matter much. Who has faith that the current regime can do that? How many teams have drafted multiple high level picks and have not succeeded? Far more than have.
- MJL

Imagine dropping a young talent into this mess of a team. All eyes on him to take charge and fix everything. It’s a recipe for disaster. They don’t even have an established leader or a player with really high end skill on this team to take some of the pressure off him. What a mess.

No one has said getting a top 3 pick solved all the problems. A top 3 franchise player pick puts it on the road to getting back to wining and relevance.

Still way to many holes for just one player to overcome. Don’t think anyone isn’t aware of that.

If they get a top 3 pick good thing they have Couturier on board for 7 years to help shield said potential top 3 pick.

99% have no faith In this management team. Nor should they at this time. Bottom feeding rebuilding teams don’t sign the Sanheims of the world to 8 year deal. My bad they are not rebuilding.

This team is stuck in such a bad spot too bad management is to incompetent to realize it. They should be selling selling selling the 3/4 pieces they can actually move to get some real value back.

This is a sensible realistic take. Suppose the Flyers are fortunate enough to get Fantilli. He is the best player on his stacked #3 ranked Michigan team. Last night and tonight they dropped both games against #2 Minnesota by 6-3 and 5-2 at home and Fantilli didn’t register a point in the series.

My point is that even though he is a great college player, he can’t dominate every night in college. It will take time for him to become a stellar pro. Love to have him as one of the building blocks but it doesn’t happen overnight.

- Minnyhock

It does not happen overnight, but it does happen. We see it all the time, from Susuki in Montreal, to Makar in Colorado, and so forth. The Flyers need top end talent and the top of the draft, especially a deep draft, is the place to get it. It will take a few years, depending on the player, for them to make a significant impact at the NHL level, but that is why it has to start now, this year, this draft! The Flyers as we all know have made some bad moves and signed bad players to long contracts. JVR is off the books this season, but Atkinson, Hayes, Risto have several more years, and with Couts and Sanheim, its 8 long years. So the hope has got to be as veteran contracts wind down and come off the books, those vets are replaced with hopefully your top prospects. That is at least 3 years from now unless someone comes in here that gets more creative, so accumulating and developing your top end talent must start now.

Imagine dropping a young talent into this mess of a team. All eyes on him to take charge and fix everything. It’s a recipe for disaster. They don’t even have an established leader or a player with really high end skill on this team to take some of the pressure off him. What a mess.
- Dkos

Wait .. wait .. if and when healthy, Couturier is not a top player that can take pressure off? Laughton and TK don't have talent and display good leadership? Tippet and Farabee are not good young players? Hart is not a top goalie? There are some pieces here. The problem as I see it is they are all complimentary pieces that would do great around a few super star players. Cutter Gauthier leads Boston College in scoring already. Add to him a good center like Fantilli and you are telling me this is not a much better team almost immediately? I still hold out hope this team can turn it around if they tank this year, that is the key, they need to tank!

Imagine dropping a young talent into this mess of a team. All eyes on him to take charge and fix everything. It’s a recipe for disaster. They don’t even have an established leader or a player with really high end skill on this team to take some of the pressure off him. What a mess.
- Dkos

Couturier can handle that role if healthy. He can take on a lot of heavy lifting and play against top lines. I agree though, talk about the weight that's going to be on that kid.

It's very possible that Cutter Gauthier will need some AHL time after leaving college. He will be 19 years old. He can certainly make the team at that age but making an immediate impact for the team is unlikely.

So many are putting their hopes on a top 3 pick. It would be a start but that's all it would be. That player is likely going to need a few years to become a top player. Gautheir may need 2-3 years. Even if you get a few top players. You have to build around those players. This is not a quick fix and those thinking it will be I think are going to be disappointed.
- MJL

I don’t buy there is a quick fix, even with a top 3 pick. However, there is a path that is closer to 3 years than 7-10. It is a small needle to thread but it is there. If cutter hits, If top 3 hits, if Coots is healthy and back, if tk is the tk we are seeing, if Farabee regains form, if Provy, Sanheim and York get close to their ceiling, if Hart is a top 5 goalie, if a new GM hits on a couple trades and or FA’s, if some of their youth of today turn into solids middle 6 players, if they stay healthy, if they develop a team that outworks the competition, then you could have a team, with the right season and good luck contend. A lot of if’s to go their way on a team that usually doesn’t have things go their way.

The what if Flyers

Wait .. wait .. if and when healthy, Couturier is not a top player that can take pressure off? Laughton and TK don't have talent and display good leadership? Tippet and Farabee are not good young players? Hart is not a top goalie? There are some pieces here. The problem as I see it is they are all complimentary pieces that would do great around a few super star players. Cutter Gauthier leads Boston College in scoring already. Add to him a good center like Fantilli and you are telling me this is not a much better team almost immediately? I still hold out hope this team can turn it around if they tank this year, that is the key, they need to tank!
- jd250

Hart is not a top goalie. Tippet and Farabee still have a lot to prove imo.

They defense is below average and 3 are locked in to long term deals. Ivan has 3 years after this year. Now is the time to make to move him since they bungled the Sanheim situation. No interest in giving Ivan a long term after the 2025 season. Same with TK.

Trying to win is the best formula for them hopefully getting a top 3 pick.

I don’t buy there is a quick fix, even with a top 3 pick. However, there is a path that is closer to 3 years than 7-10. It is a small needle to thread but it is there. If cutter hits, If top 3 hits, if Coots is healthy and back, if tk is the tk we are seeing, if Farabee regains form, if Provy, Sanheim and York get close to their ceiling, if Hart is a top 5 goalie, if a new GM hits on a couple trades and or FA’s, if some of their youth of today turn into solids middle 6 players, if they stay healthy, if they develop a team that outworks the competition, then you could have a team, with the right season and good luck contend. A lot of if’s to go their way on a team that usually doesn’t have things go their way.

The what if Flyers
- wcorvette

I have full faith in the current Flyers regime to get those "ifs" to go their way!

I don’t buy there is a quick fix, even with a top 3 pick. However, there is a path that is closer to 3 years than 7-10. It is a small needle to thread but it is there. If cutter hits, If top 3 hits, if Coots is healthy and back, if tk is the tk we are seeing, if Farabee regains form, if Provy, Sanheim and York get close to their ceiling, if Hart is a top 5 goalie, if a new GM hits on a couple trades and or FA’s, if some of their youth of today turn into solids middle 6 players, if they stay healthy, if they develop a team that outworks the competition, then you could have a team, with the right season and good luck contend. A lot of if’s to go their way on a team that usually doesn’t have things go their way.

The what if Flyers
- wcorvette

You and others need to realize Sanheim and Ivan are what they are at this point. None have shown the ability to take it to the next level at this time on any consistent basis.

Every team can play the “if” game

Imagine dropping a young talent into this mess of a team. All eyes on him to take charge and fix everything. It’s a recipe for disaster. They don’t even have an established leader or a player with really high end skill on this team to take some of the pressure off him. What a mess.
- Dkos

Good points all. I almost think what is needed is to jettison the gm and Scott and determine if torts is the guy to move forward with a young team rebuild. Then go back to trade vets shed salary mode and just stockpile picks up of picks for a few years. Only short term fa signing to supplement the roster and plug holes not able to be slotted for youth. This team is literally in the worst spot you can be in. Capped out terrible team who has traded too many picks away in recent years. This is going to take 3 to 4 years to fix if we’re lucky. It has to start with firing the gm however.

In other news the flyers are 1 point behind the oilers, with the same number of games played.

Should not be the oilers should the Tankers, still hasn’t worked out for them, nor do I want it too but I am sure Connor will get his cup at some point