No. What they ARE doing is trying to determine who can/should be pieces of the puzzle moving forward. Yes, they need a superstar. Yes, their cap situation is a mess. No, while they have some decent prospects in the pipeline, there isn't a franchise player.

As far as the draft lottery goes, it is what is it. If you are building from absolute scratch, you can draft Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, have them become everything they were hyped to be, and still be far from a Cup contender. This is year 8 of McDavid's career. It's year 9 for Draisaitl. Both are bonafide superstars. The Oilers are currently barely clinging to the lower wildcard spot near the midpoint of the season. Colorado, with all of their injuries, has a higher points percentage and is one point behind with two games in hand.

This season MAY be the final (12th straight, 14th in the last 16) season where Buffalo finishes out of the playoffs before becoming a playoff club again. That's after years and years of drafting at or near the top.

Worry about building a team -- the Flyers still have a long way to go -- and not pining just for a guy who could win Art Ross Trophies on otherwise rotten to middling clubs. Whatever direction they go in, the Flyers will need no small amount of good luck, too.
- bmeltzer

Just because other organizations are just as pitiful as the flyers the past decade doesn’t mean drafting #1 overall doesn’t work. And it sure beats whatever the Flyers are doing now

They should have traded one of Sanheim/Provy in the off-season or more specifically Sanheim last trade deadline before that enormous contract. That would have been the most beneficial thing to the tank. They also didn’t need to bring in TDA.
- ClaudeFather

I agree that TDA was a waste. Could have got a serviceable dman in free agency without giving up the picks.

The Flyers management hasn’t done anything wrong that caused them to win these last three games. They were the better team in each game.

They wouldn’t finish last even if they tried. Some teams have been trying all year and have a head start. The lottery will be what it is.

I do think like you said Ersson goes back to the Phantoms where hopefully he can compete in the AHL playoffs. I don’t think they should be rushing anyone back from injury. And hopefully, they can make some trades for draft capital before the deadline. Maybe they do give Bellows or others a look.
- NC Flyers Fan

No need to rush Hart. If he does gets reinjured (and I certainly hope he doesn't), they're not going to install Sandström as the starter and have Ersson stay in LV.

I fully expect the Flyers to be sellers closer to the deadline.

Re: Bellows, he has an NHL shot but AHL feet.

That’s not the plan Fletcher had. Never has been, or your right, they should have moved one of those guys or better yet not signed Risto and moved him at the deadline.
- landros 2

All of Fletcher moves are highly questionable lol. Trades away the franchise player and then has a go for it spending summer 😂 can’t make it up

What should they do? Send York back to the Phantoms? Keep Hart on IR for the rest of the season and return Ersson to the Phantoms? Healthy scratch Konecny the rest of the year? Bench Tippett, recall Bellows and install him instead near the top of the lineup? Go back to giving Frost 10 mins of ice time a game and very few o-zone starts with two among Mac, Deslauriers or Bellows as his linemates again? Tell Hayes "you know what? We've been rethinking that expectation about two-way play. No need!" Rebreak JVR's fingers?

And THEN what happens if the roughly 80 percent odds of NOT getting Bedard even if you have the worst record in the league plays out as the odds strongly favor?
- bmeltzer

I agree that TDA was a waste. Could have got a serviceable dman in free agency without giving up the picks.
- Aaron_85

It’s just been a bunch of dumb decisions compounded over the past 8 years, Fletchers dumber than the rest by a lot

The Flyers don't need to be the worst team in the league, just finish in the bottom 5. Bedard is great but there are several really good top-end players at the top of this year's draft that I feel can play in the NHL right away. Just get into that top 5 mix and anything can happen. I would even take trading a player like Provorov to get a 2nd top 10 pick in this year's draft, then you have Gauthier, Andrea, and two top-end players coming in here next year to augment this core group of players plus the potential of a healthy Couturier. I'm telling you this can be turned around very quickly if Flyers' management acts now!
- jd250

This is not going to be turned around very quickly. None of Gauthier, Andrea or the player they draft is a guarantee to make the Flyers next year. Getting a top 10 pick for Provorov is very unlikely.

It’s just been a bunch of dumb decisions compounded over the past 8 years, Fletchers dumber than the rest by a lot
- ClaudeFather

Yeah I dont like Fletcher much. I didnt when he was in Minnesota either but it is what it is.

Just because other organizations are just as pitiful as the flyers the past decade doesn’t mean drafting #1 overall doesn’t work. And it sure beats whatever the Flyers are doing now
- ClaudeFather

It's when you draft at the top that matters. The Flyers have had the 2nd overall pick twice recently, in 2007 and 2017. They got JVR and Nolan Patrick. In 2008 LA got Drew Doughty with the 2nd overall pick. In 2009 Tampa got Victor Hedman. In 2011 Colorado got Landeskog.

THIS is a year you want to draft at the top of the draft, and thus a year you want to do everything you can to be in position to do so. That is what a good GM with a plan would be doing right now.

This is not going to be turned around very quickly. None of Gauthier, Andrea or the player they draft is a guarantee to make the Flyers next year. Getting a top 10 pick for Provorov is very unlikely.
- MJL

Come on .. where is your hope? The emperor has not driven all the good from you fully, has he? :-)

A team like Montreal or Vancouver might now want to wait for a player to develop, they might want a player like Provorov to build their D around. Plus Montreal has two top 10 picks currently.

No. What they ARE doing is trying to determine who can/should be pieces of the puzzle moving forward. Yes, they need a superstar. Yes, their cap situation is a mess. No, while they have some decent prospects in the pipeline, there isn't a franchise player.

As far as the draft lottery goes, it is what is it. If you are building from absolute scratch, you can draft Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, have them become everything they were hyped to be, and still be far from a Cup contender. This is year 8 of McDavid's career. It's year 9 for Draisaitl. Both are bonafide superstars. The Oilers are currently barely clinging to the lower wildcard spot near the midpoint of the season. Colorado, with all of their injuries, has a higher points percentage and is one point behind with two games in hand.

This season MAY be the final (12th straight, 14th in the last 16) season where Buffalo finishes out of the playoffs before becoming a playoff club again. That's after years and years of drafting at or near the top.

Worry about building a team -- the Flyers still have a long way to go -- and not pining just for a guy who could win Art Ross Trophies on otherwise rotten to middling clubs. Whatever direction they go in, the Flyers will need no small amount of good luck, too.
- bmeltzer

Speaking of Leon Draisaitl….he’s a perfect guy to talk about. Look at wher he was “ranked” in his draft year, since so many seem to think that’s the be all end all. He was behind Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhardt and Aron Ekblad. He was just ahead of Micheal Dal Colle, Jake Virtanen, Nick Richie and Brendan Perlini….Dylan Larkin lasted till 15Th!!!!lol. Hell, look at the year we took that can’t miss big Center 2nd over all? The point is it’s not a perfect outcome. Beyond Bedard, there’s a ton of talent, but a lot of these kids are still 17. I can’t see cheering against this team just so our inept GM gets a higher pick.

It’s just been a bunch of dumb decisions compounded over the past 8 years, Fletchers dumber than the rest by a lot
- ClaudeFather

All the Flyers have to do is stop believing that they can sign and trade their way there. They can't. Focus on the draft. No long term free agency or taking on older players with higher cap hits. Commit to the youth and keep drafting.

No need to rush Hart. If he does gets reinjured (and I certainly hope he doesn't), they're not going to install Sandström as the starter and have Ersson stay in LV.

I fully expect the Flyers to be sellers closer to the deadline.

Re: Bellows, he has an NHL shot but AHL feet.
- bmeltzer

Yes, having Hart healthy is best. It would be good experience for Ersson to play down the stretch and playoffs for the Phantoms.

Sellers, yes, please!

Finally the obvious is stated . The tanking talk everyday is getting old.
- Angus4444

And very annoying. Not only tanking creates a losing mentality, but tells young kids and veterans alike- your success and progress are not as important as getting that guy. If they tank, they will have to purge the losing mentality regardless if they get a good draft pick or not. One won't be able to rely on the players one pushed to lose on purpose.

Come on .. where is your hope? The emperor has not driven all the good from you fully, has he? :-)
- jd250

It's not about hope. It is about reality.

It's not about hope. It is about reality.
- MJL

A team like Montreal or Vancouver might now want to wait for a player to develop, they might want a player like Provorov to build their D around. Plus Montreal has two top 10 picks currently.

All the Flyers have to do is stop believing that they can sign and trade their way there. They can't. Focus on the draft. No long term free agency or taking on older players with higher cap hits. Commit to the youth and keep drafting.
- MJL

I hope the trade deadline this year will be an indication that they will be moving on from players in order to do so.

No need to rush Hart. If he does gets reinjured (and I certainly hope he doesn't), they're not going to install Sandström as the starter and have Ersson stay in LV.

I fully expect the Flyers to be sellers closer to the deadline.

Re: Bellows, he has an NHL shot but AHL feet.
- bmeltzer

Yeah I dont like Fletcher much. I didnt when he was in Minnesota either but it is what it is.
- Aaron_85

I’m sure he’s a nice guy….but a horrible GM.

Speaking of Leon Draisaitl….he’s a perfect guy to talk about. Look at wher he was “ranked” in his draft year, since so many seem to think that’s the be all end all. He was behind Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhardt and Aron Ekblad. He was just ahead of Micheal Dal Colle, Jake Virtanen, Nick Richie and Brendan Perlini….Dylan Larkin lasted till 15Th!!!!lol. Hell, look at the year we took that can’t miss big Center 2nd over all? The point is it’s not a perfect outcome. Beyond Bedard, there’s a ton of talent, but a lot of these kids are still 17. I can’t see cheering against this team just so our inept GM gets a higher pick.
- landros 2

I do think Flahr is a good drafter.

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Down Ducks, 4-1
- bmeltzer

Happy to see Joel Farabee post a couple points. He needs to be involved. Regardless of surgery, he's a pretty inconsistent point producer, which I want him to be a real focus on this team. Last season I think he started hot in his first 3 games (fact check me) and right after went like 7 games without a point. I'm sure it won't be this season but I'm ready to see this guy make major steps if he's going to be on the first line.

The Flyers sweep the California trip for the first time in flyers history?!

I remember the 07 draft. Worst record in hockey and we got the 2nd pick.

I'm enjoying the wins and some of the players that are playing well, Frost among them. I'm also happy for Ersson.

If finishing dead last guaranteed a #1 pick I'd be upset. It doesn't, so I'm ok with letting the chips fall where they may. Plus, as a fan, there isn't a damn thing I can do about it. So I cheer when they score and don't get as upset when they get scored on or lose a game.

Life moves on....

All the Flyers have to do is stop believing that they can sign and trade their way there. They can't. Focus on the draft. No long term free agency or taking on older players with higher cap hits. Commit to the youth and keep drafting.
- MJL

Yeah that would go a long way

What should they do? Send York back to the Phantoms? Keep Hart on IR for the rest of the season and return Ersson to the Phantoms? Healthy scratch Konecny the rest of the year? Bench Tippett, recall Bellows and install him instead near the top of the lineup? Go back to giving Frost 10 mins of ice time a game and very few o-zone starts with two among Mac, Deslauriers or Bellows as his linemates again? Tell Hayes "you know what? We've been rethinking that expectation about two-way play. No need!" Rebreak JVR's fingers?

And THEN what happens if the roughly 80 percent odds of NOT getting Bedard even if you have the worst record in the league plays out as the odds strongly favor?
- bmeltzer

I will always like to see them win and play well, I just hope Hawks dont get Bedard, hate teams that blatantly tank. I will never respect the Pens