Is that the word on the street? I said that as soon as Provy didn't wear the pride jersey he was gonzo. They are only waiting until the draft so it doesn't look as obvious as to why he's gone. I hope we hit on the 7th rounder we get straight up for him..
- Hextall271

I am open to move almost anyone for the right offer. I just saw Landeskog is done for the year next year and was thinking could they look for a winger like konecny.

They need to look at everything and plan for how it helps in 2025-2026 season.

When Michkov comes over.

They probably should have had picks stripped for the Kyle Beach coverup... that's certainly a valid argument. Certainly more terrible than what the Devils and Yotes did when they got picks taken away.

All the talk of rigging tho... nonsense.
- Tomahawk

NHL is a joke to let Chicago get off with pretty much no punishment

NHL is a joke to let Chicago get off with pretty much no punishment
- 2Real

I would say they got the ultimate reward.

There is no God.

They probably should have had picks stripped for the Kyle Beach coverup... that's certainly a valid argument. Certainly more terrible than what the Devils and Yotes did when they got picks taken away.

All the talk of rigging tho... nonsense.
- Tomahawk

I don't believe it was rigged, but they should have lost picks and I am not certain why the punishment was so light..

I don't believe it was rigged, but they should have lost picks and I am not certain why the punishment was so light..
- Hextall271

Stan Bowman and Coach Q are effectively out of the league but the 'Hawks get to celebrate a lottery win with millions in season ticket sales.

The NHL really sucks at preventing avoidable controversy lol.

Leonard - "Solid supporting cast offensively" literally screams Flyers. It also screams boring and vanilla, more Flyers' traits. A cast of 200 ft players will not get you a SC. In fact, it will not even get you in the playoffs in today's NHL. Fortunately, the people running the team live firmly in the past.....
- mr4tno

He's neither boring nor vanilla. He's a high-energy type of player and HE -- not Smith or Perrault -- was the workhorse on that USA top line. It's just a question of whether he'll be someone who can produce with skill around him or whether he is someone who can be the primary catalyst on a line.

He skates well. One of the best two-way players in this Draft. He's physical. He can score, too, just a question of how much if he doesn't have elite linemates around him.

Why would they take a 'Torts player' if there is a good chance Torts is gone when this guy comes to the NHL? Is Tortorella supposed to be heavily involved in the draft process?

https://thehockeywriters....l-draft-prospect-profile/

NHL Potential
While he may not be the sexiest pick on draft day, Leonard is the kind of player that every team wants on their roster. With his two-way play, I could see him slotting into a team’s third line after developing at Boston College for a few seasons. He has top-six potential that could be reached if everything goes well in his development, but I wouldn’t expect him to be a first-line forward given where his toolkit is at right now.

The Flyers can never have enough 200ft 3rd line players. Who needs generational offensive talent and players who would be genuine 1st line players on a cup contending team when you can grind away all day and bang a few bodies. Sounds like a supporting player, not a main act. Sounds like this kid's upside is Scott Laughton, does that sound like a wise use of a top 7 pick?
- Flyers_01

1) This was before U18s. Leonard has risen with a bullet from outside the top 10 to a likely projected pin in the Flyers' range.
2) With all due respect to Eugene Helfrick, I don't think he's the No. 1 go-to source for upside assessment.

Why would they take a 'Torts player' if there is a good chance Torts is gone when this guy comes to the NHL? Is Tortorella supposed to be heavily involved in the draft process?
- TobyFlenderson

Torts is not involved in the Draft. However, it's pretty likely he'll still be here come 2024-25. Leonard is projected to play one NCAA season then turn pro. And if Torts is here, he will assess and use (or not use) every player by his own assessment -- not Danny's, not Brent's, no one else's. So it behooves the Flyers to draft a player the coach would likely be inclined to take to.

Guess re establishing that Flyer culture is more important than talent after all.

Chicago will soon enough be the next team to overtake this antiquated franchise.

Really going to be hard to pass on Benson if he is there at 7. If Michkov is gone, only Benson or Reinbacher for me.

Torts is not involved in the Draft. However, it's pretty likely he'll still be here come 2024-25. Leonard is projected to play one NCAA season then turn pro. And if Torts is here, he will assess and use (or not use) every player by his own assessment -- not Danny's, not Brent's, no one else's. So it behooves the Flyers to draft a player the coach would likely be inclined to take to.
- bmeltzer

The amount of influence a soon to be 65 year old John Tortorella has on this team is disturbing.

It's going to be something when the house of cards some crashing down, to reveal what a mistake it's been.

He's adored by the same cast who fondle over the Bullies, and sadly that's exactly what's holding this team back. The old guard left one last parting gift, but we are to believe Tortorella is a messiah. Reality will come out, although it's not about winning for the Flyers.

A playoff berth, while being able to proudly say they did it the "Flyer way" is more important.

Guess re establishing that Flyer culture is more important than talent after all.

Chicago will soon enough be the next team to overtake this antiquated franchise.
- FlyerFan3260

Not understanding your first comment. Please explain. What talent would they be passing on?

Not understanding your first comment. Please explain. What talent would they be passing on?
- WhiskeyMan

What did the Flyers do this season to try to put themselves in a position to have a better chance at Bedard or any of the other top 4?

I am sure Chicago, Columbus, Anaheim, and San Jose will feel terrible come their turn at the podium.

The Flyers got back to being hard to play against though, and developed Noah Cates/Owen Tippet. Progress indeed.

Torts is not involved in the Draft. However, it's pretty likely he'll still be here come 2024-25. Leonard is projected to play one NCAA season then turn pro. And if Torts is here, he will assess and use (or not use) every player by his own assessment -- not Danny's, not Brent's, no one else's. So it behooves the Flyers to draft a player the coach would likely be inclined to take to.
- bmeltzer

Respectfully, I think it would behoove the Flyers to take BPA. If that's Leonard, so be it. I'd rather they not take a player just because he would fit Torts' style. If everything remains the same (Torts stays until his contract is up, Leonard plays one year of college) they would have two years together. If Leonard goes the Cutter route and decides to stay another year, they overlap for one year. They need to be looking for the most talented players that can help this team take the next step out of this rebuild, not trying to fit players into the soon to be 65-year-old coach's style who has 3 years left on his deal.

Can’t be worse than NoPa and better to waste a 7th pick than a 2nd.

Respectfully, I think it would behoove the Flyers to take BPA. If that's Leonard, so be it. I'd rather they not take a player just because he would fit Torts' style. If everything remains the same (Torts stays until his contract is up, Leonard plays one year of college) they would have two years together. If Leonard goes the Cutter route and decides to stay another year, they overlap for one year. They need to be looking for the most talented players that can help this team take the next step out of this rebuild, not trying to fit players into the soon to be 65-year-old coach's style who has 3 years left on his deal.
- TobyFlenderson

A coach that I am sure had countless offers from other teams in the league.

This strategy of over empowering John Tortorella is a huge mistake.

Guess re establishing that Flyer culture is more important than talent after all.

Chicago will soon enough be the next team to overtake this antiquated franchise.
- FlyerFan3260

With 41.8 million in cap space next season to go along with 2 firsts, 4 seconds, and a third in this upcoming draft. I predict they will be light years ahead of us by the end of next season.

Add to that 2 firsts, 2 seconds and 2 thirds in 2024.

Oh and also add to that 2 firsts in 2025.

Oh and also add to that only 2 players signed past next season.

They have the picks AND the cap space to be relevant almost immediately.

Its depressing in every way.

He's neither boring nor vanilla. He's a high-energy type of player and HE -- not Smith or Perrault -- was the workhorse on that USA top line. It's just a question of whether he'll be someone who can produce with skill around him or whether he is someone who can be the primary catalyst on a line.

He skates well. One of the best two-way players in this Draft. He's physical. He can score, too, just a question of how much if he doesn't have elite linemates around him.
- bmeltzer

I read this about Leonard:

"Leonard's play got better as the season went on, and he was outstanding at the World U-18s, scoring eight goals in seven games, including the overtime winner in the gold-medal game. But more than the skill, Leonard (6-foot, 192) plays a feisty game, reminiscent of Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers. "

Sandstrom huh? I guess they feel like Errson can do the job?

Torts never seemed to be a fan.

I don't see Sandstrom getting much back in a trade. Hopefully Provorov can get a 2nd and maybe a younger defense prospect.
- MBFlyerfan

it makes a Hart trade seem less imminent IF what I hear is true.

Sandstrom huh? I guess they feel like Errson can do the job?

Torts never seemed to be a fan.

I don't see Sandstrom getting much back in a trade. Hopefully Provorov can get a 2nd and maybe a younger defense prospect.
- MBFlyerfan

it makes a Hart trade seem less imminent IF what I hear is true.

With 41.8 million in cap space next season to go along with 2 firsts, 4 seconds, and a third in this upcoming draft. I predict they will be light years ahead of us by the end of next season.

Add to that 2 firsts, 2 seconds and 2 thirds in 2024.

Oh and also add to that 2 firsts in 2025.

Oh and also add to that NO players signed past next season.

They have the picks AND the cap space to be relevant almost immediately.

Its depressing in every way.
- MBFlyerfan

But you will have everyone involved with the "Flyers roundtable" discussing how it wasn't realistic for the Flyers to do what Chicago did. How that approach is something to be sneered at. Its a belief that's downright cancerous, and held in many parts of this organization.

It's obsolete, and pathetic. Anything to keep the country club members employed though. Don't want to question an ongoing failed strategy.

Already, with all due respect to Bill, we have a team writer stating how it would behoove the team to get a player that fits John Tortorella hockey. In the year 2023.

Its disgusting.

He's neither boring nor vanilla. He's a high-energy type of player and HE -- not Smith or Perrault -- was the workhorse on that USA top line. It's just a question of whether he'll be someone who can produce with skill around him or whether he is someone who can be the primary catalyst on a line.

He skates well. One of the best two-way players in this Draft. He's physical. He can score, too, just a question of how much if he doesn't have elite linemates around him.
- bmeltzer

He's a beast in so many ways... drives play, quality shot, extremely high puck hunt, goes to the high traffic areas, processes quickly and has good instincts... and he LOVES to hit people.

Only clear downside is that he's not the strongest passer at the moment but that can be worked on. Marchand wasn't the greatest either when he first broke into the league but now that's an area of strength for him.

I'd be very comfortable with Leonard at #7. I'd personally take him over Smith.

it makes a Hart trade seem less imminent IF what I hear is true.
- black_francis

I read the Redwings will be looking for a goalie. If they came to you for Hart and offered a 1st rounder, since they have 2, would you do it?

That's right play the right way and we'll be rewarded by the Hockey Gods. Wrong, the Hockey Gods rewarded the team with sex abuse coverup. Not a fan of tanking, but those who do sure are rewarded, may be time to re-think.