Chuck Fletcher called out Hunter MacDonald as a player to watch, he thinks he will a very good pro defenseman. I watched him this past season at Northeastern, he was very good, really showed poise and leadership. Nice to know the Flyers have another young defenseman working their way up.

Are you sure though that this quote says what you suggests it does? I point some key phrases:

1. Note that Torts checked the boxes for all THREE of the decision-makers, of which the Fletcher-run hockey ops is listed as both distinct from "old guard" and also ahead of them (btw note also that "ownership" had a say, as one of the 3).

2. They were "not especially active"...note.

3. They were "on board" with the hire is a far cry from saying they were instrumental in the hire.

4. "has long valued their opinions" again suggests that it was an opinion worth seeking, not an opinion that drove the process.

In summary, it reads to me as though the old guard's opinions were at worst a contributory factor, but only one of several, and no evidence is provided that it was the decisive factor.
- PT21

We know for a fact that Fletcher was a known collaborator. He didn't make any decisions on his own. He wouldn't make a major move such as hiring a coach without the support of those around him. It's ironic though that he became a patsy and was forced out in part due to the actions of the coach he hired. We know that Fletcher was hired due in large part to his connection to Clarke. If you influence who is going to be hired to be the GM, who is going to hire the coach. Then you have had strong influence on that.

Clarke could've deferred on the question but made it clear that he viewed what happened Hextall's fault, he was blameless, and he was outraged. It was quite the unequivocal statement and dominated several news cycles.

It doesn't have to be a 20 minute tirade.
- Flyers_01

well taking Patrick was the GM's fault was it not? Yes Clarke was blameless as he has nothing to do with the draf that Hextall conducted.

the 20 minute tirade was like a miute and a half

Other than common sense, you mean?
- PT21

If someone thinks that common sense refutes it, then I would say that person has no common sense. It would be the equivalent of saying the sun didn't come up today.

Chuck Fletcher called out Hunter MacDonald as a player to watch, he thinks he will a very good pro defenseman. I watched him this past season at Northeastern, he was very good, really showed poise and leadership. Nice to know the Flyers have another young defenseman working their way up.
- jd250

Hopefully he continues in his progression.

Chuck Fletcher called out Hunter MacDonald as a player to watch, he thinks he will a very good pro defenseman. I watched him this past season at Northeastern, he was very good, really showed poise and leadership. Nice to know the Flyers have another young defenseman working their way up.
- jd250

if you seen him a lot you would know his skating is not NHL level at all. Will likely never sniff the nhl imo

Any of the so-called drama are things largely out of his control. For a team that is not going to contend the next few years, the chance to grab a potentially generational talent at seven is too good to pass up.
- Sublime55

Yeah I agree, most of the drama could be out of his control. What if he decides he only wants to play for team X, or doesn’t want to come over? Would that be in his control?
Who's to say, we wouldn't be getting a generational talent with the other choices. No one could say with a 100% certainty, he's the best player there. Potential means nothing, until they actually do it.

Gritty's great.
- Feanor

Great at what? Being a distraction for team’s failures? Please tell me you aren’t gullible enough to fall the management board’s lazy attempts to placate fans while they sold everyone a steaming pile of nonsense.

Go put on a dress Dem Scum
- FlyerFan3260

Is this real lol?

Johansen trade pretty much proves hayes is an upside down contract. Flyers will be giving if they want to get rid of him. Makes sense now hearing briere talk him up about being around next year.

Hopefully he continues in his progression.
- landros 2

McDonald best learn how to skate. What the he'll does Chuck know?

Yeah I agree, most of the drama could be out of his control. What if he decides he only wants to play for team X, or doesn’t want to come over? Would that be in his control?
Who's to say, we wouldn't be getting a generational talent with the other choices. No one could say with a 100% certainty, he's the best player there. Potential means nothing, until they actually do it.
- Laceemup88

Has he indicated he only wants to play for X Team? All these kids are potential….teams still have to grade prospects with quantifiable metrics. MM’s stats relative to other big names to come out of the KHL is a clear indicator of his talent.

Go put on a dress Dem Scum
- FlyerFan3260

So, is Rjo the Kadri replacement? Or Is it Compher? Or is Newhook ready they think?

Both Canes and Avs really seem to dislike doing a big FA/trade. Just modest tinkering.

Go put on a dress Dem Scum
- FlyerFan3260

Wow, good one. So sensitive. Geez.

if you seen him a lot you would know his skating is not NHL level at all. Will likely never sniff the nhl imo
- hello it's me 2050

Apparently you have not seen his a lot, his skating is fine so far.

Apparently you have not seen his a lot, his skating is fine so far.
- jd250

seen him plenty, hs skating is not that good.

How do you compare him to borgesi?

seen him plenty, hs skating is not that good.

How do you compare him to borgesi?
- hello it's me 2050

McDonald already has a pro body at 6'4" 215lbs, he is not going to be flying around the ice, so comparing his to a 5'8" player is not useful. McDonald is well on his way to having high potential to be an NHL player. He plays his position well, uses his size and reach well and skate well enough. Borgesi will never get a sniff at the NHL given his size and the position he plays.

McDonald best learn how to skate. What the he'll does Chuck know?
- Flybynight88

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AiXIIg_T6sE
Skates well to me

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AiXIIg_T6sE
Skates well to me
- jd250

If I was going to post a video to show how a player skates, that wouldn't be it. First of all, the other players were basically standing still, while he had a jump on the puck and skate by them while they were standing still. I have no idea on the player but that was not a fluid stride. More importantly, it seems as though he is going to be a defensive defenseman. So far more important would be to look at his backwards skating, including cross overs and closing on pucks rather than skating in unimpeded on an empty net.

Apparently you have not seen his a lot, his skating is fine so far.
- jd250

If Chuckles is talking him up I'm thinking nah! Just go with the opposite of what that buffoon says and you have a much better chance of being right than wrong. I've never seen the player play, so have no idea, but I ain't taking Chuckles' words on anything.

McDonald already has a pro body at 6'4" 215lbs, he is not going to be flying around the ice, so comparing his to a 5'8" player is not useful. McDonald is well on his way to having high potential to be an NHL player. He plays his position well, uses his size and reach well and skate well enough. Borgesi will never get a sniff at the NHL given his size and the position he plays.
- jd250

Get out of here with that nonsense as that's what i tis, nonsense.

Yes he has size and that's why he was drafted. It wasn't because of skill or hockey smarts. Borgesi has those 2 traits in spades over Hunter. The size will def be a factor as he will not get any bigger. He has the skills of what modern day NHL need.

My guess is you really haven't seen that team play much if at all. Add to the fact your player assessment has been very questionable at best.

If I was going to post a video to show how a player skates, that wouldn't be it. First of all, the other players were basically standing still, while he had a jump on the puck and skate by them while they were standing still. I have no idea on the player but that was not a fluid stride. More importantly, it seems as though he is going to be a defensive defenseman. So far more important would be to look at his backwards skating, including cross overs and closing on pucks rather than skating in unimpeded on an empty net.
- MJL

It astounds me no team has hired you

didn't ek say we were supposed to make a trade by now

Johansen trade pretty much proves hayes is an upside down contract. Flyers will be giving if they want to get rid of him. Makes sense now hearing briere talk him up about being around next year.
- Just5

Lol one less year term wise, ate 50%, and got nothing back. Torts better suck it up, he’s here for good