Does the Flyers winning start to the season upend the plan for a rebuild? Is this a franchise that loses when it should win and wins when it should lose? Was it ever a rebuild? We all know Fletcher sold us a bill of goods 2 summers ago with his BS “aggressive retool” so has the Triumvirate done the same with a different word this year? Is this team for real or just smoke and mirrors? Can Torts continue to get this type of overachieving production for an entire year?

Or, are the Flyers back to being what they’ve been for over a decade now, a perennial bubble team with no hope to go far in the playoffs and no hope to add new elite talent moving forward?

Does Felix clearing waivers and being sent to Lehigh mean that Risto can come off LTIR and they can start banking cap space again?

True it only takes one team….but I agree….unless they knew for certain that a specific team was prepared to claim him early on in the season? But I didn’t see it.
- landros 2

his career numbers did not warrant a claim in any way.

really don't disagree, it has worked out so far, it is the ego that scares me. He wins just enough to allow vets to block more kids, to not stay focused on 2-3 years from now. ND, Cam, even Laughton won't be a part of that. His decision to demote Cates and play Ryan P, while similar age still odd, and you took Cates who was on the upswing and sacked him with ND. Laughton really has not been good, faceoffs etc, he easily could be 4th and contribute more. Even Hath would be better if ND wasn't out there. Play the kids, if a vet is not going to be here in 2 years, that should part pf Torts decision. Cam should not get special treatment, this franchise can't afford those types of decision. All that said they are winning, let's see what happens when they are not. I am willing to give it some time, but man, that guys ego is huge.
- wcorvette

I don't blame anyone nor should anyone be criticized for being happy with the way the team is playing right now. If it is enjoyable to you and it's fun for you to watch, that's great. There is winning and there is winning. They're playing solid hockey right now and I think some teams have taken the Flyers lightly to their demise. That's going to change in my opinion. It's kind of a weird season so far. Some teams haven't found their groove yet. I expect the Flyers to come down to earth.
What do you want as a fan? For me, being a playoff bubble team with no realistic chance at actually contending. Does not cut it for me. I think many fans are buying the kool aid so to speak. Are being fooled by what is fools gold. Been there done that myself. For years for decades as a fan. Not any more.
The NHL is now more than ever, a skill talent and speed league. Driven by elite players. If you don't have it, you won't win. Have to play a certain style to take advantage of that talent if you have it. You can be a playoff team if you can grind it out, play a tight checking style and get good goaltending. That is limiting though. You can only go so far with that.
So many still don't understand that. As evidence by some of the foolishness I read posted on here today. Such as if you never played, you won't understand the value that Deslauriers brings to the team and the room. Tortorella and Jones have that fan right where they want them. The philosophies that drive decisions on player acquisitions and roster and game lineup decisions are the overriding issue. Rather than just the single decision in a vacuum. "Hey, they're winning, so it must be the right move". Are they truly winning with the potential to compete for the cup with the current direction? I say no. In my opinion, the Flyers are putting themselves right back into the worst spot they can be in. Good but not good enough with no path to being good enough. At this point, we have to hope that Gauthier and Michkov become elite players. If they don't , it's game over. Stuck in the purgatory pf the fringe playoffs.

I don't blame anyone nor should anyone be criticized for being happy with the way the team is playing right now. If it is enjoyable to you and it's fun for you to watch, that's great. There is winning and there is winning. They're playing solid hockey right now and I think some teams have taken the Flyers lightly to their demise. That's going to change in my opinion. It's kind of a weird season so far. Some teams haven't found their groove yet. I expect the Flyers to come down to earth.
What do you want as a fan? For me, being a playoff bubble team with no realistic chance at actually contending. Does not cut it for me. I think many fans are buying the kool aid so to speak. Are being fooled by what is fools gold. Been there done that myself. For years for decades as a fan. Not any more.
The NHL is now more than ever, a skill talent and speed league. Driven by elite players. If you don't have it, you won't win. Have to play a certain style to take advantage of that talent if you have it. You can be a playoff team if you can grind it out, play a tight checking style and get good goaltending. That is limiting though. You can only go so far with that.
So many still don't understand that. As evidence by some of the foolishness I read posted on here today. Such as if you never played, you won't understand the value that Deslauriers brings to the team and the room. Tortorella and Jones have that fan right where they want them. The philosophies that drive decisions on player acquisitions and roster and game lineup decisions are the overriding issue. Rather than just the single decision in a vacuum. "Hey, they're winning, so it must be the right move". Are they truly winning with the potential to compete for the cup with the current direction? I say no. In my opinion, the Flyers are putting themselves right back into the worst spot they can be in. Good but not good enough with no path to being good enough. At this point, we have to hope that Gauthier and Michkov become elite players. If they don't , it's game over. Stuck in the purgatory pf the fringe playoffs.
- MJL

what teams have taken them lightly do you think?

Cutter will not be an elite player imo

For Dubois his stats are similar to that in Columbus. I do wonder why he is on his 3rd team though (that young and talented, why). One stat that is not everything, but interesting. first two years in Columbus his plus minus was the best of his career so far.
- Peter Richards

He thinks his better than he is. He cries his way out of Columbus and then the jets traded him. He is a good player like I said but that it. He is nothing great.

what teams have taken them lightly do you think?

Cutter will not be an elite player imo
- hello it's me 2050

I think cutter will be a very good player, .maybe a star but not a super star.

Does the Flyers winning start to the season upend the plan for a rebuild? Is this a franchise that loses when it should win and wins when it should lose? Was it ever a rebuild? We all know Fletcher sold us a bill of goods 2 summers ago with his BS “aggressive retool” so has the Triumvirate done the same with a different word this year? Is this team for real or just smoke and mirrors? Can Torts continue to get this type of overachieving production for an entire year?

Or, are the Flyers back to being what they’ve been for over a decade now, a perennial bubble team with no hope to go far in the playoffs and no hope to add new elite talent moving forward?
- mikeyo27

Are they really over achieving? Or if having a healthy Coots and Atkinson along with some steady growth from the young core behind the solid start? Add in they jettisoned some guys that needed to be sent packing….They seem more cohesive this year. They are playing more complete games to this point.
Will it last? I hope so. It’s a hell of a lot more likely that the young players we need to develop further do so in a somewhat competitive and winning atmosphere.

Does the Flyers winning start to the season upend the plan for a rebuild? Is this a franchise that loses when it should win and wins when it should lose? Was it ever a rebuild? We all know Fletcher sold us a bill of goods 2 summers ago with his BS “aggressive retool” so has the Triumvirate done the same with a different word this year? Is this team for real or just smoke and mirrors? Can Torts continue to get this type of overachieving production for an entire year?

Or, are the Flyers back to being what they’ve been for over a decade now, a perennial bubble team with no hope to go far in the playoffs and no hope to add new elite talent moving forward?
- mikeyo27

No, it doesn't upend the rebuild. Simply because they were never truly fully focused on a rebuild. Their main focus is winning. They owe that to the players in the room. All confirmed directly from the head coach. Who in my opinion is pulling the strings for this franchise. He has Keith Jones in his back pocket. Not sure about Briere, if he is on board, outvoted or what. It's all smoke and mirrors. They want to add some new and younger players but not if it interferes with winning.

That is the danger. That the Flyers are heading right back to where they've been. Seems most likely to me.

I think cutter will be a very good player, .maybe a star but not a super star.
- WhiskeyMan

I am concerned that the goals he sores in college will not get past nhl goalies. It is great he is scoring as much better than not scoring. We shall see in a few months probably

I don't blame anyone nor should anyone be criticized for being happy with the way the team is playing right now. If it is enjoyable to you and it's fun for you to watch, that's great. There is winning and there is winning. They're playing solid hockey right now and I think some teams have taken the Flyers lightly to their demise. That's going to change in my opinion. It's kind of a weird season so far. Some teams haven't found their groove yet. I expect the Flyers to come down to earth.
What do you want as a fan? For me, being a playoff bubble team with no realistic chance at actually contending. Does not cut it for me. I think many fans are buying the kool aid so to speak. Are being fooled by what is fools gold. Been there done that myself. For years for decades as a fan. Not any more.
The NHL is now more than ever, a skill talent and speed league. Driven by elite players. If you don't have it, you won't win. Have to play a certain style to take advantage of that talent if you have it. You can be a playoff team if you can grind it out, play a tight checking style and get good goaltending. That is limiting though. You can only go so far with that.
So many still don't understand that. As evidence by some of the foolishness I read posted on here today. Such as if you never played, you won't understand the value that Deslauriers brings to the team and the room. Tortorella and Jones have that fan right where they want them. The philosophies that drive decisions on player acquisitions and roster and game lineup decisions are the overriding issue. Rather than just the single decision in a vacuum. "Hey, they're winning, so it must be the right move". Are they truly winning with the potential to compete for the cup with the current direction? I say no. In my opinion, the Flyers are putting themselves right back into the worst spot they can be in. Good but not good enough with no path to being good enough. At this point, we have to hope that Gauthier and Michkov become elite players. If they don't , it's game over. Stuck in the purgatory pf the fringe playoffs.
- MJL

I like that we are blocking shots. Seems to have worked for the Vegas. Is that an archaic game plan?

Do you feel as though you can’t develop young players, draft well and win some games while you’re at it? I don’t think bottoming out guarantees anything (Edmonton, Buffalo) so losing shouldn’t be the goal.

As long as we don’t spend assets to try to win now I’m not going to be upset about winning or how it plays out.

And I also don’t think ND being in the lineup affects anything. If the flyers game plan is to have that type of fourth line than he’s fine. If you put him out there with young scoring forwards then yes he is the wrong guy. We aren’t the only team not rolling 4 scoring lines.

I like Torts and thing he has his good qualities but the ego is to much.
- wcorvette

He's one step away from referring to himself in the third person like Babs.

It's cool to have a personal code and operate on a set of beliefs but it's dangerous believe in your own ideas so much that you become rigid and inflexible.

As Bill said, the man has developed some significant blind spots.

Are they really over achieving? Or if having a healthy Coots and Atkinson along with some steady growth from the young core behind the solid start? Add in they jettisoned some guys that needed to be sent packing….They seem more cohesive this year. They are playing more complete games to this point.
Will it last? I hope so. It’s a hell of a lot more likely that the young players we need to develop further do so in a somewhat competitive and winning atmosphere.
- landros 2

I’m not sure. Hockey is the ultimate team sport, so playing like a cohesive unit buying in to the system certainly brings some level of success. Yet can it be sustained without a bona fide star(s)? It’s a workman like team effort with some nice timely good goaltending. It’s much more fun to watch now but my fear is this is much of the same as we’ve seen since 2010-11 season. I guess the legitimate issue is: can this team beat Boston, NYR, NJ, Carolina, Toronto, Florida or Tampa in a 7 game series? Can they take 3 series in a row against those teams? Or so can they then beat out Vegas, Colorado, Dallas, or LA in a fourth series? I think not. Vegas odds-makers think not. But I guess we’ll see.

No, it doesn't upend the rebuild. Simply because they were never truly fully focused on a rebuild. Their main focus is winning. They owe that to the players in the room. All confirmed directly from the head coach. Who in my opinion is pulling the strings for this franchise. He has Keith Jones in his back pocket. Not sure about Briere, if he is on board, outvoted or what. It's all smoke and mirrors. They want to add some new and younger players but not if it interferes with winning.

That is the danger. That the Flyers are heading right back to where they've been. Seems most likely to me.
- MJL

This is where I’m afraid the delusion comes into the play. The idea that Torts is somehow controlling his bosses. It is more likely that they simply all agree. They talk every day. This is everyone’s game plan. Not just Torts. Some may not like it and that opinion is fine and maybe even warranted in some instances. But they are all on board. It’s absurd to think the Danny and Jonesy don’t have control of the situation.

I am concerned that the goals he sores in college will not get past nhl goalies. It is great he is scoring as much better than not scoring. We shall see in a few months probably
- hello it's me 2050

That’s always the issue with prospects….how will their game translate to the NHL? He has high end skill and see the ice really well. He’s big, he can skate and as you’ve said he has a high end shot. He’s an exciting prospect.

Edit: Hockey east player of the week.

This is where I’m afraid the delusion comes into the play. The idea that Torts is somehow controlling his bosses. It is more likely that they simply all agree. They talk every day. This is everyone’s game plan. Not just Torts. Some may not like it and that opinion is fine and maybe even warranted in some instances. But they are all on board. It’s absurd to think the Danny and Jonesy don’t have control of the situation.
- black_francis

🤔

He's one step away from referring to himself in the third person like Babs.

It's cool to have a personal code and operate on a set of beliefs but it's dangerous believe in your own ideas so much that you become rigid and inflexible.

As Bill said, the man has developed some significant blind spots.
- Tomahawk

Tororella still believes that leadership, work ethic, playing the right way, playing a 200 foot game, building a culture and a standard and all the old school cliches, is how you win in the NHL. He wants a team full of bangers, grinders and checkers, along with just enough offense to score some goals. He is stuck in the stone ages as a coach and he isn't going to change now.

This is where I’m afraid the delusion comes into the play. The idea that Torts is somehow controlling his bosses. It is more likely that they simply all agree. They talk every day. This is everyone’s game plan. Not just Torts. Some may not like it and that opinion is fine and maybe even warranted in some instances. But they are all on board. It’s absurd to think the Danny and Jonesy don’t have control of the situation.
- black_francis

What no conspiracy theory?

I’m not sure. Hockey is the ultimate team sport, so playing like a cohesive unit buying in to the system certainly brings some level of success. Yet can it be sustained without a bona fide star(s)? It’s a workman like team effort with some nice timely good goaltending. It’s much more fun to watch now but my fear is this is much of the same as we’ve seen since 2010-11 season. I guess the legitimate issue is: can this team beat Boston, NYR, NJ, Carolina, Toronto, Florida or Tampa in a 7 game series? Can they take 3 series in a row against those teams? Or so can they then beat out Vegas, Colorado, Dallas, or LA in a fourth series? I think not. Vegas odds-makers think not. But I guess we’ll see.
- mikeyo27

Right now, no they can't beat those teams. Realistically as a developing team, they shouldn't be expected to be able to beat those teams now. The question is are they building and heading in the direction to be able to beat those teams? In my view, no. They can be competitive and entertaining but is that enough? Not for me. My biggest fear is that is all they're looking to be.

This is where I’m afraid the delusion comes into the play. The idea that Torts is somehow controlling his bosses. It is more likely that they simply all agree. They talk every day. This is everyone’s game plan. Not just Torts. Some may not like it and that opinion is fine and maybe even warranted in some instances. But they are all on board. It’s absurd to think the Danny and Jonesy don’t have control of the situation.
- black_francis

It seems pretty clear Torts is the alpha in this group.

It seems pretty clear Torts is the alpha in this group.
- rayc16

No question and he is manipulator. Jones is an easy mark for Tortorella because he is old school just like Tortorella is. He buys Tortorella's BS hook line and sinker. As soon as Tortorella was hired, he started laying down the ground work. Saying there was an issue in the locker room before ever stepping in it.

That’s always the issue with prospects….how will their game translate to the NHL? He has high end skill and see the ice really well. He’s big, he can skate and as you’ve said he has a high end shot. He’s an exciting prospect.

Edit: Hockey east player of the week.
- landros 2

sounds like JVR....

It seems pretty clear Torts is the alpha in this group.
- rayc16

Based on what? Because he’s the loudest? He’s the mouthpiece for the 2 guys above him, doing the dirty work and taking the flak. A coach isn’t going to strong arm the GM and pres to do anything. He’s a perfect scapegoat for Danny to do what he wants with the team.

I think what people are in denial that Danny and Jonesy agree with him

sounds like JVR....
- hello it's me 2050

True.

No question and he is manipulator. Jones is an easy mark for Tortorella because he is old school just like Tortorella is. He buys Tortorella's BS hook line and sinker. As soon as Tortorella was hired, he started laying down the ground work. Saying there was an issue in the locker room before ever stepping in it.
- MJL

Seek help 😂