What about the defense? In order for the Flyers to become a true contending team, they need to add no less than 4 all star to elite level players. 2-3 forwards and 2 defenseman. Forward wise, maybe Gauthier and Michkov can become two of those needed players. The Flyers need an elite center. If Gauthier plays center in the NHL, do you think he is going to step in at that level in the NHL? To get there, if he even does, is 2-3 years, possibly longer. Michkov is still 2+ years from getting here. Defense wise, there are no current prospects projected to be that level on defense in the system. That means that they still have to draft, trade, or sign for those players. The most likely avenue is drafting. That's conservatively 5 years away for those players to make that impact. Your dream of it not being a long rebuild, is a pipe dream.
- MJL

The Flyers do need a true 1C and 1D, but I think they can trade or sign one of these players when the time is right. I don't think Cutter will be a center in the NHL, at least not a 1C, maybe Michkov if he continues to develop in that spot. Still, a top play making center is easier to find than a 1D, so I see a scenario where the Flyers trade for or sign a top playmaking center and then draft and develop a true 1D. And by 1D I don't mean they need Cale Makar, just a good all around defenseman like a Pietrangelo type.

the Flyers are not close to cup contention with this defense, but they are not that far off either. Just getting one legit top pairing defenseman slots everyone else down and all of sudden this is a much better defense.
- jd250

yes they are far off.

You have Sanheim and York as long term pieces. Then what after those 2? Well 1 legit top air dman are not easy to find

This is a new era of Orange ... we are bringing back the burnt orange in the jerseys, and double Flyers logo is back at center ice .. Van Halen playing from the rafters (funny but I don't recall when Van Halen was ever playing before this), seats are being filled, a new era of optimism is taking shape and a new Standard is being built!!
- jd250

The Van Halen song is from the mid 1990's era. When the Flyers top 3 centers were Lindros, Brindy and Joel Otto. We had season tickets back then. Building full and alive every night, but no Cups to show for it. The Flyers were the toast of the town! If only...

the Flyers are not close to cup contention with this defense, but they are not that far off either. Just getting one legit top pairing defenseman slots everyone else down and all of sudden this is a much better defense.
- jd250

The Flyers need more than one legit top pairing defenseman. They need two at the very least. They're very far away. It's even more apparent every day that you have zero ability to accurately assess a team and where it's at.

It really isn't total nonsense as you portray. The fact is that this was a country club. Torts got rid of the bad apples (Hayes, Angelo and Provy) and this team really seems to be having fun for the most part. They work hard every night and enjoy playing for each other. It's called team unity that the Flyers apparently lacked before Torts showed up. You like to sell him short constantly. Did you see the smile on Tort's face when Foerster scored the winner? He's not the devil...just a cranky old man at times.
- Phillywhiteout

none of those 3 were bad apples at all. Bill has confirmed this numerous times. They were a perceived threat to the insecure torts.

none of those 3 were bad apples at all. Bill has confirmed this numerous times. They were a perceived threat to the insecure torts.
- hello it's me 2050

I don't agree with that sentiment. Perhaps bad apples is the wrong word, but Hayes is a lazy hockey player and Angelo is a selfish hockey player. Provorov simply didn't want to be here anymore. Angelo has been a healthy scratch for Carolina lately and Hayes just scored his whopping 4th goal of the season yesterday. I guess Provorov is doing okay for a bad Columbus team. Perhaps not bad apples, but not the type of veterans you want your young guys looking up to.

The Flyers need more than one legit top pairing defenseman. They need two at the very least. They're very far away. It's even more apparent every day that you have zero ability to accurately assess a team and where it's at.
- MJL

Ok, this coming from a guy who wants the entire new front office gone after only 21 games and calls this year's Jack Adams award winning coach for the 3rd time antiquated, even though he is coaching exactly the same way as one of your heros, Montgomery! Get real will you. You just don't want to admit that the Flyers are turning it around and on the road to getting good again, because then you would have no outlet to vent your disdain.

This is a new era of Orange ... we are bringing back the burnt orange in the jerseys, and double Flyers logo is back at center ice .. Van Halen playing from the rafters (funny but I don't recall when Van Halen was ever playing before this), seats are being filled, a new era of optimism is taking shape and a new Standard is being built!!
- jd250

the new era looks no diff then the previous era's. None.

Place looks like the seats are not being filled.

https://www.hockey-refere...e.com/friv/attendance.cgi

that even seems high to me

What about Gauthier makes you think he's a physical player?

I'm going to throw this reminder out yet again... in his peak season Carter was 2nd in the NHL in goals with 46, trailing only Ovechkin. Counting on Cutter to be 2nd in the NHL in goal scoring for even one season in his mid 20s, is a very high bar.

https://www.nhl.com/stats...=goals&page=0&pageSize=50
- Feanor

I actually watch him play games, lots of games. I didn't say Cutter would be 2nd in the league in scoring, I said Cutter reminds me a Jeff Carter in his style of play, but is more physical.

The Flyers do need a true 1C and 1D, but I think they can trade or sign one of these players when the time is right. I don't think Cutter will be a center in the NHL, at least not a 1C, maybe Michkov if he continues to develop in that spot. Still, a top play making center is easier to find than a 1D, so I see a scenario where the Flyers trade for or sign a top playmaking center and then draft and develop a true 1D. And by 1D I don't mean they need Cale Makar, just a good all around defenseman like a Pietrangelo type.
- jd250

Your first sentence just reinforces that your vision is a pipe dream.

Who are the Flyers trading to get the 1C and 1D?

I would disagree that the Flyers are better than the Caps and have doubts about the Pens also. Realistically, the Flyers sit 5th in the Metro. Isles are ahead of them. Points percentage is the more realistic indicator. The Devils now that they got Hischier and Hughes back, are going to pass the Flyers.
- MJL

I didn't say the Flyers were better than the Devils. Clearly, the Devils, Carolina and the Rangers are superior teams. What I said is when this season concludes, unless the Flyers sell off hard at the deadline, I think they are better than the Islanders, Caps, Blue Jackets and Penguins.

the new era looks no diff then the previous era's. None.

Place looks like the seats are not being filled.

https://www.hockey-refere...e.com/friv/attendance.cgi

that even seems high to me
- hello it's me 2050

They finished last year at 90% capacity, so seems to be on par with what they are drawing. kind of amazing considering if the Phillies and Sixers were this bad for this long they would be playing to about 20% capacity. At least the Coyotes are selling out their 4,600 seat arena!!

If only removing Deslauriers could do that!
- MJL

Well, I am thinking then you have Frost and Brink in the lineup, more skill, more speed, better chance of staying with them. I think Deslauriers would be exposed badly against a smaller, faster team like the Devils.

who gives a schitt about pace.

The front office loves fans like you. They give themselves a pat on the back when they see post like yours
- hello it's me 2050

But Kevin Hayes was on pace for ....

Ok, this coming from a guy who wants the entire new front office gone after only 21 games and calls this year's Jack Adams award winning coach for the 3rd time antiquated, even though he is coaching exactly the same way as one of your heros, Montgomery! Get real will you. You just don't want to admit that the Flyers are turning it around and on the road to getting good again, because then you would have no outlet to vent your disdain.
- jd250

Oh, this is pretty funny. I know better than you do and that has been proven over literally years. Tortorella doesn't have a clue in how to coach on Montgomery's level.

This reminds me of "Fletcher has the team on the very definition of the path to the cup!

Well, I am thinking then you have Frost and Brink in the lineup, more skill, more speed, better chance of staying with them. I think Deslauriers would be exposed badly against a smaller, faster team like the Devils.
- jd250

One player doesn't close the gap.

It really isn't total nonsense as you portray. The fact is that this was a country club. Torts got rid of the bad apples (Hayes, Angelo and Provy) and this team really seems to be having fun for the most part. They work hard every night and enjoy playing for each other. It's called team unity that the Flyers apparently lacked before Torts showed up. You like to sell him short constantly. Did you see the smile on Tort's face when Foerster scored the winner? He's not the devil...just a cranky old man at times.
- Phillywhiteout

Torts is teaching this team the most important aspect of professional development, how to win! I have two tennagers that both play national events. They have the game, skills, conditioning, but the most important thing they are learning is how to win. This is the most frustrating and time consuming part of any development process. and as a Dad living through it, it is a roller coaster.

Nice to see Cates back in his best position. The Flyers are oh so close to an ideal lineup given the roster; they just need to finally acknowledge that Nic D is nowhere near being an every game player. His ES goals for-against record as a Flyer is now at a calamitous 20-37.

Farabee-Couturier-Konecny
Tippett-Frost-Atkinson
Foerster-Laughton-Brink
Cates-Poehling-Hathaway
- Feanor

Switch Laughton and Poehling

One player doesn't close the gap.
- MJL

Obviously. The Devils are a superior team skill wise and speed wise. I am just saying that if the Flyers sit Deslauriers, it will give all of us a chance to see a lineup with both Frost and Brink in there, and against a smaller, less physical team like the Devils, it's a perfect time to sit Deslauriers.

Torts is teaching this team the most important aspect of professional development, how to win! I have two tennagers that both play national events. They have the game, skills, conditioning, but the most important thing they are learning is how to win. This is the most frustrating and time consuming part of any development process. and as a Dad living through it, it is a roller coaster.
- jd250

It's comedy hour! With the record that Tortorella has with the Flyers, he's teaching them how to win? When you're ready to open your mind. I'll tell you what Tortorella is teaching them.

Switch Laughton and Poehling
- WhiskeyMan

No, Poehling is at best a 4th line center.

One of these days, you might realize that buzzwords like culture, accountability and standard are a bunch of nonsense. It is the used car salesman pitch that Tortorella preaches and relies on because of his inadequacies in other coaching areas.
- MJL

Yeah, but this TruCoat

Obviously. The Devils are a superior team skill wise and speed wise. I am just saying that if the Flyers sit Deslauriers, it will give all of us a chance to see a lineup with both Frost and Brink in there, and against a smaller, less physical team like the Devils, it's a perfect time to sit Deslauriers.
- jd250

Every game is a perfect game to sit Deslauriers. The gap is still wide.

Switch Laughton and Poehling
- WhiskeyMan

Poehling has been much better than Laughton this season, idk if Laughton is battling something but this is the worst he’s looked in years

Weird how Hathaway's production has fallen off a cliff this season. What could possibly explain why this $2,375,000 4th liner is on pace for 12 points in 82 games (and has also been outscored 9 to 4 at ES).

17-18: 59 GP, 13 P

18-19: 76 GP, 19 P

19-20: 66 GP, 16 P

20-21: 56 GP, 18 P

21-22: 76 GP, 26 P

22-23: 84 GP, 22 P

23-34: 21 GP, 3P