Briere and Jones are new. There is no reason to think they will repeat the mistakes of the past until they do so.
- psuhockey

this organization and the people associated with it do not get the benefit of the doubt.

Oh, I disagree completely with that. There is tons of reasons to think it's a possibility that they might. We'll get a glimpse into their mindset in March.
- MJL

What have they done so far that makes you think that?

It makes no sense to me that the fans who gave Hextall a long chance won’t do it for these guys.

What have they don’t so far that makes you think that?

It makes no sense to me that the fans who gave Hextall a long chance won’t do it for these guys.
- psuhockey

Signing player like Hathaway. Continuing to play a player like Deslauriers. Both Briere and Tortorella have publicly stated that they're not going to put rebuilding ahead of winning. There is no doubt that Jones is lock step with Tortorella. The team didn't give Hextall a long chance and throughout their history, have never shown that they had patience.

Signing player like Hathaway. Continuing to play a player like Deslauriers. Both Briere and Tortorella have publicly stated that they're not going to put rebuilding ahead of winning. There is no doubt that Jones is lock step with Tortorella. The team didn't give Hextall a long chance and throughout their history, have never shown that they had patience.
- MJL

Let's see what happens at the TDL.

I think they are in a weird sport per se because they are 2nd in the Metro and might make the playoffs. I want the rebuild but I also understand you can't just trade everyone and tell your current roster "sorry for working hard guys but we have a plan for the future".

You need to take what is happening this season into account. I am not saying go out and trade for ageing vets and give up young pieces, but I don't think you can have the fire sale either.

I still think you try to move Walker, Ristolainen, Laughton(I would), Deslaureirs(if you can) with deals that can help your future.

Signing player like Hathaway. Continuing to play a player like Deslauriers. Both Briere and Tortorella have publicly stated that they're not going to put rebuilding ahead of winning. There is no doubt that Jones is lock step with Tortorella. The team didn't give Hextall a long chance and throughout their history, have never shown that they had patience.
- MJL

Hextall had 5 years. Hathaway and Deslauriers are fourth liners. The quote from Tortorella was about Zamula and he has played the majority of the year over Staal.

Hextall had 5 years. Hathaway and Deslauriers are fourth liners. The quote from Tortorella was about Zamula and he has played the majority of the year over Staal.
- psuhockey

When you state that you're not going to put rebuilding ahead of winning, that's not about one player. Hextall had to take 3 years just to straighten the cap out and build up the prospect base. To expect any GM to do that and get the team to contending status in 5 years is delusional.

When you state that you're not going to put rebuilding ahead of winning, that's not about one player. Hextall had to take 3 years just to straighten the cap out and build up the prospect base. To expect any GM to do that and get the team to contending status in 5 years is delusional.
- MJL

saint ronnie kept them in purgatory. he wasn't a good gm

when was the last time you had dinner with your dad? can let us know what he is up too

When you state that you're not going to put rebuilding ahead of winning, that's not about one player. Hextall had to take 3 years just to straighten the cap out and build up the prospect base. To expect any GM to do that and get the team to contending status in 5 years is delusional.
- MJL

Words vs actions.

Do you plan on giving Brier 7 years?

Words vs actions.

Do you plan on giving Brier 7 years?
- psuhockey

Nobody gets or has earned any benefit of the doubt as far as I'm concerned. If they approach building the team and actually do a legitimate rebuild, then they will get patience from me. I'm on record many times stating that this is going to be a 5-10 year process if done correctly.

Nobody gets or has earned any benefit of the doubt as far as I'm concerned. If they approach building the team and actually do a legitimate rebuild, then they will get patience from me. I'm on record many times stating that this is going to be a 5-10 year process if done correctly.
- MJL

Their plan has a low probability of working but they had what looks like a really good first draft, added resources to development and dumped Dave Brown. Maybe they can pull it off.

Their plan has a low probability of working but they had what looks like a really good first draft, added resources to development and dumped Dave Brown. Maybe they can pull it off.
- psuhockey

I think they just demoted Dave Brown. He's listed as a pro scout instead of Director of Pro scouting.

What a seriously bad comparison. Ovechkin has scored over 800 goals and yes, he utilizes and works off his teammates. Most notably, Nik Backstrom. He has scored goals all over the ice. Epic failure here on your part.
- MJL

I'm not comparing Tippet to Ovechkin. I am only saying Ovechkin scores a lot of goals off individual effort, or at least he used to.

Signing player like Hathaway. Continuing to play a player like Deslauriers. Both Briere and Tortorella have publicly stated that they're not going to put rebuilding ahead of winning. There is no doubt that Jones is lock step with Tortorella. The team didn't give Hextall a long chance and throughout their history, have never shown that they had patience.
- MJL

As you typically do, you are taking this statement completely out of context. The point of this statement was very simple, regardless of the stated goal that the franchise is rebuilding, we play every game to win. It's really that simple. The Flyers are rebuilding a standard they used to have, one that based on winning through maximum effort and the willingness to skate through a wall if need be. That is why Deslauriers and Hathaway are here, to build by example this standard. Both players, regardless of their skill level, play the game the right way.

Now if the deadline comes and the Flyers are buyers, or in the off season if they make a run at Lindholm, then you can say nothing has changed, that the Flyers are continuing the win now strategy. But I am very positive that will not happen.

I'm not comparing Tippet to Ovechkin. I am only saying Ovechkin scores a lot of goals off individual effort, or at least he used to.
- jd250

You don't score 800+ goals in the NHL with individual efforts. Good goal scorers learn how to work off of their teammates, get to open areas, find soft spots in the defense, etc. Tippett has real ability to beat defenders one on one but in order to become a better goal scorer. He needs to learn all of the above and to build chemistry with linemates. Then a 25 goal players turns into 35.

As you typically do, you are taking this statement completely out of context. The point of this statement was very simple, regardless of the stated goal that the franchise is rebuilding, we play every game to win. It's really that simple. The Flyers are rebuilding a standard they used to have, one that based on winning through maximum effort and the willingness to skate through a wall if need be. That is why Deslauriers and Hathaway are here, to build by example this standard. Both players, regardless of their skill level, play the game the right way.

Now if the deadline comes and the Flyers are buyers, or in the off season if they make a run at Lindholm, then you can say nothing has changed, that the Flyers are continuing the win now strategy. But I am very positive that will not happen.
- jd250

Nothing was taken out of context. There you go with the buzzword "standard". You've been brainwashed by that. Deslauriers is here because the Flyers still think a player like that has value. He doesn't. The Flyers need to and should do more than just not buy. They need to be sellers.

I think it’s asinine and sends the wrong message to fans to simply just sell while the team is playing well. Apart of development comes playoff experience. Nobody expected the Flyers to be this good and one season of being good doesn't mean they can't go back to sucking next year. You don't throw away a pretty good season with a line up of good young players to contend 5 years from now. Being good this one season doesn’t change anything. I’m one of the few who still wants them to trade Konency for as much as we can get this summer, no matter the outcome of the season but as long as we’re playing well, continue to do so, just don’t buy.

No single reason….while not actually naming one SPECIFIC reason….that’s convenient lol….because there’s nothing to add to what the Flyers said perhaps? Perhaps it makes him look like a A$$? At no point has the agent or player said or indicated that the Flyers were not telling the truth with what they said. I believe it’s probably as simple as feeling disrespected because DB told him nothing would be guaranteed if the Flyers signed him at the end of last season, Boston Colleges season… as reported by Scott Hartnell on Spitin chicklettes yesterday.
But sure you believe a guy that was so unprofessional is now occupying the moral high ground because he and his agent say their ‘taking the high road” ….interesting perspective you have.
- landros 2

How often do people break off relationships - with organizations, other people -etc. because of a combination of factors? All the time. You are making it seem far-fetched. But it is in fact the most obvious reason. You are also believing what the Flyers said and not seeing an ulterior motive, and disbelieving what Cutter said, and seeing an ulterior motive.

He gave the 2 and the + and the 2 😂 sound logic right
- ClaudeFather

The notion that he soured because of the ELC request alone is silly. First, even if he was willing to play earlier and not after it was refused doesn't mean it was the sole reason. It could simply be the straw that broke the camel's back.

Second, if he wanted to turn pro that urgently, he could have simply turned up for camp, or (if he had soured and wanted out) explicitly told the Flyers he wanted a trade to a franchise willing to give him a good chance to turn pro right away.

The fact that he did neither, and stayed in college for one more year suggests otherwise.

How often do people break off relationships - with organizations, other people -etc. because of a combination of factors? All the time. You are making it seem far-fetched. But it is in fact the most obvious reason. You are also believing what the Flyers said and not seeing an ulterior motive, and disbelieving what Cutter said, and seeing an ulterior motive.
- PT21

This is not a generality. This is a specific situation where there are known facts and a timeline which pretty much tells you all you need to know. It is in fact, clearly not the most obvious reason. Nobody is disbelieving what Gauthier said. Most people can sense BS when they hear it. Reality is that Gauthier is not saying anything.

The notion that he soured because of the ELC request alone is silly. First, even if he was willing to play earlier and not after it was refused doesn't mean it was the sole reason. It could simply be the straw that broke the camel's back.


- PT21

That is unlikely. He clearly was willing to sign with the Flyers in March of 23. Then was not in May of 23. One thing happened in that time period. What's silly is you continuing to argue differently when it's painfully obvious.

Second, if he wanted to turn pro that urgently, he could have simply turned up for camp, or (if he had soured and wanted out) explicitly told the Flyers he wanted a trade to a franchise willing to give him a good chance to turn pro right away.

The fact that he did neither, and stayed in college for one more year suggests otherwise.
- PT21

This again, is poorly thought out. When he wanted to turn pro urgently, there was no camp. It was at the end of the 22/23 season. He then in May, decided he didn't want to play for the Flyers and was obviously and foolishly willing to give up a season to force that.