Lindros era was brought down by Clarke's belief in not spending huge money on a goaltender. With no salary cap, this was a catastrophic mistake. An arguable GOAT goaltender (Brodeur) was in the division and also Mike Richter.

Michkov is trending towards a generational player. Briere is going to have to make tough choices about the roster or risk Michkov having a Giroux type career. The roster is not good enough and the center depth is abysmal with very little immediate help on the horizon. Realistically, Luchanko is the only realistic option for center help within the next 2 seasons. So the Flyers will have wasted Michkov's entire ELC with very little help at center.
- Trox88

I don't see Michkov as trending towards or becoming a generational player. That's not really something you work towards in the NHL. A generational player is that from day 1. Like Crosby and McDavid. I think he can reach the level of Artemi Panarin or Kaprizov. I agree completely on the center issue. Two choices moving forward. Try to acquire a center by trade or free agency. Which will most likely mean a 2nd tier or aging player that might improve the team but unlikely to launch them to true contender status. Or consider the acquisition of Michkov the beginning of a rebuild and look to add through the draft. Which path are the Flyers most likely to take and which one gives the best odds of getting the team to where they need to be? I know which I would choose.

is that was said or being discussed?

making a bad choice does not equate to poor management. no Managment team is infallible or perfect. if that is your expectation then you will be disappointed all the time.
- login

So how do you gauge a front office then?

So how do you gauge a front office then?
- mickel25

it was poor during the lindros era. no cup = poor. my bad.

The next draft especially. 6 picks, probably in the top 45. The draft has no generational talent at the top, but there are a lot of good prospect well into the 2nd round.
- landros 2

Two centers, a scoring left wing and another top 2-3 defender is my opinion of what they need. They could easily pick up two of those if not 3 this draft if they choose right. Thats a big if but it can be done with the capital that they have.

Lindros era was brought down by Clarke's belief in not spending huge money on a goaltender. With no salary cap, this was a catastrophic mistake. An arguable GOAT goaltender (Brodeur) was in the division and also Mike Richter.

Michkov is trending towards a generational player. Briere is going to have to make tough choices about the roster or risk Michkov having a Giroux type career. The roster is not good enough and the center depth is abysmal with very little immediate help on the horizon. Realistically, Luchanko is the only realistic option for center help within the next 2 seasons. So the Flyers will have wasted Michkov's entire ELC with very little help at center.
- Trox88

this will likely lead to overcompensating and drafting for need over elite level players. like potentially the 2024 draft.

Two centers, a scoring left wing and another top 2-3 defender is my opinion of what they need. They could easily pick up two of those if not 3 this draft if they choose right. Thats a big if but it can be done with the capital that they have.
- psuhockey

need a goalie as well. they need a first and 2nd line center IMO. Need another top pair guy as well.

what are the chances that they address 2 or 3 of those needs in one draft? if so will be years out before any meaningful contribution.

Two centers, a scoring left wing and another top 2-3 defender is my opinion of what they need. They could easily pick up two of those if not 3 this draft if they choose right. Thats a big if but it can be done with the capital that they have.
- psuhockey

Even if they do it's still 5-7 years until they are impact players in the NHL. And yes, I understand every once in a while a player will be an impact guy right away, but that is so rare. Especially for players taken outside the top 10.

it was poor during the lindros era. no cup = poor. my bad.
- login

They had an MVP/generational talent at center. The best first line in hockey. A top defensive pairing in the league. Very good center depth. Financial advantage over 80% of the league. An owner that allowed you to make any move you deemed necessary to win.

To have all of that and not win a cup is poor management in my opinion. It's fine if you disagree.

The next draft especially. 6 picks, probably in the top 45. The draft has no generational talent at the top, but there are a lot of good prospect well into the 2nd round.
- landros 2

I agree with your assessment of the upcoming draft. For that reason, I am not thrilled with having 6 picks in the first 2 rds. If Briere uses all these picks in the hope of drafting a great prospect from a "good pool" is sketchy. He traded out of the 1st rd last season to this draft. At the time I was fine with it.

I believe they thought Michkov would come over early, just not this early. If they use all 6 picks on prospects, realistically we'll see them on an NHL roster at the earliest into year 1 of Michkov's second contract. Development is not linear, so how many more years are added to be difference makers. Not sure, players like York, Andrae, and Drysdale developed at different arcs. Of course, there is a chance still Drysdale and/or Andrae will not turn out to be major contributors. Still TBD.

Doesn't every team have that mandate? Not the mandate I'm referring to.
- MJL

The point is there is nothing wrong with the Flyers making trades or signing players, as long as they have a plan to get this team to the next level. Torts slipped something out last week that I thought was interesting when he stated there will be no free agents coming this year or next year. But at some point, the Fyers will have cap space and should sign players to fill in some gaps on the team. There is nothing wrong with this approach, as long as its balanced with of course drafting and developing and making good hockey trades. There is really no one way to build a championship team.

I don't see Michkov as trending towards or becoming a generational player. That's not really something you work towards in the NHL. A generational player is that from day 1. Like Crosby and McDavid. I think he can reach the level of Artemi Panarin or Kaprizov. I agree completely on the center issue. Two choices moving forward. Try to acquire a center by trade or free agency. Which will most likely mean a 2nd tier or aging player that might improve the team but unlikely to launch them to true contender status. Or consider the acquisition of Michkov the beginning of a rebuild and look to add through the draft. Which path are the Flyers most likely to take and which one gives the best odds of getting the team to where they need to be? I know which I would choose.
- MJL

I want them to add through the draft but to have a good chance at a top and elite center the Flyers will need to pick in the top 5 of a Meh draft or the top 10 of a deep draft. This year the top 5 centers in the draft are projected to go within the first 10 picks, thus the Flyers finishing with the 14th pick to start with is not going to move the needle. In fact, having 6 picks in the first two rounds of a Meh draft is not going to move the needle.

Two centers, a scoring left wing and another top 2-3 defender is my opinion of what they need. They could easily pick up two of those if not 3 this draft if they choose right. Thats a big if but it can be done with the capital that they have.
- psuhockey

That's not exactly what they need. As of right now it's a #1 center and a #2 center, a #1 defenseman as well as another quality top 4 level defenseman, preferably a top pairing caliber talent. The odds of them getting all three in this upcoming draft is extremely unlikely. No matter how many picks they have.

The point is there is nothing wrong with the Flyers making trades or signing players, as long as they have a plan to get this team to the next level. Torts slipped something out last week that I thought was interesting when he stated there will be no free agents coming this year or next year. But at some point, the Fyers will have cap space and should sign players to fill in some gaps on the team. There is nothing wrong with this approach, as long as its balanced with of course drafting and developing and making good hockey trades. There is really no one way to build a championship team.
- jd250

Missing the point and the context of the Flyers history and what they do. They rush and push things. They lack patience and sound judgement. Tortorella is a BS artist. There is no doubt that as soon as the Flyers get the means to, they will jump in head first into free agency. They will look to escalate and make trades. Continuing to follow a mindset and philosophy that has failed for 14 years and counting. There are many way to build a team but there is clearly one way and one approach that has the best odds of being successful.

need a goalie as well. they need a first and 2nd line center IMO. Need another top pair guy as well.

what are the chances that they address 2 or 3 of those needs in one draft? if so will be years out before any meaningful contribution.
- login

With 6 picks in the top 50, I think they can address at least two of those needs. If they can’t hit 2 out of 6, it’s the full Hextall experience all over again.

As far as when they will have an impact, you are right it will take years until they hit their prime but any center drafted will be a positive addition compared to what they have right now. Luchenko right now would probably be the 2nd best center on the team and better than Cates and the way Frost is playing this year. A lot will depend on where they pick their first one.

The point is there is nothing wrong with the Flyers making trades or signing players, as long as they have a plan to get this team to the next level. Torts slipped something out last week that I thought was interesting when he stated there will be no free agents coming this year or next year. But at some point, the Fyers will have cap space and should sign players to fill in some gaps on the team. There is nothing wrong with this approach, as long as its balanced with of course drafting and developing and making good hockey trades. There is really no one way to build a championship team.
- jd250

love when the coach of a team is running the show. no top free agents are coming here and having torts as coach is a detriment to that.

Would you extend torts for 2 more years?

With 6 picks in the top 50, I think they can address at least two of those needs. If they can’t hit 2 out of 6, it’s the full Hextall experience all over again.

As far as when they will have an impact, you are right it will take years until they hit their prime but any center drafted will be a positive addition compared to what they have right now. Luchenko right now would probably be the 2nd best center on the team and better than Cates and the way Frost is playing this year. A lot will depend on where they pick their first one.
- psuhockey

this is sad really.

they will likely pick in 10-14 range if they stay the course they are on. longer they stay in playoff contention the likelihood they buy increases to me.

they are not going to get 2 high end players imo who fit what they need. they may very well get 2 good productive depth players which is fine to an extent.

With 6 picks in the top 50, I think they can address at least two of those needs. If they can’t hit 2 out of 6, it’s the full Hextall experience all over again.

As far as when they will have an impact, you are right it will take years until they hit their prime but any center drafted will be a positive addition compared to what they have right now. Luchenko right now would probably be the 2nd best center on the team and better than Cates and the way Frost is playing this year. A lot will depend on where they pick their first one.
- psuhockey

Hitting on picks in the top 50 outside of the top 10 means getting a good player. It doesn't mean getting a #1 center or defenseman. If you get a player drafted where the Flyers picks are likely to be that become a top 4 defenseman or top 6 center, that's a hit. It's elite or bust for this team. Without adding elite talent, it's not going to ultimately matter.
Luchanko showed that he was not ready yet for full time NHL play. While he showed glimpses of talent, he was overwhelmed.

love when the coach of a team is running the show. no top free agents are coming here and having torts as coach is a detriment to that.

Would you extend torts for 2 more years?
- login

Briere and Jones both said the same thing before the season started so it’s not Tortorella running the show.

Hitting on picks in the top 50 outside of the top 10 means getting a good player. It doesn't mean getting a #1 center or defenseman. If you get a player drafted where the Flyers picks are likely to be that become a top 4 defenseman or top 6 center, that's a hit. It's elite or bust for this team. Without adding elite talent, it's not going to ultimately matter.
Luchanko showed that he was not ready yet for full time NHL play. While he showed glimpses of talent, he was overwhelmed.
- MJL

Look up where the overwhelming majority of Norris trophy winners were drafted. They have not been in the top 10.

Look up where the overwhelming majority of Norris trophy winners were drafted. They have not been in the top 10.
- psuhockey

Now look up how many defenseman have been drafted outside of the top 10 and how many of them turned out to be Norris trophy winners. Now you have your odds.

Briere and Jones both said the same thing before the season started so it’s not Tortorella running the show.
- psuhockey

Briere and Jones both said the team won't be signing any UFA's in the next two years before the season started?

Briere and Jones both said the same thing before the season started so it’s not Tortorella running the show.
- psuhockey

only a fool would think he doesn't have the majority say at the nhl level as to what happens.

Look up where the overwhelming majority of Norris trophy winners were drafted. They have not been in the top 10.
- psuhockey

flyers history in drafting/developing dman is stellar.

only a fool would think he doesn't have the majority say at the nhl level as to what happens.
- login

You think he has the majority say on signing free agents?

Briere and Jones both said the team won't be signing any UFA's in the next two years before the season started?
- MJL

Yes