And they have had some guys like Zegras and Drysdale that were drafted high, but seemed to have plateaued (obviously Drysdale now on Philly)…as an organization their main concern might be the Developmental side of these kids…Zellweger on D is very talented as well.
- landros 2

I was predominantly looking at potential all star to elite level players.

https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/_/year/2026/type/ufa/sort/contract_value

any notable free agents in the next two years that make sense for this team long term? mainly on C or D?

not a lot I'm seeing, might take a stab at Jake Bean depending on what our d corp looks like.
- gritty_committee

If they make it Bennent and Ekblad have Flyers written all over them. Will take a huge overpay

If they make it Bennent and Ekblad have Flyers written all over them. Will take a huge overpay
- login

100%

he's cheap, played with sanheim in junior and like I said it will depend on if some of these guys are still around or get moved.

overall point is i didn't see anything in the next two years that made a lot of sense. that's why i'd only really entertain a depth defenseman assuming 1 or even 2 of those guys gets moved.
- gritty_committee

Cheap is easy to come by. I don't see any reason for the Flyers to bring in marginal at best free agents. Then again, that's what they normally do. They also have Seeler for 3 more years after this to add to those 6.

Big news from Torts today: Ersson is his number 1, Kolosov is his number 2 and Fedotov is his number 3. Said he is working with Briere to see how to work this out once they are confident Ersson is healthy and can stay healthy.

havent seen any ducks games. after a tough start Cutter has 12 points in 27 games. not great by any means. he is adjusting like any young player. see how he does after the halfway mark.

getting trouba on the surface I think their though process is they can move him at the deadline for a nice haul as teams like his type. Though seeign what the GM said maybe they keep him.
- login

It’s not the points for Guathier…it was just his game over all…obviously very skilled guy…young…needs more time. But his game over all, even his skating reminded me of JVR.
Maybe he figures it out up in the NHL…it ain’t the easiest spot to learn on the go.

Big news from Torts today: Ersson is his number 1, Kolosov is his number 2 and Fedotov is his number 3. Said he is working with Briere to see how to work this out once they are confident Ersson is healthy and can stay healthy.
- jd250

Tortorella is the coach, correct. He recently made a statement that there will be no free agents in the next two years. Now this comment, if accurately reported. See the problem here?

https://x.com/charlieo_co...76ziiR_YwfHxzeSwQVkA&s=19

Kolosov and Zamula in- Andrae out. If you are surprised Andrae is scratched this soon- well Seeler is a made man on the left side especially after his fight with Olivier- that is not happening

Andrae sitting tonight, Z is in. Torts said Andrae is sitting because he has been struggling with and without the puck lately.

Big news from Torts today: Ersson is his number 1, Kolosov is his number 2 and Fedotov is his number 3. Said he is working with Briere to see how to work this out once they are confident Ersson is healthy and can stay healthy.
- jd250

i guess if you're going to alienate a goalie it might as well be one that doesn't have a long term future here

Big news from Torts today: Ersson is his number 1, Kolosov is his number 2 and Fedotov is his number 3. Said he is working with Briere to see how to work this out once they are confident Ersson is healthy and can stay healthy.
- jd250

that is huge news. so shocking.

Tortorella is the coach, correct. He recently made a statement that there will be no free agents in the next two years. Now this comment, if accurately reported. See the problem here?
- MJL

are you saying danny is not allowed to make his own decision? needs to get coach approval

that is huge news. so shocking.
- login

i agree that it's shocking they're doing the right thing.

https://x.com/charlieo_conn/status/1867224399406903608?t=t976ziiR_YwfHxzeSwQVkA&s=19

Kolosov and Zamula in- Andrae out. If you are surprised Andrae is scratched this soon- well Seeler is a made man on the left side especially after his fight with Olivier- that is not happening
- Trox88

Andrae also got is bell rung a little so not shocked he is out. looked like he was on queer street. I miss gorilla monsoon.

I was predominantly looking at potential all star to elite level players.
- MJL

I got that…was just adding to your comment. When Drysdale was drafted it was as a sure fire top pair guy. Zegras was looked upon as a top line forward…a fair question in Ana should be about their ability to develop. They definitely have the assets to build with, but will these kids hit ? And at what level…we shall see.

Tortorella is the coach, correct. He recently made a statement that there will be no free agents in the next two years. Now this comment, if accurately reported. See the problem here?
- MJL

They have 3 goalies for 2 positions. Who else but the coaching staff should evaluate who is the starting goalie and who is the backup? We all watch the games. Kolosov has had his negative moments, but overall he has played better than Fedotov. Torts said he talked to Fedotov about this already. Its now up to Briere to figure out how to get Fedotov down to the Phantoms, which may not be possible forcing a trade. Its a shame actually, since the Phantoms could really use Fedotov right now.

i agree that it's shocking they're doing the right thing.
- gritty_committee

what are they doing right? Stevie wonder can see what the pecking order is for the goalies.

if they want to do what is right you send Fedotov down to get playing time on a daily/consistent basis.

Andrae sitting tonight, Z is in. Torts said Andrae is sitting because he has been struggling with and without the puck lately.
- jd250

It’s not a thing to have him sit a game or two. I thought the other night was his worst game.

They have 3 goalies for 2 positions. Who else but the coaching staff should evaluate who is the starting goalie and who is the backup? We all watch the games. Kolosov has had his negative moments, but overall he has played better than Fedotov. Torts said he talked to Fedotov about this already. Its now up to Briere to figure out how to get Fedotov down to the Phantoms, which may not be possible forcing a trade. Its a shame actually, since the Phantoms could really use Fedotov right now.
- jd250

why not?

I do wonder if they are trying to nudge Fedotov some type of mutual termination of contract to go back to the KHL.

Next year goalie depth chart probably-
Flyers- Ersson, Kosolov
Phantoms- Makiniemi, Bjarnason

I got that…was just adding to your comment. When Drysdale was drafted it was as a sure fire top pair guy. Zegras was looked upon as a top line forward…a fair question in Ana should be about their ability to develop. They definitely have the assets to build with, but will these kids hit ? And at what level…we shall see.
- landros 2

It's a huge issue in Anaheim since they seem to rush players into the NHL, especially defenseman. Drysdale is a perfect example. He is rushed to the NHL, onto a poorly coached and unstructured losing team and was not developed physically or mentally. The result is he gets hurt and loses over a year of development. For the first time in his short career, he is getting coached and has grown physically stronger. I think now at least he has a chance with the Flyers to turn into very good player. Best thing for him was to get out of that loser culture that is the Ducks.

What tanking teams are currently succeeding? Chicago is worse this year than they were last year, which is hard to do. The natives are getting wrestless in Detroit, they have been in the same spot for several seasons now. Montreal is a mess and worse than the Sabres. The Sharks and Ducks are two of the worst teams in the league!

It's all about timing! Teams can tank and pick in the top 5 for multiple years, but that does not guarantee them anything and we see this over and over again. If a team inserts young and promising talent into a losing culture, more often than not those players will continue to be part of a losing culture. The Flyers are trying to build a winning culture for players like Michkov, Luchanko, Bonk and Barkey can be part of. I think they are doing it the right way.

The Flyers have obviously put a lot of weight on this coming draft, and unfortunately based on current projections this does not seem to be a deep draft. Therefore for the Flyers to be picking in the teens again will not get them what they need to get to the next level, i.e. a true 1D and 1C, unless of course they get extremely lucky. So what do they do? With Michkov the Flyers have a real chance to make the playoffs this year and i'm afraid that is what they will try to do, making their picks even lower in the draft. Thus I see them making pre-draft and draft day trades to try to get the players they target. Will this work? I don't know. But it has just as much of a chance to work as sucking and drafting high year after year.
- jd250

Many tanking teams have been successful. You cant use Chicago as an example. They only started tanking 1-2 years ago. Its a 10+ year process. Examples of successful tanks would bet:

Colorado
Pittsburgh
Washington
LA Kings
Florida Panthers
Washington Capitals
Chicago Blackhawks (Past)
Tampa Bay Lightning

All these teams won cups with a core that was built through the draft with early picks. Tanking is not a few year process. You need to draft and hit on a bunch of key players and then you need to develop them. Colorado for example won their cup 9 years after selecting MacKinnon in the draft in 2013

Tanking is not a guarantee but players like Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Ovi, Backstrom, Carlson, Kucherov, Point, Hedman, Stamkos, Barkov, Ekblad, Huberdeau, Tkachuk, Reinhart, Kopitar, Doughty, Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Mackinnon, Rantanen, Makar and Landeskog are extremely rare to get outside of a top 10 pick. I am aware some do fit that criteria but that doesnt change the fact those teams got lucky. Florida got extremely lucky that Buffalo has been incompetent. They also got lucky that Tkachuk wanted out of Calgary. they also managed to get Forsling off waivers.

Tanking is really just the process of gaining a core. After the tank is done you still have to build a winner. Just as there are examples of successful tanks there are examples of unsuccessful tanks as well. Edmonton had to do it twice. Buffalo is still doing it. Utah\Arizona was never successful, Columbus hasnt successfully rebuilt,

Unless the Flyers create their own luck like Florida did. They arent getting any more Core players unless they finish in the top 10.

Andrae sitting tonight, Z is in. Torts said Andrae is sitting because he has been struggling with and without the puck lately.
- jd250

He is sitting because he got his bell rung in Columbus. Andrae hasnt been struggling at all.

why not?
- login

He would have pass waivers and I think that will be difficult.

He is sitting because he got his bell rung in Columbus. Andrae hasnt been struggling at all.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Not what Torts said today.