The Key is finishing in the top 10 at the right time and then making the right decision. Tanking does not guarantee you anything. The Flyers got extremely lucky to get the 2017 #2 pick, and we all know what happened. In 2007 they had the 2nd overall pick and we saw what happened with a very weak draft that year. Then in 2015 the Flyers with the 7th pick get Provorov, while getting TK with the 24th pick, and we see what happened there. You said it right, a team can get a very talented player with a high pick, but unless they get lucky with health, are able to development them and insert them into a well coached and wininng culture, it will not matter. Florida didn't win because they drafted high. They won because they made bold trades at the right times.
- jd250

So you would agree the Flyers are not doing this correctly? Outside of MM39 which they truly lucked into we are not drafting in a position, or possibility, of elite talent. Keep picking outside the top 10 and build up more middle 6 talent. This only leads to perpetual mediocrity.

He was conscripted because he screwed up. A good goalie can make a good living in Russia in the KHL. I'd put him through waivers. Don't think he would get claimed.
- MJL

The salaries in the K are not very good. I’m sure he’d do fine but in comparison he’d be losing an awful lot of $.

The salaries in the K are not very good. I’m sure he’d do fine but in comparison he’d be losing an awful lot of $.
- landros 2

Compare to the NHL, no but he can still make a good living.

They have been patient since the Eichel years
- WhiskeyMan

Have they though? For a patient team they moved a lot of young tallent that went on to be way more successful elsewhere.

Eichel
Reinhart
Montour
Ullmark

They botched the Eichel situation. People also laugh at the fact the Flyers are building "Culture" but Buffalo is a prime example of what a lack of Culture and identity can do. That team has a losers mentality. They clearly have the skill to be a good team with Thompson, Cozens, Dahlin, Peterka, Tuch, Byram and UPL. Adams also made the mistake of relying to heavily on youth, expecting a 19 year old to shoulder the burden of top 6 mins.

Buffalo is poied to make a dumb trade. Hopefully Briere can get involved

So you would agree the Flyers are not doing this correctly? Outside of MM39 which they truly lucked into we are not drafting in a position, or possibility, of elite talent. Keep picking outside the top 10 and build up more middle 6 talent. This only leads to perpetual mediocrity.
- Flyfly

And forces them to overpay for UFA's if they want to acquire elite talent. Which is rarely available because teams lock them up long term. So then you overpay non elite talent at an elite level, killing your cap and artificially shortening your compete window before you are in cap hell again.

I'm playing the odds. If they draft a very good player with the 2nd maybe but I wouldn't count on it. Gauthier versus Drysdale, I'd put my money on Gauthier.

I wasn't discussing the Giroux trade and that's a very different animal.
- MJL

The reason why I mentioned the G trade is how do we analyze trades between teams. Organizations have assets- players under contract, prospects, and draft picks to improve the team. Drafting prospects is one way to improve the team, but trades are pretty important also. Even trading draft picks for draft picks should be evaluated as a net gain or loss depending on what using the asset became. Example- trading FLAs 1st for EDMs 1st yr- could be a nothing trade to a best case outcome led to acquiring an asset that helped them win the Cup

The salaries in the K are not very good. I’m sure he’d do fine but in comparison he’d be losing an awful lot of $.
- landros 2

The official salaries are not very good but theres a ton of "Off the book" deals. Players make a lot more under the table. KHL has many ties to the mob. The entire league is corrupt

Have they though? For a patient team they moved a lot of young tallent that went on to be way more successful elsewhere.

Eichel
Reinhart
Montour
Ullmark

They botched the Eichel situation. People also laugh at the fact the Flyers are building "Culture" but Buffalo is a prime example of what a lack of Culture and identity can do. That team has a losers mentality. They clearly have the skill to be a good team with Thompson, Cozens, Dahlin, Peterka, Tuch, Byram and UPL. Adams also made the mistake of relying to heavily on youth, expecting a 19 year old to shoulder the burden of top 6 mins.

Buffalo is poied to make a dumb trade. Hopefully Briere can get involved
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

What's laughed at is that some think the Flyers are building a winning culture when it's currently impossible. Which is the same reason Buffalo hasn't. You claim they have a losers mentality when actually it's really about the build of the team rather than any culture or mentality. Here is the true issue. When you're team has not been successful for as long as the Sabres have, when you hire a new GM. He is immediately under the gun and is mandated to improve. He has a short window to succeed. That is a mentality that can lead to a lot of mistakes.

Compare to the NHL, no but he can still make a good living.
- MJL

Ya the top guys are around 1 million US….but the rouble has fallen off a Cliff so who knows what they are worth….true the cost of living is totally different…but this guy would be set for life in Russia if he collects his guaranteed contract for 2 years.

The official salaries are not very good but theres a ton of "Off the book" deals. Players make a lot more under the table. KHL has many ties to the mob. The entire league is corrupt
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

That is true…I Have a few buddies over the years that have played there… and around Europe…the under the table $ and “extra’s” is something to behold….it’s a different world.

The reason why I mentioned the G trade is how do we analyze trades between teams. Organizations have assets- players under contract, prospects, and draft picks to improve the team. Drafting prospects is one way to improve the team, but trades are pretty important also. Even trading draft picks for draft picks should be evaluated as a net gain or loss depending on what using the asset became. Example- trading FLAs 1st for EDMs 1st yr- could be a nothing trade to a best case outcome led to acquiring an asset that helped them win the Cup
- Trox88

With a trade involving a player like Giroux, who was traded as a rental, the benchmark is very different. The Flyers received Tippett and a first, which if I'm not mistaken, they haven't made yet. Florida was going to keep him for a short time. It's a completely different situation then the Drysdale/Gauthier deal.

Have they though? For a patient team they moved a lot of young tallent that went on to be way more successful elsewhere.

Eichel
Reinhart
Montour
Ullmark

They botched the Eichel situation. People also laugh at the fact the Flyers are building "Culture" but Buffalo is a prime example of what a lack of Culture and identity can do. That team has a losers mentality. They clearly have the skill to be a good team with Thompson, Cozens, Dahlin, Peterka, Tuch, Byram and UPL. Adams also made the mistake of relying to heavily on youth, expecting a 19 year old to shoulder the burden of top 6 mins.

Buffalo is poied to make a dumb trade. Hopefully Briere can get involved
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

What do the Flyers have to offer thay at Buffalo would want?

Ya the top guys are around 1 million US….but the rouble has fallen off a Cliff so who knows what they are worth….true the cost of living is totally different…but this guy would be set for life in Russia if he collects his guaranteed contract for 2 years.
- landros 2

I agree with you that if they waive Fedotov and he clears and is sent to the AHL. It is unlikely that he leaves that paycheck for Russia.

And forces them to overpay for UFA's if they want to acquire elite talent. Which is rarely available because teams lock them up long term. So then you overpay non elite talent at an elite level, killing your cap and artificially shortening your compete window before you are in cap hell again.
- MBFlyerfan

Exactly, we have seen this all before. I just would like it if they could articulate what their "plan" is for the future. They refuse to bottom out so my take is they are going to try and trade and sign UFAs on bloated contracts.

buffalo has more wins than the flyers last 3 years
- login

Go root for them...PLEASE!!! Go Sabres!!

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

Dude, he makes 8 mil a year and is slowing down rapidly. The Rags fans couldn't wait to unload him on some sap team. Why is it that you worship every other team's moves and rip EVERY move that the Flyguys make? Clown! That was a dumb move by the Ducks and they bailed the Rags out by taking on the entire contract.

What do the Flyers have to offer thay at Buffalo would want?
- furio16

Torts! So they can build a culture!

Torts! So they can build a culture!
- mikeyo27

It's funny that you say that. Rags fans have been off their hinges with the recent Rags implosion and a few of them said that the team has been soft since Torts left.

Dude, he makes 8 mil a year and is slowing down rapidly. The Rags fans couldn't wait to unload him on some sap team. Why is it that you worship every other team's moves and rip EVERY move that the Flyguys make? Clown! That was a dumb move by the Ducks and they bailed the Rags out by taking on the entire contract.
- Phillywhiteout

dude, every day you post you show why you are a dope. lets address your points in your post.

1. where am I worshipping the ducks acquiring Trouba? take it a step further where am I worshipping other teams moves?

2. Where did I support or say it was a good move or wasn't dumb on the ducks part?

I will patiently await your educated response.

Andrae is clearly the better player with Zam, maybe Torts is trying to tank.

It's funny that you say that. Rags fans have been off their hinges with the recent Rags implosion and a few of them said that the team has been soft since Torts left.

- Phillywhiteout

I’m not a huge Torts fan, but culture IS important. Work ethic Is important. One thing he does seem to build (while alienating some players) is a work ethic and team concept. Being labeled “soft” is a horrible label for a hockey player/team. I will give Torts credit for the fact that this current team doesn’t mail it in, they stick up for one another, and I would suspect (even though I have no personal knowledge) that the Flyers are at or fast approaching the point where it’s not the coach who says “we don’t do that here” it’s the players who are saying that.

I’m not a huge Torts fan, but culture IS important. Work ethic Is important. One thing he does seem to build (while alienating some players) is a work ethic and team concept. Being labeled “soft” is a horrible label for a hockey player/team. I will give Torts credit for the fact that this current team doesn’t mail it in, they stick up for one another, and I would suspect (even though I have no personal knowledge) that the Flyers are at or fast approaching the point where it’s not the coach who says “we don’t do that here” it’s the players who are saying that.
- mikeyo27

Which is going to do what for them? They have the fewest regulation wins in the league.

I’m not a huge Torts fan, but culture IS important. Work ethic Is important. One thing he does seem to build (while alienating some players) is a work ethic and team concept. Being labeled “soft” is a horrible label for a hockey player/team. I will give Torts credit for the fact that this current team doesn’t mail it in, they stick up for one another, and I would suspect (even though I have no personal knowledge) that the Flyers are at or fast approaching the point where it’s not the coach who says “we don’t do that here” it’s the players who are saying that.
- mikeyo27

saying what? we don't win here?

With a trade involving a player like Giroux, who was traded as a rental, the benchmark is very different. The Flyers received Tippett and a first, which if I'm not mistaken, they haven't made yet. Florida was going to keep him for a short time. It's a completely different situation then the Drysdale/Gauthier deal.
- MJL

They traded that pick to Edmonton so they will be using that Edmonton pick in this upcoming draft.

What do the Flyers have to offer thay at Buffalo would want?
- furio16

Pointless question. No one but Buffalo can answer this. Just because you might not want someone doesnt mean they wouldnt. Many never wanted Ristolainen yet Fletcher did. Kevin Adams will add whatever players he thinks make his team better, doesnt matter if they actually will or wont, all that matters is the GM adding them does.