I peeked at the standings. Boston is 5 points ahead, with 2 games in hand. Lets give hem 2 points out of 4 to make up the slack (they are about 0.64 win %). That means they would be 7 points ahead with 18 to go. They will likely own the tie-breaker, so that's 1 more point.

That means Flyers will have to win 4 more games than Boston to get in over 18 games. If Boston carries current trajectory, they would win about 12 out of 18.

So, to get in, Flyers would need to win 16 of the next 18.
- PT21

When I looked this morning, it appears we are 2.5 losses from realistic mathematical defeat. Without a winning streak in the last 3 weeks, it’s not been looking good.

I may not have said that part clearly. I am not tuning out. I will have the game on tonight, until the end, no matter what. I am old enough that the losses don't hurt like they used to, but the thrilling wins, especially playoffs, especially live (I have been to hundreds of games) still get me high. I may not pay attention to every play, but the tv and volume will be on.
As for your analogies, I must not be smart enough, because few, if any, have hit the mark for me. This one is really weird, though. To me at least.
- Stanley Cup

It was certainly labored, because I struggled to find an analogy of a financial interest in a marriage which is connected to a personality trait without resoritng to crudeness.

Let me be more blunt:

Sports as a business model (and please remember, sports franchises are not non-profit entities) is quite exploitative. At its core, it relies financially on the unquestioning loyalty of fans. But it is able to ride this unquestioning loyalty to $ without making changes to strategy that a normal business would have to. In other words, the unquestioning loyalty is not two-sided.

Lets say a business sold a product. There was a flaw in the product. What would be the biggest incentive for the business to change/improve its product? Fleeing customers. But now, suppose enough did not flee: what would be the incentive for the firm to change? Nothing, except to pretend that it is doing its best and so on.

Good for you to stay tuned. I am not speaking for anybody else but myself. I will sort of take a bird's eye view, and check my emotions at the door.

Is that clearer?

Does the analogy still work if the wife leaves the lights on instead of the over sweetening thing?
- mickel25

Certainly, if she has stock in an utility company.

stop with the firing of AV thing it makes no sense

- 2Real

Well we cannot fire GM few days before trade deadline and I take AV accountable for Therien mess.
But agree maybe after the season it makes more sense.
But I hope all the other trades and actions happen within next 3-4 days.
No other compromises here :-)

It was certainly labored, because I struggled to find an analogy of a financial interest in a marriage which is connected to a personality trait without resoritng to crudeness.

Let me be more blunt:

Sports as a business model (and please remember, sports franchises are not non-profit entities) is quite exploitative. At its core, it relies financially on the unquestioning loyalty of fans. But it is able to ride this unquestioning loyalty to $ without making changes to strategy that a normal business would have to. In other words, the unquestioning loyalty is not two-sided.

Lets say a business sold a product. There was a flaw in the product. What would be the biggest incentive for the business to change/improve its product? Fleeing customers. But now, suppose enough did not flee: what would be the incentive for the firm to change? Nothing, except to pretend that it is doing its best and so on.

Good for you to stay tuned. I am not speaking for anybody else but myself. I will sort of take a bird's eye view, and check my emotions at the door.

Is that clearer?
- PT21

Clearer? Not sure, but I get the point now. My wife and I are in love with each other. I am in love with the Flyers, but they are in love with my money.
That said, in both cases I knew what I was getting into when I began my relationships (or at least once becoming an adult, concerning the Flyers). I will leave my wife out of this part, but I knowingly became a STH 28 years ago. I spend my money on tickets and beer. I do not spend my money on parking, food, collectibles or jerseys. I do so, because I love the atmosphere, especially at playoff games. I currently go to only a few regular season games per year, but hit as many of the playoff games as my schedule allows. Whatever the cost, if I can be there when they win Me, it will have been worth every penny and heartache.

As I mentioned before I’ll be back once there is a different version of this team iced. I’ve just had more than enough of the thinking that a core of G, Jake, Coots and JVR is good enough. In the meantime I’m going to watch fun teams. I just can’t with the way this roster is constructed anymore.
- hereticpride

I think over the next couple of years the core will be changed....I agree that the current version needs a makeover. Where I hold out hope is there are some other organizations looking to do the same. Hopefully some finally come this off-season It’s frustrating to watch and has been since the first years of the Hextall regime. When old man Snider passed accountability seemed to pass along with him. That’s probably the most disappointing thing is the team no longer has an identity to be proud of. You watch them mail in games with out a whimper...it’s just not Flyer hockey...it’s not entertaining. Hopefully Fletcher is the guy to bring the Flyers back, but his lack of response with the current roster does give me pause. I was fine with Hextall getting axed, it was in my view over due...I’m just not sold on the guy that replaced him.

I would certainly like to see different looks and different prospects. Anything that at least makes me think we are evaluating for a new look Flyers next season.

It is coming. They will slide a few more games first. But also don’t want everyone up. At least development can happen with he phantoms. Playing heavier minutes. I’m ok with having tanner in. But if only playing 8 to 10 a night. Yes give him a few games and then let him help lead the phantoms to hopefully a deep run. Hell. At the end of the season I would consider sending farabee down to help.


- NC Flyers Fan

Provy pp1 🤮

Bill, much respect for all you do here and the high standards you set but a few points I want to contradict:

1. This is largely akin to the doctor saying there is a treatment available more likely to provide results but I am not going to offer it. The doctor should have his license revoked. Else, the patient should go elsewhere

2. I don't believe you have to replace anything. This 'replacement' motto is code for regular season stagnation. Giroux's time has come and gone. He is not part of a cup winning team in the near future, so the rational thing is to sell and recoup young assets.

3. Bill, this is not a knee-jerk reaction. It stems from several decades of this franchise refusing to do the rational thing and either taking advantage of fan loyalties or being too obdurate to change course (I do not know which is closer to the truth). Finally, it has not been a strange season for all other teams. The teams that were supposed to be contenders: TB, Vegas, Avs, Boston, Wash, are pretty much still so.
- PT21

I’m not sure you can say knee jerk reaction to anything that Fletcher does....after getting blown out by the Rangers and the Sabres and basically not showing up for several of the March games I would suggest to do nothing is a sign that Fletcher isn’t the right guy to get this team to the next level. The excuses have become common place with this organization. Time to call a spade a spade. This team is not very good.

stop with the firing of AV thing it makes no sense

- 2Real

I more interested to know which team would, or can, take on Voracek's cap hit for a bag of pucks.

When I looked this morning, it appears we are 2.5 losses from realistic mathematical defeat. Without a winning streak in the last 3 weeks, it’s not been looking good.
- NC Flyers Fan

3 point games make it tough to make up that type of ground....not having a very good team, makes it even tougher.

Clearer? Not sure, but I get the point now. My wife and I are in love with each other. I am in love with the Flyers, but they are in love with my money.
That said, in both cases I knew what I was getting into when I began my relationships (or at least once becoming an adult, concerning the Flyers). I will leave my wife out of this part, but I knowingly became a STH 28 years ago. I spend my money on tickets and beer. I do not spend my money on parking, food, collectibles or jerseys. I do so, because I love the atmosphere, especially at playoff games. I currently go to only a few regular season games per year, but hit as many of the playoff games as my schedule allows. Whatever the cost, if I can be there when they win Me, it will have been worth every penny and heartache.
- Stanley Cup

That is truly wonderful. No should tell you your attitude is wrong. But it goes to support my point.

A large # of sports fans are either unwavering in their emotional loyalty, or just want to be entertained for the evening, and so on. Either way, as long as the franchise doesn't do anything dramatic that rattles the fanbase, there is very little incentive to do the sort of hard organizational shakeup that would lead to say, winning the cup. The ownership can always point to stories of luck, and randomness, and effort and so on.

Sports franchises just rise and rise in value. I believe an average NHL club is worth well over 3 times what it was 15 years ago. It is completely uncorrelated with playoff success. Revenue sharing, lack of anti-trust legislation, and the CBA has created this peculiar beast.

I more interested to know which team would, or can, take on Voracek's cap hit for a bag of pucks.
- MBFlyerfan

oh jake yea he's a great player he does some stuff on the ice i'd be a shame if we lost him for like a 4th round pick or something something

agree, least of our worries, easy contract with little to no risk and actually some upside now. Morin has shown so far that toughness was needed.
- wcorvette

This team needing to be tougher was never in doubt for me. Morin singlehandey bringing this type of new life back into this team is the only thing keeping me watching.

When you look back at those teams that had big, tough and scrappy players with the likes of Richards, Hartnell, Simmonds, Pronger, Gudas, Asham, Downie, Brashear, Richardson, Therrien, Carrillo, Laperriere, McGillis, Fedorak and Cote. You just knew that a big hit or a fight could spark a team.

I’ve seen zero life in the Flyers in the passed 3 to 4 seasons.

A few (not so) enlightened opinions. The way to a championship is through the draft, but a good portion of that success comes down to dumb luck. If Patrick was draft ready the year McDavid and Eichel were, he would have been chosen much further down. You cannot keep changing head coaches, unless there is someone available that is truly extraordinary and even then its no sure thing. This triumvirate of coaches isn't working. Too many voices in the players heads. In this weird hockey year, Covid infections and pauses are harder on some players and teams than others. Losing Niskanen was that significant. It set Provorov back a lot. Maybe it shouldn't have but clearly it did. Ghost is still an offensive threat from the blue line. He's mediocre as a defender, but if he puts up 40 points we can live with it. There are no players we can trade for that will immediately turn this season around. Ekholm would have been a great addition but not enough at this point. G and Voracek have been the best players on this team for a long time. They've haven't been surrounded by good enough teammates. They deserve more respect. G didn't name himself Captain. Its clear that the prospects haven't developed as we would have hoped, yet. Lots of other teams would love to have Provorov, Saneim, or Myers...just ask them.

i just hope everyone jumping ship can find a new team they love.

Just looked up the Sabres franchise value to see what happened since Pegula bought it (January 29, 2011).

In those 10 years since, they have gone to the playoffs once, with the team he inherited.

Here is franchise value change (the little dip last year is due to Covid - all franchises dipped). Note: team value was actually plateauing when they were having playoff success.

i just hope everyone jumping ship can find a new team they love.
- Ftown19125

Those jumping ship aren’t really fans of this team. I love hockey for what it is, both good and bad and it starts with Jersey/sweater and what it’s represented both passed and present. I love hockey but I’m a Flyers fan first, even if they’re last place.

hagg in, myers out.

It is coming. They will slide a few more games first. But also don’t want everyone up. At least development can happen with he phantoms. Playing heavier minutes. I’m ok with having tanner in. But if only playing 8 to 10 a night. Yes give him a few games and then let him help lead the phantoms to hopefully a deep run. Hell. At the end of the season I would consider sending farabee down to help.
- Peter Richards

Is there even AHL playoffs this year?

I get not hurting player’s development but surely Sandin and Allison can get a NHL look. By the same token, no one should be just sitting on the taxi squad now—form a rotation.

I’m not sure you can say knee jerk reaction to anything that Fletcher does....after getting blown out by the Rangers and the Sabres and basically not showing up for several of the March games I would suggest to do nothing is a sign that Fletcher isn’t the right guy to get this team to the next level. The excuses have become common place with this organization. Time to call a spade a spade. This team is not very good.
- landros 2

Hmm, honestly I don't think there is much that can be done. Its the nature of the current market. You can't buy something at a price other than what the seller is willing to sell.

Will the club be more competitive/entertaining next season? For sure. Don't worry about that.

But once the excitement is over, it will be picking in the 14-24 range.

hagg in, myers out.
- Ftown19125

Sigh

And this is coming from a Hagg fan.

So what should follow tomorrow after potential loss tonight?
Options:

1. Firing of AV, if for nothing else then for still keeping Therien behind the bench
2. Trading of Voracek for anything, even for bags of pucks. I agree with Bill that he shows up from time to time, yet for over $8m a year I expect consistency. He is barely justifying $4m. Meaning his contribution can be replaced with $4-5 , spent better elsewhere.
3. Trading Raffl, Ghost and Elliot for draft picks or any package.

These 3 grouped steps could turn things around for the next season. That is what is called quick fix. So let's not pretend that we cannot do anything here.
Any competent GM could change things around as you have assets to do so.
- Keith25

AV is not getting fired. Not after this game or after the season. Any trade of Voracek is not likely to happen until the off season if at all.

hagg in, myers out.
- Ftown19125

The Wonderful Wheel of AV spins again.

Sigh

And this is coming from a Hagg fan.
- SuperSchennBros

Not spicy, but I guess it’s nice he is healthy again.