Here is what I would say to Nolan Patrick if I were Fletch and AV.....

Ok kid you got through the season, took a few shots to the head and it seems like we have your migraines under control. This off season we will be qualifying you to a one year deal.

We know you are a talented player. This offseason we need you to train hard and be ready to come in to training camp and be the player you are supposed to be. Its time to stop worrying about what may happen and start being Nolan (frank)ing Patrick, that player who was a consensus top pick from the time he was 15 years old. You have the size, you have the skill, and you have the ability to play in this league.

We will be behind you 100% in whatever you need from the organization to get your mindset correct. Next season we expect, we demand, that you start to make a concerted effort to have an impact on every single game. every single shift. We can not have a player of your talent being a perimeter player who expects the game to come to him. We will need a more physical, aggressive player from the opening whistle of game one to the final whistle of whatever game we play. We believe that with that mindset, your success will come.

See you in training camp.
- MBFlyerfan

agree with this, I actually saw Patrick being more engaged down the stretch, going to the net but he would not be able to complete the last move. Kind of like when you play hockey and you are playing against a better team, you rush your move and end up losing the puck or missing the play. I think Patrick's PUSH came back but his confidence with the puck was still lacking. I hope an off-season, the good talk you describe and supper low expectations lead to a good bounce back season.

On days like this and after seasons like this, I am reminded that BOTH Schenn brothers have won the Stanley Cup...

Big off season. I hope this burns inside the players coming back and they work their asses off this summer. As for moves, I'm interested to see how it shakes out.

Happy golfing, boys!

Sucks!
- cdearth23

You'd think that the effort displayed on the ice would be enough to start a fire inside and under the players, and that did not happen. if you really think the players are going to take not making the playoffs to heart, you do not know the make-up of this team.

Who wants Eichel!!! Let's do this.

I am willing to roll the dice on his possible injuries. I don't care, at least we will have tried.

If he goes somewhere why not here? I still covet a possible Eichel/Coutourier combo down the middle.

To Buf: Frost, Sanheim, Konecny. 2021, 2022 first round picks (top 5 protected)

To Phi: Eichel, Ristolainen

I have zero confidence that Chuck Fletcher is the guy that can build a championship team.

None, nada, zilch
- BiggE

But he signed the hayes and drafted the york and the brink! he be a hockey genius

I know that expecting a high level of competition on a nightly basis isn't going to happen, but when you roll over and get "pantsed" by inferior teams (this happened a lot this year), there is something really wrong. This organizations history has been that it's not always the most talented team, but it will outwork you on a consistent basis. That '87 team had no business taking that Oilers team to seven games with all the injuries they had, but they did because they worked their tails off. I think most of us would accept the results if this was the mindset this team employed. Unfortunately, like you, I don't know where their non-compete disorder comes from. I'm left at making major player changes, because I do not believe that this coaching staff forgot how to coach this year.
- matman31

Maybe it's more on the types of players they've been drafting/acquiring that aren't geared the same way as those Flyers teams that would outwork other teams every night. I like AV as a coach, but at the same time the PP and PK have been awful. Some of the personnel decisions they've made have been highly questionable.

agree with this, I actually saw Patrick being more engaged down the stretch, going to the net but he would not be able to complete the last move. Kind of like when you play hockey and you are playing against a better team, you rush your move and end up losing the puck or missing the play. I think Patrick's PUSH came back but his confidence with the puck was still lacking. I hope an off-season, the good talk you describe and supper low expectations lead to a good bounce back season.
- wcorvette

I noticed the same thing. I personally think he will bounce back next year, you can see the talent, he needs to clear his mind and just play

2 guys down the middle really hurt the Flyers this year. Yeah, I know, the defense too. But Hayes was a shell of the player he was last year and NoPa was an absolute disaster. Did I hear them say, biggest negative +/- in the league last night. For all the posters who want to give him another year - wake up, we saw all we needed to see this year, don't waster another dime signing him to a new contract.

Here is what I would say to Nolan Patrick if I were Fletch and AV.....

Ok kid you got through the season, took a few shots to the head and it seems like we have your migraines under control. This off season we will be qualifying you to a one year deal.

We know you are a talented player. This offseason we need you to train hard and be ready to come in to training camp and be the player you are supposed to be. Its time to stop worrying about what may happen and start being Nolan (frank)ing Patrick, that player who was a consensus top pick from the time he was 15 years old. You have the size, you have the skill, and you have the ability to play in this league.

We will be behind you 100% in whatever you need from the organization to get your mindset correct. Next season we expect, we demand, that you start to make a concerted effort to have an impact on every single game. every single shift. We can not have a player of your talent being a perimeter player who expects the game to come to him. We will need a more physical, aggressive player from the opening whistle of game one to the final whistle of whatever game we play. We believe that with that mindset, your success will come.

See you in training camp.
- MBFlyerfan

This approach might work if they think that motivation and lack of confidence are the primary culprits. But if the kid is putting too much pressure on himself, and not enjoying hockey, then he might benefit from a little less of a "show me" approach and a little more of a relaxed rein.

Like: All the good things that you said about him, but also that we have full confidence in you, and you just go and forget about the big picture, and make the plays that we know you can make, and if a shift or game or several bother you, we are still behind you, just learn and move on.

2 guys down the middle really hurt the Flyers this year. Yeah, I know, the defense too. But Hayes was a shell of the player he was last year and NoPa was an absolute disaster. Did I hear them say, biggest negative +/- in the league last night. For all the posters who want to give him another year - wake up, we saw all we needed to see this year, don't waster another dime signing him to a new contract.
- backfire

Your 2021 Masters championship winner, Nolan Patrick. An astounding -30

do you feel that there was to much line shuffling?

I believe with how they played there had to be some but I thought there was way to much.


I would like AV to be more consistent with his lines next season.

2 guys down the middle really hurt the Flyers this year. Yeah, I know, the defense too. But Hayes was a shell of the player he was last year and NoPa was an absolute disaster. Did I hear them say, biggest negative +/- in the league last night. For all the posters who want to give him another year - wake up, we saw all we needed to see this year, don't waster another dime signing him to a new contract.
- backfire

Patrick was 900th out of 901 players in +/- rankings. Dahlin came in at 901 with a -36

We all know the reason this roster sucks is lack of talent. I really don’t expect AV to come out and say that publicly. I’m sure he and Chuck have had that conversation already.
- hereticpride

AV pretty much stated this in every post game presser after a loss when he pointed out his team had grade A chances and could not bury their opportunities.

I noticed the same thing. I personally think he will bounce back next year, you can see the talent, he needs to clear his mind and just play
- corduroy

What's a bounce back year for him? ~30 pts in ~70 games again with all that PP time?

What's a bounce back year for him? ~30 pts in ~70 games again with all that PP time?
- Tomahawk

Realistically strong 2-way game, hold down the 3rd line center spot, 15G/25A 40 points. If he earns time on the PP, so be it.

Realistically strong 2-way game, hold down the 3rd line center spot, 15G/25A 40 points. If he earns time on the PP, so be it.
- corduroy

agree with this, it would be a good season. If he can get some confidence and they can get him consistent linemates. Patrick has a good shot, he needs speed and a playmaker on his line.

What's a bounce back year for him? ~30 pts in ~70 games again with all that PP time?
- Tomahawk

1. That 2. No head issues physically. 3. Glimpses of future potential in terms of talent that doesn't show up on the score sheet.

Then he would be back on the track he left.

Also our pp2 is a joke. Its not like its a huge privilege and he is crowding out lots of forwards.

do you feel that there was to much line shuffling?

I believe with how they played there had to be some but I thought there was way to much.


I would like AV to be more consistent with his lines next season.
- wcorvette

I think AV will be more consistent with his lines if he gets a consistent effort game in and game out from his players. He didn't get that from too many players this year.

Patrick was 900th out of 901 players in +/- rankings. Dahlin came in at 901 with a -36
- corduroy

NP only saw 11 mins per game at ES, too.

Frost's injury was a huge under the radar loss. He missed a full season of development and chemistry building. We are at the point where Coots has to be the main player and guys like G and V are support players. Frost and Patrick not contributing along with Hayes's disappearing act lead to a ripple effect of relying too much on on G again. To me, this has to be the biggest change in the offseason; making sure that players are allotted to their proper roles

2 guys down the middle really hurt the Flyers this year. Yeah, I know, the defense too. But Hayes was a shell of the player he was last year and NoPa was an absolute disaster. Did I hear them say, biggest negative +/- in the league last night. For all the posters who want to give him another year - wake up, we saw all we needed to see this year, don't waster another dime signing him to a new contract.
- backfire

Maybe Fletch should sit them down together and see what is going on there. It's been made pretty clear that they have become inseparable so is this a case of them being an echo chamber for each other in discontentment? I mean, we drummed out Richie and Carter for a similar problem...although theirs was more partying then play. Hayes and NOPA have both shown varying levels of disinterest and intensity this season so maybe putting them in a room with hot lights couldn't hurt.

Frost's injury was a huge under the radar loss. He missed a full season of development and chemistry building. We are at the point where Coots has to be the main player and guys like G and V are support players. Frost and Patrick not contributing along with Hayes's disappearing act lead to a ripple effect of relying too much on on G again. To me, this has to be the biggest change in the offseason; making sure that players are allotted to their proper roles
- CRUSH IT LIKE ME

In his short stint he finally looked like he belonged as well, very unfortunate

I think AV will be more consistent with his lines if he gets a consistent effort game in and game out from his players. He didn't get that from too many players this year.
- jd250

I will add that with a shortened season he was trying to give rest but that was impacted by the bad play and Covid. Then I think he just kept tinkering, to much.

I think you leave TK with G and Coots. I think you can make a case for Hayes, Farabee and Allison. Then it all depends on who is gone and who they add.

1. That 2. No head issues physically. 3. Glimpses of future potential in terms of talent that doesn't show up on the score sheet.

Then he would be back on the track he left.

Also our pp2 is a joke. Its not like its a huge privilege and he is crowding out lots of forwards.
- PT21

What does NoPa do well exactly? He does not skate well. He is not good on faceoffs. Doesn't win all that many puck battles. If he has a good shot we wouldn't know it because rarely shoots the puck. Is completely predictable with his stupid drop passes. I mean what potential do you see in this kid that is worth cultivating and keeping around? He has played on the top line. He has played on the 4th line. He has played with good players like G and awful players like NAK. He has been given 2+ minutes a PP time per game. What am I missing?

Realistically strong 2-way game, hold down the 3rd line center spot, 15G/25A 40 points. If he earns time on the PP, so be it.
- corduroy

I expect a number of young players to blow right by him on the depth chart. Allison's already done it. Frost and Foerster are gonna pass him easily, too.

NP will really have to start earning his opportunities for the first time in his career, and I don't think it's gonna end well for him.

Patrick was 900th out of 901 players in +/- rankings. Dahlin came in at 901 with a -36
- corduroy

900 out of 901? Is that real?