Flyers finished dead last in 06 and went to the conference finals the very next year.

The Flyers might not have a "stacked" roster, but they have most of the pieces (on paper) that you need to be a contender. They're much more than a "bubble team" IMO and I'm sure Fletcher thinks the same.

I get what you're trying to say though.
- mochoson

That Flyers team that reached the 2007-08 Conference Finals was twice the team the Flyers have assembled right now. They had heart.

Jason Smith, Darien Hatcher, Kimmo Timonen, Briere, Gagne, Giroux, Hartnell, Kapanen, Knuble, Prospal, Richards, Umberger etc.

It will be an interesting year for sure. It really can't get any worse than last season.

I agree. They are more than a bubble team for sure. They are a playoff competitor. A few more tweaks and, as some on here stress, the young guys need to get their form back and take a step and we could see this team compete for a cup.

Okay, now I can take my orange and black googles off.
- peesinwind

Flyers started off very well. The talent is absolutely there on paper. I can't stress enough how huge these 3 moves have been so far. My only mild concern is Ellis' health.

You can argue till the cows come home that we might have overpaid to do it, but I don't understand how anyone could dislike the players we're bringing in. These are exactly the kind of guys we need.

If you don't overpay in trades you will in free agency. I'd much rather do the former.

Yes - no - yes. Wonder if Atkinson is tight enough with Nick to see if he'd do a discount deal for being on a better team.

I know people worry about his health but if Bishop gets bought out, id run him through physicals and doctors to see if he could hold up to a 35-40% load.
- juiced

That's what ran through my head as well. I would be happy with a Foligno acquisition. I'm a fan of Halak even though he played for Boston lol

Flyers started off very well. The talent is absolutely there on paper. I can't stress enough how huge these 3 moves have been so far. My only mild concern is Ellis' health.

You can argue till the cows come home that we might have overpaid to do it, but I don't understand how anyone could dislike the players we're bringing in. These are exactly the kind of guys we need.

If you don't overpay in trades you will in free agency. I'd much rather do the former.
- mochoson

The trade I liked the most is the Ellis trade. He gets dinged up some but nothing has been serious. They guy is a great defender. So smart and brings the hustle for sure. Hope he is happy here. He is a small town guy and then lived in Nashville for his whole NHL career. Has to move his family. He was the only one that didn’t seem excited for the change. He put on a face and said the right stuff. He is a pro but he was not that enthusiastic. But the player is by far the best we got this off season. He is the big needle mover in my book.

Very good points. If Fletch brings in a quality backup, maybe some smart UFA forward or D depth guys, there's every reason to be optimistic. That and we won't have to play Boston 15 times this year.
- Hextall271

Maybe I am stupid, but I am still not afraid of Boston. The Flyers I believe match up very well against them, especially after the trades they made this week, so I am looking forward to seeing how the Flyers do against them this year.

Great context. Exactly the point I've been trying to make.




Again, great context. I mean, we traded a 2nd and 3rd round pick for Justin Braun. I have literally zero problem trading a 1st and 2nd for Ristolainen even if's only for a year.

.
- mochoson

The fact that anyone would be okay with giving up a 1st and a 2nd for only one year of Ristolainen is mind boggling. It would be hockey malpractice and cause for firing the GM.