Honestly we had so much momentum and chemistry before the covid pause. It’s really a shame. It seemed we were going to be “that” team who gets hot at the right time and carries it to the playoffs. But maybe that’s my orange glasses talking. Then again, Vegas pegged us as the Cup favorite right before the pause. We were really playing some of the best hockey as a team that we’ve seen in years.
- arichardson22

Yea it sucks we didn’t get to see that through

What is it with this team and injuries? The list looks like it's already mid season. What's troubling is the injuries that are NOT short term but are longer term.

Thanks. I do remember going to like 20 some games that year. Tickets were so cheap.
We got coburn that year too I think.
- Peter Richards

That’s right. So I also remember that we were on a 10 game losing streak that year and I was in tampa and the flyers were in town. Obviously went to the game. They played terribly and were outshot but esche played well and they won it. Man the Tampa fans were mad. To this day I think the longest losing streak for the org is 10.

I agree, it was the worst Flyers season that I experienced as a fan.
- MJL

I don’t know if it was the worst, but it’s up there.
90-91, 93-94, 06-07, 12-13 and 18-19 were pretty horrific as well.

Just to pile on. I will agree that last season was the worst season of Flyers hockey EVER!! Went to my first game against the Leafs in the playoffs in 1976(second game was game 3 of the Finals against the Habs that same year). Had season tickets from 1985 thru 2005. Haven't been to a game since the 2012 playoff series against the Pens and I really haven't missed much, but last season was the worst. They were the softest team in Flyers history and had no compete in them at all for most games. So glad management got rid of some of the chief softies and now we have to see if it's gonna work. At least they should be competitive this year and that will be a big step up from last year's sad sacks.
- Phillywhiteout

That’s amazing that you watched that era in person. I’ve not been to a flyers playoff game. I hope to soon. And tbh it’d be nice to go to a finals game and parade as well. I still tell my wife I am going to the parade on broad come hell or high water. I’ll walK from Canada.

Yea it sucks we didn’t get to see that through
- ClaudeFather

Agreed. That run they were on was some of the best hockey I’ve seen them play in a long while.

That’s amazing that you watched that era in person. I’ve not been to a flyers playoff game. I hope to soon. And tbh it’d be nice to go to a finals game and parade as well. I still tell my wife I am going to the parade on broad come hell or high water. I’ll walK from Canada.
- Hextall271

The most exciting game I ever attended was game 6 in the 87 finals. When Daigneault scored I thought the roof was gonna blow of the Spectrum again! The roar of that crowd was louder than any concert I ever attended.

The most exciting game I ever attended was game 6 in the 87 finals. When Daigneault scored I thought the roof was gonna blow of the Spectrum again! The roar of that crowd was louder than any concert I ever attended.
- BiggE

I’ve heard that many times from many people. I’m thankful that I was able to go to the spectrum and see it before it was demolished. The fans were right on top of the players. I bet that game was amazing.

I don’t know if it was the worst, but it’s up there.
90-91, 93-94, 06-07, 12-13 and 18-19 were pretty horrific as well.
- BiggE

It was the worst for me due to the disparity between talent and results. I've never seen a team quit like they did in those Rangers games. It's one thing to just not be good. It's another to just not compete.

Just to pile on. I will agree that last season was the worst season of Flyers hockey EVER!! Went to my first game against the Leafs in the playoffs in 1976(second game was game 3 of the Finals against the Habs that same year). Had season tickets from 1985 thru 2005. Haven't been to a game since the 2012 playoff series against the Pens and I really haven't missed much, but last season was the worst. They were the softest team in Flyers history and had no compete in them at all for most games. So glad management got rid of some of the chief softies and now we have to see if it's gonna work. At least they should be competitive this year and that will be a big step up from last year's sad sacks.
- Phillywhiteout

Amen!! Chuck got rid of the people who didn't play as a team, imo. Any toxic player or trait was removed as far as I can see and they were replaced with people who are leaders
I love the moves after the debacle that last season was

It was the worst for me due to the disparity between talent and results. I've never seen a team quit like they did in those Rangers games. It's one thing to just not be good. It's another to just not compete.
- MJL

That drove me insane.

It was the worst for me due to the disparity between talent and results. I've never seen a team quit like they did in those Rangers games. It's one thing to just not be good. It's another to just not compete.
- MJL

Yeah no doubt. It was kind of like that in the 83 playoffs too. Other than Clarke and Poulin, the whole team seemed to be on cruise control that spring. The same with the last couple months of the 90-91 season, they just gave up.

Optimism is something that I think a lot of fans would like to feel.

Some do, and that’s a good thing.

The Hayes core issue aside, which does typically tend to linger. Or putting even more pressure on Hart with a poor 1B with Jones…

Fletcher for all of his moves, kept every single member of that coaching staff. Not just kept, but gave them more control. Lappy promoted, AV allowed to bring in another puppet for his bench, and it’s clear the head coach had a wish list of who to get rid of, and bring in for the off season.

There is nothing wrong with a GM and coach being in tune, it’s typically a good thing.

For longtime fans of the team though, Vigneault and his gang displayed some of the worst coaching and handling of especially youngsters last season that I have witnessed in a very long time.

Yet all remain. Fletcher’s blind loyalty there, is a valid reason to be very cautious regarding allowing oneself to be optimistic.

The beats very willingly called out, and wrote articles about certain players over the last few years. Some of them, are now gone. Curious if we will see the same bravery and enthusiasm to critically analyzing the coaching staff. I will venture a guess and say no.

The players have been blamed as the main culprits. Not too long ago it was Hakstol. With him, Hextall.

The crosshairs seem to point in a different direction every season, but exclude those at the very top making the selections for who leads this team. It’s Scott’s incompetence and whoever is advising him, that seemingly gets ignored.

Last year wasn’t the worst. It was the most disappointing.

stinking on ice can be easier to cope with than having expectations going in only to have the carpet being ripped out from under you.

Philly also will deal with lack of talent more than they will accept a lack of effort or give-a-damn.

Last year wasn’t the worst. It was the most disappointing.

stinking on ice can be easier to cope with than having expectations going in only to have the carpet being ripped out from under you.

Philly also will deal with lack of talent more than they will accept a lack of effort or give-a-damn.
- Hesh_

I don’t think a lack of effort was the issue until later on in the season when the team was clearly shell shocked.

Before that there were a number of things. Poor goaltending, and a coaching staff that has been unable to adjust systemically since the Montreal Series that the team barely won.

Barely won thanks to a young goaltender that Vigneault was very willing to publicly throw under the bus multiple times. Vigneault and Therrien are nothing but arrogant fools that will soon go the way of Babcock.

I don’t think a lack of effort was the issue until later on in the season when the team was clearly shell shocked.

Before that there were a number of things. Poor goaltending, and a coaching staff that has been unable to adjust systemically since the Montreal Series that the team barely won.

Barely won thanks to a young goaltender that Vigneault was very willing to publicly throw under the bus multiple times. Vigneault and Therrien are nothing but arrogant fools that will soon go the way of Babcock.
- FlyerFan3260

say what you want about AV and Therrien, that’s fine,, but there was just about no heart the whole second half of the season. They hung it up prematurely.

We all watched it, and dear god did posters comment about it

Not to be overly critical, although I think having the ability to analyze is essential for success.

Fletcher who was chosen to be the architect to mold this club into a true cup contender has now been at the helm for a number of seasons. His head coach, and assistants in place with no change.

The team has become capped out, and spent a good number of assets to improve. Has moved on from youngsters who did still have room to develop, in the aim of the Flyers contending in the present day.

For all of Fletcher’s action, and inaction with the coaches.

This really remains nothing more than a bubble team hoping to hit a hot streak at the right time. I understand there are a number of teams that fall into that category, but all those years ago when this apparent retool started.

Is this really what the end vision was for? There isn’t a young kid that remains in those prospect ranks that has the dynamic talent level to dramatically boost them as a team.

Fletcher’s Minnesota teams were known for being exactly where the Flyers currently sit. It’s not a shocking result, but a disappointing one.

Not to be overly critical, although I think having the ability to analyze is essential for success.

Fletcher who was chosen to be the architect to mold this club into a true cup contender has now been at the helm for a number of seasons. His head coach, and assistants in place with no change.

The team has become capped out, and spent a good number of assets to improve. Has moved on from youngsters who did still have room to develop, in the aim of the Flyers contending in the present day.

For all of Fletcher’s action, and inaction with the coaches.

This really remains nothing more than a bubble team hoping to hit a hot streak at the right time. I understand there are a number of teams that fall into that category, but all those years ago when this apparent retool started.

Is this really what the end vision was for? There isn’t a young kid that remains in those prospect ranks that has the dynamic talent level to dramatically boost them as a team.

Fletcher’s Minnesota teams were known for being exactly where the Flyers currently sit. It’s not a shocking result, but a disappointing one.
- FlyerFan3260

Problem is they never tore it down , the half rebuild was asinine. What was it going to be complete when G was gone and Coots is 32? And if you’re saying there isn’t a young dynamic prospect then what did you plan on waiting 5-7 more years?

Problem is they never tore it down , the half rebuild was asinine. What was it going to be complete when G was gone and Coots is 32? And if you’re saying there isn’t a young dynamic prospect then what did you plan on waiting 5-7 more years?
- ClaudeFather

I agree with you, but for the sake of not sounding overly repetitious I won’t dive further.

There were a number of players that were available over the past few seasons that would have potentially pushed this thing forward enough.

Pietrangelo, Panarin, Stone, Fleury/Lerner just to throw a few. Eichel is a question mark due to health but likely falls in that category. Quenneville, Gallant, and Julien remains available.

Talented high end youngsters went to other teams while the Flyers got stuck with Patrick.

I am not naive enough to think that every player or coach wants to come to Philadelphia. Those days are just aren’t modern reality.

It’s just unfortunate the way the last few years have gone. Chances for big acquisitions have faltered, and while other clubs can boast progress and dynamic talent infusion, smart coach hirings. The Flyers market Kevin Hayes and double down on Therrien to further sabotage a PP.

I don’t think a lack of effort was the issue until later on in the season when the team was clearly shell shocked.

Before that there were a number of things. Poor goaltending, and a coaching staff that has been unable to adjust systemically since the Montreal Series that the team barely won.

Barely won thanks to a young goaltender that Vigneault was very willing to publicly throw under the bus multiple times. Vigneault and Therrien are nothing but arrogant fools that will soon go the way of Babcock.
- FlyerFan3260

I think you make some very good points but I'm not as down on Vigneault as you are. Look, the coaching staff made little to zero adjustments last year. For example, on the breakout, they refused to use the middle of the ice. Teams game planned against that and sealed off the walls knowing they didn't have to worry about the middle. They faced an avalanche of forecheckers all season. The reasons for that in my opinion were one, AV didn't trust his personnel and two, lack of practice time. They just didn't have the practice time to make the changes they may have wanted to make. Hence, nothing was corrected all season. I think the situation was very difficult for a team to come out of that hole with the way things were. I think it will be different this season.

Not to be overly critical, although I think having the ability to analyze is essential for success.

Fletcher who was chosen to be the architect to mold this club into a true cup contender has now been at the helm for a number of seasons. His head coach, and assistants in place with no change.

The team has become capped out, and spent a good number of assets to improve. Has moved on from youngsters who did still have room to develop, in the aim of the Flyers contending in the present day.

For all of Fletcher’s action, and inaction with the coaches.

This really remains nothing more than a bubble team hoping to hit a hot streak at the right time. I understand there are a number of teams that fall into that category, but all those years ago when this apparent retool started.

Is this really what the end vision was for? There isn’t a young kid that remains in those prospect ranks that has the dynamic talent level to dramatically boost them as a team.

Fletcher’s Minnesota teams were known for being exactly where the Flyers currently sit. It’s not a shocking result, but a disappointing one.
- FlyerFan3260

Hart, Frost, York, Farabee and Allison all have the ability to dramatically boost the Flyers in my opinion.

Problem is they never tore it down , the half rebuild was asinine. What was it going to be complete when G was gone and Coots is 32? And if you’re saying there isn’t a young dynamic prospect then what did you plan on waiting 5-7 more years?
- ClaudeFather

What would tearing it down have looked like? I personally think tearing it down and calling it a half rebuild is asinine.

I agree with you, but for the sake of not sounding overly repetitious I won’t dive further.

There were a number of players that were available over the past few seasons that would have potentially pushed this thing forward enough.

Pietrangelo, Panarin, Stone, Fleury/Lerner just to throw a few. Eichel is a question mark due to health but likely falls in that category. Quenneville, Gallant, and Julien remains available.

Talented high end youngsters went to other teams while the Flyers got stuck with Patrick.

I am not naive enough to think that every player or coach wants to come to Philadelphia. Those days are just aren’t modern reality.

It’s just unfortunate the way the last few years have gone. Chances for big acquisitions have faltered, and while other clubs can boast progress and dynamic talent infusion, smart coach hirings. The Flyers market Kevin Hayes and double down on Therrien to further sabotage a PP.
- FlyerFan3260

Yea Idk what to say about the free agents, guys have a lot of options nowadays. Jumping to #2 and missing is depressing.

What would tearing it down have looked like? I personally think tearing it down and calling it a half rebuild is asinine.
- MJL

Moving jake and Simmonds while they had value, probably still end up with G and Coots with some good years when it’s said and done. What would you call the playoff bubble retool the prospect pipeline years? Not putting this all on hextall either, management would probably never allow them to bottom out but just hovering on the cut line does you no good.

I think you make some very good points but I'm not as down on Vigneault as you are. Look, the coaching staff made little to zero adjustments last year. For example, on the breakout, they refused to use the middle of the ice. Teams game planned against that and sealed off the walls knowing they didn't have to worry about the middle. They faced an avalanche of forecheckers all season. The reasons for that in my opinion were one, AV didn't trust his personnel and two, lack of practice time. They just didn't have the practice time to make the changes they may have wanted to make. Hence, nothing was corrected all season. I think the situation was very difficult for a team to come out of that hole with the way things were. I think it will be different this season.
- MJL

Thanks.

That breakout remains a critical flaw in his game plan. There should be zero reason for a team with possession to willingly engage in 50/50 battles along the boards in their own end when most of that defense core has/had the legs to skate the puck out.

It’s an argument that can be looked at from two phases, in not having the personnel to do something better but also did that strategy really help any of those young defensemen? Or were they left facing a barrage of forecheckers every game with a system that by design makes it difficult to transition effectively.

When a see team wide regression, and stagnation of nearly every single young player. That’s enough for me. When the PP doesn’t have a sniff of sustained success and players who have made their living being successful on it seem completely lost with the new design. That’s also enough for me.

We shall see if it will be different, but with a number of quality candidates available. With wholesale changes this summer. A real off season to implement a change. To not do so behind the bench was a mistake. In what’s likely to be a challenging season schedule wise, any coaching changes during the year will be more difficult.

I just question the loyalty based on the lack of results.