what is the difference between a "hole" and a "major issue"?

Every move cf made you declared was great - just the other day I asked you to regal us with what a great job cf did and you doubled down.

Thinking about calling you Double Down Clown from here on out
- corduroy

Again, are you asking me if I still like the moves Fletcher made this off season? If so the answer is YES and I explained why in the post you are referencing. That is a different question than did Fletch fill every hole on this team, a very different question. I have stated consistently that Fletcher took a step in the right direction, but that more steps were needed. So honestly, you can try to spin this any way you like, but I know exactly what I stated and when, and I'm sorry if this is just a little over your level of comprehension right now.

I want to see how he plays for the next 2 months. I still think he can be a very good top 4. I don’t think the idea was to only bring him in for one year. If that was the case then Fletch made a brutal trade. You don’t move a 1rst rnd pick for a one year rental unless your one of the top 4 teams in the league and a legitimate Cup threat. I can’t believe he’s that stupid.
- landros 2

It’s honestly turning into a tough situation, if this season keeps going like this why in the world would Risto even entertain signing an extension?

It’s honestly turning into a tough situation, if this season keeps going like this why in the world would Risto even entertain signing an extension?
- ClaudeFather

$$$ and security probably

You ever go to Katz's deli off route 15?

$$$ and security probably

You ever go to Katz's deli off route 15?
- hello it's me 2050

I’m sure he can find that elsewhere, I have not. Don’t live in PA

I honestly don't see what you see in Fletcher. He seems competent and in control to me, and I liked a lot of what he said yesterday. Hextall was clearly fired for issues outside of his plan, it was more around being hard to work with and shutting people out. But clearly his plan was to rebuild through the draft and he didn't do a good job of that, plain and simple. Right now Hart is the best player drafted by Hextall but lets be clear, he was developed by Fletcher and AV. Farabee may turn out to be a solid forward as well as TK, but these guys are not top-end talent. Provey is a good Dman overall but clearly has not developed into the top-end defenseman he had hoped he would be. Lindblom is not adding value right now, Sanheim is inconsistent at best, and Patrick was a bust. Not good enough, not even close to good enough and that is what is killing this team right now more than anything else.
- jd250

As far as Fletch goes….results matter. Fletch isn’t trying to rebuild …he’s trying to win now….which they aren’t doing…plain and simple. I wasn’t impressed with what he said yesterday…it was simply gm speak. I’m also not going to discount some of the good things Hextall did while here, I just didn’t like the results over all…again winning and losing matter

It’s honestly turning into a tough situation, if this season keeps going like this why in the world would Risto even entertain signing an extension?
- ClaudeFather

There that as well.

I’m sure he can find that elsewhere, I have not. Don’t live in PA
- ClaudeFather

It is in Connecticut.

He may or he may not. flyers may offer him a sweet deal.

The GM feels bad for Lappy,; I feel bad for the AHL prospects being coached by a guy who's way out of his depth. They could have put Gritty in charge and got similar results.
- Feanor

GriTty might be as good a player as our AHL prospects.

It is in Connecticut.

He may or he may not. flyers may offer him a sweet deal.
- hello it's me 2050

I have not been

When teams don’t play well, eventually changes are going to be made. The Moves Fletch made in the off season were more then justified. Was there enough moves ? Did they bring the right guys in? Did he get rid of the right guys? Nobody wishes as much as me that Hextall’s plan would have worked but it did not. I really hoped AV and the all star cast of ex coach’s could help structure the veteran core and the young guys coming up. It’s just hasn’t happened on a consistent basis.
You look at how many guys aren’t playing up to their potential and it’s a small wonder this team is where it is. I’m not sure Fletch will be able to make the right decisions…hopefully he surprises me. So in my mind we’ve gone from one GM who failed and was fired with cause to another that seems lost for answers….all I know is the Flyers fans deserve better then this.
- landros 2

this sums up my thoughts pretty good, you are smart

I have not been
- ClaudeFather

killer corn beef and other stuff,

I want to see how he plays for the next 2 months. I still think he can be a very good top 4. I don’t think the idea was to only bring him in for one year. If that was the case then Fletch made a brutal trade. You don’t move a 1rst rnd pick for a one year rental unless your one of the top 4 teams in the league and a legitimate Cup threat. I can’t believe he’s that stupid.
- landros 2

Id like to keep him, i like his game. He isnt a top line play but he is effective in his role. But chuck also knows if he isnt a fit, he could be dealt at the deadline. If you get a 1st for him, then it cost you a 2nd for a year of service. I'm not going to lose sleep over that. And if it was hextall drafting, losing a decent pick is pretty much insignificant anyway.

Look at the value that Nashville got for a legitimate top pairing RH defenseman. Why do you think that was the case? Now he has had more injury issues. Do you think teams will be lined up to take that with 5 more years on the deal at 6M?

Atkinson has one more year than Voracek. Sure, Atkinson might wind up a decent 3rd line or 4th line checking winger at 5M. Always a good value.
- MJL

Can we at least wait a couple years and see how Ellis turns out. You make it sound like he wont play again.. He still has more points that patrick and meyers combined

Is this coaching staff getting the most out of the current players?

Are the players underachieving?

Are the players just not as good as flyers fans think?

No, not at all. I think Dave Scott made a poor knee-jerk decision. He, and Comcast, don't know hockey and it shows.
- Scoob

I agree but that doesn't mean they don't want to win. They made the moves they made because they want to win.

Is this coaching staff getting the most out of the current players?

Are the players underachieving?

Are the players just not as good as flyers fans think?
- hello it's me 2050

No

Yes

Most definitely.

You are painting the worst case scenario. Sure that may play out.

Is Voracek going to remain a top line producer throughout his contract?

Not saying either move is one I would have made. But I do not think either contract will be what hurts this team long term. Committing to a handful of young players that are not performing to expectations is what will be the main issue with this team. IF TK is scoring 30 regularly, Farabee is producing 70+ regularly, Hart plays like he has this season consistently, Coots play at a Selke level and Laughton and Lindblom add depth scoring this team would be fine. Only one of those things is happening right now.
- mickel25

No it won't be the main issue. It won't be because you can always move players with that talent level for good value. That's what other teams GM's try and do when a team is floundering. They move in like vultures and try to take advantage. They aren't going to be calling for Atkinson and Ellis. They wlll surely be calling for players like Farabee and Konecny and will make good deals for them.

The worst case scenario to be in is a team with aging 30ish high cap hit players.

Is this coaching staff getting the most out of the current players?

Are the players underachieving?

Are the players just not as good as flyers fans think?
- hello it's me 2050

All 3 can be correct.

Show me one post where I stated CF filled *all* the holes? I'll wait! What I said is he addressed major issues on the team, including getting a legitimate top pairing defenseman to play with Provey, getting a physical defenseman and getting more shots with Cam. I never, ever posted that Fletcher filled all the holes on this team. In fact I have been stating since the summer that this team had a major hole at center given Hayes injury and that I didn't believe Frost would be ready to play at the start of the season, which I was also right about! So its clear the only person spewing garbage around here is you!
- jd250

The Hayes injury report did not come until later in the summer. All summer long when the deals were made, you were lauding the deals. How the GM changed the culture and added all the right pieces. Including with Yandle.

No it won't be the main issue. It won't be because you can always move players with that talent level for good value. That's what other teams GM's try and do when a team is floundering. They move in like vultures and try to take advantage. They aren't going to be calling for Atkinson and Ellis. They wlll surely be calling for players like Farabee and Konecny and will make good deals for them.

The worst case scenario to be in is a team with aging 30ish high cap hit players.
- MJL

Not if those aging players are still really good.

Seems pretty consistent to me! I stated it very clearly, its time for a rebuild if things don't turn around, and I stand by that statement. I personally do not think things will turn around enough for the Flyers to not be sellers at the deadline unfortunately. A lot will ride on Ellis and Hayes coming back, and Frost being able to add offense to the center position.
- jd250

Nice spin but that is not what you said. You said it in plain language. Even referencing the Rangers. The Flyers are old and slow. ITS TIME FOR A REBUILD.

You did not say it's time for a rebuild if things don't turn around. The evidence is clear.

I honestly don't see what you see in Fletcher. He seems competent and in control to me, and I liked a lot of what he said yesterday. Hextall was clearly fired for issues outside of his plan, it was more around being hard to work with and shutting people out. But clearly his plan was to rebuild through the draft and he didn't do a good job of that, plain and simple. Right now Hart is the best player drafted by Hextall but lets be clear, he was developed by Fletcher and AV. Farabee may turn out to be a solid forward as well as TK, but these guys are not top-end talent. Provey is a good Dman overall but clearly has not developed into the top-end defenseman he had hoped he would be. Lindblom is not adding value right now, Sanheim is inconsistent at best, and Patrick was a bust. Not good enough, not even close to good enough and that is what is killing this team right now more than anything else.
- jd250

It had absolutely nothing to do with being hard to work with or shutting people out. That's invented nonsense. It was about winning.

There are only two takes from that press conference yesterday. Fletcher either was spinning and lying directly to the fans. Or he is incompetent. Either way, it was a disgrace.

You left out that Ristolainen continues to be the mediocre players he has always been in the list of what is killing this team.

No it won't be the main issue. It won't be because you can always move players with that talent level for good value. That's what other teams GM's try and do when a team is floundering. They move in like vultures and try to take advantage. They aren't going to be calling for Atkinson and Ellis. They wlll surely be calling for players like Farabee and Konecny and will make good deals for them.

The worst case scenario to be in is a team with aging 30ish high cap hit players.
- MJL

If you are trying to compete and win why are you always trying to trade young players? If I was GM I would be trying to compile a team that is winning now and will continue to win in the future. I would not be compiling talent in the hopes that they have value to other teams in the future. Obviously, if you have good players other teams will want them.

As far as Fletch goes….results matter. Fletch isn’t trying to rebuild …he’s trying to win now….which they aren’t doing…plain and simple. I wasn’t impressed with what he said yesterday…it was simply gm speak. I’m also not going to discount some of the good things Hextall did while here, I just didn’t like the results over all…again winning and losing matter
- landros 2

Yup, that's true ... in the end we all want to root for a winning team that has a chance at the Cup, and to be honest this last decade has been a debacle! We are clearly not close to that at the moment. Even if things turn around this year, I don't think this team has enough, and from what I heard yesterday, I don't think Fletcher thinks it does either.

It had absolutely nothing to do with being hard to work with or shutting people out. That's invented nonsense. It was about winning.

There are only two takes from that press conference yesterday. Fletcher either was spinning and lying directly to the fans. Or he is incompetent. Either way, it was a disgrace.

You left out that Ristolainen continues to be the mediocre players he has always been in the list of what is killing this team.
- MJL

I'm not getting not yet another RR debate with you. I am rooting for him to succeed and you are rooting for him to fail miserably because we traded away a 1st round pick for him. I'm ready to move on ..