My hope is CF or whomever the GM is are smart enough to trade for 2023 first rounders. Seems like that draft might be deeper than the 2022.

Sit Coots, Ellis and Hayes for the rest of the year. Play the youngsters. I can stomache watching young players struggle. Hopefully Yandle's last game is tonight.

Yes, I am saying at this point you sell G, JVR, Braun, Risto and Jones and the deadline, play whoever is left the rest of the way and try to get the highest draft pick you can. I call this retooling the core, speed and skill level on this team, but if this is also tanking then so be it.
- jd250

I'm all for it, id do that this year and next.

What's a softball question, Pavel?

Asking for more clarity on the injuries to Ellis and Couturier in particular?

Asking about the 2-19-3 record when trailing first in a game?

Asking whether the AV/player relationship was broken after last season?

Asking about Giroux, his NMC and his UFA status after the season?

Asking for an assessment of the coaching staff?

Asking Fletcher to assess the decisions he made last offseason in light of the team's record?

Asking what, BEYOND injuries and Covid outbreak (which were undoubtedly obstacles but not excuses for getting this far off the rails), are the root causes of why the team is not harder to play against than it was a year ago? Cutting the GAA and simultaneously playing faster were the stated main goals heading into this season. It hasn't happened, even when key players were available. So why?

All of those things will absolutely be asked. Not one of them is a "softball question."

So what's a tough question, Pavel? Performative internet tough guy grandstanding, like "Do you intend to resign?" "Does Comcast need to sell the team?"

No, those won't be asked.

BTW, it's a Zoom press conference. So, to ask a question, you have to use the "Raise hand" icon, wait to be called on and unmuted. Then you get ONE question and an optional follow-up question.

The housekeeping part of the press conference -- injury updates, farm system updates (Signing collegiate prospects, for example), etc. -- tend to take up a chunk of the allotted time. Factually driven questions about on-ice performance and roster-move assessments need to be asked and comprise the bulk of the remaining time.
- bmeltzer

All valid questions, with predictable answers however.

It would benefit this franchise, to realize they have damaged the relationship with the fanbase.

Generic politician like responses would be unfortunate. There is nothing rude about asking him to in some further detail elaborate on the team’s plans for the next few seasons? If the team has put any thought into evaluating its player development, or pro scouting departments?

We both know what I am alluding to Bill, and a franchise that’s terrified of rebuilding or changing the country club atmosphere will continue to dwell in its current state.

Nobody buys the poop the Flyers are trying to sell anymore. They can market players like Hayes or Atkinson all they wish, but in a league that actually has competent clubs with an exciting brand a younger generation will not fall for this BS. People aren’t so stupid.

I get that. But if they were Missing their 1, 2nd, and 3rd line centers would they have been able to call up 1st 2nd and 3rd line center talents to replace them?

I was under the impression they didn't call up those two because they had just played 2 games in a row and the Dallas game would have been 3 games in 3 nights for them.
- MBFlyerfan

Yes, you're right about the 3 games in 3 days, I forgot about that. But do you think Bunnaman and/or Sandin is going to realistically play that much better than Seeler did last night in 7 minutes? That's the problem here.

They are missing 2 centers Hayes and Couts one of which was replaced by Giroux...so only really down 1 center....
- hfc355

Hayes, Coots, Brassard, Thompson, Brown.

They are missing 2 centers Hayes and Couts one of which was replaced by Giroux...so only really down 1 center....
- hfc355

Has anyone seen Scott Laughton? Talk about a guy who really doesn't help.

I'm all for it, id do that this year and next.
- bradster

Yes, agreed, the Flyers have the opportunity this year and next to get two really good players in the draft, players that should be able to play for this team right away. Plus next year's draft is supposed to be deep so maybe the Flyers finally hit on a 2nd or 3rd round pick like we have been wanting them to. IMO, the Flyers cannot pass this opportunity up in favor of short term solutions that ultimately will not bring them what we all want, a team that can really contend in the today's NHL.

I think the players are getting a pass with all this fletcher talk. There is no way they should be this bad. Again, there is enough blame to go around to everyone. But its not all on Chuck.
- bradster

This is very true as well. There are a lot of things that have to go wrong for a team to be this bad.

Yes, you're right about the 3 games in 3 days, I forgot about that. But do you think Bunnaman and/or Sandin is going to realistically play that much better than Seeler did last night in 7 minutes? That's the problem here.
- jd250

That is a different debate. And damn right it is a problem. But I am just saying the prospect pool has already been deeply dipped in to long before Nick Seeler had to play wing due to scheduling. If they were even relatively healthy it would never even have come up. Instead they are calling up ECHL players to replace the Phantoms who are replacing Flyers. At some point the prospects are going to fall off talent wise.

As I said, we can debate the overall talent level of the prospects in general from the #1 all the way down to the scrubs. Im just saying that all the top prospects are playing or injured, and at some point, in order to field a roster, you are going to see a drop off in talent. The same goes for every organization.

yes he absolutely was and to say otherwise is wrong. Way wrong.

No one said Mayew was someone to build around did they? Nope they didn't.

More false narrative BS. Flyers prospects in the AHL are not legit NHL prospects less Zamula and Sandstrum. That isn't hate, that is reality.
- hello it's me 2050

In your mind, yes.

This is very true as well. There are a lot of things that have to go wrong for a team to be this bad.
- landros 2

This team has continued to blame the players, or imagined nonsense like “locker room dynamics” for many years.

Curious when accountability will be expected in the same fashion in its operations staff, other than firing a coach.

Maybe this announcement is Ryan Ellis retiring . Do we have link to watch?
- ClaudeFather

Throw in Hayes too and it will be very uplifting...
As the cliche goes, from your mouth to ( whatever spirit you worship) ears

This team has continued to blame the players, or imagined nonsense like “locker room dynamics” for many years.

Curious when accountability will be expected in the same fashion in its operations staff, other than firing a coach.
- FlyerFan3260

Probably need a couple of new leaders on this team. Hoping Wisdom Desnoyer and Foerster can make the team soon. Those are leader type of players.

I was shocked to see both of them pinch on the play that lead to the breakaway. Not a great turnover by TK but having both d-men pinch is not a very NHL play by a pair of defensemen.
- iamscore2day

I don’t think Risto pinched on that…he didn’t anticipate the give away. I can’t even blame Sanheim on that. You can’t give a way the puck in the middle of the ice like Konecny did.

Probably need a couple of new leaders on this team. Hoping Wisdom Desnoyer and Foerster can make the team soon. Those are leader type of players.
- bradster

Based on what? ( not disputing, just curious why you think that)

I don’t think Risto pinched on that…he didn’t anticipate the give away. I can’t even blame Sanheim on that. You can’t give a way the puck in the middle of the ice like Konecny did.
- landros 2

If Risto was on the ice when a goal is scored, it's on him. What don't you understand?

I don’t think Risto pinched on that…he didn’t anticipate the give away. I can’t even blame Sanheim on that. You can’t give a way the puck in the middle of the ice like Konecny did.
- landros 2

The give-away was in the offensive zone. Risto moved up. Ol had moved back to take TS's spot when he jumped in to give a backside optoin. When Robertson pushed the puck past them, Hintz had time to floss his teeth on the way in.

I don’t think Risto pinched on that…he didn’t anticipate the give away. I can’t even blame Sanheim on that. You can’t give a way the puck in the middle of the ice like Konecny did.
- landros 2

Risto had no choice on that play, he had to pinch and try to regain puck possession. If Risto backed off Hintz would have been off to the races regardless. The question I have is what the heck was Sanheim doing on the other side of the ice? As the weak side defenseman, as soon as there is even a chance of a turnover Sanheim should have moved back and closer to center ice but his reaction was slow and he was not a factor in defending that play. Good defense happens in layers and on that play there was no puck support or layers in place.

If Risto was on the ice when a goal is scored, it's on him. What don't you understand?

- PT21

Evidently you did not watch the game or the play. Risto pinched. I was wrong about Sanheim, he had jumped up. It looks like OL tried to make a play on the puck after sliding up to take TS' spot. Not sure why Risto would pinch when Sanheim jumps into an open space on the backside.

In your mind, yes.
- iamscore2day

What prospect in the AHL besides the 2 I mentioned are legit NHL prospects in your opinion?

Risto was covering the Dallas player in the left slot. Tell me what Sanheim was doing given that the play was on his side of the slot? Also tell me where Sanheim was when TK turned the puck over on the first goal?? The only problem I had with the 2nd Dallas goal is the Flyers had Willman, Mayhew and Cates out there as the forward line that late in a tied game, not very smart coaching there!
- jd250

Ristolainen wasn't covering anyone. He stood there and watched. Did he take Radulov after Cates fell down? Sanheim had the goal scorer but had to leave him to try and take on an unchecked Radulov. Sanheim got off balance and failed to block the pass. Mayhew failed to cover the shooter. Ristolainen didn't do a dam thing but stand there. 2 Stars basically beat 5 Flyers.

Probably need a couple of new leaders on this team. Hoping Wisdom Desnoyer and Foerster can make the team soon. Those are leader type of players.
- bradster

I like these players and hope they can make the team next year as well, of course, if they can get back on the ice. However I would not look to them to be leaders, its hard enough to make the team and learn how to be a day to day NHL player. I still believe the Flyers have veterans like Ellis, Couts, Atkinson, Provey and Hayes that can provide that leadership, assuming they are still here.

Of all the things of learned through all these pages...


I never knew PLind's name was Pavel.....


and lastly, what should be asked at this presser today is what Chuck had for breakfast.

Risto had no choice on that play, he had to pinch and try to regain puck possession. If Risto backed off Hintz would have been off to the races regardless. The question I have is what the heck was Sanheim doing on the other side of the ice? As the weak side defenseman, as soon as there is even a chance of a turnover Sanheim should have moved back and closer to center ice but his reaction was slow and he was not a factor in defending that play. Good defense happens in layers and on that play there was no puck support or layers in place.
- jd250

I don't agree. Sanheim had moved up to an open spot looking for a cross-ice feed. Risto should have been much more conservative. Maybe he would not have caught Hintz but he could have tried or made a play on the pass while moving back. I don't endorse all of the RR hate on this board, but he made the mistake on that one.

Ristolainen wasn't covering anyone. He stood there and watched. Did he take Radulov after Cates fell down? Sanheim had the goal scorer but had to leave him to try and take on an unchecked Radulov. Sanheim got off balance and failed to block the pass. Mayhew failed to cover the shooter. Ristolainen didn't do a dam thing but stand there. 2 Stars basically beat 5 Flyers.
- MJL

You're right, its all Risto's fault!!