He's currently a free agent, sitting out there waiting to be signed. Only 35. Just saying...
- hockeylover

Never played for the Wild, tho...

The Flyers Alumni are a completely separate matter. They are the gold standard of NHL Alumni Associations. There's nothing there to criticize.

Secondly, I criticize the current team when and where I feel it's merited. In a factual way, without hyperbole or personal attacks. I sleep quite well at night.

Pavel and I have gone back and forth for years, BTW. It's actually nothing personal.
- bmeltzer

Bill,

Your calm, measured, never too high, never too low, takes are no longer welcomed here. If you are not jumping through the Zoom call screaming for Fletcher to resign you are simply a company shill.

earlier in the year people were bashing atkinson and talking about jake. weird how that stopped now that cam has more points.
- Peter Richards

I'm still complaining about that trade. It was never about points for me.

Probably not.

What isn't a problem?


See? Not so easy huh?
- MBFlyerfan

figuring out the cap at the tdl.

providing playing time for young players/prospects.

having to plan a parade.

wondering if we will make the playoffs.

For the same reason people obsessed over Amac... despite all the blocked shots, he was a terrible defender.
- Tomahawk

I think that was the last trade Holmgren made and one of the last contract extensions. Holmgren(Hextall was AGM) signed him to a $30 million/6yr deal and a year later the Flyers waived him with ZERO takers.

Plenty of people on this board tried very hard to convince themselves that the AMac signing was great even when he was playing in AHL because the Flyers couldn't trade him.

that's the point. earlier in the year people were bashing atkinson and talking about jake. weird how that stopped now that cam has more points. Risto is what he is. Not perfect...no. But the battling and physicality he brings imo is needed. Now the argument IMO should be....if we are gonna do another rebuild is it necessary to keep him? But if that's the convo then we need to have it about all the players as well. People whining over what we gave up to get him is not on the player. He has brought what I thought he would. Under those circumstances i can see him being moved. and will imagine there will be a bunch of contending teams interested if we do make him available. No they do not know it all, but the other night on NHL network they were speaking about how his stock has gone up since he came to philly. whether it is agreed upon or disagreed doesn't matter. none of us know what the gm's are thinking.
- Peter Richards

Absolutely, Risto is a physical, 2nd pairing defenseman that a lot of teams might consider for a playoff run. Good for him that he will get a chance to play for the cup for the first time in his career, and good for the Flyer to recoup draft assets.
No hard feelings about the guy.

Sanheim isn’t that good
- ClaudeFather

He’s a VERY pedestrian 2nd pairing guy in my eyes. Never understood why people were so high on him other then our dire need at the position.

Bill,

Your calm, measured, never too high, never too low, takes are no longer welcomed here. If you are not jumping through the Zoom call screaming for Fletcher to resign you are simply a company shill.
- hockeylover

It’s an approach that’s commendable at times, questions that a politician could answer without blinking. In a time where the organization is in arguably one of its darkest eras… Well count me as wanting a little more.

Getting on fans for requesting the same with childish remarks about internet tough guys, or Brendl references is a strategy alright.

If you somehow have an issue with fans having concrete issues with the team. I fully understand if that’s the kind of blogs these are.

New assistant coach. Talk about a performative move lol

He’s a VERY pedestrian 2nd pairing guy in my eyes. Never understood why people were so high on him other then our dire need at the position.
- hereticpride

He’s 300 games in, this is about it for him and he ain’t anything special. Leaves a lot to be desired, very inconsistent

He’s 300 games in, this is about it for him and he ain’t anything special. Leaves a lot to be desired, very inconsistent
- ClaudeFather

karl dykhuis

He’s 300 games in, this is about it for him and he ain’t anything special. Leaves a lot to be desired, very inconsistent
- ClaudeFather

This

It’s an approach that’s commendable at times, questions that a politician could answer without blinking. In a time where the organization is in arguably one of its dark lest eras… Well count me as wanting a little more.

Getting on fans for requesting the same with childish remarks about internet tough guys, or Brendl references is a strategy alright.

It you somehow have an issue with fans having concrete issues with the team. I fully understand if that’s the kind of blogs these are.
- FlyerFan3260

Nothing anyone asks in a press conference is going to worry Comcast one bit. At the end of the day they’re getting asses in seats. I don’t understand it one bit but people seem to have no issue continuing to spend money on a crap product.

If they have a string of games where attendance looks like a home Devils game you might see some change real quick.

Nothing to criticize? How about members of the Flyers front office/operation staff having taken advantage of Snider’s family approach to the team. Care to explain why certain members seem to have jobs/influence for many years when they should have been fired long ago? We both know which names I am talking about.

I also don’t understand the displeasure at a fan that dares to be critical of them Bill.

The Brendl reference is a not so veiled shot, when valid points were made. It’s not the first time members of the media have taken issue with fans questioning things this season.

It’s a strategy that’s quite amusing for a team that should be very careful about losing more viewership.
- FlyerFan3260

First of all, there's a HUGE difference between the Flyers Alumni Association -- the group itself, its programs, its leadership board with Brad Marsh at the top -- and individual alumni.

As an FYI, Bob Clarkie is not particularly active in the Alumni Association and never really has been. However, he does lend his name/presence to certain signature Alumni events, and that's helpful in its own right.

Secondly, the guys who "should have been fired long ago" -- by whom I assume you mean Clarke, Holmgren and Barber -- do not wield ANY decision-making power in the organization at this point.

Clarke spent a number of years where he was rarely around. Still followed the Flyers. But mostly spent time in Florida, golfing. Taking the occasional trip to Canada. It was under Chuck, who is close to Bob, that Clarke got more involved again in an advisory role.

Homer is not really all that involved on the hockey ops side. If asked for an opinion, he gives it. But he's in genuine semi-retirement. Does still go to bat for the Alumni Association and is a board member. He never steps on Marshy's toes. But he's there to help when needed. I'd also say that Holmgren's GM reign had more positives than negatives and that HE more than any other person since Ed Snider died, did more as team president to fight for and preserve the things that people say they miss about Snider.

I won't apologize for that view. I've seen it firsthand.

Lastly, if someone is critical in a factual, respectful way, I'll engage in discussion about all day long. Fans have every right to question, to be critical, and to be frustrated. It's merited. But those who add nothing but first-level hot takes and hyperbole have no interest in an actual discussion.

The Brendl thing is because he takes the name of Pelle Lindbergh -- one of the most sunny-dispositioned, eternally optimistic and carefree personalities in franchise history. But his persona is more like Pavel Brendl's personality according to those who played with him including fellow Czechs (dour, perpetually negative, doom and gloom 24/7 and basically happier just being unhappy). He knows it's tongue-in-cheek. We've gone back and forth for many years, and he actually does know hockey.

New assistant coach. Talk about a performative move lol
- hereticpride

I don't have a problem with it nor am I wildly enthusiastic about it. A new assist or two should have been added six weeks ago, though. They've been running bare bones on assistant staff since the AV firing. I don't see it having much impact one way or the other this season.

This
- MBFlyerfan

I dont know if its sanheim or the team. Thats the part that baffles me. Who looks good on this team. Its really few and far between.

I think that was the last trade Holmgren made and one of the last contract extensions. Holmgren(Hextall was AGM) signed him to a $30 million/6yr deal and a year later the Flyers waived him with ZERO takers.

Plenty of people on this board tried very hard to convince themselves that the AMac signing was great even when he was playing in AHL because the Flyers couldn't trade him.
- Flyers_01

Hextall was already (behind the scenes) being prepared to take over as the next GM. The AMac extension was negotiated by Ron himself. Homer was on board too, of course, but AMac was the first NHL-level contract that Hexy negotiated and the only one that predated his formal ascension as GM.

Homer mentioned it -- and Hexy confirmed it -- in Jay Greenberg's interviews for Flyers at 50.

First of all, there's a HUGE difference between the Flyers Alumni Association -- the group itself, its programs, its leadership board with Brad Marsh at the top -- and individual alumni.

As an FYI, Bob Clarkie is not particularly active in the Alumni Association and never really has been. However, he does lend his name/presence to certain signature Alumni events, and that's helpful in its own right.

Secondly, the guys who "should have been fired long ago" -- by whom I assume you mean Clarke, Holmgren and Barber -- do not wield ANY decision-making power in the organization at this point.

Clarke spent a number of years where he was rarely around. Still followed the Flyers. But mostly spent time in Florida, golfing. Taking the occasional trip to Canada. It was under Chuck, who is close to Bob, that Clarke got more involved again in an advisory role.

Homer is not really all that involved on the hockey ops side. If asked for an opinion, he gives it. But he's in genuine semi-retirement. Does still go to bat for the Alumni Association and is a board member. He never steps on Marshy's toes. But he's there to help when needed. I'd also say that Holmgren's GM reign had more positives than negatives and that HE more than any other person since Ed Snider died, did more as team president to fight for and preserve the things that people say they miss about Snider.

I won't apologize for that view. I've seen it firsthand.

Lastly, if someone is critical in a factual, respectful way, I'll engage in discussion about all day long. Fans have every right to question, to be critical, and to be frustrated. It's merited. But those who add nothing but first-level hot takes and hyperbole have no interest in an actual discussion.

The Brendl thing is because he takes the name of Pelle Lindbergh -- one of the most sunny-dispositioned, eternally optimistic and carefree personalities in franchise history. But his persona is more like Pavel Brendl's personality according to those who played with him including fellow Czechs (dour, perpetually negative, doom and gloom 24/7 and basically happier just being unhappy). He knows it's tongue-in-cheek. We've gone back and forth for many years, and he actually does know hockey.
- bmeltzer

Thanks for filling in info I may not have been aware of.

I’ll add, the names of the gentlemen I was referring to are more in line with the scouting, and developmental side of things. Ones that one would assume have a lot of influence, and have been with the team much longer than the casual fan would guess.

Hextall was already (behind the scenes) being prepared to take over as the next GM. The AMac extension was negotiated by Ron himself. Homer was on board too, of course, but AMac was the first NHL-level contract that Hexy negotiated and the only one that predated his formal ascension as GM.

Homer mentioned it -- and Hexy confirmed it -- in Jay Greenberg's interviews for Flyers at 50.
- bmeltzer

How dare you, the senior advisors made him offer that contract. No way did he make that kind of blunder.....Just like JVR his hands were tied......I kid of course Bill

First of all, there's a HUGE difference between the Flyers Alumni Association -- the group itself, its programs, its leadership board with Brad Marsh at the top -- and individual alumni.

As an FYI, Bob Clarkie is not particularly active in the Alumni Association and never really has been. However, he does lend his name/presence to certain signature Alumni events, and that's helpful in its own right.

Secondly, the guys who "should have been fired long ago" -- by whom I assume you mean Clarke, Holmgren and Barber -- do not wield ANY decision-making power in the organization at this point.

Clarke spent a number of years where he was rarely around. Still followed the Flyers. But mostly spent time in Florida, golfing. Taking the occasional trip to Canada. It was under Chuck, who is close to Bob, that Clarke got more involved again in an advisory role.

Homer is not really all that involved on the hockey ops side. If asked for an opinion, he gives it. But he's in genuine semi-retirement. Does still go to bat for the Alumni Association and is a board member. He never steps on Marshy's toes. But he's there to help when needed. I'd also say that Holmgren's GM reign had more positives than negatives and that HE more than any other person since Ed Snider died, did more as team president to fight for and preserve the things that people say they miss about Snider.

I won't apologize for that view. I've seen it firsthand.

Lastly, if someone is critical in a factual, respectful way, I'll engage in discussion about all day long. Fans have every right to question, to be critical, and to be frustrated. It's merited. But those who add nothing but first-level hot takes and hyperbole have no interest in an actual discussion.

The Brendl thing is because he takes the name of Pelle Lindbergh -- one of the most sunny-dispositioned, eternally optimistic and carefree personalities in franchise history. But his persona is more like Pavel Brendl's personality according to those who played with him including fellow Czechs (dour, perpetually negative, doom and gloom 24/7 and basically happier just being unhappy). He knows it's tongue-in-cheek. We've gone back and forth for many years, and he actually does know hockey.
- bmeltzer

Do you think it's 100% Giroux is traded at the TDL? Will a deal with him be held up with teams interested in Pavelski?

Hextall was already (behind the scenes) being prepared to take over as the next GM. The AMac extension was negotiated by Ron himself. Homer was on board too, of course, but AMac was the first NHL-level contract that Hexy negotiated and the only one that predated his formal ascension as GM.

Homer mentioned it -- and Hexy confirmed it -- in Jay Greenberg's interviews for Flyers at 50.
- bmeltzer

I did not know that he negotiated that contract. Still a horrible contract.

It’s an approach that’s commendable at times, questions that a politician could answer without blinking. In a time where the organization is in arguably one of its darkest eras… Well count me as wanting a little more.

Getting on fans for requesting the same with childish remarks about internet tough guys, or Brendl references is a strategy alright.

If you somehow have an issue with fans having concrete issues with the team. I fully understand if that’s the kind of blogs these are.
- FlyerFan3260

Start your own blog.

How dare you, the senior advisors made him offer that contract. No way did he make that kind of blunder.....Just like JVR his hands were tied......I kid of course Bill
- hello it's me 2050

he just wont believe it.... like he doesnt believe what clarke said even with zero proof. Totally dismisses negative Ronnie talk.... Or Ronnie was told to make those bad moves lol. Whatevz.

Thanks for filling in info I may not have been aware of.

I’ll add, the names of the gentlemen I was referring to are more in line with the scouting, and developmental side of things. Ones that one would assume have a lot of influence, and have been with the team much longer than the casual fan would guess.
- FlyerFan3260

That is a legitimate concern.

After last year, I really thought the Flyers would overhaul their pro scouting department or at least make several additions of younger scouts. I was kind of surprised that it was left largely untouched.

Hockey is a business. You can have all the respect in the world for the Flyers pro scouts as good guys and knowledgeable hockey people while still believing that some new voices were and still are needed. Every organization needs that from time to time. I DO think that will happen after this season.

On the development side, it's a very complicated topic. But I think it can be simplified to this: Are young players being put in position to succeed? (This is a separate question from prospect injuries).

My own view is that the Flyers did an above-average on the front end (selecting guys to draft, identifying possible undrafted free agents). That's why most of the pundits, for about 3-4 years, had the Flyers at or near the top of prospect pool rankings. Quite a few prospects where right about where you'd want/expect them to be through D+1 and D+2 years. The issue has really been refinement and taking the next step once turning pro. I don't know what the right answers are here, but there is need for improvement, clearly. The wave of major injuries during prospect years sure hasn't helped, either, but also doesn't explain everything.

Do you think it's 100% Giroux is traded at the TDL? Will a deal with him be held up with teams interested in Pavelski?
- 2Real

I don't know where Giroux's ambitions are at this point: how flexible he'd be about waiving the NTC, whether he actually does want to try to play his entire career here, etc. But at this point, I do expect him to be traded.