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.
- bradster

He gives his dad a pass, I get it,

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.
- bradster

It may be a chicken and the egg situation.

For the past two plus seasons I see a bunch of guys who play like they have no confidence in themselves OR EACH OTHER.

When you are playing or doing anything that requires structure and people filling specific roles, the system is going to break down every time when you aren't able to trust the other guy to do HIS JOB. Not yours, not anyone else's.

I see a bunch of guys who aren't doing their own job and ONLY their job because they are so worried about the other guy not doing his job. They start cheating, or their attention is divided because they are worried about covering for someone else. Its the perfect way to break down.

These guys are broken mentally. They want to win, they want to work hard. They have pride. They even like each other and what to play for each other, but deep down, to a man, I don't think they believe the guy next to him can do the job, and they all feel like they need to do too much to pick up the slack. When that happens you end up failing at both roles. It becomes a never ending cycle.

You see it when they over pursue in to someone else's assignment, when they get out of position, when they pass up a pass or a shot, when they over complicate every play instead of doing the simple thing.

There is talent on this team, but success in a team sport ultimately comes down to everyone trusting everyone else to pull in the same direction. Talent can only overcome that so much. (see Oilers, Edmonton)

Just my 2 cents (or 2 bucks in this case)

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.
- bmeltzer

he wont be his entire career here. I really do not think he will be resigned unless its for like $3m. They are going to want a full reset.

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.
- bmeltzer

Bill,

Slightly off topic but do you think they'd dangle a taxi squad assignment (not AHL) to Attard to make sure he doesn't try to skip out and go FA?

THX

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.
- bmeltzer

Part of it it imo they teach these guys one way when they get them in the program. Very rarely do I see them play to a players strengths. Stop trying to turn players into something they are not. Live with some of their weaknesses.

Part of it it imo they teach these guys one way when they get them in the program. Very rarely do I see them play to a players strengths. Stop trying to turn players into something they are not. Live with some of their weaknesses.
- hello it's me 2050

I agree very much so on this!

he wont be his entire career here. I really do not think he will be resigned unless its for like $3m. They are going to want a full reset.
- bradster

What in the flyers way of doing things leads you to this conclusion?

Also has CC given any indication he wants out?

he wont be his entire career here. I really do not think he will be resigned unless its for like $3m. They are going to want a full reset.
- bradster

If Giroux said he wants to stay here, Fletcher would work out a way to do so. He realizes that Giroux, even at age 34, is still the team's best player and there's no imminent replacement.

But I suspect that Giroux has hit a frustration level to where he's ready to move on -- not that he'd say so, just my own view. As such, he has to be moved by the trade deadline.

Part of it it imo they teach these guys one way when they get them in the program. Very rarely do I see them play to a players strengths. Stop trying to turn players into something they are not. Live with some of their weaknesses.
- hello it's me 2050

I agree.

Bill,

Slightly off topic but do you think they'd dangle a taxi squad assignment (not AHL) to Attard to make sure he doesn't try to skip out and go FA?

THX
- juiced

They have the "immediate opportunity" carrot to dangle. I know that Brent Flahr is particularly high on signing Attard if possible. He often talks up Attard.

I did not know that he negotiated that contract. Still a horrible contract.
- Flyers_01

Flyers had absolutely nothing on defense and AMacs agent exploited it. It was that or let him walk for nothing after you burned assets to acquire him.

I agree.
- bmeltzer

Baffling to me.

They have the "immediate opportunity" carrot to dangle. I know that Brent Flahr is particularly high on signing Attard if possible. He often talks up Attard.
- bmeltzer

Is Mason Millman hurt? Seen he hasn't played much.

Flyers had absolutely nothing on defense and AMacs agent exploited it. It was that or let him walk for nothing after you burned assets to acquire him.
- hereticpride

sort of like RR today.....

If Giroux said he wants to stay here, Fletcher would work out a way to do so. He realizes that Giroux, even at age 34, is still the team's best player and there's no imminent replacement.

But I suspect that Giroux has hit a frustration level to where he's ready to move on -- not that he'd say so, just my own view. As such, he has to be moved by the trade deadline.
- bmeltzer

If he wants to re-sign cheap that’s great. They still absolutely need to move him as a deadline rental and get something out of the situation.

Part of it it imo they teach these guys one way when they get them in the program. Very rarely do I see them play to a players strengths. Stop trying to turn players into something they are not. Live with some of their weaknesses.
- hello it's me 2050

Agreed. Look at teams like the Pats. They take guys that do one or two things really well. They only ask them to do those things.

Guys like Ghost are interesting cases. He has the offensive ability and he does need to be defensively responsible. But what is better for the team? Him scoring 60 points and being a marginal defender or being a slightly less marginal defender and scoring 30 points.

Is Mason Millman hurt? Seen he hasn't played much.
- hello it's me 2050

Had a major (and freakish) injury back in September: fractured his kneecap when the bench door slammed. Has since been cleared but is working his way back, He really wasn't AHL-ready last season, but the cancelation of the OHL (and Titans' ECHL) season got him into 13 AHL games. Not many games at all.

They have the "immediate opportunity" carrot to dangle. I know that Brent Flahr is particularly high on signing Attard if possible. He often talks up Attard.
- bmeltzer

He had another strong weekend. in first game of a 2 day back and back he had 2 goals and an assist in the win.

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.
- bmeltzer

Thanks again for the info. Do appreciate the inside knowledge to some of these things.

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.
- bmeltzer

Thank you, Bill, for sharing your insight. I really hope that developing players and everything that goes into that from scouts to the medical to the training to the coaching is being discussed. If it is philosophical or something else, I am hopeful that it will be addressed.

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.
- NC Flyers Fan

If you're looking to make a playoff run, a deep run at that, Ristolainen better be on the 3rd pair. Or you better have a decent 3 so he can be a sheltered 4.

If you're looking to make a playoff run, a deep run at that, Ristolainen better be on the 3rd pair. Or you better have a decent 3 so he can be a sheltered 4.
- Pelle31Forever

It depends on the lineup, sure. But I do think he is suited to playoff style hockey.

They have the "immediate opportunity" carrot to dangle. I know that Brent Flahr is particularly high on signing Attard if possible. He often talks up Attard.
- bmeltzer

Give ‘em the carrot.

There will be an opening if Risto and Braun are traded.

Here’s my question, FWIW:

Why should we have the slightest bit of confidence that Fletcher and his front office team can turn this mess around, let alone build a championship team?

Here’s my question, FWIW:

Why should we have the slightest bit of confidence that Fletcher and his front office team can turn this mess around, let alone build a championship team?
- BiggE

I’ve said it probably 3 days in a row now, how this guy is still making decisions literally blows my mind. Build a championship team!? He took the off-season to build a winning playoff team and they are a bottom 5 basement dweller. How in the world is he getting a re-do?