“My first draft here, and I say that just because I wasn't in the room when it happened for a lot of these past drafts. I can tell you I've read all the reports from our scouts from 2014 on. I know what everybody felt. I know where we were right, where we were off. But I wasn't in the room when these decisions were made because there were certain players when they were picked.”

This fletcher quote stood out the most. Seems to me that he’s saying that the scouting is not an issue and rather there was a drafting issue from 2014 and on before him that has played a big part in where the flyers are today.

Seems like they are convinced hextall was the problem and they are still recovering.

Hextall did not sign a 3C and 4C to multi- year overpriced contracts
Hextall hasn’t greatly overestimated where this roster is on a talent level
Hextall hasn’t depleted high draft capital for ordinary bottom line players

This management group is seriously allergic to looking in the mirror and making honest evaluations.
- Just5

Hexy -- whom I like, respect and do not believe should be thrown under the bus -- had strengths and weaknesses as a GM. He also is three years removed.

That being said, Hexy didn't do as well at cap management as some say he did.

The Hartnell-for-Umberger trade really saved almost nothing on the cap for two years, and while Hartnell still had two 20-goal and 50-60 point seasons left in him, RJ was no longer effective and ended up being bought out, spreading the remaining cap residuals over two years. That one didn't work out.

Dale Weise at four years for a $2.35M cap hit didn't work out, on or off the ice.

The Andrew MacDonald contract was a) the first major contract negotiated by Hexy (still the assistant GM at the time officially but already chosen behind the scenes as next GM, and empowered to be the one to negotiate it), and b) MacDonald's open-market value that offseason. Detroit, for one, was prepared to offer almost an identical contract if MacDonald had made it to UFA status. Yes, Holmgren was on board with it and still the GM, but Hexy and Homer were in lockstep on this particular deal. Can't blame one and absolve the other.

It was Hexy who negotiated Jakub Voracek's monster extension. But keep in mind that Voracek had just been in the Art Ross Trophy race (leading it, in fact, for several weeks around midseason) leading up to it. Timing matters a lot on contracts. Also, while Voracek may not have been among the absolute elites of the NHL over the bulk of his Flyers years, he was still a good player.

Hexy's timetable to emerge from the "farm system restock" phase to trying to accelerate the push from being a bubble playoff team to a Cup contender had 2018-19 as the key year to take that step. The team was coming off a 98-point season and had blown a big Game 6 lead against Pittsburgh with a Game 7 within reach. The decision to sign JVR was Hexy's. It made sense at the time -- JVR was coming off his career-best year in Toronto, had been a Flyer before, the team needed a goal-scoring winger and it cost no assets to bring him in. The signing in and of itself hasn't been a disaster, but it hasn't really ever worked out as hoped.

Hexy's biggest mistake that offseason, though, was banking on Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth to get healthy. The result was the goalie carousel of 2018-19, and it really hastened the end of both Hexy and Hak.

Draft-wise, I don't want to rehash Patrick in 2017 or the 2014 Draft. In 2014, let us not forget that Hexy was prepared to make a push for the top overall pick and taking Ekblad and it was Florida who got cold feet. As for Sanheim vs Pastrnak, well, there were reasons at the time why Pastrnak was still on the board until 11 spots after the Flyers took Sanheim. There's nothing wrong with drafting a defenseman with all the tools that Sanheim had, nor has it been an unsuccesful pick. He's been a double rather than a home run. It happens.

As far as overruling scouts goes, that's a GMs prerogative. In 2011, the Flyers' scouts' consensus leaned toward Jonas Brodin. Paul Holmgren, having just traded Mike Richards and Jeff Carter for the 8th overall pick, said at the final predraft meeting "We need to rethink this." The scouts weighed in again. This time, they elevated Couturier a spot or two and, lo and behold, Homer picked Couturier.

No one has ever second-guessed it because it worked out fine (although Brodin has been a very good defenseman for Minnesota, albeit not a big point producer). Really, though, it wasn't all that different than Hexy leapfrogging the consensus that Heiskanen/Makar were better available prospects at No. 2 than they consensus felt Patrick would be. And there was plenty of justification for taking Patrick. That one just didn't work out. The biggest difference was, with Couturier, the scouts weighed in again (albeit with some arm-twisting) and got on board whereas the Patrick pick was apparently Hexy/Sarge going with Ron's gut feeling on the pick.

That's all back-story, however. There's a different decision-making chain now, a different GM and a mixed track record so far (jury is still out on the 2019 to 2021 drafts, so I'm referring only to NHL-level moves). Cap-wise, Chuck has been bold and spent to the cap ceiling, but Ron would likely have done the same by 2019-20 himself. Maybe not on the same players. Who knows?

What matters now is what the next steps will be. I am a believer in "judge by what they do, not by what they say".

Don't worry... Next year will be our year ✊🏼

Oh god no. All hextall does is get coffee and take
Messages for Burke.
- Hextall271

like taking candy from a baby with the Saint Ronnie fan club

Bill, I've read your comments on this before. When you read the comments of Scott and his answers about the Snider era and this answer about the management structure

"DS: "I mean, right now, Chuck is my guy. We're trying to build beyond that. Strengthen our front office as much as we can. But we've made a lot of positive changes that way. I'm excited about that. I feel like, personally, I'm surrounded by great hockey people. We've got our four advisors (Clarke, Holmgren, Barber, Lombardi). We've got Chuck and his staff. We've got deep talent on the hockey ops side. I feel like we're not lacking anything there."

Combine words with actions, the recent Clarke interview debacle and it's not hard to figure it out. For all of their early franchise success, this organization reeks of the Flyer old school legacy. They were asked if they were disconnected from the Snider legacy. I say they're too connected. The modern day NHL has passed this franchise by. They are tone deaf to the fans and incompetent in building and running a team in the modern NHL.
They need to completely purge the team of it's past in terms of running the hockey team. Scott talked about the winning culture of the franchise. That culture is long gone. They haven't had a winning culture in over a decade. Scott further reinforced today how disconnected he is from hockey reality. Did you hear his comments about getting the fans back? That was an incompetent answer Dave! How about winning and putting a quality team on the ice! My only hope is for the unlikely event of a fan revolt.
- MJL

such a debacle. You are a fraud when it comes to your Dad and Clarke interview

I’m really coming around to the idea you have of drafting high ceiling low floor players, pretty much exclusively. The draft needs to be a talent grab
- Just5

Frost: Drafted for high-ceiling offensively. Hexy/Sarge pick. The object now is to bring up his all-around game consistency and then add the offense back into it. I personally would prefer it with him swapping spots with Laughton, but it is what it is. Right now, he's about where the Flyers expected him to be a year ago at this time but he did lose a year. Personally, I want more offensive impact from him. It's in there, but he has to bring it out in himself.

Ratcliffe: Flyers traded 3 picks to move up in the second round to take a power forward project they thought would eventually also be a 20-25 goal guy in the NHL. Development path has been slow. Last year was more or less a lost season due to injuries.

Farabee: Well-rounded prospect, so that was the main lure, but they were also high on the offensive upside. He's shown himself to be a good offensive player in the NHL and has good two-way stretches. A bit streaky with both but not to a worrisome level. Hustles, cares, etc. He's worked out. Need him healthy.

O'Brien: Drafted for high-ceiling after tearing about a low-level of competition and having speed/shot/motor tools. Some of those picks click, many don't. I couldn't say what O'Brien is as a prospect right now because of the disastrous freshman season at Providence (injuries were also a significant factor), a BCHL year (also injury affected) while in transfer protocol, a pandemic shortened sophomore year at BU (he played well) and an injury-riddled junior year this season (hot lately, since returning).

Foerster: Drafted for having one of the heaviest shots in 2019 draft class. Underrated passer. The skating and two-way transition to pros were significant question marks. Held his own despite injury last year in (weakened due to NHL Taxi Squad) AHL. This has been a lost season due to shoulder surgery. We'll see how he bounces back. Was struggling early this season due to injury.

Tuomaala: Outstanding speed and offensive tools. Very, very raw and still a bit immature emotionally. High ceiling but no guarantees whatsoever.

"We should get this thing right and we should be in it next year.”
-Dave Scott

This to me was one of the most important lines from Dave in this presser. Its clear that this is the direction to Fletcher, we need to get this right this off season and the team must be better next year or your out. I think this is fair, because I think Fletcher deserves a chance to fix this.

This to me was one of the most important lines from Dave in this presser. Its clear that this is the direction to Fletcher, we need to get this right this off season and the team must be better next year or your out. I think this is fair, because I think Fletcher deserves a chance to fix this.
- jd250

why does he deserve a chance to fix his own mess? he has made the team worse

This to me was one of the most important lines from Dave in this presser. Its clear that this is the direction to Fletcher, we need to get this right this off season and the team must be better next year or your out. I think this is fair, because I think Fletcher deserves a chance to fix this.
- jd250

here is the thing how could they not be a better team next year?? Its impossible not to improve on this year. They could be 25 points better and still miss the playoffs and they will deem that success.????

Frost: Drafted for high-ceiling offensively. Hexy/Sarge pick. The object now is to bring up his all-around game consistency and then add the offense back into it. I personally would prefer it with him swapping spots with Laughton, but it is what it is. Right now, he's about where the Flyers expected him to be a year ago at this time but he did lose a year. Personally, I want more offensive impact from him. It's in there, but he has to bring it out in himself.

Ratcliffe: Flyers traded 3 picks to move up in the second round to take a power forward project they thought would eventually also be a 20-25 goal guy in the NHL. Development path has been slow. Last year was more or less a lost season due to injuries.

Farabee: Well-rounded prospect, so that was the main lure, but they were also high on the offensive upside. He's shown himself to be a good offensive player in the NHL and has good two-way stretches. A bit streaky with both but not to a worrisome level. Hustles, cares, etc. He's worked out. Need him healthy.

O'Brien: Drafted for high-ceiling after tearing about a low-level of competition and having speed/shot/motor tools. Some of those picks click, many don't. I couldn't say what O'Brien is as a prospect right now because of the disastrous freshman season at Providence (injuries were also a significant factor), a BCHL year (also injury affected) while in transfer protocol, a pandemic shortened sophomore year at BU (he played well) and an injury-riddled junior year this season (hot lately, since returning).

Foerster: Drafted for having one of the heaviest shots in 2019 draft class. Underrated passer. The skating and two-way transition to pros were significant question marks. Held his own despite injury last year in (weakened due to NHL Taxi Squad) AHL. This has been a lost season due to shoulder surgery. We'll see how he bounces back. Was struggling early this season due to injury.

Tuomaala: Outstanding speed and offensive tools. Very, very raw and still a bit immature emotionally. High ceiling but no guarantees whatsoever.
- bmeltzer

A note about O'Brien, he is a big factor in BU's offense and they missed him greatly when O'Brien has been out. Since returning, BU is winning most of their games and O'Brien is scoring at a point/game pace, which is the same pace Farabee had in his one year at BU. My only concern is his injuries which I think are a direct result of his size.

here is the thing how could they not be a better team next year?? Its impossible not to improve on this year. They could be 25 points better and still miss the playoffs and they will deem that success.????
- hfc355

Yes I agree, but then again we said the same thing last year, i.e. it can't be worse than this. So its clear Fletcher has to get this trade deadline and off season right and thus the pressure is on, which is what a good owner should do, put the pressure on his reports to execute.

A note about O'Brien, he is a big factor in BU's offense and they missed him greatly when O'Brien has been out. Since returning, BU is winning most of their games and O'Brien is scoring at a point/game pace, which is the same pace Farabee had in his one year at BU. My only concern is his injuries which I think are a direct result of his size.
- jd250

I think he had about 5 points in his first eight (injury interrupted) games. Now at 13 points in 14 games, and team has been winning.

Hexy -- whom I like, respect and do not believe should be thrown under the bus -- had strengths and weaknesses as a GM. He also is three years removed.

That being said, Hexy didn't do as well at cap management as some say he did.

The Hartnell-for-Umberger trade really saved almost nothing on the cap for two years, and while Hartnell still had two 20-goal and 50-60 point seasons left in him, RJ was no longer effective and ended up being bought out, spreading the remaining cap residuals over two years. That one didn't work out.

Dale Weise at four years for a $2.35M cap hit didn't work out, on or off the ice.

The Andrew MacDonald contract was a) the first major contract negotiated by Hexy (still the assistant GM at the time officially but already chosen behind the scenes as next GM, and empowered to be the one to negotiate it), and b) MacDonald's open-market value that offseason. Detroit, for one, was prepared to offer almost an identical contract if MacDonald had made it to UFA status. Yes, Holmgren was on board with it and still the GM, but Hexy and Homer were in lockstep on this particular deal. Can't blame one and absolve the other.

It was Hexy who negotiated Jakub Voracek's monster extension. But keep in mind that Voracek had just been in the Art Ross Trophy race (leading it, in fact, for several weeks around midseason) leading up to it. Timing matters a lot on contracts. Also, while Voracek may not have been among the absolute elites of the NHL over the bulk of his Flyers years, he was still a good player.

Hexy's timetable to emerge from the "farm system restock" phase to trying to accelerate the push from being a bubble playoff team to a Cup contender had 2018-19 as the key year to take that step. The team was coming off a 98-point season and had blown a big Game 6 lead against Pittsburgh with a Game 7 within reach. The decision to sign JVR was Hexy's. It made sense at the time -- JVR was coming off his career-best year in Toronto, had been a Flyer before, the team needed a goal-scoring winger and it cost no assets to bring him in. The signing in and of itself hasn't been a disaster, but it hasn't really ever worked out as hoped.

Hexy's biggest mistake that offseason, though, was banking on Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth to get healthy. The result was the goalie carousel of 2018-19, and it really hastened the end of both Hexy and Hak.

Draft-wise, I don't want to rehash Patrick in 2017 or the 2014 Draft. In 2014, let us not forget that Hexy was prepared to make a push for the top overall pick and taking Ekblad and it was Florida who got cold feet. As for Sanheim vs Pastrnak, well, there were reasons at the time why Pastrnak was still on the board until 11 spots after the Flyers took Sanheim. There's nothing wrong with drafting a defenseman with all the tools that Sanheim had, nor has it been an unsuccesful pick. He's been a double rather than a home run. It happens.

As far as overruling scouts goes, that's a GMs prerogative. In 2011, the Flyers' scouts' consensus leaned toward Jonas Brodin. Paul Holmgren, having just traded Mike Richards and Jeff Carter for the 8th overall pick, said at the final predraft meeting "We need to rethink this." The scouts weighed in again. This time, they elevated Couturier a spot or two and, lo and behold, Homer picked Couturier.

No one has ever second-guessed it because it worked out fine (although Brodin has been a very good defenseman for Minnesota, albeit not a big point producer). Really, though, it wasn't all that different than Hexy leapfrogging the consensus that Heiskanen/Makar were better available prospects at No. 2 than they consensus felt Patrick would be. And there was plenty of justification for taking Patrick. That one just didn't work out. The biggest difference was, with Couturier, the scouts weighed in again (albeit with some arm-twisting) and got on board whereas the Patrick pick was apparently Hexy/Sarge going with Ron's gut feeling on the pick.

That's all back-story, however. There's a different decision-making chain now, a different GM and a mixed track record so far (jury is still out on the 2019 to 2021 drafts, so I'm referring only to NHL-level moves). Cap-wise, Chuck has been bold and spent to the cap ceiling, but Ron would likely have done the same by 2019-20 himself. Maybe not on the same players. Who knows?

What matters now is what the next steps will be. I am a believer in "judge by what they do, not by what they say".
- bmeltzer

I get that it is nearly impossible to burn it to the ground due to the cap implications. I understand what your saying in your last line. There is nothing in that press conference that leads me to believe they won’t continue to overpay ufa’s when the opportunity comes around. If risto isn’t on the trade block that is flat out inept management. Fletcher and Scott come across as not being in lockstep. Right now the ownership and high management people are not patient nor realistic in a long term view of this club. I think fletcher can be better than what he comes across if he's left to do this the way he wants. We will never know though will we?

here is the thing how could they not be a better team next year?? Its impossible not to improve on this year. They could be 25 points better and still miss the playoffs and they will deem that success.????
- hfc355

to answer your earlier question, no I do not think CC has made up his mind yet on whether he wants to be moved. He will waver until it gets closer imo.

Hexy -- whom I like, respect and do not believe should be thrown under the bus -- had strengths and weaknesses as a GM. He also is three years removed.

That being said, Hexy didn't do as well at cap management as some say he did.

The Hartnell-for-Umberger trade really saved almost nothing on the cap for two years, and while Hartnell still had two 20-goal and 50-60 point seasons left in him, RJ was no longer effective and ended up being bought out, spreading the remaining cap residuals over two years. That one didn't work out.

Dale Weise at four years for a $2.35M cap hit didn't work out, on or off the ice.

The Andrew MacDonald contract was a) the first major contract negotiated by Hexy (still the assistant GM at the time officially but already chosen behind the scenes as next GM, and empowered to be the one to negotiate it), and b) MacDonald's open-market value that offseason. Detroit, for one, was prepared to offer almost an identical contract if MacDonald had made it to UFA status. Yes, Holmgren was on board with it and still the GM, but Hexy and Homer were in lockstep on this particular deal. Can't blame one and absolve the other.

It was Hexy who negotiated Jakub Voracek's monster extension. But keep in mind that Voracek had just been in the Art Ross Trophy race (leading it, in fact, for several weeks around midseason) leading up to it. Timing matters a lot on contracts. Also, while Voracek may not have been among the absolute elites of the NHL over the bulk of his Flyers years, he was still a good player.

Hexy's timetable to emerge from the "farm system restock" phase to trying to accelerate the push from being a bubble playoff team to a Cup contender had 2018-19 as the key year to take that step. The team was coming off a 98-point season and had blown a big Game 6 lead against Pittsburgh with a Game 7 within reach. The decision to sign JVR was Hexy's. It made sense at the time -- JVR was coming off his career-best year in Toronto, had been a Flyer before, the team needed a goal-scoring winger and it cost no assets to bring him in. The signing in and of itself hasn't been a disaster, but it hasn't really ever worked out as hoped.

Hexy's biggest mistake that offseason, though, was banking on Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth to get healthy. The result was the goalie carousel of 2018-19, and it really hastened the end of both Hexy and Hak.

Draft-wise, I don't want to rehash Patrick in 2017 or the 2014 Draft. In 2014, let us not forget that Hexy was prepared to make a push for the top overall pick and taking Ekblad and it was Florida who got cold feet. As for Sanheim vs Pastrnak, well, there were reasons at the time why Pastrnak was still on the board until 11 spots after the Flyers took Sanheim. There's nothing wrong with drafting a defenseman with all the tools that Sanheim had, nor has it been an unsuccesful pick. He's been a double rather than a home run. It happens.

As far as overruling scouts goes, that's a GMs prerogative. In 2011, the Flyers' scouts' consensus leaned toward Jonas Brodin. Paul Holmgren, having just traded Mike Richards and Jeff Carter for the 8th overall pick, said at the final predraft meeting "We need to rethink this." The scouts weighed in again. This time, they elevated Couturier a spot or two and, lo and behold, Homer picked Couturier.

No one has ever second-guessed it because it worked out fine (although Brodin has been a very good defenseman for Minnesota, albeit not a big point producer). Really, though, it wasn't all that different than Hexy leapfrogging the consensus that Heiskanen/Makar were better available prospects at No. 2 than they consensus felt Patrick would be. And there was plenty of justification for taking Patrick. That one just didn't work out. The biggest difference was, with Couturier, the scouts weighed in again (albeit with some arm-twisting) and got on board whereas the Patrick pick was apparently Hexy/Sarge going with Ron's gut feeling on the pick.

That's all back-story, however. There's a different decision-making chain now, a different GM and a mixed track record so far (jury is still out on the 2019 to 2021 drafts, so I'm referring only to NHL-level moves). Cap-wise, Chuck has been bold and spent to the cap ceiling, but Ron would likely have done the same by 2019-20 himself. Maybe not on the same players. Who knows?

What matters now is what the next steps will be. I am a believer in "judge by what they do, not by what they say".
- bmeltzer

Really interesting. Very balanced. Thanks for this perspective. Based on your post last night, however, I do think that this is really a Chucky and Bobby show and we are doubling down on a failed strategy with a flawed leadership.

I get that it is nearly impossible to burn it to the ground due to the cap implications. I understand what your saying in your last line. There is nothing in that press conference that leads me to believe they won’t continue to overpay ufa’s when the opportunity comes around. If risto isn’t on the trade block that is flat out inept management. Fletcher and Scott come across as not being in lockstep. Right now the ownership and high management people are not patient nor realistic in a long term view of this club. I think fletcher can be better than what he comes across if he's left to do this the way he wants. We will never know though will we?
- Just5

If Ristolainen want to tests the UFA market, he absolutely needs to be dealt ahead of the deadline. Fletcher wants to resign him -- and made that clear yesterday -- and said that's because the team has a need for physical/competitive players as well as adding more high-end skill. I agree with both, and he put Ristolainen in the correct category, too. He's not, and never will be, a "stats" guy. Doesn't mean there's no value there. I think he's done OK. But certainly hasn't addressed what Plan B was for a workaround if Ellis got injured.

To me, it's a matter of cap hit. I'm fine if they want to give him a three-year deal. But not at a higher cap hit than he's already pulling down.

If he moves on, fine. But he's filled a role the Flyers haven't been able to address since Gudas was here, and he's also better when up-ice than Gudas, although not better in the angles/gaps when defending and more prone to gambling.

Hexy -- whom I like, respect and do not believe should be thrown under the bus -- had strengths and weaknesses as a GM. He also is three years removed.

That being said, Hexy didn't do as well at cap management as some say he did.

The Hartnell-for-Umberger trade really saved almost nothing on the cap for two years, and while Hartnell still had two 20-goal and 50-60 point seasons left in him, RJ was no longer effective and ended up being bought out, spreading the remaining cap residuals over two years. That one didn't work out.

Dale Weise at four years for a $2.35M cap hit didn't work out, on or off the ice.

The Andrew MacDonald contract was a) the first major contract negotiated by Hexy (still the assistant GM at the time officially but already chosen behind the scenes as next GM, and empowered to be the one to negotiate it), and b) MacDonald's open-market value that offseason. Detroit, for one, was prepared to offer almost an identical contract if MacDonald had made it to UFA status. Yes, Holmgren was on board with it and still the GM, but Hexy and Homer were in lockstep on this particular deal. Can't blame one and absolve the other.

It was Hexy who negotiated Jakub Voracek's monster extension. But keep in mind that Voracek had just been in the Art Ross Trophy race (leading it, in fact, for several weeks around midseason) leading up to it. Timing matters a lot on contracts. Also, while Voracek may not have been among the absolute elites of the NHL over the bulk of his Flyers years, he was still a good player.

Hexy's timetable to emerge from the "farm system restock" phase to trying to accelerate the push from being a bubble playoff team to a Cup contender had 2018-19 as the key year to take that step. The team was coming off a 98-point season and had blown a big Game 6 lead against Pittsburgh with a Game 7 within reach. The decision to sign JVR was Hexy's. It made sense at the time -- JVR was coming off his career-best year in Toronto, had been a Flyer before, the team needed a goal-scoring winger and it cost no assets to bring him in. The signing in and of itself hasn't been a disaster, but it hasn't really ever worked out as hoped.

Hexy's biggest mistake that offseason, though, was banking on Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth to get healthy. The result was the goalie carousel of 2018-19, and it really hastened the end of both Hexy and Hak.

Draft-wise, I don't want to rehash Patrick in 2017 or the 2014 Draft. In 2014, let us not forget that Hexy was prepared to make a push for the top overall pick and taking Ekblad and it was Florida who got cold feet. As for Sanheim vs Pastrnak, well, there were reasons at the time why Pastrnak was still on the board until 11 spots after the Flyers took Sanheim. There's nothing wrong with drafting a defenseman with all the tools that Sanheim had, nor has it been an unsuccesful pick. He's been a double rather than a home run. It happens.

As far as overruling scouts goes, that's a GMs prerogative. In 2011, the Flyers' scouts' consensus leaned toward Jonas Brodin. Paul Holmgren, having just traded Mike Richards and Jeff Carter for the 8th overall pick, said at the final predraft meeting "We need to rethink this." The scouts weighed in again. This time, they elevated Couturier a spot or two and, lo and behold, Homer picked Couturier.

No one has ever second-guessed it because it worked out fine (although Brodin has been a very good defenseman for Minnesota, albeit not a big point producer). Really, though, it wasn't all that different than Hexy leapfrogging the consensus that Heiskanen/Makar were better available prospects at No. 2 than they consensus felt Patrick would be. And there was plenty of justification for taking Patrick. That one just didn't work out. The biggest difference was, with Couturier, the scouts weighed in again (albeit with some arm-twisting) and got on board whereas the Patrick pick was apparently Hexy/Sarge going with Ron's gut feeling on the pick.

That's all back-story, however. There's a different decision-making chain now, a different GM and a mixed track record so far (jury is still out on the 2019 to 2021 drafts, so I'm referring only to NHL-level moves). Cap-wise, Chuck has been bold and spent to the cap ceiling, but Ron would likely have done the same by 2019-20 himself. Maybe not on the same players. Who knows?

What matters now is what the next steps will be. I am a believer in "judge by what they do, not by what they say".
- bmeltzer

Bill, the Hartnell move worked out simply because Columbus wound up buying out Hartnell and he was on their cap until this season.

We know what they're going to do next. Not the specific moves but what their philosophy is going to be. They said it yesterday. It's been the wrong approach and will remain as such.

I get that it is nearly impossible to burn it to the ground due to the cap implications. I understand what your saying in your last line. There is nothing in that press conference that leads me to believe they won’t continue to overpay ufa’s when the opportunity comes around. If risto isn’t on the trade block that is flat out inept management. Fletcher and Scott come across as not being in lockstep. Right now the ownership and high management people are not patient nor realistic in a long term view of this club. I think fletcher can be better than what he comes across if he's left to do this the way he wants. We will never know though will we?
- Just5

I am very much looking forward to see what mid level free agent they pay like a top end free agent.

Fletcher is in tune with what they want to do. He knows his shelf life isn't long. He needs "instant" results next year. He aitn to worried about 3 years down the road imo

Bill, the Hartnell move worked out simply because Columbus wound up buying out Hartnell and he was on their cap until this season.

We know what they're going to do next. Not the specific moves but what their philosophy is going to be. They said it yesterday. It's been the wrong approach and will remain as such.
- MJL

that is your opinion. Not a fact Cliff

This to me was one of the most important lines from Dave in this presser. Its clear that this is the direction to Fletcher, we need to get this right this off season and the team must be better next year or your out. I think this is fair, because I think Fletcher deserves a chance to fix this.
- jd250

I don't know why anyone would be excited for another off season for Fletcher to do the same thing he's done for the last two years. Oh this time, it will be much better.

why does he deserve a chance to fix his own mess? he has made the team worse
- hello it's me 2050

Because this team should NOT be worse. They have good players, maybe they are not a true cup contender but they should have been a playoff team this year. It fell apart this year due to more than just Covid or injuries, and this needs to be rooted out and corrected. I think Fletcher deserves a chance to respond and fix this.

I am just wondering who we as fans think we are to demand a man who has built a life, career and family here in Philadelphia to suddenly pick up and move for the better of our enjoyment.

I luv G and without him the Flyers would have been a bad team the past 10 years. Is it his fault that the past 3 or 4 gm's decided not to put enough talent around him, is it his fault there has been piss poor drafting before hextall?

I can only imagine what might have been if the flyers did not trade Richards and Carter. Even without Pronger I believe they would have been a Stanley Cup team.

Do I want G to stay - yes. But for his sake he should ask to be traded to a team that has structure and can actually compete. He should go to a team that doesn't have to play dump and chase because of the lack of talent.

I will not demand that he waive is NMC but I wish that he does.

If Ristolainen want to tests the UFA market, he absolutely needs to be dealt ahead of the deadline. Fletcher wants to resign him -- and made that clear yesterday -- and said that's because the team has a need for physical/competitive players as well as adding more high-end skill. I agree with both, and he put Ristolainen in the correct category, too. He's not, and never will be, a "stats" guy. Doesn't mean there's no value there. I think he's done OK. But certainly hasn't addressed what Plan B was for a workaround if Ellis got injured.

To me, it's a matter of cap hit. I'm fine if they want to give him a three-year deal. But not at a higher cap hit than he's already pulling down.

If he moves on, fine. But he's filled a role the Flyers haven't been able to address since Gudas was here, and he's also better when up-ice than Gudas, although not better in the angles/gaps when defending and more prone to gambling.
- bmeltzer

Bill, you can get a cheap veteran to play physical hockey. The sport is a puck moving skating game now. Ristolainen is the wrong kind of defenseman for today's NHL. If he was a 3rd pair cheap guy, he'd be fine. He's poor in coverage and is not an effective hitter. He rarely hits to take away possession or to break up plays. Most of hits are after the puck has gone and he has taken himself out of the play. He clearly lacks hockey sense. He's not the right player for this team. If they re-sign him, it is just a further indictment on Fletcher.

Because this team should NOT be worse. They have good players, maybe they are not a true cup contender but they should have been a playoff team this year. It fell apart this year due to more than just Covid or injuries, and this needs to be rooted out and corrected. I think Fletcher deserves a chance to respond and fix this.
- jd250

What is the goal?

that is your opinion. Not a fact Cliff
- hello it's me 2050

Agreed, hartnell couldve kept playing well with G. They had good chemistry together. That wasnt a good trade. Another one of those, we don't want to win now, be lets draft in the middle trades. Made no sense.

I am just wondering who we as fans think we are to demand a man who has built a life, career and family here in Philadelphia to suddenly pick up and move for the better of our enjoyment.

I luv G and without him the Flyers would have been a bad team the past 10 years. Is it his fault that the past 3 or 4 gm's decided not to put enough talent around him, is it his fault there has been piss poor drafting before hextall?

I can only imagine what might have been if the flyers did not trade Richards and Carter. Even without Pronger I believe they would have been a Stanley Cup team.

Do I want G to stay - yes. But for his sake he should ask to be traded to a team that has structure and can actually compete. He should go to a team that doesn't have to play dump and chase because of the lack of talent.

I will not demand that he waive is NMC but I wish that he does.
- WhiskeyMan

Do you honestly believe that fans are demanding that he does so? What is there a petition circulating or something that I'm unaware of? Something on Facebook?