But Cutter will most likely settle in on wing in the NHL. I don’t see him being as good as Cates defensively. Stylistically, he resembles Kreider.

Cates was most productive playing LW in college his first two years. He switched to center his junior year scoring only 5 goals as a 1C. His numbers ascended his senior year at center. Cates wouldn’t get as many minutes on a contender. But he’s a top 9 whether he’s a center or wing.
- Minnyhock

I don’t see Kreider at all, Cutter has much better puck skills than him and I think more of a deceptive shot. Kreider is a very fast north south big bodied player who has a powerful shot and gets goals around the net

I actually agree with jd250... the kid just screams power winger. I haven't personally seen enough creativity and deception in his game to suggest that he'd thrive as a pro center. His defensive game is not quite up to snuff either.

The Flyers certainly have an organizational need down the middle, but my feeling is that the minute Cutter cracks the lineup Torts will end up putting him on the wing, no matter what Chuck/Flahr's plan is (assuming all those characters are still around by then, lol).


- Tomahawk

I don’t know where he will shake out, i think it would be good for him to do another year at center in BC. Let it play out. You can always go back to wing. On the rush in world juniors, he was good at finding that soft spot to be open for a shooting lane, obviously played wing there, maybe it looks different if he’s at center.

But Cutter will most likely settle in on wing in the NHL. I don’t see him being as good as Cates defensively. Stylistically, he resembles Kreider.

Cates was most productive playing LW in college his first two years. He switched to center his junior year scoring only 5 goals as a 1C. His numbers ascended his senior year at center. Cates wouldn’t get as many minutes on a contender. But he’s a top 9 whether he’s a center or wing.
- Minnyhock

Very well could but I don’t think it hurts to try center, could even be a way to slow him down, he was on record saying he wants to come to nhl this season. Either way don’t have an issue him getting the reps. Wasn’t comparing skills with Cates, just I don’t mind him getting reps either, I do feel he will excel more on the wing.

I apologize if this was posted already.

https://phillyhockeynow.c...rn-update-chuck-fletcher/
- MBFlyerfan

Even if he’s fully cleared, there is no good reason to let him play this season. Let him train properly this summer and (hopefully) he can come back next season at 100%.

No lose situation for Torts writing the letter. The team has over-performed and the most likely result going forward is they won’t, it’s go time for the upper teams. Torts got to compliment his group, maybe push their confidence a little, doesn’t hurt their rep around the league, seems like a good locker room of guys and seems their is upside. There is also a dose of reality in there, something he can refer back to when things settle in and they sell and miss playoffs

The letter is just pure marketing nonsense. Fodder for sales consultants to issue a follow up call looking to renew or acquire season ticket holders.

The used car salesman is an apt name for Chuck and crew. It's a work. The letter is very similar to what dealerships send out when you are nearing the end of your lease/loan.

Even if he’s fully cleared, there is no good reason to let him play this season. Let him train properly this summer and (hopefully) he can come back next season at 100%.
- BiggE

Agree longer to heal and less wear and tear on his body too

Very well could but I don’t think it hurts to try center, could even be a way to slow him down, he was on record saying he wants to come to nhl this season. Either way don’t have an issue him getting the reps. Wasn’t comparing skills with Cates, just I don’t mind him getting reps either, I do feel he will excel more on the wing.
- wcorvette

I wouldn’t say not to try him at center. Imo he’s a prototypical wing with more upside there. If he develops the way I see him, he would top out as a 2nd line wing or a 3C.

The letter is just pure marketing nonsense. Fodder for sales consultants to issue a follow up call looking to renew or acquire season ticket holders.

The used car salesman is an apt name for Chuck and crew. It's a work. The letter is very similar to what dealerships send out when you are nearing the end of your lease/loan.
- StepfordSam

I agree it just seems like a marketing ploy. Says to me ownership knows full well what the paying customers think of our current GM/president that the letter didn’t come from him. To me this season will be a success if some of the younger, newer players continue to show improvement from now till the end of the season….Torts did touch on that and on that part I agree….let’s find out who is part of the future.
That doesn’t mean I think Fletcher is the guy to lead us forward

I agree it just seems like a marketing ploy. Says to me ownership knows full well what the paying customers think of our current GM/president that the letter didn’t come from him. To me this season will be a success if some of the younger, newer players continue to show improvement from now till the end of the season….Torts did touch on that and on that part I agree….let’s find out who is part of the future.
That doesn’t mean I think Fletcher is the guy to lead us forward
- landros 2

It is a business first and foremost, communication is required

I wouldn’t say not to try him at center. Imo he’s a prototypical wing with more upside there. If he develops the way I see him, he would top out as a 2nd line wing or a 3C.
- Minnyhock

I don’t think he is Coots but I can see him being Laughton, quicker than Laughton was Laughton

The letter is just pure marketing nonsense. Fodder for sales consultants to issue a follow up call looking to renew or acquire season ticket holders.

The used car salesman is an apt name for Chuck and crew. It's a work. The letter is very similar to what dealerships send out when you are nearing the end of your lease/loan.
- StepfordSam

I totally get where posters are coming from. These kinds of letters seem insincere, or are misplaced in recent historical performance of the team. All of which I agree, a fan of over 45 years - I've seen better years. But what if Torts means it ? It's a totally separate issue whether the management is incompetent (it is...). He can't fire them. This is the part he can control, and he's trying to anticipate a poop storm before these last 30 games don't go as well as the last 15-20. He might actually be trying to help this organization. I just wish it was for a different GM. Right now, he's the only one I have faith in (and his staff).

I don’t see Kreider at all, Cutter has much better puck skills than him and I think more of a deceptive shot. Kreider is a very fast north south big bodied player who has a powerful shot and gets goals around the net
- ClaudeFather

The Flyers should try to develop his net front play/ presence. As he gets older and stronger he could be a load out front.

Even if he’s fully cleared, there is no good reason to let him play this season. Let him train properly this summer and (hopefully) he can come back next season at 100%.
- BiggE

Completely agree.

I don’t think he is Coots but I can see him being Laughton, quicker than Laughton was Laughton
- wcorvette

If I’m a Flyer fan, Laughton as his ceiling would be disappointing. No knock on Laughton but for the 5th overall kind of underwhelming.

But Cutter will most likely settle in on wing in the NHL. I don’t see him being as good as Cates defensively. Stylistically, he resembles Kreider.

Cates was most productive playing LW in college his first two years. He switched to center his junior year scoring only 5 goals as a 1C. His numbers ascended his senior year at center. Cates wouldn’t get as many minutes on a contender. But he’s a top 9 whether he’s a center or wing.
- Minnyhock

Cates would make a really solid 3rd line forechecking two way winger. He makes a very average center

I totally get where posters are coming from. These kinds of letters seem insincere, or are misplaced in recent historical performance of the team. All of which I agree, a fan of over 45 years - I've seen better years. But what if Torts means it ? It's a totally separate issue whether the management is incompetent (it is...). He can't fire them. This is the part he can control, and he's trying to anticipate a poop storm before these last 30 games don't go as well as the last 15-20. He might actually be trying to help this organization. I just wish it was for a different GM. Right now, he's the only one I have faith in (and his staff).
- BluehorseShoe64

A lot critical takes about that letter on here, which is understandable. The organization hasn’t earned the trust of the fan base, broadly speaking. I do think that the coach did have input in forming this letter.

The line “restoring our reputation” seems like something he would have said. This comes from everything I’ve heard from him in the off-season. There’s a level of candidness in that line that I can’t imagine CF, Dave Scott or Holmgren uttering. It wouldn’t surprise me if upper management still regard themselves as some sort of gold standard.

There’s little doubt to me that Torts firmly understands the frustration of the fans.

Flyers STH and all Flyers fans should reject this letter outright. It's the same nonsense.
- MJL

He is going to use the cliché "Establishing an identy" often. To win some time from fans who wants sucsess now.

I totally get where posters are coming from. These kinds of letters seem insincere, or are misplaced in recent historical performance of the team. All of which I agree, a fan of over 45 years - I've seen better years. But what if Torts means it ? It's a totally separate issue whether the management is incompetent (it is...). He can't fire them. This is the part he can control, and he's trying to anticipate a poop storm before these last 30 games don't go as well as the last 15-20. He might actually be trying to help this organization. I just wish it was for a different GM. Right now, he's the only one I have faith in (and his staff).
- BluehorseShoe64

Read it for what it is. The letter is insulting in a number of ways. They don't have a team or a player to market so their trying to market the fantasy of intangibles that pretty much every team has and a dinosaur coach because they have nothing else to market. There is only one way to restore the reputation of this team, and that isn't it. It's pretty much a letter to the STH trying to see how stupid they are.

Read it for what it is. The letter is insulting in a number of ways. They don't have a team or a player to market so their trying to market the fantasy of intangibles that pretty much every team has and a dinosaur coach because they have nothing else to market. There is only one way to restore the reputation of this team, and that isn't it. It's pretty much a letter to the STH trying to see how stupid they are.
- MJL

Their plan is totally working on a broad segment of the fanbase. Flyers fans aren't the brightest.

Cates would make a really solid 3rd line forechecking two way winger. He makes a very average center
- MJL

Even in high school, he didn’t score many goals. His college coach loved him. But his assessment was, “ …he does all the little things well that only a coach notices.” He’s playing to his potential. Good on him.

Their plan is totally working on a broad segment of the fanbase. Flyers fans aren't the brightest.
- Tomahawk

Unfortunately, yes.

Even in high school, he didn’t score many goals. His college coach loved him. But his assessment was, “ …he does all the little things well that only a coach notices.” He’s playing to his potential. Good on him.
- Minnyhock

Tortorella has put the needs of the team here before the player. Cates is strong away from the puck and strong on the forecheck and in puck battles. He's good at getting on the puck in the corners and in going to the net. He'll never have the puck skills to carry and distribute the puck. Nor is he the kind that can develop into a goal scoring center by sniping pucks in the HD areas. He's a winger and that's where he should be playing.

Tortorella has put the needs of the team here before the player. Cates is strong away from the puck and strong on the forecheck and in puck battles. He's good at getting on the puck in the corners and in going to the net. He'll never have the puck skills to carry and distribute the puck. Nor is he the kind that can develop into a goal scoring center by sniping pucks in the HD areas. He's a winger and that's where he should be playing.
- MJL

Just like his college coach did his junior year when he moved him to center.

He is going to use the cliché "Establishing an identy" often. To win some time from fans who wants sucsess now.
- THE EVIL WITHIN

That will get old midway next season. If they are 10 points out of a WC spot.