Is it possible the Briere meant tougher to play against as compared to last year? Clearly, no one inside or outside the organization would argue that the Flyers are nowhere near tough enough to play against to truly compete for a Cup. But I'm sure there is truth that teams woke up a bit as the season went along that playing the Flyers did not equate to an easy 2 points as it did last season.
- jd250

Oh please, the only thing keeping the Flyers from being just as easy a 2 points as they were last season is better goaltending.

The Flyers organization does not deserve the benefit of the doubt or anything else for that matter other than scorn and derision.

They have been mismanaging the hockey team on almost every level for a decade now. Until they prove themselves with ACTIONS, they can take their words and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine.
- BiggE

At the end of the day, what happens to Dave Scott and who the Flyers hire as President of Hockey Ops will clearly define whether any real change will occur. If the rumors are true that the Flyers want Lindros to join the executive team or that Chris Pronger or Scott Mellanby are serious candidates for the President job, it will be just more of the same crap, just replacing the old guard with a slightly lesser older guard. If however Dave Scott steps down and the Flyers hire an executive that is truly from the outside and has been the GM of a championship winning organization, then I think its safe to say things will definitely improve.

Is it possible the Briere meant tougher to play against as compared to last year? Clearly, no one inside or outside the organization would argue that the Flyers are nowhere near tough enough to play against to truly compete for a Cup. But I'm sure there is truth that teams woke up a bit as the season went along that playing the Flyers did not equate to an easy 2 points as it did last season.
- jd250

Did you read what he said? Did he compare last year to this year when making that statement? He also clearly said other teams have been telling him that. The Flyers are not a tough team to play against.

Did you read what he said? Did he compare last year to this year when making that statement? He also clearly said other teams have been telling him that. The Flyers are not a tough team to play against.
- MJL

I watched the presser yesterday. Here is the relevant quote:

You look at not just the way we play, but talking also to players around the league, executives around the league, and they all say the same thing: The Flyers are tough to face. They might not have the most talent at this point. They might be a little inexperienced at this point. But man, it's tough to face you guys. We've heard that constantly over the year. I've been really proud of the players and our coaching staff, the way they enforce that and how tough they've made us to face the season. I think it was the right step in the process. The mentality is different around here, from what I've seen from the previous two years. It's really exciting. I think and I still believe that John was the perfect decision at this time for us.

I watched the presser yesterday. Here is the relevant quote:
- jd250

"We heard that constantly over the year" Nothing about comparing it to the previous season.

After what we’ve all been through, the skepticism is justified. Talk is cheap. Most of us are not encouraged by the retention of Flahr as he has been part of the problematic front office. We are tired of platitudes and cliches such as “culture” “hard to play against” and “the right way.”

There needs to be a PLAN and that plan needs to be executed. Only time and actions will tell if there is a plan, whether it’s a good plan, and whether it is executed well.

Step 1, Fire Fletcher is complete. Now let’s see what the next steps actually are. However, at this point there’s really not much that can be done on the ice for a while. The draft is a few months away so Briere is either going to keep the status quo or he’s going to make his front office moves in advance so people can get acclimated and ready for the off-season, something that should already have the chess pieces moving, at least in the Flyers front office.

So Robert Esche linked to the Flyers as President by Friedman. I think we will hear a lot of names over the upcoming weeks

Is it possible the Briere meant tougher to play against as compared to last year? Clearly, no one inside or outside the organization would argue that the Flyers are nowhere near tough enough to play against to truly compete for a Cup. But I'm sure there is truth that teams woke up a bit as the season went along that playing the Flyers did not equate to an easy 2 points as it did last season.
- jd250

Some people confuse hard to play against and talent. You can be hard to play against and still give up a lot of chances if you don't have the skill to go along with it. I think without a doubt the flyers are playing harder than last year. We are going at a similar pace and no Coots or G this year.

So Robert Esche linked to the Flyers as President by Friedman. I think we will hear a lot of names over the upcoming weeks
- Trox88

There are plenty of people out there with Flyer ties in some way who would probably be very good for the role. The problem is, the optics.

They have to go outside, completely. They have painted themselves into a corner in a way. So much so that the best person available could actually be someone with Flyer ties in some way. They just can't do it without more vicious backlash from the fan base.

There needs to be a completely new voice. Someone who is not beholden in any way to the Flyer culture...which we all know, is archaic and has been for over a decade. Probably archaic since the cap was implemented if we want to be completely honest.

There are plenty of people out there with Flyer ties in some way who would probably be very good for the role. The problem is, the optics.

They have to go outside, completely. They have painted themselves into a corner in a way. So much so that the best person available could actually be someone with Flyer ties in some way. They just can't do it without more vicious backlash from the fan base.

There needs to be a completely new voice. Someone who is not beholden in any way to the Flyer culture...which we all know, is archaic and has been for over a decade. Probably archaic since the cap was implemented if we want to be completely honest.
- MBFlyerfan

Why can’t they just come out and say the old boys are no longer involved in hockey operations decisions moving forward. If Fletcher was supposedly a puppet, it would have to be crystal clear to Scott who the problem is. I’d be curious to see what Bill thinks of the Barber/Clarke/Homer situation moving forward

Is it possible the Briere meant tougher to play against as compared to last year? Clearly, no one inside or outside the organization would argue that the Flyers are nowhere near tough enough to play against to truly compete for a Cup. But I'm sure there is truth that teams woke up a bit as the season went along that playing the Flyers did not equate to an easy 2 points as it did last season.
- jd250

You are really reaching, imo. Penguins, Devils, and lightning alone have combined to outscore the Flyers 17-3 in the last 2 weeks. They suck in most metrics. Carter Hart's sv% is .906 whereas last year it was .905.

What about this year screams to you that they aren't an easy 2 points? Or are you going to tell me that the Flyers are the 5th most improved team and that makes them harder to play against?

Hey I hope Briere is the guy but saying stuff like this does not make me trust him. Don't urinate on me and tell me it's raining.

After what we’ve all been through, the skepticism is justified. Talk is cheap. Most of us are not encouraged by the retention of Flahr as he has been part of the problematic front office. We are tired of platitudes and cliches such as “culture” “hard to play against” and “the right way.”

There needs to be a PLAN and that plan needs to be executed. Only time and actions will tell if there is a plan, whether it’s a good plan, and whether it is executed well.

Step 1, Fire Fletcher is complete. Now let’s see what the next steps actually are. However, at this point there’s really not much that can be done on the ice for a while. The draft is a few months away so Briere is either going to keep the status quo or he’s going to make his front office moves in advance so people can get acclimated and ready for the off-season, something that should already have the chess pieces moving, at least in the Flyers front office.
- mikeyo27

Some people confuse hard to play against and talent. You can be hard to play against and still give up a lot of chances if you don't have the skill to go along with it. I think without a doubt the flyers are playing harder than last year. We are going at a similar pace and no Coots or G this year.
- bradster

You can be sure the opposing team would rather be bruised up and sore after winning a game, rather than be physically fine and losing.

These are hockey players, they play a physical game. Believe me when I say, winning is the best pain reliever.

It's like Risto in a nutshell. Sure he might hit you, but you will take the myriad of scoring chances that result because he took himself out of position to do it.

As someone else said, being near the top of the league in hits and blocked shots means ONE thing.... That you never have the puck. That ain't hard to play against.

There are plenty of people out there with Flyer ties in some way who would probably be very good for the role. The problem is, the optics.

They have to go outside, completely. They have painted themselves into a corner in a way. So much so that the best person available could actually be someone with Flyer ties in some way. They just can't do it without more vicious backlash from the fan base.

There needs to be a completely new voice. Someone who is not beholden in any way to the Flyer culture...which we all know, is archaic and has been for over a decade. Probably archaic since the cap was implemented if we want to be completely honest.
- MBFlyerfan

Esche did not exactly leave on the best terms with the organization. Point is I expect a lot of names because as much as the fanbase is apathetic, the Flyers still have relevance as a marquee franchise. A lot of good candidates will want to come and be involved in the turn around. Now, can they get the hire right. Certainly a legit question. What first has to be resolved is the status of Scott and the advisors.

Who will be hiring the next President, Scott or someone above him at comcast? I am still very skeptical about this whole process. I don't know the timeline of Scott's retirement but I hope its very soon. I don't think he is qualified to hire a qualified Prez.

I only skimmed over Briere's comments, but I cautiously take it as him trying to be "real" about our plight without completely trashing the team. I'm not going to make a comical plea about giving it a rest or equating this to wrinkled sheets or whatever (the mattress has burnt down, it's a bed of embers), but talk is cheap. We'll see what happens.

In the last year many have made fun of the “change the culture” motto. That and questioning whether the team has a “Flyers” identity have been talking points…bringing in Torts, being “harder to play against,” acquiring new team leadership etc. I don’t think that all of that is entirely untrue, but in today’s game, you don’t need a whole line of muckers and grinders or 4 or more guys that will drop the gloves.

I’m sure I am not the best one to say this but here goes…Mr. Snider, RIP, was one of us fans as well as being the owner. He was a visionary but also reactionary. The Flyers became the broad street bullies because of one of those reactions. If he saw now that the team needed more speed and higher-end playmakers, I believe he would react to that.

I am not writing this to have another go at Fletcher or at the team’s advisors. Because I really do believe that they care and want the Flyers to remain what Mr. Snider built. Respectfully, the culture connected to the Flyers, it’s competitiveness—never-say-die attitude, will to win, change whatever gives a better chance at winning, impatient not for nothing but success. It’s family, and it is fun to hope that it may be our year and if not, we know darn sure that we will regroup and go for it next year. The salary cap changed things.

It’s tough to have that competitive spirit when you are one the worst teams in the league. It is completely understandable that from here on out fans wait and see before supporting the new regime. It might take back-to-back playoffs down the road before folks start to think the organization might be back on track. Do you blame them? It’s been 11 years now since that happened (‘11-‘12 playoffs).

Just because the regroup (now know as rebuild) will take longer due to the current state of the team, many will support it so long as honesty and a plan is maintained. The culture of the Flyers isn’t its players. In one respect, it is, but they are more like a reflection. The culture of the Flyers wasn’t left to one man to maintain, it was left to who really created it—a fan—the fans, the beating heart of this franchise.

Nothing could be more upsetting to Mr. Snider’s legacy than what happened this past year—Rangers crowd at “home” as case in point. The Flyers were indeed at risk of permanently losing their culture as fan after fan walked away. Not everything the organization has done to revive its culture is wrong; for example that every player have an outreach with a charity in the community. However, if they are not winning currently, they must show a clear path to getting back to winning because nothing short of it will bring everyone back.

You are really reaching, imo. Penguins, Devils, and lightning alone have combined to outscore the Flyers 17-3 in the last 2 weeks. They suck in most metrics. Carter Hart's sv% is .906 whereas last year it was .905.

What about this year screams to you that they aren't an easy 2 points? Or are you going to tell me that the Flyers are the 5th most improved team and that makes them harder to play against?

Hey I hope Briere is the guy but saying stuff like this does not make me trust him. Don't urinate on me and tell me it's raining.
- Flyers_01

I had the same cliche about raining pop in my head. Like I said earlier, action means far more than words but if we believe that Briere was being honest and genuine in his answers to the questions in the press conference. There is much to be very concerned about.

Esche did not exactly leave on the best terms with the organization. Point is I expect a lot of names because as much as the fanbase is apathetic, the Flyers still have relevance as a marquee franchise. A lot of good candidates will want to come and be involved in the turn around. Now, can they get the hire right. Certainly a legit question. What first has to be resolved is the status of Scott and the advisors.
- Trox88

The Flyers are not a marquee franchise and are no longer viewed that way. They haven't been for a long time.

In the last year many have made fun of the “change the culture” motto. That and questioning whether the team has a “Flyers” identity have been talking points…bringing in Torts, being “harder to play against,” acquiring new team leadership etc. I don’t think that all of that is entirely untrue, but in today’s game, you don’t need a whole line of muckers and grinders or 4 or more guys that will drop the gloves.

I’m sure I am not the best one to say this but here goes…Mr. Snider, RIP, was one of us fans as well as being the owner. He was a visionary but also reactionary. The Flyers became the broad street bullies because of one of those reactions. If he saw now that the team needed more speed and higher-end playmakers, I believe he would react to that.

I am not writing this to have another go at Fletcher or at the team’s advisors. Because I really do believe that they care and want the Flyers to remain what Mr. Snider built. Respectfully, the culture connected to the Flyers, it’s competitiveness—never-say-die attitude, will to win, change whatever gives a better chance at winning, impatient not for nothing but success. It’s family, and it is fun to hope that it may be our year and if not, we know darn sure that we will regroup and go for it next year. The salary cap changed things.

It’s tough to have that competitive spirit when you are one the worst teams in the league. It is completely understandable that from here on out fans wait and see before supporting the new regime. It might take back-to-back playoffs down the road before folks start to think the organization might be back on track. Do you blame them? It’s been 11 years now since that happened (‘11-‘12 playoffs).

Just because the regroup (now know as rebuild) will take longer due to the current state of the team, many will support it so long as honesty and a plan is maintained. The culture of the Flyers isn’t its players. In one respect, it is, but they are more like a reflection. The culture of the Flyers wasn’t left to one man to maintain, it was left to who really created it—a fan—the fans, the beating heart of this franchise.

Nothing could be more upsetting to Mr. Snider’s legacy than what happened this past year—Rangers crowd at “home” as case in point. The Flyers were indeed at risk of permanently losing their culture as fan after fan walked away. Not everything the organization has done to revive its culture is wrong; for example that every player have an outreach with a charity in the community. However, if they are not winning currently, they must show a clear path to getting back to winning because nothing short of it will bring everyone back.
- NC Flyers Fan

The word culture highly annoys me. The Flyers culture is in the past. It is long gone, dead and buried and has been for a while. Stop talking about that culture as it means anything. It doesn't. Not anymore. Even now, Scott and Briere are still talking that nonsense. They can't move on it seems and that is the biggest issue. Recognize and acknowledge that the Flyers culture is dead and a new culture needs to be built. One that is in line with the modern day NHL.

I dont post much if at all over the long number of years Ive actively read these boards but lets let reality set in right now

The Briere presser comes within he is named Interim - not THE - GM and to have low expectations of what he will accomplish in the months to come in the upcoming months is non realistic within that 48 hour period

Again being realistic, Briere may not even BE the new full time GM - The Flyers were in a position where they had no recourse but to relieve Fletcher at this time and not wait until end of year when most likely the axe would have fallen. There is an Open Box in the Org Chart, Briere is filling that in the here and now period

We cant fast forward to the end of the season like some kind of video game and start working on next year. This is March and days will pass as they are supposed to

Im not going to offer any opinions as to whom my preference is to fill this slot and most likely others that will be shown the door between today and the end of the regular season because I am not in the inner circle of the decision members to even begin to know who is available.

I could care less about what team that person or persons who were either currently or formerly affiliated with - like any open position I dont want a "name" I want the credentials that justify and qualify that decision. Track records, different approaches or whatever methodology becomes the new norm I want someone who is qualified for that job and begin what will be a VERY long process to get this organization back into the spotlight not due to how badly they suck but how good are their chances to make some noise to the eventual grail - The Stanley Cup

Thanks for reading

Esche did not exactly leave on the best terms with the organization. Point is I expect a lot of names because as much as the fanbase is apathetic, the Flyers still have relevance as a marquee franchise. A lot of good candidates will want to come and be involved in the turn around. Now, can they get the hire right. Certainly a legit question. What first has to be resolved is the status of Scott and the advisors.
- Trox88

Esche is on good terms with the org. The circumstances under which his playing days ended in Philly are ancient history (and Chico was largely to blame at the time).

Esche has a good thing going in Utica. He turned things around there, and is mover and shaker in that community .

Whether he is the right guy for here or not, I don't know.

Briere is saying the 'right stuff' for this moon shot.
I have nothing to say until I see some outcomes.
Please try that, my fellow travelers. Give him a clean start.
- Pompous

The same group picked two successive GMs who were fired. I say it is well past time to fire the hirers. We need a new group picking the next GM. Good luck to Danny in the competition.

"We heard that constantly over the year" Nothing about comparing it to the previous season.
- MJL

I bolded the phrase I was referring to and the context around it .. not sure why you say there is not reference to the previous two seasons.

The Flyers organization does not deserve the benefit of the doubt or anything else for that matter other than scorn and derision.

They have been mismanaging the hockey team on almost every level for a decade now. Until they prove themselves with ACTIONS, they can take their words and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine.
- BiggE

Amen brother! Couldn't have said it better myself. I am way past words...show me you've learned your lesson. Have seen nothing yet. Maybe I will, but nothing as of yet.