Zito. Many pounded the table for him in here. We got Fletcher.
- Just5

I would guess the Flyers wanted an experienced GM instead of Zito who was an AGM. Clarke and Homer were familiar with Fletcher so there was probably comfort there and probably an expectation that they could wield influence.

IIRC the Canes considered Zito in 2017. Zito is a numbers guy with an eye for talent. He would have been a fit in Carolina. But I think he could have transformed the Flyers. The Flyers like muscle and Zito values talent. Talent is a tough commodity to acquire. You can always get muscle easily at low cost.

I can’t see Catton falling that far, but it would be sweet. You’d need some of that Howie Roseman luck. I think a lot of teams are champing at the bit to call his name.

Helenius is certainly a possibility.

I don’t mind taking Eiserman if he’s one dimensional at this time. It’s a dimension we desperately need. Fill the void. We’ll work on the defense later. Until then, put the puck in the net. That’s your job. Doesn’t work out? Fine. Someone will compensate you well for a guy like that. Teams are always looking for dynamic scorers.

Pairing him up down the line with Michkov could be a natural connection.
- Hesh_

or DB luck to get Michkov

This can’t be true…the only way to build a winner is tank for a decade.
- landros 2

Sure it is, ask Buffalo

You missed a key part…when you draft high up in the draft. You have to hit. The flyers have had two picks in the top 5 in the last 6 years…neither are here to help. The point is simple….good decisions…solid signings…good trades …and of course draft and develop.
- landros 2

and luck

I would guess the Flyers wanted an experienced GM instead of Zito who was an AGM. Clarke and Homer were familiar with Fletcher so there was probably comfort there and probably an expectation that they could wield influence.

IIRC the Canes considered Zito in 2017. Zito is a numbers guy with an eye for talent. He would have been a fit in Carolina. But I think he could have transformed the Flyers. The Flyers like muscle and Zito values talent. Talent is a tough commodity to acquire. You can always get muscle easily at low cost.
- Minnyhock

https://www.nytimes.com/a...ization-culture-fletcher/

In 2018, it was then-team president Paul Holmgren who pushed for Comcast Spectacor CEO and chairman Dave Scott to remove Ron
Hextall from the job. Hextall was too insular, the argument went, and the result was that the Flyers were straying from the culture
that Snider had fostered. Alumni felt slighted on multiple levels. The team lacked an identity. And Hextall was infuriatingly patient, a
far cry from the hyper-aggressive team-building strategies of Holmgren and Bob Clarke.
In stepped Clarke. Less than 24 hours after Hextall was let go, Fletcher’s name popped up as a candidate — and it was no
coincidence that Clarke had given Fletcher his first job in hockey in 1993. Fletcher was Clarke’s preferred option. He knew Fletcher
to be a genuinely good person, and a collaborative GM at heart. Fletcher wouldn’t freeze out the alumni as Hextall had.


------------------

As we all know the "alumni" have had no involvement in the big picture of how the team is run for many years, right? I mean that's the company line some people have been stubbornly clinging to? Maybe in 2024 it's finally true, I don't know.

Anyway, Clarke idolized Fletcher's father, gave Fletcher his first job, declared Fletcher was like a son to him, and Fletcher was newly unemployed.

At most family run business's what happens when a relative is unemployed? They get a job at the family business, and while Chuck wasn't an actual Flyer, he was like family to Clarke and would allow Clarke to wield whatever control he had at the time.

Sure it is, ask Buffalo
- jd250

Bringing up Buffalo when this conversation comes up, continues to be incredibly stupid.

Bringing up Buffalo when this conversation comes up, continues to be incredibly stupid.
- MJL

It’s always stupid when someone has a good point in an argument…
Or you can ask the 76ers if you prefer

It’s always stupid when someone has a good point in an argument…
Or you can ask the 76ers if you prefer
- Hosher12

Seems to me that Buffalo is an outlier.

It’s always stupid when someone has a good point in an argument…
Or you can ask the 76ers if you prefer
- Hosher12

Bringing up Buffalo or the 76ers if you want, is not a good point in my opinion as a retort to those that want the Flyers to "tank" or rebuild properly. The latter term I prefer.

Bringing up Buffalo when this conversation comes up, continues to be incredibly stupid.
- MJL

I only want to talk about Buffalo and how we can get that 11 overall pick.

It seems there are multiple teams looking to move their first this year. MON, OTT, NJ, BUF all have been brought up. This would seem perfect for a rebuilding team to move a vet(Konecny/Laughton) in a deal to get more assets to build around.

Be creative, put something together and rebuild this. Not sure how us armchair gm's can see this and can put a plan together but lifers are struggling with the notion.

Sure it is, ask Buffalo
- jd250

What you continually fail to realize is buffalo acquired the top picks and assets. They did what the flyers should do. They passed the first part of rebuilding.

Where they failed is they have incompetent management and owner. Same as the flyers. Only diff is buff actually got high end picks and used them well.

so what team is in a better spot today and going forward? buff or the flyers?

What you continually fail to realize is buffalo acquired the top picks and assets. They did what the flyers should do. They passed the first part of rebuilding.

Where they failed is they have incompetent management and owner. Same as the flyers. Only diff is buff actually got high end picks and used them well.

so what team is in a better spot today and going forward? buff or the flyers?
- hello it's me 2050

These so called or labelled rebuilds all have on thing in common….good players and tough decisions are made. The only tough decision I see DB has made was trading Walker after they couldn’t get him signed. I just wish they were actually transparent like they continue to want to be known as. Because they are anything but.

What you continually fail to realize is buffalo acquired the top picks and assets. They did what the flyers should do. They passed the first part of rebuilding.

Where they failed is they have incompetent management and owner. Same as the flyers. Only diff is buff actually got high end picks and used them well.

so what team is in a better spot today and going forward? buff or the flyers?
- hello it's me 2050

Exactly. Outside the Skinner deal, they don't have much that is terrible. If they can make some good moves this offseason they should be a playoff team.

I actually could see Laughton as a great vet piece for them since he would instantly step into a leadership role with them.

These so called or labelled rebuilds all have on thing in common….good players and tough decisions are made. The only tough decision I see DB has made was trading Walker after they couldn’t get him signed. I just wish they were actually transparent like they continue to want to be known as. Because they are anything but.
- landros 2

You don't think it was a tough decision to take on salary to acquire 1st rd picks? I understand the tear down is not going exactly how everyone wants (myself included), but taking on salary kind of inhibits roster changing. Taking on 9 million in salary is a sign they really are not competing. Right now, they have refused to tear it down to the studs.

I only want to talk about Buffalo and how we can get that 11 overall pick.

It seems there are multiple teams looking to move their first this year. MON, OTT, NJ, BUF all have been brought up. This would seem perfect for a rebuilding team to move a vet(Konecny/Laughton) in a deal to get more assets to build around.

Be creative, put something together and rebuild this. Not sure how us armchair gm's can see this and can put a plan together but lifers are struggling with the notion.
- J35Bacher

To trade for a consequential pick you have to move a player that is going to hurt not having next year.
For arguments sake let’s say Buffalo took Konecny for the 11th over all. Not only are the Flyers going to get the 11th pick, they are also not going to be as competitive next year thus giving them a better chance to have a higher pick next year. I agree I’d like to see them be aggressive in the rebuild.

You don't think it was a tough decision to take on salary to acquire 1st rd picks? I understand the tear down is not going exactly how everyone wants (myself included), but taking on salary kind of inhibits roster changing. Taking on 9 million in salary is a sign they really are not competing. Right now, they have refused to tear it down to the studs.
- Trox88

No I don’t…that was said in jest.

I also don’t think it has to be torn down to the studs…I’m not sure it’s realistic as some of the contracts aren’t movable, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be effective in doing one. I just am getting the sense that they are telling the fan base one thing and doing another….and after another failed attempt I’m in for another decade of shiiity hockey and cheering for a non relevant team. I’ve seen the last two guys attempt this and it ends the same way.

You don't think it was a tough decision to take on salary to acquire 1st rd picks? I understand the tear down is not going exactly how everyone wants (myself included), but taking on salary kind of inhibits roster changing. Taking on 9 million in salary is a sign they really are not competing. Right now, they have refused to tear it down to the studs.
- Trox88

No, it wasn't a tough decision in my opinion. If you're truly rebuilding, it's a very easy decision to make.

Would you offer sheet Kakko from the rangers NYR are in a cap push and though they won’t likely trade him to us being a rival an offer sheet would be a risk but would build that rivalry between the teams which is always a good thing Kids got potential

and luck
- jd250

Luck, competence and patience.

Three things the Flyers have never had.

Exactly. Outside the Skinner deal, they don't have much that is terrible. If they can make some good moves this offseason they should be a playoff team.

I actually could see Laughton as a great vet piece for them since he would instantly step into a leadership role with them.
- J35Bacher

maybe it's me but he laughton leadership stuff is way over blown. he has next to no playoff experience. what has he lead?

Now he has value no doubt.

buff should have been a playoff team long ago. goaltending killed them for a while. bad coaching choices. probably bad gm choices.

No, it wasn't a tough decision in my opinion. If you're truly rebuilding, it's a very easy decision to make.
- MJL

Your correct.

Just like if Hathaway is here and playing well, there is no reason he shouldn't be moved at the trade deadline. Easy moves that should happen.

maybe it's me but he laughton leadership stuff is way over blown. he has next to no playoff experience. what has he lead?

Now he has value no doubt.

buff should have been a playoff team long ago. goaltending killed them for a while. bad coaching choices. probably bad gm choices.
- hello it's me 2050

I think Flyers fans overblow it. I think they are there though. I mean he isn't Messier but I think on a young team he is a solid vet who's seen a lot and can help them.

Would you offer sheet Kakko from the rangers NYR are in a cap push and though they won’t likely trade him to us being a rival an offer sheet would be a risk but would build that rivalry between the teams which is always a good thing Kids got potential
- GPerogie

No for me. I like the thinking outside the box here but:

1. He is a RW and the team is already very stacked in that position. If you trade TK, maybe this isn’t as big an issue.
2. I can’t see a number I’d be happy paying him that wouldn’t be a big risk.
3. Kid might be a bust and we don’t need to take that chance on a RW. If we are going to take risks, it should be for C and D.

I think Flyers fans overblow it. I think they are there though. I mean he isn't Messier but I think on a young team he is a solid vet who's seen a lot and can help them.
- J35Bacher

buff aint all that young in nhl years but get your point.

on paper that team should be much much better. talent is there to me.

Sure it is, ask Buffalo
- jd250

I wish I had the bookmarked the post from a couple days ago where the poster compared winning the percentage of teams winning the Stanley cup to living to 97 yrs old.

This is kind of what i remember so pardon to the OP if it's not accurate.

Only about 3% live to 97 but 2.7% of that 3% are people who eat healthy and exercise.

The vast majority will never live that long but the few that do have things in common.

It's not a question of whether high draft picks (and hitting on them) guarantee a stanley cup, it's that there's no other statistical significant way to win one.

Everyone wants the Flyers to YOLO and wonder why they never advance.

I would rather try to win the Stanley Cup the proven way rather than have the team act like a 20 something with poor impulse control every year who doesn't understand why they are broke and in debt.

No matter how many times this is explained, people will wait a few days and bring up Buffalo like clockwork.