The Fan Blog : Guest Writer JW Novak. “ Monday will be fun ..for better or worse

If we get 1-2 who are you going with. I like Miss but that might be out of necessity would he justify 1st overall or do you take the big d

Looks like my first prediction is gonna come true. Sully to the Rags and now we see if my second prediction comes true (Flyers hiring Tocchet).

1 or 2, I take Mia’s

1 or 2, I take Mia’s
- Jkrgoflyers

Misa

We desperately need a top 2. Schaefer or Misa

If we get 1-2 who are you going with. I like Miss but that might be out of necessity would he justify 1st overall or do you take the big d
- GPerogie

if I get a ever get a chance to take some big D, i'm all over it...

Flyers need a true #1 dman just as much as a #1 center. Schaefer is the better prospect, so you take him.

There is far more Center depth in this draft than defense. Perhaps a package up to the teens get you someone like Desnoyer or Obrien. Not #1 centers, but other than Hagans and Misa, not sure who grades out to be that?

Even if we are lucky enough to get a top two pick this year, and even next year, this isn't going to be a short easy process. Look at San Jose, 4th overall Will Smith in 2023 and 1st overall Macklin Celebrini in 2024 had excellent first years this season. But they still finished in dead last place again, by a lot. It's a process!!

Laughton was worth every penny just for that shot block last night

Even if we are lucky enough to get a top two pick this year, and even next year, this isn't going to be a short easy process. Look at San Jose, 4th overall Will Smith in 2023 and 1st overall Macklin Celebrini in 2024 had excellent first years this season. But they still finished in dead last place again, by a lot. It's a process!!
- Dave21Brown

Thats because getting young talent doesnt make you a contender. Celebrini was a -31. Despite 63 points he was on the ice for 31 more points than he produced. While you cant definitively say that its his fault for being -31 you simply arent going to win when your top line is getting scored on more times than they score. Michkov was a -18. Say what you will about Torts but while SJ may have the better talent on paper, the Flyers were taught how to play properly without the puck. The Flyers will have an easier transition IF they can get the talent.

The Flyers future is pretty bright IMO

Potential team in 2-3 years

Foerster - Misa\Hagens\Fondell\Someone in 2026? - Michkov
Tippett - Luchenko - Konecny
Bump - Coots - Barkley
? - Cates\Poehling - ?

? - York
Sanheim - Drysdale
Andrae - Bonk

Ersson
?

Obviously cant guarantee every one of these guys works out but theres a lot there to be excited about.

...Say what you will about Torts but while SJ may have the better talent on paper, the Flyers were taught how to play properly without the puck. The Flyers will have an easier transition IF they can get the talent.

Totally agree. I was one of his supporters on this site. I didn't much care for the bashing. Yes he's a curmudgeon, but a smart hockey too. And defense wins championships. Gotta learn how to play it.
But one thing I'm disappointed in Torts for, is the way he said when he first started that he realized this is a "different project". And that it was a real chance to build something from the ground up etc. Jonesy, DB and he were managing as a threesome, something we heard about during press conferences, after games etc. But then he gets himself fired. That was b.s. on his part. He had to know they were pruning before even getting started to add. The pruning took a lot of time, but we fans knew that. Is why we've been saying it's going to be a LOOOONG time. I don't like how he signed on for it, and now he's behind a rival bench.

...Say what you will about Torts but while SJ may have the better talent on paper, the Flyers were taught how to play properly without the puck. The Flyers will have an easier transition IF they can get the talent.

Totally agree. I was one of his supporters on this site. I didn't much care for the bashing. Yes he's a curmudgeon, but a smart hockey too. And defense wins championships. Gotta learn how to play it.
But one thing I'm disappointed in Torts for, is the way he said when he first started that he realized this is a "different project". And that it was a real chance to build something from the ground up etc. Jonesy, DB and he were managing as a threesome, something we heard about during press conferences, after games etc. But then he gets himself fired. That was b.s. on his part. He had to know they were pruning before even getting started to add. The pruning took a lot of time, but we fans knew that. Is why we've been saying it's going to be a LOOOONG time. I don't like how he signed on for it, and now he's behind a rival bench.
- BluehorseShoe64

Torts likely miscalculated. It isnt the first time. He also didnt think DeAngelo was as bad in his own end as he ended up being. He probably thought the team was closer than they were. He was also hired under Fletcher who aggressively Retooling. Briere has subtracted quite a bit since taking over.

Laughton was worth every penny just for that shot block last night
- Aaron_85

Getting rid of Laughton was the best move Briere has made as GM of the Flyers. I, for one, am glad he is no longer wasting a roster spot on the Flyers.

Thats because getting young talent doesnt make you a contender. Celebrini was a -31. Despite 63 points he was on the ice for 31 more points than he produced. While you cant definitively say that its his fault for being -31 you simply arent going to win when your top line is getting scored on more times than they score. Michkov was a -18. Say what you will about Torts but while SJ may have the better talent on paper, the Flyers were taught how to play properly without the puck. The Flyers will have an easier transition IF they can get the talent.

The Flyers future is pretty bright IMO

Potential team in 2-3 years

Foerster - Misa\Hagens\Fondell\Someone in 2026? - Michkov
Tippett - Luchenko - Konecny
Bump - Coots - Barkley
? - Cates\Poehling - ?

? - York
Sanheim - Drysdale
Andrae - Bonk

Ersson
?

Obviously cant guarantee every one of these guys works out but theres a lot there to be excited about.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Not true.Plus minus is funny. No plus/ minus when on the PP or PK. No plus/ minus extraman for goalie pulled. So Celebrini might have had 20 pp points, none of that would have given him any pluses.

What the stat really means is that he was on the ice for 31 more even strength points against than for, not that he was on the ice for 94 goals against and on the ice for 63 that he got points on. If he got a bunch of points on the pp, then his plus/ minus doesn't change.

Torts likely miscalculated. It isnt the first time. He also didnt think DeAngelo was as bad in his own end as he ended up being. He probably thought the team was closer than they were. He was also hired under Fletcher who aggressively Retooling. Briere has subtracted quite a bit since taking over.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Great points here. I don't believe Torts is stupid but he definitely had to think there was somehow someway that the Flyers could at least make the playoffs. No way he would want to be part of a rebuild.

Getting rid of Laughton was the best move Briere has made as GM of the Flyers. I, for one, am glad he is no longer wasting a roster spot on the Flyers.
- meduser

Not a Laugton hater but yes, it was a great move! I'm happy for him that he's in the playoffs.

Not true.Plus minus is funny. No plus/ minus when on the PP or PK. No plus/ minus extraman for goalie pulled. So Celebrini might have had 20 pp points, none of that would have given him any pluses.

What the stat really means is that he was on the ice for 31 more even strength points against than for, not that he was on the ice for 94 goals against and on the ice for 63 that he got points on. If he got a bunch of points on the pp, then his plus/ minus doesn't change.
- meduser

This is true but 63 points, 22 points on the PP for 41 EVSTR points. 41 GA gets you to 0 -31 extra so thats a 72GA for his line give or take 18 (SJS gave up 18 GA with goalie pulled. Not going to spend the time to find out if He played in every game the G was pulled

Torts has always been a disciplinarian with a defense first style of play with lots of shot blocking. The Flyers prior to Torts slept walked most games until the middle of the 2nd period. His discipline, whether or not it was not spread evenly, helped the younger plays learn to play a 200 foot game. Now the Flyers need a more offensive styled coach to move the team forward. Hopefully the next head coach is not named Shaw? We lost too many games with him as a bench coach. Time for new blood and a winning attitude. Brire has commented that the team will now look to bring in talent in trades. Let's see what he comes up with this off season.


On a side note: The draft lottery is on Monday. I don't care if you pray at a church, synagogue, mosque, howl at the moon or if you swing a dead cat over your head and practice Santeria. Can we all say a prayer to the ping pong ball gods and hope the Flyers get the 1st or 2nd pick?

Even if we are lucky enough to get a top two pick this year, and even next year, this isn't going to be a short easy process. Look at San Jose, 4th overall Will Smith in 2023 and 1st overall Macklin Celebrini in 2024 had excellent first years this season. But they still finished in dead last place again, by a lot. It's a process!!
- Dave21Brown

Here we go again. San Jose tore it down to the studs. It takes lots of time to recover from that no matter what. The Flyers aren't tearing it down to the studs, thus the turnaround can occur quicker if some shrewd moves are made.

Getting rid of Laughton was the best move Briere has made as GM of the Flyers. I, for one, am glad he is no longer wasting a roster spot on the Flyers.
- meduser

Most definitely it was time for him to move on and further down the line up on another team.

Here we go again. San Jose tore it down to the studs. It takes lots of time to recover from that no matter what. The Flyers aren't tearing it down to the studs, thus the turnaround can occur quicker if some shrewd moves are made.
- Phillywhiteout

You'd be correct. Habs did it in 3 years.

if I get a ever get a chance to take some big D, i'm all over it...

Flyers need a true #1 dman just as much as a #1 center. Schaefer is the better prospect, so you take him.

There is far more Center depth in this draft than defense. Perhaps a package up to the teens get you someone like Desnoyer or Obrien. Not #1 centers, but other than Hagans and Misa, not sure who grades out to be that?
- Wingdestroyer

I’ve been thinking about that scenario. We have 3 firsts and 4 seconds. I’d think about packaging one of their other 2 firsts and their own second round pick to move back into early teens to nab one of those centers who might fall out of the top 10. They have the capital to be decisive and really improve their pipeline.

It should be an interesting off-season, more cap space for teams, and no shortage of teams who need to decide to add or rebuild. I am sure LA will try to figure out what is next, Habs will have to decide to add. Whoever loses the AVs vs Dallas series will need to evaluate, on and on, we shall see how good of GM DB can be

It should be an interesting off-season, more cap space for teams, and no shortage of teams who need to decide to add or rebuild. I am sure LA will try to figure out what is next, Habs will have to decide to add. Whoever loses the AVs vs Dallas series will need to evaluate, on and on, we shall see how good of GM DB can be
- wcorvette

It's a shame that one of those teams (Avs/Stars) is gonna be out after tonight. That should be the Western Conference Final. That's been a really fun series to watch.

DB was on NHL Radio last week and he made it sound as if the Flyers aren't gonna be very busy this summer. He seems to be targeting next summer to go big game hunting.

It's a shame that one of those teams (Avs/Stars) is gonna be out after tonight. That should be the Western Conference Final. That's been a really fun series to watch.

DB was on NHL Radio last week and he made it sound as if the Flyers aren't gonna be very busy this summer. He seems to be targeting next summer to go big game hunting.
- Phillywhiteout

That’s very good news. They need to have another tough year