hmc687

I think Hayes brother dying messed him up, big. Not that we had a big sample size but Hayes never seemed the same...surreal

Mason was actually pretty darn good for a couple years too tbh

Flyguys just drafted more goalies in addition to Erson, Sandstrom, and maybe Fedotov? And they Flyers are kind of TRYING to tank right now... Would be surprised if Briere DOESNT move Hart at this point

Canes signed TDA for the same amount Phila buyout cost. Jesus, the Canes are 10/10 trolls between this contract and the offer sheet w Kotkaniemi

Hope everything goes exactly as described in your post.

This fantasy writing is entertaining and all but not based at all in reality. Sadly, Coots is very likely done and, if not, going to be a shell of himself. And the likelihood of him playing to that age is very low. It's hard to be motivated in recovery when youre coming back to a bottom 5-10 team for at least 2-3 more seaaons. But that LTIR contract may come in handy to exceed the cap and/or acquire an asset

That 2012 series was the most entertaining series of Flyer hockey since 2000. Only other remarkable series was 2010 Bruins comeback and that was a completely different type of entertainment.

One team wins the Cup every year and 31 other teams dont. Odds are most teams wont win the cup which is fine because sports are entertainment. The goal is to entertain and winning can be entertaining...so, too, can an entertaining style of play. The Flyers used to be a fun team to watch. The Flyers Penguins playoff series of 2012 was legitimately one of the best playoff series I can recall in the past decade. And that Flyers team was far from a Cup contender. Since that point in time they've gotten away from broad street bullies and not only been awful but been awful to watch. A team can lose in style or just lose and since 97% (31 out of 32 teams) will lose I'd at least like the team to make it fun.

All that plus his destruction of the team identity/culture...something 40 years in the making. Its damaged the fan base and most fans (myself included) have either checked out or are in limbo. I dont know what style of hockey this team plays because they rotate coaches and roster so often. Those energy guys (Schenn, Hartnell, Simmonds, etc.) might not be the best on-ice product but they are lockerroom guys and they add something to the fanbase. Voracek never did that. JVR never did that. Weise never did that. RJ Umberger never did that. Jori Lehtera never did that. And none of Provorov, Sanheim, or Hagg accomplished that. Konency wouldve fit in w the old Flyers grind and wear n' tear regime because he's a gutsy player whose also talented, but he's also the most likely player to be traded out today... Was optimistic when Hexy arrived and that quickly soured once he started dumping fan favorites for RJ Umberger or Lehtera. The info about him ruining #2 OA selection only sealed the deal for me.

I never liked Hexy. He got rid of fan favorites in Hartnell and Schenn and replaced them w literal plugs. He also wanted to end the "broad street bullies" identity which has left the team without identity or culture or anything. And that's still a problem for this team to this day, years or even a decade later. And Hexy also signed awful contracts like Voracek, Weise, JVR, ...in addition to not going after quality UFAs. When Hextall wouldn't fire Hakstol I started suspecting Ron was behind the nonsense (partially or fully we'll never know).

Hakstol in Seattle really makes me wonder about his time here with Philly. Was it Hakstol that refused to do certain things? Or was it Hextall forcing Hakstol's hand? I'll be the first to confess I don't watch Seattle play at all other than the boxscore, but they've really put something solid together there. And with Berniers and Wright they have a decent-good future. Hextall allegedly ignored all scouts/executives (per Clarke) and chose Patrick over Makar or Heiskanen, etc. And we know Hextall is horrific as a GM based on his time here and in Pittsburgh...so its entirely plausible that Ron forced his hand during Dave Hakstol's tenure here. This entire post is pure speculation and I'm glad for Hakstol to find such success in Seattle. That franchise showing early indications of grooming and developing a prospect the right way which is good news for Wright. Anyhow, here's to hoping Frost becomes a bona-fide 2C and Flyers still somehow finish worst in the league this year XD

Addition by subtraction. Hayes is a decent 3C who was being paid like a 1/2C. If he wasnt good in the lockerroom for work ethic or attitude or whatever then yeah, he's got to go

Fletcher likely wont get another GM job in his lifetime, at least not at the NHL level

Run the model for 20-21 and 21-22

People are really sleeping on Sanheim. The $6 million seems a wee bit high right now but cap expected to jump next season and following season. Lots of teams alrdy pay Mid pair dmen ~$5m per. When the cap goes up Sanheim's contract will be a deal or even steal. Sanheim is a bit higher and locked up long-term. Plus he plays a style that will age well...he's not overly physical and - usually - finesse/technical guys get BETTER with age and experience. And if you allow last season to be an outlier TS was rock solid in the preceeding years...

Gotta be something under the surface otherwise SOME team wouldve taken a flyer. Its nuts that NOBODY wanted a free 6OA for a year or two? Yeah something is fishy

Any rebuilding team, including Philly, should at the very least offer a PTO. The success Seattle had w Tolvanen is a perfect example that salvation is possible. Not saying Zadina or Tolvnen will be elite top wingers but mid 6 contributors is realistic and probable for Tolvanen

Still hearing this deal is done but obviously w different parts. Am curious how it plays out

Pray his knees hold up. I was a big Morin fan...really thought he had Chara potential. Really tragic what happened w his ACL and knees and such

Sanheim was out best defenseman going into last season and really had a dud of a year. There's a strong possibility he rebounds in a good way and lives up the contract. Dont see why so many people are itching to get rid of Sanheim. His cap hit is fine especially w cap going up next year and the odds are we get an improved defenseman in Travis as the team structure solidifies and improves. The Flyers have direction for the first time in YEARS so I'm genuinely excited. And I expect Sanheim to be a reliable 2nd pair LHD.

Not only was Couts the next Captain for this team he was the heir to Bergeron's annual Selke........

Thank you for correction. Shame whats happened w Couts

Torts is a culture guy and the only person wearing a leadership patch is Laughton. Not Couts, not Provorov, Sanheim, Hayes, or TK. It was only SL that Torts identified as a leader. "Scott Laughton's role with the Flyers continues to grow on the ice and in the locker room The versatile forward hasn't missed a beat since moving into a top-six role and has also emerged as the face of the team's leadership group under new coach John Tortorella" https://www.inquirer.com/flyers/flyers-scott-laughton-versatility-captain-tortorella-20221103.html

Laughton is a very solid 3C imho. He brings everything a 3C should bring and apparently is a good lockerroom guy. When we're talking about improving the culture I want those guys to hang around. His contract is affordable, he doesnt get hurt often, and he gets involved in a positive way. Those are qualities I want in my 3C. Could he be bigger and more physical? Sure, but that hasnt made him less effective. The return you would get for SL wont compromise or prevent youngsters from development or ice time in the lineup. Laughton isnt going to block Foerester at 2C nor Brink or Tumala in the Top 6. However, TK WILL. Also, TK will get a far better haul than Laughton. I'm of the opinion Hart is definitely gone and the 2nd rd pick solidified that for me.

The team may be better than most think in 2 years time, too. A lot of potential w Foerester for next season in addition to growth and chemistry between Frost, Tippet, TK, SL, Farabee, and Cates. Sanheim might bounce back and be solid and maybe York becomes a steady top pair LD. Add in Gauthier (1+ year away) and Michkov (3+ years away) and the parts start to come together. And there's a chance Michkov makes it to Phila in less than 3 years although much remains to be seen there. Hart has healthy competition w Errson, Sandstrom, and Fedotov. I think the greatest need over next 2-3 drafts is a legit 1C as Couts may never play again at all and, if he does, dont expect the Selke version.