Mad Dog

Similar thoughts were going through my mind: how can you have Laughton and Poehling on the ice at such a critical point of the game...

Well, all things considered, this was still a good season.... much better than most of us anticipated. And it will be an interesting off-season.

How much cap space do you currently have as is?

From the outsider's point of view, I think the most glaring need for you guys is to find a star center to play with Kaprizov. He can't do it all (nobody can); he is not a superhuman. You tried Hartmann and Joel Eriksson so far, and the results were less than impressive. Both are nice, fine players, but you need Mark Scheifele or Dylan Larkin type player - not necessarily a superstar, but a consistent point-per-game center. I really think that's what should be Guerin's priority this summer.

I don't disagree with any of that. But the concern was - and maybe even still is - what if the players in fact did quit on him? Than it's an unresolvable situation either way. And Torts did have it in his coaching career, probably more often than not - that he did in fact lose the locker room. But I guess the fact the Flyers announced he is here to stay clears that once for all. I can't imagine they would make that announcement if there was even a shred of a doubt.

And here we have it. Torts stays. https://fanrecap.com/confirmed-tortorella-remains-flyers-head-coach-amid-rumors/?utm_source=philadelphia-flyers&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=nhl-mk&fbclid=IwAR3ykchUFgbrbCoS_2v2JQkwVBKXqKc6Q5FnOQpTwnIbDVNVCCMcqgdwVNg_aem_AWQMYj7Z6QsZd0wyNUvwV74WToKEuKJaD7s_qKJU_3R4KCLYXTwzexWXUdoXmssgVpn7uqekqSDOGk-Y07hXIvZT

Obviously. But I would pay money to find out *why* they collapsed at the end. If what we are witnessing is just a normal burn-out, taking into consideration the age and inexperience of the group, coupled with the fact they wee overachieving all season long, I am OK with them collapsing. After all, this is what a true rebuild is supposed to feel like. Problem is, this is the theory that is tempting to believe in. But I am afraid there is more to it. My fear is they decided to quit on Torts. And if that's the case, I just can't see him coming back.

Agreed. That Montreal game was just a disaster, no matter from what angle you look at it. The team was unrecognizable. It's almost like they didn't want to have anything to do with even being on the ice in that game.

Very possible. And Coots didn't take it lightly and spoke up, saying something like he didn't appreciate how he was treated. I just feel like there is no cohesion on the ice anymore, and one has to wonder if it translated to the locker room, as well.... or vise versa. The team just looked totally transformed in a very negative way from even 3 weeks ago. Clearly, something has occurred. We may hear more during exit interviews, I hope.

For just about any other NHL franchise, it would be. For the Flyers, it's just another day in the Flyerland.... Business as usual. What *is* insane is that people still pay money to go and watch the garbage they put on ice.... year after year. If fans stop paying money, something would change.

I am convinced they are hopeless and incurable at this point... Regardless of new faces, new brass, new narrative, new... everything, the MO will never change wit this team. It's frankly disgusting and nauseating.

Well, we are done...

You were an excellent commissioner for so many years, and what you did and the time you spent, didn't go un(or under)appreciated or unnoticed. But life and work comes first without a doubt. Good luck, man, and thanks for all your work with this league!

If it's any consolation, he kills EVERYBODY, not just the Flyers. He didn't score 113 points last year by accident. Pasta is one of the best natural scorers in the league. It's almost impossible to contain him. His ability to find open space is unparalleled. And he dishes out as effectively as he shoots. He is as a complete of a player as I've ever seen.

Wow. That's a big one. Good thing the Flyers have Sam Ersson, who proved to be an NHL goalie, more than capable of holding the fort. But wow....

It's hard for me to see that Sid, being a fierce competitor that he is, genuinely doesn't want to make the playoffs. I find it hard to believe.

I think what is also so unique and special about this particular core of players is the locker room. Just like everybody else, I've been following the Flyers forever. And I can honestly say I don't remember such a close-knit group, where players play for each other and have such an enormous synergy. For a long, long time, there doesn't seem to be a single bad apple or anybody who is not buying in. Even from a purely psychological standpoint, can you imagine one of them getting traded to make room for a star? That will be devastating to the locker room. I am sure Danny and Jonesy will be taking this into consideration more than anything else. How can they not?

Definitely exceeded my expectations as I expected a full rebuild, reminiscent of what Chicago is going through right now. And in a sense, it would be easier if they were actually going through some growling pains as this is what the fans expected. But if they sustain this level of play, it begs the question: what happens then? Do they keep rebuilding or change the course and load up at the trade deadline? Jonesy and Dannie will need to be making some decisions and it's not easy ones.....

Agreed. Let's hope.

I hear you. You are right, as is, the trade looks decent. I get the fact the Flyers traded a prospect for a player. But as I said earlier, something in Drysdale's game is just not right. In his first full season (2021-2022), he was a -26 player. I watched him, and his game, frankly, scares me. Smooth skater, good in transition, has a decent shot form the point, but has a propensity for making dumb plays, coughs up puck too much, doesn't come back.... I see some of Ivan Provorov in him - good, solid d-man, but nothing too special. I wonder if the Flyers could've negotiated getting maybe an additional (4th?) round pick... But I also realize defensemen take longer to develop, and I wonder if the Ducks rushed him to the NHL too soon as he was the only d-man from his draft class who played in 2020-2021. After all, you can't expect everybody to be Drew Doughty or Cale Makar.

That's what upsets me. If Gauthier had to be traded, that's fine. He made it clear he didn't want to come to Philly, so they reached an impasse. I just feel like the Flyers could've gotten more for him.

Not sure what to think.......... I don't like Drysdale's game even a little. As impressive as he was in the major junior, so disappointing his NHL career has been so far. For someone who is supposed to use his speed and smooth skating to his advantage, he doesn't win many loose puck battles and doesn't quarterback PP all that well. He cuts off angles well; I'll give him that. But what use is it when you constantly lose puck possessions and don't handle yourself well under pressure? Pinches in on a rush, but doesn't work hard to get back... Fourth year career minus player. Also seems injury-prone... I don't blame the Ducks for getting frustrated. I mean, I do believe Cutter didn't want to play here, but we couldn't get a better player for an absolute stud? Cutter will be a superstar in this league. My only consolation/hope is perhaps Drysdale was mismanaged and misused in Anaheim, and Torts will be able to get much more out of him. But I have a suspicion this will not work out many Flyers fans think it will. I hope to be proven wrong.

Good point. Fletch would have traded either of them for the likes of Corey Perry...

That's because human brain is the least studied or understood part of human body. Like you said, the range of possible outcomes is just crazy.

The Flyers were well justified picking him 2nd overall. His projections and scout reports didn't lie. But man.... I cringe every time thinking that we could have had Cale Makar or Elias Pettersson.