Howie58 Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) Greetings: The Flyers are underdogs (+150) with computer projections giving the Kings a 55% win probability. It looks like Quick versus Hart between the pipes: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-phi/2022/01/29/2021020778 This season has become an apparent audition for 2022-23, so individual performance and growth mean more than win-lose. I have to wonder if the the press conference is a motivator or "deflator" for players and coaches alike? For those who want to attend in person or get a "state of the franchise" in a nutshell, here's a link to seats: https://www.vividseats.com/philadelphia-flyers-tickets-wells-fargo-centerpa-1-29-2022/production/3671560 Lower bowl seats are at about $45-$50 in abundance. The SRO seats in the saloon are at $12. Some will recall that management saw these SRO's as a means of attracting younger clients (at $25) who wouldn't pony up for a regular ticket. Well, I guess going to a movie and SRO at the Flyers are equally priced. How's that for "State of the Organization?" Here is the lineup. Ratcliffe makes his debut on the fourth line. Lindblom moves up. Oskar Lindblom-Claude Giroux-Cam Atkinson James van Riemsdyk-Scott Laughton-Travis Konecny Gerry Mayhew-Morgan Frost-Max Willman Isaac Ratcliffe-Connor Bunnaman-Zack MacEwen Defensemen Ivan Provorov-Justin Braun Travis Sanheim-Rasmus Ristolainen Keith Yandle-Cam York Goalies Carter Hart Martin Jones Edited January 29, 2022 by Howie58 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 19 minutes ago, Howie58 said: I have to wonder if the the press conference is a motivator or "deflator" for players and coaches alike? Great question Howie. I'm sure the younger guys already know this is their audition. Whatever funk the team is in, whatever Yeo does with the lines..it may not be "now or never" but it's a good opportunity even on a bad team. re: Ristolainen I was hoping Fletcher would hint he intends to unload him at the TD but no such luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howie58 Posted January 28, 2022 Author Share Posted January 28, 2022 9 minutes ago, GratefulFlyers said: Great question Howie. I'm sure the younger guys already know this is their audition. Whatever funk the team is in, whatever Yeo does with the lines..it may not be "now or never" but it's a good opportunity even on a bad team. re: Ristolainen I was hoping Fletcher would hint he intends to unload him at the TD but no such luck. I think Risto takes a 3-year, $4 million offer or takes a hike. That's what peers earn and his numbers don't warrant longer term or more moolah. His days as budding first-pair D-man are over. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post flyercanuck Posted January 28, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted January 28, 2022 I f***ing hate the Flyers! Beat ya to it CoachX! 1 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 3 minutes ago, Howie58 said: I think Risto takes a 3-year, $4 million offer or takes a hike. Door #2 please - hand him a bag of trail-mix and send him on his merry way. I agree with you $12mil/3 years is what RR should be offered. But Chuck Fletcher? $35mil/6 years sounds about right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 hour ago, GratefulFlyers said: But Chuck Fletcher? $35mil/6 years sounds about right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radoran Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 hour ago, GratefulFlyers said: I agree with you $12mil/3 years is what RR should be offered. But Chuck Fletcher? $35mil/6 years sounds about right. The question really is whether ol' Fletch is bidding against himself to stop the player from seeing what the market is, or is confident that the player would sign with the Flyers when they determine market value. To your point, I think he's more likely to do the former, most likely because he thinks he needs to lock the player up. See: Hayes, Kevin - and he only gave up a 5th rounder to get him. Not the 1st, 2 2nds, a 7th and two players he effectively moved out to get Ristolainen. Any thought that he wasn't going to re-sign Ristolainen or "get value at the trade deadline" seems to miss the obvious point. This is eeerily reminiscent of the Andy MacDonald situation and that was just a 2nd and a 3rd that turned into a 6Y, $30M contract pretty quickly. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 20 minutes ago, radoran said: The question really is whether ol' Fletch is bidding against himself to stop the player from seeing what the market is, or is confident that the player would sign with the Flyers when they determine market value. To your point, I think he's more likely to do the former, most likely because he thinks he needs to lock the player up. See: Hayes, Kevin - and he only gave up a 5th rounder to get him. Not the 1st, 2 2nds, a 7th and two players he effectively moved out to get Ristolainen. Any thought that he wasn't going to re-sign Ristolainen or "get value at the trade deadline" seems to miss the obvious point. This is eeerily reminiscent of the Andy MacDonald situation and that was just a 2nd and a 3rd that turned into a 6Y, $30M contract pretty quickly. This^^^. There's no way he's going to admit he's an idiot for trading ALL THAT, and turn around and trade him for whatever he gets taken for this time. The guy gets bent over on pretty much every deal he makes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojo1917 Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 @flyercanuck @radoran I'm hoping (perhaps naively) that all the "good bloke" goodwill Fletcher has spread around the league amongst his peers comes back this off-season. He's held salary in trades and has been beyond fair in his dealings with teams throughout his career, this is the time to call in those markers. I would also think the league would be looking at the lack of $ coming from the cash-cow that is the PHI franchise and wondering if they need to exert some influence around the league. I'm sure that sweet orange money rolling into the league office will be missed. For years the Flyers have been the sharers, it would suck for everyone if they were to become the share-ees? you know, suckling on the league teat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digityman Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) @mojo1917 Isn't that a form of socialism? lol I can't imagine any other GM or owner "helping the Flyers out" in any way shape or form. Now, could I see them low-balling them for pieces, absolutely. Chuck (and us fans) are in for a world hurt before this gets better. Best just find something better to do for 2-3 years until they finally figure out that they need to to clean house starting with Scott all the way down to the stick boys. Edited January 28, 2022 by Digityman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojo1917 Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 minute ago, Digityman said: Isn't that a form of socialism? lol I can't imagine any other GM or owner "helping the Flyers out" in any way shape or form Maybe I'm showing my age, but sports management and business used to be about relationships as well as the bottom line. It's not socialism, it's not being a douche to your peers. The idea that there is enough work to go around that a company doesn't need to actively **** their competition used to be how people operated. It wasn't that long ago. Also, I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't know. But sports leagues are socialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digityman Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 @mojo1917 I'm not trying to be a d!ck. Been a long couple days for me, sorry if it came off like that. I agree businesses do share some information and what not, but all these teams are going for the cup and to me, I don't see much 'helping' of other teams. Maybe once in a while, a team will take a JVR type contract to reach the cap floor but that's helping themselves too. I do agree that maybe that once was more of a thing but for some reason I feel like things have changed (in a lot of areas, not just hockey) and not for the better. Maybe I'm showing my age now.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radoran Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 1 hour ago, mojo1917 said: I'm hoping (perhaps naively) that all the "good bloke" goodwill Fletcher has spread around the league amongst his peers comes back this off-season. He's held salary in trades and has been beyond fair in his dealings with teams throughout his career, this is the time to call in those markers. It's a nice thought, but the flip side is that the league isn't fooled by a change in title and the ill will that one of the Senior Hockey Executives engendered is a real thing and could still be percolating around. This is a guy, after all, who had to pay a team to take a guy who was immediately one of their top scorers... The league - either as an entity or individual teams - is not looking to make the Flyers better. It would not surprise me at all if there was more than a little "glee" amongst many at the state in which the Flyers find themselves. And I don't mean Pennsylvania. The franchise has spent years patting itself on the back and throwing it's weight around. And after 10 years of futile mediocrity it still is. Just look at Dave Scott proudly proclaiming that they're running the hockey operations the same way they always have and being proud of that record after 10 years of one playoff round win. It's been a decade, Dave. Maybe it is time to change something?? To your point, however, he does have the chance to do things like retain salary on a Giroux deal to Colorado or to move a JVR... Could improve the return. I still don't see them trading Giroux. Just don't. Happy to be surprised. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 2 hours ago, mojo1917 said: He's held salary in trades and has been beyond fair in his dealings with teams throughout his career, this is the time to call in those markers Except I don’t think he did any of that with an eye toward being a “good guy,” showing good faith for a return of the same in the future. Probably if he hadn’t ridiculously overpaid and/or completely screwed up the deals for Hayes, Ristolainen and Gostisbehere I could persuade myself we’re seeing a smooth operator at work. I’d expect he’d improve the Flyers significantly at the TD and then into this summer, possibly in the short term but certainly in the longer term. But those deals were so lopsided I just have no confidence he knows what he’s doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 6 hours ago, mojo1917 said: @flyercanuck @radoran I'm hoping (perhaps naively) that all the "good bloke" goodwill Fletcher has spread around the league amongst his peers comes back this off-season. He's held salary in trades and has been beyond fair in his dealings with teams throughout his career, this is the time to call in those markers. I would also think the league would be looking at the lack of $ coming from the cash-cow that is the PHI franchise and wondering if they need to exert some influence around the league. I'm sure that sweet orange money rolling into the league office will be missed. For years the Flyers have been the sharers, it would suck for everyone if they were to become the share-ees? you know, suckling on the league teat. Yaaa....no, he just got completely taken and every GM in the league is praying he's either selling or buying at the deadline...doesn't matter which. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxpin Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 (edited) 41 minutes ago, flyercanuck said: Yaaa....no, he just got completely taken and every GM in the league is praying he's either selling or buying at the deadline...doesn't matter which. He's simply terrible. This is exactly why my histrionics when they hired him. We're getting exactly what I feared and why I was so furious. The dk would pay $75 and his own kid's bicycle for a damn peanut butter sandwich. And he's so insanely tucson-stupid he'd call it a win. The person more stupid is the twatwaffle "upstairs" who hired him. Edited January 29, 2022 by ruxpin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 On 1/28/2022 at 11:01 AM, Howie58 said: Ratcliffe makes his debut on the fourth line. 6’5” 225, age 22 skating with Bunnaman and MacEwen that could be a pretty good 4th line. Ratcliffe will be fired up for his first NHL game and MacEwen is always fired up. Yes it’s come to this Flyers’ fans, expecting only the 4th line will provide entertainment, something resembling how the Flyers used to play…not the BSB but the energy and FU attitude that MacEwen’s got in spades and hopefully Ratcliffe will play with today too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Just now, GratefulFlyers said: 6’5” 225, age 22 Once this kid learns to use this to his advantage he will take that next step, right now time to get the feet wet...i'd prefer to start him on the 3rd instead of where they have him on the 4th but maybe he gets bumped up once the puck drops. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachX Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 On 1/28/2022 at 10:01 AM, flyercanuck said: I f***ing hate the Flyers! Beat ya to it CoachX! Well said. Direct and to the point . Bravo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podein25 Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 On 1/28/2022 at 11:01 AM, flyercanuck said: I f***ing hate the Flyers! Possibly the best post ever. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samifan Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Crowd showering Fletcher with boos during the Yandle ceremony, you love to see it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howie58 Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 2 hours ago, GratefulFlyers said: 6’5” 225, age 22 skating with Bunnaman and MacEwen that could be a pretty good 4th line. Ratcliffe will be fired up for his first NHL game and MacEwen is always fired up. Yes it’s come to this Flyers’ fans, expecting only the 4th line will provide entertainment, something resembling how the Flyers used to play…not the BSB but the energy and FU attitude that MacEwen’s got in spades and hopefully Ratcliffe will play with today too. So far, the kid looks good. He sticks out on the tube....big dude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GratefulFlyers Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Yes he does - he absolutely wasted that one King who tried to check him off the puck...ha! great to see. That was the best period of Flyers' hockey I've seen since October. No joke. Couple breakdowns of course, wouldn't be the Flyers w/out leaving Hart stranded to go one-on-one with somebody on his doorstep. But besides those brain-dead moments the Flyers looked like a real NHL hockey team for a change. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojo1917 Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 So....Ratcliffe? Pretty decent debut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Samifan Posted January 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted January 29, 2022 Just now, mojo1917 said: So....Ratcliffe? Pretty decent debut We’ll he is wearing #76 so he has the Chris VandeVelde mojo working for him 1 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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