A Year Into Chuck Fletcher’s Reign

It has been over a year since the Philadelphia Flyers have brought in Chuck Fletcher as General Manger on December 3, 2018. Since his introduction as the teams new sovereign, he has made a number of additions, subtractions, and resigning’s. Along with that he has had his first draft as the Flyers General Manger. 

One of Chuck’s first big moves was to fire Head Coach Dave Hakstol; who was brought in by the former Flyers GM Ron Hextall. This was thought to be a much needed move, because under Hakstol the team was floundering, underperforming in every way possible. Hakstol and Hextall had not only lost all respect from the guys in the locker room, but they also refused to bring up young talent; instead both  preferred to keep playing underachieving veterans, a decision that ultimately played a big part in their demise.

To replace the departing Hakstol, Chuck Fletcher took some time conjure up just who he wanted to lead his new team. Fletcher eventually decided on Alain Vigneault, a wise choice in the minds of most Flyers fans. Once announced as the New Flyers Head Coach, Vigneault wasted no time in letting his team and fans know that things were about to change on Broad Street. From the way practices are now run, to the level of play he demands from his players, Vigneault has shown that he has no problem calling players out after games or practices if they are not playing up to his standard. After which if a player cannot turn around his play, Vigneault has let it be known that he will sit or move star players down in the lineup if they don’t produce. Even taking it as far as to healthy scratch Shayne Gostisbehere for multiple games when the young defender was out of synch. In the short time Vigneault has taken the reins of this team he has changed the culture not only in the locker room, but how the team performs on the ice on a nightly basis. For one of his first big trades Fletcher shipped out then Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas; a player who at best saw fourth or fifth defenseman minutes to the Washington Capitals. In return Fletcher received a 33-year-old right-hand shooting, first line defenseman in Matt Niskanen, who stands 6’1,” at 203 pounds. In doing so, Fletcher added a Stanley Cup winning Veteran defenseman with great wisdom an experience, who will block shots and play 20 plus minutes a night. Now paired with the talented young Ivan Provorov, Niskanen adds a calming presence to the blue line, one which can help mold the future Norris Trophy winner (Provorov) for the rest of this year, and next at least. In 34 games played this year, Niskanen is a plus 3 and has 4 goals, 10 assist, for 14 points.

Another trade that Fletcher managed to pull off was to send the expiring contract of forward Ryan Hartman to Dallas for 6’2,” 200 pound winger Tyler Pitlick, a move that brought in more scoring depth to the bottom six forwards. The now 28-year-old Pitlick uses his speed and strength to win board battles and puck races. Pitlick may not be the most talented player on the ice, but he makes up for it with heart, giving the team, and coach Vigneault 110% every night. Never once complaining about a lack of ice time, Pitlick has found himself frequently moving up in the lineup when injuries occur. Dealing now with his own injury the team is missing his hustle and agility in the lineup. Traits that the team is finding out are not so easily replaced.

Defenseman Justin Braun was also acquired via trade this off season. When the Flyers General Manger sent a second round pick in 2019, and a third round pick in 2020 to San Jose for the stay at home right-hand shot defender. Much like Niskanen, Braun was brought in to settle down a young defender in Travis Sanheim, who the 6’2,” 205 pounder, was paired with early on this year. Averaging just over 17 minutes a game, Braun’s style of play has allowed Sanheim to jump up at times into the offensive rush, or create his own rush, all the while knowing that Braun is standing guard on the back end behind him.

In the form of free agents, Fletcher brought in a GIANT one.  In the form of 6’5,” 216 pound Center Kevin Hayes. The 27-year-old is a 200 foot player, playing just as good in the defensive zone as he does in the offensive zone. Hayes can play on the power play as well as the penalty killing units. Hayes not only has added great size and strength down the middle of the ice this year, but he has given the team some much needed depth there, especially with former number two overall pick Nolan Patrick out for an unknown amount of time with a migraine disorder. In 34 games played this year Hayes has produced 8 goals, 9 assists, for 17 points. His 7.1 Million dollar salary may seem like a lot, but he is a leader in the locker room, and is vocal both on the ice and bench.

A second free addition this year was Forward Chris Stewart a 32-year-old journeyman, who battled through camp just to gain a NHL contract. Gone are the days when this 6’2″ 242 pounder was netting 15-20 goals a year. Be that as it may, Stewart has been able to transform himself into a physical guy, who will finish every check and fight whoever needed to help his team win. With that Stewart finds himself often helping the young guys on the team. Helping to take young men (Rookies) and turning them into professional athletes, even inviting Joel Farabee over for Thanksgiving dinner with his family this year. I assure you when you mention Stewart’s name in the Flyers locker room EVERYONE lights up, and has a story to rave about how Chris has helped them out this year.

A guy who was familiar to the organization and was a free agent singing this year was the efficient backup goalie Brain Elliott (Moose). Moose has played well this year while splitting time with the young goaltending prodigy Carter Hart. Elliott has posted a 7-4 record, while maintaining a 2.96 goals against average, and a .904 save percentage. He costs the team only 2 million dollars this year, and he has a much more vital role. Elliott also serves as a mentor for Carter Hart continuing to teach him the ins and outs of the long NHL season.

With these moves not only did Fletcher show that he could pull of a big trade when needed, and a big ticket free agent signing. He also showed that he can do what it takes to wrap up his own players; inking both winger Travis Konecny and star defenseman Ivan Provorov to new contracts. Fletcher was able to sign first line forward Konecny to a 6-year, 33 million dollar deal. That will keep the now just 22-year-old with the team through the 2024-2025 season when he will still be just 27 years of age. That’s an average of only $5.5 million a year for a first line player. A feat that is kind of unheard of. As for the deal Flecther signed 22-year-old Provorov to; he managed to get the young Russian who was rumored to be asking for $10 million a year into signing for just 6.75 Million dollars a year, for six years. Which keeps Ivan a Flyer until he is 28 years old, an age that still should have him in his prime. For similar players that log as much as 25 minutes a night like Provy does the price around the league is far steeper (8 or 9 million dollars a year).

Now looking to Chuck Fletcher’s 2019 Flyers Draft class, you see future stud defenseman like Cameron York who Fletcher took in the first round. York was compared by most to Hall of Famer Brain Leetch. Another bright spot in this year’s draft may turn out to be the undersized sniper in Bobby Brink who the new GM took with his second pick. He is off to a good start for the University of Denver this year.

So what is next for Chuck Fletcher? One would think it would be to trade players that are not fitting into Coach Alain Vigneault’s system before the trade deadline. Guys like James Van Riemsdyk (JVR) who has seen third and fourth line minutes a lot this season, and that the coach has not bit his tongue about at all when asked what he thought about his play by reporter. In addition, in the off season look for Fletcher to cut or get rid of certain prospects drafted by Ron Hextall that just haven’t developed at the rate the team has hoped. This is to make room for his own guys that he drafted, and other ones already in the system like Wyatte Wylie who are in need of a contract in order to turn pro next year.

In closing has Flecther been perfect since taking the job as Flyers General Manger? NO, giving up what seemed a bit too much for Justin Braun after a down year, and taking Cam York in the draft, over arguably the best pure goal scorer (in said draft) Cole Caufield.; while the team already is loaded to the brim with young up and coming defensive talent, was very hard to swallow. Overall, Chuck has come in and turned this team around from a bottom dwelling train wreck, which lacked direction from both its coaches and veteran players to a team before the mounting injuries, who seemed destined to be real contenders out of the East come playoff time. Only time will tell if Fletcher will be the one to bring the Flyers back to greatness, but for right now he seems to be off to a good start.   

Photo Credit: Jose Moreno Photographer of the Philadelphia Inquirer