The Flyers are committed to the youth, and that has been made evident all season long practically. Especially with the latest round of call ups, however, there could be some young players/prospects on the move this offseason, this is one way to make trades more attractive. I’m not speculating anything here or giving names, but this offseason will be like the 2020-21 offseason, to which former General Manager Chuck Fletcher changed over nearly half or more of the roster.
Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella has said over and over again that this was a learning season, an evaluation season to see who would sink or swim. He wanted to see who could be part of the solution for the Flyers moving forward before they moved on from said player. This was a good way to operate, as Tortorella didn’t know the majority of the players on the orange and black’s roster before the season started. He didn’t want to rush judgment, and have that player succeed in another organization before getting a good look at him.
“The next step with this organization is you don’t start adding players until you subtract players.” – John Tortorella
With hearing the aforementioned quote above, some are probably thinking what is there to play for for the rest of the season for the Flyers. Players are playing for spots, Wildwood coaching staff is trying to build building blocks for the future. They are laying the groundwork now on what is expected of each and every single player, and that way it will make it a smoother transition next season and beyond. Players will know exactly what to expect and how to excel inside a John Tortorella, Rocky Thompson, Brad Shaw coached team. The coaching staff is trying to build a successful foundation for next season and beyond, a foundation fulfilled with expectations of the youth learning to play the game the right way.
“I think everyone thinks the season has been lost. We knew there was going to be pain this year,” John Tortorella said following the game against the Florida Panthers last night. “I respect our club. We stayed in it competing up to the break there – I think 50 games, I think we finally got to .500 before the break, I think that’s what it was. Losing TK kicked the crap out of us. He was such a catalyst for us, and we haven’t found ourselves since. Past few games we’re beginning to score some goals.”
Tortorella continued, “No one likes being out like we are, but as an organization, and coaches, and management – we have to look at what’s gone on within the season. Forgetting about looking at the record, there has been some great development of our young guys. Our young guys have done some really good things. Not all of them, but a number of them that we consider – just what you’re saying – the beginning of this new foundation of this team. I’ve said it from the get-go – and I’m not trying to over step my bounds – I have a really good idea who the young guys are that are going to start this foundation, but then we got to make some room around them and we got to make other spots available, and that’s where the subtraction comes in. It’s not a criticism of the people that we end up subtracting, it’s just how you do it. It’s not getting all draft picks, all assets and trading – we’re beginning to build a foundation. It’s really encouraging to me, and I’ve said it many times with this kid Tyson. I’m trying to be careful, but each time I watch him I say, “man, there’s another piece that maybe that falls into place next year for us”. So, that’s how you go about it, and then you back fill. Not the big names, you back fill with some other veteran guys that van help us stay competitive as we keep on growing our kids.”
Keyword above…Foundation. that is exactly what it’s been lacking for the past two seasons with the orange and black. I needed the right man to spearhead this Foundation and that came with the acquisition of John Tortorella. He mentions a sharpshooter like Tyson Foerster above. With a successful foundation it becomes much easier to transition from the age of the nhl, giving he knows exactly what is expected of him at the NHL level. I say this because there will be some bumps in the road for Tyson, and maybe a few more trips to the AHL, it will not be all roses. However, Tyson has a better chance at succeeding given the Flyers now have a foundation of success.
That is what these young players/prospects and Veterans are playing for. If you don’t like it don’t let the door hit you on your way out.
For being on the top 10 rookie list this year, Noah Cates isn’t too bad either.