The Flyers have lost three in a row, and now som fans are beginning to say the rebuild is finally taking place. They have actually played well in the past two out of three games, but have come empty-handed obviously point wise. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
It may seem like they don’t, but they actually do. At practice a few weeks ago they had Joel Farabee in front of the net trying to deflect pucks and whatnot. This was in preparation for the Pittsburgh Penguins game. Garnet Hathaway it’s also been used in this area, with Sean Couturier now being utilized in this area. It appears Rocky Thompson knows that this is a catalyst to a successful power play, so they just haven’t been able to find a person who can do this on a routine basis. Look for them to possibly add a net front presence at the trade deadline
If the orange and black tried trading Carter Hart they should be able to get at least a first round pick in return. That would be about it, I don’t really see too much more to be honest with you, maybe a bottom six forward. Historically, goalies don’t get traded for very much, so I would treat this case the same.
At some point, people have to put their bias aside and look at the facts. Goaltenders do not get traded for very much in this league, so why not just keep Hart? Re-Sign him to a two-year deal in the offseason, and that will walk him to free agency. That way if a goaltender in the Flyers pipeline is able to take his spot, they could realistically do so. At the moment, he’s not taking anybody’s spot, he’s the number one netminder right now.
If I had it my way I would sign him long-term. It’s always good to have a great goaltending tandem, and that’s what Samuel Ersson and Hart are, that is if Hart is cleared of any wrong doing in the Hockey Canada investigation.
They will be both buyers and sellers at the trade deadline. What I mean is, if they trade some expiring contracts, maybe they could get a player who’s good with a net front presence for the Power Play, coupled with a good pick for the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft. So since we the Flyers would trade and expiring contract, plug a hole and receive something for the rebuild.
Other than that the Flyers should be sellers at the trade deadline, regardless of how well this team is doing at the time. They have to stay the course. The Flyers regime preached rebuilt to the fans, the fans are now behind it, they cannot turn their backs just because things are going well at the moment.
Good goaltending is so hard to find at the NHL level, I would not trade a position of strength within the Flyers organization.
The Flyers have to be both buyers and sellers at the trade deadline. What I mean is, if they trade some expiring contracts, maybe they could get a player who’s good with a net front presence for the Power Play, coupled with a good pick for the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft. So since we the Flyers would trade and expiring contract, plug a hole and receive something for the rebuild.
Other than that the Flyers should be sellers at the trade deadline, regardless of how well this team is doing at the time. They have to stay the course. The Flyers regime preached rebuilt to the fans, the fans are now behind it, they cannot turn their backs just because things are going well at the moment.
Both Carter Hart and Owen Tippett have said that they love Philadelphia. Tip it for example says he’s very comfortable here, so I believe he will sign long-term. I look for a new tippet extension possibly as early as a trade deadline.
Unfortunately, the situation with Hart gets a little more complicated, in terms of long-term negotiations. The Hockey Canada situation has to get resolved before they would issue out a long-term contract. With that being said, if it is not resolved by the time the deadline comes to re-sign RFA’s, the Flyers will have no other choice but to sign him to a one or two-year deal, rather than ink him to a long-term extension.
Flyers management definitely knows if both players intends to Re-Sign here long-term.
It looks like Nic Deslauriers is the one that’s going to be scratched time and time again. John Tortorella likes to use 11F,7D at the moment, so until that is rectified with a trade, then Deslauriers more than likely will continue to be a healthy scratch.
With the way this season has gone Flyeresque that is, it definitely is reminiscent of that 2022-23 Seattle Kraken team. The Kraken we’re a very tough team to beat on a nightly basis, and they definitely lacked high end talent. One thing that couldn’t be taken away from the Kraken was their will to win on a nightly basis, much like the Flyers.
John Tortorella and his coaching staff have done a tremendous job with coaching this young Flyers team, and making them believe in themselves that they can win, regardless of the opponent, on any given night.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Twitter page @flyersknitty using #Flyersmail, or @JameyBaskow. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag.
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