Photo Credit: Shaylah Rice
The Flyers are not tanking, trust me, they are just not a good hockey team. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
Fortunately, the Reading Royals are rocking, and won the Division to include the Conference. They also won their first playoff game this season
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms were hindered earlier in the season with new coaching and call-ups, asides from their own injuries. I do not recall a season in which the depth was tested as much as this season, but it’s become quite apparent the Flyers organization needs more skilled players, to include prospects to fill the gaps for the Phantoms. It’s time to stop signing these players to ATO’s or PTO’s, to include signing AHL’ers with the likes of Elliot Desnoyers, Zayde Wisdom, Ronnie Attard, Tyson Foerster, possibly Bobby Brink or Noah Cates, and Connor McClennon on the horizon. McClennon needs to be signed by June 1, 2022 or he becomes a free agent, he also reaches the 20-year-old threshold for the AHL in June, as well.
It is concerning though for the Flyers and Phantoms, they need more top-end skill, they lack a star(s) “Grade A” prospect(s) in their system. After Tuesday’s news with Jim McCrossin and Sal Raffa, change might come sooner than expected, to change the scope of the franchise right now to give it a new face or facelift for a new appearance.
Low and behold the orange and black need better talent, it’s as simple as that. The Flyers and Phantoms are littered with solid bottom six prospects, but really they do not have many top six prospects to fill in the void if say Sean Couturier gets hurt long-term (Just an example). Tyson Foerster will shoot from anywhere as he has a first shot mentality, but it would be unfair to peg him as a top six forward, mainly due to his skating. Let him prove it first, he has to stay healthy.
One major key to next season is staying healthy. This season has been a lot like the 2020-21 season, but worse, especially with injuries. Next season is a big season for the Flyers, this fanbase are ready to take someone’s head off. The Flyers must, and must become more competitive next season.
Chuck Fletcher (I say Fletcher because he is the General Manager at the moment) must shed at least one hefty contract this offseason, to speed up the rebuild or “Aggressive Retool” (Which is what Fletcher and Dave Scott said at an earlier press conference). That should be the number one priority, whether it is a long-term one or not. Freeing up cap space should be the name of the game for the Flyers, especially since the new contract for Sean Couturier and Joel Farabee kick in next season.
James van Riemsdyk could be had by an Arizona Coyotes team that needs to get to the cap floor, or maybe even the Ottawa Senators that usually needs help getting to the cap floor. JvR has to move on, and it’s a must to find an adequate trading partner for his services before free agency begins.
The first order of business is to hire a new coach, or even hire a new General Manager. With the way the Flyers are playing no one is safe, that’s for sure, although I do believe Fletcher will be the GM come the 2022-23 season. With that being said, hiring a new coach is a must before the draft on July 7, 2022 (This is the top priority).
Comcast does not like a losing product, period. It’s not about a rebuild, or whatever picture the Flyers organization would like to paint it. Comcast is in it to make money, and they need the Flyers to make the playoffs.
Now this organization is about an overall success and respect, however, with missing the playoffs two consecutive years it is a bit embarrassing and concerning. Flyers fans are smart, and see that this team needs a lot of help. Unfortunately, it appears they do not have a clear direction right now. The top brass knows this too, so they are formulating a plan as we speak, to make this team better next season. Now will this happen? Who knows, hopefully they steer clear of adding another long-term contract like Nazem Kadri.
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.
Get the players to fully commit and stick to the system. Get a goalie who can keep the puck out if the net don’t think Hart’s the man for the job. Keep the toughness and play with heart and hunger.
Flurry wasn’t the man early in his career in Pit and neither was Price with the Habs! Hart is still one of the youngest starting goalie’s in the league so no big concern there. They a coach who can get the player to play to death and only to slight injury 😂
Hart is TERRIBLE I do not understand why nobody sees this. They are have 3+ goals against them scored every game the D isn’t completely at fault for this HART has to GO! Who in their right mind thought this kid was good ?
Great article and great questions my question is who’s the top candidate for a new coach or does Mike yell stay
Great article and great questions all valid.! My question is who’s the top candidate if the Flyers hire anew coach and does or does Mike Yeo stay?
FORGET about an ” Agressive Retool. ” This Team; this organization needs to be Rebuilt entirely to even think about contending for the Cup; let alone winning one. When Hextall was GM; he stated numerous times he was trying to build a Team that had numerous chances to win the Cup; not just one and done. Better Drafting; Better Trades. One thing: STOP paying enormous contracts for players on the downslope of their careers.