Photo by Amy Irvin of the Hockey Writer’s
It has became apparent that Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher built from the net out this past offseason. He added three defensemen in Ryan Ellis, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Keith Yandle.
Yandle is from Milton, MA, and is good friends with Kevin Hayes. He has also played under Head Coach Alain Vigneault. The writing was on the wall for a recipe for success in Philadelphia, and he can fit right in.
At the age 34, Yandle brings leadership as he is a former Assistant Captain. Accountability was a strong word for this young Flyers team this past season. With this new formed defense people will be held accountable.
“We need some juice. We need some energy. We need to change the mood in the room and the energy in the room.”– Chuck Fletcher
Asides from the beginning of the season Yandle has not been producing offensively at 5-on-5 or with the man advantage. He is a defenseman that gets skittish and forces the puck in to bad areas, he is a defenseman that is having trouble with clean exits out of the zone. The Flyers needed a defenseman that could calm down the play on the ice, unfortunately Yandle has been a turnover machine. Moreover, the Flyers needed a defenseman that possesses good decision making skills. Well, Yandle hasn’t exactly done that. This is why Egor Zamula or Cam York would be better options than Yandle, regardless of his iron man streak. Yandle needs to play in 11 more consecutive games to surpass Doug Jarvis for the most consecutive games played, Jarvis’ record sits at 964.
I hate to sound heartless here, but isn’t winning or obtaining as many points as possible more important than a personal record?
Egor Zamula
Originally, I was concerned about him in terms of building strength. Yes, I know this comes in time, but he has the tools to help the Flyers now, especially with the log jam of Flyers Left-Handed defensemen. Plus, it is always good to air on the side of caution. However, since watching him play this season for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms he appears to be NHL ready. He had to become more assertive (✅), play with confidence (✅), trust his instincts (✅), make quick and decisive decisions (✅).
Cam York, was his roommate at developmental camp. He helped with the English language a bit, as York said, “He’s a really good guy.”
Things can’t get much worse for a third pairing that is struggling on a nightly basis, most notably Yandle. Zamula wouldn’t be free from committing turnover after turnover, or getting hemmed in your own zone almost every time they touch the ice. He would be a vast improvement over Yandle.
Cam York
The case could be made that York needs a bit more pro time at the AHL level, but again he wouldn’t be free from committing turnover after turnover, or transitioning out the zone from defense to offense.
York suited up for a handful of games for the Flyers last season, so Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher knows him well.
The one thing that is hurting Yandle badly right now is his skating. He just can’t keep up with NHL regulars anymore, well York can. York is a far better skater than Yandle, as he knows how to adjust to not have an odd man rush going the other way.
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One of the best qualities York possesses on the offensive side of the game is his shot accuracy. He hits the net nine times out of ten, and he showed that while quarterbacking the top Power Play unit at times this last season for the Flyers. He was great with cycling the puck, and holding the pucks in at the blue line thus extending zone play.
Every point is valuable for the Flyers at this point in the season, in large part due to their ten game losing streak, so the best call would be to sit Yandle. So I pose this question, is winning more important or are personal records? Also, this is about the future in regards to York or Zamula. These two young prospects have a future with the Flyers, unlike Yandle, who is a stop gap player until one of these blue liners are ready. Well now is the time for one of these young blue liners to make their season debuts with the orange and black.
Thank you Jamey for pointing this out. Yandle was a good stop gap like you say and came cheap. We owe him nothing. We owe the fans the best product that can be put out on the ice. Yandle should be shopped immediately, however I doubt anyone would be interested in him any more. Developing Zamula and York at the major league level is imperative this year. We need to move Braun out at the trade deadline also as he can’t be here next year. Out with the old and slow and in with the new and young. If they can’t cut it we will see for ourselves.
Jamie, the Flyers don’t feel like Christmas anymore. They feel like Monday morning at 6AM. -Gregg
PS, I know how much passion you have for the game. Hang in there. I alway appreciate your stories and knowledge of the game
Jamey, one more thing. How do you feel about the w ay Chuck Fletcher trades his high draft picks? I don’t think Mr Fletcher’s days as Flyer’s GM/President have long to go, but he is leaving his replacement with few quality, young prospects and high draft picks. He just doesn’t understand the that good draft picks are the lifeblood of a team’s future success and a good way to keep a team under the cap. -Gregg