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Photo Courtesy of: Zack Hill, Flyers PR
Philadelphia Flyers, GM Chuck Fletcher, knew the off-season going into the 2021-2022 regular season was a crucial one. After a 2020-2021 season that started off with very high expectations and quickly turned into a disappointment filled season several changes needed to be made in order for the team to return to relevancy and competitiveness within the NHL landscape.
Over the off-season, Fletcher showed a bias for action collectively moving out players, Nolan Patrick, Philippe Myers, Shayne Gostisbehere, Jakub Voracek and Robert Hagg, all the while bringing in veteran players, Ryan Ellis, Keith Yandle, Rasmus Ristolainen, Cam Atkinson, Derrick Brassard and Nate Thompson. What this cemented was the notion that Fletcher would not stand for last season’s performance and stayed true to his own words during the end of season press conference calling this past season “unacceptable”. The only way to assure such unacceptable play did not continue into this upcoming season was to make a variety of changes to the Flyers roster which was indeed something the GM completed. An interesting trend in relation to Fletcher’s acquisitions was not the on ice contributions these players will have but the off ice ramifications bringing in players of this ilk will have in terms of accountability and the locker room dynamic. All of these players who are now Flyers have a multitude of experience under their belts and at points in their careers were all alternate captains. Based on the troubling tendency of games unraveling for the Flyers last season, GM Fletcher seems to believe that infusing the locker room with calming presences with years of experience will steer the young players on the team back into the right direction regarding their development and progression.
It’s evident these players were not just brought in for locker room purposes as they all still range from great to serviceable in terms of their play. However, their veteran presence on the ice is a huge asset to the Flyers and a key aspect as to why these players were signed or traded for. Throughout the previous season the Flyers were prone to giving up goals right after they scored far too often, signifying a lack of cohesiveness as a unit. The team’s inability to capitalize on these opportunities would usually result in major breakdowns defensively and lapses in the Flyers overall game. It seemed as though when one thing went wrong for the Flyers last season, everything started to go wrong. No matter what period or the stakes of the game, the team was so easily shaken up once things started not going their way in games. Therefore the moves Fletcher has made this off-season, bringing in so many veterans that have played in big game situations and have gone on multiple lengthy playoff runs, was done so intentionally. Speaking to the fact that the team and many of its young players were in need of these types of veterans who can calm down the rest of the group.
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A major flaw within the Flyers team game last season was their inability to stop giving up prime scoring chances after they scored. Once the other team did eventually score, typically the chances for that team would continue and be compounded into even more opportunities. As a result of this, players who have a wealth of on ice experience in a plethora of different in game situations were signed and traded for. GM Fletcher is banking on these additions to help remove the breakdowns from the Flyers game that were usually caused through panicked play, due to the team’s structure evaporating as soon as they were faced with adversity. Considering the way the Flyers responded as a whole, to tribulations on the ice, it’s no surprise as to why GM Fletcher decided to go with the trend of bringing in veteran players who have played many years in the NHL and in an assortment of different in game situations. Not only will this bring an added layer of accountability to the Flyers on and off the ice but it will ensure a level of consistency in regards to the teams play, buying into the coaches systems, and dealing with tough situations and matchups on a game to game basis. With that being said, Chuck Fletcher has done all he can this off-season regarding acquisitions and signings to put the Flyers in a position to succeed in 2021-2022. As the GM stated in a recent press conference, “I can’t live through another year like last year. It took years off my life and everybody else’s. It’s not worth it.” Through the moves Fletcher has made this off-season it appears that the Philadelphia Flyers are much improved and it’s reasonable to expect they will perform much better as a team next season than they did in 2020-2021. Ultimately, the GM has done his job and made the changes needed to put the Flyers in a position to achieve success this upcoming season. Now it will be up to the coaches and players to fulfill Fletcher’s vision for the team and execute on the ice come the NHL regular season in October.
I hear others say the chuck blocked the youth from making the team. Honestly the 2 major prospects have less than half a season of NHL experience or a full season of pro hockey experience. What’s so bad if frosty and York spend a year in the all? Brassard, Thompson and Yandel all signed one year deals is this really blocking the youth or a shrewd move to let the develop in the ahl to learn the system and improve their game with less pressure? My two cents as lifelong flyers fan is the latter. Now are those 3 I mentioned going to put up 100 pts combined no, but if they keep the opposition from getting 100 puts against this team I call that a success
Agree 100 percent, after leaving a lot of important roles to the younger players to fill last season and a majority of them not being very successful, Fletcher has tried to sign veterans so there’s other options available. Ensures the prospects aren’t over relied upon if they aren’t ready for the NHL. Better to give these prospects a chance to show their readiness in camp than reward them spots off the hop without competition. Signing these veterans are giving the younger players competition in camp for these roles and if they legitimately beat them out they’ll get their NHL shot. If the prospects aren’t ready the Flyers have these players they can plug into the lineup as well so overall a win/win for the team. Thanks a lot for reading!
The NHL doesn’t have assistant captains. The “A” on a uniform is for “Alternate Captain.”