The Flyers have one overall need that should be filled before it’s too late, toughness, toughness, physicality. At times inside the bubble (Playoffs) the Flyers were pushed off the puck, out muscled, and had trouble establishing a forecheck. Moreover, the Flyers struggled to establish a net front presence, thus allowing opposing Goaltender’s to see the puck. A player has to want to sacrifice their body to pot the dirty goals, and that is exactly what this team lacks at the moment.
Unfortunately, the same result, a semi-final result could transpire this coming season if Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher does not address the need of physicality. The Flyers have many skilled players, but I would hate to see Travis Konecny or Scott Laughton in the box for five minutes for fighting. Nicolas Aubé-Kubel cannot do this alone, he needs help to keep opponents honest, and it’s not fair to lay some of this responsibility on young players such as Isaac Ratcliffe, or Wade Allison.
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There is one player in Josh Leivo that the Vancouver Canucks would have loved to re-sign, but find themselves against the cap (Like most NHL teams due to flat-cap, uncertainty of fans, and gate revenue). Leivo will throw some big hits, muck in the corners, and will throw down his mitts with the best of them. He’s aggressive on the puck, forechecks well, and gets to the dirty areas to pot a goal.
Leivo not only fights and draws penalties. He pots big goals, and has some pretty nice moves as he razzles and dazzles by Goaltenders. Leivo apparently is good in the shootout, as seen in the video below:
The addition of Leivo would be cheap and a good one for Fletcher to make. He only made $1.5 million this past season, so maybe he would sign for the same amount for the upcoming 2020-21 season. Leivo stands at 6’2 and weighs 192 pounds, as he registered seven goals to go along with 12 apples this past season in 36 games played for the Canucks. He would definitely fill the void, physicality-wise for the Flyers.
Do the right thing Chuck sign Leivo.
They had a guy at this number — Pitlick — who was well liked by the fans and wanted to stay here. Instead, we continue to hoard big guys who don’t hit and little guys who can’t skate.
They need to sign Anthony Duclair, it is the next best thing to Pitlick.
Would also be nice to have another black guy on the roster after drafting the kid Simmonds mentored who they think highly of. In that vein, I think Byfuglien would also provide some veteran leadership and toughness on the D-line which we need.
What in the world does Race have to do with a damn thing … sign a black guy just because he is black ? Stupid ass comment
Try being the only black guy on a team and get back to me. Also never said to sign a black guy just because he is black. Stupid ass inability to read.
Josh Leivo? Haha…. c’mon man! You want muscle sign Dalton Proust as a 6/7 D man or sign Liam O’Brien as a fourth line banger/agitator. Not much out there unless you trade for some muscle.
I do like Liam O’Brien I mentioned him in my state of the Flyers piece
If you don’t want to be the only black guy on the hockey team please pick another sport!
C’mon. The point is they don’t really have a choice. But mark my words, one day there will be a kick ass, mostly black hockey team. Detroit would be the ideal place.