Photo Credit: NBC Sports
The Flyers have taken a major step forward in their journey to the Stanley Cup. As anticipated, GM Chuck Fletcher, has had a very busty offseason as he made several big trades and some key free agent signings. Trading for Ryan Ellis, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Cam Atkinson while shipping out Shayne Gostisbehere, Jake Voracek, Nolan Patrick, and Phil Myers to make that happen. These moves showed a true commitment to resolving the team’s main issues last season in stabilizing the team defense. With three experienced two-way players, the team paid a high price, but was able to bring in assets that were needed for several years. The fanbase was already electric with excitement again counting down the days for next season to begin. However, Fletcher, wasn’t done making moves.
After paying a high cost to make drastic changes he was able to go conservative in free agency and still bring in the type of pieces the team needed. He started with an incredibly wise decision to bring in, former all-star defenseman, Keith Yandle at a thrifty $900,000 a year. This is something that could only benefit the team who saw their Powerplay lose potency over the past several years and a defensive core that desperately needed some veteran mental stability. Yandle brings those elements easily and comes with a cost that no team could regret. The team also made a wise decision to not saddle a young prospect with the 4th line center role this season, a role that typically plays nothing but punishing minutes, they brought in, tenacious veteran, Nate Thompson. Thompson is making his second stint with the club and has already proven to do an admirable job playing those type of minutes and not fazed by the wear and tear. The most questionable of all the signings was brining in goaltender, Martin Jones, a player who has struggled as the starting goalie in San Jose over the past three years. However, with the Flyers goaltending coach vouching for Jones, since he was previously Jones’ goalie coach in Los Angeles, and a reduced role there is definitely space for Jones to find his game again.
On this episode of Getting Gritty Wit It, I welcome back guest, Jason Myrtetus, to the show to talk about the Flyers’ current situation, tradable assets, what it takes to win, and the likelihood of making the playoffs. Things don’t look good right now, but let’s try and focus on the opportunities ahead, because there are plenty of chances for redemption.
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