Photo Credit: Conor Doherty
Mercifully for Flyers fans, the nightmare 2021-2022 season is finally over. The Flyers as the fourth-worst team in the NHL and left many people wondering what the offseason would look like. The Flyers need a new head coach, new forwards, a new backup goalie, and at least one new defenseman. For all of the dismay currently surrounding the Flyers, it is not all negative.
On Saturday, players met with the media for their annual exit meetings. The day began with Noah Cates at 8:30 am and finished with Ryan Ellis just before 4 pm. A lot was said and the only two roster players who did not speak were Keith Yandle and Bobby Brink.
Brink was at the facility too early to do media availability. Yandle may be waiting to hold a larger press conference to announce his retirement from the NHL after 16 seasons. Yandle’s teammate in New York and now Philadelphia and good friend, Kevin Hayes, spoke about Yandle, as did other players.
In this series, I will be providing direct quotes from players and Chuck Fletcher and doing my best to unearth what they actually mean for themselves and the franchise. I will be going in order that the players appeared.
Noah Cates
The quote – “It’s a business here and things change. I think just learning from my brother was the biggest thing I took away from him signing early. Just kind of a maturity thing that you need to realize coming to this level, but you’ve got to give yourself the best chance. I thought I played pretty well in the fifteen or so games I played here but doesn’t really matter. They’re just trying to put the best team on the ice. I’m trying to be part of that and turning this thing around. A good summer will give me the best chance to do that.” (on making the team next season)
The note – Cates referencing his brother here is notable as he was likely going to see time with the Flyers as well before getting injured. I believe that Noah is saying it is too early to tell because he has likely heard the Flyers brass plan to “aggressively retool” this summer. Depending on who they bring in, he could start the season in Lehigh Valley. In my mind, he earned a roster spot on the bottom-six playing with Morgan Frost and Owen Tippett.
Ronnie Attard
The quote – “It is going to be a competitive environment when September comes around, so I am going to have to have a big summer and work on my strength and speed. Be ready to win a job next fall.” (on the message from the coaching staff)
The note – Attard believes he can start next season in the NHL. I do not. I think he showed great promise and will be with the club sooner rather than later, but there are things he needs to iron out in his game before becoming a full-time NHLer.
Cam York
The quote – “I think so. Obviously, it was a crazy year at times. I think we’re all confident in my abilities and we all know what I can do. Just continuing to progress, have a big summer and do a lot of good things in June. Continue to progress and hopefully become a full time NHL player, a shutdown defenseman and a guy that’s playing a lot of minutes and on the power play. I have high expectations. I always have and I’m going to continue to feel that way.” (on if he thinks the organization views him as a full-time NHLer)
The note – Based on this and what Chuck Fletcher said in his exit interview, I believe Cam York is now a full-time NHLer. He says here, evidently, that he wants to become more of a two-way defenseman. He is someone the Flyers could use to replace Provorov if they decide to move him.
Owen Tippett
The quote – “Obviously, it is a little different coming in and not knowing what to expect. You get used to one management staff. When you come in, you want to make a good impression and get to know everybody. One of the messages was to have a good summer and just be ready to go next year.” (on what Chuck Fletcher’s message for him was this summer)
The note – Tippett was the centerpiece of the Giroux deal. The Flyers are counting on him to be a big part of their future. We saw that with increased playing time and more opportunities, Tippett can be a very good player. Ideally, the line of him, Frost, and Cates can stay together. For this to happen, all three have to win jobs out of camp next season.
Morgan Frost
The quote – “Yeah, shot is definitely something I want to work on in the summer. I want to be a little more of a threat in that area and I think I can be. Shot and then I think just moving my feet was a big thing. Like earlier in the year, there were times where I probably wasn’t moving my feet as much. Towards the end of the year, I kind of really had it drilled in my mind to move my feet through the neutral zone, even move my feet trying to close people out in the defensive zone and then the offensive zone moving my feet to try to get away from people and get towards the net.” (on what he wanted to work on this summer)
The note – First of all, Frost was brought in to be a playmaker. Travis Konecny’s stat line this season was expected of Frost when he develops. Improving mobility and being more active in the defensive zone is always good, but his offense is going to separate him in the NHL, not his 200-foot ability. Frost sounds like he wants to be more of an offensive player, but the Flyers have different plans for him.
Travis Konecny
The quote – “That’s a tough one I wish I could tell you or else we’d be switching something up. Again, we’re all in this together ready to get back to the drawing board and figure something out. I’ve spoken with Chuck and all the teammates. I know everyone wants to win and I know we still believe in the group. Everyone knows what we’ve got here and just need to put it all together.”
The note – A common theme was a belief in the room among all the players. While he did say he thinks that changes are necessary, if a leader thinks that the guys in the room can get it done, management should give them the opportunity. That is what the “aggressive retool” sounds like it is going to be.
