The Flyers have completed their regular season with 87 points, as they missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season. It was a season of fun and entertaining hockey for the most part, but one thing that was made constant was the effort displayed by the team. On most nights they never quit, and made this season much more watchable than the previous three. All in all, they need to improve, they need more high-end talent to compete with playoff teams. Without further delay here are the notes to John Tortorella’s and Danny Briere’s seasoning season ending press conference.
John Tortorella:
- “There will be some changes, we are going to add, but I think we have a good footing.”
- “All the stuff that he and his family have gone through, all the stuff over there. I put him in a hell of a spot.”
- “I think Rocky Thompson is a terrific coach. Rocky Thompson is one hell of a coach. We need to have a discussion on our power play.” It doesn’t sound like a coaching change is imminent because Torts says Danny and him will have a discussion on adding more talent to the team.
- “The Captain is not going to stop me from holding other people accountable.”
- “I’m already thinking about next year. I am totally in. Until Danny says get the hell out of here.”
- “We are a ways away. We’re sticking to the process.”
- “I’m a little frustrated that I couldn’t get the team to close the deal.”
- “I think we still need to add talent.”
- John Tortorella was asked if the Flyers should have done more at the trade deadline: “No, absolutely not, what we did at the deadline was right.”
- Torts did mention that Patrick Sharp and Dany Heatley will collaborate with Rocky Thompson on fixing the power play. Rocky Thompson will indeed be the Power Play coach next season, but they’re going to get help with inside the organization
Danny Briere:
- Danny Briere says he will not continue to give up assets, such as, the youth to make additions. He is happy that a lot of young players took the next step in terms of their development, but he’s not ready to give up on any young player at the moment.
- Danny Briere said he doesn’t expect Marc Staal or Denis Gurianov to be back next season.
- Danny Briere said he doesn’t expect Marc Staal or Denis Gurianov to be back next season.
- Danny Briere on adding talent: “We are going to continue exploring.” He did say that if there’s a good hockey trade that makes sense, then they are open for business
- Danny Briere on adding: “The timeline that we put in place will still be in effect, but if there is a trade, a hockey trade that makes sense, then we are open for business.”
- Danny Briere says that the Matvei Michkov timeline is still the case.He has two years left on his KHL contract. Two years more folks
- Danny Briere says that Jamie Drysdale might need surgery in the Core area. The Flyers have a string of bad luck with these type of procedures, with the players returning healthy for the next season.Kevin Hayes, Claude Giroux, and Shayne Gostisbehere
- Danny Briere spoke highly of Oliver Bonk, but it’s clear the organization wants him to return to Juniors next season. He is elated with his offensive game that he took this season, but they expect him to return the Juniors, as to not rush his development
- Danny Briere gave a nice shout-out to the Flyers medical staff for the quick return of Jamie Drysdale.Honestly, that medical staff definitely deserves some kudos. I thought they did a tremendous job from years past. The organization continues to improve in that area.
