Free Agency came and went for the Flyers last season. They added Nic Deslauriers and Justin Braun, while former Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher added Tony DeAngelo at the draft.
Unfortunately, that’s not what was promised to Flyers fans, they were promised an “Aggressive Retool”. Fans felt let down, and are still livid with the front office of the Flyers. They have a right to be, I mean at that point the Flyers didn’t have a clear direction the team was headed publicly. For instance, Fletcher re-signed Rasmus Ristolainen, traded Claude Giroux, bought out Oskar Lindblom, and added Owen Tippett, Tony DeAngelo, Nic Deslauriers, and Justin Braun, while striking out on Johnny Gaudreau and Alex Debrincat. The Flyers top brass just didn’t strike out on Gaudreau, they were never in on him to begin with, “We weren’t in,” according to Fletcher on Gaudreau. “We were in on the players that we signed.”
There was a player that could have been had, one whom practically was trying to choose Philadelphia. Unfortunately, Fletcher didn’t even talk to his agent. Moreover, Debrincat could have been had for draft picks, and Fletcher didn’t want to move the fifth overall pick to do such. However, in a few press conferences prior to the start of the draft he stated that the Flyers would like to add high-end talent, and they would be part of an “Aggressive Retool”. So much for that now, Flyers fans deserve to be livid. Losing out on Gaudreau marked the second time that offseason the Flyers struck out on high-end talent. On the surface it appears the Flyers front office did not want to improve this team, the thoughts of landing a hometown hero from Salem County, NJ came and went in the blink of an eye. The orange and black are also depleted down the middle, and Fletcher didn’t even negotiate with Dylan Strome.
The disconnect between the Flyers front office and Flyers fans were the verbiages that was promised before the offseason began. Words by Dave Scott and Fletcher “Aggressive Retool”. Scott even threw the words “Blank check” out there during a presser earlier in the year. If the front office told Flyers fans they were enduring a rebuild and it would take two-three years to get back on course, then this lack of success this past season would have been an easier pill to swallow.
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Finally, someone by the name of John Tortorella preached patience, “This team needs to be built from the footers, foundation. I love the opportunity we have here to build something from the ground up. If someone disagrees here I will argue. This is the best way,” said John Tortorella. Then Chuck Fletcher was fired as President and General Manager. The orange and black then hired Keith Jones as the President of Hockey Ops and named Danny Briere as the 10th General Manager in history. In addition, Dave Scott left for Dan Hilferty, all of these front office Hockey Ops changes were necessary, and each person has finally preached the word “Rebuild”. It’s about honesty with the fans, and that is why some are believing what Hilferty, Jones, Briere, and Tortorella are saying.
Yesterday the Flyers made more front office changes: They promoted Alyn McCauley to Assistant General Manager, Riley Armstrong to Director of Player Development, and Nick Schultz to Assistant Director of Player Development, according to General Manager Daniel Briere.
McCauley’s Role- McCauley will oversee the Flyers Pro Scouting Department/Player Personnel, and Lehigh Valley’s hockey operations staff (General Manager)
Armstrong’s Role- Armstrong is responsible for developing Flyers prospects, and helping all the young players grow into the professional game as they develop in the AHL. NOTE: As a now former Assistant of Lehigh. I believe that Eric Wellwood will be the next Assistant of Lehigh Valley. Wellwood was around the rink a lot last season, and this move makes sense.
Schultz’s Role- Schultz will work directly with Riley Armstrong, and assist in developing Flyers prospects. He will also help the young players grow into the professional game.
In addition, the club has also relieved the duties of Mike O’Connell, Kjell Samuelsson, and John Riley. They just didn’t develop players rapidly enough.
The fans wanted changes, for good reason. Now they got it, the organization for once listened to the fans and made the necessary changes within the Front Office/Hockey Ops departments. Now it’s about action, as actions speak louder than words. Let’s see how this front office dies at the draft, not just with adding more young talent in the Flyers pipeline, but with shedding and ridding themselves of some long-term contracts.
Other News/Intel (Sources)
The Flyers elected not to sign Gavin Hain on May 31st, thus he became a free agent. I’m not sure why the date switched from August 15 to June 1, but I’m working on getting an answer for that.
As mentioned above, watch Eric Wellwood become an Assistant for Lehigh.
Bring on the draft!
Move out of Philly. You are a disgrace of an organization.
Rainbow colored jerseys and lipstick.
Maybe some flag kneeling. push the few fans you have left away
I miss the black pants, but I’m sure the NHL will allow you to wear black dresses.
Don’t shun the fans who want their children to bring them grandchildren.
Keep the puck out of politics and maybe your players will want to play for you.
The Philadelphia Puck Bunnies. Now that has a nice ring to it.
San Francisco is looking for a hockey club.