Photo Credit: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images
The Philadelphia Flyers are in one of the most interesting positions of the past 48 months. Even though things seem very quiet on the surface, it’s clear that GM Chuck Fletcher, is hard at work making changes happen. With few restricted free agents to sign, a draft with a full set of picks, and a looming expansion draft, Fletcher finds himself in an advantageous position to make changes for his team to compete for a Stanley Cup. What might seem like a tough position to most fans, might not be as crippling for the management team as it seems on surface. The Flyers have lots of options and that’s where the power comes from. None of the players that the Flyers are at risk of losing will leave them in a bind. Even if they lose the best of them, Jake Voracek, it would open up a massive spot in the salary cap that the Flyers could use to replenish their defense. If they take a less expensive player, the team still finds themselves able to replace them with a younger player in the system. A player like Shayne Gostisbehere has resurgent value, but ultimately can be replaced by budding star, Cam York. Power forward, James van Riemsdyk can be replaced with college graduate Wade Allison.
Ultimately, the Flyers are in a must win now position as the fanbase and ownership will lose their patience with another lackluster year. The veteran group is getting older and currently the young core has not shown the ability to lead the charge on their own. Outside of Joel Farabee, who has captain material written all over him, almost all of the young players either stagnated or took a step back in their development. That is something that must change going into next season and odds are that it will. However, the Flyers lacked the veteran presence of Matt Niskanen, Tyler Pitlick, Nate Thompson, and Derek Grant that saw them as one of the powerhouses of the league just two years ago. Clearly size and grit being a key missing element from the lineup. Some smart moves and the Flyers could turn the ship around and stop more severe changes from taking place.
On this week’s episode of Gettin Gritty Wit It, Yariv Wolok (@ywolok) welcomes, Philadelphia Flyers and NHL.com writer, Bill Meltzer. Bill has been is arguable the most knowledgeable hockey man in the local media and has always been a consistent and reliable voice for the team, as well as, the sport of hockey. Bill comes in with inside knowledge and decades of experience around the team that is unmatched by most local media pundits. This is the perfect way to get ready for a unique season during a unique time.
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I disagree the Flyers lack one big ticket item to get them to the Cup. That being the lack of heart.
Even if the Flyers were not far from being good, is being good the ultimate goal?
Is that the aim? Because the aim for me is the Stanley Cup.
In order for the Flyers to get to Cup contender status, we have to make the right decisions. Part of that is knowing that we are never going to come close to winning the Cup as long as this team is led by Giroux and Voracek.
Go with the youth movement and grow from there. Realize that part of the problems we have is recognizing that past assumptions that were made, were and are wrong.
We can’t go forward as a team with Provorov hogging #1 D minutes……because he isn’t close to being a #1 Dman. The fact that we’re looking for a #1 Dman is all the proof you need.
It’s realizing that guys like Sanheim, Hagg, Patrick, Myers, are actually horrible players and better served being traded.
In the case of Myers, he’s so bad that he shouldn’t be in the NHL. Just an absolutely clueless, worthless player that doesn’t have the slightest idea.
And while the Flyers may or may not be far away from being good, they are miles away from being real Cup contenders.
Maybe the most idiotic comment I’ve ever read.
@Don
I’ll debate you in any point made in my comments.
Either walk the walk or stfu with your ignorance Stepford fan.