Photo Credit: Len Redkoles/Getty Images
With the trade deadline looming, Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella was very honest yesterday. He made it very clear that the Flyers were not going to be buyers, which everyone knew anyway. However, he did make it clear that the orange and black would be sellers, as he was very honest, “We are not making the playoffs”:
“We are not making the playoffs.” – John Tortorella
Tortorella has been very honest with the Flyers fan base since his hire. Hence, why the Flyers front office trusted him with putting out a recent letter to the Flyers faithful about a month ago. He was straightforward yesterday and he expressed his excitement for Elliot Desnoyers to get a shot long-term with the Flyers best offensive player Travis Konecny being on the shelf, which appears to be for a lengthy period of time.
“For me it’s not about the kids, it’s about the pride of putting that Jersey on. I want to see some pride here (Torts admitted the Flyers were not making the playoffs).” – John Tortorella
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Contrary to what some believe, he is not throwing in the towel. He is just coming to reality that it is very unlikely they make the playoffs, especially without their best offensive player. It’s virtually nearly impossible, and he’s being very honest of such.
“For me it’s not about the kids, it’s about the pride of putting that Jersey on. I want to see some pride here (Torts admitted the Flyers were not making the playoffs).” – John Tortorella
Some good things are the kids will play, and they will play whomever gets dealt by the trade deadline that commences on Friday. Desnoyers, for example, is a perfect example of such. If Justin Braun gets dealt look for Egor Zamula or Wyatte Wylie to get a crack with the big club.
Let’s see what transpires from now till when the trade deadline commences on Friday night. Anything can happen, but just know the Flyers were close to a deal yesterday with trading James van Riemsdyk. I received credible information from multiple people, to include a trusted source that JvR was close to being traded to Minnesota for Jordan Greenway, and the Flyers were seeking at the very least a second round pick also. Maybe the pick was the holdup, and with Chuck Fletcher having the leverage. Maybe he was asking for a first round pick in return if they took on Greenway for the next two years ($3 million cap hit). Hopefully a deal gets done sooner rather than later.
