The Ended Flyers Thread

[flyers19rw]

I don’t know how semi-detached of an owner Comcast is. Brian Roberts is a Philadelphia guy. Surely he remembers what a boost to the city the Flyers were since their inception. It was a money making machine on its own and still generates cash now for Comcast. I doubt if Roberts wants to be part of a declining organization. At some point, he’ll either step in and get it right or sell the club. Selling would be an admission of failure which I don’t believe is part of his MO.

[Austinfan]

In fact, I think the real problem is Comcast didn't want to shake up the old guard and Snider's legacy.

But they need to put Clarke and Holmgren out to pasture, and get some management that understands the salary cap and the change in the game since they started enforcing rules against grabbing, hooking and slashing and now cross checking - which have made size less valuable and speed and skill more valuable.

Fletcher has recognized some of this, he increased spending on scouting, analytics and development, in fact, I think he's better suited to a President role, running the organization, than the GM role - and he may be grooming Briere b/c he sees that as his future. Whether it's Fletcher or someone else, you need a President that will shake up the organization, because I think the "ole boy" network (once a Flyer, always a Flyer) has ossified the organization.

[VoteForKalas]

I don’t know how semi-detached of an owner Comcast is. Brian Roberts is a Philadelphia guy. Surely he remembers what a boost to the city the Flyers were since their inception. It was a money making machine on its own and still generates cash now for Comcast. I doubt if Roberts wants to be part of a declining organization. At some point, he’ll either step in and get it right or sell the club. Selling would be an admission of failure which I don’t believe is part of his MO.

They sold the 76ers when they stunk so there is some precedent. The complicating factors for Comcast with the Flyers are the facilities and Snider's legacy connection with them.

Those can be worked out if the motivation is there to sell, but I do not believe they've reached that point yet.

[zambonir]

The sentimental attachment to both Philly and the Snider legacy is part of the worst of both worlds things - the team doesn't really make that much sense for the corporation, especially as NBC got out of hockey and, perhaps, yet, RSNs. But they also don't want to sell. Does Brian Roberts even go to Flyers games? As for him not wanting to be part of a declining organization, he already is. But Comcast is a giant company and Comcast Spectacor itself is a huge business - the Flyers themselves are just a drop in the bucket (even for Dave Scott). And the ironic thing is that as much as they cling to the old Flyers ways they also haven't really maintained that same fan connection (like when they forgot Snider's birthday).

The 76ers only worked under Snider when Pat Croce was hands-on and arguably haven't even worked that great under the new owners. But at the very least that's what the Flyers need. There is some urgency, as the team has gotten bad enough to actually affect ticket sales (which affects all other revenue), but that's still just one tiny slice of the Wells Fargo Center and an even smaller of one of the larger arena and events business. What's most interesting is that Spectra recently merged with Oak View which is based in LA and already had the Seattle and Long Island arenas. They also sold their ticketing to Paciolan in California five years ago. So it might just be a matter of time.

[zambonir]

Trotz and Torts reportedly the finalists for Flyers head coach, possibly they have been talking to Cassidy too. So it's Trotz's job to take (he'd cost $ and may want to eventually be a GM as part of the deal) and Torts more likely.

Sources: Philadelphia Flyers narrow down coaching search with Trotz and...

[LegoDoom]

I don't think I want the Fonz.

[zambonir]

It always seemed kind of inevitable. Classic Flyers personality.

Can't see why Trotz would think he can win a championship here. Torts has fewer options and will probably wear out his welcome before the team is approaching elite levels but it won't be boring, and they'll probably play hard.

Clearly they were not going to hire a less proven or developmental coach, and some of the guys on this list you might also call proven failures.

According to sources, the Flyers interviewed a list of candidates including but not limited to Mike Vellucci, Jim Montgomery, Rick Tocchet, Jeff Blashill and David Quinn.

[LegoDoom]

It always seemed kind of inevitable. Classic Flyers personality.

I don't disagree, but kind of why I hate it.

[VoteForKalas]

Official: Flyers hire Torts as next coach

This ownership has no clue. Please sell!

[zambonir]

It was inevitable, but what's the goal really? Maybe make the playoffs with little else to show for it, as in Columbus? How much of the four-year deal does he actually survive (and Fletcher along with him)?

[bkeich]

Given the lack of talent on the team, the coach is immaterial. We are almost certainly looking at 4 or so years to build a team, I would hope that anyone over 28 is in the trade block.

[Aquapong]

I don’t think the team is without talent. The Nhl is the league with the most parity top to bottom of the the major sports leagues imo.

[zambonir]

That ship already sailed when they re-signed Ristolainen. Torts is here to try to win with whatever Fletcher can cobble together over the next two seasons (three if it actually works). The only question is whether that will actually happen with Hayes (30), Atkinson (33), Couts (29) and Ellis (31) or if those guys won't even have any value left by the time the Flyers are ready to trade them.

Not saying one or more of them won't get moved but not in a forward-looking way. Even JVR (33 and one year from free agency) they probably only trade to use his cap room on someone else.

But hey they could still bring back Giroux!

[bkeich]

Yea, the problem is that is just repeating last year (actually, not even as all of those guys are 1 year older and G will not play a half year). They were actually pretty healthy in the first 60% of the season (except Braun) and they were awful.

[zambonir]

A lot depends on Ellis, and making maybe one key change/add at both D and F. And certainly there are a few young players who may yet step up. But I'm not saying it will work (anymore than it has for the Phillies reallly).

[bigegypt0417]

Who was the ideal candidate for this team?

[zambonir]

Well, for the team as they intend to proceed I think Torts or similar experienced candidates are probably fine. But arguably Trotz and Cassidy were both more attractive candidates who probably didn't want the job. DeBoer or Maurice, probably about the same as Torts.

I'd have preferred more of a curveball personally: Montgomery (who has NHL experience but had personal issues) or Vellucci or Savard. But they're still scarred from Hakstol I expect, and therefore scared to hire an assistant or college or junior guy - so much so that instead of hiring someone who's not like the guy they fired, they literally hired another ex Canucks/Rangers coach who's been there before. At least Torts won a Cup, but that was a very long time ago.

[flyers19rw]

The greatest impediment to success for the Flyers at this time is Chuck Fletcher. There are moves that could be made that would strengthen the club. However based on past experiences, the price to trade away Gostisbehere; the cost to acquire Ristolainen; extending instead of moving Ristolainen at the TDL; the Yandle debacle; and others, it doesn't look like Fletcher is the man for the work. So much that needs to be done.

[zambonir]

As with any team, a GM is a reflection of ownership's goals, and their abiilty to make a good hire. The Flyers are confused about the former and lack the latter.

On top of that, Fletcher was actually given the title of President (replacing Holmgren) in 2019. There's a non-zero chance he actually hires the next GM (which is why the Briere scenario makes sense). Otherwise, Dave Scott is just doing it again with the help of Holmgren and Clarke, which is the definition of insanity.

And in the meantime, Fletcher hired this coach, which you may or may not be able to add to the list.

[VoteForKalas]

As with any team, a GM is a reflection of ownership's goals, and their abiilty to make a good hire. The Flyers are confused about the former and lack the latter.

Exactly....