The New Unending Flyers thread

[zambonir]

Briere on Michkov:

"Maybe a couple weeks after the season when those rumors started swirling, I’d probably say, well, we should know by the end of June, and here we are now getting closer to it and we still don’t know much more,” Briere said. “So, I don’t have much more of an answer, but for us it doesn’t change. If they tell us he’s coming on September 1, we’ll jump on it. The mindset for us is still we’re going into next season without him. He has two years left on his contract, and if something changes from today until then, we’ll certainly be happy. But I don’t have much news on that. We read what’s going on, and hope for the best.”

Briere: Flyers might 'lean into a center' at NHL Draft, plus the latest on...

[Austinfan]

Briere has taken a page from Howie, say a lot that tells nothing.
He's more involved in scouting prospects than Hextall or CF, and I think has a better feel for them.

Interesting that all details from trade rumors come from the other team, Briere runs a tight ship.

[zambonir]

Briere has taken a page from Howie, say a lot that tells nothing.

Truly

Per a source, I'm told that is looks like Matvei Michkov is indeed going to terminate his contract with SKA St. Petersburg. It looks like he's coming to Philadelphia this season.

— Charlie O'Connor ( @charlieo_conn ) June 23, 2024

[Aquapong]

Until he’s seen around town, I’ll be skeptical.

[zambonir]

Seems pretty firm at this point and even when it was just a rumor the key factor - the willingness of SKA to do it - was the biggest step. After that it was just a negotiation. Whether that means he'll get trotted out for a press conference in the next two weeks vs. not arriving until late August, who knows. But once the paperwork is official (on the Russian side) I'm sure we'll hear.

[VoteForKalas]

Until he's seen playing in a game on the ice with the Flyers, I'll be skeptical.

Fixed your comment

[dicemen99]

Just was reported in the Athletic that he will be released from his contract via a 'compassionate release' on Monday and be represented by CAA. They are unsure if he can get his entry contract signed and have him over here in time for the developmental camp next week, but he'll be here shortly.

[zambonir]

yeah I get the caution but this was not going to get leaked if it wasn't real. I wonder if there was money involved, that term makes it sound like it wasn't but it would also make sense for CAA to front him $. clearly something has changed between this and Fedotov though.

[dicemen99]

Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head. Most likely CAA got involved and fronted the money and tied him up for the next contract. Negotiations were probably going on and it is leaked now as the deal is likely done and they're wrapping up the paperwork and getting logistics in order to announce at a presser.

[zambonir]

yeah it doesn't sound like the issue is the contract in terms of him getting here for a camp, it's not like there is anything to negotiate with his ELC. It's just that that it is coming up fast and that's a lot of travel and logistics (including with both governments, if only in the most mundane way, i.e. visas).

[Austinfan]

It'll be fun to watch him, but at 19, people should temper their expectations, he's very talented, but he's not a generational type player, probably needs a couple years to fill out, work on his skating, the NA game, etc.

Don't think it changes anything for Briere.

[zambonir]

This was already an Inquirer column 45 minutes after the rumor broke.

Most informed fans (all of us included) know this. But it will still be interesting to see the role and ice time, as well as whether it affects any other RWs.

It does change things for Briere, just not in terms of the overall rebuild timeline. The draft plan is likely no different (they still need a center, they aren't going to make any dumb trades that don't have long-term benefit). But now you do have to consider who might play with and mentor Michkov, if not this year than next year, but not in two years.

[bigegypt0417]

They will definitely need to make sure they bring a veteran presence to play on his line. Not sure if this accelerates the timeline but you can imagine it might.

[Austinfan]

Well, they do have a veteran center on the roster. I expect Couts to be better this season, not prime years Couts, but a step up from last season. Won't surprise me if they sign a veteran center as well to a short-term deal.

There are two centers that are a good bet to fall to them at #12, and Briere is looking for a young center if a trade presents itself, Pinto on Ottawa has been mentioned.

But it's way too early to think about a major FA acquisition, still need to build top 6 depth and develop the young D-men (York, Bonk, Andrae, Sotheran).

[zambonir]

Agreed, Couts can be a mentor even if he's not a linemate five-on-five. If they trade Laughton, they could add someone short-term (or maybe he brings back a young linemate). They will also have to think about where Frost might fit long-term. He's available if the Flyers don't think they will keep him past this year. But Michkov coming may provide more reason to wait and see on that.

They're not gonna be that busy (and don't have that much money) in free agency. Extend TK, bring back Johnson, anything else will have to be connected to a trade (directly or indirectly).

[Purduke]

Until he’s seen around town, I’ll be skeptical.

Hope Vlad doesn't make him sail to the US on the Admiral Kuznetsov. Might take a couple more years to fire up those deisels.

[VoteForKalas]

I hope bringing back Johnson does not happen, especially beyond 1 year. The guy is cooked, we have many young D that need opportunities to show what they can do and also re-signed Ginning last week.

We already have Risto, Seeler and Sanbeim as experienced NHL D.

[Austinfan]

Seeler's a LHD. But Attard is 25, time to see if he is smart enough to make it at RHD, below average speed, above average size, good shooter, key is hockey IQ to compensate for speed by being in the right position.

Seeler's role the next couple years is to babysit Drysdale (stay at home physical D-man paired with fast offensive first RHD).

[zambonir]

It's certainly not for more than one year and I think he's supposed to be the 7th D a la Staal. But Briere seemed pretty firm about it (and Johnson too). Best case he's flippable (though he's certainly not going to be another Walker). Less bad case he costs them a few games which keeps the draft pick higher. Middle ground, he's actually decent as a bottom-pair guy and veteran. He was frequently awful late last year because he was de facto Top 4 no?

[Austinfan]

Johnson had great advanced metrics down the stretch, just that every mistake went into the net, which is more on the goaltenders than anything else. He's limited at this point in his career, but can give you 12-15 minutes a night and more if you use him every third game.

He'd be used similar to Staal last season, pair with Zamula or Ginning as a veteran nursemaid. As a RHD he's also insurance for injuries with Drysdale (coming off surgery) and Risto (injured every season).

This does suggest they don't have a lot of confidence in Attard, while Samson and Grans are destined for LHV.
Andrae will either start every game (which means they'd probably deal Zamula) or start the season in LHV.