Agreed. Tomahawk said it best. Other than Tortorella, the Flyers continue to believe that the solution is within their current ranks. That they hired Tortorella in the first place. Is really telling of where this franchise is at.
- MJL

I really get that they want to value promoting from within. It’s a great quality in any organization. But when you need to make a left turn and change things dramatically, the only way to do so is to bring someone from the outside in with a fresh perspective. Doesn’t mean every role or management position, but you need to bring in fresh voices and direction in order to change the culture and thinking at the level they need to.

My company went through a tough time last year and a lot of great quality people left or were let go. But we brought in new voices, promoted some internal staff and guess what? We are already making more progress in the last few months than the many years of “keeping it in the family”.

You need a mix and that means people from the outside in meaningful positions.

Imo the Flyers brain trust is hoping that Michkov is gone before they pick. Their risk appetite precludes them from selecting Michkov.

Imo the Flyers brain trust is hoping that Michkov is gone before they pick. Their risk appetite precludes them from selecting Michkov.
- Minnyhock

At least they aren’t the 76ers who don’t have a SINGLE draft pick in the 2023 draft. It could definitely be worse

I really get that they want to value promoting from within. It’s a great quality in any organization. But when you need to make a left turn and change things dramatically, the only way to do so is to bring someone from the outside in with a fresh perspective. Doesn’t mean every role or management position, but you need to bring in fresh voices and direction in order to change the culture and thinking at the level they need to.

My company went through a tough time last year and a lot of great quality people left or were let go. But we brought in new voices, promoted some internal staff and guess what? We are already making more progress in the last few months than the many years of “keeping it in the family”.

You need a mix and that means people from the outside in meaningful positions.
- funmaster18

The problem is the new guy they brought in who already has great influence in this organization is a fossilized dinosaur who the game has long passed by.

The problem is the new guy they brought in who already has great influence in this organization is a fossilized dinosaur who the game has long passed by.
- MJL

Well, not every person from the outside is the answer

At least they aren’t the 76ers who don’t have a SINGLE draft pick in the 2023 draft. It could definitely be worse
- funmaster18

Sixers at least make the playoffs.


Plus the NBA draft is garbage anyways. If you don’t have a top 10 pick you might as well have no picks at all.

Sixers at least make the playoffs.


Plus the NBA draft is garbage anyways. If you don’t have a top 10 pick you might as well have no picks at all.
- hereticpride

They are in second round purgatory. Which after a while is more frustrating because you have expectations. But I’ll admit I wouldn’t mind a second round playoff exit versus what we have been dealing with as flyers fans.

Is that what happened to the families of all the players that have defected in the past?
- Tomahawk

They shoved our goalie prospect into a van and dropped him off in Siberia. Who knows what’s possible right now.

Still, not like family lines were extinguished. We need to get a grip here.
- Tomahawk

You should contact Pavel Bure and ask about how easy it was or when stories come out how X player is "connected to the Russian Mafia", those are not friends.

How? With Russia banned from all international tourneys for the foreseeable future? (That was often the readiest way to sneak a player away and transport him.) With the government restricting travel? It's not easy. Hell, only Russia-based scouts, such as the Flyer Ken Hoodikoff, readily able to see KHL/VHL/MHL hockey even the in-person scouting side is tougher these days.
- bmeltzer

Ordinary Russians, dissidents, etc are still able to find a way out under the present conditions. Michkov has a higher profile (and undoubtedly people will be watching him) but where there's a will (and money), there's a way. Probably easiest would be when SKA travels to Minsk during the KHL season, where he'll be a short drive away from a friendly NATO border.

Ofc that's assuming he wants to play in the NHL that badly.

Sixers at least make the playoffs.


Plus the NBA draft is garbage anyways. If you don’t have a top 10 pick you might as well have no picks at all.
- hereticpride

I haven't followed the NBA in a long time, but is the draft really that bad? I mean my understanding was getting one big superstar can flip a team overnight.

Ordinary Russians, dissidents, etc are still able to find a way out under the present conditions. Michkov has a higher profile (and undoubtedly people will be watching him) but where there's a will (and money), there's a way. Probably easiest would be when SKA travels to Minsk during the KHL season, where he'll be a short drive away from a friendly NATO border.

Ofc that's assuming he wants to play in the NHL that badly.
- Tomahawk

So your answer is put the complete onus on the player? Oh you didn't come over so you didn't want it bad enough?

Still, not like family lines were extinguished. We need to get a grip here.
- Tomahawk

It was a different era. But there was retaliation. His father was fired from his job, and couldn't find work. Family members were harassed. Their phone was bugged. They knew what would happen if Petr defected and that when they said goodbye, they might never see him again but they told him the NHL was his dream and that he should pursue his dream.

Thank goodness, many years later, in the post-communist Czech Republic, he was able to go home and have his folks meet their grandchild for the first time in person.

Again, it could be even harder in the USSR. There's been no need for anyone to defect in 30-plus years. When your contract was up or dissolved, the player could go abroad (although Russia opted out of the NHL-IIHF transfer agreement and tried but failed to equally rival the NHL... but the tranfer fees could get quite high).

Right now, it's not back to where it was in the USSR days but transfers are case-by-case and subject to having a wrench thrown into the works.

For a talent on Michkov's reported level of upside, it may be worth it. Especially so if you have an "in" to help get it done. But there is still a lot of hassle involved.

So your answer is put the complete onus on the player? Oh you didn't come over so you didn't want it bad enough?
- Glak18

I'm saying that if a Russian player has ever wanted to play in the NHL, they've always found a way. Whether it's politics/war, contract, whatever.

Up to the Flyers to get a sense of how badly the kid wants to be in the NHL and then make an assessment from there.

It was a different era. But there was retaliation. His father was fired from his job, and couldn't find work. Family members were harassed. Their phone was bugged. They knew what would happen if Petr defected and that when they said goodbye, they might never see him again but they told him the NHL was his dream and that he should pursue his dream.

Thank goodness, many years later, in the post-communist Czech Republic, he was able to go home and have his folks meet their grandchild for the first time in person.

Again, it could be even harder in the USSR. There's been no need for anyone to defect in 30-plus years. When your contract was up or dissolved, the player could go abroad (although Russia opted out of the NHL-IIHF transfer agreement and tried but failed to equally rival the NHL... but the tranfer fees could get quite high).

Right now, it's not back to where it was in the USSR days but transfers are case-by-case and subject to having a wrench thrown into the works.

For a talent on Michkov's reported level of upside, it may be worth it. Especially so if you have an "in" to help get it done. But there is still a lot of hassle involved.
- bmeltzer

So basically Michkov could come over, but it's going to take a lot of work and probably some good timing. Now in your opinion as of right now...is it worth the risk for the Flyers in their current position?

I haven't followed the NBA in a long time, but is the draft really that bad? I mean my understanding was getting one big superstar can flip a team overnight.
- Glak18

I mean it’s certainly helpful to have picks but most guys beyond the 1st round seem like projects at best or overseas guys that may never come over.

I'm saying that if a Russian player has ever wanted to play in the NHL, they've always found a way. Whether it's politics/war, contract, whatever.

Up to the Flyers to get a sense of how badly the kid wants to be in the NHL and then make an assessment from there.
- Tomahawk

That's absolutely not true. You know the feel good stories, but not every player who wanted it badly made it. You're just assuming they did.

So basically Michkov could come over, but it's going to take a lot of work and probably some good timing. Now in your opinion as of right now...is it worth the risk for the Flyers in their current position?
- Glak18

I wouldn't. But I can certainly understand why others would.

Again, it could be even harder in the USSR. There's been no need for anyone to defect in 30-plus years. When your contract was up or dissolved, the player could go abroad (although Russia opted out of the NHL-IIHF transfer agreement and tried but failed to equally rival the NHL... but the tranfer fees could get quite high).

Right now, it's not back to where it was in the USSR days but transfers are case-by-case and subject to having a wrench thrown into the works.

For a talent on Michkov's reported level of upside, it may be worth it. Especially so if you have an "in" to help get it done. But there is still a lot of hassle involved.
- bmeltzer

It's always been a hassle getting Russian players out, even in the best of times.

Guys could not be under contract anymore and there are still a bunch of hoops to jump through (and possibly payment required) to allow them to sever ties with their previous teams. It's a headache for sure and some NHL teams have been more willing to navigate the twists and turns than others.

And like you've said often, it's all case by case.

I wouldn't. But I can certainly understand why others would.
- bmeltzer

Sounds like Jagr all over again.

Sounds like Jagr all over again.
- hereticpride

It's the Flyers...if they take him then Ultimate Bust, if they don't then instant HOFer.

That's absolutely not true. You know the feel good stories, but not every player who wanted it badly made it. You're just assuming they did.
- Glak18

Well obviously we're not talking about Nikolai Deslauriov from the Russian C-league who always dreamed of being a Philadelphia Flyer, lol.

Well obviously we're not talking about Nikolai Deslauriov from the Russian C-league who always dreamed of being a Philadelphia Flyer, lol.
- Tomahawk

Well he didn't fight enough.

It's the Flyers...if they take him then Ultimate Bust, if they don't then instant HOFer.
- Glak18

My thoughts exactly lol

I wouldn't. But I can certainly understand why others would.
- bmeltzer

The Caps seem to enjoy a cordial relationship with KHL and other Russian decision-makers. (They were recently able to extricate Mirosnichenko from his KHL contract.) Even Pronman and Wheeler in their draft preview have Michkov falling to the Capitals at No. 8.