I personally believe that anyone who thinks this team is going to look at the competitiveness of this season and think that they need to go backwards. Is kidding themselves. I don't think they go all in but they're going to look at it as if they didn't get the injuries to the defense, they would've held serve and made the playoffs if they don't make it. They're not going to look at is as if that's nice if they make or barely miss but we have to think long term and sell off Laughton, Konecny, etc. I'll be surprised if they do that
- MJL

Should they be though? Wouldn't that be better for the future of the franchise.

Chris Simon RIP.
- Minnyhock

Brutal... Way too young. Was a cause of death released?

Chris Simon RIP.
- Minnyhock

All these ex-enforcers dying so young.

Should they be though? Wouldn't that be better for the future of the franchise.
- J35Bacher

Not following your question. I think they should explore trading both Konecny and Laughton.

If someone said before the season that the following would happen this year would anyone sign on for it?

Collapse and miss the playoffs
Have a mid-first round pick
Couturier & Atkinson both look shot
Trade Gauthier for a marshmallow soft dman
Hart face a sexual assault trial

Business as usual in Flyer-Land
- PLindbergh31

. Obviously the worse fan ever to exist. Do us a favour and (frank) off. If this team ever has any success please don’t celebrate. You’re an absolute pos. 🖕

It was always smoke and mirrors. Anyone who couldn't see that what they were doing was unsustainable was fooling themselves.

Running Coots into the ground was part of the reason for the hot start and the current collapse.

Its not that simple. Wasn't smoke & mirrors. Every team wants/needs a player like Walker. We had him, and now we have a #1 pick instead.
Hart gone. Not a trivial development. I mean, he WAS the #1 goalie the last few years.
Risto has lost A LOT of time. We paid big bucks for his contribution, why? A strong, physical 2nd/3rd pair d man is huge in this league. Would have been perfect to pair with Drysdale. Can't count him as a loss because he wasn't here most of the season. But was still a loss. This team since losing Walker and Drysdale are not as fast as before. Without Seeler to bail them out of d zone pressure, and a puck carrier (Walker) this is what it looks like. For YEARS, this team lacked a puck carrier. Who is carrying it now? These are the reasons, not Coots' minutes.
Wrong or right, Torts is looking for a center to pull the team. Maybe they shouldn't have picked Coots for Captain. Who can put this team on his back? All good questions, not many answers.

Brutal... Way too young. Was a cause of death released?
- Flyfly

Self-inflicted according to Facebook, Reddit. Take it with a grain of salt. 🧂 But is not surprising if we look at the enforcer history.

Brutal... Way too young. Was a cause of death released?
- Flyfly

Believe he suffered from CTE issues. Some internet chatter says suicide but haven’t heard anything that’s irrefutable.

It was always smoke and mirrors. Anyone who couldn't see that what they were doing was unsustainable was fooling themselves.

Running Coots into the ground was part of the reason for the hot start and the current collapse.

Its not that simple. Wasn't smoke & mirrors. Every team wants/needs a player like Walker. We had him, and now we have a #1 pick instead.
Hart gone. Not a trivial development. I mean, he WAS the #1 goalie the last few years.
Risto has lost A LOT of time. We paid big bucks for his contribution, why? A strong, physical 2nd/3rd pair d man is huge in this league. Would have been perfect to pair with Drysdale. Can't count him as a loss because he wasn't here most of the season. But was still a loss. This team since losing Walker and Drysdale are not as fast as before. Without Seeler to bail them out of d zone pressure, and a puck carrier (Walker) this is what it looks like. For YEARS, this team lacked a puck carrier. Who is carrying it now? These are the reasons, not Coots' minutes.
Wrong or right, Torts is looking for a center to pull the team. Maybe they shouldn't have picked Coots for Captain. Who can put this team on his back? All good questions, not many answers.
- BluehorseShoe64

You're completely wrong to dismiss Couturier's return and play in the first half of the season from the equation in the Flyers improvement.

If Tortorella is looking for a center to pull the team, maybe he shouldn't have scratched Frost so many times. Saddled him on the 4th line the previous season. Reality is that if from the list, including Frost of the rest of the centers. If Tortorella thinks any of them can pull the team or put them on their back. Then Tortorella isn't a very smart hockey guy. He knew a healthy Couturier was the best chance which is why he rode him into the ground.

On another note, there is nothing about Ristolainen that is huge in this league. He is a degrading player that is now a 3rd pair defenseman that has to be sheltered just to be serviceable. He is a player that they desperately have to move and is trending towards being a buyout candidate in the future.

Self-inflicted according to Facebook, Reddit. Take it with a grain of salt. 🧂 But is not surprising if we look at the enforcer history.
- THE EVIL WITHIN

Agreed. Enforcers will prove someday to be the Model T days of the sport, if it lasts.

Players should fight their own battles. If they can't stand the heat...

Self-inflicted according to Facebook, Reddit. Take it with a grain of salt. 🧂 But is not surprising if we look at the enforcer history.
- THE EVIL WITHIN

huge chris simon fan. always thought he would end up back here

You're completely wrong to dismiss Couturier's return and play in the first half of the season from the equation in the Flyers improvement.

If Tortorella is looking for a center to pull the team, maybe he shouldn't have scratched Frost so many times. Saddled him on the 4th line the previous season. Reality is that if from the list, including Frost of the rest of the centers. If Tortorella thinks any of them can pull the team or put them on their back. Then Tortorella isn't a very smart hockey guy. He knew a healthy Couturier was the best chance which is why he rode him into the ground.
- MJL

Where did you get that from in my post? A misunderstanding I think. I agree with you, as I do with many of the others posting here. As I said, right or wrong, he's looking for SOMEBODY to be the guy to put this team on their back. That player probably doesn't exist, but he's trying to find out.

Not following your question. I think they should explore trading both Konecny and Laughton.
- MJL

You answered it.

I agree with you. I would be looking at moving Laughton and Konecny.

Where did you get that from in my post? A misunderstanding I think. I agree with you, as I do with many of the others posting here. As I said, right or wrong, he's looking for SOMEBODY to be the guy to put this team on their back. That player probably doesn't exist, but he's trying to find out.
- BluehorseShoe64

Perhaps but this is what made me think that.

"These are the reasons, not Coots' minutes."

Tortorella has made a huge error here and has used up a big chunk of capital with the players to make a move that is likely not going to make a positive impact. It reeks of incompetence and desperation.

Self-inflicted according to Facebook, Reddit. Take it with a grain of salt. 🧂 But is not surprising if we look at the enforcer history.
- THE EVIL WITHIN

Man, just awful to hear.

anyone know if ex selke has any family in town?

Perhaps but this is what made me think that.

"These are the reasons, not Coots' minutes."

Tortorella has made a huge error here and has used up a big chunk of capital with the players to make a move that is likely not going to make a positive impact. It reeks of incompetence and desperation.
- MJL

So when does the accountability fall on the coach.

-Probably should have tried to limit some of Couturier's minutes early on and to keep fresh.

-Played Staal down the stretch way too much when you had guys like Ginning and Attard

-His handling of Frost

I am not a Torts hater but he's made some bad missteps here too. And i wasn't sure of my stance moving forward but I agree with MJL. I do not want him as coach moving forward with this rebuild.

Perhaps but this is what made me think that.

"These are the reasons, not Coots' minutes."

Tortorella has made a huge error here and has used up a big chunk of capital with the players to make a move that is likely not going to make a positive impact. It reeks of incompetence and desperation.
- MJL

Look, I know from coaching myself, that players rarely communicate how they feel to trainers, physicians etc. not wanting to be taken out. Now, I don't have inside information, please stay with me here. All I'm saying is that athletes are ultimately competitors, like the heavyweight boxer who tries to make a return after washed up. They think they can do it - always. The reality is, players bare a responsibility too. They have to communicate to the medical staff if things are getting beyond them. They are 1) adults and 2) pros, Ultimately, it's their bodies - how can anyone else know best how YOU feel then you? The other thing I don't hear many ppl talking about is what to do with a player who has this much term left on their contract. We love, love Coots here at my house (he's one of the good guys), but there's a business reality settling in during this evaluation period. What to do if these parts don't work? What happens to them? It seems everyone has the answers in the small picture, but what about the big picture?
I think I may have mentioned this decision is not settling well with me either. However, does Torts not have fight? Does anyone else see the never say die attitude? This is what this team lacked just a couple short years ago. Many of those players are still on this roster. Many, many games getting blown out by 5 & 6 goals, opponents cruising in the 2nd period. I like this a lot better.

anyone know if ex selke has any family in town?
- hello it's me 2050

Well played 😂

If they make a run for the playoffs, the fans are outraged because they should be tanking for this thin draft. When the Flyers are tanking, losing and draft a stud at 7th overall, the fans are upset they haven’t seen playoffs in 4 years. Can’t win.
- roenick97

how about we be positive the coach realized one of his players was worn out and decided to rest him for the playoffs we're at 80% something chance to make it why ruin him in the last few weeks of the season

Look, I know from coaching myself, that players rarely communicate how they feel to trainers, physicians etc. not wanting to be taken out. Now, I don't have inside information, please stay with me here. All I'm saying is that athletes are ultimately competitors, like the heavyweight boxer who tries to make a return after washed up. They think they can do it - always. The reality is, players bare a responsibility too. They have to communicate to the medical staff if things are getting beyond them. They are 1) adults and 2) pros, Ultimately, it's their bodies - how can anyone else know best how YOU feel then you? The other thing I don't hear many ppl talking about is what to do with a player who has this much term left on their contract. We love, love Coots here at my house (he's one of the good guys), but there's a business reality settling in during this evaluation period. What to do if these parts don't work? What happens to them? It seems everyone has the answers in the small picture, but what about the big picture?



- BluehorseShoe64

Couturier has been practicing regularly. He skated extra in practice and he skated extra work after the morning skates. He is definitely banged up and nursing something but a player that is injured to the point of not being able to play, does not do that. At this point, Couturier is not a likely trade candidate and he deserves time to fully recover

I think I may have mentioned this decision is not settling well with me either. However, does Torts not have fight? Does anyone else see the never say die attitude? This is what this team lacked just a couple short years ago. Many of those players are still on this roster. Many, many games getting blown out by 5 & 6 goals, opponents cruising in the 2nd period. I like this a lot better.
- BlueHorseshoe64

My personal opinion is that many Flyers fans are so starved for a good team, that they oversell what is actually happening here. The Flyers were poorly coached both under Vigneault and Yeo. They were a disjointed mess structurally. The Flyers struggled mightily to play Vigneault's hybrid man/overload system. Tortorella has done a strong job teaching and developing the team structure and getting buy in from the team. He has made them competitive. Is that enough for you or anybody? I can only answer for me and that is a no! Because I know that is all we're going to get from a Tortorella coached team. His systems, strategies and philosophies are outdated. His in game strategy is poor and his player handling and development is awful. Tortorella is essentially a high level high paid interim coach. Who is very limited in what he can do for a team. He hasn't won squat in almost 20 years and is highly overrated in my opinion. Add in that he's an bumhole and that about sums it up for me. It's terrifying to me that he is going to move upstairs and continue to be a major influence moving forward with this team. They're going nowhere in my opinion with Tortorella involved. He has the ear of Hilferty and Jones and its going to be more of the same with this franchise unless they get very lucky with the draft. The Flyers have to move into the realm of the modern day NHL and that's not going to happen with Tortorella involved

how about we be positive the coach realized one of his players was worn out and decided to rest him for the playoffs we're at 80% something chance to make it why ruin him in the last few weeks of the season
- 2Real

Then say that. Don't embarrass the guy in front of his team, his city and on the national stage. He is, by all accounts, busting his ass trying to get his game back. Don't throw him under the bus when everyone knows you overused him to get you to where you are .

Then say that. Don't embarrass the guy in front of his team, his city and on the national stage. He is, by all accounts, busting his ass trying to get his game back. Don't throw him under the bus when everyone knows you overused him to get you to where you are .
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed. I’ll be shocked if this ends well.

Then say that. Don't embarrass the guy in front of his team, his city and on the national stage. He is, by all accounts, busting his ass trying to get his game back. Don't throw him under the bus when everyone knows you overused him to get you to where you are .
- MBFlyerfan

This! And don’t be unavailable to the press after you bench the Captain. That pisses me off just as much as the benching.

Torts is gona torts though.

hmm so we're on the hate the organization bandwagon again
- 2Real

Ha ha, some folks on here NEVER get off that bandwagon. It's like they get off on using the Flyers organization as a punching bag. Kind of strange in reality.