Correct. That is why I added "the next"....just pointing out their inability to value attributes other than size and grit. Pretty soon we will be a team full of Keith Jones
- mr4tno

oh, hahah...i thought it was possibly his kid....derp

never ever thought you would say that about the flyers. danny boy and his crew dropped the ball. No other way around it. JD may be nothing more than Karl Dykhuis.
- hello it's me 2050

Worried we have a more injury prone Ghost on our hands, only smaller in size.

I wish Gauthier nothing but the best and am hoping for a monster career from him. He was the right pick at the time, is a fantastic player who is getting better, and will be a symbol of the Flyers inabilty to just do the right thing, and not over think it. They blew it with a potential elite forward due to money. It was a no brainer. Pure stupidity.
- TheFreak

I dont know the whole cutter story, just heard different things which seem more opinion than fact. Did he leave because of torts? Because he wanted to go pro asap and DB said no? did he tell DB if you dont sign me now, im walking? There are certain ways to handle things, and it seems like he didnt handle it very well. Flyers shouldve said sign now or we will wait another year to trade you.

I dont know the whole cutter story, just heard different things which seem more opinion than fact. Did he leave because of torts? Because he wanted to go pro asap and DB said no? did he tell DB if you dont sign me now, im walking? There are certain ways to handle things, and it seems like he didnt handle it very well. Flyers shouldve said sign now or we will wait another year to trade you.
- bradster

My understanding, and it is no by no means a fact as I wasn't there, was that Gauthier appears to have been promised to be signed the year after he was drafted by Fletcher. He went back to school, and when his year ended, he wanted to sign and burn a year off his contract. Briere didn't want to do it, as he was worried about bonus overtures and the cap. Gauthier then goes to the World Championships and lights it up 2 months later. Briere shows up with contract in hand, but it starts after the summer so no year burnt. Gauthier feels betrayed and is plssed about it, defers all conversations to his agent. Demands a trade shortly there afterwards and declares he will never play for the Flyers.

They didn't sign him over bonus money to other players, yet they keep a ND on the roster. They dropped the ball, and lost a top prospect because of it.

My understanding, and it is no by no means a fact as I wasn't there, was that Gauthier appears to have been promised to be signed the year after he was drafted by Fletcher. He went back to school, and when his year ended, he wanted to sign and burn a year off his contract. Briere didn't want to do it, as he was worried about bonus overtures and the cap. Gauthier then goes to the World Championships and lights it up 2 months later. Briere shows up with contract in hand, but it starts after the summer so no year burnt. Gauthier feels betrayed and is plssed about it, defers all conversations to his agent. Demands a trade shortly there afterwards and declares he will never play for the Flyers.

They didn't sign him over bonus money to other players, yet they keep a ND on the roster. They dropped the ball, and lost a top prospect because of it.
- TheFreak

Which is all laughable since the Flyers are looking at millions in dead money on the cap next season.

I wish Gauthier nothing but the best and am hoping for a monster career from him. He was the right pick at the time, is a fantastic player who is getting better, and will be a symbol of the Flyers inabilty to just do the right thing, and not over think it. They blew it with a potential elite forward due to money. It was a no brainer. Pure stupidity.
- TheFreak

I wish I could disagree with this comment, but my logical side just can't do it. That mistake may end up being an all timer cause I really haven't been impressed with Drysdale up to this point. I mean, I honestly didn't realize that the spat was over him signing his contract last spring. WTF!!

I wish I could disagree with this comment, but my logical side just can't do it. That mistake may end up being an all timer cause I really haven't been impressed with Drysdale up to this point. I mean, I honestly didn't realize that the spat was over him signing his contract last spring. WTF!!
- Phillywhiteout

Just curious if he was fine with it, then lit it up playing against men in the tourney and changed his mind. Shouldve at least told DB he wants to go pro and if he isnt getting an offer then trade him. Sounds like he was quite and just pouted about it. lots to learn on both sides of this. I got no problem if he has a bad career at all. Might even make me smile.

how many player son this current roster do you see still here in 3/4 years when one hopes they are a somewhat contender?
- hello it's me 2050

That's a good question. Tippett, Foerster, York and Sanheim are probably givens. I don't know about Frost, Farabee and Brink. I actually think Farabee has been pretty brutal the last month. Can't really guarantee anyone else at this point cause still lots of question marks.

Just curious if he was fine with it, then lit it up playing against men in the tourney and changed his mind. Shouldve at least told DB he wants to go pro and if he isnt getting an offer then trade him. Sounds like he was quite and just pouted about it. lots to learn on both sides of this. I got no problem if he has a bad career at all. Might even make me smile.
- bradster

Oh, hell yeah! My vindictive side wants him to falter badly!! However, if it really was the Flyers being stupid then shame on them as well. I agree that he should have just come out and said if you don't sign me now (last spring) I want out of your organization.

Oh, hell yeah! My vindictive side wants him to falter badly!! However, if it really was the Flyers being stupid then shame on them as well. I agree that he should have just come out and said if you don't sign me now (last spring) I want out of your organization.
- Phillywhiteout

I was being polite, i want more than a bad career from him lol

My understanding, and it is no by no means a fact as I wasn't there, was that Gauthier appears to have been promised to be signed the year after he was drafted by Fletcher. He went back to school, and when his year ended, he wanted to sign and burn a year off his contract. Briere didn't want to do it, as he was worried about bonus overtures and the cap. Gauthier then goes to the World Championships and lights it up 2 months later. Briere shows up with contract in hand, but it starts after the summer so no year burnt. Gauthier feels betrayed and is plssed about it, defers all conversations to his agent. Demands a trade shortly there afterwards and declares he will never play for the Flyers.

They didn't sign him over bonus money to other players, yet they keep a ND on the roster. They dropped the ball, and lost a top prospect because of it.
- TheFreak

Good story, wish I knew the facts. From what we have seen, if a player acts the way he did this early in his NHL career with no communication, hiding in a locker room like a child when John L and Patrick S try and talk to you, that says something to me about his character, and it's poopty. In a few years this guy would be the new Lindros saga. His dad even contacted Paul Bissonette after he spoke bad on him during a chicklets episode. The privilege in this kids reeks.

how many player son this current roster do you see still here in 3/4 years when one hopes they are a somewhat contender?
- hello it's me 2050

That’s the million dollar question…isn’t it.? There is only “one” guy that will be a problem age wise. Coots. I know most have him dead and buried, but I still think he can be an above average player who plays an all around game…55-60 points. Solid.

After that I really have no idea what DB is going to do. The loss of Gauthier really hurt and to me sets them back a bit….but you make the trade and you move on.

My understanding, and it is no by no means a fact as I wasn't there, was that Gauthier appears to have been promised to be signed the year after he was drafted by Fletcher. He went back to school, and when his year ended, he wanted to sign and burn a year off his contract. Briere didn't want to do it, as he was worried about bonus overtures and the cap. Gauthier then goes to the World Championships and lights it up 2 months later. Briere shows up with contract in hand, but it starts after the summer so no year burnt. Gauthier feels betrayed and is plssed about it, defers all conversations to his agent. Demands a trade shortly there afterwards and declares he will never play for the Flyers.

They didn't sign him over bonus money to other players, yet they keep a ND on the roster. They dropped the ball, and lost a top prospect because of it.
- TheFreak

If that's the case then that is a bad look for the Flyers. Although it also appears that this kid has a spoiled brat streak in him. I actually always thought Lindros was somewhat spoiled with his meddling parents, but I sure as hell enjoyed watching him play hockey in Philly.

My understanding, and it is no by no means a fact as I wasn't there, was that Gauthier appears to have been promised to be signed the year after he was drafted by Fletcher. He went back to school, and when his year ended, he wanted to sign and burn a year off his contract. Briere didn't want to do it, as he was worried about bonus overtures and the cap. Gauthier then goes to the World Championships and lights it up 2 months later. Briere shows up with contract in hand, but it starts after the summer so no year burnt. Gauthier feels betrayed and is plssed about it, defers all conversations to his agent. Demands a trade shortly there afterwards and declares he will never play for the Flyers.

They didn't sign him over bonus money to other players, yet they keep a ND on the roster. They dropped the ball, and lost a top prospect because of it.
- TheFreak

If that’s the only issue it’s extremely short sighted on Gauthier’s part and to me he got bad advice. It’s also a big mis step by DB. It’s not like he would have been caught off guard by Guathier….he was the (frank)ing assistant under Fletcher and would have been privy to such an issue…cap issues ? That’s rediculous when your talking about a future cornerstone for a rebuilding franchise.

Hayes: ‘It’s never John Tortorella’s fault, it’s always someone else’s fault’

Until John can strap on a pair of skates and play, it will continue to be the players who own their play.

Which raises the question. What has this guy Hayes done in his career to critique winning NHL coaches?

If that's the case then that is a bad look for the Flyers. Although it also appears that this kid has a spoiled brat streak in him. I actually always thought Lindros was somewhat spoiled with his meddling parents, but I sure as hell enjoyed watching him play hockey in Philly.
- Phillywhiteout

Personally, I don't think he responded properly, and should have spoken with Briere. However, he had every right to defer to his agent, and ask to be traded. He played the cards he had to remove himself from an organization, and got what he wanted.
Lindros was always a Moma's boy....but you took that as part of the package for what he brought on the ice, and to their pocketbooks. I have also wondered how much of the Lindros situation was on Clarke. If you had more of a finesse GM, and not a rough and tumble ex player, it could have gone a lot better I am sure. We all know Clarke says whatever pops into his brain, but a more business oriented/ level headed of a GM might have treated lindros like the generational superstar he was. As I said, both sides were to blame for the situation with Lindros.

Hayes: ‘It’s never John Tortorella’s fault, it’s always someone else’s fault’

Until John can strap on a pair of skates and play, it will continue to be the players who own their play.

Which raises the question. What has this guy Hayes done in his career to critique winning NHL coaches?

- BluehorseShoe64

He is a paid analyst and host on the biggest sports network in Canada. He has his credentials, I am sure, or he wouldn't be working for TSN. What he said is 100% true about Torts. Bang on the money. I don't see how anyone can be upset with someone putting into plain English how Torts' bs is viewed outside of the brainwashed.

Torts deserves everything he gets as far as any criticism goes. He is an easy target as he sets himself up for it.

My understanding, and it is no by no means a fact as I wasn't there, was that Gauthier appears to have been promised to be signed the year after he was drafted by Fletcher. He went back to school, and when his year ended, he wanted to sign and burn a year off his contract. Briere didn't want to do it, as he was worried about bonus overtures and the cap. Gauthier then goes to the World Championships and lights it up 2 months later. Briere shows up with contract in hand, but it starts after the summer so no year burnt. Gauthier feels betrayed and is plssed about it, defers all conversations to his agent. Demands a trade shortly there afterwards and declares he will never play for the Flyers.

They didn't sign him over bonus money to other players, yet they keep a ND on the roster. They dropped the ball, and lost a top prospect because of it.
- TheFreak

ND was signed by Fletcher, a mistake that has been well documented. And if the Flyers decided to show him the door as soon as a new GM comes in, they develop a reputation for not honoring contracts. This is the problem cleaning up after a failed GM.
As for Briere's handling of the situation, he has to build an entire roster. Not make organizational decisions around 1 player's demands (Gauthier). If they do this, it means prospects can start managing upwards. Then managers cannot control how they build. It was too soon to put all the eggs in his basket. They want to use their cap space to do what rebuilding GMs do - take on salary from players across the league for assets or buy out aging veterans. The problem with this is there are good arguments on both sides. But the reality is there is more than 1 problem to fix as a GM of a struggling team. Cap space has to be used for many different things. And if they use it to pander to a prospect, and for some reason the prospect doesn't hit their potential, then bloggers will be talking about how the investment into 1 prospect tied their hands from doing other things, prolonging the rebuild longer. We have the fortune of 20-20 hindsight.

ND was signed by Fletcher, a mistake that has been well documented. And if the Flyers decided to show him the door as soon as a new GM comes in, they develop a reputation for not honoring contracts. This is the problem cleaning up after a failed GM.
As for Briere's handling of the situation, he has to build an entire roster. Not make organizational decisions around 1 player's demands (Gauthier). If they do this, it means prospects can start managing upwards. Then managers cannot control how they build. It was too soon to put all the eggs in his basket. They want to use their cap space to do what rebuilding GMs do - take on salary from players across the league for assets or buy out aging veterans. The problem with this is there are good arguments on both sides. But the reality is there is more than 1 problem to fix as a GM of a struggling team. Cap space has to be used for many different things. And if they use it to pander to a prospect, and for some reason the prospect doesn't hit their potential, then bloggers will be talking about how the investment into 1 prospect tied their hands from doing other things, prolonging the rebuild longer. We have the fortune of 20-20 hindsight.
- BluehorseShoe64

The only thing a team is required to honor is the parameters of the contract. Players are waived and demoted all the time. The Flyers made a huge mistake with Gauthier and teams "pander" to top prospects routinely.

ND was signed by Fletcher, a mistake that has been well documented. And if the Flyers decided to show him the door as soon as a new GM comes in, they develop a reputation for not honoring contracts. This is the problem cleaning up after a failed GM.
As for Briere's handling of the situation, he has to build an entire roster. Not make organizational decisions around 1 player's demands (Gauthier). If they do this, it means prospects can start managing upwards. Then managers cannot control how they build. It was too soon to put all the eggs in his basket. They want to use their cap space to do what rebuilding GMs do - take on salary from players across the league for assets or buy out aging veterans. The problem with this is there are good arguments on both sides. But the reality is there is more than 1 problem to fix as a GM of a struggling team. Cap space has to be used for many different things. And if they use it to pander to a prospect, and for some reason the prospect doesn't hit their potential, then bloggers will be talking about how the investment into 1 prospect tied their hands from doing other things, prolonging the rebuild longer. We have the fortune of 20-20 hindsight.
- BluehorseShoe64

His salary on an ELC is less than $1m per. The cap issues was because of other players hitting their bonuses on top of any bonuses Gauthier might have had. On a small couple of game trial at the end of the season, it is not going to have much as far as obtainable bonuses go. His second year, for sure..games played, goals, points etc, but in just a couple of games, how many bonuses can there actually be.

This was cap mismanagement, and everything leading up to that point said that Gauthier was the teams best prospect, and he should have been signed. This was a no brainer, and management showed they had no brains.

How many top 5 prospects, when they come to their NHL team and say I want to sign get told no? The blame is on the Flyers.

I dont know the whole cutter story, just heard different things which seem more opinion than fact. Did he leave because of torts? Because he wanted to go pro asap and DB said no? did he tell DB if you dont sign me now, im walking? There are certain ways to handle things, and it seems like he didnt handle it very well. Flyers shouldve said sign now or we will wait another year to trade you.
- bradster

Nothing has ever been confirmed from his side.

If you hear anybody talking like they know why he did what he did they are most likely full of poop.

ND was signed by Fletcher, a mistake that has been well documented. And if the Flyers decided to show him the door as soon as a new GM comes in, they develop a reputation for not honoring contracts. This is the problem cleaning up after a failed GM.
As for Briere's handling of the situation, he has to build an entire roster. Not make organizational decisions around 1 player's demands (Gauthier). If they do this, it means prospects can start managing upwards. Then managers cannot control how they build. It was too soon to put all the eggs in his basket. They want to use their cap space to do what rebuilding GMs do - take on salary from players across the league for assets or buy out aging veterans. The problem with this is there are good arguments on both sides. But the reality is there is more than 1 problem to fix as a GM of a struggling team. Cap space has to be used for many different things. And if they use it to pander to a prospect, and for some reason the prospect doesn't hit their potential, then bloggers will be talking about how the investment into 1 prospect tied their hands from doing other things, prolonging the rebuild longer. We have the fortune of 20-20 hindsight.
- BluehorseShoe64

Was that the case in moving Hayes, DeAngelo, and Provorov, all on contracts Fletcher signed them to? I'm sure you were in favor of those moves since the coach didn't like them.

If ND is able to be traded after his modified trade clause expires, you make that move every single time. He is net negative player. I don't care how valuable he is in the locker room.

Also, if Gauthier wanted to sign after his freshman year and Briere said no, that's on Briere. Gauthier played the cards he could since he was an NCAA draft pick. These aren't available for every single prospect and will not cause 'managing up' whatever that's supposed to mean. I don't know about you but I'd rather they have signed a consensus top 5 prospect in the entire league who is now a Hobey Baker finalist and has scored 37 goals in 39 games. He could really help a Flyers team that cannot score consistently.

Nothing has ever been confirmed from his side.

If you hear anybody talking like they know why he did what he did they are most likely full of poop.
- Tomahawk

As I stated, I wasn't there, so I don't know the facts, but from what you can put together is what I posted.

Earthquake in Philly

Earthquake in Philly
- PT21

ny CT and NJ as well..climate change lol