Sadly, when we compare ourselves to the the general rank and file Flyers fans, we are in a distinct minority here in Hockeybuzz land.

Most of the fans are eating it up. They have them eating out of their hands with Torts and the "culture" Pablum. They scarf it down and ask for more.
- MBFlyerfan

we are all really proud you’ve evolved into a greater plane of existence lol

touch grass, as they say

No top 10 pick trades in the NHL in the last 2 years. If rumors are to be believed, 3 1st round picks (one of which was the Flyers 12th, wasn't even close to being enough to trade into the top 4 on their own and we are supposed to believe that next year someone is going to give the Flyers a discount to draft a franchise player?

If you want that pick you'd better get there on your own and the Flyers are unwilling to do that. The Flyers have sacrificed quality for quantity. Teams like CHI and SJ decided not to limit themselves and to pursue both paths, drafting quality and quantity.

Jett better be great or Buium a bust because some of his traits have been compared to Hughes and Makar with the accolades to prove it. As someone said before, the Flyers received a gift with Buium falling and returned the gift.

Edit: For Briere to see any of his draft picks play in 2028 will mean he is the longest tenured GM not named Holmgren or Clarke in the last 40 years
- Flyers_01

All true. That being said, I mean, 2 years isn’t all that long. Getting into the top 10 can be done; however, it won’t with the two (likely) late 1sts we picked up. The assets required would be far greater.

No, with picks like that you’re hoping to fill out your roster with mid level guys and maybe get lucky with a Giroux, Pasternak, or TK. Hey, it’s been done. If we’re really fortunate, then possibly even with Bonk. That guy had a really nice jump in productivity last year. Showing promise.

Well, Laughton is a fine player to have on your back 6 if you’re a winning team, and likely nobody is willing to part with what the Flyers want. He's not that expensive, so I guess they’re comfortable with him as a locker room guys and dependable cheap option until the right deal comes along. If. If it comes along.

TK has more value, but I’m not sure if even the Flyers have decided what to do with him. My guess is he becomes a trade deadline guy, but who knows? I mentioned ages ago Zegras would be an interesting swap with him because of how deep the Ducks are with center but nothing else. Well, they’ve been attending to their wing needs since then. Savoie was another guy I was thinking of in a package deal, but as of today he’s off to Edmonton. Bring a jacket, kid.

That’s the thing with me. I don’t think they exactly know what to do with what they’ve got. They’re undecided instead of following a path.
- Hesh_

I'm not sure why you're so big on Zegras. He is exactly the kind of player you don't want. A good player who is eventually going to cost too much and just makes you a bit better that is not worth it. It doesn't push you towards becoming an elite team and legit contender. The trade assets the Flyers have, should be used towards getting a chance at adding some elite talent. In combination with the return and the weakening of the team to get a higher draft pick. It is elite player or bust for this team.

All true. That being said, I mean, 2 years isn’t all that long. Getting into the top 10 can be done; however, it won’t with the two (likely) late 1sts we picked up. The assets required would be far greater.

No, with picks like that you’re hoping to fill out your roster with mid level guys and maybe get lucky with a Giroux, Pasternak, or TK. Hey, it’s been done. If we’re really fortunate, then possibly even with Bonk. That guy had a really nice jump in productivity last year. Showing promise.
- Hesh_

I think we have to be careful with Bonk and not overrate him. I think he's going to be a good player for the Flyers but a lot of the offensive improvement came from playing the PP bumper. A role he is unlikely to play in the NHL.

For the record, I’m not saying I want Laine for the long term - but if CBJ has to trade him we could help take that contract off their hands for two years, give them TK and perhaps get a pick out of it. Possible reclamation project (or deadline flip) + a pick/prospect for taking him + not having to pay TK would be all good things.

I'm not sure why you're so big on Zegras. He is exactly the kind of player you don't want. A good player who is eventually going to cost too much and just makes you a bit better that is not worth it. It doesn't push you towards becoming an elite team and legit contender. The trade assets the Flyers have, should be used towards getting a chance at adding some elite talent. In combination with the return and the weakening of the team to get a higher draft pick. It is elite player or bust for this team.
- MJL

It’s only because he’s younger, a center, and at this time more reasonable. I think TK is clearly the better player. I think we’d get him as well as a draft pick for TK.

Certainly not gonna call him flawless. He’s had injury issues and disagreements with management. He needs a change of scenery.

Your reasons are why I am not championing for Kaliyev right now unless he could be had for a song.

I think it was frustration from the team not winning and his own level of play. I think he felt he needed a change of scenery in order to feel good about himself and for a chance to be successful and to rebuild himself as a player. He simply wasn't happy with the Flyers. I don't think Tortorella had a ton to do with that. It was happening before Tortorella got there. He was mishandled as a player from the time he was drafted.
- MJL

Fair enough

I think we have to be careful with Bonk and not overrate him. I think he's going to be a good player for the Flyers but a lot of the offensive improvement came from playing the PP bumper. A role he is unlikely to play in the NHL.
- MJL

My expectations went from a 3rd pairing guy to potentially a nice 2nd pairing.

He won’t be an offensive threat in the NHL.

But to me, that’s a nice ROI for what I expected.

For the record, I’m not saying I want Laine for the long term - but if CBJ has to trade him we could help take that contract off their hands for two years, give them TK and perhaps get a pick out of it. Possible reclamation project (or deadline flip) + a pick/prospect for taking him + not having to pay TK would be all good things.
- anti-lame

I get it and I agree he would be. Put him on the ice with Michkov and he would get multiple good looks every shift.

But as I said, I don't think Torts would want anything to do with Laine and visa versa. I cant see it working out because Torts is notorious for not "making it work".

we are all really proud you’ve evolved into a greater plane of existence lol




touch grass, as they say
- anti-lame

I have no idea what this means. I apologize, dont burn my house down and try to get me fired from my job. It was just a comment.

It’s only because he’s younger, a center, and at this time more reasonable. I think TK is clearly the better player. I think we’d get him as well as a draft pick for TK.

Certainly not gonna call him flawless. He’s had injury issues and disagreements with management. He needs a change of scenery.

Your reasons are why I am not championing for Kaliyev right now unless he could be had for a song.
- Hesh_

What is the goal? In my opinion at best on a cup contending team, Zegras is a 2C. In my opinion, they most likely just drafted a future 2C in Luchanko. So why do it? Just to get better now? It would be the Flyers way. Let's just improve and continue to put up the mirage. Meanwhile in the future, he contributes to maxing out the cap, not being bad enough to get those high picks and a hindrance to the future and actually building a cup contending team. It just starts the cycle all over again. Leading to another new era of Orange.

I have no idea what this means. I apologize, dont burn my house down and try to get me fired from my job. It was just a comment.
- MBFlyerfan

ah I’m just givin’ ya grief

How’s this for an explanation, MJL.

When we drafted Bonk, I was thinking possible 3rd liner you don’t worry about too much on defense. A Jag, really, but one who earns his playing time.

Now I’m trying to stay reserved, but kinda thinking he could be a Luke Richardson type of guy.
You don’t get excited over a player like that, but you’re happy to have them.

What is the goal? In my opinion at best on a cup contending team, Zegras is a 2C. In my opinion, they most likely just drafted a future 2C in Luchanko. So why do it? Just to get better now? It would be the Flyers way. Let's just improve and continue to put up the mirage. Meanwhile in the future, he contributes to maxing out the cap, not being bad enough to get those high picks and a hindrance to the future and actually building a cup contending team. It just starts the cycle all over again. Leading to another new era of Orange.
- MJL

because we don’t have a 2C. I thought Jett was projected to be a wing in the pros. He’s early in his career yet, so I guess we’ll see what happens.

How’s this for an explanation, MJL.

When we drafted Bonk, I was thinking possible 3rd liner you don’t worry about too much on defense. A Jag, really, but one who earns his playing time.

Now I’m trying to stay reserved, but kinda thinking he could be a Luke Richardson type of guy.
You don’t get excited over a player like that, but you’re happy to have them.
- Hesh_

I don't see anything wrong with that. I think he's a potential 2nd pair NHL defenseman. All I said was to be guarded about the offensive upside and if that is going to translate to the NHL. Not to be unhappy to have him

because we don’t have a 2C. I thought Jett was projected to be a wing in the pros. He’s early in his career yet, so I guess we’ll see what happens.
- Hesh_

We have Frost. Luchanko is a center. Zegras does not help elevate the team to a cup contender. He will hinder it. That's why he is not the right player to acquire. Of course with the Flyers flawed methods, he's just the right kind of player to acquire. Get the fans in a frenzy, excited about the team. It's window dressing.

I don't see anything wrong with that. I think he's a potential 2nd pair NHL defenseman. All I said was to be guarded about the offensive upside and if that is going to translate to the NHL. Not to be unhappy to have him
- MJL

Nah, nah. Not expecting much in the way of scoring.

I think we have the same expectation now.

because we don’t have a 2C. I thought Jett was projected to be a wing in the pros. He’s early in his career yet, so I guess we’ll see what happens.
- Hesh_

I read his solid, low center of gravity would leave him as a center in the nhl I believe

We have Frost. Luchanko is a center. Zegras does not help elevate the team to a cup contender. He will hinder it. That's why he is not the right player to acquire. Of course with the Flyers flawed methods, he's just the right kind of player to acquire. Get the fans in a frenzy, excited about the team. It's window dressing.
- MJL

It’s moot, man. No reason to even bother taking it any further. We don’t have what Anaheim would want. They’ve gone about attending to wing in another way. We don’t make good trade partners. I put it to bed.

Sometimes I think you live in fantasy land. Button is a moron and Mackenzie is pretty much retired. Lachenko is a very good prospect, but pretty much the entire scouting community had this kid in the 20-25 range…sure you can find some outliers, but it was a reach….a reach is something so called rebuilding teams don’t or shouldn’t do. The Flyers have now been an irrelevant team for the better part of the last decade. The downfall can be traced to management. Briere to this point has traded away guys Torts didn’t like. Briere has traded guys that didn’t want to be here. He has acquired some assets but been forced to take on horrid contracts and bad $ to do it. Briere has f’d up on our 2nd best prospect and lost him in the process. How do you know Briere was aggressively trying to trade into the top 10? Because he told ya?

What do I see? A team that has had an extremely quiet summer when they are supposed to be in a rebuild. Is this supposed to rebuild it self?

The NHL has been super busy while some teams that need a new direction have been super busy restructuring their teams. The Flyers have not been…great you are happy with a participation ribbon but it appears he just wants to roll this thing back. He’s accomplished nothing since the end of the season.

So what’s that get us? Another mid round pick in the 1rst next year…a couple of late ones (unless he trades them as well). After watching them stumble through this draft I’m glad you trust him and the scouts, although I’m not sure why? Most of these guys are responsible for drafting the current group…..a 20-25th place roster.

It’s RESULTS based business and so far Briere hasn’t delivered poop.
- landros2

No, I don't live in fantasy land, I simply don't look at things so negatively. I am rooting for Briere to succeed, not expecting him to fail. I am hoping that the Flyers build a great team, not expecting them to do the same ol' thing.

Yes, Briere stated when asked that he tried to move up, but the question came from the media who had heard rumors for weeks that the Flyers were trying to move up. Now I agree with you in one area, the Flyers wouldn't have to move up if they properly tank during the regular season in order to get a high pick. That is why it is REALLY important for the Flyers to take a significant step back this season in order to secure a top 10, even a top 5 pick. I agree with you and have stated previously that if the Flyers are picking 15th, 22nd and 27th, it does nothing to move the needle.

Briere and Jones both stated before the the draft that they would not be active in free agency this year because of the cap situation, but we all know it will improve greatly next season. They also stated that they are targeting the 2025 draft also, and their actions have backed that up. So I think they deserve a chance to execute at the trade deadline and the next draft and free agency, and then we can judge where the team is. I think getting flustered over not being part of free agent frenzy this year does you or I no good. Briere and Jones have a plan, they have stated that plan clearly, and everything they have done up to now has been consistent with that plan.

Finally, I completely disagree with you regarding Quitter. He wanted a guaranteed spot on the team and didn't like to hear that he would have to earn his spot. He is a entititle douchebag and I am actively rooting for him to fail miserably this year. I will state it again, Briere did nothing wrong. Just like Winnipeg has done nothing wrong with McGroarty.

Speaking of narratives. This is the NHL. There are no participation trophies for trying. GM's who try and fail, get fired. Now I'm not suggesting that Briere is at fault for not being able to trade up. The trade has to make sense. The cost has to be worth it and the other team has to be willing. Here you are though, praising him for trying. Briere has quality players to trade. You're wrong on both counts.



It was a reach. It's just a question of how big of a reach. There was a higher rated player there and a bigger need available. He passed and took the lesser rated player. Briere didn't say that they took the player with the greater upside. They said they didn't want to draft a smaller defenseman with already having Drysdale, York and Andrae. Emil Andrae? Who isn't an established NHL player. Just ridiculous and absurd reasoning. Here you again ending with fantasy. The draft fell the way it felled and any hypothetical is irrelevant.




You keep praising them for incompletes. If you half ass a rebuild, which the Flyers are doing. It's not a rebuild. It's a retool. Half rebuilding, half not. That is not exactly what rebuilding teams do.

The bottom line is that you're completely out of touch with reality.
- MJL

When does it not become the fault of the GM? All these years Carolina has failed, was it the old GM, the coach or the players responsible for failing year after year?

JD, I certainly don’t agree with everything you say, but I will give Danny an “incomplete” at this time. He doesn’t get an A or B from me, but I’m not rallying the pitchforks either.

It’s early.

No, I don't live in fantasy land, I simply don't look at things so negatively. I am rooting for Briere to succeed, not expecting him to fail. I am hoping that the Flyers build a great team, not expecting them to do the same ol' thing.


- jd250

That's all it is, is hope and faith. Blind faith

Yes, Briere stated when asked that he tried to move up, but the question came from the media who had heard rumors for weeks that the Flyers were trying to move up. Now I agree with you in one area, the Flyers wouldn't have to move up if they properly tank during the regular season in order to get a high pick. That is why it is REALLY important for the Flyers to take a significant step back this season in order to secure a top 10, even a top 5 pick. I agree with you and have stated previously that if the Flyers are picking 15th, 22nd and 27th, it does nothing to move the needle.


- jd250

If they take a step back this season, it won't be due to their actions and planning. It will be due to other teams around them getting better.

Briere and Jones both stated before the the draft that they would not be active in free agency this year because of the cap situation, but we all know it will improve greatly next season. They also stated that they are targeting the 2025 draft also, and their actions have backed that up. So I think they deserve a chance to execute at the trade deadline and the next draft and free agency, and then we can judge where the team is. I think getting flustered over not being part of free agent frenzy this year does you or I no good. Briere and Jones have a plan, they have stated that plan clearly, and everything they have done up to now has been consistent with that plan.


- jd250

The rebuild is over. They're just going to wait for the cap to clear up, they'll re-sign Konecny and as soon as they can, they'll escalate and start signing. That's their plan and it will lead to just more of the same.

Finally, I completely disagree with you regarding Quitter. He wanted a guaranteed spot on the team and didn't like to hear that he would have to earn his spot. He is a entititle douchebag and I am actively rooting for him to fail miserably this year. I will state it again, Briere did nothing wrong. Just like Winnipeg has done nothing wrong with McGroarty.
- jd250

You keep stating this and it is inaccurate. All Gauthier wanted is to be signed at the end of his first NCAA season and to play for the Flyers to burn the first year of his ELC. Like many other players. He did not ask the Flyers to guarantee him a future roster spot. Briere and the Flyers screwed up royally by not doing that. It's that simple. You continue to misread that situation. The McGroarty situation is not relevant and is completely different.

When does it not become the fault of the GM? All these years Carolina has failed, was it the old GM, the coach or the players responsible for failing year after year?
- WhiskeyMan

You should focus on my comments. My expectation and the goal for the Flyers that I want and have repeatedly stated, is for them to become a legit cup contender. Carolina has been a legit cup contender for a number of years.

I read his solid, low center of gravity would leave him as a center in the nhl I believe
- anti-lame

Flyers project him as a center absolutely. Playmaking ability, dogged back checking and skating ability, he by many accounts is the hardest working player on the ice shift in and out.