But they have moved away from it. They are trying to build a team the right way that will compete for a cup, not just make the playoffs. They already have one of the youngest teams in the league yet the recognize they are not close yet. Torts, Jones, Hillary to Briere have said this multiple times. They have done nothing to contradict this. They accumulated 6 picks in this draft and they are clearly developing young players much better than any time in the past two decades. They are not tanking which in the end is the right approach but I do hope they trade some veteran players this deadline to improve their odds at getting another impact player. You just are so caught up in this narrative, that clearly does not fit this current leadership group.
- jd250

How are they trying to build a team the right way? What does that constitute?

This is one of the youngest teams needs some context.

Were any of those picks acquired by Fletcher?

They will not be selling as long as long as they are in the wild card conversation.

How are they trying to build a team the right way? What does that constitute?

This is one of the youngest teams needs some context.

Were any of those picks acquired by Fletcher?

They will not be selling as long as long as they are in the wild card conversation.
- furio16

They got a first round pick for Walker last year while being in a playoff spot. AmIrite?

But they have moved away from it. They are trying to build a team the right way that will compete for a cup, not just make the playoffs. They already have one of the youngest teams in the league yet the recognize they are not close yet. Torts, Jones, Hillary to Briere have said this multiple times. They have done nothing to contradict this. They accumulated 6 picks in this draft and they are clearly developing young players much better than any time in the past two decades. They are not tanking which in the end is the right approach but I do hope they trade some veteran players this deadline to improve their odds at getting another impact player. You just are so caught up in this narrative, that clearly does not fit this current leadership group.
- jd250

They have not moved away from anything. I am glad they have accumulated picks. That is always a good thing. That is about the only thing they have done to make it look like they are changing philosophy.

Truth is they lucked into Michkov. They will not have a top five pick this year without lottery luck. They probably won't pick in the top five anytime soon without lottery luck either. They have a team that has one top line forward and one top line D-man. Michkov will be a top line player. So three top line players one of which will be elite. Almost nothing at center on the current roster or in the pipeline.

So they need a top line center and #1 D man before they can even think about being a cup contender. If you think they can get both of those things via trade or FA I think you are going to be disappointed. Odds are against getting those two things picking outside of the top five regularly. It's possible but very unlikely.

I am happy they are winning and that Michkov is tearing it up. But in the long run I do not think they will be setup to compete for a cup on a regular basis. Same old same old with a pinch of youth if you ask me.

They got a first round pick for Walker last year while being in a playoff spot. AmIrite?
- Phillywhiteout

Partially yes. What are you trying to discuss?

They have not moved away from anything. I am glad they have accumulated picks. That is always a good thing. That is about the only thing they have done to make it look like they are changing philosophy.

Truth is they lucked into Michkov. They will not have a top five pick this year without lottery luck. They probably won't pick in the top five anytime soon without lottery luck either. They have a team that has one top line forward and one top line D-man. Michkov will be a top line player. So three top line players one of which will be elite. Almost nothing at center on the current roster or in the pipeline.

So they need a top line center and #1 D man before they can even think about being a cup contender. If you think they can get both of those things via trade or FA I think you are going to be disappointed. Odds are against getting those two things picking outside of the top five regularly. It's possible but very unlikely.

I am happy they are winning and that Michkov is tearing it up. But in the long run I do not think they will be setup to compete for a cup on a regular basis. Same old same old with a pinch of youth if you ask me.
- mickel25

Why do folks think that they lucked into Michkov? They still had to make the pick which 6 other teams in front of them were afraid to do. Luckanko looks like a good pick and could end up being your #2 center. AmIrite?

When do we find out about RyJo?

Partially yes. What are you trying to discuss?
- furio16

You said as long as they are in a wildcard spot they won't trade anyone for assets.

Why do folks think that they lucked into Michkov? They still had to make the pick which 6 other teams in front of them were afraid to do. Luckanko looks like a good pick and could end up being your #2 center. AmIrite?
- Phillywhiteout

My point is that it took (Chicago took Bedard) five GM's being bozo's for the Flyers to land him. You can't rely on that happening regularly.

Hopefully Luchanko is a #2 center. They still need a top line center.

My point is that it took (Chicago took Bedard) five GM's being bozo's for the Flyers to land him. You can't rely on that happening regularly.

Hopefully Luchanko is a #2 center. They still need a top line center.
- mickel25

Agreed, they are probably gonna have to get lucky again a time or two to get the top end talent that they need. Whether that is lottery luck or someone becomes available for some odd reason (how Vegas got Eichel). They weren't gonna totally tank when Michkov agreed to come over this summer. That simply wasn't gonna happen. I wouldn't have cared if they traded TK, but they didn't. He should be the captain of this younger group and hopefully he can stay healthy into his 30's. I dunno.

Why do folks think that they lucked into Michkov? They still had to make the pick which 6 other teams in front of them were afraid to do. Luckanko looks like a good pick and could end up being your #2 center. AmIrite?
- Phillywhiteout

5 other teams were afraid to draft him. The Flyers were lucky 1 of those 5 did not draft him.

Bedard was consensus #1 so Chicago was going to draft him no matter what.

You said as long as they are in a wildcard spot they won't trade anyone for assets.
- Phillywhiteout

Try applying some context, which many around here do not.

My point is that it took (Chicago took Bedard) five GM's being bozo's for the Flyers to land him. You can't rely on that happening regularly.

Hopefully Luchanko is a #2 center. They still need a top line center.
- mickel25

Other GMs werent Bozos. There was significant Risk with Michkov. There was a risk especially with the Ukraine situation that he wouldn't come over. We also have no idea who Michkov would be willing to play for. Unlike N/A players Russians dont need to sign with sn nhl team to play, they can play in the khl until a UFA. From what i understood Flyers were one of a couple teams that Michkov even interviewed with

We goy lucky for sure but there was good reason for other GMs to pass

Other GMs werent Bozos. There was significant Risk with Michkov. There was a risk especially with the Ukraine situation that he wouldn't come over. We also have no idea who Michkov would be willing to play for. Unlike N/A players Russians dont need to sign with sn nhl team to play, they can play in the khl until a UFA. From what i understood Flyers were one of a couple teams that Michkov even interviewed with

We goy lucky for sure but there was good reason for other GMs to pass
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

What was the risk in regards to Ukraine?

But by your logic if Columbus is ahead of the Flyers, 25 is more than 27. Or you can't admit you may have been wrong?
- WhiskeyMan

No, that's not my logic. What I posted refers to games played and no, I'm not wrong.

No, that's not my logic. What I posted refers to games played and no, I'm not wrong.
- MJL

Points percentage is a difficult process to understand. For some.

What will one Claude Giroux do if Ottawa continues to fade out of the playoff picture and doesn't pick it up. He would be very attractive for many teams as a rental.

What will one Claude Giroux do if Ottawa continues to fade out of the playoff picture and doesn't pick it up. He would be very attractive for many teams as a rental.
- furio16

He’d look pretty good with Michkov

What will one Claude Giroux do if Ottawa continues to fade out of the playoff picture and doesn't pick it up. He would be very attractive for many teams as a rental.
- furio16

Chose Ottawa to go home, interesting if he makes himself available. Leaning towards no.

No they haven't. They just temporarily paused due to a lack of cap space and the cap issues caused by the coach. Jones is on record as saying that as soon as they can and the cap clears up. They will use free agency to try and bolster the team. You have given the current leadership the same blind allegiance that you gave Fletcher.
- MJL

Of course they are going to spend money when they have it. Why shouldn't they after all. They are trying to build a team and you do that using all the means available, draft &develop, trades and free agents. No championship team is built soley on one or even two of these pillars. I have no problem with spending money as long as they do it wisely and get the right players.

https://www.hockeyshare.com/drill/7043/

https://nhlguides.net/low...collapse/#google_vignette

https://blueseatblogs.com...stability-and-aggression/


Zone/Box+1 – This is a less aggressive zone than the overload, and is often called a low zone collapse. This is your John Tortorella system when he was with the Rangers. Four skaters protect home plate, one follows the puck to apply pressure.
- MJL

That was what? 10 years ago? Torts has evolved. The Flyers are playing that system. Sure they have to protect the house, in this case the slot area, but I was taught that when I was a pee wee. There is nothing magical about that. The Flyers want to play a modern style and are trying to do that, but against top teams they just don't have the talent to do it.

Chose Ottawa to go home, interesting if he makes himself available. Leaving towards no.
- ClaudeFather

I think he will if the Sens are out of it at the TDL. 1/4 of a season and playoffs is only 3-4 months.

Interested to see if he signs a new contract after this season. If he somehow wins a cup he might retire.

Personally, I do not want him back on the Flyers. I think that chapter should be closed.

They have not moved away from anything. I am glad they have accumulated picks. That is always a good thing. That is about the only thing they have done to make it look like they are changing philosophy.

Truth is they lucked into Michkov. They will not have a top five pick this year without lottery luck. They probably won't pick in the top five anytime soon without lottery luck either. They have a team that has one top line forward and one top line D-man. Michkov will be a top line player. So three top line players one of which will be elite. Almost nothing at center on the current roster or in the pipeline.

So they need a top line center and #1 D man before they can even think about being a cup contender. If you think they can get both of those things via trade or FA I think you are going to be disappointed. Odds are against getting those two things picking outside of the top five regularly. It's possible but very unlikely.

I am happy they are winning and that Michkov is tearing it up. But in the long run I do not think they will be setup to compete for a cup on a regular basis. Same old same old with a pinch of youth if you ask me.
- mickel25

And Colorado lucked into Makar, Winnipeg lucked into Connor, and so one and so on. That is the essance of the draft, there is a lot of luck needed. The Flyers have had such bad luck in the draft, (JVR at number 2, Patrick) they were due to have some luck. Credit the Flyers though for taking the risk, believing in Michkov and seeing it through.

Of course they are going to spend money when thy havn't. Why shiouldn't they after all. They are trying to build a team and you do that using all the means available, draft &develop, trades and free agents. No championship team is built soley on only or even two of these pillars. I have no problem with spending money as long as they do it wisely and get the right players.
- jd250

Building a team through free agency instead of focusing on the draft when your team is not close to a contending level is an example of maintaining the old strategies and methods of team building that they refuse to get away from. That has plagued them and why they haven't been relevant as a team in over a decade.

I think he will if the Sens are out of it at the TDL. 1/4 of a season and playoffs is only 3-4 months.

Interested to see if he signs a new contract after this season. If he somehow wins a cup he might retire.

Personally, I do not want him back on the Flyers. I think that chapter should be closed.
- mickel25

We should be adding young players. Not old. Adding people for a playoff push would be laughable

That was what? 10 years ago? Torts has evolved. The Flyers are playing that system. Sure they have to protect the house, in this case the slot area, but I was taught that when I was a pee wee. There is nothing magical about that. The Flyers want to play a modern style and are trying to do that, but against top teams they just don't have the talent to do it.
- jd250

Earlier this morning you posted that there is no such thing as a low zone collapse defensive system. Now here you are stating that the Flyers are playing that system. Which is it? Tortorella has not evolved. He is playing the same systems and the same way that he has his entire coaching career. He does not believe in systems advantages or other tools that a team can gain an edge with. Such as using analytics. He is and remains archaic.