I really would like Briere to prove that he has the ability to make hockey trades. There are players that could be moved and yet he sits idly by. That reminds me of Hextall. Let's have 85,000 draft picks, but make no trades to move the process along.
- Phillywhiteout

Because as it stands it pretty much is the Hextall process. Only difference is Briere has more youth to work with and didn't draft a bust 2nd overall. The reality is, Hextall would probably have kept his job had Patrick worked out.

Flyers need one more Michkov like prospect before adding via "Hockey Trades"

They got a lot of wingers, i would expect some movement soon. Brink/Foerster/Farabee wont be on the 3rd line forever. Tuomaala could also play his way onto the flyers

Because as it stands it pretty much is the Hextall process. Only difference is Briere has more youth to work with and didn't draft a bust 2nd overall. The reality is, Hextall would probably have kept his job had Patrick worked out.

Flyers need one more Michkov like prospect before adding via "Hockey Trades"

They got a lot of wingers, i would expect some movement soon. Brink/Foerster/Farabee wont be on the 3rd line forever. Tuomaala could also play his way onto the flyers
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

One more like MM is the Danny playbook as they rather have depth than elite talent. Said so himself. Flawed thinking as needed more than that.

Because as it stands it pretty much is the Hextall process. Only difference is Briere has more youth to work with and didn't draft a bust 2nd overall. The reality is, Hextall would probably have kept his job had Patrick worked out.

Flyers need one more Michkov like prospect before adding via "Hockey Trades"

They got a lot of wingers, i would expect some movement soon. Brink/Foerster/Farabee wont be on the 3rd line forever. Tuomaala could also play his way onto the flyers
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Many fans still look at is as top 6. If you want to be a championship team, you need 3 scoring lines. Which means you need offensive talent on the 3rd line.

Almost all are tradeable except for the few who have NTC or NMC. It just what else you may have to give up to get rid of them or what are you willing to take back. May have to accept more RYJOs and Petersens.

I don't want any bad contracts taken on, after this season, only Hayes, Ellis and Atkinson are still on the books.
- WhiskeyMan

Yeah, no more bad contracts for me either. That crap has to stop at some point.

Columbus is now ahead of the Flyers. Flyers are 6th in their division.
- MJL

BJ is always ahead. 🫡😋

Anyone have a link to the Jonesy Inquirer Q&A not paywalled? Heard he is still gushing about McDonald. Sounds like it would be a very entertaining read.

Anyone have a link to the Jonesy Inquirer Q&A not paywalled? Heard he is still gushing about McDonald. Sounds like it would be a very entertaining read.
- StepfordSam

Here’s what he said about some of the young guys

Q: You never want to see guys injured, but an injury has allowed Emil Andrae to show what he can do. Is he a full-time NHL defenseman?
A: He shows the potential to be one, right? The way he has played in a small sample size is really encouraging. What’s most, I guess, comforting to us is that he’s come so far in one year. Last year he wasn’t ready for it, but he went down and worked on his game. He had a lot of bumps along the way in the American Hockey League and it wasn’t the smoothest of seasons for him. He came into camp, kind of wobbled a bit, and then went back down with a great attitude. He got his chance to come up and show that number one, he’s talented, and, number two, he has the inner strength to want the moment and has no fear. So those are all things that are going to serve him well in his career.
So, yes, it’s been a really pleasant surprise how he has excelled, and that’s a great sign for us and our development. We’ve got a lot of resources put into player development right now. We have a lot of people who are working hard to have these guys prepared when they come up, including our coaching staff with Lehigh Valley. So it’s nice to see those guys get rewarded. And then even with Helge Grans coming up, too, and looking the part. Sometimes players take time, especially defensemen, so it’s also a big bonus to see that depth in our talent pool start to grow from within — which is going to be really important for us as we move forward.
Q: Speaking of the Phantoms and the talent pool, is there anyone in Lehigh Valley or the prospect pool overall that has impressed you so far this season?
A: Hunter McDonald has had a very good start. His training camp wasn’t perfect. He looked like he was drinking water through a garden hose because they’re taking on so much knowledge, right? So to see him slow things down, figure out the pace of play, figure out his balance, how to use his strength, how to take advantage of all the work he put in this summer — and that kid works — that’s really important for us. But also it’s rewarding for everyone who’s working with him, too, that’s a team effort. I think that’s where, down the road, we’re going to continue to see benefits because of the amount of resources that we’re allowed to use to help these guys become better players.

Q: He’s an example of what assistant GM Brent Flahr has said regarding it not mattering where someone is drafted, right?
A: Yes, Alex Bump is another top prospect for us at Western Michigan. He’s a talent. That’s another player that we’re really excited about in the near future. He does a lot of things that we need. He’s a very smart player on the forecheck. He’s great on the wall. He’s great at getting pucks to the net at the level that he’s at right now. It’s still going to take time to have that translate to the National Hockey League, but he shows all the signs of being the type of player that we can count on in the future.

Here’s what he said about some of the young guys

Q: You never want to see guys injured, but an injury has allowed Emil Andrae to show what he can do. Is he a full-time NHL defenseman?
A: He shows the potential to be one, right? The way he has played in a small sample size is really encouraging. What’s most, I guess, comforting to us is that he’s come so far in one year. Last year he wasn’t ready for it, but he went down and worked on his game. He had a lot of bumps along the way in the American Hockey League and it wasn’t the smoothest of seasons for him. He came into camp, kind of wobbled a bit, and then went back down with a great attitude. He got his chance to come up and show that number one, he’s talented, and, number two, he has the inner strength to want the moment and has no fear. So those are all things that are going to serve him well in his career.
So, yes, it’s been a really pleasant surprise how he has excelled, and that’s a great sign for us and our development. We’ve got a lot of resources put into player development right now. We have a lot of people who are working hard to have these guys prepared when they come up, including our coaching staff with Lehigh Valley. So it’s nice to see those guys get rewarded. And then even with Helge Grans coming up, too, and looking the part. Sometimes players take time, especially defensemen, so it’s also a big bonus to see that depth in our talent pool start to grow from within — which is going to be really important for us as we move forward.
Q: Speaking of the Phantoms and the talent pool, is there anyone in Lehigh Valley or the prospect pool overall that has impressed you so far this season?
A: Hunter McDonald has had a very good start. His training camp wasn’t perfect. He looked like he was drinking water through a garden hose because they’re taking on so much knowledge, right? So to see him slow things down, figure out the pace of play, figure out his balance, how to use his strength, how to take advantage of all the work he put in this summer — and that kid works — that’s really important for us. But also it’s rewarding for everyone who’s working with him, too, that’s a team effort. I think that’s where, down the road, we’re going to continue to see benefits because of the amount of resources that we’re allowed to use to help these guys become better players.

Q: He’s an example of what assistant GM Brent Flahr has said regarding it not mattering where someone is drafted, right?
A: Yes, Alex Bump is another top prospect for us at Western Michigan. He’s a talent. That’s another player that we’re really excited about in the near future. He does a lot of things that we need. He’s a very smart player on the forecheck. He’s great on the wall. He’s great at getting pucks to the net at the level that he’s at right now. It’s still going to take time to have that translate to the National Hockey League, but he shows all the signs of being the type of player that we can count on in the future.
- Dkos

I guess we're supposed to believe that 2 months ago, Emil Andrae wasn't ready to play in the NHL and then in that short period of time, their "development" transformed him into a player who has actually made some impact since he was called up. They couldn't be more disingenuous and Jones is as big of a BS artist as the head coach is. Reality is that it outlines their inability to accurately assess a player and his readiness for the NHL.

Here’s what he said about some of the young guys

Q: You never want to see guys injured, but an injury has allowed Emil Andrae to show what he can do. Is he a full-time NHL defenseman?
A: He shows the potential to be one, right? The way he has played in a small sample size is really encouraging. What’s most, I guess, comforting to us is that he’s come so far in one year. Last year he wasn’t ready for it, but he went down and worked on his game. He had a lot of bumps along the way in the American Hockey League and it wasn’t the smoothest of seasons for him. He came into camp, kind of wobbled a bit, and then went back down with a great attitude. He got his chance to come up and show that number one, he’s talented, and, number two, he has the inner strength to want the moment and has no fear. So those are all things that are going to serve him well in his career.
So, yes, it’s been a really pleasant surprise how he has excelled, and that’s a great sign for us and our development. We’ve got a lot of resources put into player development right now. We have a lot of people who are working hard to have these guys prepared when they come up, including our coaching staff with Lehigh Valley. So it’s nice to see those guys get rewarded. And then even with Helge Grans coming up, too, and looking the part. Sometimes players take time, especially defensemen, so it’s also a big bonus to see that depth in our talent pool start to grow from within — which is going to be really important for us as we move forward.
Q: Speaking of the Phantoms and the talent pool, is there anyone in Lehigh Valley or the prospect pool overall that has impressed you so far this season?
A: Hunter McDonald has had a very good start. His training camp wasn’t perfect. He looked like he was drinking water through a garden hose because they’re taking on so much knowledge, right? So to see him slow things down, figure out the pace of play, figure out his balance, how to use his strength, how to take advantage of all the work he put in this summer — and that kid works — that’s really important for us. But also it’s rewarding for everyone who’s working with him, too, that’s a team effort. I think that’s where, down the road, we’re going to continue to see benefits because of the amount of resources that we’re allowed to use to help these guys become better players.

Q: He’s an example of what assistant GM Brent Flahr has said regarding it not mattering where someone is drafted, right?
A: Yes, Alex Bump is another top prospect for us at Western Michigan. He’s a talent. That’s another player that we’re really excited about in the near future. He does a lot of things that we need. He’s a very smart player on the forecheck. He’s great on the wall. He’s great at getting pucks to the net at the level that he’s at right now. It’s still going to take time to have that translate to the National Hockey League, but he shows all the signs of being the type of player that we can count on in the future.
- Dkos

Jones says wasnt ready. Yet Danny and Flahr said last summer he was ready.

I guess we're supposed to believe that 2 months ago, Emil Andrae wasn't ready to play in the NHL and then in that short period of time, their "development" transformed him into a player who has actually made some impact since he was called up. They couldn't be more disingenuous and Jones is as big of a BS artist as the head coach is. Reality is that it outlines their inability to accurately assess a player and his readiness for the NHL.
- MJL

Who do you think should have sat in favor of Andrae when everyone was healthy?
Don't say Risto bc of your odd obsession with hating on him, as we know if he is healthy, he is playing. Andrae so far has been better than Zamula, but pretty sure Zamula was going to be given a chance. If Andrae made the team as the 7th over Johnson, there would be crying over that. I hope Andrae continues the strong play and is with the team all year, but it's a long season. He could end up being the next Lasse Kukkonen for all we know bc good things just don't happen (often) for the Flyers.

Jones says wasnt ready. Yet Danny and Ric Flair said last summer he was ready.
- furio16

Wooooooooo!

https://www.nytimes.com/a...3/nhl-salary-cap-ranking/

24. Philadelphia Flyers
2025-26 salaries: $75 million
RFAs estimate: $17 million
Dead money: $11.6 million (Ryan Ellis LTIR; Kevin Hayes retention; Cam Atkinson buyout)

Notable UFAs: None
Projected cap space: $8 million (30th)

Biggest decision: Is now the time to help the roster make a playoff push before the deadline?

That is a lot of dead money. The good news is Ellis can go off the books on LTIR if they need the space, and the other black marks only have one season remaining, as the Flyers attempt to exit rebuild mode.

What makes their cap situation difficult to read is that while they have 19 players signed for next season, they’re also clearly looking hard at the trade market. They also have a lot of RFAs who need new contracts, contracts that could end up eating up much of their 2025-26 flexibility. And it’s unclear what exactly Morgan Frost, Tyson Foerster, Jamie Drysdale and Ivan Fedotov are going to become as NHLers.

Philadelphia also has a handful of overpriced veterans sprinkled on its cap sheet beyond this season (i.e. Sean Couturier and Rasmus Ristolainen), deals that take away from some of the positives like the play of Calder candidate Matvei Michkov and young defensemen Cam York and Emil Andrae.

The future looks bright, depending on how the Flyers navigate these financial hurdles over the next eight months.

What is interesting is how many top teams are in a great cap position.

1. Carolina
2. Winnipeg
3. Colorado
4. Florida
5. Dallas

Not remotely the same situation. Michkov fell to 7th due to teams foolishly being concerned about the geo-political situation when normally, he would've gone much higher. I agree the Flyers deserve credit for not passing up on him but they got lucky he was there.
- MJL

It was reported that Michkov tols Arizona and Montreal not to draft him because he did not want to play for them. Michkov truly wanted to be a Flyer. For once the Flyers got lucky.

They are going to. They don't view themselves as rebuilding. They view Michkov as putting them toward the endgame where they can then use Free Agency to try and bolster the team.
- MJL

A rebuilding team does not re-sign Konecny, Seeler or Hathaway.

They are going to escalate a soon as they can. The POHO is on record in saying so.
Fans are falling down the same rabbit hole they did last year. Thinking this team is heading somewhere. They aren't. Where they're heading is to the same place they always get to. An average team lacking elite talent that is capped out and will eventually have to start all over again.

You're wrong about this and TK is proving you wrong every single game he plays. Rebuilding teams absolutely sign cheap veterans to help the younger players learn how to be good pros. Do you think Chicago is rebuilding? If so, look at all the FAs they signed this past off season. And TK will be leading the Flyers when they are ready to compete for the cup.

It was reported that Michkov tols Arizona and Montreal not to draft him because he did not want to play for them. Michkov truly wanted to be a Flyer. For once the Flyers got lucky.
- jd250

Reported by whom? Do you have a link?

You're wrong about this and TK is proving you wrong every single game he plays. Rebuilding teams absolutely sign cheap veterans to help the younger players learn how to be good pros. Do you think Chicago is rebuilding? If so, look at all the FAs they signed this past off season. And TK will be leading the Flyers when they are ready to compete for the cup.
- jd250

How exactly is Konecny proving me wrong every single game? We'll start with that.

Why don’t they have the talent? Is part of thag reason they type of players they draft and prefer?
- furio16

The Flyers have truly changed their draft philosophy since Flahr has run the draft. Where Hextall emphasized 200 foot players, Flahr has tried to bring more balance to the draft. Consider Tuomaala, Gauthier, Bonk, Michkov, Barkey, Luchanko. All are high skill players.

https://www.nytimes.com/a...3/nhl-salary-cap-ranking/




What is interesting is how many top teams are in a great cap position.

1. Carolina
2. Winnipeg
3. Colorado
4. Florida
5. Dallas
- MBFlyerfan

Do they keep all the RFA and continue the mediocrity? Maybe Frost is gone. so where does the improvement come from?

Do they trade anyone of substance?

You're wrong about this and TK is proving you wrong every single game he plays. Rebuilding teams absolutely sign cheap veterans to help the younger players learn how to be good pros. Do you think Chicago is rebuilding? If so, look at all the FAs they signed this past off season. And TK will be leading the Flyers when they are ready to compete for the cup.
- jd250

when do you think that will be.

The Flyers have truly changed their draft philosophy since Flahr has run the draft. Where Hextall emphasized 200 foot players, Flahr has tried to being more balance to the draft. Consider Tuomaala, Gauthier, Bonk, Michkov, Barkey, Luchanko. All are high skill players.
- jd250

Who are the best players on the team? Who is the best forward? Who is the best defenseman? If what you said was actually true. The Flyers wouldn't have drafted Jett Luchanko

The Flyers have truly changed their draft philosophy since Flahr has run the draft. Where Hextall emphasized 200 foot players, Flahr has tried to being more balance to the draft. Consider Tuomaala, Gauthier, Bonk, Michkov, Barkey, Luchanko. All are high skill players.
- jd250

what a future core. flyers gonna make some noise shortly.

You're wrong about this and TK is proving you wrong every single game he plays. Rebuilding teams absolutely sign cheap veterans to help the younger players learn how to be good pros. Do you think Chicago is rebuilding? If so, look at all the FAs they signed this past off season. And TK will be leading the Flyers when they are ready to compete for the cup.
- jd250

correct. what they don't do is overpay them with term and money. 1 or 2 year deals for low salary. Not 4 year deals with limited NTC. seeler contract already looks bad.

who cares what chicago is doing. only concern should be what are the flyers doing.

correct. what they don't do is overpay them with term and money. 1 or 2 year deals for low salary. Not 4 year deals with limited NTC. seeler contract already looks bad.

who cares what chicago is doing. only concern should be what are the flyers doing.
- login

I genuinely do not have an issue spending to the cap in any given year. What I do have an issue with is having so many longterm contracts that it hinders you from doing anything in a given off season. That is how the Flyers have operated for 15+ years now. Signing the wrong players to longterm deals and ignoring the draft.

They have been more diligent about keeping draft picks recently. But other than that they have not changed. I also do not trust them to make good decisions when they do have cap space in 2-3 years.

when do you think that will be.
- login

I don't know, it really depends on the decisions they make and how successful the outcomes of those decisions are. It could be in 2 or 3 years, or it could be another decade. What I can say is the trend is going in the right direction.

correct. what they don't do is overpay them with term and money. 1 or 2 year deals for low salary. Not 4 year deals with limited NTC. seeler contract already looks bad.

who cares what chicago is doing. only concern should be what are the flyers doing.
- login

Seeler's contract is so irrelevant. It does not matter if its 4 years or 2 year. Its cheap money, especially with the cap going up. And after next season he loses his no trade clause, so if the Flyers want to move him they can. Even now, if they wanted to waive him and send to the AHL they could with very little cap penalty. I don't understand why so many fixate on Seeler or Hathaway. Its short money and both bring a lot to the team on a nightly basis.