Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers Weekly Mailbag: Is it time to make some moves?

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“To be or not to be,” is a great way to describe the Flyers lately. They are the “Not to be,” part of this quote from William Shakespeare.

The Flyers are in year 5 of their rebuild, and nothing has gone right this season. This season was supposed to be the final step of the rebuild. Instead, it’s been a season of where do we go from here? Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.

The Flyers will blow this team up I say in no less than two weeks to a month. They are currently sitting 14 points out of the last playoff spot. I’m shocked I have to answer this question, as I didn’t expect this coming into the season. I think the Flyers should do what the New York Rangers did last season. Send notes to their season ticket holders saying they will revamp the team by bringing down the house.

I think Wayne Simmonds will be the first traded, and a perfect trading partner is the Boston Bruins. Maybe the Flyers could get lucky and receive Jesse Gabrielle (LW) or Zach Senyshyn (RW) in return. I just don’t see Simmonds, who is slowing down due to his style of play for the past few years, lasting with this organization. Sad to say as I love the guy for everything he has done, but I just don’t see it.

I wouldn’t trade Claude Giroux IMO. He’s been one of the most consistent Flyers this season. Yes, he turned the puck over at critical times during some games last week, but Giroux has been pretty steady all season long. Andrew MacDonald is virtually impossible to move, but Radko Gudas could be a bargaining chip for a team that’s looking for a bottom end Defenseman. Jakub Voracek should definitely be moved, and he could if the Flyers are willing to eat some salary.

Matt thanks so much for your support. God bless you and your family.

The Flyers WILL NOT sit back and take losing on the chin. They hear you, as with the firing of Dave Hakstol. Trust me Barry moves will be made. It’s not a matter of if, it’s when. I believe in no less than two weeks moves will be made. Of course, they could be made sooner, but that’s my gut. It’s unbelievable I have to answer this question, as I expected a very good season from the orange and black coming into the season. At this point I think the Flyers should do what the New York Rangers did last season. Send notes to their season ticket holders saying they will revamp the team by bringing down the house. However, Flyers fans will once again pack the house next year, as many moves will be made to improve this team.

Barry thanks for your support. You’re the man. God bless you and your family.

Lappy and Kris Knoblauch will not return next season. I just don’t see it. Special teams have been horrid for a few years now. The Flyers need new faces, a clean slate. Moreover, the new coach will bring in a different crop with the exception for Rick Wilson. I would be shocked if either Lappy or Knoblauch return next season.

Joel Quenneville in my eyes is still the favorite to land the position if he wants it. Of course, it will come down to money, but if I’m Fletcher I’m paying him. A few other candidates could be Scott Gordon, and Sheldon Keefe.

Flyers you’re the man. Thanks for your support. God bless you and your family.

I believe Jakub Voracek will be moved by the deadline. Especially, if the Flyers are willing to eat some of his salary to do such. A breakup of the core is needed, and that does not include the possible trade of Wayne Simmonds. This problem lies deeper than just Simmonds. I cannot envision Chuck Fletcher waiting around, and doing nothing about this core. I think the Flyers should do what the New York Rangers did last season. Send notes to their season ticket holders saying they will revamp the team by bringing down the house.

Steve thanks so much for your support. We wouldn’t be here today without it.

I would love to see what Branden Komm could do while donning a Flyers sweater. Komm would be the eighth Goaltender used by Philadelphia, which would actually make for an interesting story. He did actually start for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last Saturday in a 3-1 loss to the Wolf Pack. In one start with the Phantoms he’s 0-1, has a 3.15 GAA, and a .893 Save Percentage. Hey why not let him get a spot start, nothing to lose at this point. I’m up for it actually. I loved Komm with the Reading Royals. I’m very happy for this young man.

Johan thanks for your support my man. God bless you and your family.

Travis Konecny does have energy, and wears his heart on his sleeve for sure. He will be better Offensively in the second half. As long as Claude Giroux is still on this team, then he will remain the Captain. If Giroux gets traded at some point, there’s a lot of possibilities as to who would be the next Captain of this franchise. Konecny, and Ivan Provorov are a few mentions.

Nick thanks a lot for your support. We wouldn’t be here today without your support.

I do think it’s too late to make moves to salvage the season. I’m not being pessimistic by any means, I’m just being a realist here. I love the Flyers, and always will. However, Chuck Fletcher should make moves to better the team for next year, plain and simple. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Flyers do what the New York Rangers did last year at the deadline. If you remember they traded half the team away, and they rebuilt on the fly. It’s sad to say this, but this is me being honest.

Mr. Nice Guy thanks a lot for your support. We wouldn’t be here without your support.

https://twitter.com/BartlettBrando/status/1082972581022584833

If Wayne Simmonds and Radko Gudas are indeed moved. There is one player in the Flyers system that has toughness and skill, and he is no other than NAK. If the Flyers are looking to add a tough player I will advocate for Devante Smith-Pelly. He’s a UFA at year’s end, and currently has 4 goals, and 4 assists in 40 games played this season.

Brandon thanks for your support. We wouldn’t be here today without it.

https://twitter.com/FlyersKoi/status/1082959174772891648

https://twitter.com/FlyersKoi/status/1082960183826046977

Patrick was looking pretty good before his injury a few months ago. I think this year has taken its toll on Patrick. It’s never easy to lose a Head Coach, Assistant Coach, and General Manager in the same season, in just your second Professional season at that.

This young man in Patrick had chemistry with Oskar Lindblom, and Jakub Voracek when former Head Coach Dave Hakstol was in charge. He broke the line up and Patrick wasn’t the same. Scott Gordon did revert back to that line, but Patrick has since been moved down to the third line. Fortunately, Patrick had his best game last night against the Stars, so I’m expecting a big second-half from him.

The Flyers indeed do practice shooting and passing in practice. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like that, but they do. I love the drills they do against each line. Feel free to come to the Skatezone some time for practice, I’ll meet you there. I love meeting the faces that support me.

Flyers thanks so much for your support. Means a lot.

I think Chuck Fletcher will make a move sooner rather than later. I foresee Wayne Simmonds being dealt, and also a breakup of the core. Honestly, I cannot envision Fletcher sitting around watching this team falter for the rest of the season, and do nothing about it. A major move is on the horizon. It’s not a question of if, it’s when.

The Flyers are currently looking to add a Goaltender, and a top-four Defenseman. I don’t think a full rebuild will instill, but at the very least Jakub Voracek could end up being dealt. Especially, if the Flyers are willing to eat some of his salary.

Unfortunately, the Flyers will not admit there not chasing the playoffs, as that was one reason for firing General Manager Ron Hextall and Head Coach Dave Hakstol mid-season. However, I believe deep down they know this team isn’t going anywhere. With that being said adding a top 4 Defenseman will not only help this season, but next as well. Even with this addition, I still see them finishing solidly for a top three selection if the lottery balls fall that way.

Michael thank you so much for your support. I wouldn’t be here today without you. I hope you and your family had a great New Year.

Jack Hughes would absolutely play right away. The majority of NHL draft picks who are picked within the top five, 9 times out of 10 play immediately. He would give us so much strength down the middle, and the Flyers would have the ability to move Morgan Frost to the Wing if he indeed made the team. The Flyers would have options is where I’m getting at, and after this season that’s a good thing to have.

Tommy you’re the man. Without you this site doesn’t exist today. Thanks for your support.

The Goaltending position has been one curse of this organization since President Reagan was in office. To give them credit they have tried to shore up this position in the past with signing John Vanbiesbrouck and Ilya Bryzgalov. Of course, we know that we traded Sergei Bobrovsky because of the addition of Bryzgalov. Unfortunately, that had to do with impatience. However, I do give them credit for trying to shore up the position.

With that being said, I’m not happy that Ron Hextall did not shore this position up this past off-season, knowing that two of his Goaltenders had endured surgeries in that same off-season. Hextall is the one to blame for the Goaltending disaster that we have adored this season. Fortunately, we have the one, the only Carter Hart here now. He has provided stability, and just looks so loose and confident.

I’m willing to bet that Chuck Fletcher adds a reliable stopgap goaltender in the off-season to provide leadership for Hart. Hart should take the reins full-time next season for the orange and black, so providing him with a solid Veteran to help guide him would be great for his development. Better days are ahead in regards to Goaltending.

Fletcher should add a top-four Defenseman with the hopes of providing stability, until Philippe Myers, Mark Friedman, or Samuel Morin prove they are ready to take that position full-time. I honestly believe Fletcher will do that at least by the trade deadline.

I know it’s frustrating, but these two positions are the hardest to shore up in the NHL. Better days are ahead trust me, and this question will become an afterthought.

Chris thanks a lot for your support. We wouldn’t be here today without it.

If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Facebook page or on Twitter using #Flyersmail. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag, and Let’s go Flyers. Without your support we wouldn’t be here today.

 

 

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

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