What a smoking hot week this turned into for the Flyers and their proud orange-clad fans. Joel Farabee signs an ELC late Monday morning, and that was a good way to start the week. Let’s not forget the Flyers won their game Wednesday night either.
This offseason is one of the most critical offseasons in recent memory for the orange and black. Chuck Fletcher must nail this offseason, and it begins with hiring a new coach. Fletcher’s biggest move this offseason is nailing the hiring of a new coach, as the Flyers have some Grade “A” prospects that are on the verge on the joining the big club at some point. These young prospects could define this club for many years in the future, so Fletcher has to bring in a coach that knows how to turn prospects into gold. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
In this case, I would choose Coach Q. To me the most vital part of this offseason is selecting a coach that will hopefully lead us to the promised land. The Flyers need a coach that establishes a system of faster starts, and a gets the most out of their players. Coach Q is that guy, and he has proven such given his track record from the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Flyers need a coach that has experience with winning c
This young Flyers team would benefit greatly from a player like Artemi Panarin. However, there are some other players available that could fill that role with the likes of Jeff Skinner or Matt Duchene (Center). The Flyers could also make an offer sheet for Restricted Free Agents such as, Mitchell Marner, Patrick Laine, Jacob Trouba, or Brayden Point. If the Flyers struck out on all these players mentioned, then the orange and black have plenty of assets in the prospect system to obtain a Top 6 sniper via trade.
Brandon thanks for your support. Without you this site doesn’t exist.
“Lappy” will move on when the next Head Coach is hired (This includes Scott Gordon). If I’m a betting man Rick Wilson will stay on as an Assistant (Defense), but I could very well see “Lappy” and Kris Knoblauch being replaced. “Lappy” has taken some criticism from me in the past, in regards to the horrid Penalty Kill, however I must give him some credit for turning it around after Dave Hakstol was fired.
When Hakstol was fired the Flyers were dead last on the Penalty Kill. Now they are ranked 21st in the league, with a penalty killing rate of 79.5%. That’s a heck of an improvement. I do believe it’s too little too late, and the new Head Coach will bring in his own regime.
“Lappy” will move on when the next Head Coach is hired (This includes Scott Gordon). If I’m a betting man Rick Wilson will stay on as an Assistant (Defense), but I could very well see “Lappy” and Kris Knoblauch being replaced. “Lappy” has taken some criticism from me in the past, in regards to the horrid Penalty Kill, however I must give him some credit for turning it around after Dave Hakstol was fired.
When Hakstol was fired the Flyers were dead last on the Penalty Kill. Now they are ranked 21st in the league, with a penalty killing rate of 79.5%. That’s a heck of an improvement. I do believe it’s too little too late, and the new Head Coach will bring in his own regime.
Head Coach Scott Gordon may or may not be back, as well. The Flyers have to nail this hiring, whether it’s with Gordon at the helm or not. If I’m the Flyers I would push hard for Coach Q, as he has a ton of experience. Coach Q is a once in a lifetime coach, and this young Flyers team could benefit from him greatly.
Coach Q remains a decorated coach for a reason. Most of his wins have revolved around placing Defense as a top priority. Some of his best players have bought into this concept because it gives them freedom on Offense. By focusing on Team Defense, they are well prepared for any situation during a game. This will help reduce the amount of shots our Goaltenders face on a nightly basis.
Quenneville mentors and
I can realistically see the Flyers hoist a Cup in 2022-23. Contrary to popular belief they are two pieces away from contending. They are a Top 6 sniper, and a Top 4 Defenseman away now as the Flyers finally have a Goaltender in Carter Hart. The Flyers are littered with some Grade “A” prospects, and in a few years we will see them up with the big club making big strides.
This Cam Talbot situation is one of the weirdest situations I have seen in a long time for the orange and black. Talbot has only played in two games for the orange and black, since he was acquired via trade for Anthony Stolarz. However, Talbot hinted at resigning on Tuesday after practice, so in my eyes that means him and Fletcher have had conversations about resigning. In my opinion Talbot will be resigned.
Talbot would be a good mentor for the young Carter Hart, as they are good friends. He also provides experience, and he had a very good year in 2016-17 for the Edmonton Oilers when he registered 42 wins. Alex Lyon is on the outs of the organization in my opinion. At one point this season he was sent to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms when he was healthy, while a few of our Goaltenders were injured at the time. This raised red flags for me, and I believe the Flyers view Lyon as an AHL netminder.
Morgan Frost is one of the best, if not the best player in the OHL. Frost will be the most likeliest of Joel Farabee or Isaac Ratcliffe to make the big club in the Fall.
Frost needs to work on pushing the play more often. He needs to play with the pace of the game for the entire game. Frost didn’t have to do this as much in the OHL, as he was far superior than his competition. He definitely has all the skills, but he needs to play with a faster pace to be considered NHL ready. Frost knows this as Ron Hextall told him this last training camp, so I believe he will be fine. Ever much so, that I think he makes the big club in the Fall.
Joel Farabee and Isaac Ratcliffe will start with the season with the Phantoms in my opinion. Can they win a job out of camp? Sure, but it will take some work. In Farabee’s case, he needs to add a little more muscle to build his frame. Farabee will have to prove he can with stand the rigors of an 82 game season, but do not rule out a call-up at some point next season. Make no mistake about he will be a Top 6 Gem for this organization, so there is no need to rush him.
In Ratcliffe’s case, the Flyers would be comfortable sending him to the Phantoms, and seeing what he could do as a professional before he jumps right into the NHL. The Flyers would like to see if he could use his size to his advantage with professionals, and play with an effective pace of game given his build. Fortunately, the orange and black could use effective board battlers in the future, and Ratcliffe will definitely provide that. Much like Farabee do not rule out a call-up at some point next season.
Here are some players the Flyers may draft in the first round, keep in mind anything can happen at the draft:
Victor Soderstrom- RHD
Ryan Suzuki- C
Raphael Lavoie- C
Peyton Krebs- C
Cole Caulfield- RW
Cam York- LHD
Arthur Kaliyev- RW
Jacob Pelletier- LW
Alex Newhook- C
Samuel Poulin- LW
Some Free agent targets are Artemi Panarin and Matt Duchene. The Flyers could be interested in a player like Gustav Nyquist, as well. I haven’t heard of interest in Erik Karlsson, but I’m not saying there isn’t any. With the Flyers badly in need of a top 4 Defenseman Karlsson would have to be on that list.
The Flyers may make offers to some RFA’s like Brayden Point, Mitchell Marner, Patrick Laine, Kasperi Kapanen, or Jacob Trouba. Bobby Clarke hinted at this a few weeks ago, and I don’t think he would have said that if there wasn’t a possibility to do just that.
My two ideal free agent/RFA selections are Artemi Panarin, and Jacob Trouba. Panarin alone would cost in upwards of close to $8.5-$10 million per year, but he is the sniper the Flyers so desperately need. He is a threat all over the ice, and Panarin would provide stability for the Top 6 that’s for sure. Panarin shoots and scores from all over the ice, and that is what the orange and black need right now. Players that are not afraid to shoot the puck without hesitation.
Some prospects that could make the big club in the Fall are Mikhail Vorobyev, Morgan Frost, German Rubtsov, David Kase, Joel Farabee, and NAK. This is going to be a great camp with all these prospects looking to make that leap into the NHL. I’m not slighting Isaac Ratcliffe by any means, he may very well join the big club midway through the year. The Flyers need help along the boards and Ratcliffe provides that, along with not being outmuscled with the puck. Anyone of these prospects mentioned could realistically win a job at camp, so it’s hard to put it on just one or two.
I believe Chuck Fletcher will trade for a Top 4 Defenseman at the draft. It may take a blue-chip prospect like German Rubtsov or something along those lines. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Flyers trade for RHD Jared Spurgeon. Spurgeon currently has 14
Ghost, a first or second round pick, Rubtsov or Vorobyev for Spurgeon.
In this league you have to give in order to receive. I would love for Rubtsov to stay, but the Flyers could use another Right-Handed shot to pair with Ivan Provorov. Spurgeon has a Modified Trade Clause, and will enter into the last year of his contract with a $5.187 million Cap Hit, according to Cap Friendly.
Head Coach Scott Gordon said on Tuesday after practice that Cam Talbot would play in 2 or 3 games before the season ends. Gordon also said Samuel Morin would play in the 5 out of the last 6 games before the season concludes. I think Hart should play in 1-2 more games with 5 NOW remaining. Hart would stay fresh for the offseason, and relax till next year.
Gordon’s most compelling case for the Head Coaching job in my eyes is the fantastic job he has done with the Penalty Kill. The Flyers have a penalty killing rate of 86.4% since Gordon took over, and that is good for the Top 3 PK in the NHL. Moreover, Gordon has done a nice job under the circumstances, and I like him. He is a passionate guy that eats, breathes, and loves the sport of hockey. However, Coach Q is a once in a lifetime Coach. It would be difficult for the Flyers to pass up on a decorated Coach in Coach Q.
Flyers1622RAB @flyer1622– You posted something here the other day. About asking a question. I got one ask him where they going to go after any restricted free agents? There’s a great guy in Tampa it be a great first liner here
I would love to add a player like Brayden Point. I think that is who you are referring to. Point is indeed a Restricted Free Agent at year’s end. He would definitely fit as a Top 6 player, more or less, on the Top line for that matter.
Bobby Clarke hinted that the Flyers could make an offer sheet for a Restricted Free Agent. I don’t think he would have said that if there wasn’t a possibility they would do just that. In this case, Point would definitely be on their radar for sure in this case.
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.
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