Watching playoff hockey is tough this year. There is no pressure watching it this year with the Flyers missing the playoffs, your palms aren’t getting sweaty, your heart is beating out of your chest, you’re calm as a cucumber.
Nevertheless, it’s tough watching playoff hockey this year because the orange and black aren’t in it. For the past 7 or 8 seasons the Flyers have made the playoffs one year, and the next season they kick the bucket. They have to become a consistent hockey team next season, it’s a must. The fans want a parade down Broad Street sooner rather than later, so let’s pray the Flyers to become consistent next season. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
The Flyers knew before the Kate Smith controversy that fans were growing impatient with the front office. This is the most critical off-seasons in recent memory, get it right and they could become contenders possibly within a year, get it wrong and this could set them back for about 5 years.
Fortunately, the orange and black have cap space to add, and make some solid splashes via free agency or trade. They will do exactly that, “We would like a veteran defenseman, more scoring forwards, and a goalie for Hart,” Fletcher stated at the exit interviews.” We will be active to improve the team. Everyone is tradeable.” One way to ease the tension is building a contender, and Fletcher intends to do just that this off-season. The Flyers will make this right, as they know the proud orange-clad fans support them through thick and thin. They hear you loud and clear, and the Flyers will make this right in the end.
Good coaching leads to Championships. A good coach’s system if bought into by the players can lead you to glory. Really how many people thought the Islanders would make the playoffs, let alone the second round of the playoffs, exactly one season after losing their best player in John Tavares? Not many that’s for sure, but the Islanders bought into to Barry Trotz’s system and look at them now.
The Flyers have to buy into Alain Vigneault’s system, or some players won’t play. He will sit the stars if he has to. Vigneault changes the culture of the team. He’s giddy when he has to be, but the guy means business and commands respect from his players.
“You look, in my mind, at three things,” Vigneault said at his press conference. “There’s some solid youth with a lot of upside here that is coming into its own. There’s great goaltending, being one of those youth pieces. There’s as solid core group that in my mind needs the right direction. And you’ve got the combination also of some solid veteran players that have been in the league a few years, that can still contribute at a high level in this league. There are some solid pieces that in my mind and after discussing it with a lot of people that I respect their opinion in the NHL I feel that the Flyers are a very good team that with the proper direction, proper mindset, proper culture and people working together will be a very good team in the near future.”
Vigneault continued, “The job that Barry did in Long Island is an incredible job. An experienced coach that went in there with a definite mindset on what he felt needed to be done. Got to give him full credit and full marks for what he did. I believe that I know what it takes for a team to have success on a consistent basis and that’s what I intend to do here with the Flyers. I believe that with the proper direction, proper coaching staff, a coaching staff working with management, that the Flyers with the potential that is on this team will be a very good team in the near future.”
Believe me better days are ahead, and Vigneault is the right guy for the job. He will make the locker room vocal once again, and get the leadership the Flyers lacked last season.
Continued on the pages below.
Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
