Mike Fink — Ranking the NHL Rebuilds Closest to Contention — Flyers (6th)

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  • #22023
    yes its me 2050
    Participant

    If and when the Flyers ever get to the current level Florida, Edmonton, and Vegas has attained, I’ll gladly listen to how they built a top-tier defensive corps via free agency. I’m guessing I won’t be hearing of this astounding success for a decade or more, or ever if they keep employing the incompetent because it’s the Flyers way.

    And if Zegras and Drysdale show any inkling of improvement, not only will they get a bag of money, they’ll get a maximum term contract as well… it’s how the Flyers operate (just ask Owen Tippett).

    Free agency? Some yeah, some draft and some trades. Every way you can acquire a defenseman. That’s how the good teams do it, usually with size and grit. None of FLA’s regular dmen are listed at under 200 lbs. Buium is 185. The Flyers do need to add there but we’ll see what the current corps can do soon enough.

    Haha! The old “if that happens, then this will happen” argument. Tippett is the safest bet to have a full and productive season, then Zegras. Drysdale will be a project. It a turnaround doesn’t happen, a project with dwindling ice time.

    Curious as to what makes you think zegras is the 2nd safest bet to have a full and productive season. What will be a productive season for him? However, it ends up working out it was a no brainer deal to make. They gave up nothing of consequence.

    Buim is also what 19/20, he can add weight if need be. That weight can also be an old measure.

    Flyers do not fall into that category in bold.

    #21991
    FlyerFrank
    Participant

    If and when the Flyers ever get to the current level Florida, Edmonton, and Vegas has attained, I’ll gladly listen to how they built a top-tier defensive corps via free agency. I’m guessing I won’t be hearing of this astounding success for a decade or more, or ever if they keep employing the incompetent because it’s the Flyers way.

    And if Zegras and Drysdale show any inkling of improvement, not only will they get a bag of money, they’ll get a maximum term contract as well… it’s how the Flyers operate (just ask Owen Tippett).

    Free agency? Some yeah, some draft and some trades. Every way you can acquire a defenseman. That’s how the good teams do it, usually with size and grit. None of FLA’s regular dmen are listed at under 200 lbs. Buium is 185. The Flyers do need to add there but we’ll see what the current corps can do soon enough.

    Haha! The old “if that happens, then this will happen” argument. Tippett is the safest bet to have a full and productive season, then Zegras. Drysdale will be a project. It a turnaround doesn’t happen, a project with dwindling ice time.

    #21989
    VonZipper
    Participant

    Only three? What a catastrophe. Florida had one, Vegas had two covering the last three cups. Michkov will take some of the new surplus. Zegras is already making $5.75M. If he goes from the .75 PPG guy that got that deal to a .8 PPG guy with the Flyers, how much of a raise would he get? Drysdale needs to pull a rabbit out of a hat this season.

    If and when the Flyers ever get to the current level Florida, Edmonton, and Vegas has attained, I’ll gladly listen to how they built a top-tier defensive corps via free agency. I’m guessing I won’t be hearing of this astounding success for a decade or more, or ever if they keep employing the incompetent because it’s the Flyers way.

    And if Zegras and Drysdale show any inkling of improvement, not only will they get a bag of money, they’ll get a maximum term contract as well… it’s how the Flyers operate (just ask Owen Tippett).

    #21987
    Corduroy
    Participant

    Very well said, and I tend to look at the bright side of things but it’s tough with this franchise and what we’ve been given the last dozen seasons.

    Still no 1C, nor is there one in the system.
    Still no 1D, nor is there one in the system.
    Still no 1G, nor is there one in the system.

    Is it scouting, drafting, or player development? or all of the above? I am in the minority about Buium however, and not because I thought Jett was the better pick/prospect. I think the history with his agent would’ve possibly had the same outcome as CG.

    Jett = #1 C

    Sanhiem = #1 D

    Russian kid = #1 G

    Get with the program.

    Gold standard baby

    #21983
    FlyerFrank
    Participant

    You keep bringing up the Panthers, Oilers, and “recent better teams” as building their teams by bringing defensemen from outside the organization in. Well, if you haven’t checked, only 3 of the Flyers starting defensemen (if you’re considering the gimp Ristolainen as a starter) are home-grown talents. Despite the Flyers already “building” in the same manner as the Panthers and Oilers, they still can’t sniff the playoffs.

    While I think your estimate of $20M may be a little low (based on RFA/UFAs at the end of the 2025/26 season, which I may delve into in another post at a later time), that money will dry up quickly if they choose to extend Michkov at the end of the season (the earliest they can do so), if Trevor Zegras meets or exceeds expectations, and if Drysdale finally takes a step forward. And that’s just the easiest 3 examples heading into the 2026/27 season.

    Only three? What a catastrophe. Florida had one, Vegas had two covering the last three cups. Michkov will take some of the new surplus. Zegras is already making $5.75M. If he goes from the .75 PPG guy that got that deal to a .8 PPG guy with the Flyers, how much of a raise would he get? Drysdale needs to pull a rabbit out of a hat this season.

    #21978
    VonZipper
    Participant

    I’m looking at the small picture on D? I’m looking at the D corps of the best teams currently and in the recent past. If Sanheim, York and Bonk can comprise the Top 6 next season, that’s half your D corps and that’s more than most of the recent better teams have built their D.

    The Flyers will have a bundle in cap space next July. Dead space gone, cap jumps, more young players on cheaper deals and some contracts won’t get extended. Somewhere around $20M I’m guessing.

    If you’re only looking at the D, then yes, you are not looking at the big picture.

    You keep bringing up the Panthers, Oilers, and “recent better teams” as building their teams by bringing defensemen from outside the organization in. Well, if you haven’t checked, only 3 of the Flyers starting defensemen (if you’re considering the gimp Ristolainen as a starter) are home-grown talents. Despite the Flyers already “building” in the same manner as the Panthers and Oilers, they still can’t sniff the playoffs.

    While I think your estimate of $20M may be a little low (based on RFA/UFAs at the end of the 2025/26 season, which I may delve into in another post at a later time), that money will dry up quickly if they choose to extend Michkov at the end of the season (the earliest they can do so), if Trevor Zegras meets or exceeds expectations, and if Drysdale finally takes a step forward. And that’s just the easiest 3 examples heading into the 2026/27 season.

    #21956
    FlyerFrank
    Participant

    You’re looking small picture here. I’m looking big picture. Outside of the players who are currently on the NHL roster (which as a unit, is below average) and Oliver Bonk (who right now one has to hope can get somewhere near his ceiling or he’s just another name we’ll soon forget), what defenseman in the system is NHL quality within the next 2-5 years? Ditto for the goaltenders. Until one of those kids shows he can perform at the NHL level, they’re all the second coming of Maxime Oulette to me.

    And as replied on another thread… how many good defensemen are you going to acquire via FA when you constantly spend to the cap? And yes, there is money coming off the books this season, but is it enough to rebuild a bad defense on the fly, and realistically, can this team spend it’s way out of its troubles? They sure as hell haven’t done it the past 15 seasons.

    I’m looking at the small picture on D? I’m looking at the D corps of the best teams currently and in the recent past. If Sanheim, York and Bonk can comprise the Top 6 next season, that’s half your D corps and that’s more than most of the recent better teams have built their D.

    The Flyers will have a bundle in cap space next July. Dead space gone, cap jumps, more young players on cheaper deals and some contracts won’t get extended. Somewhere around $20M I’m guessing.

    #21939
    VonZipper
    Participant

    I think those questions will get answered pretty quickly. If the team D, goalies included, doesn’t get better they’re in for another bad season. I frankly don’t think it can get any worse. They still have Dmen and at least a couple two-way forwards they can build around. You’re overestimating the importance of having originally drafted Dmen for good teams. Spent some time on this, and the majority of Dmen on top teams are usually acquired as already developed, plug and play pros.

    You’re looking small picture here. I’m looking big picture. Outside of the players who are currently on the NHL roster (which as a unit, is below average) and Oliver Bonk (who right now one has to hope can get somewhere near his ceiling or he’s just another name we’ll soon forget), what defenseman in the system is NHL quality within the next 2-5 years? Ditto for the goaltenders. Until one of those kids shows he can perform at the NHL level, they’re all the second coming of Maxime Oulette to me.

    And as replied on another thread… how many good defensemen are you going to acquire via FA when you constantly spend to the cap? And yes, there is money coming off the books this season, but is it enough to rebuild a bad defense on the fly, and realistically, can this team spend it’s way out of its troubles? They sure as hell haven’t done it the past 15 seasons.

    #21926
    Baphomet
    Participant

    to Flyers O1: Buium is the better player, and I would love to have a D with his talent in orange and black, but the history with his agent gives me pause. I’m not going to loose sleep no matter how his career turns out. CG on the other hand, especially if #9 flounders, will haunt me like BOB.

    You hit the nail on the head “yes it’s me”.

    #21862
    FlyerFrank
    Participant

    Defense and goaltending are long-term questions. Outside of Bonk possibly being a middle-pairing defenseman, what else of quality is currently in the system? And as I alluded to in a previous post, Flyers goaltending prospects have mostly been disappointing for the past 3 1/2 decades.

    For whatever reasons, history shows the Flyers have had problems developing top-tier defensemen and goaltenders.

    I think those questions will get answered pretty quickly. If the team D, goalies included, doesn’t get better they’re in for another bad season. I frankly don’t think it can get any worse. They still have Dmen and at least a couple two-way forwards they can build around. You’re overestimating the importance of having originally drafted Dmen for good teams. Spent some time on this, and the majority of Dmen on top teams are usually acquired as already developed, plug and play pros.

Viewing 10 posts - 81 through 90 (of 117 total)
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