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Not surprised with Shaw not staying. I think it was the right move for everyone. Shaw has been in the NHL for over 20 years, I doubt he would have interest in coaching in the AHL at this point if offered. Not sure why the goaltending coach is surviving, topic for another day.
The organization is going to try and upgrade the goaltending and I’m not sure Tocchet can have a worse PP. Unless the team is ravaged by injuries to key players, I do not expect them to be worse then the Torts years. The ability to climb in the standings is certainly a question. Briere cannot just rely on the prospect pool to improve the roster and the UFA market really for years has not given great options. Hockey trades will have to happen.
Dreger believes Luke Richardson will be on the staff. I would assume that means Shaw will not be running the defense. I am absolutely fine with a HC getting to name his own staff. With what Tocchet is being paid, kind of figured he would have free reign to appoint his staff.
Tocchet won’t be here in 3 years when those guys are ready to take off. his hire should have no bearing on who they take
Well considering Tocchet got 5 years and 5 million/yr, I think it is fair to assume Tocchet will have his input heard on the prospect rankings by the Flyers. Briere will have final say on who gets drafted. Also, the Tocchet hire represents a style of play and profile of player the organization wants to acquire. Again, Tocchet will have influence indirectly on the direction of the organization.
With Tocchet being named HC, I believe Frondell will be high up on their draft board. Desoyners and Martone probably will be higher then Hagens. If they want forwards who play more north/south, Hagens is probably the least likely to fit that mold.
If/when Tocchet gets hired, does he keep Shaw? Seems like VAN’s blueline was pretty effective without Shaw. Wonder if they sign Pius Suter as a stop gap center in free agency. Might be easier to sign him to a multi year deal, then Cates who looks like he wants to wait a year before signing multi term. My expectation is they trade for a goalie over trying to sign a UFA and hope for a good season.
IF Tocchet is the HC, I wonder who they convinced him would be his #1 goaltender. I find it hard to believe a HC, who at his age is probably his last stop would be satisfied rolling with Ersson as his #1 heading into his first season.
Dreger now reporting Tocchet likely to land a HC job now. Flyers, SEA, and BOS the likely contenders. As a Flyers fan at the present moment, BOS is closer to competing then the Flyers. McVoy, Pastranak, and Swayman is a foundation the Flyers currently do not have, just the reality. We’ll see if the Flyers just outbid everyone.
I do think O’Brien is in play @ 6. Fits the profile of how the Flyers have been drafting. He is a younger prospect, which in theory there is more runway to grow. If he tests well at the combine, will not be surprised at all if he is the pick @ 6.
I still would be surprised if Shaw gets the job. He was the “good cop” to Torts, I just believe for this job, that is a non-starter. Not a surprise Tocchet has limited interest in this job, apparently. The good friends with Jonesy was over blown. Not doubt there is a friendship, but Tocchet is 61 and if he accepts another HC position, it will probably be his last. Taking a job from a top 5 worst record in the league, made little sense.
Not surprised about Cates at all. One year away from being a UFA, who the organization has touted as a great 3rd line shutdown center. With those figures presented by the club, that is more in line with a bottom six wing position. I just do not know how many bottom six forwards are necessary to secure long-term with top six talent still needed. Nothing against Cates, the player should try and maximize his value. The management needs to start trading this abundance of bottom six players for other assets. The Flyers “top line” of Cates, Foerster, and Brink- with the depth of the organization does it make sense for all 3 to be here long-term? I agree, it is okay to trade a player before the value of the player has plummeted to a level of giving away. I would keep Foerster and move on from Brink and Cates by next summer because their value is pretty high at the moment. Couts is signed long term, his contract is immovable just the reality, one of the bottom six center positions is locked up. I do not feel it is necessary to lock up the other bottom six center spot long term. I would prefer the other bottom six center spot not to be a liability at faceoffs if that player is signed long-term.
The only consensus top 6 prospect who is viewed to definitely stay at center in the pros is Desnoyers from what I have read. Ultimately, other prospects could also play center. Misa, Frondell and Hagens could just as easily be moved to wing. Certainly, it is subjective and scouting depts will differ.
I have this feeling both Martone and Martin will be gone by 6. After Schaefer, no presumed franchise Dmen available. None of the center prospects are considered bona fide #1 centers. Teams value wingers with size who have skill. Put a huge value on finding the next Tkachuk or Knies.
I would be thrilled if Frondell fell to the Flyers. Hagens, Frondell, or Martone are my preferred choices foe the Flyers.
Sennecke, Gauthier, and now Martin seems to be the next top 5 prospect out of no where. I do wonder if the interest in Martin is related to maybe circling back on Rossi. His minutes were reduced in the playoffs, and Guerin recent comments suggest lukewarm interest at best re signing Rossi. Don’t get me wrong, I would rather even draft Eklund over Martin. If Briere acquires a smaller, skilled forward thru a trade and signs him long term, the interest to get physical forwards may increase. Pure speculation on my part.
