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8 Comments (7 conversations)
Jason
Their expectations for improvements seem realistic. I don’t think is a playoff club, and frankly, I’d like to stay in the lottery sweepstakes, seeing as who will go #1. But I would like to see some meaningful improvements.
guadzilla
I think these are realistic expectations. To me, their real challenge is aimed at each of the players: to start producing to their potential. And after a season or two of giving them leeway to develop, that is a reasonable expectation now.
Eg, York needs to STFU about “the lack of freedom” involved in being asked to play under a structure, and actually show what he can do – most of these prospects are not that young anymore and its time to deliver.
For the record, my prediction for the season – if the Flyers are going to make a blockbuster trade, they will do in season, trading picks and prospects for a major star.
Matt
If they don’t trade Dvorak and Risto for assets at the deadline because the players “deserve” a playoff run it will be the clearest example yet that nothing has really changed in the organization. Please no big trades this year, please continue to jettison bad and expiring contracts for assets, please use our cap space wisely as an asset and take on bad contracts to gain assets, etc.
guadzilla
I think we can put the “nothing has changed” narrative to rest with the trade of Sean Walker when the team was staunchly in the middle of a playoff hunt.
Risto i think will get traded if there is someone younger who can step up and take his place – and i also expect the Flyers to aggressively try to clear salary to have money to throw at someone (be it acquired as a trade or in FA).
But i dont see them trading Dvorak just for the sake of acquiring mid-round assets – the reason for that would be all the stuff they have articulated as reported in his article.
Michael Curran
In my opinion they need to improve this year. Does that mean make the playoffs?No. Everything they have planned for was for next season when the cap space is cleared. Next season is the biggest test for the Hilferty, Jones, Briere triumvirate.
Matthew Segal
I agree with Matt, if Risto is healthy then I definitely look to move him at the deadline.
Warren Broudy
The flyers shouldn’t get a pass for just missing the playoffs. If they miss again and can’t win a round in the playoffs what are they doing here . I’m just not sure other than michkov that they have any first line(top tier) players on offense on defense and in goal . When does TK stop getting a pass breaking down in the second half of the season ?
David LaVeck
Since the plan is changing from draft picks to prospects and continued development, I hope that the current players can hold up their end of the bargain esp the goaltending.