I had posted this in your last column as well, Charlie – i think the issue facing the Flyers is how to best develop Michkov. The talent is obviously there, and based on what i have read, so is the desire to excel/competitiveness – it seems to me that he wasnt ready for the pace/intensity of the playoffs this year. Which is fine – who he is as a player isnt set in stone yet, and he still has ample runway ahead of him, so to speak.

While this playoff run was an absolutely BLAST, they are not really a legit contender this year. Next year… remains to be seen based on what happens in the offseason. They absolutely need the Michkov who scored 60+ points and led the team in goals last season as a rookie. And finding the right players to unlock him for next season should be a high priority for the team.

My one big concern is that they decide to go “all in” next season, making a bunch of poor short-term moves. Everything i have seen from Danny Briere so far indicates he will NOT fall into the trap, but given this market and the pressure it puts on team executives, the risk is still there.

Cant wait to hear the end of season thoughts from Danny – would love it if you can ask him what he thinks this season means for the team’s rebuilding timeline.

Saheim has earned his flowers

Tony Escargot?

The league’s worst powerplay performed even worse against the upper third of the league’s teams should come as no surprise. It is the most important fix of the off season. I hope the brass realizes this and tries to correct it and if Xavier Villaneuve is there when the Flyers pick that should embrace the risk of taking a small offensive defenseman who may develop into a PP 1 QB defenseman and sheltered five on five number 6 defenseman at even strength

The playoff standouts for the Flyers were as you mentioned: Vladar, Couturier, and Sanheim. Everyone else had moments but these were the only consistent playoff performers. The most disappointing Flyers were Michkov, TK, and Foerster. The first two played so uneven and never really capitalized on their chances. I really can’t defend either of them based on their play and what the numbers show. Foerster gets a pass from me die to his coming back from injury but that is his single biggest fault, being injured whether or not it is his actual fault. Regarding the power play, I have lost all hope for it, or better yet, I have never really had any since Giroux departed. It is the black eye on this team that may never heal until some players step up and can win offensive zone face-offs, enter the zone cleanly, and setup a shot rather than the next pass. They may need an exorcism. Great article!

Charlie, question, I have heard varying takes on the Flyers first round pick in 2027 from Toronto. Is it truly “unprotected?” If not, what is your understanding on the protection for this coming draft pick? Thanks.

Followup to my question for Charlie about next year’s Toronto first found pick the Flyers get:
If it is unprotected, then there is a chance, a pretty good chance, Flyers could get a 1-C or 1-D in the 2027 draft? Or, it could be traded to move up in this year’s draft to get a 1-C or 1-D.
But, regardless, is there a pretty high probability, given how MM does not seem to fit the style and expectations for a Tocchet team, and given the performance capital Tocchet earned by leading this team to round 2 of the playoffs, is it probable that MM will be traded this year while he still has value, perhaps in some package with other players or picks, for a 1-C or 1-D? It just seems his style of play does not fit with T’s. Not the right system for him, it would seem. Sure MM was out of shape early in the season, but by season’s end fitness should not have been an issue. Gotta think T will be working on convincing DB to move him for a player more to T’s liking. Just wondering.