The '25-'26 Philadelphia Flyers thread

[LegoDoom]

I agree... except Risto as I have never been a fan.

I didn't really expect this to happen, but if it's 4D chess, then it's nothing obvious. And if it's for a high profile player, then it will still involve cleaning house.

[LegoDoom]

You also said that Martone was a good skater, which he definitely is not right now. The rest is just "he's big'. A shot between the legs is an odd observation as every player at that level can do that.

The were working on his skating from day 1, which is smart.

You are so anti-Martone and pro Mishkov, yet every single thing you read from every writer views Martone as a future star, while Michkov is viewed as a talent that may be a star, but there’s a lot of risk.

And every insider when discussing possible trades lists Martone as the first ask, while Mishkov is generally viewed as not a chip that’s getting a deal done on his own. These reports are not being made up out of thin air, but are being created from info by multiple organizations in the NHL.

It must just be because Martone is bigger and most NHL GMs don’t know that size doesn’t matter in hockey.

I'm going to quote this whole post for it to make more sense....

If you are a GM and know Martone is most likely off limits, then what would you do? Ask for Martone and settle for Michkov? That's what I would do.

[Austinfan]

No, you're adding a 22 year old center to Martone, Barkey, Michkov, Bonk, Drysdale and all the prospects in the pipeline.
This is not the same as adding a Larkin or Nico who are turning 30 and maybe have 3-4 years of top play left.
And they would have cost (2) 1st rd picks plus another asset.

[zambonir]

Risto as the Flyers used him was clearly out of his depth against Carolina (and shouldn't be on the PP) but he had a pretty good season (even if they also won without him early on). I would definitely trade a few wins and learn-on-the-job time for Bump and Viricek if they can unload him but if it plays out to where they don't need the cap space and can't upgrade also no harm in keeping him. And while the injury risk remains, his trade value might be higher or at least the same as a pure rental should the Flyers be comfortable with the kids (or seeking their own deadline upgrade) by March.

[LegoDoom]

This is not the same as adding a Larkin or Nico who are turning 30 and maybe have 3-4 years of top play left.
And they would have cost (2) 1st rd picks plus another asset.

This means nothing. I don't care what other players would have cost (and the Flyers didn't pay it). I care about what this will cost.

I think Drysdale is a definite sign, but it's not a certainty with the Leo deal. Are you aware of the certainties?

[LegoDoom]

Comparing bad choices to a better choice doesn't mean it was the best choice.

[LegoDoom]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Flyers/comments/1umjqxt/maksim_sokolovskii_showing_hes_not_all_defence/

Yep.. he's a stud when no one is contesting him at all.

EDIT: This is a joke. It's half court hockey where no one really cares.

[Dirk41]

Have never seen him with a puck on his stick until this.

[bigegypt0417]

Interesting read...Flyers have definitely swung for the fences.

https://www.broadstreethockey.com/post/everything-danny-briere-built-led-to-the-flyers-leo-carlsson-offer-sheet/

[VoteForKalas]

Thanks for posting, good article explaining the history and, importantly, that the messaging to players and his fellow GMs is the Flyers are going to aggressively pursue winning and do everything they can to put the best team together possible.

They changed the internal culture and now they are working on changing the external reputation of the organization and making it clear they are going to be a destination worth cheering for and supporting.

[flyers19rw]

One thing that needs to be underlined here is that Briere didn’t make this mess either; Anaheim and Verbeek did that. Briere did jump in to take advantage of Anaheim’s incompetence and good on him for doing that. When Kaprizov signed his humongous extension last summer, the pay for top players jumped dramatically. Briere saw that and decided to give that kind of money to a player on the rise of their career not the back end. A very wise decision on his part that other smart GMs will emulate.

[LegoDoom]

I like the offer for a player of that age. I like the player. I am not sure how that money will change what else needs to be done.

[bigegypt0417]

Verbeek has a reputation of being cheap. This deal is going to push him to change how he operates...I can't imagine it's not going to hurt but I'm guessing he will match.

[LegoDoom]

Any thoughts on the next move if the offer is matched? Just back to the 2+ year rebuild?

If we want to play 4D chess, then there is another move here. Otherwise it's just clickbait.

[VoteForKalas]

A range of options IMO.

I think Briere sees what we all see: we need a #1 center and PP QB D-man.

What other young, talented RFA centers like Carlsson or PP D-men are out there? That would the first pivot. I'm sure they already know those options and have likely talked to their agents or teams to discuss basic deal parameters.

If that is impossible, then you go back to vet options like Giroux or get back into the Larkin or Thomas discussions or pursue a similar D-man to Carlson. Again, I'm sure this homework is done amd they know who they want to go after most. They also still have Risto as a potential chip if needed.

[zambonir]

Well, I was gonna say this could still end with the Flyers trading for or offering MIntyukov, but no.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/defenceman-pavel-mintyukov-re-signs-with-ducks/

Around 7.4M AAV. Can they really still match Flyers and keep Cutter?

[bigegypt0417]

I could certainly seem them pivot to Shane Wright...not as big a move but certainly an upgrade.

[LegoDoom]

He seemed like a decent prospect, but 27 points as a 22 year old? He would have to be cheap.

[zambonir]

He's definitely available and fits more into the previous Briere model of getting distressed assets.

But it's not like this move was going to deliver the Flyers a Cup in Year 1, especially if they had to trade Tippett or Cates (or even Risto) afterwards too. Signing Giroux, a better back-up goalie, Martone from Day 1, Michkov picking up from his stronger regular season second-half and and improved fourth line is still probably a team taking a step forward. And then being buyers at the deadline. And if that's not what happens and they take a step back into the lottery, than yeah, the timeline didn't change.

The offer still sent a message, to players, agents and other teams. And if it failed they still have that extra first to play with (and maybe another in a future year if they deal Risto).

[LegoDoom]

I'm not sure I agree that the offer sent a message. To who? It's not like the Flyers can send these off to multiple players.