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Will the Flyers rebuild be quicker than the Sixers Process?

By Nick Butler

Feb 18, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers forward Noah Cates (49) skates prior to the start of a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers forward Noah Cates (49) skates prior to the start of a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /
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Another Flyers season, another waste of time for the fans. While John Tortorella has been the bright spot for the future looking somewhat bright, the front office side of this team could not be held on the same level. The Philadelphia 76ers went through a similar “Process”, but can the Flyers skate a similar path as Sam Hinkie did?

As for the NHL, it is much harder to get into the top three, even with bad records due to the lottery. In the NBA, the worst team in the NBA has a 25% chance to get the top pick in the lottery. While it still isn’t guaranteed, that is still a high percentage chance to get the top pick. The worst team in the NHL has an 18% chance to get the first seed. That isn’t great odds, especially when we have seen teams who shouldn’t be in the top five get a pick there.

While tanking in some sports works, the NHL makes it harder for teams to tank for the first overall pick. Obviously, this was the season for a team like the Flyers to tank for a potential franchisesque type player, but there is no guarantee that they could turn everything around with Connor Bedard.

Let’s all be honest with ourselves, Chuck Fletcher is no Sam Hinkie. Fletcher’s asset management is below subpar. In this year’s draft, the Flyers have a 1st, 2 3rds, 2 4ths, a 5th, 2 6ths and a 7th. The Flyers would’ve had another 3rd and a 2nd if they didn’t trade for Ristolanien and DeAngelo, but as it stands, the Flyers this can only get one potential NHL ready player.

Fletcher wants to get more picks but failed at this deadline to move expiring contracts for draft picks. He claims this is a rebuilding venture now, but he was not being able to get rid of tenured contracts of players who are not a definite part of the future blueprint. This rebuild has been something that has been a long time coming and while the Flyers have some good prospects, the front office needs to be able to continue drafting players who will be a part of the blueprint and not just AHL fillers.

The Sixers really only hit on Joel Embiid. Obviously, Ben Simmons didn’t pan out, but they were able to draft role players and bring in players who fit around Embiid. While Doc Rivers may not be the answer, we know where the Flyers sit. Carter Hart is our Joel Embiid. The piece that the Flyers have been missing for years on years is in house. Along with a coach in John Tortorella, the Flyers have two huge pieces.

If Cutter Gautier is the player we all think he is and the Flyers can draft a big piece this year, then the rebuild might be closer to where the Devils are now than where they were four years ago. Lets just hope Comcast realizes that Fletcher isn’t the answer and  makes a change.

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