It's easy for armchair general managers to say their favorite teams should "do this or that". People may not fully understand all of the intricacies involved in putting together a roster, such as balancing a salary cap, team personalities, and talent as well as coaching staff together. I know as a Phillies fan, I'm a little antsy at the team staying put during the free agency spree going on right now in the MLB offseason.
With the Flyers, it is a bit different. After playing "mediocre-at-best" hockey for the last few seasons, the team almost made the playoffs last year. It is making Flyers fans a bit impatient as they are not used to seeing the team in the doldrums of the NHL. And so, people constantly ask questions about this team.
Is the rebuild almost over? Do they still have a while to go with it? Which veterans do they hold onto and whom do they let go and trade away for assets? Which young players are ready to make their mark and who needs more time to develop? When will the team be good again?
However, if you watch them, you can tell that they are not a playoff team yet. They are not contenders. At best, right now they are a "one-and-done" team. So what's the answer? Do they sell off veteran assets and try again next year? As Kevin Lagowski said, they risk putting the team in permanent "rebuilding" mode like the Sabres have been. Do you trade away young assets in trying to make a stronger push now? Do that, and you risk the future as Bobby Clarke so often did.
Which is the crux of the problem. The Flyers are decent and appear to be turning a corner. They currently are near the final playoff spot. And it certainly helps that rival teams, such as the Rangers, are struggling this season.
The Bigger Question
I think to be fair, you need to assess the quality of the farm system and its prospects. First, it's interesting that the farm club, the Phantoms, mirrors the big club. They might make the playoffs but are usually one of the last teams in. They are ok, hot on some nights, cold on others, but aren't really dazzling anyone. That could be a problem.
The last 10 years of drafting haven't been kind either. From Hextall to Fletcher to now, there have been some awful draft classes. If you look at the draft classes from 2019 to 2023, it's still undetermined where the Flyers stand. The 2024 class is still too soon to properly evaluate.
The Flyers have had some hits so far in their first three rounds in drafting. Cam York is improving little by little each year. He's not a star yet, but he still could be. Bobby Brink is showing he can be a contributor. Now, whether that is a top-six or bottom-six performer is yet to be determined, but he is young and will have time to develop. Tyson Foerster, despite a down year so far, had an incredible rookie season. Matvei Michkov has been better than advertised. Emil Andrae is showing some promise with his extended looks this season.
However, the team has had some misses as well. Ronnie Attard couldn't get it together. Cutter Gauthier wanted off the team. Jay O'Brien never saw the NHL. Another first-rounder was flipped for Rasmus Ristolainen. Those losses will have a long-term, crippling effect on this team. Three lost first-round picks are hard to heal from.
Then there are the unknowns. Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk look fantastic, but they are at least two seasons away. Samu Tuuomaala is doing well enough in Lehigh Valley but has yet to earn a call-up. Jett Luchanko had a nice look at the beginning of the season. Still, he has time to develop and the Flyers won't see much of him for a while yet.
The future depends on these sorts of guys. Now, if you get a late-round pick, such as Noah Cates or Elliott Desnoyers, who can contribute, so much the better. However, how long can you wait for someone to finally "get it?" Sometimes you have to cut ties when you can. Sometimes one extra push can help turn it around, like with Egor Zamula and Andrae.
If getting a bonafide stud who wants to be here long-term might cost a prospect or a pick, I'm all for it. However, it has to be a surefire thing. Unfortunately, nothing in sports is surefire. Cam Atkinson was going to help turn this thing around with Ryan Ellis and then they both got hurt.
We'll see what moves the Flyers make in the upcoming months. But like a kid at this time of year waiting for Christmas, I can't wait to see what Santa is bringing me and I'm tired of waiting to open my presents. I want this team to be good again and I want it sooner than later.