Vanilla Ice's Words Of Wisdom Applicable To The Flyers Future??

Nothing beats a powerful lyric by an immortal rapper and Vanilla Ice said it best, «Love it or leave it, you better gangway» for the next three years, these will be the Flyers you'll see play!

Last year was frustrating, disappointing, puzzling, and even laughable at points throughout the year, but is that what can be expected from our Flyers over the next three years (minimum)? Constant and inevitable disappointment.

Last season Flyers fans watched Keith Yandle eclipse the Ironman record, despite his play, owning the worst +/- in the league and rolling out as the top defenseman on an enigmatic power(less) play. Sean Couturier, two years removed from his Frank J. Selke Trophy win, missed two thirds of the season due to a significant injury. Joel Farabee, arguably our best natural goal scorer, missed significant time and underwent neck surgery in the offseason. Kevin Hayes missed roughly half of the season, which was devastating. Scott Laughton, a key 200 foot player and silent leader, was lost to injury at a pivotal juncture. Key addition, Ryan Ellis, played four games and may have a career ending injury he will have to battle through, if he ever wants to play again. And James Van Reimsdyk did not miss a game! Needless to say, The Philadelphia Flyers could not catch a break last year.

When Chuck Fletcher stated the Flyers were, «going to try an aggressive retool here», he sealed the organizations fate and direction for years to come.



Fletcher's actions , extensions, and additions backed his claim, as the core of the Philadelphia Flyers will be together, barring a significant trade, for the next three seasons.

Sean Couturier (29 years of age) has eight years remaining at $7.75 million per year, front loaded. Joel Farabee (22) six years. Ryan Ellis (31 LTIR) and Rasmus Ristolainen (27) five years. Scott Laughton (28) and newly acquired Nicolas Deslauriers (31) four years. Cam Atkinson (33), Ivan Provorov, and Travis Konecny (both 25) three years. Travis Sanheim working on a multi year extension. Carter Hart, Cam York, and Owen Tippett are restricted; likely being with The Flyers for the next three years. That is the core of the team you will see over the next three years, with a potential top six impact player signed next summer, when JVR's contract expires. That is the core of the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers top point producer last year - Travis Konecny, with a modest 52 points, tied for 115th overall in the NHL. Needless to say, The Philadelphia Flyers do not possess elite point producing players or game breakers that have dominated the NHL and NHL playoffs of late. Colorado's MacKinnon, Rantaanen and Makar. Tampa's Stamkos, Kucherov, Hedman, and Vasilevskiy. Edmonton's McDavid, Draisaitl, and Kane. The Rangers Shesterkin, Zibanejad, Panarian, Kreider, and Fox. Is there a reasonable expectation or belief, the Flyers can compete with and beat the elite teams in the NHL, with the current core in place for the next three years? Even with a potential free agent signing or two, assuming we are an attractive fit for someone who wants to win, will that change our fate?

The addition of John Tortorella injected a shot of adrenaline into the organization and perhaps a faulty sense of optimism within the fan base. Tortorella will finally bring an aggressive brand of hockey back to Philadelphia and provide countless hours of entertainment with his press conferences, but it is difficult to believe he will greatly impact our chances of winning the Stanley Cup. Tortorella had similar rosters in Columbus, relatively void of elite players, and he didn't exactly generate tremendous success with those rosters; winning two playoff rounds in six years and missing the playoffs twice.

What Chuck Fletcher calls an aggressive retool, may have in fact just been an extension of the Flyers mediocrity.