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The Philadelphia Flyers are shifting their focus to next season.
With their defeat at the hands of the New York Islanders on Tuesday, the Flyers set a new franchise record for futility with their 13th consecutive loss. They now own a 13-22-8 record, 16 points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
On Wednesday morning, Flyers Governor Dave Scott and General Manager Chuck Fletcher met with the media to address the team’s performance and the plan moving forward. While Scott apologized to fans and acknowledged the team is in a “terrible” situation, he also gave Fletcher and the front office a vote of confidence.
“Right now, Chuck’s my guy,” Scott said. “I feel like I’m personally surrounded by good hockey people.”
Scott noted injuries as a primary reason for the team’s struggles this season, to which Fletcher added that the priority for the Flyers is now getting players healthy for 2022-23.
Among those key injuries is Ryan Ellis, who’s played just four games with the Flyers since coming to Philadelphia in an offseason trade with the Nashville Predators. Fletcher noted that both Ellis and Sean Couturier could require surgery that would end their respective seasons.
#Flyers Chuck Fletcher says Ryan Ellis and Sean Couturier may require surgeries that end their seasons. His recommendation to medical staff, given where they are in the standings, is to “get them right for next year.”
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 26, 2022
“We’ve got a long road ahead of us.”
“Everything is on the table” for the Flyers as they approach the trade deadline, though it doesn’t appear as though the organization has an appetite for a full-on rebuild.
Fletcher said that the team is looking to “aggressively retool” and Scott added that ownership will write a “blank check” in order for the front office to turn things around as quickly as possible. That investment goes beyond the team’s roster, as Fletcher said that ownership is supportive of the Flyers doubling its analytics staff and hiring more scouts.
One of the major things to watch when it comes to the Flyers and the trade deadline is what’ll happen with captain Claude Giroux.
The 34-year-old is in the final year of the eight-year, $66.2 million contract he signed with the Flyers back in 2013. Giroux has spent his entire 983-game career with the Flyers and will be able to hit unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career this summer.
Fletcher said that whatever happens will be Giroux’s decision.
Fletcher: “It will be Claude’s decision,” as to whether Claude Giroux is moved at the deadline.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 26, 2022
As far as the deadline itself: “We’re looking to aggressively retool here. Everything is on the table.”
Another impending free agent the Flyers will have to make a choice on is Rasmus Ristolainen, who the team acquired last offseason from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Robert Hagg and both a first- and second-round pick.
Ristolianen, who has 10 points through 39 games as a Flyer, is also eligible to hit the open market for the first time in his career this summer. Fletcher said that the intent when trading for Ristolainen was to keep him beyond this season.
The Flyers are set to host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. They’ll be seeking their first win of 2022.
More must-reads:
- Keith Yandle sets NHL ironman record with 965 consecutive games played
- Flyers add John Torchetti to coaching staff
- The '1973-75 Philadelphia Flyers' quiz
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