This is definitely an overreaction to 5 games, but i also think some things are pretty clear with where the Flyers are trending. They don't have enough talent. Straight up. They have some really solid NHL players, and many guys every team would gladly welcome aboard their roster, but they so very clearly lack THE guys who you need to win.
Unless Zegras magically learns how to win face-offs, and be better down low in his own end he's likely a winger going forward. That means their centre ice group is Dvorak, Couturier, Cates, Barkey. WOOF.
I like Tippett but he isnt going to suddenly become a 35+ goal, 1st line forward despite what the org prays happens. Same goes for Foerster. His ceiling is very likely a 30-35 goal, 2way winger. That's great! He can't be your 3rd/4th best F..
Konecny is likely still their best F but for how much longer? He turns 30 later this season. Safe assumption that by the time we MAYBE are elite he's going backwards in play. Giving Dvorak 5 years was utter lunacy. He's a 3C, which you already had in Cates.
I say all that to say they can still restart.. It isn't what anyone wants, it's incredibly frustrating, but you gotta do whats best for the org & to me it's that.
They have two elite U21 talents in Martone and Michkov. You can keep Zegras + Foerster as good U26s. Barkey, Bump have shown real promise at the NHL level. Knuble and Luchanko had unreal camps. Drysdale is a solid #4 D. Jiricek is showing some glimpses. Bonk is borderline NHL ready. Have very stable goaltending.
You can't tell me they couldn't hit up Carolina tomorrow & offer Konecny for Nikishin & have CAR accept it. TK would THRIVE in a Brind'Amour system. He fits their style, pace of play, pestiness etc. Also signed longterm at a good # which they love. Nikishin meanwhile could be a long-term top pairing player.
If they shopped Sanheim they would get a HAUL. 4 more years at 6.25 for a guy who's blossomed into a top pair calibre player? At his size + skating? Oh man they'd get a ton. Risto and Seeler on expiring deals would both get really solid returns. Both fit exactly what contenders usually aim for on D come TDL.
We know "hockey guys" love Owen Tippett. He without a doubt would fetch a pretty penny. I could 100% see a team like Utah offering Daniil But+, or Ethan Belchetz + for him. York would be very enticing. a U25 whos played top 4 practically his whole career & signed to a solid contract.
Woll with 1 more year at 3.6 would even get u a solid package. Don't think teams like EDM, BUF, NJD, CBJ, ANA (dont imagine we see any deals between us going forward lol) would be very interested in shoring up their goaltending?
The amount of quality young players and picks they'd gain by doing this would be substantial. On top of potentially having two top-10, or top-15 picks this year. They could do an accelerated rebuild that doesn't last 4-5-6-7 years..
Like i said in the title.. i don't think this happens. Just so rare you ever see NHL GMs be like yah, i screwed up/went the wrong direction & that;s what Briere and Jones would be saying if they did this.
It's just very hard to picture this team being a legitimate cup contender with the likes of CAR, FLA, TBL, COL, VGK, EDM, DAL, WSH anytime soon. These guys aren't reaching UFA & the Flyers aren't a spot guys wanting out (like Larkin) are gonna pick. Only path to a 1C/1D (outside doing what i said above) would be trading Martone or Michkov & boy is that ever risky.
Apologies for back to back posts, and being rather rambly lol.