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NHL Daily: Flyers’ Process Will ‘Take Time;’ Leafs Make Deal
Give Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella props for his honesty.
In addition to saying his team wasn’t going to make the playoffs and would be sellers leading up to Friday’s trade deadline, Tortorella didn’t sugarcoat just how much work needs to be done to resurrect this struggling franchise.
“Next year is going to be a grind, too,” he said on Monday. “This is a process. It’s going to take time.”
Yep. It takes more time when you don’t add a superstar (Johnny Gaudreau) who wanted to play here, and you miss on so many great players in the draft, as the Flyers have done for several years.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers are shopping several players, including James van Riemsdyk, and hoping to get draft picks. The trade deadline is Friday at 3 p.m.
The Toronto Maple Leafs bolstered their lineup Monday by acquiring physical defenseman Jake McCabe and forward Sam Lafferty (10 goals) from Chicago. Earlier this month, the Leafs acquired forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari from St. Louis.
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Around the NHL and National Hockey Now
Philly Hockey Now: A Flyers defenseman would welcome a trade to a contender, and John Tortorella is brutally honest about his team’s process over the long haul. Philadelphia Flyers.
Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs continued to add depth to their powerful lineup in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. Toronto Maple Leafs.
Boston Hockey Now: Connor McDavid reached the 50-goal mark for the first time in his career, but Edmonton couldn’t overcome the best-in-the-NHL Boston Bruins. Boston Bruins.
Ottawa Senators: Claude Giroux had his first four-point game since 2019 with the Flyers, steering the Senators to a 6-2 win over Detroit. Ottawa Senators.
Montreal Hockey Now: The Canadiens’ options for dealing Sean Monahan are coming into focus. Montreal Canadiens.
New York Islanders Hockey Now: A look at three likely trade scenarios for the Islanders. New York Islanders.
San Jose Hockey Now: It appears defenseman Erik Karlsson will remain with the Sharks — until the offseason. San Joe Sharks.
Add Johnny G? It doesn’t matter who is added if they don’t change the management and/or ownership that can’t draft or develop players.
Another year of retooling. Really?
Hextall wasn’t the right hire, but how much further along would this team be if they didn’t trade away all their draft capital year after year to sell the fans their are retooling.
I have been a diehard Flyers fan for 40-50 years, but I can’t watch this organization anymore.
Sad for Torts as he is the right coach at the wrong time.
Sam, Where is Chuck? Why is Torts serving as the mouthpiece for the organization off the ice as well? My expectations have never been lower in terms of what the Flyers will do at the deadline.
Franchise is a disaster. Torts saying they will essentially be awful next season. Is he quietly criticizing Fletcher?
They need to go outside the organization for a new gm. I don’t want Briere or Lombardi. Fletcher took over a bad team and has made them worse. Move on!
Add Johnny G ? Where is Columbus right now? Chuck must go!