Time for Chuck Fletcher to Earn His Pay
The COVID pandemic has redefined the way the world goes about doing its business in general and the NHL is no exception.
After a pause and subsequent cancelation of the final 15 games or so for each team, the NHL resumed its season in August with a different playoff format.
Eventually, the new Champion Lightning were crowned. Now just a few days later, the NHL 2020 Draft is upon us, with the first round going on Tuesday, October 6th, and a few days after that it will be time for the NHL Free Agent Frenzy.
Now is the time for Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher to earn his pay. In other words, time to “put up or shut up”!
In his first NHL Draft as the GM of the Flyers in 2019, Fletcher did very well for himself, selecting one of the top defensemen in the draft in Cam York and one of the top snipers in the draft in Bobby Orr Brink (anyone else think he should have that legally changed to “Bobby Clarke Brink”)? Both those picks have been very impressive so far in their young Flyers careers, and both were invited to the 2020 Team USA Junior Evaluation camp. At this year’s draft, the Flyers hold the 23rd overall pick in what is touted as being a really strong draft class.
Fletcher will have to decide on whether to keep the pick or included it in a trade package. As has been the case since the departure of Paul Holmgren as Flyers GM, the Flyers are not really keen on trading away their first-round picks. However, this season just seems different.
Let’s take a look at some of the interesting dilemma’s Fletcher and the Flyers are facing.
Keep the Pick
If it’s not part of any trade packages, Fletcher will not have an easy decision on whom to pick. It will not be easy because looking at the mock drafts, the Flyers will have REALLY good options that will be available to them. Fletcher will have to decide on whether to draft a potentially really good goal scorer like LW Luke Reichel, a well-rounded player like RW Jacob Perreault, or what already seems to be fan favorites like C Tyson Foerster or RW Noel Gunler. Many think some if not all of those players will be available for the Flyers at the 23-spot.
Notice there were no defensemen on that list?
If no major trade goes down, then with super-talented players like Provorov, Sanheim, and Myers already on the team and highly impressive youngsters like York and Zamula coming, I don’t think the Flyers are going to use their first pick on a defenseman who they’d have to wait 3-4 years to see dividends on. For the record, my pick would be RW Noel Gunler.
Trade the Pick in a Blockbuster Deal
Breaking news during the time of this writing looks like Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen will be retiring effective immediately. This means the Flyers all of a sudden will be looking for a defenseman either via UFA or trade. Assuming they will want to replace Niskanen with someone from outside the organization, the Flyers may have to trade that first-round pick in order to get a top 4 defenseman, which would be a blockbuster, to say the least. Many sources have also said that the Flyers are “Aggressively” pursuing a trade with the Winnipeg Jets for sniper Patrik Laine. A huge trade like that would definitely require the 23rd overall pick, amongst other assets going Winnipeg’s way. One thing is for sure, with all the picks and really good young talent the Flyers have in their system, there is no better time to make a blockbuster trade. Not all of the Flyers young up and coming talent can play on this team, there just isn’t enough space on one roster. That’s a GREAT problem to have. Admit it, Patrik Laine in a Flyers uniform just looks perfect, doesn’t it?
Free Agent Frenzy
With the almost $6 million dollars the Flyers will suddenly have in terms of cap space due to Matt Niskanen unexpectantly retiring, plus the cap space they will have after the Seattle Kraken surely select either of JVR or Shane Gostibehere, the Flyers all of a sudden emerge as a new suitor for UFA Defensemen Alex Pietrangelo or Tory Krug.
One thing is for sure, the next few days will be unbelievably exciting for the Flyers and their fan base.
It’s time for Chuck Fletcher to earn his paycheck.
Time for him to work the same magic as he did in 2019-20 when everything he touched turned to gold.
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