One thing you can say about Danny Briere is that he started off with a bag…a gong bell bang at that. The only thing more surprising than the Ivan Provorov trade itself is the fact that the Flyers have come out of a trade unanimously as winners by almost everyone. Outside of the Timonen/Hartnell trade, I can’t remember a time when that was the case recently. While the Flyers were unanimous winners in the trade, one question remains: what does this trade really signify?
The Flyers actions match their words
This might be the most refreshing part of this whole trade. The organization actually understands what the word “rebuild” means. This front office clearly doesn’t believe in one foot in and one foot out of any process. This front office has communicated a clear vision from the beginning (imagine that) and is executing the stated vision. The Flyers for the first time in over a decade actually feel like they are all in sync and working towards something. The feeling of the Flyers being a rowboat, everyone working their own paddle, and spinning in circles feels like it is gone…in just 4 short months with Fletcher gone.
This front office is not afraid to be creative with the cap flexibility
First, let’s be clear. There are almost no free agents that fit what the Flyers are looking to do that fit their timeline for a turnaround. Second, the Flyers are also currently (no other moves pending) in cap purgatory. They have plenty of bad contracts, contracts they would have to retain salary on just to move, and aging players. Whoever took over this job would need to be creative. One of the understated parts of this trade is the contract of Petersen. To me, this part is a win-win. If he can turn it around they have a great backup at the NHL level, if he can’t turn it around you have AHL depth which you desperately need. Every team needs to hit the cap floor so the 5 million cap hit enables them to move another valuable piece that they might have had to hold onto for cap reasons.
This “rebuild” could end quicker than expected…dare I say it’s actually an “aggressive retool”?
I think all of us hear the phrase “aggressive retool” and we immediately panic. I can’t recall a time when a phrase for vision was mentioned and then what followed made plain white bread look interesting. It’s clear this front office is determined to make moves and not sit on their hands. I’m merely projecting right now but I cannot see them using all the picks they acquire just in the draft. I can see the Flyers continuing to gain draft assets so they can move them for players when the time is right. This “rebuild” could realistically be over in the next two years. Considering the state of the roster before this trade, I would say this is an aggressive retool.
This is only the beginning and the 2024 Flyers will look different
This team will be different in 2024. Any idea of the Flyers thinking “running it back” is a good idea is gone out the window. Is anyone else doing a happy dance just thinking about roster turnover? The 2023 Flyers did fight harder, which is great, but that was overshadowed by the fact that the roster really felt like “the same old roster”. I fully expect the 2024 Flyers to be younger, better at two-way hockey and have many new names added.
Whatever happens, this first trade was a big win for the new front office. A win in assets, a win in mindset, and a win with the fans. The saying goes that it is always darkest before the dawn. Well Flyers fans, we’ve experienced a lot of darkness. Let’s fully embrace the dawn.
By: Josh Shuster (@flyguyjosh91)
photo credit: nhl.com
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