The Philadelphia Flyers 2020-2021 season ended with major disappointment. Something that left doubt & the unknown in the Philadelphia faithful’s mind.
After coming within one win of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020, the Flyers had a huge let down in 2021. Something that has led to a complete restructure & overhaul of the Flyers.
In Chuck Fletcher’s third offseason leading the Flyers, major change is underway. A change that has directly involved a new core being established.
Last Saturday, Chuck Fletcher started his offseason change with the trade for Ryan Ellis. A move that not only gave Ivan Provorov a top-pair partner, but also a proven leader in the locker room.
Yesterday, Chuck Fletcher paid a premium to acquire a second right hand defenseman in Rasmus Ristolainen. A player that will bring a grittiness & more physical style of play to the lineup. Something that was lacking in the lineup last season.
Today, Chuck Fletcher continued to retool & reshape his lineup. Acquiring Cam Atkinson from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Jake Voracek.
The addition of Cam Atkinson continues Chuck Fletcher’s view on adding positions of need. Atkinson’s addition will improve the Flyers bad penalty kill.
In total, to date, Chuck Fletcher has traded…
OUT: Nolan Patrick, Phil Myers, Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg, Jake Voracek, #13, 2022 2nd, 2022 7th(STL), 2023 2nd
IN: Ryan Ellis, Rasmus Ristolainen, Cam Atkinson
Through these trades, the Flyers added new leadership. Leadership that looks to be a new core forming in Philadelphia.
Another aspect to the three players acquired is their no quit play. All three players play with a different attitude than the player traded away.
Ryan Ellis, Rasmus Ristolainen, & Cam Atkinson all play with the no quit, fight til the end motto. Each give it 110% on every shift, of every game, no matter what the score is.
Going into this offseason, the Flyers had an aging identity. Something that many teams took advantage of last season.
Now, after three moves to add new, fresh leadership, the Flyers have a new identity. An identity that will be extremely tough to play against next season.
While the offseason is still not over, Flyers still need a backup goalie & 3rd line center, Chuck Fletcher’s first three moves have the Flyers headed in a new direction.
