The Flyers have one young elite potential player in Michkov. That's it. None of those other assets are likely to produce elite players. The Flyers have enough good players. It's about quality now, not quantity. More middle six talent players is not going to get it done. I have the bar set far higher than just being watchable but to each it own. The hiring of Tortorella was another big mistake but that's another conversation. People always want to bring up Buffalo while ignoring the successful teams like the Pens, Avalanche, Chicago, TB etc. There is no fool proof method but there is certainly an approach with a significantly higher lever of success. Here is a hint, it's not the Flyers methods
I want to watch a competitive team. I had my fill of wasting my time with unwatchable, uncompetitive hockey with a team going in the wrong direction.
Under Torts, they've been watchable. They compete. I feel like they're going in the right direction.
I feel like they've outperformed expectations. The last 2.5 years. They don't give up. They have the most comeback wins in the league this season, even with complete garbage goaltending because they lost their starter to a criminal charge. Torts himself is entertaining.
They barely missed the playoffs last year. Still had a chance on the last day.
And they're still the 3rd youngest team in the league with a bunch of draft picks upcoming.
It's much easier to invest my time watching a competitive product I feel is heading in the right direction.
Maybe they won't win a Cup, but they're watchable. I don't want to waste more years of my life watching non-playoff drek in the prayer of hitting the lottery with a Mario Lemieux or Crosby.
And teams like St. Louis and Los Angeles illustrate that you don't have to tank and be awful forever to rebuild and win. Hockey is different than hoops. Just let me watch a competitive product and give me a little hope. It's not all CUP OR BUST for me. I'm sick of being a boring doormat. At least I want to watch a playoff team. Too long without the playoffs destroys fan interest.