The self-torture, time travelling "What if" thread of Flyers drafts and other decisions

[BernieParent]

After having started the discussion in the roster thread, I thought this might be an interesting side discussion. It also allows us to beat ourselves up over past mismanagement and poor choices that have kept this franchise from hoisting a Cup in the last 45 years.

Because I just got a big work project dumped on me, I'll simply get the thread going and look forward to your input.

Click to read more...

 

[Pantokrator]

I always think what if Pronger didn't have to retire. I also wonder what if the Flyers never made the Lindros trade. I honestly don't know if they would have been better or not, but if we had Forsberg and the other players, would we have been better?

 

[Beef Invictus]

I always think what if Pronger didn't have to retire. I also wonder what if the Flyers never made the Lindros trade. I honestly don't know if they would have been better or not, but if we had Forsberg and the other players, would we have been better?

My presumption is that the team remains unable to build around their core and it doesn't matter.

I wonder if Pelle living would have made any substantial difference.

 

[wankstifier]

The trade missteps:

• van Riemsdyk for nothing
• Schenn for projects and a cap dump
• Simmonds for nothing

 

[Strawberry Fields]

Patrick Sharp and Dennis Seidenberg would've been cool to have throughout the late 00s/early 10s

Edit: Williams too

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

Patrick Sharp and Dennis Seidenberg would've been cool to have throughout the late 00s/early 10s

Edit: Williams too

Markov did play well for the Flyers even tho I didn’t like trading Williams

 

[deeshamrock]

One I thought of is What if the Flyers never make the huge mistake of trading their first round pick in 2008 draft (27Th overall) for Steve Eminger (who onliy played 12 games as a Flyer and a 3rd rounder.
That pick, turned out to be John Carlson, who would have looked pretty good for the last 12 years on the blueline.

Giving up a 2nd and 3rd for Andrew MacDonald (and giving him that albatross of a contract) , those 2 picks turned out to Sorokin (promising young goalie) and Brandon Carlo

and of course trading Bob to the Jackets, after the Flyers goalie coach told them once he got used to North America, he'd be a Vezina candidate. And he was...

WHat if Bob Clarke understood that you do need a quality goaltender and instead of going cheap when Hexy retired, getting Beezer (who was older than Hexy at the time) when Cujo and Richter were availabe. Lindros in his [prime with a solid goalie might have made a difference in a Cup run.

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

The two biggest what ifs in my Flyers fandom are:

1) What if Lindros sits out the entire 2000 ECF?
2) What if Rico doesn't break his arm playing catch with his son in 2004?

If the Lindros trade doesn't happen, I'm not a Flyer fan, so I don't look at that move, nor to what ifs prior to that.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Of recent times, it's gotta be Patrick, right? Two 1Ds and a 1C go with the next three picks.

 

[mja]

Bobby Clarke, having narrowly survived Jay Snider's attempt to can him after missing the playoffs in 89-90, steps up to the rostrum.

"With the 4th selection in the 1990 NHL draft, the Philadelphia Flyers are proud to select, from Kladno, Czechoslovakia...(what's his name again???)....Jahromer Jagger.

 

[freakydallas13]

Of recent times, it's gotta be Patrick, right? Two 1Ds and a 1C go with the next three picks.

I thought you meant Patrick Kane, as in what if the Flyers actually won the lottery in 2007.

That is my biggest "what if" personally.

 

[Flip psf]

Had they not traded Weinrich and Therian; OR even just kept one of them.

Two more; if the always rumored Yzerman for Hextall trade back in the day ever went through. Flyer get Gtetzky

 

[Hanover Fist]

Clarke signing Beezer.....

 

[Rebels57]

Markov did play well for the Flyers even tho I didn’t like trading Williams

Markov's brief stint isnt enough to erase this mistake. Only a Cup win in 2004 could make it worth it.

 

[DayoftheGreek]

What if we draft Kane? And I'm still mad about Sharp.

Edit: Not really a mismanagement but still.

 

[FLYguy3911]

I thought you meant Patrick Kane, as in what if the Flyers actually won the lottery in 2007.

That is my biggest "what if" personally.

Yeah but that was out of their control.

 

[Say Hey Kid]

I now believe in my first conspiracy theory. I think the Flyers have been tanking since 1976. I don't believe it's possible that while other teams were making draft steals such as Hasek, Brett Hull, and Gilmour, or even good picks such as the 2 Pavels (Datsyuk and Bure) and McDavid that the best Flyers career player they could draft is Giroux (or whoever you like best since 1976). My D&D dice could draft better than their front office.

 

[Flyer lurker]

What if Flyers never signed Bryz and gave the starting job to Bob has to be on here somewhere...

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

One I thought of is What if the Flyers never make the huge mistake of trading their first round pick in 2008 draft (27Th overall) for Steve Eminger (who onliy played 12 games as a Flyer and a 3rd rounder.
That pick, turned out to be John Carlson, who would have looked pretty good for the last 12 years on the blueline.

Giving up a 2nd and 3rd for Andrew MacDonald (and giving him that albatross of a contract) , those 2 picks turned out to Sorokin (promising young goalie) and Brandon Carlo

and of course trading Bob to the Jackets, after the Flyers goalie coach told them once he got used to North America, he'd be a Vezina candidate. And he was...

WHat if Bob Clarke understood that you do need a quality goaltender and instead of going cheap when Hexy retired, getting Beezer (who was older than Hexy at the time) when Cujo and Richter were availabe. Lindros in his [prime with a solid goalie might have made a difference in a Cup run.

Clarke made a solid offer to Richter. Clarke did not want to get into a bidding war with the Rangers. Richter wanted to take as much time as possible to improve his situation which was his right as a free agent. Neilson coached JVB in the Panthers' Cup Finals run in 1996. Yes, it didn't work out well but not all that is on Clarke.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

All teams have questionable drafts and history can be re-written. Boston passed on Bobby Clarke, not once or twice but three times.

In the 1984 NHL Draft with the 47th pick, the Flyers draft John Stevens. Four picks later, at 51, Patrick Roy is drafted. Wanna change history? Think about that for a moment and with multiple antennas.

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

What if we draft Kane? And I'm still mad about Sharp.

Edit: Not really a mismanagement but still.

he would of been traded for Luke Schenn of course

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

What if the Rangers took Claude Giroux instead of Bobby whatshisname

 

[JXC]

I thought you meant Patrick Kane, as in what if the Flyers actually won the lottery in 2007.

That is my biggest "what if" personally.

The pivotal moment in the last two decades.

 

[Normand Lacombe]

There are some many to choose from.

What if Bernie Parent and Rick MacLeish were healthy for the 1976 Cup Final? Could the Flyers have made it three Cups in a row?

What if Pelle decided to stay home like he planned and never went to the team party? I'm convinced the Flyers would have won the Cup that year and Pelle would have played another decade.

What if the Flyers don't blow that 3-1 lead to Jersey in 2000? That team was on a roll and I believe the return of Lindros knocked the chemistry off. I'm still not over that series to this day.

 

[Flyer lurker]

More that come to mind.

What if Leon Stickle wasn't the linesman game 6.

What if McCrimmon was just paid and not traded.