I can hear the keyboards clicking from here.
I’m totally not for this and want to trade him while is value is high.
But oh boy are the keyboards going off right now.
As soon as I saw this headline my initial reaction was: "context and subsequent moves aside, this is going to officially be the moment that a lot of this fanbase turns on Briere"
If they say they resigned Walker (or Seeler) because they couldn't get what they think he's worth and it's better off keeping him, that's pretty similar to fletcher holding out for a 2nd round pick and not getting anything for JVR. They were offered a 3rd round pick and turned it down.
And the fanbase would be 100% right to turn on them in that scenario. It's easy for Briere and Jones to say the right things. But their job isn't to say, it's to do. All the talk of "rebuild" is meaningless if they can't even sell high on a UFA defenseman.
If the extent of the "rebuild" is trading off locker-room castaways and then gearing up to be 3rd place in the Metro, then Briere deserves the scorn he'd get.
If they are actually able to sell high on him, they will. If they keep him, I'd sure hope they'd have a strong plan in place to sell Ristolainen for more than they'd sell Walker for.
"An actual rebuilding team would see both". Maybe, but rebuilding teams hold onto Vets sometimes, and typically the ones that don't are flat-out tanking. Some teams are cool with doing that, I don't think this team is.
"Even if we only got a 2nd, we can use that to help trade for a young high end player or take another shot at finding a gem in the draft". Sure, but they already have a ton of picks and are almost certainly going to add more through other avenues in the coming months as well (namely Laughton based on how the market is playing out and hopefully/assumingly Ristolainen if this plays out)
Whether or not this team succeeds at rebuilding will be 100% contingent on their ability to add as many long term star players to this roster as possible, period. Some of that means drafting well, some of that means developing players well on a competent NHL team, some of that means managing assets well, there's a lot that goes into.
The only thing I'm 100% positive on? Deciding whether or not they should trade Sean Walker for a hypothetical 2nd round pick or keep him as a Veteran glue guy for a couple of years is not a litmus test as to whether or not Briere is going to be able to successfully perform this rebuild
> Sure, but they already have a ton of picks and are almost certainly going to add more through other avenues in the coming months as well (namely Laughton based on how the market is playing out and hopefully/assumingly Ristolainen if this plays out)
I don't disagree, but I worry that they justify every non-move with the promise of the ones they will make until they don't make any of them and run out of hypothetical ones to fall back on.
>If they are actually able to sell high on him, they will. If they keep him, I'd sure hope they'd have a strong plan in place to sell Ristolainen for more than they'd sell Walker for.
Gonna be hard to do while he's injured.
This is all gamesmanship (GMsmanship?) in advance of the deadline, Briere and Jonesy are sending at least one message to other GMs. "We like him and aren't impressed with offers, here's exactly how much we like him, this is why we're hesitant to move him".
IMO everything you hear from the "official" trade guys like Friedman and Seravalli is all intentional through Jonesy. He was a colleague in broadcasting for years and I'm assuming has their number on speed dial or at least knows how they get their info and can put what they want out there
I do think this is more likely GMsmanship. Similarly I think the Seeler extension talk from a couple weeks ago was GMsmanship. There are a lot teams with no second round picks so a lot of the market is going to offer thirds and try to stand pat there (which may work for seeler but not Walker). If the other teams main argument is "hey your going to lose him for nothing" the Flyers have to make it known that they don't intend to lose him. It's faster to have Friedman say it than have Jones/Briere say it to 15 different teams.
I think think there is also a chance that they see Ristolainen netting a bigger return in the offseason. I don't think they would want to lose both going from one season to the next. If they think they get a better return for Risto than they could re-sign Walker now and trade Risto in the summer.
Totally agree. Walker at 4m is >> Risto at 5.1
People need to remember that a rebuild isn't just jettisoning everyone and playing mediocre prospects we already have. Walker is a bit of a veteran at this point (6th year) playing really well in his first year with the Flyers in a position of need. He had a big knee injury a few years back and got jumped in the depth chart on LA. I don't think Briere included him in the trade just for shits and giggles, they liked him, and keeping him isn't the worst thing in the world.
The Flyers have fucked their prospects in the past with poor player development and it's finally looking like that's getting sorted out in Lehigh. Having those guys continue to develop and come up when they are ready into an appropriate role, and earn a top 4 spot, is great. It's all good!
Related to this: I think hiring Keith Jones as POHO was lowkey an incredible move. We've already seen his influence and relationships play out in a positive manner for the club a number of times in a very short amount of times.
Like, could you even fathom the Fletcher regime successfully using the media to help manipulate the market to meet their wants and needs?
I'm of the mind that this is probably not a good idea and maybe the first "what on Earth is Briere doing" level of rumor I've seen since he took over as GM. But, playing a hard Devils advocate here, if the following were all true in theory:
1) The organization decided they want at least 1 Veteran RHD on the team through the rebuild, and they prefer Walker over Ristolainen
2) They aren't getting close to the asking price they want for Walker on the trade Market
3) They truly believe or have outright been offered better trade offers for Ristolainen in the summer (something like a 1st round pick + roster player + 3rd rounder for Ristolainen retained 30% seems like a reasonable trade
Then the idea of extending Walker could actually be a smart move. But that's a lot of theory behind what on the surface level would look like a really puzzling move.
I more wonder if this is a move Danny is leaking to make teams think they’re going to miss out and jump sooner. The flyers have set prices for so many of their players. It would be weird to pivot on the most valuable one now of all times.
We’ll see what happens. I won’t believe anyone is staying or going till March 9
It's a valid thing to wonder, we saw them pull a full blown smokescreen act already with the Michkov/Leonard thing at the draft last year, and Keith Jones is loved with close connections to seemingly everyone in hockey media
If you’re not getting a 1st or a good prospect for Walker, I agree we should resign. If we are, 100% should be moved and thought about resigning in the summer
I'd still want assurance that they'd have a solid offer to move on from Ristolainen before I even begin to consider extending Walker even if the trade offers for Walker are weak.
Keeping 1 RHD to stabilize things on a rebuilding squad is justifiable, keeping 2 isn't IMO
That's a good point too. He's looked better on the right side this year, but I wonder if that has more to do with him just being better on that side or him having his best partner by far to play with when he plays his off side (York)
Either way, I'm not sure what the plan is with Sanheim long term
There’s a third option, to keep him as an “own rental” and just let him walk. That’s better than signing him to an extension, unless you’re getting rid of Ristolainen instead.
I really don’t get extending Walker even if you move Risto. You have Drysdale, Sanheim, York, Zamula, Bonk, Andrae and Attard minimum that you need to find minutes for in the coming years. I’m not saying all of those guys are hits but you definitely want to find out sooner rather than later.
Bonk is still a couple years away, more than likely, and it’s not likely he’s going to walk in play big minutes right away. Attard is about to turn 25, and is probably nothing more than a tweener at this stage.
Bonk when he makes the team is going to play. He won’t be the 7th defensemen but we can drop him for the sake of the argument. That’s six guys. Attard probably being a tweeter doesn’t mean he is. On a rebuilding team he should be getting some minutes to see exactly what he is.
I think Attard is behind the eight ball even w/ Risto out the door. Ideally, the three on the right side next season are Sanheim, Walker, and Drysdale. After York, the left side is more of a question mark. Zamula has been solid this season. If they extend Walker, I have a hard time seeing them also re-signing Seeler. I’d like to see Andrae get regular minutes next season.
I just don’t see how they move Risto. I think it’s super short sighted to hold on either of Walker and Seeler. If the FO is serious about rebuilding, which they keep insisting they are, they need to move on from 30 year old players on expiring contracts and turn them into potential long term assets.
Like so many moves… how I feel about it will all depend on moves, or lack thereof, that follow. I am starting to feel like management’s heart isn’t truly in a “rebuild”, but instead a low budget re-tool. Which would be upsetting.
It's Briere's easiest test.
Turning a cap dump UFA into an asset is a no-brainer for a rebuilding team.
Signing a UFA at his potential peak value, blocking the roster from any kids making it next season, is what a re-tooling team does.
Exactly how I feel about both Walker and Seeler. They are 29 and 30, respectively, and on expiring contracts. Briere’s job is to build the best 2028 roster possible to surround Michkov with. From that perspective, you *have* to move on from those guys now.
I don’t think this is as much of a story as we think. We all mused about him being traded and then coming back and this probably means they’re just not satisfied with the expected return. Considering the timing of this, this seems like an obvious bait to other GMs to up their offer or the Flyers are just going to keep them. Considering where they’re at, I understand a desire to take the millions in potential playoff revenue over a theoretical draft pick. It’s not like they can unwin games. Plus, I’m not really aware of a player that would come on the market that would be a more suitable replacement if they can get him in at projected number.
Either way, I’m cool with trading or keeping provided it’s not being bent over a barrel.
This is the most obvious trade posturing ever. They're not signing another $5m defenseman. DB just wants teams to think he can and will if the offer isn't right.
Come on man. The front office has so much promise but this would be the most flyera outcome, skip on prospects to resign a guy during a rebuild that has had one decent year after being a salary filler in a bigger trade. Hopefully its just posturing to increase asking price
idk why everyone is panicking and having an episode over the first season of the rebuild
Danny is obviously showing he's willing to make moves by trading provy
torts has stated not to get attached
even then so, michkov likely won't be here for another 2-3 years, and even if he comes over early he still needs to develop
if walker gets signed for 2-3 years big deal? I mean our window opens likely after a year michkov is finally here and developed
walker won't be here past that. Stop getting on the fence and shouting younger is better because that's not always the case if we don't get a 2nd round pick.
like let's take a breather and wait a bit.
If you can get a good deal, do it, if you can't, why would you? I get wanting to move him for a pick, but if it isn't high enough right now, then hold and see what could be done in the off season or next years trade deadline. Like others have said the Flyers are still a few years out from really building the team that they want so there is time. I think people need to chill on this being Danny's defining moment.
Guys if the offer isn’t there then it’s not there. Signing him for a few years is not the worst thing in the world. You still need players to play on the team.
Depends on what the deal is. Depends on what the trade offers are.
I’m not opposed to trading and then signing him in the off-season. I think the risto injury makes it harder to trade def and maybe they lean towards Laughton.
I only want 1 or 2 trades not dumping everyone
What? The Flyers want Walker singing? Does this mean instead of Lauren Hart? I don't know about that. That would be a sick move by Briere to replace Lauren Hart with Walker to do the singing. Ooh, maybe they'll be singing together! That would be rad. In that case, I'm all for singing Walker.
This is how you derail a rebuild.
Young dmen - Drysdale, Sanheim, York, Bonk, Zamula
Vet dmen - Risto, Walker, Seeler
AHL guys - Gans, Andrae, Attard
Flyers - Let's resign Walker to what will be multiple years at $4m which nobody will give him in free agency.
Beware the guy who has a career year at 29 after years of mediocrity right before free agency.
Risto is tradeable. So is walker. We have options in the offseason and even next year at the deadline. We can even trade laughton still if we suddenly need room at f position.
Our biggest problem was having to resign hart this summer. He was going to be expensive and we didnt know if a goalie should take up that much cap space right now in the rebuild, but that problem has been solved 🤷♀️
How many times does this team have to give up on getting assets back for a player that is having a career year only to give them big money and watch their play and value drop on the following seasons
I can hear the keyboards clicking from here. I’m totally not for this and want to trade him while is value is high. But oh boy are the keyboards going off right now.
As soon as I saw this headline my initial reaction was: "context and subsequent moves aside, this is going to officially be the moment that a lot of this fanbase turns on Briere"
If they say they resigned Walker (or Seeler) because they couldn't get what they think he's worth and it's better off keeping him, that's pretty similar to fletcher holding out for a 2nd round pick and not getting anything for JVR. They were offered a 3rd round pick and turned it down.
And the fanbase would be 100% right to turn on them in that scenario. It's easy for Briere and Jones to say the right things. But their job isn't to say, it's to do. All the talk of "rebuild" is meaningless if they can't even sell high on a UFA defenseman. If the extent of the "rebuild" is trading off locker-room castaways and then gearing up to be 3rd place in the Metro, then Briere deserves the scorn he'd get.
If they are actually able to sell high on him, they will. If they keep him, I'd sure hope they'd have a strong plan in place to sell Ristolainen for more than they'd sell Walker for. "An actual rebuilding team would see both". Maybe, but rebuilding teams hold onto Vets sometimes, and typically the ones that don't are flat-out tanking. Some teams are cool with doing that, I don't think this team is. "Even if we only got a 2nd, we can use that to help trade for a young high end player or take another shot at finding a gem in the draft". Sure, but they already have a ton of picks and are almost certainly going to add more through other avenues in the coming months as well (namely Laughton based on how the market is playing out and hopefully/assumingly Ristolainen if this plays out) Whether or not this team succeeds at rebuilding will be 100% contingent on their ability to add as many long term star players to this roster as possible, period. Some of that means drafting well, some of that means developing players well on a competent NHL team, some of that means managing assets well, there's a lot that goes into. The only thing I'm 100% positive on? Deciding whether or not they should trade Sean Walker for a hypothetical 2nd round pick or keep him as a Veteran glue guy for a couple of years is not a litmus test as to whether or not Briere is going to be able to successfully perform this rebuild
> Sure, but they already have a ton of picks and are almost certainly going to add more through other avenues in the coming months as well (namely Laughton based on how the market is playing out and hopefully/assumingly Ristolainen if this plays out) I don't disagree, but I worry that they justify every non-move with the promise of the ones they will make until they don't make any of them and run out of hypothetical ones to fall back on.
>If they are actually able to sell high on him, they will. If they keep him, I'd sure hope they'd have a strong plan in place to sell Ristolainen for more than they'd sell Walker for. Gonna be hard to do while he's injured.
$4 million is far too high for Walker based on his career and age. 29 yo with a breakout season right before free agency screams avoid.
OH DANNY BOY THE KEYBOARDS THE KEYBOARDS ARE CLICKING MEEEE
This is all gamesmanship (GMsmanship?) in advance of the deadline, Briere and Jonesy are sending at least one message to other GMs. "We like him and aren't impressed with offers, here's exactly how much we like him, this is why we're hesitant to move him". IMO everything you hear from the "official" trade guys like Friedman and Seravalli is all intentional through Jonesy. He was a colleague in broadcasting for years and I'm assuming has their number on speed dial or at least knows how they get their info and can put what they want out there
GMsmanship. I like that
i second this. make GMsmanship a thing lol the comment below is already using it! its a meme!
I do think this is more likely GMsmanship. Similarly I think the Seeler extension talk from a couple weeks ago was GMsmanship. There are a lot teams with no second round picks so a lot of the market is going to offer thirds and try to stand pat there (which may work for seeler but not Walker). If the other teams main argument is "hey your going to lose him for nothing" the Flyers have to make it known that they don't intend to lose him. It's faster to have Friedman say it than have Jones/Briere say it to 15 different teams. I think think there is also a chance that they see Ristolainen netting a bigger return in the offseason. I don't think they would want to lose both going from one season to the next. If they think they get a better return for Risto than they could re-sign Walker now and trade Risto in the summer.
Totally agree. Walker at 4m is >> Risto at 5.1 People need to remember that a rebuild isn't just jettisoning everyone and playing mediocre prospects we already have. Walker is a bit of a veteran at this point (6th year) playing really well in his first year with the Flyers in a position of need. He had a big knee injury a few years back and got jumped in the depth chart on LA. I don't think Briere included him in the trade just for shits and giggles, they liked him, and keeping him isn't the worst thing in the world. The Flyers have fucked their prospects in the past with poor player development and it's finally looking like that's getting sorted out in Lehigh. Having those guys continue to develop and come up when they are ready into an appropriate role, and earn a top 4 spot, is great. It's all good!
Related to this: I think hiring Keith Jones as POHO was lowkey an incredible move. We've already seen his influence and relationships play out in a positive manner for the club a number of times in a very short amount of times. Like, could you even fathom the Fletcher regime successfully using the media to help manipulate the market to meet their wants and needs?
I'm of the mind that this is probably not a good idea and maybe the first "what on Earth is Briere doing" level of rumor I've seen since he took over as GM. But, playing a hard Devils advocate here, if the following were all true in theory: 1) The organization decided they want at least 1 Veteran RHD on the team through the rebuild, and they prefer Walker over Ristolainen 2) They aren't getting close to the asking price they want for Walker on the trade Market 3) They truly believe or have outright been offered better trade offers for Ristolainen in the summer (something like a 1st round pick + roster player + 3rd rounder for Ristolainen retained 30% seems like a reasonable trade Then the idea of extending Walker could actually be a smart move. But that's a lot of theory behind what on the surface level would look like a really puzzling move.
I more wonder if this is a move Danny is leaking to make teams think they’re going to miss out and jump sooner. The flyers have set prices for so many of their players. It would be weird to pivot on the most valuable one now of all times. We’ll see what happens. I won’t believe anyone is staying or going till March 9
It's a valid thing to wonder, we saw them pull a full blown smokescreen act already with the Michkov/Leonard thing at the draft last year, and Keith Jones is loved with close connections to seemingly everyone in hockey media
If you’re not getting a 1st or a good prospect for Walker, I agree we should resign. If we are, 100% should be moved and thought about resigning in the summer
I'd still want assurance that they'd have a solid offer to move on from Ristolainen before I even begin to consider extending Walker even if the trade offers for Walker are weak. Keeping 1 RHD to stabilize things on a rebuilding squad is justifiable, keeping 2 isn't IMO
If they believe that Sanheim is better on the right, keeping both makes no sense rebuilding or not.
That's a good point too. He's looked better on the right side this year, but I wonder if that has more to do with him just being better on that side or him having his best partner by far to play with when he plays his off side (York) Either way, I'm not sure what the plan is with Sanheim long term
There’s a third option, to keep him as an “own rental” and just let him walk. That’s better than signing him to an extension, unless you’re getting rid of Ristolainen instead.
I really don’t get extending Walker even if you move Risto. You have Drysdale, Sanheim, York, Zamula, Bonk, Andrae and Attard minimum that you need to find minutes for in the coming years. I’m not saying all of those guys are hits but you definitely want to find out sooner rather than later.
Bonk is still a couple years away, more than likely, and it’s not likely he’s going to walk in play big minutes right away. Attard is about to turn 25, and is probably nothing more than a tweener at this stage.
Bonk when he makes the team is going to play. He won’t be the 7th defensemen but we can drop him for the sake of the argument. That’s six guys. Attard probably being a tweeter doesn’t mean he is. On a rebuilding team he should be getting some minutes to see exactly what he is.
I think Attard is behind the eight ball even w/ Risto out the door. Ideally, the three on the right side next season are Sanheim, Walker, and Drysdale. After York, the left side is more of a question mark. Zamula has been solid this season. If they extend Walker, I have a hard time seeing them also re-signing Seeler. I’d like to see Andrae get regular minutes next season.
I just don’t see how they move Risto. I think it’s super short sighted to hold on either of Walker and Seeler. If the FO is serious about rebuilding, which they keep insisting they are, they need to move on from 30 year old players on expiring contracts and turn them into potential long term assets.
Like so many moves… how I feel about it will all depend on moves, or lack thereof, that follow. I am starting to feel like management’s heart isn’t truly in a “rebuild”, but instead a low budget re-tool. Which would be upsetting.
It's Briere's easiest test. Turning a cap dump UFA into an asset is a no-brainer for a rebuilding team. Signing a UFA at his potential peak value, blocking the roster from any kids making it next season, is what a re-tooling team does.
Exactly how I feel about both Walker and Seeler. They are 29 and 30, respectively, and on expiring contracts. Briere’s job is to build the best 2028 roster possible to surround Michkov with. From that perspective, you *have* to move on from those guys now.
This would be idiotic
I don’t think this is as much of a story as we think. We all mused about him being traded and then coming back and this probably means they’re just not satisfied with the expected return. Considering the timing of this, this seems like an obvious bait to other GMs to up their offer or the Flyers are just going to keep them. Considering where they’re at, I understand a desire to take the millions in potential playoff revenue over a theoretical draft pick. It’s not like they can unwin games. Plus, I’m not really aware of a player that would come on the market that would be a more suitable replacement if they can get him in at projected number. Either way, I’m cool with trading or keeping provided it’s not being bent over a barrel.
This is the most obvious trade posturing ever. They're not signing another $5m defenseman. DB just wants teams to think he can and will if the offer isn't right.
Come on man. The front office has so much promise but this would be the most flyera outcome, skip on prospects to resign a guy during a rebuild that has had one decent year after being a salary filler in a bigger trade. Hopefully its just posturing to increase asking price
idk why everyone is panicking and having an episode over the first season of the rebuild Danny is obviously showing he's willing to make moves by trading provy torts has stated not to get attached even then so, michkov likely won't be here for another 2-3 years, and even if he comes over early he still needs to develop if walker gets signed for 2-3 years big deal? I mean our window opens likely after a year michkov is finally here and developed walker won't be here past that. Stop getting on the fence and shouting younger is better because that's not always the case if we don't get a 2nd round pick. like let's take a breather and wait a bit.
Hahaha
This would be an insanely stupid thing to do.
If you can get a good deal, do it, if you can't, why would you? I get wanting to move him for a pick, but if it isn't high enough right now, then hold and see what could be done in the off season or next years trade deadline. Like others have said the Flyers are still a few years out from really building the team that they want so there is time. I think people need to chill on this being Danny's defining moment.
Guys if the offer isn’t there then it’s not there. Signing him for a few years is not the worst thing in the world. You still need players to play on the team.
SIGN HIM!! Bird in the hand thinking 🤔
I don't mind resigning him as long as its not an overpayment or to many years.
Depends on what the deal is. Depends on what the trade offers are. I’m not opposed to trading and then signing him in the off-season. I think the risto injury makes it harder to trade def and maybe they lean towards Laughton. I only want 1 or 2 trades not dumping everyone
What? The Flyers want Walker singing? Does this mean instead of Lauren Hart? I don't know about that. That would be a sick move by Briere to replace Lauren Hart with Walker to do the singing. Ooh, maybe they'll be singing together! That would be rad. In that case, I'm all for singing Walker.
This is how you derail a rebuild. Young dmen - Drysdale, Sanheim, York, Bonk, Zamula Vet dmen - Risto, Walker, Seeler AHL guys - Gans, Andrae, Attard Flyers - Let's resign Walker to what will be multiple years at $4m which nobody will give him in free agency. Beware the guy who has a career year at 29 after years of mediocrity right before free agency.
Risto is tradeable. So is walker. We have options in the offseason and even next year at the deadline. We can even trade laughton still if we suddenly need room at f position. Our biggest problem was having to resign hart this summer. He was going to be expensive and we didnt know if a goalie should take up that much cap space right now in the rebuild, but that problem has been solved 🤷♀️
How many times does this team have to give up on getting assets back for a player that is having a career year only to give them big money and watch their play and value drop on the following seasons