ABORT MISSION JONES- By: Jesse Bell
The rumor mill has been turning pretty fast for the past couple weeks, with a plethora of right handed defensemen available for the Flyers to choose from. The fanbase is in an uproar, as usual, stating General Manager, Chuck Fletcher, needs to pull the trigger on someone to be a powerful defensive pairing for Philadelphia’s own Iron-Man, Ivan Provorov. There has definitely been a very noticeable void in the Flyers defense since Matt Niskenen retired due to covid-19 concerns with his family. This would ultimately cause a void no one would expect and thus, we are in the defensive situation we are in now.
I’ll mention a couple of RHD the Flyers were tied to and then give my opinion on who I personally think they should go after and stay away from.
Matt Dumba
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
This is where it all started. Matt Dumba was the first RHD tied to Philadelphia when the rumor mill began to turn and it’s actually kind of ironic that he will be the last one to date with this article. Drafted 7th overall in the 1st round of 2012’s entry-level draft, he really didn’t start picking his game up until 2017/18 when he accumulated a total of 14 goals, 34 assists and 50 points with a plus-minus of 15. His stats would decrease drastically with a total of 6 goals, 15 assists, 21 points and a plus-minus of 1. He would be the 1st case when it comes to who will Philly get in the off-season, but he also will be the lastest player tied to a rumor. That rumor being the Flyers acquire Matt Dumba from the Wild for a first round draft pick and Elliot Desnoyers. Elliot being drafted 135th overall in the 5th round of the 2020 entry-level draft.
Personally, I don’t think this would be a bad deal but should end at the 1st round draft pick. So it started with Dumba and has come back to Dumba.
Seth Jones
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
The Seth Jones Ride has been a bumpy one when it comes to him signing in Philly. Jones has left a bad taste in the mouths of Flyers fans, due to the fact that he refuses to sign a contract extension, basically making him a yearly rental and available to hit the market soon after. Everyone has become obsessed with the idea of Jones becoming a Flyer, including myself, without delving into Seth’s ability to actually help the team.
So, his break out year was 2017/18, racking up 16 goals, 41 assists, 57 points and a plus-minus of 10. This past season, he accumulated 5 goals, 23 assists, 28 points and a plus-minus of -18. So, my questions are…
What’s all the hype about Seth Jones with stats like these?
Why are teams offering unimaginable assets for a guy that, on paper, isn’t worth a 4th round draft pick?
I’m not a betting man but I personally don’t think Seth Jones is the answer to any team in this league’s prayers besides maybe the Buffalo Sabres.
Jamie Oleksiak
Photo Courtesy of Fansided.com
Jamie Oleksiak has been on my radar for a long time. The only flaw to him is that he’s a LHD instead of a RHD. Any Philly hockey fan would tell you the Flyers need brute force and may have found it in Sam Morin. The problem is, he’s injury prone and doesn’t have a lot of play time under his belt. Oleksiak does have that. He measures up at a whopping 6’7-255lbs of Ontario, Toronto defense. He’ll drop the gloves when needed and can perform well on the back end. I choose him as one of my defensemen because he can get the job done and it won’t break the bank at $4.2mil. Plus, he was born 4 days before Christmas…..I mean, who hates Christmas am I right?
Brandon Montour
Photo courtesy of Hockeydb.com
Brandon Montour was the perfect example of “Good Player, Bad Team”. It happens a lot and has been happening a lot lately. He was stuck in that dumpster fire Buffalo Sabres team that had a lot of talent but couldn’t get out of their own way…….they got in the Flyers way but not really anyone else’s.
Let’s be clear, any stats from Buffalo didn’t count this year anyway so we’re not even going to bring them up. Brandon’s 2nd year in the NHL, he racked up 9 goals, 23 assists, 32 points and a plus-minus of 16. Most players on the UFA list for this upcoming season, didn’t have these stats their first two years in the league. He finally got out of Buffalo and landed himself on the playoff contending Florida Panthers but unfortunately, failed to negotiate a contact which landed him back on the market. He’s a left/right hand defensemen that you could get cheap for $2.75mil. This section wasn’t because us in Flyers Alley having grown a pretty cool friendship with his Philadelphia Flyers loving uncle Greg Montour, it’s a little bit of proof in Herb Brooks playbook saying “I didn’t choose the best players, I choose the right players.” Sometimes, not choosing the sexy, billboard player is the right move to make.
Keith Yandle
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
Iron-Man Yands….The Yands! I really shouldn’t have to say anymore but I guess I will. Florida bought out Keith Yandle’s contact today, which for me, says there’s a big signing about to happen down on the panhandle. That being said, the Panthers have a very underrated team when it came to the playoff bracket this year. I for one made a bold move and had them and Vegas in the final….having Florida win. Obviously, that was not the case but we’re not here to talk about that, we’re here to talk about Keith Yandle and the Flyers. This signing is going to cost you more than the mentioned above. You’re going to pay $6.35 for the Iron-Man of the league. He’s got veteranship the Flyers need. Put him with Provy you get two Iron-men. It just makes sense. Played most of his career with the Rangers and the Coyotes and like most d-men his stats have rollercoasted up and down a bit but tenure and experience go a long way. I think his years in the league will definitely help mentor the young D-Core we have, into a force to be reckoned with.
These are my choices for some D-Men that make a little more sense cap-wise and positionally for the Boys of Broad Street. Remember what Herb Brooks said. “All-star teams fail because they rely solely on the individual's talent.” He didn’t pick the best team, he picked the right team.
Jesse Bell - Flyers Alley/ Olde City Sports Network
