Justin Braun

In a poll conducted by The Athletic ranking NHL front office confidence levels based on fan input, the Flyers ranked dead last, 32nd in the NHL. 

On Wednesday, you saw that the current regime is incapable of handling a rebuild. They insisted upon an aggressive retool for a fast fix, not the necessary rebuild needed. Now it’s time to start that rebuild anyway, but focus on the front office that has so clearly set the Flyers back.

The Flyers tried to move cap space, but couldn't clear enough for Johnny Gaudreau to sign with his hometown team. The Flyers instead added forward Nicolas Deslauriers and brought back defenseman Justin Braun.

As the trade deadline passes and the Flyers open up a few roster spots, it presents more of an opportunity for younger players to get more of a look at increased roles in the NHL. GM Chuck Fletcher used Sunday's game as an example of what he hopes to see for the rest of the season, "energy, hard work, young players playing a bigger role and getting an opportunity to show what they can do for next year."

The Flyers moved Justin Braun at the trade deadline to the New York Rangers for a 2023 third-round pick. So was Derick Brassard, who heads to the Edmonton Oilers for a 2023 fourth-round pick.

"We signed Claude eight years ago to a lengthy, superstar type of contract, which he earned, and as part of that contract he had a no move clause and he earned that right to decide, to have a big say in where he would go, I think is the best way to put it,” Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher said. “I did have a very limited market in terms of the teams I could speak with."

In the end, Giroux ultimately held the keys to his destination. Florida was where he wanted to be. That left the Flyers limited in what they could get in return. If nothing else, the return in the Giroux deal is more of a reality of what the state of the Flyers is and remains after this trade, and the result of years of shortcomings by the organization.

The Flyers have traded Giroux, forwards Connor Bunnaman and German Rubtsov, and a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Florida Panthers for forward Owen Tippett, a 2024 first-round pick and a 2023 third-round pick. The Flyers are also retaining half of Giroux’s salary.

A power-play goal and empty-netter proved to be the difference in the Flyers 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Friday night. 

The Flyers extension of Rasmus Ristolainen makes for a confusing message and sense of direction, just as the trade deadline starts to approach and a time to set the foundation for change draws near.