Not Exactly an Inspirational Press Conference from Chuck Fletcher
Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon.
Russ tweeted out some details, but here’s the viral video clip/quote that came out of the press conference:
"We are what we are right now." https://t.co/QXGfJwfFzg pic.twitter.com/iQRJhzdpEy
— Russ Joy (@JoyOnBroad) November 30, 2021
Fletcher continued on with a somewhat generic answer there, but fans and media latched onto that as the takeaway quote, and it’s not very inspirational. Surely he could have come up with something a little more encouraging. All Fletcher really has to say is something like “we hate losing, we’re as annoyed as the fans are and we want to get this thing turned around,” blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda. You have to sell it. Optics matter.
Russell summed up the presser this way:
“While fans have been calling for heads during the Flyers’ 6-game losing streak, Fletcher’s comments were akin to that dog sitting in a burning room saying, ‘This is fine.’ Fletcher attempted to deflect questions about a potential coaching change, ultimately being pressed into saying the crux of the power play’s issues fall on personnel, not coaching. Fletcher has now created as close to a no-win situation as it gets. He’s effectively given the coaching staff a vote of confidence. What happens if the team’s losing streak stretches to 9, 10, or 11 games? His comments throughout the presser sounded like those of a man clinging to hope that his offseason acquisition of Ryan Ellis will bear fruit once healthy, while also tying his boat to the health of Kevin Hayes, who has had two core muscle surgeries in this calendar year. It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for him.”
It’s a six-game skid for the Flyers, and it doesn’t get much easier from here. The Islanders stink, but then it’s Rangers on the road and Lightning and Avalanche at home before heading out on a three-game road trip. There are some similarities with the Sixers here, where both teams are in danger of falling below .500 in December while missing a couple of key pieces during the first half of the season.
Here’s the entire availability for your viewing pleasure:
Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher meets with the media from the @FlyersTCenter. https://t.co/qoYmlfwPaD
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 30, 2021
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