Philadelphia Flyers Faithful Quick To Forget About Jeff Carter, Mike Richards

The big news in the Flyers world the past few days has been focused heavily on the prospect development camp currently happening in Voorhees, NJ. While it's easy to chalk this up to the long summer months that provide no hockey satiation, I can't help but find this new found obsession with prospects slightly disturbing.

To be honest, my own methods of coping with the offseason blues have produced little to no results, with my clinging on to Sarah Baicker's (of CSN Philly) most recent offseason rumors producing no more than conversation fodder to bore my fellow fans with.

However, I find the media frenzy around prospect camp to be simply a distraction keeping real fans asking questions about the complete reorganization of the franchise as requested by the Draconian leader that is Ed Snider.

Being fair, I was very intrigued by this year's prospect camp, and to be honest, who wouldn't be? Not counting undrafted acquisitions, the happenings in Voorhees boast the presence of "the best player not currently in the NHL" and the No. 8 overall selection in this year's draft. This excitement is heightened by the fact that the Flyers have been seriously lacking in the prospect department over the past few years.

I chose not to attend the prospect camp due to other obligations, but from what I'm told, it was met with serious interest by the fans. The limited bleachers at Flyers Skate Zone were filled, and fans lined the glass trying to get a better look at players attempting to make next season's roster. And for what? A bunch of boring skating drills and routine passing plays.

While I didn't attend prospect camp, I have been to the Skate Zone multiple times to watch the Orange and Black practice. The times I went, I was able to see first- and second-line guys practice drills that were used on the ice the very next day at a high-profile game.

The attendance at these practices? Let's just say there were few enough people there for my girlfriend to almost be struck on the head by an errant puck and for me to set up a comfortable nap spot on the against-the-board bleacher seats.

I know everyone is trying to satisfy their offseason hockey needs, and that prospect camp provides a good enough outlet, but the attendance and interest this year is totally unprecedented. I get it—Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn have been touted so much by central scouting that it is hard not to take a look.

However, I feel that Flyers fans have already stopped asking questions like "how were they acquired?" and "was it worth the cost?" From the sentiment I'm getting around town, these answers have already become obsolete.

The Flyers faithful have accepted Paul Holmgren and Ed Snider as benevolent deities that bestow upon the fans whatever is in their best interest. I'm not saying that there is no reason to be excited about prospect camp.

I sure as hell hope that Couturier and Schenn end up playing like we're told they will, but I think it would be wise to take a step back and realize what was given for all this. We lost our top goal scorer and perhaps the best two way forward in the league—a price that is rather steep, in my opinion.

Before you drink the Snider laced Kool-Aid, ask yourself if it was all worth it. For me, I will reserve my excitement for when the puck drops in October and only truly show it only if it is warranted.