I appreciate that.

Im at work dodging excavators and cranes, so I try to keep it short.

Not to sure anyone cares for me to expand. I love the flyers just as much as anyone here. I wish they could win 48 games. I feel im being real with my expectations when I say I dont expect much from them this season.

For us in the atlantic division we make moves to compete within the divison. New york and Pitts both got better. We took a step back, to allow the younger plauers to develop.

Imo, we would have to get some incredibley easy playoff matchups to win the cup this year. Im talking like avoiding nj/pitt/nyr/bos.
- Flyersgod

That's all very possible.

I don't consider the Flyers to be a top tier contender, either. I doubt anyone here does feel that they're a favorite to even win the division, let alone the Cup.

IMO, I think the Flyers will end up as a lower seed playoff team(5-8) and maybe win a round. I don't discount the other teams in the division, although I do disagree that the Pens got better. Still the Flyers are counting heavily on a lot of young players, who thus far, have largely fallen short of expectations.

The trouble is, the veterans who haven't played since the playoffs ended have shown the rust from the long layoff. There's still time to turn it around, but even if they do, a realistic expectation has to remain being a 5-8 seed or even missing the playoffs altogether.

Unfortunately, I think that they need another few games to get things together and shake off the rust.

This team is too soft. The east is filled with team that have toughness throughtout their lineup. The Flyers don't have the physical nature thats going to be needed to match up with these other teams over a short season.

The Flyers do not match up well with Boston, Rags, Pitt or even Buffalo right now. Even the Isles overhaulede their team to add muscle.

I know its two games, but I don't think the make-up of this team has a shot to take down the top 3. Hope I am wrong.

Please dress Sestito over McGin.
- flyers2001

Flyers have Hartnell, Simmonds, Talbot, B Schenn, Rinaldo, Giroux, L Schenn, Grossmann, Meszaros, Coburn. All players with toughness. Plenty of grit in this lineup.

NJ doesnt even trap. They forcheck the hell out of you. They were 2 men deep on the forcheck at every chance last postseason. They didnt sit and wait for you to come to them.. they were on top of you as soon as you touched the puck.
- jak521

True. Which brings me back to our forcheck.

Is it really pathetic how we forcheck or is it just me?

Nj didnt get better. Its their system that I hate. The flyers cant seem to figure the trap out.

Talent wise we are the better team.
- Flyersgod

New Jersey wasn't a trapping team last year.

I would add Couturier and Brayden Schenn to that list as well. With Timonen coming off the back surgery and have not played during the lockout, I fully expected some issues early; he's done about how I expected. Meszaros has played better than expected.
- bmeltzer

i'm a bit surprised about read, wasn't he doing very well in sweden?

True. Which brings me back to our forcheck.

Is it really pathetic how we forcheck or is it just me?
- Flyersgod

If it's true then why did you mention that you hate the NJ system and the trap? it's just you. For the most part the Flyers are a strong forechecking team.

Certainly not my first trip to this rodeo.
It does seem like there are a lot more of them aleeady this year.
I bet if this is october, half of this nonsense is gone because its still a hopeful part of the football season
- nails

Truth

That's all very possible.

I don't consider the Flyers to be a top tier contender, either. I doubt anyone here does feel that they're a favorite to even win the division, let alone the Cup.

IMO, I think the Flyers will end up as a lower seed playoff team(5-8) and maybe win a round. I don't discount the other teams in the division, although I do disagree that the Pens got better. Still the Flyers are counting heavily on a lot of young players, who thus far, have largely fallen short of expectations.

The trouble is, the veterans who haven't played since the playoffs ended have shown the rust from the long layoff. There's still time to turn it around, but even if they do, a realistic expectation has to remain being a 5-8 seed or even missing the playoffs altogether.

Unfortunately, I think that they need another few games to get things together and shake off the rust.
- Jsaquella

I dont think they looked that bad the first two games. Bad luck and bad officiating made it seem worse.

What I want to see is a change in the system. We have some incredibley talented two way forwards that I see being misused. We dint need an all out attack system. We need a patient defensive mindset that forces turnovers and odd man rushes. Maybe im just holding on to the old NHL mind set.. I really miss old hockey.

The thing that is so mind boggling to me is the fact that people dismiss the possibility of midseason moves.
- jak521

Also, I wish we still had Jagr and Carle at reasonable prices but people dont consider some of the younger players (Schenn, Couturier, Voracek, etc) stepping up into bigger roles and contributing more to offset the goals missed from Jagr and JVR.

Watched that game last night.. literally a jaw dropping move.. I rewound and replayed it easily 15 times.
- jak521

Yeah that was a great move. I actually had to watch it a few times just to see exactly what he did.

If it's true then why did you mention that you hate the NJ system and the trap? it's just you. For the most part the Flyers are a strong forechecking team.
- MJL

I forgot they had moved away from the trap. I always just assume they trap.

Im sorry, your honor.

i'm a bit surprised about read, wasn't he doing very well in sweden?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

He's played well defensively. But needs to pick it up offensively along with pretty much the whole team.

He's played well defensively. But needs to pick it up offensively along with pretty much the whole team.
- MJL

Read is a player I move when his value is high. In the right deal to land a dman.

I dont think they looked that bad the first two games. Bad luck and bad officiating made it seem worse.

What I want to see is a change in the system. We have some incredibley talented two way forwards that I see being misused. We dint need an all out attack system. We need a patient defensive mindset that forces turnovers and odd man rushes. Maybe im just holding on to the old NHL mind set.. I really miss old hockey.
- Flyersgod

What exact system would you like the Flyers to use? How would you change their forecheck? Neutral zone checking? Breakout scheme, etc?

Read is a player I move when his value is high. In the right deal to land a dman.
- Flyersgod

Depends on the return.

i'm a bit surprised about read, wasn't he doing very well in sweden?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Yes, very well. Fans were even so impressed I remember seeing them make a sign... something to do with speed and Matt Read. But I believe he came home early around Christmas break and didnt play from that point on, anticipating an end to lockout sooner than it did. Not 100% sure on that but I'd expect a little rust on his part too

What exact system would you like the Flyers to use? How would you change their forecheck? Neutral zone checking? Breakout scheme, etc?
- MJL

Im not sure. The one we have now wont cut it with the dmen we have.

I'd like to see a 5 man unit step on the ice rather than a 3 man and 2 man unit.

I'd like to see our forwards hitting the blueline with speed through the nuetral zone instead of standing still on the blueline.

I'd like to see a penalty kill that actually blocks shots.

I'd like to see a powerplay unit that doesnt stand still and try to pass thru people.

Whatever that system is I want.

He's not happy.
- Scoob

I like it when bryz is pissed

Yes, very well. Fans were even so impressed I remember seeing them make a sign... something to do with speed and Matt Read. But I believe he came home early around Christmas break and didnt play from that point on, anticipating an end to lockout sooner than it did. Not 100% sure on that but I'd expect a little rust on his part too
- SeaIslelandLush

ahh thank you

Im not worried about it. Name a team that loses talent and wins a cup though?
- Flyersgod

Every team loses talent and hopes to replace it with youth, growing players still on their rosters, etc. Proclaiming this team dead I the water this early leads me to believe you never should have started watching in the first place. This is just an avenue for you to vent because your argument is shallow and short sighted.

Im not sure. The one we have now wont cut it with the dmen we have.

I'd like to see a 5 man unit step on the ice rather than a 3 man and 2 man unit.

I'd like to see our forwards hitting the blueline with speed through the nuetral zone instead of standing still on the blueline.

I'd like to see a penalty kill that actually blocks shots.

I'd like to see a powerplay unit that doesnt stand still and try to pass thru people.

Whatever that system is I want.
- Flyersgod

You really think that has to do with a system? Regardless of what system you play, isn't all of that true? Doesn't all of that need to happen with whatever system a team is playing? There is far too much talk about sytems.

I'd like to see a powerplay unit that doesnt stand still and try to pass thru people.
- Flyersgod

Ah, the SHOOT system. A Core States First Union Wachovia Wells Fargo Center favorite.

Also, I wish we still had Jagr and Carle at reasonable prices but people dont consider some of the younger players (Schenn, Couturier, Voracek, etc) stepping up into bigger roles and contributing more to offset the goals missed from Jagr and JVR.
- SeaIslelandLush

Which we just saw happen 16 months ago when Giroux had to assume more responsibility & grow. Short memories...

Every team loses talent and hopes to replace it with youth, growing players still on their rosters, etc. Proclaiming this team dead I the water this early leads me to believe you never should have started watching in the first place. This is just an avenue for you to vent because your argument is shallow and short sighted.
- Flyskippy

Its an opinion I was asked to elaborate on. Not an argument.

Lets see who is right at the end of the year?

Yes, very well. Fans were even so impressed I remember seeing them make a sign... something to do with speed and Matt Read. But I believe he came home early around Christmas break and didnt play from that point on, anticipating an end to lockout sooner than it did. Not 100% sure on that but I'd expect a little rust on his part too
- SeaIslelandLush

Read's play last year at the NHL level leads me to believe he will pick up his play and perform at a high level very soon.

What players do in other leagues overseas should be taken with a grain of salt based on the competition they are playing against.