Couple quick thoughts:
On Couts: We have to keep in mind that he was not expected to make the team LY, let alone make the impact he did as a rookie defensively and on the PK. Clearly he’s had a tough second year w/lofty expectations now upon him. The question is who is the real Sean Couturier? The kid that showed maturity and hockey sense beyond his years LY or the kid that’s lost & has zero confidence this year? I’m willing to bet it’s the rookie version and the Flyers should remain patient. The club really lacks players w/strong hockey sense and I believe he has it (despite some of his mind numbing mistakes this year) and I do think he has the skills/hands to be a 20 goal scorer as well. He needs to go to the net and continue to get stronger on the puck. Confidence and points will come. I’d rather see the Flyers pack it in this year and Couts see double his ice time. Hell, I’d put him back on the PP, not to win the game but to jump start him for next year.

Which leads to my second thought…

This team is soft. On the walls, on the puck, standing up for teammates. They are soft. Consistently taken off the puck and off their skates at times. I’m thinking about starting a BraydenSchenn down charity before he gets to it. This kid and a lot of the team needs to be harder to play against.
- flyguy12

Agree about Couts. He will bounce back and be a player. Hopefully on the Flyers.

I see Braydon Schenn as one of the more physical forwards. He loves to hit.
I also see him making rookie plays, and expect he will improve a lot over the next 2-3 seasons.

Hartnell has been more annoying to me then B Schenn.

All four of them are gone. The novacain is finally wearing off. Kinda scared about that because that means I'll need the next dosage of pain relief but can't take it until 6 PM since I took the first one at noon.

Thanks for asking!
- Flyskippy

Ohhhh...wisdom teeth?

I think that they can turn this thing around in 2 or 3 years, if they don't get stupid and make a bunch of panic moves. That's largely on snider.
- Jsaquella

This organization needs to start building it's team through the draft.

The I'm not sure why you're disagreeing. Both Jsaq and I are suggesting taking some responsibility off of him.
- MJL

I don't know either.

This team has got me nuts.

This is exactly right.

Especially if they want to use him in shut down role.

I love Rinaldo and his spirit/energy, but he is lost in the defensive zone also.
Putting him with Couts against the Nash line over and over is a recipe for disaster.
- Marc D

Yea, that was a bad matchup. I want them to take Couturier out of a shut down role for the rest of the year. And put him on a scoring line.

It doesn't matter.
It's gonna come down to those damn ping pong balls again
- 77rams

Or, whoever the NHL "feels" should get the pick. I swear to God that the lottery is set-up most years. How does Edmonton get 3 years in a row? How does Columbus get screwed out of a 1st overall pick they should have gotten? How does Philadelphia set a record collapse and get the 2nd pick..?

Won't shock me AT ALL if we end up with the 7-10, or even higher pick.

Ohhhh...wisdom teeth?
- 77rams

Yeah. When I was 18 or so, I was told I had plenty of room for them and that they'd straighten out my teeth as they came in. Wrong on both counts, so I needed them out. I was going to get them out last year but a switch in healthcare/dentists and family issues caused a delay. Just glad it's over - and my wife has made a LOT of pudding this afternoon. Combine that with the Yoplait Vanilla yogurt and I'm in good condition.

Why Snider and not Homer?

3 years is a reasonable window.

I see next year and maybe the next two as struggle years, even with a new coach/system.
- Marc D

Snider is the boss. He issues fiats to Holmgren, which tie his hands.

Agree about Couts. He will bounce back and be a player. Hopefully on the Flyers.

I see Braydon Schenn as one of the more physical forwards. He loves to hit.
I also see him making rookie plays, and expect he will improve a lot over the next 2-3 seasons.

Hartnell has been more annoying to me then B Schenn.
- Marc D

Running around and hitting somebody is a lot different than being taken off the puck. I would like to see him win more puck battles and drive the net more when he's in posession of it. Relies a bit too much on finesse. I understand that comes w/a younger player. Same frustration alot of us had w/JVR. Would settle for the perimeter game.

Its impatience, panic and trying to always win without looking at the overall make-up of the team, or far enough down the road.

That trend, starts at the top of the organization and has trickled its way down everywhere. Its a big summer for Holmgren, and as much as I want them to be patient, I also dont want them to just stand pat. The poop we have seen this season, I dont want to see again. I understand the growing pains of kids, but its not the kids at fault this year.
- flyer_nutter

So would you trade Couts for a JBo or Byfuglien or Yandle?

If you don't want them to stand pat, and their biggest need is a number 1 D man, and these are the offers Homer has, I would stand pat.

Pietrangelo or OEL, or even PK Subban and those types are not being traded for anything remotely considering a fair deal if at all.

Couple quick thoughts:
On Couts: We have to keep in mind that he was not expected to make the team LY, let alone make the impact he did as a rookie defensively and on the PK. Clearly he’s had a tough second year w/lofty expectations now upon him. The question is who is the real Sean Couturier? The kid that showed maturity and hockey sense beyond his years LY or the kid that’s lost & has zero confidence this year? I’m willing to bet it’s the rookie version and the Flyers should remain patient. The club really lacks players w/strong hockey sense and I believe he has it (despite some of his mind numbing mistakes this year) and I do think he has the skills/hands to be a 20 goal scorer as well. He needs to go to the net and continue to get stronger on the puck. Confidence and points will come. I’d rather see the Flyers pack it in this year and Couts see double his ice time. Hell, I’d put him back on the PP, not to win the game but to jump start him for next year.

Which leads to my second thought…

This team is soft. On the walls, on the puck, standing up for teammates. They are soft. Consistently taken off the puck and off their skates at times. I’m thinking about starting a BraydenSchenn down charity before he gets to it. This kid and a lot of the team needs to be harder to play against.
- flyguy12

I know not all agree, and thats cool but this is a big component to me. Far too often against those teams that have chronically owned their ass, the Flyers lose too many battles than can be won, and are owned along the boards.

The Rangers had no need to try and take the puck up the middle of the ice, they owned the Flyers physically, up until it was too late and Philly started battling back after allowing 3 goals. They have talent, but they are in no way hard to play against. Some of that falls on systems, but too many battles that can be won, are lost, and that is a huge problem when its the top "skilled" players, continously losing the battles.

Rinaldo was the most effective forechecker in the game. That is unnaceptable, and he has played the same system as the rest of them all season.

Yea, that was a bad matchup. I want them to take Couturier out of a shut down role for the rest of the year. And put him on a scoring line.
- MJL

This. Would love to see Gagne/Couts/Simmonds.

Yea, that was a bad matchup. I want them to take Couturier out of a shut down role for the rest of the year. And put him on a scoring line.
- MJL

With Gagne and Read or something like that.

And with those kind of players you could put him out against top lines once in a while.

This organization needs to start building it's team through the draft.
- stveshdy

They can do that and turn it around in a short time period. They have talent, just need to make the scheme fit the talent and get players to return to their form.

I know that guys like Hartnell and Coburn aren't stars. But they aren't scrubs either. They've been good solid NHLers on the average. This season they have been well below that. But there's no reason to suspect that this short year is the new norm for them.

They can do that and turn it around in a short time period. They have talent, just need to make the scheme fit the talent and get players to return to their form.

I know that guys like Hartnell and Coburn aren't stars. But they aren't scrubs either. They've been good solid NHLers on the average. This season they have been well below that. But there's no reason to suspect that this short year is the new norm for them.
- Jsaquella

Just thought of this: It's akin to casting a musical as a director and casting people who can't hold a tune in a bucket for all of the roles. There's nothing wrong with the musical itself, it just doesn't work when it has the wrong people in place.

The actors may be great in non-musical roles, but look out of place in singing roles. Thus the whole thing looks bad, even the theater manager and the producer.

I have a sneaky suspicion that the Flyers are looking into possibly bringing Jagr back into the fold.

I totally believe that they still think there's a chance at the playoffs this year, and #68 would be good for Giroux next year as well.

Running around and hitting somebody is a lot different than being taken off the puck. I would like to see him win more puck battles and drive the net more when he's in posession of it. Relies a bit too much on finesse. I understand that comes w/a younger player. Same frustration alot of us had w/JVR. Would settle for the perimeter game.
- flyguy12

Completely agree.
This is epidemic on the Flyers though.
They often go for the hit but lose puck possession.

I think B Schenn is a keeper and will improve. He was driving the net fine earlier in the season, especially when he had Jake V on his wing.

Yeah. When I was 18 or so, I was told I had plenty of room for them and that they'd straighten out my teeth as they came in. Wrong on both counts, so I needed them out. I was going to get them out last year but a switch in healthcare/dentists and family issues caused a delay. Just glad it's over - and my wife has made a LOT of pudding this afternoon. Combine that with the Yoplait Vanilla yogurt and I'm in good condition.
- Flyskippy

What helped me out a lot (besides a bottle of oxy's) was when I applied ice as often as I could stand. It kept the swelling and discoloration down considerably.

Good luck.

They can do that and turn it around in a short time period. They have talent, just need to make the scheme fit the talent and get players to return to their form.

I know that guys like Hartnell and Coburn aren't stars. But they aren't scrubs either. They've been good solid NHLers on the average. This season they have been well below that. But there's no reason to suspect that this short year is the new norm for them.
- Jsaquella

This team has no identity. Thats the first step in the process. The next step is to decide to sell at the deadline. Get as many picks as possible. Start building through the farm system. The other players that are currently going to be on the roster will bounce back. It may take some time for this team to come around as a serious contender but its time to go in a direction and stick with it.

Just thought of this: It's akin to casting a musical as a director and casting people who can't hold a tune in a bucket for all of the roles. There's nothing wrong with the musical itself, it just doesn't work when it has the wrong people in place.

The actors may be great in non-musical roles, but look out of place in singing roles. Thus the whole thing looks bad, even the theater manager and the producer.
- Flyskippy

That's pretty apt.

So would you trade Couts for a JBo or Byfuglien or Yandle?

If you don't want them to stand pat, and their biggest need is a number 1 D man, and these are the offers Homer has, I would stand pat.

Pietrangelo or OEL, or even PK Subban and those types are not being traded for anything remotely considering a fair deal if at all.
- Marc D

I would not. The only 4 I would really have trouble trading are Giroux, Grossman, Simmonds and Coots.

I dont see them getting that #1 d-man any time soon, and they will finally have to build through a draft. This team needs a real shift away from talented players who are sub par defensively to begin with, stupid, and dont bring effort consistently.

In terms of players I'd definately want off the team, I start with Briere, Gervais, Foster, Harry Z, and Coburn. I'd be very receptive to fair offers on Brayden Schenn and Hartnell.

Dont give a rats ass if Bryzgalov stays or is brought out to be honest.

I have a sneaky suspicion that the Flyers are looking into possibly bringing Jagr back into the fold.

I totally believe that they still think there's a chance at the playoffs this year, and #68 would be good for Giroux next year as well.
- FlyerGuy

I would look to deal players during the deadline. Get as many picks as possible and start loading up the farm system. Time for the Flyers to develop some talent and add quality depth.

That's pretty apt.
- Jsaquella

It's kind of scary if dental surgery and drugs make me better at evaluating a hockey team.

This team has no identity. Thats the first step in the process. The next step is to decide to sell at the deadline. Get as many picks as possible. Start building through the farm system. The other players that are currently going to be on the roster will bounce back. It may take some time for this team to come around as a serious contender but its time to go in a direction and stick with it.
- stveshdy

There's no reason to go nuts in selling at the TDL. Sell the UFAs. Sell Briere if at all possible. If you get a good enough return, move some one of the other veterans.

I still see no reason to swing the wrecking ball. There is talent on this team. It needs to be utilized better.

I would look to deal players during the deadline. Get as many picks as possible and start loading up the farm system. Time for the Flyers to develop some talent and add quality depth.
- stveshdy

I agree. I'm just not so sure that Snider/Homer/Lavy are ready to concede this season ... even if all signs point to that being the logical choice.