Agreed. Let's see what the kids are made of and get rid of as many old guys as we can...even if it is for 5th rounders. I want to see what the kids are made of for 2013-2014. What kind of problems does this team really have? As bad as they are, I cannot stop watching so I'd like to see some effort. Couterier made some improvements last night. See what he can do in a more offensive role and how he responds.
- fnmjoe13

Couterier did look solid last night. Amazing how young this kid is playing in a league of men. My hope is Lavi starts throwing more ice time his way. Get him out there on the PP and just feed him ice time.

Yeah, Carle has looked fantastic without Pronger down in Tampa. Getting rave reviews from everyone.
- Feanor

Carle had a rough start, but he's been playing much better of late.

Bryz looked lost in the shootout last game. Fans can't blame the defense in the shoot out. He is the worst goalie 1v1 in the game.
- Winning

Here we go again. Last night, if it wasn't for him, it doesn't get to a shoot out. He's not bad on breakaways in games. Also, buy him out, who do you replace him with? Luongo at a huge price?

Schenn/Timonen
Grossmann/Coburn

The rest of the d-core needs to be upgraded.

Mez is like a glass jar. Can't depend on him at this point.
- stveshdy

When i found out that he had dislocated his shoulder as opposed to separating it as it was initially reported.. I knew it was bad news. The good news is that he will have surgery on it and be back in 4-5 months and shouldnt have any problem.

Here we go again. Last night, if it wasn't for him, it doesn't get to a shoot out. He's not bad on breakaways in games. Also, buy him out, who do you replace him with? Luongo at a huge price?
- Hextall271

The people who want to buy out Bryz will also be the first to lambaste the org when he is playing lights out somewhere else.

Here we go again. Last night, if it wasn't for him, it doesn't get to a shoot out. He's not bad on breakaways in games. Also, buy him out, who do you replace him with? Luongo at a huge price?
- Hextall271

I would be trading for Jonathan Bernier

When i found out that he had dislocated his shoulder as opposed to separating it as it was initially reported.. I knew it was bad news. The good news is that he will have surgery on it and be back in 4-5 months and shouldnt have any problem.
- jak521

Until he gets injured again...

Taken directly from Bill's blog.

"The team is just ill-assembled in general and paper thin on the blueline in particular"

Who is at fault for the team being ill-assembled, and paper thin on the blueline?

Look forward to reading the answers.
- PLindbergh31

I disagree that the team is ill assembled. It has some holes that need to be filled. But that's true of a lot of teams. Teams that are in a playoff spot. Do you think Ottawa has all the peices it needs?

Bryz looked lost in the shootout last game. Fans can't blame the defense in the shoot out. He is the worst goalie 1v1 in the game.
- Winning

Bryz is the only reason they got to the shoot out..... Did you just watch the highlights?

Couterier did look solid last night. Amazing how young this kid is playing in a league of men. My hope is Lavi starts throwing more ice time his way. Get him out there on the PP and just feed him ice time.
- ggunky

We should be playing the crap out of the young kids. Also, no sense not playing Leighton. I want him to show how good he is so hecan be extended before the end of the season.. lol

Until he gets injured again...
- KGBflyers10

Its been tough for sure...

I would be trading for Jonathan Bernier
- Winning

Trade who smart ass? Read Schenn couts our first who?

Schenn/Timonen
Grossmann/Coburn

The rest of the d-core needs to be upgraded.

Mez is like a glass jar. Can't depend on him at this point.
- stveshdy

Top pairing: ?? /Schenn
Second pairing: Timonen/Coburn
Third pairing: Meszaros/Grossmann

Bryz is the only reason they got to the shoot out..... Did you just watch the highlights?
- Philly1980

Please re-read what I said, I can't comprehend it for you.

Until he gets injured again...
- KGBflyers10

Here we go again. Last night, if it wasn't for him, it doesn't get to a shoot out. He's not bad on breakaways in games. Also, buy him out, who do you replace him with? Luongo at a huge price?
- Hextall271

A trade for Bishop this offseason is worth considering.

And buying out Bryz in the 2014 offseason seems inevitable given his level of play, and the fact his deal goes all the way thru to 2020. Then the Flyers will be free of any cap circumventing contracts that would expose them to recapture penalties if a player retired early. Apart from Pronger's, of course.

Couterier did look solid last night. Amazing how young this kid is playing in a league of men. My hope is Lavi starts throwing more ice time his way. Get him out there on the PP and just feed him ice time.
- ggunky

if they draft the center Cooty's days are numbered

Please re-read what I said, I can't comprehend it for you.
- Winning

I saw I'm just suck of everyone bryz this or bryz that... The shooters did bryz no favors last night

A trade for Bishop this offseason is worth considering.
- Feanor

Who ya giving up for him then?

I would be trading for Jonathan Bernier
- Winning

So we trade say Schenn + for Bernier, and then the org has to pay to buy out Bryz and essentially pay a huge amount for him to play elsewhere. If you want to buy him out and sign Luongo if he's bought out fine. Bernier is ok, but unproven. if he gets here and flops we are massively screwed.

I disagree that the team is ill assembled. It has some holes that need to be filled. But that's true of a lot of teams. Teams that are in a playoff spot. Do you think Ottawa has all the peices it needs?
- MJL

Look at it this way... The past few cup champions...

LA Kings.. 2012 Cup champs.. in 2009 they finished 13th in their conference.
Boston Bruins... 2011 Cup champs... finished 13th in the conference in 2007
Blackhawks.. 2010 Cup champs... finished 13th in the conference in 2007, 10th in 2008.
Penguins.. 2009 Cup champs.. I think we all remember how they were for the early to mid 2000's.
Detroit the exception
Anaheim Ducks.. 2007 Cup champs.. Finished 12th in the conference in 2004.


All of those teams were patient, built their team... and then went on to win a Cup within a few years.

I think that is a decent model to use.

A trade for Bishop this offseason is worth considering.

And buying out Bryz in the 2014 offseason seems inevitable given his level of play, and the fact his deal goes all the way thru to 2020. Then the Flyers will be free of any cap circumventing contracts that would expose them to recapture penalties if a player retired early. Apart from Pronger's, of course.
- Feanor

I keep a close eye on as many Sens rumors as possible, and i have been seeing that Philly might be one of the main parties interested in Bishop. If you were the Fliers GM what would you be willing to offer for Bishop? Would you be willing to do a straight flip of Bishop for Couturier?

I saw I'm just suck of everyone bryz this or bryz that... The shooters did bryz no favors last night
- Philly1980

Bryz sucks, sooner you face this the better/

Top pairing: ?? /Schenn
Second pairing: Timonen/Coburn
Third pairing: Meszaros/Grossmann
- bradleyc4

If you could add a solid guy next to Schenn the D would actually be pretty solid.. so long as they remain healthy.

So we trade say Schenn + for Bernier, and then the org has to pay to buy out Bryz and essentially pay a huge amount for him to play elsewhere. If you want to buy him out and sign Luongo if he's bought out fine. Bernier is ok, but unproven. if he gets here and flops we are massively screwed.
- Hextall271

If Bryz plays the next seven seasons here at or around the same level of his first two seasons as a Flyer were are also massively screwed.

Basically, he has next season to get back to being a .920 goalie in regulation and a .650 shootout goalie, or he has to be bought out because no one is going to trade for his contract.