They might have to settle for bad contract in, bad contract out. Meszaros for Havlat, or something ugly like that.
- Tomahawk

I'd take Havlat if this was his last year at $5 million, but the extra year is a deal breaker.

Particularly impressed with the backcheck from Staal here.


- PLindbergh31

Hertl = ridiculous

- jak521

double post

Particularly impressed with the backcheck from Staal here.


- PLindbergh31

I guess the Rags just wanted to see how good this Hertl kid really is

I still think Giroux and Voracek should stay together, so I'd like to see a Simmonds-G-Voracek line and bump Hartnell to the second line with Schenn and Vinny.
- mcefalu

I've been saying this for three years running, including the year he potted all those goals... I'd love to see Hartnell traded out of town. He's one of the standard bearers of the flippant, careless, doesn't pay attention to the details attitude that seems to be the backdrop of the Flyers teams of the past 3-5 years.

Hertl = ridiculous
- PhillySportsGuy

Would have loved to see what Tortorella would have done after his team allowed 9 goals.

I guess the Rags just wanted to see how good this Hertl kid really is
- mcefalu

Did they chase Lundqvist or did Biron bite the bullet and take one for the team last night?

simmonds and vinny were the only ones with any chemistry, vinny was way less noticeable imo w/o simmonds
- -davies-

This lineup makes more sense to me.

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Talbot-Couturier-Read
Newbury-Hall-Rindalo

Would have loved to see what Tortorella would have done after his team allowed 9 goals.
- PLindbergh31

Punched Staal in the face. Staal out indefinitely with locker room concussion.

I think Rinaldo has more offensive upside then we have seen, and just needs some time to develop some chemisty with linemates that can get him the puck and can take a pass. I could see him being a 15-20 goal scorer given the icetime.
- youarewrong

do you see dead people too? no effing way Rinaldo scores 20 goals unless it's a beer league.

I'm ok with him as a fourth line energy guy, and I'll give him props for toning down the stupid and being more responsible with his hitting and agitating. But he is not a top 9 player. He's never been a scorer at any level, so that pretty much tells you he's not going to suddenly morph into one now.

I've been saying this for three years running, including the year he potted all those goals... I'd love to see Hartnell traded out of town. He's one of the standard bearers of the flippant, careless, doesn't pay attention to the details attitude that seems to be the backdrop of the Flyers teams of the past 3-5 years.
- Tomahawk

I've been watching Hartnell pretty closely the last two games...he needs to be off the first line. I hate to say it because I love the guy, but...well, I'll say it. The pace of play for a first-liner...isn't where he is right now.

I have some concern if that pace of play is something that he is capable of, at the moment.

I love hartnell but take him off the first line please. Giroux was completely invisible, I don't know what is wrong with him but he is just not with it this season, yet. Hopefully he can get it going. They had a lot more energy which I liked but have a lot to work to do because last night was all luck.
- steveromanowski

Totally agree as he is not the guy to get Giroux going because the puck is like a hand grenade to him. I am going to get bashed here but I would mover Couter to left wing and with Giroux and Simmonds, move Hartnell to the third line by moving Read or Talbot to center. The plus is you get young Couter to develop his offense and give Giroux an option of having somebody with a brain on the left side, Simmonds can protect them both. Just me but in reality it is worth trying. It can't get any worse than it is right now for the first line. You have Giroux with two clowns, lol

do you see dead people too? no effing way Rinaldo scores 20 goals unless it's a beer league.

I'm ok with him as a fourth line energy guy, and I'll give him props for toning down the stupid and being more responsible with his hitting and agitating. But he is not a top 9 player. He's never been a scorer at any level, so that pretty much tells you he's not going to suddenly morph into one now.
- BringBack25

He's not a natural scorer, but his ability to get in on the forecheck does cause turnovers. The man hits like a ton of bricks.

He's created a few chances this year.

I'd take Havlat if this was his last year at $5 million, but the extra year is a deal breaker.
- Feanor

Maybe the teams eat some salary both ways... like SJ eats $2M/year of Havlat's deal, Flyers do the same for Mez. Instead of being stuck w/ Havlat's entire $5M cap hit for 2014-15 and his NMC, the Sharks get $3M of cap space opened up and the Flyers get a 20-goal+ scorer for a decent bargain.

Did they chase Lundqvist or did Biron bite the bullet and take one for the team last night?
- PhillySportsGuy

I believe they chased Lundqvist because I think he got the loss

Totally agree as he is not the guy to get Giroux going because the puck is like a hand grenade to him. I am going to get bashed here but I would mover Couter to left wing and with Giroux and Simmonds, move Hartnell to the third line by moving Read or Talbot to center. The plus is you get young Couter to develop his offense and give Giroux an option of having somebody with a brain on the left side, Simmonds can protect them both. Just me but in reality it is worth trying. It can't get any worse than it is right now for the first line. You have Giroux with two clowns, lol
- flyerdude17

I'd be willing to experiment with anything, but I don't think they should move Couts yet. Let the system get implemented.

If the team continues to struggle, then go ahead and make some changes.

Maybe the teams eat some salary both ways... like SJ eats $2M/year of Havlat's deal, Flyers do the same for Mez. Instead of being stuck w/ Havlat's entire $5M cap hit for 2014-15 and his NMC, the Sharks get $3M of cap space opened up and the Flyers get a 20-goal+ scorer for a decent bargain.
- Tomahawk

I don't really want to see Havlat in a Flyer uniform ever. He's a douche.

He's not a natural scorer, but his ability to get in on the forecheck does cause turnovers. The man hits like a ton of bricks.

He's created a few chances this year.
- PhillySportsGuy

yes, he can hit. and he can skate. he even creates the odd chance or two with his speed. still no way he ever scores 20 in the NHL.

I've been watching Hartnell pretty closely the last two games...he needs to be off the first line. I hate to say it because I love the guy, but...well, I'll say it. The pace of play for a first-liner...isn't where he is right now.

I have some concern if that pace of play is something that he is capable of, at the moment.
- AllInForFlyers

I agree. I'm glad Hartnell had success on the first line a couple years ago but I think it's time to bump him down

This lineup makes more sense to me.

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Talbot-Couturier-Read
Newbury-Hall-Rindalo
- Feanor

My first choice would be:

Couturier-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Hartnell-Talbot-Read
Gustafsson-Hall-Rinaldo

Gustafsson would be more effective than either Newberry or Rosehill

Rosehill is dumber than Hartnell and that is bad, if he could play diciplined he would be a good fit but he can't.

yes, he can hit. and he can skate. he even creates the odd chance or two with his speed. still no way he ever scores 20 in the NHL.
- BringBack25

I agree with you there. Moving him up would be a way to help get other guys going. He's willing to do the dirty work without the glory.

Flyers have too many players who think they're Pavel Datsyuk. At least Rinaldo knows his role. He seems to be the only one that does at times.

I am afraid you do not know the facts on Brunner. He is far from lazy and is a constant threat to score. The Wings really wanted him back but could not afford him. He wanted much more than the 2.5 he signed with NJ for earlier in free agency. If he would have accepted 2.5 in July clearly Cleary would not have been brought back and Brunner would still be a Wing. Very surprised he was not signed by any team looking to add offense, no offense
- flyerdude17

I have my facts straight, but thanks anyway.

My first choice would be:

Couturier-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Hartnell-Talbot-Read
Gustafsson-Hall-Rinaldo

Gustafsson would be more effective than either Newberry or Rosehill

Rosehill is dumber than Hartnell and that is bad, if he could play diciplined he would be a good fit but he can't.
- flyerdude17

That would be pretty extreme.

I don't like Talbot at center. He's very weak on face-offs.

I don't really want to see Havlat in a Flyer uniform ever. He's a douche.
- PhillySportsGuy

Did he do something to you personally? He was pretty well-liked in Chicago and Ottawa by teammates and fans, iirc.

He's definitely not my first choice, but it's one of the few scenarios where I see the Flyers being able to add their winger, get rid of Mez's contract, and not incur all the risks of staying in LTIR.

I have my facts straight, but thanks anyway.
- bradleyc4

You are welcome