I just think of Luukko's answer when I asked how the NHL could even consider expansion with the talent spread so thin. He said there was plenty of talent. I would like to know why the Flyers don't have 3 full lines of NHL quality players and 3 pieces of developing players with NHL upside. That's all I ask. That's not here.
- bodiva88

perhaps because they have a lot of money tied up in certain players. limits them elsewhere.

they could also still have richards, carter, and jvr. and pronger if he didn't get hurt. gagne could be on this team. i'm still convinced he's got something in the tank.

82 games is too long for a season. 60-65 games would make for a better product.

The one thing I pray for. Is dont make some stupid desperation trade. Let them play it out.

No deal will favour this team right now, with them doing so badly, and this early in the year.

1-6 extends into pre-season, and last year, as does inconsistency and bad penalties. Management (frank)ed up. If the time to admit it isnt here yet, it will be soon.

Let it play out, and evaluate around the deadline for what deals make sense.

I fear some idiotic move for Vanek or Yandle.

I guess it's common place for the 13th forward to play 5 out of 7 games.
- PLindbergh31

It's not common place, and in my opinion he shouldn't be playing that much. He should be the 13th forward. But with that being said, is Rosehill in the lineup a legitimate reason for why they lost the game tonight? Or for why they're 1-6?

Rosehill is the 13th forward. He should be a healthy scratch most games. And it cracks me up how Rosehill is an issue with all the other issues on this team that are a lot more relevant to why they're 1-6.
- MJL

I think you're under valuing a teams roster depth. If the coach only feels he can play a player 2 minutes he doesn't belong on the active roster. I saw much more from McGinn and Raffl in the last few games than Rosehill could hope for. Playing your top players too many 5/5 or short handed minuted really saps their strength. No need for a thug these days.

It's not common place, and in my opinion he shouldn't be playing that much. He should be the 13th forward. But with that being said, is Rosehill in the lineup a legitimate reason for why they lost the game tonight? Or for why they're 1-6?
- MJL

Yes

I just think of Luukko's answer when I asked how the NHL could even consider expansion with the talent spread so thin. He said there was plenty of talent. I would like to know why the Flyers don't have 3 full lines of NHL quality players and 3 pieces of developing players with NHL upside. That's all I ask. That's not here.
- bodiva88

They're so stubborn, it's irritating. I'm not starting the "Jay Rosehill: NHL Player or Not?" debate tonight because no one wants to hear it, but I am baffled at how a team that hasn't scored three goals in a game this year simply refuses to ice a fourth line that does something at an NHL level, either offensively or defensively.

There was nothing stopping the Flyers from icing a lineup with Tye McGinn in it from Day 1, even when Scott Hartnell was healthy. Michael Raffl maybe wasn't quite ready, but they could've kept him up, too. Even Chris VandeVelde can skate, play defense, at a level where you could play him in protected, fourth-line minutes.

They could do it, and they choose not to, and we're not the Penguins. We're not running Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, etc., out there, scoring 3 or 4 or 5 goals a night so you can play some goons on the fourth line and get away with it.

Luke Schenn
12:50

6th Dman
- PLindbergh31

and he still looked bad

I think you're under valuing a teams roster depth. If the coach only feels he can play a player 2 minutes he doesn't belong on the active roster. I saw much more from McGinn and Raffl in the last few games than Rosehill could hope for. Playing your top players too many 5/5 or short handed minuted really saps their strength. No need for a thug these days.
- jstross

i didn't pay super close attention to raffl, but i liked what i saw.

and he still looked bad
- vejim

he did.

Which is exactly why the Flyers were dead on their feet!
- jstross

I don't think so. I think confidence wise they're a fragile team right now. They played too cautious in the 3rd. Afraid to make a mistake with the one goal lead. And they stopped moving their feet. Nothing to do with being out of gas, in my opinion.

You don't have to see into the future. He's not a 1st line player in this League. He's done a great job so far. But playing the kid on the first line is setting him up for failure over the long haul. On merit right now, he deserves to play. That's why he played 19 minutes tonight. But when Hartnell comes back, he belongs back on a top scoring line.

This is no different then all the talk about Lauridsen getting a regular spot on the defense based on a handful of games last Season.
- MJL

So you mean to tell me if McGinn keeps this play up you would automatically move him down a line or two just because Hartnell is back? That is just the dumbest thing I've heard. It makes no sense.
.
You might be right that he isn't a top line player, but you could also be wrong. If his play continues he should stay where he is.

The one thing I pray for. Is dont make some stupid desperation trade. Let them play it out.

No deal will favour this team right now, with them doing so badly, and this early in the year.

1-6 extends into pre-season, and last year, as does inconsistency and bad penalties. Management (frank)ed up. If the time to admit it isnt here yet, it will be soon.

Let it play out, and evaluate around the deadline for what deals make sense.

I fear some idiotic move for Vanek or Yandle.
- flyer_nutter

Homer make a bad trade?

I don't think so. I think confidence wise they're a fragile team right now. They played too cautious in the 3rd. Afraid to make a mistake with the one goal lead. And they stopped moving their feet. Nothing to do with being out of gas, in my opinion.
- MJL

Don't you think they were just simply outplayed in the third?

The one thing I pray for. Is dont make some stupid desperation trade. Let them play it out.

No deal will favour this team right now, with them doing so badly, and this early in the year.

1-6 extends into pre-season, and last year, as does inconsistency and bad penalties. Management (frank)ed up. If the time to admit it isnt here yet, it will be soon.

Let it play out, and evaluate around the deadline for what deals make sense.

I fear some idiotic move for Vanek or Yandle.
- flyer_nutter

I think it's almost guaranteed that Homer will swing a MAJOR deal during the week after the Pens game.

Thats the thing. He is the one that stepped up.

Giroux aside. Where are the rest of them? I see nobody on that offense leading the way, and the only thing close to it was Vinny.

Where is the heart and soul of Talbot? He has been (frank)ing invisible for a long time now. Where is the intensity of Simmonds?

They all have to step up, including Giroux. However I think its laughable to expect him to carry the team. Its a league known fact that he is target #1 for other teams. Others need to step up.

Coots? Say what you will be he has been very meh. ZERO offensive game.
- flyer_nutter

i do agree that others need to step up, but as far as this is concerned, that shouldnt come as a surprise. he is an 8 million dollar a year superstar center. those kinds of guys are supposed to be able to not only excel with the target on their back, but make those around them better. i understand down stretches happen, and you cant discount the fact that the injury may be causing a slow start. but if giroux is the caliber people allege, the target thing can only fly so far

I think the worst thing, and this isnt personal toward you in any way.

Is for the organization to believe that they are the BEST, worst team in the league.

1-6. Thats reality, and it extends into last season.
- flyer_nutter

RealIty and flyers do NOT mix. They'll never get it. They don't need to change renember

I think you're under valuing a teams roster depth. If the coach only feels he can play a player 2 minutes he doesn't belong on the active roster. I saw much more from McGinn and Raffl in the last few games than Rosehill could hope for. Playing your top players too many 5/5 or short handed minuted really saps their strength. No need for a thug these days.
- jstross

I'm not undervaluing anything. Rosehill in the lineup had zero to do with the loss tonight. If you're saying that you'd rather have McGinn or Raffl in the lineup, over Rosehill. I agree whole heartedly. Put Rosehill in the 13th forward role. And the Flyers forwards ice times were not out of the norm. Really the only forward who played a disproportionate amount of minutes was McGinn.

Don't you think they were just simply outplayed in the third?
- strongsupporter

Yes, they were outplayed in the 3rd. The question is why were they? After playing well for 2 periods.

I would be happy with 5 new D men

i do agree that others need to step up, but as far as this is concerned, that shouldnt come as a surprise. he is an 8 million dollar a year superstar center. those kinds of guys are supposed to be able to not only excel with the target on their back, but make those around them better. i understand down stretches happen, and you cant discount the fact that the injury may be causing a slow start. but if giroux is the caliber people allege, the target thing can only fly so far
- stayinthefnnet

true, Giroux meet Malkin and Crosby. G should try to get some tape on Malkin and Crosby to see how a 8 mil player does his business. G needs to wake up and get going. Don't talk about not having confidence, go out and make poop happen

i didn't pay super close attention to raffl, but i liked what i saw.
- hammarby31

I agree with the other poster who is saying everyone matters.

Guys like Raffl, which this team seems to love to employ are just a body out there.

You dont get away with just "being good enough" in this league. You need guys that excel in certain parts of their game, and contribute positively. Not guys you just throw out there and they dont hurt you.

In reality, lets look at the talent employed by the team from top to bottom.
1.Giroux
2. Voracek/Lecav
3. Read
4. Aging Timonen

Throw in Streit and bSchenn if you wish.

Thats the actual real creative talent they are rolling with. I expected them to miss this year, but not be this bad. Although if you look at it, its not crazy suprising.

I would be happy with 5 new D men
- vejim

well hopefully next year Mez and Timmo wont be back, I don't want to see Timmo for another 6 mil a year contract, (frank) that noise

Yes, they were outplayed in the 3rd. The question is why were they? After playing well for 2 periods.
- MJL

The other team is pretty good. Things happen.

I don't think so. I think confidence wise they're a fragile team right now. They played too cautious in the 3rd. Afraid to make a mistake with the one goal lead. And they stopped moving their feet. Nothing to do with being out of gas, in my opinion.
- MJL

I agree that confidence or lack of it is a huge problem at this point. I was happy they responded from the crazy bounce goal that tied it 1-1. The team obviously has issues on multiple levels, but I really believe they look better. I just don't think Berube can play his 4th line players 2,4 and 5 minutes and expect to have the top 3 lines fresh with pep in their step. A deep team can beat a more talented team if they avoid the stupid penalties(I do think the 4th line was on probation tonight. Avoid the dumb penalties and you'll get more time). At least in my mind Berube has a plan.

I think it's almost guaranteed that Homer will swing a MAJOR deal during the week after the Pens game.
- FlyerGuy

looking at Homer sitting up there with no expression makes me sick