You mean "Try to stickhandle through the team and hope" isn't a system?
- jmatchett383

Honestly I thought it was, "Attempt to shoot wide or at defenders in hope of magic."

That's only if you go by points. He is much better now defensively and on faceoffs. Basing his progress on production when the whole team has been terrible at ES in 2013 and when he doesn't get much PP time is foolish.
- Feanor

I refuse to judge Sean Couturier until they give him two wingers -- not one, but two -- wingers who are scorers at an NHL-average level.

Some of us have said it before. That story on Broad Street Hockey was dead on. It's ridiculous what Couturier's had to carry, as far as wingers, on this team. He's always had at least one player, sometimes two, who no 19/20 year old center should have to carry.

you definitely need to have veterans on the team to help the younger players which is why I didn;t mind the Streit and Vinny signings (granted 3-4 yrs down the road will probably be like last year with Briere) but I would move any and all expiring contracts including Mez and Timonen if he is willing to waive his NMC.
- nastyflyergirl

I agree, I would move 1-2 of them. I wouldn't gut the blueline and move Timonen, Meszaros, Coburn, Grossmann, and Streit all in one fell swoop and say "Okay, Alt, Manning, Lauridsen, welcome to the top-4."

Oh, where to begin. I think a protest outside EDS office is needed. This team needs to be sold. Ed needs to go. I don't blame homer. We all know Ed wants to win a cup before he dies. "we don't need a culture change" " we try to win the cup every year" this rah rah thinking is insulting. I've stated many times you do not win a cup without a goalie top wing scorer #1 dman. It's truly that simple. I think mason is that goalie the more I see him plus stolarz looks good. Now we can be patient with this team all we want but if the fools at the top think they can just plug some vets in and count on young core to run team their nuts. On a positive note I think b schenn has actually played pretty well. He's only player anywhere near middle of the ice abd only 21. And I love kimmo but please tell me why he's on the pp? Streit needs to be on 1st pp unit and kimmo/Gus should split 2nd unit minutes.

Each of the teams you mentioned play with an identity or system that is visible and effective. The Flyers don't have one. There is no consistency or game plan, imo. They play such a bad zone in their own end. It makes me sick to watch.
- flyers2001

That wasn't my point tho. I am just talking about being patient and willing to go through a little losing to right the ship. But yes, there needs to be a plan

Honestly I thought it was, "Attempt to shoot wide or at defenders in hope of magic."
- flyers2001

So you're saying they're just a little pixie dust away from being a contender?

Oh, where to begin. I think a protest outside EDS office is needed. This team needs to be sold. Ed needs to go. I don't blame homer. We all know Ed wants to win a cup before he dies. "we don't need a culture change" " we try to win the cup every year" this rah rah thinking is insulting. I've stated many times you do not win a cup without a goalie top wing scorer #1 dman. It's truly that simple. I think mason is that goalie the more I see him plus stolarz looks good. Now we can be patient with this team all we want but if the fools at the top think they can just plug some vets in and count on young core to run team their nuts. On a positive note I think b schenn has actually played pretty well. He's only player anywhere near middle of the ice abd only 21. And I love kimmo but please tell me why he's on the pp? Streit needs to be on 1st pp unit and kimmo/Gus should split 2nd unit minutes.
- SMS4016

Who was Carolina's #1 dman again? I always forget his name. Who was LA's top wing scorer? Are we talking Justin Williams "top-line" talent?

I agree, I would move 1-2 of them. I wouldn't gut the blueline and move Timonen, Meszaros, Coburn, Grossmann, and Streit all in one fell swoop and say "Okay, Alt, Manning, Lauridsen, welcome to the top-4."
- jmatchett383

Oh I agree. I just don't think Mez or Timonen will be back next year so I would prefer to get something for them at the deadline even if its just a draft pick. this is all assuming come Jan-Feb the team is still a non playoff team of course

He absolutely gave up on JvR. If JvR was scoring 30= goals as a Flyer, he wouldnt have been moved. Despite what anyone wants to say.. we lost that trade on day one. I was one of the biggest JvR supporters/apologists on this site.. but even I wanted to believe it would be an even trade. I still have tons of hope for Schenn, but he will never be dynamic enough. We gave up a top line forward for a 3/4 d-man.

3 years really isnt all that long. In Flyers hockey it may be, but thats the problem we have in the first place
- jak521

when you sign a guy to that contract and then trade him the nxt yr, it's def giving up on him

I refuse to judge Sean Couturier until they give him two wingers -- not one, but two -- wingers who are scorers at an NHL-average level.

Some of us have said it before. That story on Broad Street Hockey was dead on. It's ridiculous what Couturier's had to carry, as far as wingers, on this team. He's always had at least one player, sometimes two, who no 19/20 year old center should have to carry.
- AllInForFlyers

Well when Lecavalier is back next week he should have Raffl and Read on his wing, and Talbot can go back to 4th line duties.

wow good memory
- -davies-

ty, I never forget a good Carcillo picture.

Oh I agree. I just don't think Mez or Timonen will be back next year so I would prefer to get something for them at the deadline even if its just a draft pick. this is all assuming come Jan-Feb the team is still a non playoff team of course
- nastyflyergirl

Absolutely. Hell, I'd move Mez now if they can. I just feel bad for Kimmo. If (IF) they don't turn it around, I'd make a handfulof moves, but wouldn't gut the team.

I agree, I would move 1-2 of them. I wouldn't gut the blueline and move Timonen, Meszaros, Coburn, Grossmann, and Streit all in one fell swoop and say "Okay, Alt, Manning, Lauridsen, welcome to the top-4."
- jmatchett383

They did it last year because of all the injuries. Matt Konan, Lauridsen, Manning and Gus were four of our six defensemen at one point last season. Coburn, Grossmann, Timonen and Meszaros were all not playing.

I don't understand what the difference would be now. You still gotta play the games.

when you sign a guy to that contract and then trade him the nxt yr, it's def giving up on him
- isaiah520

When have Richards the Flyers JvR ever done Carter that in recent memory?

They did it last year because of all the injuries. Matt Konan, Lauridsen, Manning and Gus were four of our six defensemen at one point last season. Coburn, Grossmann, Timonen and Meszaros were all not playing.

I don't understand what the difference would be now. You still gotta play the games.
- AllInForFlyers

If the blueline is decimated by injuries like it was last year, then you will see them playing.

Well when Lecavalier is back next week he should have Raffl and Read on his wing, and Talbot can go back to 4th line duties.
- Feanor

i like that actually

Who was Carolina's #1 dman again? I always forget his name. Who was LA's top wing scorer? Are we talking Justin Williams "top-line" talent?
- jmatchett383

not that i agree w/ everything posted there, but i'd rather post a guideline based on the "rules", not the "exceptions". for me, virtually every cup winner needs to have it together in goal, a top flight dman at or near his prime and a #1 center...add from there.

when you sign a guy to that contract and then trade him the nxt yr, it's def giving up on him
- isaiah520

Bingo. There is no defense to that. Look at the number of guys that were signed to big contracts and never finished (or even cam close to finishing) them out. That screams (to me at least) lack of confidence and/or indecisiveness.

It is sad that they probably will send Raffl back to the AHL when others get healthy. They really need a legit 4th line. The don't have one now & it is why they get hurt in the third so much. They need to be able to put that line out there & have them just not suck. With 2 enforcers & Hall that isn't the case.

It is sad that they probably will send Raffl back to the AHL when others get healthy. They really need a legit 4th line. The don't have one now & it is why they get hurt in the third so much. They need to be able to put that line out there & have them just not suck. With 2 enforcers & Hall that isn't the case.
- iladel90

What scares me the most is this is NOT rocket science to figure out...But Homer and coaching staff seem to not grasp it.

Absolutely. Hell, I'd move Mez now if they can. I just feel bad for Kimmo. If (IF) they don't turn it around, I'd make a handfulof moves, but wouldn't gut the team.
- jmatchett383

I only want to move Timonen for him. I really appreciate everything he has done for the Flyers and he is one of my favorites. I would LOVE to see him win a cup somewhere.

i like that actually
- -davies-

Then when Hartnell comes back... I don't know. Maybe he will go straight back to the 1st line and the 4th line will be McGinn-Talbot-Rinaldo.

If the blueline is decimated by injuries like it was last year, then you will see them playing.
- jmatchett383

The point is that there's no reason on earth to continue losing with the same ill-fitting roster.

Calgary could've kept Jay Bouuwmeester. But sometimes, you need to move players on.

It is sad that they probably will send Raffl back to the AHL when others get healthy. They really need a legit 4th line. The don't have one now & it is why they get hurt in the third so much. They need to be able to put that line out there & have them just not suck. With 2 enforcers & Hall that isn't the case.
- iladel90

There's definitely no real competition for playing time for the top 6-7 forwards... they're all ensconced in their spots in the lineup... and many of them were just handed those roles instead of ever having had to earn them.

And, as we've discussed ad nauseum, if you don't have a bottom-six that you can trust in the 3rd-period//up-a-goal/down-a-goal/tough matchup situations, your top-six is going to be completely ragged by night's end.

It is sad that they probably will send Raffl back to the AHL when others get healthy. They really need a legit 4th line. The don't have one now & it is why they get hurt in the third so much. They need to be able to put that line out there & have them just not suck. With 2 enforcers & Hall that isn't the case.
- iladel90

I know its just the 4th line and all but I really would love to see a 4th line here made up of true energy guys who can pot some goals. I would be thrilled to see Raffl or McGinn-Talbot-Rinaldo over Newberry or Rosehill-Hall-Rinaldo. but that is just me