When a team loses a player like Pronger, a GM can't put a specific plan in place to replace him. That is the fallacy that escapes you. A GM cannot see into the future to know what player might be available to him in a trade. What player might become a Free Agent and is willing to sign with the team. Or what player might fall to them in the draft, and then whether or not that player will develop into the player they think he could become.
I have not agreed with everything Holmgren has done. Like all GM's he has made some mistakes. I've been objective in looking at his moves. Objectivity is something that you haven't had when looking at Holmgren as a GM. Beginning with your failure many times of not realizing and considering how much of an impact losing a franchise defenseman to a career ending injury has on a team. This changing his mind and calling him reactionary and incompetent is just the latest mantra. Failing to take into account that one, after making the Richards/Carter deals, he has kept the core intact that he received in those deals. Even to the point according to reports of not being willing to trade some of those players. And the fact that you conveniently omit that from consideration if forming your opinion, only points further to a lack of objectivity.
- MJL

Some would say that hitching the wagon to a 35 with a history of major injuries wasn't the smartest move to begin with.... is it any surprise that they're still left picking up the pieces from that fateful decision?

- Giroux_Is_God

Some would say that hitching the wagon to a 35 with a history of major injuries wasn't the smartest move to begin with.... is it any surprise that they're still left picking up the pieces from that fateful decision?
- Tomahawk

That discounts that the injury that ended his career had zero to do with any previous injury, nor did it have anything to do with his age.

Young defenseman are normally up and down in their development. It's not uncommon.

Luke Schenn has played 5 complete NHL Seasons. He has been a 20+ minute defenseman in 3 out of those 5 Seasons. He needs to find consistency in his game.
- MJL

Are you disputing that Toronto benching him did not improve his play on the ice in Toronto or not because that was the question?

If you are pleading patience with Schenn regardless of how he's playing, then why did you ask the question?

That discounts that the injury that ended his career had zero to do with any previous injury, nor did it have anything to do with his age.
- MJL

Whether it was a freak injury, or an expected injury, or old age, it was going to happen sooner than later... there was no way he was going to be able to carry this team until the age of 42.

Are you disputing that Toronto benching him did not improve his play on the ice in Toronto or not because that was the question?

If you are pleading patience with Schenn regardless of how he's playing, then why did you ask the question?
- Flyers_01

I did not dispute anything. When was Luke Schenn scrached in Toronto, and how did he play when he returned to the lineup?
And I'll ask any question I want to. And to this point you haven't answered the question.

Whether it was a freak injury, or an expected injury, or old age, it was going to happen sooner than later... there was no way he was going to be able to carry this team until the age of 42.
- Tomahawk

Actually his contract was structured for him to retire at 39 or 40. The Flyers were going to carry flyers entire cap hit for the last 2-3 years in dead money. His injury just accelerated that time frame.

Holmgren apparently did not mind carrying dead money on the cap in the future as that most likely would've been the next GMs problem. Either that or he did not understand the over 35 rule and he swears the flyers knew that it was an over 35 contract.

- feelingkettle

Just tryin to lighten the mood

Whether it was a freak injury, or an expected injury, or old age, it was going to happen sooner than later... there was no way he was going to be able to carry this team until the age of 42.
- Tomahawk

That's not a fact, and we'll never know how it would've turned out if he hadn't got a stick to the eye. Players playing at a high level into their 40's is not unprecedented in the NHL.

McGinn with the hat trick tonight and tomorrow the Flyers either trade him or send him back to the Phantoms.

Actually his contract was structured for him to retire at 39 or 40. The Flyers were going to carry flyers entire cap hit for the last 2-3 years in dead money. His injury just accelerated that time frame.

Holmgren apparently did not mind carrying dead money on the cap in the future as that most likely would've been the next GMs problem. Either that or he did not understand the over 35 rule and he swears the flyers knew that it was an over 35 contract.
- Flyers_01

No, the contract was structured that way to lower the Cap hit, not because he was going to retire before the contract expired.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!

Just tryin to lighten the mood
- Giroux_Is_God

Couldnt tell you whether or not they will win tonight, but I expect Emery to have a strong game.

McGinn with the hat trick tonight and tomorrow the Flyers either trade him or send him back to the Phantoms.
- LJF

This time, I have the feeling that McGinn's going to be here for awhile.

For one, it sure as hell sounds like Steve Downie's not going to be playing anytime soon, and for me...there are other guys who should get a ticket out of town or a seat in the Jody Shelley Suite before a kid who, to my knowledge, has always given the effort when he comes up and tries his best when he goes back down.

Devils 9
Flyers 5

multiple line brawls

new NHL record for penalty minutes

Emery with Gordie Howe hat trick

Giroux with 1 assist.

Now introducing to the ring...RAY EMERYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Anyone have a link to watch the game on an ipad? Tough to find without flas player.

Wazzzup Flyer fans!? Whoooo!

Holy Crap are the Devils announcers always this annoying?

Lol it would have to be a good offer. Even Gretzky got traded
- PhillaBully

Gretzky was traded (and I am talking about while he was still Gretzky the star) due to an owner who couldn't afford to keep him. I get your point that anyone is subject to trade but there really were circumstances to that one

No, the contract was structured that way to lower the Cap hit, not because he was going to retire before the contract expired.
- MJL

They didn't have the cap space to structure it any other way... and they clearly didn't know he was going to have 35+ status before they traded for him.... they had no choice but to sign him after they had already peddled away the future for him... it was a series of critical missteps with far-reaching consequences.

I contend that it was a bigger blunder than the Bryzgalov debacle.

- Giroux_Is_God

Jagr with 40 goals and 67 assists against the Flyers in less than 90 games.