Malhotra is not all that fast.
Just looked it playing against the Flyers.
- Marc D

At that moment, I couldn't believe that Malhotra was able to skate away from our entire team. I was in disbelief.

I don't think that happens. Honestly, I could see another small "tweak" type trade. If the team doesn't turn things around by the new year, Homer will sit tight for the trade deadline and then sell off the vets.
- flyguy12

Maybe he is playing Mez and Gill to try and maximize their trade value?

At that moment, I couldn't believe that Malhotra was able to skate away from our entire team. I was in disbelief.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yep, he blew away the team's "Best Skater" Coburn...

I don't think that happens. Honestly, I could see another small "tweak" type trade. If the team doesn't turn things around by the new year, Homer will sit tight for the trade deadline and then sell off the vets.
- flyguy12

6 player trade with the Oilers... We don't get a defenseman or a defensive prospect.

You want Darrol Powe back?
- flyguy12

players with speed who can play, thank you very much

Maybe he is playing Mez and Gill to try and maximize their trade value?
- Jimmygrazz

I thought about that too. Coburn is getting the most minutes of everyone. I think Mez value has gone up a bit. He used to be untradable. He's definitely a guy they can move now. Even if it's just for spare parts and salary relief.

At that moment, I couldn't believe that Malhotra was able to skate away from our entire team. I was in disbelief.
- PhillySportsGuy

Evryone was moving the other way when Streit turned over the puck.

Malhotra is not all that fast.
Just looked it playing against the Flyers.
- Marc D

6 player trade with the Oilers... We don't get a defenseman or a defensive prospect.
- mayorofangrytown

Which will include, Ryan Smyth, Marty McSorely, and Ben Eager.

Maybe he is playing Mez and Gill to try and maximize their trade value?
- Jimmygrazz

Not sure Gill has any trade value... and after watching Mez play so far this year, him either. But it's a long season and injuries will come. Somebody will be desperate for an extra veteran at the deadline.

Edit: Geez... can't believe I'm talking about moving guys @ the trade deadline on Nov 6th. I will attempt to have a little more faith.

I don't even know how they think that. There's no reason to think that.

This team is playing exactly like it did last year...worse, actually, because now the power play's gone, Claude Giroux isn't scoring, Luke Schenn's regressing, Timonen's either done or close to it.

Being bad is tough. Not knowing you are bad just means you are delaying the inevitable, and as much as I want them to win...they're not going to win with this roster.

They're just not. The roster isn't good enough, and it keeps showing it every time they play.
- AllInForFlyers

They are near rock bottom and I suspect they may improve this year. The shooting percentages should get closer to the norm and go up. If you believe G is still recovering from his 'golfing' accident his play may get better. If Downie recovers he will help some. They are transitioning still to a new coach.

Or maybe not.

I guess if I were GM I would try and trade one of Hartnell or Simmonds for a mobile defenseman.

Evryone was moving the other way when Streit turned over the puck.
- mayorofangrytown

It felt like everything was happening so slow. Normally, a breakaway happens so fast. It seemed like Jim Jackson had time to recite the pledge of allegiance before making the goal call.

Evryone was moving the other way when Streit turned over the puck.
- mayorofangrytown

i am pretty sure the other 3 players were at the Carolina blue line basically standing still when Streit was run over by Malholtra. he really needed to dump that in before getting to the damn blue line.

Not sure Gill has any trade value... and after watching Mez play so far this year, him either. But it's a long season and injuries will come. Somebody will be desperate for an extra veteran at the deadline.

Edit: Geez... can't believe I'm talking about moving guys @ the trade deadline on Nov 6th. I will attempt to have a little more faith.
- flyguy12

They should have let Mez sit all season and just pump him up about how great he is and just make excuses why he isn't playing on the team. You know like LA did with B Schenn....

Evryone was moving the other way when Streit turned over the puck.
- mayorofangrytown

Total breakdown there.
Streit's failure to get the puck deep, with all 3 other guys across the blue line was horrid.

It's too bad they don't trade with the Rangers.
Del Zotto seems to be in the doghouse there.

They are near rock bottom and I suspect they may improve this year. The shooting percentages should get closer to the norm and go up. If you believe G is still recovering from his 'golfing' accident his play may get better. If Downie recovers he will help some. They are transitioning still to a new coach.

Or maybe not.

I guess if I were GM I would try and trade one of Hartnell or Simmonds for a mobile defenseman.
- Marc D

I know Giroux hasn't scored a goal, but I don't worry about that -- Joe Thornton's only got one goal this year, you know?

I think Giroux has set up his linemates, has made plays. He's not Steven Stamkos. Giroux's an elite playmaker who can score goals. He's honestly the last player on this roster I'm worried about -- and I recognize he hasn't been perfect, but I do not see him as the reason this team isn't winning.

Yes: A couple of mobile defensemen would be where I'd start.

I thought about that too. Coburn is getting the most minutes of everyone. I think Mez value has gone up a bit. He used to be untradable. He's definitely a guy they can move now. Even if it's just for spare parts and salary relief.
- PhillySportsGuy

Mez's hasn't gone up a dime IMO. Not that contract. Flyers are stuck with all these guys. This is a long dark tunnel, the flyers are basically the Flames/Leafs of 5 years ago, capped out with terrible contracts and pretending that their roster is one or two tweaks away from contending.

The team in general is playing better defense since the coaching change.... But you can't win many games scoring one goal, or two for that matter.

Giroux playing like a perimeter player and lacking offensive production might be a result of Berube's system. Keeping a forward in the high slot or high on the boards in the offensive zone to minimize odd man rushes going the other way and to be in a favorable position to back check and help out the defense.

Thant being said, the whole team isn't scoring this season. Not only Giroux, but almost the entire roster is capable of a more efficient attack. I think tweaking the system a bit and taking more chances offensively may help out in the goal production area.

No one on this team can carry the puck in the offensive zone and create plays like Jagr did. Dump and chase with a lazy fore check isn't producing good scoring chances.

After 14 games and the same scoring output problem, I'm baffled Gagne hasn't been offered a modest contract (1-year 1.5M-2M)

Downie is out for now and Gags can play anywhere in the lineup and provide leadership, offense and he's a responsible 2-way player.

What would a more experienced head coach have done? Emphasized better skating and team D after what had become the norm in the latter part of Laviolette's tenure. He'd have tried some different line combinations, perhaps reduced the ice time of some struggling players (but you also need viable alternatives to take the minutes -- which have not emerged here). Basically, that's what Berube has also tried to do.
- bmeltzer

I still don't feel Berube is the answer. I could be wrong of course. And I'm not relieving any blame from the players. They are obviously the problem but if they were going to can Lavi I would have liked to see a clean house.

I know Giroux hasn't scored a goal, but I don't worry about that -- Joe Thornton's only got one goal this year, you know?

I think Giroux has set up his linemates, has made plays. He's not Steven Stamkos. Giroux's an elite playmaker who can score goals. He's honestly the last player on this roster I'm worried about -- and I recognize he hasn't been perfect, but I do not see him as the reason this team isn't winning.

Yes: A couple of mobile defensemen would be where I'd start.
- AllInForFlyers

I don't know what your watching. He's been so bad I think he must have an injury. It doesnt appear to be getting better.

i am pretty sure the other 3 players were at the Carolina blue line basically standing still when Streit was run over by Malholtra. he really needed to dump that in before getting to the damn blue line.
- nastyflyergirl

Well he's skilled. Stick handling through an aging forward shouldn't be that big of a deal. I think he made the right choice. All he needed to do was...



Honestly, I'm not sure he even got it to the red line did he?

Pathetic.

The team in general is playing better defense since the coaching change.... But you can't win many games scoring one goal, or two for that matter.

Giroux playing like a perimeter player and lacking offensive production might be a result of Berube's system. Keeping a forward in the high slot or high on the boards in the offensive zone to minimize odd man rushes going the other way and to be in a favorable position to back check and help out the defense.

Thant being said, the whole team isn't scoring this season. Not only Giroux, but almost the entire roster is capable of a more efficient attack. I think tweaking the system a bit and taking more chances offensively may help out in the goal production area.

No one on this team can carry the puck in the offensive zone and create plays like Jagr did. Dump and chase with a lazy fore check isn't producing good scoring chances.

After 14 games and the same scoring output problem, I'm baffled Gagne hasn't been offered a modest contract (1-year 1.5M-2M)

Downie is out for now and Gags can play anywhere in the lineup and provide leadership, offense and he's a responsible 2-way player.
- Chris48

I think Gags has blocked Homer's phone number.

I think Gags has blocked Homer's phone number.
- Jimmygrazz

He's in Ganges contacts as homie da clown

I don't know what your watching. He's been so bad I think he must have an injury. It doesnt appear to be getting better.
- Just5

I recognize that others see it differently -- I certainly read the posts, and I know that many people feel that his struggles are killing this team.

I see it differently. Giroux's never played like Eric Lindros, where he bulls his way to the net off the wall. He's always been more of a playmaker, and yes, even on the perimeter.

What's happened is that Scott Hartnell's gone into the tank, he's played with guys who have missed golden opportunities, he's hit posts, he's not played well in certain stretches, and guys have gotten hurt.

It's a lot of things that add up to his non-production, but I just don't feel that many of them lie solely at his feet -- it's not Giroux's fault that only two defensemen, at most, can carry the puck up ice at even an average pace at the NHL level.

He's playing with old players, slow players, players who are young and haven't developed, or players in decline.

Just my opinion.