It's too early to render a final grade, but the early returns are not promising.

I realize Schenn can and likely will get better. But I doubt anyone outside the Schenn family feels he will end up fulfilling the Adam Foote comparisons, and will probably plateau as a good, second pair defenseman, who plays physical and provides grit.

That's not a bad thing, but if JvR becomes a consistent 30 goal power forward, the Flyers simply didn't get enough for him. Not only that, they had a far more pressing need at the time of the trade, with the only two mobile defensemen that had above average puck skills were a 36 year old Timonen and Matt Carle, who would hit UFA status in a week.

Part of my issues with the Flyers under Holmgren is a repeated failure to maximize assets.
- Jsaquella

Fair points...to me Schenn's strong play down the stretch last season indicated a fair trade, but right now with JVR doing well and Schenn in the doghouse and the Flyers being anemic offensely, of course it's looking worse...in time we'll be able to smooth out the ups and downs and evaluate the trade more accurately. For now I'm keeping the faith that it was a win-win.

Fair points...to me Schenn's strong play down the stretch last season indicated a fair trade, but right now with JVR doing well and Schenn in the doghouse and the Flyers being anemic offensely, of course it's looking worse...in time we'll be able to smooth out the ups and downs and evaluate the trade more accurately. For now I'm keeping the faith that it was a win-win.
- exlund

I still maintain, even if Schenn blossoms, that a defensive defenseman is not worth a first round draft pick.

Can anyone tell me the last time a defensive defenseman, esp. with below average speed, was traded for a 1st round pick?

Pretty insightful article:

http://the700level.com/fl...he-one-youre-thinking-of/
- aantny88

Yes, but to be fair this isn't a new insight.

The Devils have been under-spending them for decades and basically eating the Flyers lunch in the process.

Just as in the broken education system in this country, money isn't the answer.

Pretty insightful article:

http://the700level.com/fl...he-one-youre-thinking-of/
- aantny88

This money-slinging culture problem is especially apparent on the Flyers’ blue line, which is slow, old and outrageously expensive for ranking 16th in goals-against per game. In fact, the Flyers (without Chris Pronger’s $4.941 million) easily lead the league in defense spending at over $28 million.

45 Kris Newbury or 37 Jay Rosehill - 18 Adam Hall - 36 Zac Rinaldo



I know the Flyers view McGinn as a top 6 or bust player but I see no reason why the kid can't play on the 3rd or 4th line.
- nastyflyergirl

Because it does Mcginn no good to play there. Why have him play 10 minutes a game when he can get top line minutes in the minors to get better. Look at Coots, he spent his career on the 3rd line and he isn't improving much. Young players need to play. You waste their potential on 3rd and 4th lines because those lines don't get much ice time

Ill watch the rest of the season but ill be thinking of the 2014 draft the whole time!

- PhillaBully

I have to agree with the other guy. I love the Flyers and usually watch every game. But since my wife refuses to watch them on TV, and with the plethora of tv shows I watch, the worse this team gets, the less excuse I have to watch the team. I dont know when, but at some point I will choose to watch Masters of Sex, Homeland, and Boardwalk Empire over the Flyers...

No matter how bad the Flyers are playing right now, they are still my team! I am a die hard Flyers fan! I always will be! Like some people on this site seem to find it easy to do... I will not give up on them! I hope that they don't give up on the fans!

This money-slinging culture problem is especially apparent on the Flyers’ blue line, which is slow, old and outrageously expensive for ranking 16th in goals-against per game. In fact, the Flyers (without Chris Pronger’s $4.941 million) easily lead the league in defense spending at over $28 million.
- Flyers_01

My problem is prices and players. Pronger is an elite Dman, he is worth every penny but Timonen SHOULD NOT at any point in his career make more than Pronger. I said it last year to let Timonen walk, he has nothing left, nope Homer had to sign him for 6 mill.... Streit I had mixed emotions about because our 2nd PP unit needs a guy like him but his defence sucks.

I have to agree with the other guy. I love the Flyers and usually watch every game. But since my wife refuses to watch them on TV, and with the plethora of tv shows I watch, the worse this team gets, the less excuse I have to watch the team. I dont know when, but at some point I will choose to watch Masters of Sex, Homeland, and Boardwalk Empire over the Flyers...
- youarewrong

I figured you would be watching Fox News all night.

I have to agree with the other guy. I love the Flyers and usually watch every game. But since my wife refuses to watch them on TV, and with the plethora of tv shows I watch, the worse this team gets, the less excuse I have to watch the team. I dont know when, but at some point I will choose to watch Masters of Sex, Homeland, and Boardwalk Empire over the Flyers...
- youarewrong

I usually have something to do while watching the game these days. If things go south tonight (and at this point, I think every game has the very real potential for disaster), I'll probably go back to building my new(ish) guitar.

Downie-Giroux-Voracek
McGinn-Lecavlier-Read
Hartnell-Couturier-Simmonds
Rinaldo-Schenn-Raffl

Healthy line-up?

This team can't have a fourth line playing 5-6 minutes. Our entire bottom six needs to sniff 10 minutes a game or were looking at a lottery pick. For as bad as Giroux has been, the remedy is not over playing him 23 minutes a game right now. Get him down to 19-20 and this is a different team. We just need the right balance.

I have to agree with the other guy. I love the Flyers and usually watch every game. But since my wife refuses to watch them on TV, and with the plethora of tv shows I watch, the worse this team gets, the less excuse I have to watch the team. I dont know when, but at some point I will choose to watch Masters of Sex, Homeland, and Boardwalk Empire over the Flyers...
- youarewrong

I might watch Boardwalk Empire over the Flyers even if they were good.

I might watch Boardwalk Empire over the Flyers even if they were good.
- Tomahawk

I haven't been able to watch the new season and was going to catch up on "On Demand".

Is this season any good?

I haven't been able to watch the new season and was going to catch up on "On Demand".

Is this season any good?
- johndewar

So far, very.

I have to agree with the other guy. I love the Flyers and usually watch every game. But since my wife refuses to watch them on TV, and with the plethora of tv shows I watch, the worse this team gets, the less excuse I have to watch the team. I dont know when, but at some point I will choose to watch Masters of Sex, Homeland, and Boardwalk Empire over the Flyers...
- youarewrong

There's always the DVR and/or "On Demand" for those shows.

When the Flyers stink like this, I usually try to find something constructive to do while watching so I don't feel like simply punching a hole in the wall.

I usually have something to do while watching the game these days. If things go south tonight (and at this point, I think every game has the very real potential for disaster), I'll probably go back to building my new(ish) guitar.
- BulliesPhan87

I hope the Flyers string you along the rest of the season as they string together some wins as you um... string together your guitar... strings.

I still maintain, even if Schenn blossoms, that a defensive defenseman is not worth a first round draft pick.

Can anyone tell me the last time a defensive defenseman, esp. with below average speed, was traded for a 1st round pick?
- Flyers_01

Thats because really good defensive defensman dont get traded.

So far, very.
- Tomahawk

3 of the last 4 episodes were pretty slow IMO. Last episode was pretty good. It's all coming together though for these last 3. But definitely a good season so far.

I figured you would be watching Fox News all night.
- PLindbergh31

HANNITY!

Thats because really good defensive defensman dont get traded.
- youarewrong

Spot on

I hope the Flyers string you along the rest of the season as they string together some wins as you um... string together your guitar... strings.
- Flyskippy

I try to bass my feelings in reality. I won't fret if they lose (what else is new?), but I wouldn't mind a win, to help pick up the spirits. Of course, right now the team looks like somebody pulled the power chord, so I'll scale back my expectations.

There's always the DVR and/or "On Demand" for those shows.

When the Flyers stink like this, I usually try to find something constructive to do while watching so I don't feel like simply punching a hole in the wall.
- johndewar

That is what I do now, but why when it gets this bad eventually i saw to myself, why bother, your not missing anything, and the game is only going to piss you off... I'll just read Bill's recap and be fine.

3 of the last 4 episodes were pretty slow IMO. Last episode was pretty good. It's all coming together though for these last 3. But definitely a good season so far.
- mochoson

My only complaint is not enough Kelly Macdonald. Are they writing her out of the series? She's had, maybe, 5-mins of screen time this season...

Narcisse is a great character... easily one of the best, most interesting, villains on TV.

I try to bass my feelings in reality. I won't fret if they lose (what else is new?), but I wouldn't mind a win, to help pick up the spirits. Of course, right now the team looks like somebody pulled the power chord, so I'll scale back my expectations.
- BulliesPhan87

I see what you did there....

Yes, but to be fair this isn't a new insight.

The Devils have been under-spending them for decades and basically eating the Flyers lunch in the process.

Just as in the broken education system in this country, money isn't the answer.
- Scoob

it's not just the spending, but the lack of importance they place on drafting dmen, in addition to finding the right talent and developing them in the first place. the stats in the 2nd half of the article are noteworthy and alarming.

but hey, this team doesn't have a cap problem, so what's the big deal?