Kind of interesting how in the Lava era the team has trouble going up against defensive clubs, but would do fairly well against the other offensive teams.

Under Berube the issues are simply reversed.

Meh, I just look at they are what they are.

Had a really poop streak at the start of the year. Got on a hot streak for a few games after.

They are an average club in today's NHL. The big concerns at this point are whether Voracek/Giroux can bounce back to top line form, and stay there consistently.

That and being able to manage the anchors that will be Hartnell's, Streit's and Vinny's contracts.
- flyer_nutter

The anchor part is scary, especially with VL injury right now.

I think G and Voracek are fine.
Put that line with a creative skilled defenseman and they will score a lot more both 5 v 5 and PP.

The blue line is a black hole offensively right now, even with Mez scoring today which was great.

Kimmo apparently injured.
Streit looks like he is moving in mud.
Coburn and Grossmann are good NHL quality defesneman but aren't going to fit their need on offense.
Gus is seemingly forgotten.
Ghostibear or whatever is likely 3 years out.

I'm fine with Morin, had other players in mind but that's the ways things went what's the point of constantly complaining about it.
- ob18

They probably still draft Morin or Risto at 8 anyway.

Assuming the Devils put up more than one goal tonight the Flyers will be sitting alone ranked 29th of 30 in goals per game, ahead of only the Sabres. Take a look at their roster if you have a sec. We're basically dead last in the league in scoring.

Time to start putting some guys out on the trading blocks.
- hereticpride

I'd personally be in favour of waiting to the deadline/draft. Let the current crew play out the season, and see which of the kids stay in an untouchable category.

That and I really don't want Holmgren shaping this team toward the future, but that's just me.

Glad I was dealing with x-mas stuff this afternoon sounds like this game was awesome. Did anyone look good?
- LJF

Mason was awesome in the first and for parts of the second before the roof caved in.

Simmonds I'd say was pretty good.

Mez scored a goal.

Couts turned 21.

Rinaldo went full batpoop crazy.

that's all I have.

They probably still draft Morin or Risto at 8 anyway.
- KINGKENZO

We'll never know, just now it's let's see how Morin develops.

I'd personally be in favour of waiting to the deadline/draft. Let the current crew play out the season, and see which of the kids stay in an untouchable category.

That and I really don't want Holmgren shaping this team toward the future, but that's just me.
- flyer_nutter

I still put some guys on the block now and see what offers come in. Cant hurt.

Watching Streit play, and seeing their glaring need for a guy at the point with a right handed shot makes me upset a bit with the GM. Because they filled their need on the blue line with the wrong guy this summer.

For a team that seemingly has the ability to spend to the cap limit every year, they cannot find a defenseman with decent right handed shot who can also skate the puck?

It has to be their first priority.

Not mad at Streit, he is what he is: plenty deliberate with the puck, very slow, and average barely in his own zone. Blame management.
- Marc D

Streit has been pretty bad...he just doesn't seem to have developed much confidence or chemistry with the team as of yet. I'm pretty sure he can be better than he's been, but it's getting tiresome waiting for it to show.

There will be some natural turnover in the D this coming off-season, so the mix will be changed to some extent...hopefully, they can manage to add the right elements...if we're left depending on Streit to produce the back end things could get worse...I'm on board with bringing in an offensive or point producing two-way D man, but I think care needs to be taken not to be too overzealous and overpay, especially for an older guy, in an attempt to win a few extra games...I'm looking longer term and would like to see any further moves be geared toward that as opposed to short term desperation moves. Homer has held onto solid young players lately...he may have to deal one or two to bring in the necessary piece(s).

I still put some guys on the block now and see what offers come in. Cant hurt.
- hereticpride

Definitely.

In particular on that defense I wouldn't mind seeing some of the guys from the AHL get a shot. This crew needs some young blood.

That way, it also gives you a better impression into just how much you need from external sources to fix this blueline, or if you might have some of those pieces already.

I think the offense more than anything needs speed and creativity, but I would like to see Akeson or Cousins get a call up at some point here. Unfortunately neither are real speedy guys, but so be it I suppose.

Edit: More than anything I think the organization needs to realise that you aren't going to turn a Bud into Jack Daniels. The current team is what it is, and they can be yelled at as much as you want... Its not going to make them drastically better players.

Streit has been pretty bad...he just doesn't seem to have developed much confidence or chemistry with the team as of yet. I'm pretty sure he can be better than he's been, but it's getting tiresome waiting for it to show.

There will be some natural turnover in the D this coming off-season, so the mix will be changed to some extent...hopefully, they can manage to add the right elements...if we're left depending on Streit to produce the back end things could get worse...I'm on board with bringing in an offensive or point producing two-way D man, but I think care needs to be taken not to be too overzealous and overpay, especially for an older guy, in an attempt to win a few extra games...I'm looking longer term and would like to see any further moves be geared toward that as opposed to short term desperation moves. Homer has held onto solid young players lately...he may have to deal one or two to bring in the necessary piece(s).
- exlund

I like holding onto the young guys too.

But I don't think they will fill their need on D via UFA.

I'm not sure a trade is available that works for them, I am sure they would have pulled the trigger if there was on.

Building the D via the draft, well that could take awhile.
Its the right way, but they wont be that patient.

I like holding onto the young guys too.

But I don't think they will fill their need on D via UFA.

I'm not sure a trade is available that works for them, I am sure they would have pulled the trigger if there was on.

Building the D via the draft, well that could take awhile.
Its the right way, but they wont be that patient.
- Marc D

Which is the fear with say a guy like Phaneuf looming. The anchor contracts of Streit, Vinny and Hartnell will get another friend to join them.

I will be really interested to not only see if they keep the young kids, but how they pay them when he time comes. Cant focus so much on the hot streaks and "shiny potential". That, and are these kids that top line, elite talent the team desperately needs?

I have my doubts, but it seems Holmgren is willing to find out instead of shipping them off. There are benefits in that, but I wouldn't hesitate under the right deal.

Definitely.

In particular on that defense I wouldn't mind seeing some of the guys from the AHL get a shot. This crew needs some young blood.

That way, it also gives you a better impression into just how much you need from external sources to fix this blueline, or if you might have some of those pieces already.

I think the offense more than anything needs speed and creativity, but I would like to see Akeson or Cousins get a call up at some point here. Unfortunately neither are real speedy guys, but so be it I suppose.

Edit: More than anything I think the organization needs to realise that you aren't going to turn a Bud into Jack Daniels. The current team is what it is, and they can be yelled at as much as you want... Its not going to make them drastically better players.
- flyer_nutter

I would definitely like to see them get Alt up. And our offense cant get much worse so yeah, give Cousins and Akeson a few games and see what sticks.

Ultimately they need to realize they cant carry all of Hartnell, Simmonds & Downie with such big, glaring holes elsewhere. I dont think they can move Hartnell and Downie has brought his game. I truly think Simmonds and one or two 2nd rounders for a solid puckmover is the deal that needs to be made for the good of the team.

I like holding onto the young guys too.

But I don't think they will fill their need on D via UFA.

I'm not sure a trade is available that works for them, I am sure they would have pulled the trigger if there was on.

Building the D via the draft, well that could take awhile.
Its the right way, but they wont be that patient.
- Marc D

Well, the key is that they have to target a young defenseman. Personally, I wouldn't go for anyone too far north of 30, unless he came at a bargain rate.

From the small bit of the game I saw, the Flyers had no answers for the speed of Dallas and played a very stupid game besides.

Building the D via the draft, well that could take awhile.
Its the right way, but they wont be that patient.
- Marc D

The problem is they waited til the draft last year to take any highly regarded D propects. Now with Kimmo done we're going to have this 2-3 year gap where (unless a big move is made) you have no one on the roster capable of being a true number 1, let alone a 1B. And you HOPE in 3 years Morin and Hagg are those guys.

Phaneuf getting every penny he asks for is becoming a distinct possibility.

The problem is they waited til the draft last year to take any highly regarded D propects. Now with Kimmo done we're going to have this 2-3 year gap where (unless a big move is made) you have no one on the roster capable of being a true number 1, let alone a 1B. And you HOPE in 3 years Morin and Hagg are those guys.

Phaneuf getting every penny he asks for is becoming a distinct possibility.
- hereticpride

That's sort of true. They picked a few guys in the 2012 draft with a lot of promise. Gostisbehere looks like he could be a damned good pick in the third. Reese Willcox was solid in the NCAA, as well, and Valeri Vasiliev is playing as a regular in the KHL at age 19, and says he wants to come over in a couple years. Vasiliev could end up a major steal if he comes over.

That's sort of true. They picked a few guys in the 2012 draft with a lot of promise. Gostisbehere looks like he could be a damned good pick in the third. Reese Willcox was solid in the NCAA, as well, and Valeri Vasiliev is playing as a regular in the KHL at age 19, and says he wants to come over in a couple years. Vasiliev could end up a major steal if he comes over.
- Jsaquella

I keep going with this theme, this team has no quick fix. I continue to draft & develop and if I can make other moves to build around whatever players they identify as their core group.

I keep going with this theme, this team has no quick fix. I continue to draft & develop and if I can make other moves to build around whatever players they identify as their core group.
- ob18

But what is the plan on D for the next two years? None of these guys are going to be playing top pairing NHL minutes for years. probably not even 3-4 minutes anytime soon either.

But what is the plan on D for the next two years? None of these guys are going to be playing top pairing NHL minutes for years. probably not even 3-4 minutes anytime soon either.
- hereticpride

It will be a tough time, do you see a quick fix without overpaying that much?

I keep going with this theme, this team has no quick fix. I continue to draft & develop and if I can make other moves to build around whatever players they identify as their core group.
- ob18

There's likely not a quick fix, but if you're truly going to rebuild, then trade Giroux, trade Read, trade Simmonds and rebuild. There's nothing wrong with making the team better in the short term while avoiding bad moves for the long term.

I like guys like Brayden Schenn, Scott Laughton & Wayne Simmonds, but they need a good young defenseman with good wheels, puck skills and hockey sense. If you can get one, it's worth it to make the deal.

There's likely not a quick fix, but if you're truly going to rebuild, then trade Giroux, trade Read, trade Simmonds and rebuild. There's nothing wrong with making the team better in the short term while avoiding bad moves for the long term.

I like guys like Brayden Schenn, Scott Laughton & Wayne Simmonds, but they need a good young defenseman with good wheels, puck skills and hockey sense. If you can get one, it's worth it to make the deal.
- Jsaquella

I still think they can be competitive just a quick fix is not there to me. I don't see a team moving that kind of defenseman for cheap. They gave up 3 of their own 1st's for a 34 year old Pronger, they were willing to give up 4 1st's for Weber for me that's too high a cost & will hurt them more than help

I still think they can be competitive just a quick fix is not there to me. I don't see a team moving that kind of defenseman for cheap. They gave up 3 of their own 1st's for a 34 year old Pronger, they were willing to give up 4 1st's for Weber for me that's too high a cost & will hurt them more than help
- ob18

Well, I agree they can't trade for a Weber or Pietrangelo. But they could go after a Kulikov or Del Zotto or Jeff Petry, guys who can skate well and have the ability to carry the puck.

Well, I agree they can't trade for a Weber or Pietrangelo. But they could go after a Kulikov or Del Zotto or Jeff Petry, guys who can skate well and have the ability to carry the puck.
- Jsaquella

I'd certainly inquire.

I still think they can be competitive just a quick fix is not there to me. I don't see a team moving that kind of defenseman for cheap. They gave up 3 of their own 1st's for a 34 year old Pronger, they were willing to give up 4 1st's for Weber for me that's too high a cost & will hurt them more than help
- ob18

Those cases right there are scary. Most of all because they say alot about how the team values it's picks. Those moves aren't sustainable for a competitive franchise?

I am very impressed with Dallas. It looks like they have a real good thing going.

Lastly: Rinaldo. The guy was solid last season when it looked like he understood his role. This? I really hope Berube puts this ''holding people accountable'' talk into practice. Disgraceful.

Those cases right there are scary. Most of all because they say alot about how the team values it's picks. Those moves aren't sustainable for a competitive franchise?

I am very impressed with Dallas. It looks like they have a real good thing going.

Lastly: Rinaldo. The guy was solid last season when it looked like he understood his role. This? I really hope Berube puts this ''holding people accountable'' talk into practice. Disgraceful.
- Bearintheforest

Rinaldo's regressed badly. So has Luke Schenn. Two of last season's most pleasant surprises have been next to worthless this year.

q Did anyone look good?
- LJF

The Dallas top line.