i thought i would too but i couldn't say they are better than any of the teams above them. that was why i posted it in the context of having hope but needing to balance it against reality. the reality is they are not close to the top-echelon teams. the loss of pronger was devastating but i think that 2010 cup run was a false positive to the actual talent on the team. my question is this: no matter what your position is on what strategy they should employ (wait for young guys or try to improve thru trades etc. now) do we really want paul holmgren in charge of doing it?
- hogweed

I think they're better than the Caps. The Caps have a lot of shootout wins.

That sounds like a Stephen Colbert comment. Except the "I'm quite progressive" part.
- PhillySportsGuy

Stephen Colbert's TV persona, Stephen Colbert, is the most progressive patriotic man in America.

Then that would be ok. I just hate the idea of giving up two picks for 30 games of Malhotra. A fair share of decent goalies are selected in the 4th and 5th round.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, yes, we may be missing out on the next Scott Munroe or, if we're really lucky, Philip Grubauer.

I think they're better than the Caps. The Caps have a lot of shootout wins.
- PhillySportsGuy

ok so even if you find 2 or even 5 teams you could argue the flyers are better than, i don't think it invalidates the rest of my point

Stephen Colbert's TV persona, Stephen Colbert, is the most progressive patriotic man in America.
- jmatchett383

Have you ever seen him interviewed out of character? It's weird

ok so even if you find 2 or even 5 teams you could argue the flyers are better than, i don't think it invalidates the rest of my point
- hogweed

I think the Flyers are a middle of the pack team that has even odds of being top-3 division, winning a wild card spot, or missing out altogether. Unlike the West, there is no clear division between playoff teams and non-playoff teams.

Have you ever seen him interviewed out of character? It's weird
- PhillySportsGuy

No, but I refuse to believe he is any different than his media persona.

ok so even if you find 2 or even 5 teams you could argue the flyers are better than, i don't think it invalidates the rest of my point
- hogweed

The point is more that they're in the middle of the pack rather than the back end.

Well, yes, we may be missing out on the next Scott Munroe or, if we're really lucky, Philip Grubauer.
- jmatchett383

I know. That's why we can't trade for Malhotra. Munroe will be our stud ECHL goalie for years.

I think the Flyers are a middle of the pack team that has even odds of being top-3 division, winning a wild card spot, or missing out altogether. Unlike the West, there is no clear division between playoff teams and non-playoff teams.
- jmatchett383

i agree, just like 2010.scraped in ans went on a heater at the right time. i would just like to see them back to an elite-level team again in my lifetime

I know. That's why we can't trade for Malhotra. Munroe will be our stud ECHL goalie for years.
- PhillySportsGuy

He'll be contending with DiPietro for the starter's position on Brent Fedyk's men's league team in 2 years.

i agree, just like 2010.scraped in ans went on a heater at the right time. i would just like to see them back to an elite-level team again in my lifetime
- hogweed

Then lay off the booze.

I think the Flyers are a middle of the pack team that has even odds of being top-3 division, winning a wild card spot, or missing out altogether. Unlike the West, there is no clear division between playoff teams and non-playoff teams.
- jmatchett383

The continued mediocrity of the East is hardly assured.... all that it would really take is for the Wings, Caps and Rangers to play up to their abilities and the Flyers' PO chances would essentially be toast -- no top-3 seed, no wild card.

He'll be contending with DiPietro for the starter's position on Brent Fedyk's men's league team in 2 years.
- jmatchett383

I hear it will be an intense competition. I think Dipietro will demand a trade if he's the backup.

Then lay off the booze.
- jmatchett383

good advice. going on 9 years here

The continued mediocrity of the East is hardly assured.... all that it would really take is for the Wings, Caps and Rangers to play up to their abilities and the Flyers' PO chances would essentially be toast -- no top-3 seed, no wild card.
- Tomahawk

I don't think the Flyers have played up their abilities either. Aside from Mason, we've seen all of these guys play better (and smarter) than they've shown. So yes, other teams could get on a roll, but so could the Flyers. Are they going to surpass the Penguins or start to dominate teams like Boston/NYR on a regular basis? Probably not. But they're a team that has the talent to hang with any team on any night if they play up to their abilities with regularity.

The continued mediocrity of the East is hardly assured.... all that it would really take is for the Wings, Caps and Rangers to play up to their abilities and the Flyers' PO chances would essentially be toast -- no top-3 seed, no wild card.
- Tomahawk

I think the Rangers, Caps and Flyers are playing up to their potential

I hear it will be an intense competition. I think Dipietro will demand a trade if he's the backup.
- PhillySportsGuy

DiPietro will win the starting job. However, upon hearing the news, he will smile and break his jaw and miss 4-6 weeks.

I think the Rangers, Caps and Flyers are playing up to their potential
- PhillySportsGuy

the rangers sure did in that first period against the flyers

I don't think the Flyers have played up their abilities either. Aside from Mason, we've seen all of these guys play better (and smarter) than they've shown. So yes, other teams could get on a roll, but so could the Flyers. Are they going to surpass the Penguins or start to dominate teams like Boston/NYR on a regular basis? Probably not. But they're a team that has the talent to hang with any team on any night if they play up to their abilities with regularity.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, certain guys could still play better, but is that added margin enough to compensate for all the fundamental weaknesses and over-reliance on unsustainable goaltending from Mason?

I don't think this team is as bad as they looked at the start, nor do I believe that the are really as good as their recent record would suggest. If they're somewhere in the middle, that still puts them below where the Rangers, Wings and Caps ought to be over a full season sample. Those teams are more experienced, talented, further along the team development curve, and their weak points are not nearly as glaring as the Flyers', IMO.

I think the Rangers, Caps and Flyers are playing up to their potential
- PhillySportsGuy

I really don't think the Wings are a shoe in. Granted, any team with Pavel Datsyuk is dangerous. But I think Jimmy Howard is one of the most overrated goalies in the league, their defense isn't imposing outside of Kronwall, and I question their bottom-6 depth.

Yeah, certain guys could still play better, but is that added margin enough to compensate for all the fundamental weaknesses and over-reliance on unsustainable goaltending from Mason?

I don't think this team is as bad as they looked at the start, nor do I believe that the are really as good as their recent record would suggest. If they're somewhere in the middle, that still puts them below where the Rangers, Wings and Caps ought to be over a full season sample. Those teams are more experienced, talented, further along the team development curve, and their weak points are not nearly as glaring as the Flyers', IMO.
- Tomahawk

Well you just keep being gloomy and expect them to fail, and I'll be over here hoping they will continue to play well and hope it's enough to make the playoffs.

I really don't think the Wings are a shoe in. Granted, any team with Pavel Datsyuk is dangerous. But I think Jimmy Howard is one of the most overrated goalies in the league, their defense isn't imposing outside of Kronwall, and I question their bottom-6 depth.
- jmatchett383

They are still in the hunt despite all of the injuries. Howard isn't amazing but he's better than the other goalies they have. I still think he's decent. I just trust their track record. They are a team with several winners.

the rangers sure did in that first period against the flyers
- Marc D

Each team goes through their ups and downs. Flyers have had two hot streaks. I just don't think the Caps or Rangers will get hot and leave the rest fighting for the final divisional seed.

Laughton may play wing on the 3rd line. Hard to tell at this point though. I would be ok with them moving a 4th rounder for a 4th line center. He better be able to kill penalties though.
- PhillySportsGuy

Also, Laughton won't play on the 3rd line wing (aka "Concussion Land") next year. Remember, we traded horrible Talbot for star Downie and should resign him based on a 10-game sample.