General consensus:
Streit is signed too long for too much.
Vinny is meh.
Hartnell is terrible at hockey and should be traded ASAP.
- jmatchett383

This one surprises me. I though he was a fan favorite. What is/was his falling out with fans. I would take him in Buffalo in a heartbeat.

I don't get why the hate for an ugly win. Usually good teams win ugly games, that's what separates them from bad teams. No doubt this team has flaws, but expect for Hawks, Blues, and Ducks, doesn't everyone else?

7 Double digit goal scorers on this team. Lead the league. That's balance people.
- bgratch

Well said man, I agree fully. Remember, even though there are still holes everywhere, and breakdowns are still occurring, the team is still finding ways to win most games recently. As long as this trend continues, it's better than playing the way we are and not getting these ugly wins...

The point about balance is a good one as well.

Opinions vary. We all agree that they're all overpaid. Hartnell is real good when he's on his game. All 3 are streaky and look terrible when they aren't scoring.

Vinny was the best Flyer forward in the first 10 games. Since then, he's been one of the worst.

Streit is always a defensive liability and wasn't scoring at all to start the season. He's been scoring a lot more lately which offsets his poor defense.

Hartnell is Hartnell. He goes through long stretches of being great and long stretches of being awful. When the team is winning, his #Hartnelldowns are funny. When they're losing, it's frustrating.

I like Hartnell, but I'm not a huge fan of Streit and Vinny. I thought they were all hasty signings. They may come back to bite the team later on.
- PhillySportsGuy

With all that being said, is there anyway the could be GM on the hot seat?

I'll never understand why they added Robyn Regeher to that team.
- bradleyc4

Ha! Because Regehr has reached "Savvy Veteran Status," which means your Awe-Inspiring Leadership makes up for your sub-par skating, puck skills and hockey sense.

This one surprises me. I though he was a fan favorite. What is/was his falling out with fans. I would take him in Buffalo in a heartbeat.
- ImThatGuy

Half of his comments are sarcasm. This will help you fully understand.

Hartnell is a frustrating player to watch because he's so streaky, but he always ends up being a key component to the best line. The Flyers best line right now is the Hartnell-Schenn-Simmonds line.

Hartnell had a streak of 30 straight games without an assist earlier this season. Keep in mind that he played on the top line for a while with G and Voracek and also played on the top PP unit.

This one surprises me. I though he was a fan favorite. What is/was his falling out with fans. I would take him in Buffalo in a heartbeat.
- ImThatGuy

The board is mixed on his play. Really, it just had to do with the fact that he flirted with an almost 40-goal season two years ago, he's netted 30 before twice, and has the ability to put up those numbers, but is just so damn inconsistent sometimes.

As for Vinny, he's been hurt and has had a tough time finding a sticking point on any of the lines, and he's not playing center right now (his natural and much more comfortable position). For the guy who said he's been one of the worst forwards all year is an idiot, sorry man. He hasn't even been close to the worst. Sure, he hasn't been putting up the numbers as some of us would like, but he has generally played decent enough and creates with his size.

As for Streit, people don't get that's the price you have to pay a puck-moving D in this league... Has he been perfect so far? Hell no, but his play over the last month and a half has actually been quite good in most games. So don't let the Nancy's on here paint a completely skewed picture of those 3 players.

This one surprises me. I though he was a fan favorite. What is/was his falling out with fans. I would take him in Buffalo in a heartbeat.
- ImThatGuy

There's a small contingent that realizes that he's a slow-footed power forward who is going to have major ups and major downs, is a good complimentary player, and is going to frustrate you at times.

There's a large contingent that just sees him as slow and useless.

With all that being said, is there anyway the could be GM on the hot seat?
- ImThatGuy

If the Flyers miss the playoffs, I think Homer may go. In reality, we all know Snider gave him the ultimatum to make this team better NOW. Homer decided to sign players to more money instead of trading young pieces. Patience isn't a virtue in Flyerland.

Apparenty they are looking to add scoring again
- nastyflyergirl

Tye "Rocket Richard" McGinn for Doughty.

There's a small contingent that realizes that he's a slow-footed power forward who is going to have major ups and major downs, is a good complimentary player, and is going to frustrate you at times.

There's a large contingent that just sees him as slow and useless.
- jmatchett383

Exactly. We're just mad at times because he shows what he can do, and then can disappear for extended periods of time.

The board is mixed on his play. Really, it just had to do with the fact that he flirted with an almost 40-goal season two years ago, he's netted 30 before twice, and has the ability to put up those numbers, but is just so damn inconsistent sometimes.

As for Vinny, he's been hurt and has had a tough time finding a sticking point on any of the lines, and he's not playing center right now (his natural and much more comfortable position). For the guy who said he's been one of the worst forwards all year is an idiot, sorry man. He hasn't even been close to the worst. Sure, he hasn't been putting up the numbers as some of us would like, but he has generally played decent enough and creates with his size.

As for Streit, people don't get that's the price you have to pay a puck-moving D in this league... Has he been perfect so far? Hell no, but his play over the last month and a half has actually been quite good in most games. So don't let the Nancy's on here paint a completely skewed picture of those 3 players.
- Flyers_V88

Since the first stretch, Vinny has not been better than G, Voracek, Raffl, Simmonds, Schenn, Hartnell, Couturier, Read and possibly Downie. That would make him the 9th or 10th best forward

There's a small contingent that realizes that he's a slow-footed power forward who is going to have major ups and major downs, is a good complimentary player, and is going to frustrate you at times.

There's a large contingent that just sees him as slow and useless.
- jmatchett383

There were some who thought I said the latter, but I always advocated the former -- he's reached the stage where he can't keep up the pace with younger, elite talents.

But he's fine on Line 2 and personally, I think he'll be a nice checking forward if he embraces that role moving forward. Not all forwards do, but Hartnell has enough hockey sense where he could.

Since the first stretch, Vinny has not been better than G, Voracek, Raffl, Simmonds, Schenn, Hartnell, Couturier, Read and possibly Downie. That would make him the 9th or 10th best forward
- PhillySportsGuy

Take into consideration he was hurt for a long period of time at the end of November and through some of December... He hasn't played nearly as bad as some people make it.

Since the first stretch, Vinny has not been better than G, Voracek, Raffl, Simmonds, Schenn, Hartnell, Couturier, Read and possibly Downie. That would make him the 9th or 10th best forward
- PhillySportsGuy

That still makes him better than Rosehill.

the bubble is going to burst on this team...if they cant manhandle the last place team when they are in a playoff hunt they arent going to beat the upcoming opponents.
- PhillaBully

Buffalo isn't a great team, but they were 6-0-2 in their last 8 home games. There is no such thing as an easy road game in the NHL.

The board is mixed on his play. Really, it just had to do with the fact that he flirted with an almost 40-goal season two years ago, he's netted 30 before twice, and has the ability to put up those numbers, but is just so damn inconsistent sometimes.

As for Vinny, he's been hurt and has had a tough time finding a sticking point on any of the lines, and he's not playing center right now (his natural and much more comfortable position). For the guy who said he's been one of the worst forwards all year is an idiot, sorry man. He hasn't even been close to the worst. Sure, he hasn't been putting up the numbers as some of us would like, but he has generally played decent enough and creates with his size.

As for Streit, people don't get that's the price you have to pay a puck-moving D in this league... Has he been perfect so far? Hell no, but his play over the last month and a half has actually been quite good in most games. So don't let the Nancy's on here paint a completely skewed picture of those 3 players.
- Flyers_V88

Solid. Thanks man.

Take into consideration he was hurt for a long period of time at the end of November and through some of December... He hasn't played nearly as bad as some people make it.
- Flyers_V88

I know he was(is) hurt. I'm not saying he's useless and won't get better. He is much better at center. The truth is the truth though. He hasn't been better than any of those guys. He's had trouble fitting in with any line. You have to admit, since he's come back from injury (not at 100%) he's been struggling a lot.

Buffalo isn't a great team, but they were 6-0-2 in their last 8 home games. There is no such thing as an easy road game in the NHL.
- PLindbergh31

Honestly, Smithers, I don't know why Harvard even bothers to show up. They barely even won.

Buffalo isn't a great team, but they were 6-0-2 in their last 8 home games. There is no such thing as an easy road game in the NHL.
- PLindbergh31

I was starting to get/still am worried they are going to make a magical run to 10-11 place.

Buffalo isn't a great team, but they were 6-0-2 in their last 8 home games. There is no such thing as an easy road game in the NHL.
- PLindbergh31

Exactly -- they've played much better under Ted Nolan.

It's no different than the Flyers playing better under Craig Berube -- the Sabres had tightened up considerably and were far tougher than people were giving them credit for being.

They're not very good, but they're not rolling over.

I wasn't talking about the 2009 team. I was talking about the 07/08 team...unless the 09/10 team only made it to the EC Finals.

Edit:
The 07/08 team gave up an average of 2.77 GA/GP with that oh-so-stellar defense.
The 13/14 team has given up an average of 2.74 GA/GP with their oh-so-horrible defense.
- jmatchett383

really .03 goals per game? That equates to three extra goals per season.

Solid. Thanks man.
- ImThatGuy

lol, no problem. All of them have their flaws, and have seen ups and downs, but generally, their play has been ok. More so Hartnell and Streit over the past month+, Vinny is getting back into it now that he has played some games and seems to have found a "home" as the 3rd line RW.

Great third period last night.

Im confused if you could help me out. Was talking to some Philly Fans yesterday. Want to see if the opinions here are the same on Streit, Vinny and Hartnell.
- ImThatGuy

As has been said, Streit is paid too much for too long. He contributes on the offensive end but he doesn't score enough to offset his defensive shortcomings.

Vinny was the best forward the first ten games then his game really fell off after his back problem flared up. Im guessing a fractured disc is pretty painful. He came back early when they told him he couldn't damage it further and has played pretty badly up until the last 4 games or so. I think he is now getting his game back. Berube has pretty much left the lines alone except when adjusting for injuries. I think this has helped all of the forwards get some continuity.

Which leads me to Hartnell. He is a streaky guy who is only effective when he plays an agitating physical game to make room for himself on the ice. He wasn't producing playing with Giroux and Voracek. This is a chicken and the egg argument because those two weren't producing very well either over the first 20 games or so. Once he was moved off that line and Raffl moved on, they started playing better. It took a little while longer for Hartnell to gel with Simmonds and Schenn, but now that line has been productive for a good long while.

Berube deserves a lot of credit for not tinkering too much with the lines once he got them where he wanted them, allowing time for the groups to get used to each other and work out what they want to do offensively AND defensively. Injuries have played a part on the third line with Read, Vinny AND Downie all being hurt at some point over the season.

It is what it is. This teams success hinges on the play of the forwards in my opinion. They need to be playing at a high level in all three zones to overcome the shortcomings of the defense as a whole.

I was starting to get/still am worried they are going to make a magical run to 10-11 place.
- ImThatGuy

I wouldn't worry about that. They will either have to trade Miller or re-sign him and give him less of a workload for the remainder of the season.

really .03 goals per game? That equates to three extra goals per season.
- PhillaBully

You said the 07/08 team had "way more talent" on defense, yet they gave up more goals per game than this atrocious defense. I'd expect that magical 07/08 defense to have a lower (much lower) figure when compared to this terrible one, not a higher number.