I think this is absolutely true. There is no identity to this team. No real strength on offense or defense.

My question is, does Snider realize that part of this is because of Prongers injury, part of it is because of Sniders insistance to get Bryz.. which may or may not have caused the Firck and Frack trades depending on who you talk to.. and a part of it is on Homer for over-reaching in FA.

I can lay 1/3rd of the blame on Homer. Maybe half. I'm not going to kill Snider for wanting to win. We all want to win. But I dont think that he should fire the GM for what is partially his fault and partially poor luck.

I still think Homer has what we need to turn this team around, he just needs more time. More time to get the right guys through the draft, and more time to find the right trades that don't screw the team.
- youarewrong

I do believe in the core, at least on offense. But past 1-2 of our defenseman, I don't see the pieces to build around.

if homer makes no moves at the TDL and keeps all our old players he should be fired immediately
- 2Real

I'm on the other side of this.

I'm very vary of a "job saving" move that could hurt the franchise down the road and would prefer minor moves or standing pat.

I'm really, really OK with not making the playoffs this year.

Ed Snider might not be, but I am.

Even if there are no takers and none with a NTC/NMC are willing to do it? Also, which of our players are the "old" ones?
- jmatchett383

Timonen Hartnell to start them I move look to move Grossman and Mezsaros

After watching LA last night it's clear as to why we need dmen that can actually skate

its ok were getting johny gaudreau next year..no worries

I'm on the other side of this.

I'm very vary of a "job saving" move that could hurt the franchise down the road and would prefer minor moves or standing pat.

I'm really, really OK with not making the playoffs this year.

Ed Snider might not be, but I am.
- johndewar

I'm not okay with it, but if the team seems to be built for a real run in 2-3 years opposed to a cup of coffee this year, I'm okay with it.

if homer makes no moves at the TDL and keeps all our old players he should be fired immediately
- 2Real

TDL this year is tough... you get a trade freeze during the Olympics, then only a week or so between when the NHL resumes and the TDL... there are still going to be a lot of teams, including the Flyers, that think they're in it at that time.

Probably means they're going to try to buy, and Kimmo and Mez are probably staying put.

Timonen Hartnell to start them I move look to move Grossman and Mezsaros

After watching LA last night it's clear as to why we need dmen that can actually skate
- 2Real

And if Hartnell refuses to waive his NTC and there are no takers for Mez/Grossmann because they're awful and broken?

its ok were getting Jason Krog next year..no worries
- PhillaBully

ftfy

its ok were getting johny gaudreau next year..no worries
- PhillaBully

link?

And if Hartnell refuses to waive his NTC and there are no takers for Mez/Grossmann because they're awful and broken?
- jmatchett383

put hartnell on the 4th line or bench him?

TDL this year is tough... you get a trade freeze during the Olympics, then only a week or so between when the NHL resumes and the TDL... there are still going to be a lot of teams, including the Flyers, that think they're in it at that time.

Probably means they're going to try to buy, and Kimmo and Mez are probably staying put.
- Tomahawk

which is insane because we know neither will be back next year

its ok were getting Pavel Brendl next year..no worries
- PhillaBully

ftfy
- Tomahawk

ftfy

I'm not okay with it, but if the team seems to be built for a real run in 2-3 years opposed to a cup of coffee this year, I'm okay with it.
- jmatchett383

Yup
I'd rather miss the playoffs this year and even next, if I feel that we are building a team that will be a real contender in a few years. The last thing I want to see is a panic move to just squeak into the playoffs this season (where you can almost guarantee that they'd meet Pittsburgh or Boston and be done in one) that weakens the club in the long run.

which is insane because we know neither will be back next year
- 2Real

And what kind of return would you be happy with for these guys?

link?
- 2Real

http://www.phillabullykno...severything.com/Jgaudreau

put hartnell on the 4th line or bench him?
- 2Real

You want to put our 5th leading point producer on the 4th line?

Yup
I'd rather miss the playoffs this year and even next, if I feel that we are building a team that will be a real contender in a few years. The last thing I want to see is a panic move to just squeak into the playoffs this season (where you can almost guarantee that they'd meet Pittsburgh or Boston and be done in one) that weakens the club in the long run.
- BiggE

couturier for markov...heard it here first folks.

couturier for Boyes...heard it here first folks.
- PhillaBully

i gotcha covered

Do we let him stay either way? His tenure has been hills and valleys. Not consistent enough in the improvement department for me..

Also, I'm failing to see a clear vision of how he wants to build the team.
- funmaster18

The problem was the Bryzgalof trade. It altered the entire structure of the team. Whatever vision he had of the team was trashed in that acquisition.

Yup
I'd rather miss the playoffs this year and even next, if I feel that we are building a team that will be a real contender in a few years. The last thing I want to see is a panic move to just squeak into the playoffs this season (where you can almost guarantee that they'd meet Pittsburgh or Boston and be done in one) that weakens the club in the long run.
- BiggE

To me, this team, as constructed, can at the very least hang with any team in the NHL. However, to do that, they need to be prepared to outwork the other team every night, and play smart. Which they can. They just haven't recently.

http://www.phillabullyknowseverything.com/Jgaudreau
- PhillaBully

link didn't work.

http://www.phillabullyknowseverything.com/Jgaudreau
- PhillaBully

5'8 159... you know they're lying about his size... he's more like 5'6 150-ish... kid is about as big as Nathan Gerbe... it's an uphill climb for him to be an NHL star.

My ultimate issue is im confused as to what kind of team he wants to build.
- funmaster18

I think what happened is before Pronger went down, they were a very deep top 4 team on defense and very deep top 3 lines on offense but crappy goaltending.

Then they went and got Bryz, lost Pronger, Carle, Richards, and Carter. So the deep defense struggled and while the Goaltending got a bit better, it still wasnt enough to make up for the defense.

To top it all off, a lot of the forwards really over achieved that year, allowing Homer to thing the offense was better then it was... meaning he made a move to send an young offensive guy to cover for the defense. But as it turns out that didnt work out either.

IMO this team has just baffled everyone since Pronger went down, and Homer is making fixes, but they just seem to be futile.

5'8 159... you know they're lying about his size... he's more like 5'6 150-ish... kid is about as big as Nathan Gerbe... it's an uphill climb for him to be an NHL star.
- Tomahawk

There's a frequent commenter here who has played against the kid who could probably answer that height question.

/sorry for forgetting your name, sir

To me, this team, as constructed, can at the very least hang with any team in the NHL. However, to do that, they need to be prepared to outwork the other team every night, and play smart. Which they can. They just haven't recently.
- jmatchett383

I think this team could play to their maximum potential until their noses bleed and I still don't think this mix of players wins a Cup.