This plus ten! Even during the first period they didn't play well. They are a terrible puck possession team. They were lucky to come out with a lead. And they are slow, period. Team speed is lacking. Vinny looked terrible and is just not a fit for this team. While I liked the idea of getting bigger down the middle, it makes no sense at this point to keep Vinny. B Schenn is a good center. It's time to stop trying to force players to play out of position.
I see no reason for a block-buster and not really crazy about most of the names out there. This team needs assets. Holding on to Kimmo is just as bad as making a bad trade.
- iskatefast

You're right, they have to replenish the pipeline and take a chunk out of teams like Boston's prospect pool. That organization is better and more stacked than the flyers at every level.

You're right, they have to replenish the pipeline and take a chunk out of teams like Boston's prospect pool. That organization is better and more stacked than the flyers at every level.
- Just5

It's similar to the Ducks moving Pronger. But this organization lacks patience. It's time the Flyers are on the right side of an over-payment trade or two.

How's the post Olympics Giroux feeling?

I don't know how you guys can get blow out so many times consistently. You actually have a few good pieces. Time to trade a couple for real defensive help. Go get Yandle or Girardi!

This plus ten! Even during the first period they didn't play well. They are a terrible puck possession team. They were lucky to come out with a lead. And they are slow, period. Team speed is lacking. Vinny looked terrible and is just not a fit for this team. While I liked the idea of getting bigger down the middle, it makes no sense at this point to keep Vinny. B Schenn is a good center. It's time to stop trying to force players to play out of position.
I see no reason for a block-buster and not really crazy about most of the names out there. This team needs assets. Holding on to Kimmo is just as bad as making a bad trade.
- iskatefast

Would anybody want Vinny? Doesn't he have a NMC. There will be a log jam down the middle next year with Laughton coming. Vinny may end up playing C on 3rd line. It will be interesting to see how they look this weekend

Slow starts, whether it is for the Season, or for games, is the biggest issue with this team.
- MJL

Bigger than their poor defensive zone coverage?

The net front coverage last night was brutal. Just awful. And I had a front row seat for it.

Welcome to what the Flyers defense would look without Timmonen.

Still one of the highest paid defenses.

I hope the Flyers stay patient with their prospects.

It's been like this forever... maybe because many of these Flyers teams have been fundamentally flawed in one way or another, but they don't seem capable of matching their opponents' effort until their backs are against the wall, or their opponents let them back into a game.
- Tomahawk

It's the overall team speed/skill -- when you have average speed, you don't get many breaks.

I'm not saying the Flyers are slow slow slow. What I'm saying isn't all-encompassing, that every single player is horrible or whatever.

What I'm saying is that because they aren't the fastest team, they are going to lose some races to pucks. As a result, they're going to get hemmed in on the forecheck.

That's why they have a history of slow starts -- because at some point, an opposing team that's ready to play is gonna hem them in for a shift or two, or more, at the start of a game or the start of a period, or a segment of each. It sets a tone -- sometimes, they'll take a penalty. Sometimes, they will give up point-blank chances. Sometimes, they'll have to take a defensive zone faceoff.

All of that stuff is what makes them have slow starts, because for years and years and years, the Flyers are usually a more powerful team with size, instead of a faster team.

I don't have any doubts that they are capable of it, but they just don't do it at times. Last night they started fine, and had a good period. 2nd period they simply stopped competing and got steam rolled.
Look a the history of the League. Having flaws in the lineup hasn't stopped a lot of teams from competing and skating consistently, despite not having equal talent to better teams.
- MJL

If that is true and I beleive it is......the problem with the Flyers are where flaws are. Can't blame forwards last night for bad d zone coverage....Coburn left Pavelski unmarked for 3 straight goals....be it wrong position, wrong place for his stick or simply 3 soft plays....thats a killer....Schenn got lost and got Lazy on the 6th one with 2 seconds left in the 2nd , when your standing by yourself behind the net and your guy is wide open in front, you ve probably missed your assignment....that can't happen. I don't blame the goalies, although a key save off a defensive miscue is needed once in a while ..
but ....its one game. To me this weekend is the test. A failure and the Flyers really have to take a long look at how this team is built....if not at the trade deadline then in the summer.

Bigger than their poor defensive zone coverage?

The net front coverage last night was brutal. Just awful. And I had a front row seat for it.
- Briere

no....the defence is easily this teams biggest flaw.....a defensive system is something you do all the time ....not once in a while.

At this point I'm looking forward to the lottery and the draft. I think March is going to be a bloodbath.

Bigger than their poor defensive zone coverage?

The net front coverage last night was brutal. Just awful. And I had a front row seat for it.
- Briere

Not only was the coverage poor, but the compete level of the defense was non-existent.

Joe Pavelski basically setup a lounge chair and had umbrella drinks in the slot and crease last night and nobody did a thing.

How's the post Olympics Giroux feeling?

I don't know how you guys can get blow out so many times consistently. You actually have a few good pieces. Time to trade a couple for real defensive help. Go get Yandle or Girardi!
- Orpik44

thats not Homers style.....he prefers patch work D.

How's the post Olympics Giroux feeling?

I don't know how you guys can get blow out so many times consistently. You actually have a few good pieces. Time to trade a couple for real defensive help. Go get Yandle or Girardi!
- Orpik44

Didn't the Pens get lit up for five last night? Did I miss the minute that the Pens defense acquired a goalie?

How's the post Olympics Giroux feeling?


- Orpik44

probably pretty empty....you know, like the penguins arena was for like a decade before all the "fans" started coming in '05?

At this point I'm looking forward to the lottery and the draft. I think March is going to be a bloodbath.
- Feanor

Last night was a bad game. A good team barked at them and they turtled.

I think they'll be more competitive than last night down the stretch.

Bigger than their poor defensive zone coverage?

The net front coverage last night was brutal. Just awful. And I had a front row seat for it.
- Briere

The poor defensive zone coverage last night was due to not competing in front of the net, and not skating.

It's the overall team speed/skill -- when you have average speed, you don't get many breaks.

I'm not saying the Flyers are slow slow slow. What I'm saying isn't all-encompassing, that every single player is horrible or whatever.

What I'm saying is that because they aren't the fastest team, they are going to lose some races to pucks. As a result, they're going to get hemmed in on the forecheck.

That's why they have a history of slow starts -- because at some point, an opposing team that's ready to play is gonna hem them in for a shift or two, or more, at the start of a game or the start of a period, or a segment of each. It sets a tone -- sometimes, they'll take a penalty. Sometimes, they will give up point-blank chances. Sometimes, they'll have to take a defensive zone faceoff.

All of that stuff is what makes them have slow starts, because for years and years and years, the Flyers are usually a more powerful team with size, instead of a faster team.
- AllInForFlyers

The slow start phenomenon predates the speed issue, though.

I would contend that the cause is that player/coaching/philosophy turnover has been so great from season to season, that the players are in a perpetual state of struggling to get on the same page, and easily wilt in the face of more cohesive opponents.

How's the post Olympics Giroux feeling?

I don't know how you guys can get blow out so many times consistently. You actually have a few good pieces. Time to trade a couple for real defensive help. Go get Yandle or Girardi!
- Orpik44

How'd the Pens do last night?

If that is true and I beleive it is......the problem with the Flyers are where flaws are. Can't blame forwards last night for bad d zone coverage
- landros 2

Yes you absolutely can, especially when the points are wide open. If you don't think so, go watch the OT highlights of last night's Maple Leafs' game.

I'm not absolving the defense at all, as they were far too passive. But the Flyers, as a whole, let San Jose impose its will on them. The Sharks are better, and if the Flyers lose to them because of skill, fine. But they didn't put up a fight for the majority of the game. Not just the defense, the entire team.

Didn't the Pens get lit up for five last night? Did I miss the minute that the Pens defense acquired a goalie?
- AllInForFlyers

MAF is getting into late season form.

I'm not absolving the defense at all, as they were far too passive. But the Flyers, as a whole, let San Jose impose its will on them. The Sharks are better, and if the Flyers lose to them because of skill, fine. But they didn't put up a fight for the majority of the game. Not just the defense, the entire team.
- jmatchett383

Exactly.

How'd the Pens do last night?
- johndewar

I think they lost a shootout to the 3rd-ranked team in the East.

The poor defensive zone coverage last night was due to not competing in front of the net, and not skating.
- MJL

i've heard that reason too many times now. they just aren't good enough or something is seriously wrong in the lockerroom. by that i mean, they have tuned out the coach.
how is it possible nhl level defensemen cant cover a guy in front of their own net? skating has zero to do with that. competing? maybe. but they should do that in their sleep.

As bad as this game was, it's one game. Timonen will (hopefully) be back in, and hopefully Berube is able to wake them the hell back up. This team has shown it CAN play with, if not beat, the best in the NHL at least for large periods of time. It's on them whether or not they DO.

I think they lost a shootout to the 3rd-ranked team in the East.
- jmatchett383

Too bad.