If it was me I sit tight.
Unless something to good to be true comes along.

Don't buy at inflated prices. Don't trade any prospects or picks for rentals.

Can't even think of selling core guys like Kimmo.

Keep Mez unless a real offer is made.

Downie? Don't think there is much of a market to get any value back.
- Marc D

I agree with all of this. I was in the camp to trade Timonen, but I would be fine if he stayed.

Yes, but a 4th line of Downie-Hall-RInaldo is really terrible and very undisciplined. Id rather see them move Downie for a defensive specialist with speed and PK ability. Basically, I'd like to find a player similar to Talbot, but faster.
- PhillySportsGuy

it's just funny cause we traded talbot for him
wasn't laughton projected to be a defensive forward? can't remember

I think Lecavalier has played well and looked much better in the two games. Seems a lot stronger and more involved. He's potted two big goals in back to back games. To be honest, the goal in the Rangers game he was fortunate on that a Ranger knocked the puck in the net. And really the OT winner today is a save that Holtby should've made. But I'll take it. And we'll see how he looks long term. It's a start.


And just to point out on another frequent scapegoat and bad signing by the GM, Mark Streit is playing some very strong Hockey for the Flyers.
- MJL

I think Vinnie is starting to get some chemistry with Schenn and Simmonds.
They were the best line yesterday and good today for the most part.

Streit is doing well.

Vinnie is probably just now getting his legs back from the back thing.

On the team speed, I think lack of speed mainly on D is a real issue.
It's one of the reasons they struggle to clear their zone.
Outside of Coburn the D are below average skaters.

Yes, but a 4th line of Downie-Hall-RInaldo is really terrible and very undisciplined. Id rather see them move Downie for a defensive specialist with speed and PK ability. Basically, I'd like to find a player similar to Talbot, but faster.
- PhillySportsGuy

They should go after Malhotra. Can Hall play the wing at all?

Hall-Malhotra-Rinaldo could be a nice little grinding line, that might be able to hold onto the puck a bit too.

If I we're be rube id buy a couple of kegs for the train ride up... Boys earned it today
- PhillaBully

I thought you said "If I were a rube"

I'll still be critical, but it's working. Sure they are flawed, but so is pretty much every other team in the East.

I criticize Berube, but he's 32-21-6 as the coach of this team. With Grossmann playing top 4 minutes, and a 357 year old Kimmo Timonen as their best defenseman. The guy is getting it done.
- Jsaquella

They can play some of the ugliest hockey I've ever seen, but Mason does battle and gives them some strong saves -- I still don't worry about him in net, at all -- and as ugly as it can be, they do get it done.

I just want them to make the playoffs so bad -- I wanted them to burn assets to make a significant upgrade, but now, I'm kinda like, "Screw it. Fix what you can around the edges, (hopefully) make it, and (frank) somebody up when you get there with whoever's on the roster."

It's clear that no matter who is in the 2v3 seed playoff series, it will be a solid match-up. Flyers, Rags, Caps are all pretty equal. Not sure if C-Bus or Jersey can hang with those 3 teams for a full 7 games. Should be fun.
- Rocktane

Columbus is a better team than Washington.

it's just funny cause we traded talbot for him
wasn't laughton projected to be a defensive forward? can't remember
- 2Real

Laughton's pro comparison was/is Devils era John Madden.

I agree with all of this. I was in the camp to trade Timonen, but I would be fine if he stayed.
- PLindbergh31

If they were out of it then you could ask Kimmo what he wanted.

But they are right in the hunt, he's not going anywhere.

After 2

Kingston - 1
Oshawa - 2

Laughton with an assist

it's just funny cause we traded talbot for him
wasn't laughton projected to be a defensive forward? can't remember
- 2Real

The team needed offense at the time. Downie did help get things going on that third line with Couts and Read.

Now, the team doesn't need scoring and Raffl has stepped up and become a top 9 forward. Raffl is the guy who makes Downie expendable now.

Laughton would be perfect for this team, but he can't be called up until the end of Oshawa's season. Seeing as they're very good, he will be playing deep into the playoffs.

I think Vinnie is starting to get some chemistry with Schenn and Simmonds.
They were the best line yesterday and good today for the most part.

Streit is doing well.

Vinnie is probably just now getting his legs back from the back thing.

On the team speed, I think lack of speed mainly on D is a real issue.
It's one of the reasons they struggle to clear their zone.
Outside of Coburn the D are below average skaters.
- Marc D

I think making quick plays and having the forwards come back and help out more can make that situation better. I find that more times then not, the Flyers have issues getting hemmed into their own zone because of passive play. And sitting back and not attacking puck carriers.

They should go after Malhotra. Can Hall play the wing at all?

Hall-Malhotra-Rinaldo could be a nice little grinding line, that might be able to hold onto the puck a bit too.
- hereticpride

Yes. Hall can play all 3 forward spots effectively.

Im not sure the Canes are sellers.

Columbus is a better team than Washington.
- Feanor

Columbus and NYRs as well as Boston and Pitt would be tough match ups for the Flyers.

I think in seven games they beat the Caps.

The team needed offense at the time. Downie did help get things going on that third line with Couts and Read.

Now, the team doesn't need scoring and Raffl has stepped up and become a top 9 forward. Raffl is the guy who makes Downie expendable now.

Laughton would be perfect for this team, but he can't be called up until the end of Oshawa's season. Seeing as they're very good, he will be playing deep into the playoffs.
- PhillySportsGuy

oh you're talking about this season
i'd just ride out the downie situation and maybe give him a 1 year deal like is aid and see how laughton performs at the bottom end

Laughton's pro comparison was/is Devils era John Madden.
- hereticpride

No its not. He's averaging close to 2 points per game while playing on a shutdown line for Oshawa. He's a beast in the OHL.

oh you're talking about this season
i'd just ride out the downie situation and maybe give him a 1 year deal like is aid and see how laughton performs at the bottom end
- 2Real

I think they can do better than Downie in FA. They have enough undisciplined guys. I'd rather find a very good 4 line player and allow Raffl to move up or give Laughton a shot at Wing on the third line.

No its not. He's averaging close to 2 points per game while playing on a shutdown line for Oshawa. He's a beast in the OHL.
- PhillySportsGuy

That was the pro comparison at the draft. He's vastly outgrown that league and isn't in the AHL right now because of a bogus rule regarding age. I'm not expecting the crazy numbers to translate.

Mason gives them a chance every game. If the defense as a whole can clean up the point blank chances, they can compete very well. Johannsen outmuscling Grossmann is unacceptable in front of the net.
- ravishingone

He didn't have to outmuscle Grossmann...that implies Grossmann did something on the play besides cast a shadow on the ice.

A guy who is supposed to be a good, top 4 defensive defenseman can't do stuff like that. It's stuff like that that really bugs me about Grossmann.

I think making quick plays and having the forwards come back and help out more can make that situation better. I find that more times then not, the Flyers have issues getting hemmed into their own zone because of passive play. And sitting back and not attacking puck carriers.
- MJL

They seem to move the puck backwards a lot, and end up not handling it cleanly leading to scrambles and turnovers.

They struggle with tough forechecking teams.

I thought Gus would help but he gets muscled off the puck a lot.

That was the pro comparison at the draft. He's vastly outgrown that league and isn't in the AHL right now because of a bogus rule regarding age. I'm not expecting the crazy numbers to translate.
- hereticpride

Im not expecting those numbers to translate, but he will be a decent offensive player. I see him as a 50 point player who kills penalties and plays good two-way hockey.

No its not. He's averaging close to 2 points per game while playing on a shutdown line for Oshawa. He's a beast in the OHL.
- PhillySportsGuy

maybe so, but the comparison I have seen most IS John Madden. If we get John Madden out of Laughton I would be greatly pleased.

Those Ottawa jerseys are nice

That was the pro comparison at the draft. He's vastly outgrown that league and isn't in the AHL right now because of a bogus rule regarding age. I'm not expecting the crazy numbers to translate.
- hereticpride

Agreed -- that was his pro comparison.

I think your approach is the correct one -- he has never scored in an NHL game, preseason or otherwise. Let's wait until he pops a few before we say his offensive game will translate

Yes. Hall can play all 3 forward spots effectively.

Im not sure the Canes are sellers.
- PhillySportsGuy

Canes are 7th of 8 in the division and 4 points back from the 6th spot. 7 points from the 4th spot. It's tight but they're awfully close to being sellers at this point.