So let me get this straight. The Flyers are not capable of building a championship caliber team, because when they went to the Cup Finals in 2010, it was just luck. Got it!
- MJL

Boston is a championship caliber team. Chicago is a championship caliber team. LA Kings are a championship caliber team. Those are teams that have a legitimate shot to win the cup ever year. The Flyers have been and are always a team that has a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. I can't believe you don't see the difference.

nobody's happy because they're skidding at the wrong time, the offense is drying up, and they're best players are not being they're best players. it's irritating. do you expect anything less?

i think most in here believe the flyers will make the playoffs despite the losing streak, including me.
- hammarby31

Their recent play is frustrating no doubt. But it's the overreactions and hyperbole to those recent losses. And all the good games they played in the last month, are just thrown out the window. And now it's back to fire the GM, and cue the scapegoating.

So let me get this straight. The Flyers are not capable of building a championship caliber team, because when they went to the Cup Finals in 2010, it was just luck. Got it!
- MJL

Considering they haven't built a championship caliber team in 40 years, I think it's safer to say they can't build one then it is to say they can build one.

But hey, argue the crap out of it so you don't have to admit you're wrong.

Boston is a championship caliber team. Chicago is a championship caliber team. LA Kings are a championship caliber team. Those are teams that have a legitimate shot to win the cup ever year. The Flyers have been and are always a just a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. I can't believe you don't see the difference.
- Daveflyers36

Do you know what all 3 of those teams has that the flyers do not?

Franchise D-Men and Franchise Goalies.

Considering they haven't built a championship caliber team in 40 years, I think it's safer to say they can't build one then it is to say they can build one.

But hey, argue the crap out of it so you don't have to admit you're wrong.
- Flyersgod

But But what about 2010? That wasn't luck..... was it?

No one is ever sure if a team is going to do that. They're inconsistency is what makes them average. When they play to the level that they are capable of, they're a very good team. There are some young players that still have some growing to do. They have to take the next step.
- MJL

Well, I wish at least one of them had taken it this year. I see signs of offensive confidence growing in Couts but Voracek seems to have taken a step back this year. Schenn is largely the same, Read is largely the same, Simmer is solidifying his position as a solid winger but outside of the pp and the occasional flash he will not scare a good team. And Hartnell does not win that many battles on the boards anymore, and Vinny I would say overall is a bad investment for the money.

I was hoping we would see someone emerge in their own right as a real threat. Like Nyquist has for the wings this past couple of months. After the first line, there is really no one opposing teams need to pay much attention to.

Boston is a championship caliber team. Chicago is a championship caliber team. LA Kings are a championship caliber team. Those are teams that have a legitimate shot to win the cup ever year. The Flyers have been and are always a just a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. I can't believe you don't see the difference.
- Daveflyers36

I clearly see the difference. But the fact of the matter is that the team, after coming off of a Stanley Cup Final appearance, chose to trade it's two top players, and lost it's franchise defenseman to a career ending injury.

What would happen to Chicago if they had traded Toews and Kane, and gotten draft picks and young developing players in return. And Duncan Keith suffered a career ending injury?
Simply can't discount that the Flyers as an Organization chose to go in a radical different direction. And that in doing so, it was known that they were taking some steps back, in the hope of being better in the future. And that future was not going to happen instantaneously. And it was going to take some time.

Considering they haven't built a championship caliber team in 40 years, I think it's safer to say they can't build one then it is to say they can build one.

But hey, argue the crap out of it so you don't have to admit you're wrong.
- Flyersgod

So if Boston doesn't win the Stanley Cup this year, does that mean they don't have a Championship caliber team? How about if Chicago doesn't win it this year?

Their recent play is frustrating no doubt. But it's the overreactions and hyperbole to those recent losses. And all the good games they played in the last month, are just thrown out the window. And now it's back to fire the GM, and cue the scapegoating.
- MJL

there's always that. it's what fans do. they vent. it's crunch time and the team isn't playing well. fire sale. i don't care about that, and i don't get into long drawn out arguments about that. not interested in changing anyone's mind.

Do you know what all 3 of those teams has that the flyers do not?

Franchise D-Men and Franchise Goalies.
- Flyersgod

And how did they get those Franchicse D-men and Franchise Goalies? By not trading away draft picks for quick deadline deals.

Well, I wish at least one of them had taken it this year. I see signs of offensive confidence growing in Couts but Voracek seems to have taken a step back this year. Schenn is largely the same, Read is largely the same, Simmer is solidifying his position as a solid winger but outside of the pp and the occasional flash he will not scare a good team. And Hartnell does not win that many battles on the boards anymore, and Vinny I would say overall is a bad investment for the money.

I was hoping we would see someone emerge in their own right as a real threat. Like Nyquist has for the wings this past couple of months. After the first line, there is really no one opposing teams need to pay much attention to.
- PT21

I think the slow start to the Season affected players like Voracek. After that, I think he has been close to the same player. Still likely that he is going to put up a 60 point Season.
I like the Flyers forward corps. And I still like the Lecavalier signing. I'm expecting him to come on for the playoffs.

And how did they get those Franchicse D-men and Franchise Goalies? By not trading away draft picks for quick deadline deals.
- Daveflyers36

Since the Carter/Richards trades, this team has shown a clear dedication to keeping draft picks and developing prospects.

Considering they haven't built a championship caliber team in 40 years, I think it's safer to say they can't build one then it is to say they can build one.

But hey, argue the crap out of it so you don't have to admit you're wrong.
- Flyersgod

despite what i just posted to mjl, now this i disagree with. they've had teams capable of winning it all...only to be decimated by injuries to key players while facing dynasty/juggernauts in the finals. that's bad luck.

starting with the full on rebuild in the early 90s centered around lindros, they never quite put together a complete team - and if not for injuries/drama i think they would have won in 00 and 04. they were an OT goal away from a SC game 7. it' s clear they've had teams good enough to win but they just haven't.

have they had powerhouse dynasty teams like the habs, isles, and oilers and most recently the red wings? no.

I clearly see the difference. But the fact of the matter is that the team, after coming off of a Stanley Cup Final appearance, chose to trade it's two top players, and lost it's franchise defenseman to a career ending injury.

What would happen to Chicago if they had traded Toews and Kane, and gotten draft picks and young developing players in return. And Duncan Keith suffered a career ending injury?
Simply can't discount that the Flyers as an Organization chose to go in a radical different direction. And that in doing so, it was known that they were taking some steps back, in the hope of being better in the future. And that future was not going to happen instantaneously. And it was going to take some time.
- MJL

Your entire argument is based on IF'S. What if, What if,

A huge concern is wow, this has to be the healthiest flyer team I've ever seen. Flyers have to have the fewest man games lost this season. We lose a top 9 forward, and it's quite clear we have no replacement for him in our top 9. We dressed a goon today and moved up a 4th liner Bc our first callup couldn't hack it for a couple games.


How's that for forward depth?

Your entire argument is based on IF'S. What if, What if,
- Daveflyers36

No, my entire argument is based on the facts of what has happened with the Flyers as far as what trades they decided to make, and what injuries have happened, such as the loss of Pronger. All of that is facts. And the hypothetical's I gave with Chicago, is simply about perspective.

Saying the Flyers are incapable of building a championship caliber team, is hyperbole.

A huge concern is wow, this has to be the healthiest flyer team I've ever seen. Flyers have to have the fewest man games lost this season. We lose a top 9 forward, and it's quite clear we have no replacement for him in our top 9. We dressed a goon today and moved up a 4th liner Bc our first callup couldn't hack it for a couple games.


How's that for forward depth?
- Just5

What team has a top 9 caliber forward waiting in the wings in case of injury to a regular top 9 forward?

Steve Downie, a top 9 NHL forward, was out of the lineup today for the Flyers.

I clearly see the difference. But the fact of the matter is that the team, after coming off of a Stanley Cup Final appearance, chose to trade it's two top players, and lost it's franchise defenseman to a career ending injury.

What would happen to Chicago if they had traded Toews and Kane, and gotten draft picks and young developing players in return. And Duncan Keith suffered a career ending injury?
Simply can't discount that the Flyers as an Organization chose to go in a radical different direction. And that in doing so, it was known that they were taking some steps back, in the hope of being better in the future. And that future was not going to happen instantaneously. And it was going to take some time.
- MJL

A franchise that can build a team does not take steps back after getting to the cup finals. The Flyers have been a team that is always looking for the quick fix. Just the fact that we are on are 3rd coach in 7 years proves it.

No, my entire argument is based on the facts of what has happened with the Flyers as far as what trades they decided to make, and what injuries have happened, such as the loss of Pronger. All of that is facts. And the hypothetical's I gave with Chicago, is simply about perspective.

Saying the Flyers are incapable of building a championship caliber team, is hyperbole.
- MJL

You started your last comment about what if chicago did this and what if this or that happened to Duncan Keith. That is trying to win an argument with what ifs.

What team has a top 9 caliber forward waiting in the wings in case of injury to a regular top 9 forward?

Steve Downie, a top 9 NHL forward, was out of the lineup today for the Flyers.
- MJL

I guess every team would crumble then with one injury. Like detroit, Chicago have with multiple multiple injuries?

Fact is there's a lot more talent in the ahl that the organization doesn't have

I guess every team would crumble then with one injury. Like detroit, Chicago have with multiple multiple injuries?

Fact is there's a lot more talent in the ahl that the organization doesn't have
- Just5

Don't forget and the Pens. How many games has Malkin missed? I would say that is a bigger loss than losing a Steve Downie.

A franchise that can build a team does not take steps back after getting to the cup finals. The Flyers have been a team that is always looking for the quick fix. Just the fact that we are on are 3rd coach in 7 years proves it.
- Daveflyers36

That they are on their 3rd Coach in 7 years doesn't prove anything. And a team does take steps back when the situation it is in dictates that it is the best thing for going forward. And a lot of that was the team's own doing. But they felt they needed to do that to continue to progress as a team. It's not a normal thing for a team to do. But I haven't read anything offered that proves that the Flyers are incapable of building a championship caliber team.

Do you think the St. Louis Blues currently have a Championship caliber team?

You started your last comment about what if chicago did this and what if this or that happened to Duncan Keith. That is trying to win an argument with what ifs.
- Daveflyers36

No, I did not start my last comment with the Chicago hypothetical's. Those comments were in the 2nd paragraph of that reply I made.

I guess every team would crumble then with one injury. Like detroit, Chicago have with multiple multiple injuries?

Fact is there's a lot more talent in the ahl that the organization doesn't have
- Just5

I didn't say that any team would crumble with one injury. Again, what team has a top 9 caliber forward waiting to be inserted into the lineup, in case a regular top 9 forward is injured?

That they are on their 3rd Coach in 7 years doesn't prove anything. And a team does take steps back when the situation it is in dictates that it is the best thing for going forward. And a lot of that was the team's own doing. But they felt they needed to do that to continue to progress as a team. It's not a normal thing for a team to do. But I haven't read anything offered that proves that the Flyers are incapable of building a championship caliber team.

Do you think the St. Louis Blues currently have a Championship caliber team?
- MJL

The Blues have to prove they can win in the playoffs before being considered for anything. As of now they are just a great regular season team. Hey, if you are happy with just being "competitive" and every 5 years or so make a decent run to the conference finals or cup finals just to be able to say "wait till next year". That is you. Myself personally, I want my team to win the cup. I want my team to be a serious threat to win a game every time they take the ice. I want system installed by a coaching staff that is put in place longer than 2 or 3 years. I want my team to stop being "competitive" and be contenders. Like I said, I am glad you are happy with just "good enough" I am not.