Briere is junk. That was a great move. Lecavalier......not so much
- Just5

It was a great move... until they signed Lecavalier.

Then it became even worse then when Briere was here. At least his contract was ending soon.

I would still like to see the Flyers rearrange the 2nd and 3rd lines and go with:

Raffl-VL-Read
Vinnie needs speedy wingers who can both carry the puck up the ice, and get it to him where he likes to shoot. Raffl and Read fit this bill to a T. They would also take a lot of the defensive pressure off Vinnie.
and
Akeson-Couturier-Simmonds
Hmm, playmaker with good skills on the left side, 2 way center with good skills and great defensive awareness in the middle, and grit and the ability to crash the net, work the wall and finish on the right. I would love to see this line

Yes, I would move B Schenn to the 4th line. VL is a waste on that line and with Schenn, it can be more of an energy, in your face line. B Schenn, at least in this series to date, has not earned a spot in the top 9 IMO. Yes, you can say the same about Vinnie, but I still think if Vinnie plays with the proper wingers, he can be a goal scorer. His shot can still be lethal and he's one of the few who can beat Hank clean.

It was a great move... until they signed Lecavalier.

Then it became even worse then when Briere was here. At least his contract was ending soon.
- bradleyc4

You guys all seem to forget that Lecavalier was one of our only good players at the beginning of the season. I think he's more banged up than he'd like to admit. Personally I think some rest will put him right back on his game. He's not a #1C, don't expect him to be.

I would still like to see the Flyers rearrange the 2nd and 3rd lines and go with:

Raffl-VL-Read
Vinnie needs speedy wingers who can both carry the puck up the ice, and get it to him where he likes to shoot. Raffl and Read fit this bill to a T. They would also take a lot of the defensive pressure off Vinnie.
and
Akeson-Couturier-Simmonds
Hmm, playmaker with good skills on the left side, 2 way center with good skills and great defensive awareness in the middle, and grit and the ability to crash the net, work the wall and finish on the right. I would love to see this line

Yes, I would move B Schenn to the 4th line. VL is a waste on that line and with Schenn, it can be more of an energy, in your face line. B Schenn, at least in this series to date, has not earned a spot in the top 9 IMO. Yes, you can say the same about Vinnie, but I still think if Vinnie plays with the proper wingers, he can be a goal scorer. His shot can still be lethal and he's one of the few who can beat Hank clean.
- BiggE

Schenn has done nothing over three games. Neither has Vinny. Only one is punished. Sounds familiar.

all he had to do was stay in the net. i almost feel badly for him as the puck took a strange bounce off the wall - it's not like he mishandled the puck and turned it over - he just got caught behind the net. the winner dipped on him at the last second. i don't know what it is with this guy...
- hammarby31

He just seems to get brain damaged in the playoffs, I guess he just can't take the pressure any more.

While that is true when you fall behind by multiple goals I would much rather see Giroux and Voracek playing more than Couturier.

I know you made the argument that if the Rangers score again then you are down more but when you are losing by 2 with 10 mins left what is more important: Generating offense or shutting down a team? If they shut the Rangers down at that point they still lose by 2.

Clearly I am not in love with Couturier like some people are here but I 100% realize his value and would only move him for a legit number 1 dman under 30.
- opeth_pa

I agree with pretty much everyone that has said that Giroiux and Voracek didn't play enough in the last game. I can only assume that is because the Coach didn't feel that they were playing well enough, and other players were better. I don't know. My only point is that Giroux and Voracek didn't lose icetime because of Couturier playing 20 minutes.

You guys all seem to forget that Lecavalier was one of our only good players at the beginning of the season. I think he's more banged up than he'd like to admit. Personally I think some rest will put him right back on his game. He's not a #1C, don't expect him to be.
- FlyersGrace

This!

And I thought he had a good game last time out.

Schenn has done nothing over three games. Neither has Vinny. Only one is punished. Sounds familiar.
- Flyersgod

Very true, however Vinnie can, with one open shot, put one past Hank. I don't think Schenn has that type of shot and if one has to play with Hall and Rinaldo on the 4th line, I think Schenn is a better fit. He's faster and grittier than Vinnie.

If we cant match scoring lines with teams then we might as well just pack it up
- Just5

Seems to be a lot of reasons why the Flyers should just pack it up!

Columbus outshot them 46-25. I was surprised the Pens held that lead until the last seconds. I was sure Columbus was coming back. The Pens don't know how to play with a lead. Especially, when they get an early lead.
- PhillySportsGuy

The Pens just can't or won't play tight checking playoff hockey. Until they do, they will never go anywhere. Personally, this gives me great joy and pleasure!

Very true, however Vinnie can, with one open shot, put one past Hank. I don't think Schenn has that type of shot and if one has to play with Hall and Rinaldo on the 4th line, I think Schenn is a better fit. He's faster and grittier than Vinnie.
- BiggE

Agreed 1000%.

Give Vinny read and raffl.

I hate to say it because I do still think he can play, but for right now, for this series, you gotta think about scratching Vinny.

It's the pace of this particular series -- he can't keep up. Their defense skates too well, their forwards skate too well.

Against the Bruins or Pens, he would be playing. They're not quite as fast.

But with the Rags, Vinny can't forecheck them when he doesn't have the puck and he can't make them turn-and-go when he does.

Again: That doesn't mean you have to rip the guy to shreds; he still can play the game.

But sometimes, you gotta call a spade a spade, and do what's best for the team. We need another guy who can skate in the lineup -- the Flyers have to start making it more difficult for the Rags to forecheck and retrieve pucks.
- AllInForFlyers

This is only half of the formula. Who is the replacement?

I agree with pretty much everyone that has said that Giroiux and Voracek didn't play enough in the last game. I can only assume that is because the Coach didn't feel that they were playing well enough, and other players were better. I don't know. My only point is that Giroux and Voracek didn't lose icetime because of Couturier playing 20 minutes.
- MJL

Well said.
I wouldn't be surprised if some injury news comes out after they are done indicating that Giroux and Simmonds are banged up.
To this point both are playing like shells of where they were in the regular season.

If we pull off an upset, how does round 2 work? Seed by points only?

I'd love to get Montreal

You guys all seem to forget that Lecavalier was one of our only good players at the beginning of the season. I think he's more banged up than he'd like to admit. Personally I think some rest will put him right back on his game. He's not a #1C, don't expect him to be.
- FlyersGrace

And Steve Downie was (frank)ing awesome in December. That matters about as much as a pisshole in a snowbank when he's playing like crap in April.

If we pull off an upset, how does round 2 work? Seed by points only?

I'd love to get Montreal
- Flyersgod

We get Pittsburgh or Columbus

If we pull off an upset, how does round 2 work? Seed by points only?

I'd love to get Montreal
- Flyersgod

Stays in division. Winner of this series gets winner of Pittsburgh-Columbus. Montreal plays Detroit-Boston winner

You guys all seem to forget that Lecavalier was one of our only good players at the beginning of the season. I think he's more banged up than he'd like to admit. Personally I think some rest will put him right back on his game. He's not a #1C, don't expect him to be.
- FlyersGrace

I didn't forget that he was shooting over 35% over the first few weeks of the season.

He's an awful player at even-strength, imo.

I laughed out loud at the time. And then again at the great youtube video from a guy in the crowd who was at just the right angle and didn't lose his (or the phone's) focus. Laughed and laughed. Oh Flower.
- bodiva88

link?

Well said.
I wouldn't be surprised if some injury news comes out after they are done indicating that Giroux and Simmonds are banged up.
To this point both are playing like shells of where they were in the regular season.
- opeth_pa

Both playing with broken hearts!

Stays in division. Winner of this series gets winner of Pittsburgh-Columbus. Montreal plays Detroit-Boston winner
- Jsaquella

That's awesome

If we pull off an upset, how does round 2 work? Seed by points only?

I'd love to get Montreal
- Flyersgod

Flyers would play either Pitt or Columbus. Montreal plays Boston or Detroit. Winner of those series play each other for conference champ.

I agree with pretty much everyone that has said that Giroiux and Voracek didn't play enough in the last game. I can only assume that is because the Coach didn't feel that they were playing well enough, and other players were better. I don't know. My only point is that Giroux and Voracek didn't lose icetime because of Couturier playing 20 minutes.
- MJL

Thats a real problem if our Coach feels Simmonds is playing 3-4 minutes a night better than Voracek

And Steve Downie was (frank)ing awesome in December. That matters about as much as a pisshole in a snowbank when he's playing like crap in April.
- Jsaquella

Again I disagree - it does matter because the regular season gets you to the play-offs.
As an example in the locker room alone he has value. Do I want him to play better - hell yes!
But I'm not going to declare him a horrendous player because he's not playing past my expectations in the play-offs.

Buyout Briere, who is thriving as he usually does in the playoffs, and replace him with a player who can't keep up with pace of play. Another Holmgren special.

If the Flyers flame out in this Series, Holmgren doesn't get to swing and miss a third consecutive summer right?
- PLindbergh31

Briere had to go due to his $6.5m cap hit. He also had a even worse regular season than Vinny and missed time with yet another concussion. Which was an injury that was forseeable, unlike Vinny's back injury.

Did someone else sign Raffl and Streit this past offseason? Or are you just incapable of admitting when Holmgren makes a good move?