Those were the lines throughout the third period and OT
- PhillySportsGuy

Carter and Richards had a number of shifts together in the 3rd period.

I actually felt the same way. I was disappointed and excited at the same time. I was excited to see Giroux get top line and top PP minutes.

I was really excited to see the team finally take a step back in order to take 2 steps forward. I felt they were finally going to build from the ground up. I was wrong.
- PhillySportsGuy

How were you wrong?

Come on now...not completely

They brought in Mason, and have some decent prospect that are close to NHL ready. They gave Akeson a shot. Laughton will be up next season. Morin needs to be groomed. Alt and Ghost are borderline NHL players.
- Giroux_Is_God

I'm glad Homer made a true commitment to the pieces he dealt for. I still think they got carried away in trying to win now by signing guys who may hurt the teams financial flexibility in the future. I'm just thankful the CBO allowed buyouts.

Carter and Richards had a number of shifts together in the 3rd period.
- MJL

ok

Come on now...not completely

They brought in Mason, and have some decent prospect that are close to NHL ready. They gave Akeson a shot. Laughton will be up next season. Morin needs to be groomed. Alt and Ghost are borderline NHL players.
- Giroux_Is_God

You think Ghost is a borderline NHL player?

I'm glad Homer made a true commitment to the pieces he dealt for. I still think they got carried away in trying to win now by signing guys who may hurt the teams financial flexibility in the future. I'm just thankful the CBO allowed buyouts.
- PhillySportsGuy

One step back, two steps forward, two steps back, one step forward... bet Homer's a hell of a dancer.

You think Ghost is a borderline NHL player?
- MBFlyerfan

I think he probably means right now, not in the future.

I'm glad Homer made a true commitment to the pieces he dealt for. I still think they got carried away in trying to win now by signing guys who may hurt the teams financial flexibility in the future. I'm just thankful the CBO allowed buyouts.
- PhillySportsGuy

They didn't have anyone in the pipe line they felt in goal or defense. The only place they could hold the fort was up front and they did. Of course many of us wanted to keep moving forward in goal and just add a veteran back up so in that sense they changed direction. What else could they have done with the D?

You think Ghost is a borderline NHL player?
- MBFlyerfan

He's saying at this point in their development

I'm glad Homer made a true commitment to the pieces he dealt for. I still think they got carried away in trying to win now by signing guys who may hurt the teams financial flexibility in the future. I'm just thankful the CBO allowed buyouts.
- PhillySportsGuy

You're not alone

I see what you're saying though. The Vinny signing is harsh. The Streit deal has worked out I think, and AMac has been a solid addition.

However, looking at Streit and AMac specifically- I have no problems with those deals. Those were made to address the glaring hole at D. I think giving up strictly cap space to those guys is better than giving up Schenn++ for a "young, potentially franchise Dman" who might not pan out.

In hindsight, the Vinny deal is a headscratcher. But for now we're stuck with it so let's hope he plays well next year.

I'm not sure going the Niskanen root is going to solve problems, either. That's a lot of money for a lot of years.

You think Ghost is a borderline NHL player?
- MBFlyerfan

Our SportsGuy friend has it right

You think Ghost is a borderline NHL player?
- MBFlyerfan

I do. You don't?

He's not 18 yrs old. He could easily contribute either right away or at some point during the season. Same with Alt. He spent a year learning in the AHL, he's probably ready to fill in and contribute at some level. He was the best looking young defenseman in the preseason last year.

Everyone remember when Giroux was a lock to make the team out of camp? Nothing is set in stone.

You're not alone

I see what you're saying though. The Vinny signing is harsh. The Streit deal has worked out I think, and AMac has been a solid addition.

However, looking at Streit and AMac specifically- I have no problems with those deals. Those were made to address the glaring hole at D. I think giving up strictly cap space to those guys is better than giving up Schenn++ for a "young, potentially franchise Dman" who might not pan out.

In hindsight, the Vinny deal is a headscratcher. But for now we're stuck with it so let's hope he plays well next year.

I'm not sure going the Niskanen root is going to solve problems, either. That's a lot of money for a lot of years.
- Giroux_Is_God

Sticking to a core and a philosophy and building and developing through the draft, doesn't mean that you don't go out and try to make the team better. Other then the draft pick to acquire Streit's rights, they didn't give up anything but cap space. And when some of the young Flyers defenseman are ready to take on a large role, Streit will be on his way out. You can't just sit and let the current team flounder with weaknesses, while you wait until hopefully some of the young players develop.

Everyone remember when Giroux was a lock to make the team out of camp? Nothing is set in stone.
- Pixote Andolini

Yeah, they could get sick too.

They didn't have anyone in the pipe line they felt in goal or defense. The only place they could hold the fort was up front and they did. Of course many of us wanted to keep moving forward in goal and just add a veteran back up so in that sense they changed direction. What else could they have done with the D?
- mayorofangrytown

Hindsight is 20/20. I wouldn't have dealt JVR for Schenn, I wouldn't have signed Bryz and I wouldn't have sign Streit. I admit I wouldn't have signed Carle at the number he got, I wouldn't have OS Weber.

I would have re-signed Jagr instead of chasing Parise. I would have chased Suter like they did though.

I can't tell you what I would have done or who I would have signed. I actually advocated for Scuderi last offseason. Boy, was that wrong.

I just feel this team feels too much pressure to win now. I feel like JVR for Schenn doesn't happen if the team is content to go into the season with a weak defense then address it later.

Anyone see any rumors of the Denis Rumpelstilskin guy? Doesn't he decide sometime before June 15

I do. You don't?

He's not 18 yrs old. He could easily contribute either right away or at some point during the season. Same with Alt. He spent a year learning in the AHL, he's probably ready to fill in and contribute at some level. He was the best looking young defenseman in the preseason last year.
- mayorofangrytown

That statement can be interpreted in different ways. As in Ghostibehere may or may not ever be an NHL player, so he's borderline. Or he may or may not be an NHL player right now, so he's borderline.

You're not alone

I see what you're saying though. The Vinny signing is harsh. The Streit deal has worked out I think, and AMac has been a solid addition.

However, looking at Streit and AMac specifically- I have no problems with those deals. Those were made to address the glaring hole at D. I think giving up strictly cap space to those guys is better than giving up Schenn++ for a "young, potentially franchise Dman" who might not pan out.

In hindsight, the Vinny deal is a headscratcher. But for now we're stuck with it so let's hope he plays well next year.

I'm not sure going the Niskanen root is going to solve problems, either. That's a lot of money for a lot of years.
- Giroux_Is_God

I wouldn't go after Niskanen for the amount he'll get. I would take a long look at Andrei Markov for 2 years though. Stralman for 3 years would be nice as well.

These are all moves I would have taken a look at before signing MacDonald. The caveat is that the team may end up getting nothing, but if those guys are highly overpaid, then so be it. That's my point. I don't want to see them make a move because they feel they HAVE TO.

I wouldn't go after Niskanen for the amount he'll get. I would take a long look at Andrei Markov for 2 years though. Stralman for 3 years would be nice as well.

These are all moves I would have taken a look at before signing MacDonald. The caveat is that the team may end up getting nothing, but if those guys are highly overpaid, then so be it. That's my point. I don't want to see them make a move because they feel they HAVE TO.
- PhillySportsGuy

Same here. I don't want to see Hexy go out and land someone like Niskanen because he's that guy

He's not worth 7 mil. No way. He's had one good season. Imagine if he regresses not playing with Malkin, Crosby, Maatta....yikes. That's a 7 mil/7 year deal there.

Same here. I don't want to see Hexy go out and land someone like Niskanen because he's that guy

He's not worth 7 mil. No way. He's had one good season. Imagine if he regresses not playing with Malkin, Crosby, Maatta....yikes. That's a 7 mil/7 year deal there.


- Giroux_Is_God

I like Niskanen and I think he's a 35-40 point guy. I just don't think he can handle big minutes against top lines on a consistent basis. If he came to the Flyers at that cap hit, he'd be expected to do that with Coburn.

That statement can be interpreted in different ways. As in Ghostibehere may or may not ever be an NHL player, so he's borderline. Or he may or may not be an NHL player right now, so he's borderline.
- MJL

Just to clarify to everyone....

I believe Ghost is going to be a good NHL player, maybe even better (or at least, more effective) than a "good NHL player".

I was talking about right now, illustrating the point that we have some kids in the pipeline that are on the doorstep of an NHL role. That sounds like building from within to me.

I like Niskanen and I think he's a 35-40 point guy. I just don't think he can handle big minutes against top lines on a consistent basis. If he came to the Flyers at that cap hit, he'd be expected to do that with Coburn.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agreed. I don't think he's good enough defensively to be worth 7 mil going up against top competition and playing 22-25 each night.

Hindsight is 20/20. I wouldn't have dealt JVR for Schenn, I wouldn't have signed Bryz and I wouldn't have sign Streit. I admit I wouldn't have signed Carle at the number he got, I wouldn't have OS Weber.

I would have re-signed Jagr instead of chasing Parise. I would have chased Suter like they did though.

I can't tell you what I would have done or who I would have signed. I actually advocated for Scuderi last offseason. Boy, was that wrong.

I just feel this team feels too much pressure to win now. I feel like JVR for Schenn doesn't happen if the team is content to go into the season with a weak defense then address it later.
- PhillySportsGuy

I wouldn't have traded JVR for Schenn either. They sold too low. I'd have held on to him and traded him for a better prospect than Luke Schenn. I thought that was an awful trade at the time and still do.

If you don't sign Streit you have a huge hole on D. HUGE! You needed to fill that and there really was no one better available.

I didn't like the Lecavelier signing. It didn't make sense then or now. Hell, Mason Raymond was walking around hat in hand and he was a much better fit for this team in age and for the salary cap and yes, I wanted him then.

Our SportsGuy friend has it right
- Giroux_Is_God

Oh ok, I was like da fuq?!!