IMO no, I do believe we have chemistry issues, Schenn is just not working out anywhere you put him, Vinny also will hopefully be gone by then, Couts/Laughton/Akeson should all be better I would hope. They need a sniping winger to compliment one of the top 2 lines , maybe thru Free Agency or trade somehow.
- Buzzo

But how does adding McDavid help to address that need yet prohibit it by not being here? I should have stated my question a bit differently. I was asking that, if they make all of the moves as you stated minus drafting McDavid, are they a contender, just not a "powerhouse?"

Even if those guys are "ready" (and I think you're being optimistic that they'll all be ready) next year, they're not ready to be impact players any time soon. So you're basically going to be bad for 2-3 years before you will start the turnaround. They'll never allow that, as they'd lose too many STHs.
- jmatchett383

Maybe. But your also not asking all them to be impact players. You still have a core of Giroux, Couturier, Voracek, Simmonds. Filtering guys like Laughton and Leirer and maybe Abul-Kubel might not be so detrimental. It isn't perfect but its a rocess that could start

the flyers are in great shape, cant wait to see the next game, if they make a few little tweaks they will make a real run no problem....this is a public board and i can come and go as i please...i have been on here in a positve way more then not and in no way am i posting here to please you sir
- mydoglicks

I give a (frank)

I am just trying to think logically. Maybe a team like Anahiem losses Kessler for the playoffs. He was their second line center banking on him . Could a team like that use Vinny for a playoff run?

A team needing size could use Grossmann.

Coburn could be a great 1B or second pairing guy for a team hitting the playoffs. RJ could be a solid option on a 3rd line for a cup contender.

Rinaldo could go to a team needing to make their 4th line better th his skting ad energy. I actually think the Flyers chave pieces that playoff teams could use. Just the mix isn't that great as a whole for their team.
- J35Bacher

Two 2nds and a 3rd for Boychuk, 2nd and 6th for Stuart, 2nd for Gorges, Garrison+ for a 2nd, 3rd for Mesz, 2nd and 3rd for AMac, 4th for Robidas. Looking at this, I think Coburn could at least net them a pair of 2nds and Grossmann a 3rd rounder. That is, if you're looking to acquire picks.

Maybe. But your also not asking all them to be impact players. You still have a core of Giroux, Couturier, Voracek, Simmonds. Filtering guys like Laughton and Leirer and maybe Abul-Kubel might not be so detrimental. It isn't perfect but its a rocess that could start
- J35Bacher

I was more talking about the defense. Those guys won't be (hopefully) the players we envision them to be next year. They won't be the "deep" blueline we want for a few years now. Morin, Hagg, Alt, Sanheim, and Ghost, assuming they all make it in the next 2 years, are not going to be ready to stake down top-pair and filtering-down top-4 jobs during their first/second season.

As much as it pains me to say it, I actually want them to be so bad that they'll get the #1 pick this year. I don't think it will happen but getting McDavid or Eichel > getting bounced in the 1st round of the playoffs.
- NickTheKid87

I'm sorry, but I just can't go with you on that trip.

Is it easier to win with a generational player? Maybe. But it is far from guaranteed -- it is just a fact. Other teams make it to the finals without those players -- hell, Boston traded their No. 2 overall pick and won the President's Trophy the next season. They never won with Joe Thornton!

It just isn't as easy as "be bad, then you'll be good." It just isn't true.

But how does adding McDavid help to address that need yet prohibit it by not being here? I should have stated my question a bit differently. I was asking that, if they make all of the moves as you stated minus drafting McDavid, are they a contender, just not a "powerhouse?"
- jmatchett383

minus Mcdavid we will be a contender sure, with him we would be instant favorites to win imo...Giroux is a superstar sure, McDavid I think will be even better, Stamkos level better.

Two 2nds and a 3rd for Boychuk, 2nd and 6th for Stuart, 2nd for Gorges, Garrison+ for a 2nd, 3rd for Mesz, 2nd and 3rd for AMac, 4th for Robidas. Looking at this, I think Coburn could at least net them a pair of 2nds and Grossmann a 3rd rounder. That is, if you're looking to acquire picks.
- NickTheKid87

Depending how desperate a playoff team is for an asset I would even say a 1st. I mean the Predators wanted Gaudstad so bad they gave up a 1st round pick for a 4th line center

minus Mcdavid we will be a contender sure, with him we would be instant favorites to win imo...Giroux is a superstar sure, McDavid I think will be even better, Stamkos level better.
- Buzzo

Even if he comes in an is an Art Ross/Hart winner, they still need the defense to develop. I'm not saying I wouldn't want to add him, just that I don't think adding him makes us a Cup favorite without some of the D prospects hitting their ceiling.

I'm sorry, but I just can't go with you on that trip.

Is it easier to win with a generational player? Maybe. But it is far from guaranteed -- it is just a fact. Other teams make it to the finals without those players -- hell, Boston traded their No. 2 overall pick and won the President's Trophy the next season. They never won with Joe Thornton!

It just isn't as easy as "be bad, then you'll be good." It just isn't true.
- AllInForFlyers

I agree but being bad in a year like this with McDavid and Eichel increase the chances of being good in the future a lot more than being the last in or first out of the playoffs. The Flyers have other young talent in the pipeline so it wouldn't have to be a decade long march. This would make other players expendable and trade bait.

Depending how desperate a playoff team is for an asset I would even say a 1st. I mean the Predators wanted Gaudstad so bad they gave up a 1st round pick for a 4th line center
- J35Bacher

Yup. I think, with the right number of suitors, Coburn could easily net a 1st. Grossmann could get a 2nd too. I don't know about Vinny though. He'll only be worthwhile for a team if he's playing really well but if he's doing that, the Flyers might be in playoff contention.

Pens picked high for years. As for Cooter, his work speaks for itself.
- wilsonecho91

It'll be sad to see but I think Couturier might have to be the odd man out in a trade to bring anything halfway decent back. I'd prefer to move B. Schenn but I don't see teams wanting him as much as they'd want Couturier.

Or the Flyers just ride this bad season out and hope for the future?

lol got stamkos yes!

I agree but being bad in a year like this with McDavid and Eichel increase the chances of being good in the future a lot more than being the last in or first out of the playoffs. The Flyers have other young talent in the pipeline so it wouldn't have to be a decade long march. This would make other players expendable and trade bait.
- NickTheKid87

How has having a "generational" player like Ovechkin (who was billed as such when he came in) worked out for Washington so far? Heck, the Penguins have two "generational" players and have only won 1 Cup, and there was a lot of luck involved in that. It gives them a better chance if they add him, yes, but I wouldn't throw a season after 3 bad games just to get him.

I was more talking about the defense. Those guys won't be (hopefully) the players we envision them to be next year. They won't be the "deep" blueline we want for a few years now. Morin, Hagg, Alt, Sanheim, and Ghost, assuming they all make it in the next 2 years, are not going to be ready to stake down top-pair and filtering-down top-4 jobs during their first/second season.
- jmatchett383

Oh OK. Yeah I can see that. But even if you can get two to fill in next year, for example Morin and Gostisbeire you can start the purge. The next year maybe Sanheim is ready. I am more suggesting to starting the purge this year as I don't see them as true contenders and if they are way out at the TDL. Maybe you bring in some picks or some assets

Schenn is just not working out anywhere you put him
- Buzzo

How many different places have they really tried to put him, though?

LW w/ Danny Briere? LW w/ Vinny? Centering Vinny playing LW? Less than 20min TOI w/ Giroux and Jake? That's about it. Hardly exhaustive.

I give a (frank)
- jmatchett383

right back at you potty mouth

I'm the guy who has been saying all along they're a bubble team and got shredded for "pessimism" before the season started. But using an example that happened to this very team just last year is a bit much
- Jsaquella

I'm with you, I thought they'd be a bubble team as well but it looks worse than I thought. I didn't anticipate them not having another rookie on the team past Akeson. I thought Timmonen would have another decent year in him and I didn't see the Hartnell for trash trade coming. He had to have more value than that didn't he?

How has having a "generational" player like Ovechkin (who was billed as such when he came in) worked out for Washington so far? Heck, the Penguins have two "generational" players and have only won 1 Cup, and there was a lot of luck involved in that. It gives them a better chance if they add him, yes, but I wouldn't throw a season after 3 bad games just to get him.
- jmatchett383

I agree with you. You can't just tank for McDavid/Eichel as too much chance is involved without the certanity of getting either one. If we lost on our own and somehow one the lottery then great if we got one. But if you tank and don't end up with one of those players what good was it.

Oh OK. Yeah I can see that. But even if you can get two to fill in next year, for example Morin and Gostisbeire you can start the purge. The next year maybe Sanheim is ready. I am more suggesting to starting the purge this year as I don't see them as true contenders and if they are way out at the TDL. Maybe you bring in some picks or some assets
- J35Bacher

If they can't right this ship (please keep in mind it's been 3 games) and want to start getting rid of some players that they don't see as the future, and can get some good young assets/picks, then okay, fine. But I don't think they should throw the season to do so, and I think the one player you DON'T want to move is Coburn, as he's the only player who can somewhat stabilize the current crop of defenders.

How has having a "generational" player like Ovechkin (who was billed as such when he came in) worked out for Washington so far? Heck, the Penguins have two "generational" players and have only won 1 Cup, and there was a lot of luck involved in that. It gives them a better chance if they add him, yes, but I wouldn't throw a season after 3 bad games just to get him.
- jmatchett383

They're not going to win the Cup this season barring a miracle which we knew going in so I would prefer to put the team in the best position to win a Cup in the future. Getting McDavid or Eichel accomplishes that much more than getting bounced in the first round or just missing the playoffs. The team won't be that bad regardless but if I had a choice, I'd choose the suck route.

I'm with you, I thought they'd be a bubble team as well but it looks worse than I thought. I didn't anticipate them not having another rookie on the team past Akeson. I thought Timmonen would have another decent year in him and I didn't see the Hartnell for trash trade coming. He had to have more value than that didn't he?
- mayorofangrytown

Remember when Hartnell went 25+ games without an assist to start the season? I wonder how long that streak lasts this year.

Just want to see how they look with Coburn in the lineup for a stretch of games. I think it helps them

As much as it pains me to say it, I actually want them to be so bad that they'll get the #1 pick this year. I don't think it will happen but getting McDavid or Eichel > getting bounced in the 1st round of the playoffs.
- NickTheKid87

There are plenty of talking heads who think the wheels will fall off and that the league owes Ed a make good for Lindros and JVR.

I think they're nuts but it's been out there since the summer and is revisited regularly.

If, when things shake out, the Flyers prove to be in the lottery scene, then I'd be fine with trading off some players for futures. I sincerely hope they don't share the McDavid/Eichel mentality right now, though.