Remember how bad the 06-07 team was with guys like Geoff Sanderson, and Kyle Calder?

Sanderson had 29 points in 58 games, and Calder had 21 points in 59 games.

Umberger wouldn't score 29 points this year if they played a 100 game schedule.
- PLindbergh31

The good news is that Umberger has until May 2017 to play his way out of this 'slump'. By then, he should be getting about 35 minutes a night to do so.

Last night the lack of execution was so evident it was painful. By the 3rd period they had zero energy and even less intensity. Basically, if Giroux or Voracek wasn't on the ice, they were in their own end
- Jsaquella

You can skate hard, hit, work hard a long the boards... but if you cant execute simple passes, zone clears, etc... you are gonna get creamed. In the process you will be physically deflated.

FWIW:

McKenzie: Taylor Hall is probably the only player the Oilers don’t want to talk to teams about. Won’t get a No. 2 center for Perron, but he could land one, or a defenseman or goaltender. McKenzie wonders what you could get if you packaged Perron with a Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakupov or Justin Schultz? Flyers names that have come up again include Brayden Coburn and Brayden Schenn.

Still fine with Hartnell/Umberger, because I understood the cap logic behind it

And I also thought Umberger would be able to help -- I said it then, and I own that

But here's the thing: He can't help them. He's done. Columbus was right, Todd Richards was right. He's done.

What you can't do is compound the error -- and all managers make them -- by continuing to try to jump-start the player. You swallow hard and bite the bullet and make a move, now and in the summer.

Because the minutes he is giving them are empty, below-replacement level. You have to look pretty hard to insert a player who would be worse than him right now, and you just have to move on.

At some point, the money just doesn't matter.
- AllInForFlyers

You might wind up being right, that Umberger is done. But there is still 62 games left. He can turn it around offensively. Sometimes just one puck going in can give a player some confidence and get it turned around. That's why he continues to put him out on the PP.
And while paying a player 4.6M to play on the 4th line, if Umberger doesn't start to chip in offensively, he can still play on the 4th line.

The good news is that Umberger has until May 2017 to play his way out of this 'slump'. By then, he should be getting about 35 minutes a night to do so.
- tangent_man

Nah. Baba-Ba-Roobey will be gone long before then.

FWIW:

McKenzie: Taylor Hall is probably the only player the Oilers don’t want to talk to teams about. Won’t get a No. 2 center for Perron, but he could land one, or a defenseman or goaltender. McKenzie wonders what you could get if you packaged Perron with a Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakupov or Justin Schultz? Flyers names that have come up again include Brayden Coburn and Brayden Schenn.
- J35Bacher

I wouldn't ignore a package of Perron and Schultz for a package Coburn and BSchenn. Depends on Plus.

This is quickly becoming a one line team. There is very little secondary scoring to speak of. If the Giroux line doesn't play very well, they have little chance to win.
- PLindbergh31

They definitely are this season. I'd have to go back and start cutting away at some of their numbers from last year to kinda get a feel for a comparison, but at first blush, it wasn't quite this bad

Read's been brutal until the last few games, Simmonds isn't scoring at ES, and the rest of the roster's woes are hidden by how well Giroux/Voracek, and to a lesser degree Schenn, are playing

An optimist could argue that they're gonna get back to at least some modicum of even bad ES play, for those guys who aren't scoring

A pessimist wonders how, exactly, that's gonna happen with the makeup of the roster

Truth's probably somewhere in-between. Could get rough, though, if/when Giroux/Voracek return to "normal" superstar levels, instead of the insane pace they've been on

the Chief is coaching like the Squaw
- vejim

A new Native American. Sitting Duck.

I wouldn't ignore a package of Perron and Schultz for a package Coburn and BSchenn. Depends on Plus.
- NickTheKid87

I would aim big.

Coburn, Read, Schenn, 2nd rounder for Hall and Schultz

Nah. Baba-Ba-Roobey will be gone long before then.
- PLindbergh31

But who's to say the next coach won't be of the mind to give proven players a chance over youth?

You gotta know that no one's gonna take Umberger in a deal unless he produces, and if he's producing, why would we trade him?

You can skate hard, hit, work hard a long the boards... but if you cant execute simple passes, zone clears, etc... you are gonna get creamed. In the process you will be physically deflated.
- jak521

Nothing wears a team out more then chasing the puck in your own end. By the third period, the Flyers were almost stationary, just hoping to contain them on the outside, and didn't have the energy to aggressively knock people off the puck. They've been a poor passing team all season. Passes in skates, off the mark etc. I'd like to see the Flyers use more of the middle of the ice on breakouts, because teams are jumping them on the boards. But Berube may be hesitant to switch to a center breakout, with the way the Flyers passing has been haphazard.

I would aim big.

Coburn, Read, Schenn, 2nd rounder for Hall and Schultz


- J35Bacher

I have a limo waiting to drive that trio to the airport

I wouldn't ignore a package of Perron and Schultz for a package Coburn and BSchenn. Depends on Plus.
- NickTheKid87

It had better be one hell of a plus.

They definitely are this season. I'd have to go back and start cutting away at some of their numbers from last year to kinda get a feel for a comparison, but at first blush, it wasn't quite this bad

Read's been brutal until the last few games, Simmonds isn't scoring at ES, and the rest of the roster's woes are hidden by how well Giroux/Voracek, and to a lesser degree Schenn, are playing

An optimist could argue that they're gonna get back to at least some modicum of even bad ES play, for those guys who aren't scoring

A pessimist wonders how, exactly, that's gonna happen with the makeup of the roster

Truth's probably somewhere in-between. Could get rough, though, if/when Giroux/Voracek return to "normal" superstar levels, instead of the insane pace they've been on
- AllInForFlyers

Read has played terribly. They need him to be a key contributor.

Read, Umberger, VLC, VDV, Rinaldo are 5 regulars and they've combined for 6 goals. That is ridiculously bad.

I wouldn't ignore a package of Perron and Schultz for a package Coburn and BSchenn. Depends on Plus.
- NickTheKid87

I wouldn't be ponying up for JSchultz, sounds like the hype was less than deserved.

Nothing wears a team out more then chasing the puck in your own end. By the third period, the Flyers were almost stationary, just hoping to contain them on the outside, and didn't have the energy to aggressively knock people off the puck. They've been a poor passing team all season. Passes in skates, off the mark etc. I'd like to see the Flyers use more of the middle of the ice on breakouts, because teams are jumping them on the boards. But Berube may be hesitant to switch to a center breakout, with the way the Flyers passing has been haphazard.
- MJL

I have been saying this for the entire season. The whole "not skating hard enough" bit is a secondary response to poor execution. You could see it as the game progressed, just as you said. The Chicago game is also a great example. The Rangers game from last week another.

This team needs to execute better. Clearing pucks, simple tape to tape passes. When the NHL as a whole has obviously put an emphasis on puck possession, this is paramount.

I wouldn't be ponying up for JSchultz, sounds like the hype was less than deserved.
- BulliesPhan87

And I'd rather keep B Schenn than trade him for Perron. Bad deal.

I would aim big.

Coburn, Read, Schenn, 2nd rounder for Hall and Schultz


- J35Bacher

I wish. Hall's a stud though. He'd command a lot. Perron would be a better fit than B. Schenn and is currently a better player. Justin Schultz also has a lot of potential and is only 24. If they could get Hall without giving up Voracek or Giroux though, I'd be very tempted.

I wouldn't ignore a package of Perron and Schultz for a package Coburn and BSchenn. Depends on Plus.
- NickTheKid87

I will stop watching Flyers hockey if they get Perron.

I will stop watching Flyers hockey if they get Perron.
- jak521

you wont miss very much this year

I wouldn't be ponying up for JSchultz, sounds like the hype was less than deserved.
- BulliesPhan87

He's played on a terrible defensive team too, not that he's helped it, but if he played on a more responsible team with a more reliable partner, maybe he could become a legit top pairing puck mover. He's only 24.

I have a limo waiting to drive that trio to the airport
- vejim

Would you keep the pick and switch it with Simmonds?

To EDM:
Coburn
Schenn
Read
Simmonds

To Philly:
Hall
Schultz
Nurse

I would aim big.

Sanheim, Coburn, Schenn, 1st rounder for Hall and Schultz


- J35Bacher

Thats what they would say to you

He's played on a terrible defensive team too, not that he's helped it, but if he played on a more responsible team with a more reliable partner, maybe he could become a legit top pairing puck mover. He's only 24.
- NickTheKid87

I dont like maybe's

I have been saying this for the entire season. The whole "not skating hard enough" bit is a secondary response to poor execution. You could see it as the game progressed, just as you said. The Chicago game is also a great example. The Rangers game from last week another.

This team needs to execute better. Clearing pucks, simple tape to tape passes. When the NHL as a whole has obviously put an emphasis on puck possession, this is paramount.
- jak521

I agree to a certain extent. But it does not explain games where the Flyers have come out and had a lack of intensity from the opening puck drop. Or games like the Montreal game, where they were the better team and carried the play for 2 periods. Then come out in the 3rd without any intensity. Also some mental issues with this team.