really the natural evolution, or really, devolution from the homer regime. out of bold gambles, compliance buyouts, cap space and now, short on talent, while having no real plan other than "winning", it was only a matter of time before they had to pay up.

only concern now is whether the "vision" hexy speaks of can be realized before the fwd core starts turning the other way. dmen take a long time and unless the Canandian dollar improves, cap space will remain at a premium. it's really squeezing them cause there are so many bad contracts.

welp, hexy's got his "dream job" so...


- isaiah520

Paul Holmgren left this team with Giroux, Voracek, B Schenn, Laughton, Simmonds, Couturier, Mason,Raffl, Read, and a solid group of defenseman. There are certainly holes in the lineup, and the mix of the defense is not ideal. But any narrative that Holmgren left this team short on talent is hyperbole. There is also a strong prospect base for the future.
The biggest reason this team is struggling is because Read and Couturier, are not playing to the level that they normally play at. And the PK is in the dumps. That has zero to do with Paul Holmgren. And everything to do with the players on the ice.
Also there aren't so many bad contracts. Holmgren left the team with one bad contract right now, and that's Lecavalier.

The panthers just keep winning

Paul Holmgren left this team with Giroux, Voracek, B Schenn, Laughton, Simmonds, Couturier, Raffl, Read, and a solid group of defenseman. There are certainly holes in the lineup, and the mix of the defense is not ideal. But any narrative that Holmgren left this team short on talent is hyperbole. There is also a strong prospect base for the future.
The biggest reason this team is struggling is because Read and Couturier, are not playing to the level that they normally play at. And the PK is in the dumps. That has zero to do with Paul Holmgren. And everything to do with the players on the ice.
Also there aren't so many bad contracts. Holmgren left the team with one bad contract right now, and that's Lecavalier.
- MJL

Streit? Amac? Umberger indirectly due to hartnall's deal? Read?

Streit? Amac? Umberger indirectly due to hartnall's deal?
- rangerdanger94

Streit and MacDonald are both quality defenseman. Umberger was Hextall's trade.

Streit and MacDonald are both quality defenseman. Umberger was Hextall's trade.
- MJL

Without the trade, your stuck with hartnell's bad contract. Disagree on streit and amac being quality defensemen.

Without the trade, your stuck with hartnell's bad contract. Disagree on streit and amac being quality defensemen.
- rangerdanger94

AMac is awful, glad we locked up this 3rd pair gem!

Without the trade, your stuck with hartnell's bad contract. Disagree on streit and amac being quality defensemen.
- rangerdanger94

Disagree all you want, but they are. As long as Hartnell plays well, the contract isn't a bad one.

AMac is awful, glad we locked up this 3rd pair gem!
- BiggE

I do think streit is solid but that contract was still a little ugly.

Disagree all you want, but they are. As long as Hartnell plays well, the contract isn't a bad one.
- MJL

Reported for trolling

AMac is awful, glad we locked up this 3rd pair gem!
- BiggE

Say hello to the 14-15 Philadelphia Flyers!!

Where washed up veteran forwards and 3rd pair dmen will always have a home!

Say hello to the 14-15 Philadelphia Flyers!!

Where washed up veteran forwards and 3rd pair dmen will always have a home!
- BiggE

True. You guys are good on paper and bad in real life similar to the rangers a decade ago.

Paul Holmgren left this team with Giroux, Voracek, B Schenn, Laughton, Simmonds, Couturier, Raffl, Read, and a solid group of defenseman. There are certainly holes in the lineup, and the mix of the defense is not ideal. But any narrative that Holmgren left this team short on talent is hyperbole. There is also a strong prospect base for the future.
The biggest reason this team is struggling is because Read and Couturier, are not playing to the level that they normally play at. And the PK is in the dumps. That has zero to do with Paul Holmgren. And everything to do with the players on the ice.
Also there aren't so many bad contracts. Holmgren left the team with one bad contract right now, and that's Lecavalier.
- MJL

Take off the orange colored glasses. This team is on pace to miss the playoffs for the 2nd time in 3 years in the weaker of the 2 conferences. That's with 2 different coaches and pretty much the same team. That means the talent level is that of a non playoff team. This is not a young team regardless of how management spins it. Outside of b. Schenn and Couturier, everyone is in or past their prime. They are what they are at this point.

Take off the orange colored glasses. This team is on pace to miss the playoffs for the 2nd time in 3 years in the weaker of the 2 conferences. That's with 2 different coaches and pretty much the same team. That means the talent level is that of a non playoff team. This is not a young team regardless of how management spins it. Outside of b. Schenn and Couturier, everyone is in or past their prime. They are what they are at this point.
- psuhockey

The flyers at best are a mediocre team. At worst a lottery team.

Take off the orange colored glasses. This team is on pace to miss the playoffs for the 2nd time in 3 years in the weaker of the 2 conferences. That's with 2 different coaches and pretty much the same team. That means the talent level is that of a non playoff team. This is not a young team regardless of how management spins it. Outside of b. Schenn and Couturier, everyone is in or past their prime. They are what they are at this point.
- psuhockey

I agree with Ron Hextall, who also must be wearing orange colored glasses, that this team is much better then it's been playing. This team made the playoffs last year, and they can still make the playoffs this year. And it's not spin to say that this team has a lot of quality young players. You're right that they are what they are right now. But they can be more then they are right now, if they get their act together.

True. You guys are good on paper and bad in real life similar to the rangers a decade ago.
- rangerdanger94

Where is the leadership? Where are the 'A's? What are they doing to get the team going? Giroux is putting up points and winning draws, but there is more to a captain's role than that!

Timmonen would not be tolerating this if he were here and I'm pretty sure he'd be calling guys out (including himself) if it was warranted, which IMO, certainly is...

AMac is awful, glad we locked up this 3rd pair gem!
- BiggE

Ronald MacDonald has not looked good the last few games I have to agree. That 5M per year is starting to worry me

Ronald MacDonald has not looked good the last few games I have to agree. That 5M per year is starting to worry me
- 3flyerkids

The isles fans tried warning you. He might be kinda serviceable in a 3rd pairing role but he's in a similar position on the flyers where he needs to play top pairing minutes and competition.

I agree with Ron Hextall, who also must be wearing orange colored glasses., that this team is much better then it's been playing. This team made the playoffs last year, and they can still make the playoffs this year. And it's not spin to say that this team has a lot of quality young players. You're right that they are what they are right now. But they can be more then they are right now, if they get their act together.
- MJL

Hextall himself said the talent level on this team isn't elite, which is general manager speak for being mediocre at best. He thought so highly of it he wanted to lottery protect this years first rd pick in the perspective trade with Florida meaning he didn't have confidence that this team makes the playoffs. And he traded Hartnell for a guy who was being projected as a compliance buyout for capspace 3 seasons from now including this one. Sure looks like the actions of a gm who believes in the talent level of his team.

Hextall himself said the talent level on this team isn't elite, which is general manager speak for being mediocre at best. He thought so highly of it he wanted to lottery protect this years first rd pick in the perspective trade with Florida meaning he didn't have confidence that this team makes the playoffs. And he traded Hartnell for a guy who was being projected as a compliance buyout for capspace 3 seasons from now including this one. Sure looks like the actions of a gm who believes in the talent level of his team.
- psuhockey

Hex is definitely prepping for a major retool/rebuild. He cant really do anything until the older guys on big contracts like amac and streit have their deals expire because no team is taking those in a deal.

Hextall himself said the talent level on this team isn't elite, which is general manager speak for being mediocre at best. He thought so highly of it he wanted to lottery protect this years first rd pick in the perspective trade with Florida meaning he didn't have confidence that this team makes the playoffs. And he traded Hartnell for a guy who was being projected as a compliance buyout for capspace 3 seasons from now including this one. Sure looks like the actions of a gm who believes in the talent level of his team.
- psuhockey

You don't have to be an elite team to make the playoffs. And you also don't have to be an elite team to play better hockey then the team currently is. You're confused on what statements are being made here. Neither I or Ron Hextall have said that this team's roster is elite, or that moves don;t need to be made, to get this team to the level of a contender. All that I've said is that this team is better then it is playing right now, and should be. And that if they get their act together, they can make the playoffs. So where exactly are you getting "elite" from any of that?

The isles fans tried warning you. He might be kinda serviceable in a 3rd pairing role but he's in a similar position on the flyers where he needs to play top pairing minutes and competition.
- rangerdanger94

I looked at him as a 4 guy that could do a solid job. The 5M was a little high

Hex is definitely prepping for a major retool/rebuild. He cant really do anything until the older guys on big contracts like amac and streit have their deals expire because no team is taking those in a deal.
- rangerdanger94

MacDonald and Streit are part of the team moving forward. The Flyers would have no problem trading MacDonald if they wanted to. But why would they?

MacDonald and Streit are part of the team moving forward. The Flyers would have no problem trading MacDonald if they wanted to. But why would they?
- MJL

MacDonald and Streit were the backbones of the Islanders defense...you know...the defense that was unanimously seen as by far the worst defense in the entire league for years.

MacDonald and Streit were the backbones of the Islanders defense...you know...the defense that was unanimously seen as by far the worst defense in the entire league for years.
- rangerdanger94

Team defense is a team sport my friend. Neither Striet or MacDonald are players that could carry a bad team and make them look good. For all but the best of defenseman, it is a symbiotic relationship with how the entire team looks. Right now, Ryan MacDonagh would have a hard time looking good playing for this Flyers team the way they are currently playing.