I think its heart for sure. They have shown this season, even if only for a few games or periods, when they skate hard and play tough on the boards they can play with anyone and even dominate a team like LA. That effort is not there consistantly.
- GOA88

Yep. They have enough talent to play with (maybe not beat) any team in the league, IF they play with high intensity 100% of the time. And they play witht hat intensity for anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes per game, which is not even close to good enough.

My guess is we get our butts handed to us out sent then win the CBJ CAR NJ stand or whateve it is coming up. You know, do nothing to shorten the gap above us in the standings but lengthen the gap between us and a decent lotto pick.
- hereticpride

You do realize that, if the Flyers get swept, they'll most likely be behind Buffalo in the standing (currently a 1-point edge for the Flyers).

It actually may be possible to do a move like that, but we'd have to give either B-grade prospects or 2nd/3rd round picks in addition. Then again, Colorado is in serious need of scoring, and it may be possible to pass Vinny off as a sniper who isn't getting chances to due to linemates.
- jmatchett383

If you package Coburn with Vinny and take back Briere you might be able to get something done. But it will probably require a pick as well. But ultimately you have to remember that anything and everything hinges on Vinny's NMC.

You do realize that, if the Flyers get swept, they'll most likely be behind Buffalo in the standing (currently a 1-point edge for the Flyers).
- jmatchett383

Yeah, I suppose that I should further clariclarify that I see it frustrating that the team finds ways to not suck just enough to pick outside the top 10...

My worry is this team could come out and play three very good games this week and then people assume the Flyers can do something. I don't want some fools gold. I feel this team would do better with some moves at the deadline to begin to prepare it for next year and the year after that. We have pieces that could be attractive to playoff teams and might net some pieces that could help tis team next year. I know some on here feel guys like Coburn, Read, Macdonald and others are just too valuable to move but i see their value as bringing in valuable assets and freeing up some money to contruct this roster better. Maybe the right deal gets this team ready to compete sooner then later.
- J35Bacher

Right now, the only guys too valuable to move are Giroux and Voracek.

They have to avoid making a desperation trade. I'd rather see them make a few tweaks in the line up(split up Giroux and Voracek), bury the players who are anchors & slide up Bellemare to the top 9, split the defensive load carried by Couturier & Read between the top 3 lines, re-emphasize the focus on simple, smart play and see where they are in another month or two.

Splitting Giroux and Voracek should give them two lines that can be dangerous. Taking the defensive onus off Couturier and giving him more opportunity and perhaps a guy like Voracek on his wing should help his confidence while at the same time seeing how Laughton handles more responsibility. Rework the 2nd PP unit and PK units giving more responsibility to guys who are part of the future.

Shifting the focus back to simple, solid fundamentals will help a lot. Work on the outlet passing and focus on moving the puck smartly. Stop the weak blue line play both on offense and defense. Far too many dump ins when the Flyers have the puck and the blue line is given up far too easily when they don't.

What it boils down too is, there are things that can be changed, internally, before risking a trade where the other team either knows the Flyers are dealing from a position of weakness or is another team trying to shake up their situation.

You do realize that, if the Flyers get swept, they'll most likely be behind Buffalo in the standing (currently a 1-point edge for the Flyers).
- jmatchett383

That would be a good thing!

How long of a rope does Hextall intend to give Berube?
Does anyone in the organization recognize and or admit to the poor makeup of this team? The lack of natural wingers and natural left wings in particular?

Homer really left a mess that is going to take YEARS to clean up.

That would be a good thing!
- 3flyerkids

In a sense, yes it is. But it also means that a team destined to be the worst team in the league may be slightly better than this supposed playoff contender.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Critical Road Trip
- bmeltzer

The turnaround last year was fueled by G/Jake/Hartsy recovering from awful Oct/Nov starts and really catching fire in the stretch run.

Even if they start to get the expected levels of secondary scoring from Coots, Read and Vinny moving forward, I'm not sure the marginal gains from that would make much of a difference in terms of moving up in the standings. They'd still be one of the worst teams in the league at ES, still have glaring weak links throughout the chain, and still have to over-rely on the PP and top-line to see them through.

They got really lucky last year, even in pushing the Rangers to 7. They often got away with playing badly and still winning... we all knew that kind of hockey was unsustainable.

How long of a rope does Hextall intend to give Berube?
Does anyone in the organization recognize and or admit to the poor makeup of this team? The lack of natural wingers and natural left wings in particular?

Homer really left a mess that is going to take YEARS to clean up.
- wbon22

Hire Jim Harbough,

The turnaround last year was fueled by G/Jake/Hartsy recovering from awful Oct/Nov starts and really catching fire in the stretch run.

Even if they start to get the expected levels of secondary scoring from Coots, Read and Vinny moving forward, I'm not sure the marginal gains from that would make much of a difference in terms of moving up in the standings. They'd still be one of the worst teams in the league at ES, still have glaring weak links throughout the chain, and still have to over-rely on the PP and top-line to see them through.

They got really lucky last year, even in pushing the Rangers to 7. They often got away with playing badly and still winning... we all knew that kind of hockey was unsustainable.
- Tomahawk

...But they're taking fewer penalties per game.

Right now, the only guys too valuable to move are Giroux and Voracek.

They have to avoid making a desperation trade. I'd rather see them make a few tweaks in the line up(split up Giroux and Voracek), bury the players who are anchors & slide up Bellemare to the top 9, split the defensive load carried by Couturier & Read between the top 3 lines, re-emphasize the focus on simple, smart play and see where they are in another month or two.

Splitting Giroux and Voracek should give them two lines that can be dangerous. Taking the defensive onus off Couturier and giving him more opportunity and perhaps a guy like Voracek on his wing should help his confidence while at the same time seeing how Laughton handles more responsibility. Rework the 2nd PP unit and PK units giving more responsibility to guys who are part of the future.

Shifting the focus back to simple, solid fundamentals will help a lot. Work on the outlet passing and focus on moving the puck smartly. Stop the weak blue line play both on offense and defense. Far too many dump ins when the Flyers have the puck and the blue line is given up far too easily when they don't.

What it boils down too is, there are things that can be changed, internally, before risking a trade where the other team either knows the Flyers are dealing from a position of weakness or is another team trying to shake up their situation.
- Jsaquella

I have a feeling that we'll see Hexy do something that no other GM in recent memory has done: sit idle and stick to the long-term plan.

In a sense, yes it is. But it also means that a team destined to be the worst team in the league may be slightly better than this supposed playoff contender.
- jmatchett383

I hear you..but I am done getting PD at them ..they are what they are.
As long as there is guys who don't seem too care ( VL) and guys who are just useless Zombie. There too many guys who are underachieving and I just don't see them coming out of it unless deals are made..( which I doubt)

I have a feeling that we'll see Hexy do something that no other GM in recent memory has done: sit idle and stick to the long-term plan.
- Tomahawk

I believe that's today's definition of tanking.

I have a feeling that we'll see Hexy do something that no other GM in recent memory has done: sit idle and stick to the long-term plan.
- Tomahawk

I think that's the best choice, unless a deal too good to pass up stumbles into his kitchen.

But they definitely need to refocus on the fundamental play and bury the anchors. That part of the game is killing them.

I have a feeling that we'll see Hexy do something that no other GM in recent memory has done: sit idle and stick to the long-term plan.
- Tomahawk

I didn't want to believe he would do that...but it looks like he will

At least the Eagles had a huge win on Thanksgiving!!!

...But they're taking fewer penalties per game.
- jmatchett383

Phew, with this penalty kill.......

Right now, the only guys too valuable to move are Giroux and Voracek.

They have to avoid making a desperation trade. I'd rather see them make a few tweaks in the line up(split up Giroux and Voracek), bury the players who are anchors & slide up Bellemare to the top 9, split the defensive load carried by Couturier & Read between the top 3 lines, re-emphasize the focus on simple, smart play and see where they are in another month or two.

Splitting Giroux and Voracek should give them two lines that can be dangerous. Taking the defensive onus off Couturier and giving him more opportunity and perhaps a guy like Voracek on his wing should help his confidence while at the same time seeing how Laughton handles more responsibility. Rework the 2nd PP unit and PK units giving more responsibility to guys who are part of the future.

Shifting the focus back to simple, solid fundamentals will help a lot. Work on the outlet passing and focus on moving the puck smartly. Stop the weak blue line play both on offense and defense. Far too many dump ins when the Flyers have the puck and the blue line is given up far too easily when they don't.

What it boils down too is, there are things that can be changed, internally, before risking a trade where the other team either knows the Flyers are dealing from a position of weakness or is another team trying to shake up their situation.
- Jsaquella

Voracek looks like a one man show right now when hes out there with G. I can't imagine what he'd try to do by himself. I'd be willing to try it I guess, but the best chance of the Flyers scoring goals are when those two are out there together.

Voracek looks like a one man show right now when hes out there with G. I can't imagine what he'd try to do by himself. I'd be willing to try it I guess, but the best chance of the Flyers scoring goals are when those two are out there together.
- Just5

I think they have to try it, because being a one line team isn't going to get it done. I fully understand the mindset behind keeping them together, but that only works if anyone else can step up and give secondary offense

Voracek looks like a one man show right now when hes out there with G. I can't imagine what he'd try to do by himself. I'd be willing to try it I guess, but the best chance of the Flyers scoring goals are when those two are out there together.
- Just5

Let's be honest. The only chance they have to score is when they are out there.
No one else poses any threat. Until another line can step up and produce on a consistent basis we are stuck with this BS

I believe that's today's definition of tanking.
- hereticpride

A little short-term pain for a lot of long-term gain.

I can live with that, but the again I'm not a STH.

At least the Eagles had a huge win on Thanksgiving!!!
- NickTheKid87

Yes they did but the Packers will not be stopped this year. I am not a fan but they are the best team.

The Flyers are a team with no identity. What kind of style do they play? What are their strengths because we see a lot of weaknesses...
- flyers2001

Slow and steady wins the race?

A little short-term pain for a lot of long-term gain.

I can live with that, but the again I'm not a STH.
- Tomahawk

It worked for the Pens! Maybe we will have to suffer even though I don't know if I can handle it