We traded a very productive 1st wing forward for Umberger because he brought more to the table. He has, what, 3 points? VLC was signed to help offset offensive burdens placed on top guys. He has exacerbated that. But you are right, they are not the biggest problems. They are huge parts of the big problem.
- jak521

No they're not. From the context of my post which is looking at the team right now, they are not huge problems. They are both secondary players. They are certainly problems and part of the problem, but not even close to the main issues currently plaguing this team. Lecavalier can simply be scratched, Umberger can be hidden on the 4th line and still do a reasonable job there, and on the PK.

The Flyers biggest issues by far, are getting player like Read and Couturier going. Who are instrumental to this team's success, as is Simmonds. Getting this team to play with structure intensity, and execution. And getting the PK straightned out, which Umberger is a part of, but far from the only problem

If your premise was correct, then simply scratch Umberger and Lecavalier, an start winning. They are problems, but far from the biggest issues with this team currently.

Now if we look long term from a different perspective, they are big problems because of their contracts, and they 2nd and 3rd highest paid among Flyer forwards. So from a loing term cap perspective, they're a big issue.

If this road trip is an abortion like expected do we see some changes? I mean they can't keep trudging along status quo with one loss after another can they?
- PLindbergh31

Dont know if they win tonight, but I think they'll come out with jump looking a lot better, all because Vinny is on the bench.

The Old Man says: "but basically it's a similar team as last year, and it's very hard for me to understand what's going on. It's the coach's job to fix it, and the GM's job to do whatever he can to help the coach." Does the GM help the coach out the door?

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/

Finally.
- Jsaquella

Benching Lecavalier, who will finish his career as the highest-paid player in hockey history to date, with $131.7 million in guaranteed earnings...

WTF?

MacDonald, 28, acknowledged for the first time yesterday that he's struggled to live up to the pressure of his new contract. He is earning an average of $5 million over the next 6 years after being paid $575,000 or less each of the last four seasons.

What the (frank)!?

If this road trip is an abortion like expected do we see some changes? I mean they can't keep trudging along status quo with one loss after another can they?
- PLindbergh31

Revolving door benchings and switching lines around is what I am expecting.

More of the same in reality.

Rinaldo won't finish tonight skating on the third line.

One stupid penalty or if they fall behind I'd expect his minutes and role to drop.

Hopefully it's Bellemare who moves up, he has shown he can skate and even make plays with the puck. He could help Couts and Read get going offensively I think.

Over/under on how many goals they score tonight will be 2.5

If this road trip is an abortion like expected do we see some changes? I mean they can't keep trudging along status quo with one loss after another can they?
- PLindbergh31

I have a feeling they'll inexplicably pull out a couple of wins in this CA swing... then poop the bed once the easier competition comes along.

They shouldn't put an offensive black hole on his wing, when the owner just named and shamed Couturier for lack of offensive production.

Rinaldo is a 4th line player at best.
- Feanor

I agree, I'd put Bellemare up there. But the point I was addressing was what line is the best choice to get those defensive assignments.

I was one of the fans that thought he would take that next step....just didn't think it would be backwards. Both him and Couturier look slower this year....confidence does funny things...and neither of these two have a lick of it right now.
- landros 2

hockey is about the team. if the team if mired in a bad period or has a bunch of dead wood how is anyone supposed to get better consistently? this roster is a mess right now. no use blaming people or over reacting by trading guys with no specific plan in mind. figure this year is going to be bad, make a move if you can to help the morale, dump as much dead wood as you can in the summer and bring in fast players who can win puck battles; this with the goal of a 1-2 year turnaround

WTF?




What the (frank)!?
- wolfhounds

With Tampa he signed a 4 yr 28 mil and then a 11 yr 85 mil. Then Philly 5 yr 23 mil. He's rolling in it.


Flyers jumping the gun for a defenseman.

The overall problem is the lack of production past the top line/top PP. They're the 2 biggest culprits, but the Flyers could still be much better if some of Simmonds/Read/Couturier could pick up some of the slack.
- jmatchett383

And the PK.

Revolving door benchings and switching lines around is what I am expecting.

More of the same in reality.

Rinaldo won't finish tonight skating on the third line.

One stupid penalty or if they fall behind I'd expect his minutes and role to drop.

Hopefully it's Bellemare who moves up, he has shown he can skate and even make plays with the puck. He could help Couts and Read get going offensively I think.
- Marc D

Bellemare will probably move up at some point you are right

Ideally I would love to see Akeson with Coots and Read and bench Umberger, I guess that's asking too much though

And the PK.
- MJL

The PK is ridiculous, and IMO the clearest reason to sack Lappy and Berube.

With Tampa he signed a 4 yr 28 mil and then a 11 yr 85 mil. Then Philly 5 yr 23 mil. He's rolling in it.


Flyers jumping the gun for a defenseman.
- Streit2ThePoint

Yeah, that's quite a pay raise for AMac. And now he's playing down because of the strain associated with earning so much.

Priceless.

The PK is ridiculous, and IMO the clearest reason to sack Lappy and Berube.
- Feanor

I personally find it hard to blame either coach because the Flyers can't block a shot, prevent a cross ice pass, or clear the puck when they get a chance to. The Flyers have given up 21 PP goals in 23 games I think. So it's obviously a huge issue.

Yeah, that's quite a pay raise for AMac. And now he's playing down because of the strain associated with earning so much.

Priceless.
- wolfhounds

He's trying to figure out how he can be the player they signed him to be

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20141202_Flyers_bench_struggling_Lecavalier_for_game_against_Sharks.html

Finally.
- Jsaquella

Raffl - G- Jake
Schenn-Laughton-Simmonds
Rinaldo-Couturier-Read
Umberger-Bellemare-VandeVelde

Can't hurt

Yeah, that's quite a pay raise for AMac. And now he's playing down because of the strain associated with earning so much.

Priceless.
- wolfhounds

Not sure he's playing down... same as always, as far as I can tell. The expectations have just shot through the roof on him. Not that I feel sorry for him... (frank) him and his agent and Homer.

If this road trip is an abortion like expected do we see some changes? I mean they can't keep trudging along status quo with one loss after another can they?
- PLindbergh31

Exactly what I hope they do to be honest.

Flyer Filosophy

Here's your sack of money kid......now prove it!!

Dont know if they win tonight, but I think they'll come out with jump looking a lot better, all because Vinny is on the bench.
- Just5

Vinny was on the bench for most of the last game and they looked the same.

This post gives me the idea that you guys must think Vinny is hated in the dressing room as much as he is with fans, which I highly doubt.

Not sure he's playing down... same as always, as far as I can tell. The expectations have just shot through the roof on him. Not that I feel sorry for him... (frank) him and his agent and Homer.
- Tomahawk

Ugh. Please, just...

Vinny was on the bench for most of the last game and they looked the same.

This post gives me the idea that you guys must think Vinny is hated in the dressing room as much as he is with fans, which I highly doubt.
- SuperSchennBros

Good point.

Ugh. Please, just...


- wolfhounds

good thing the fruit bat is injured.