no hartnell no coatesy this team lost its personality

#bringbacksteve
- -davies-

turn on your radio for coatsey in all his glory

Hextall traded Umberger's contract just prior to rumours of it becoming terminated for a productive top line player at a position of need.

Heck 90% of this board thought it was a good idea.
- SuperSchennBros

Losing the last two years of that contract was, and is, a good idea -- the final returns on that deal aren't in yet, and last time I checked, Columbus was still behind the Flyers, even with as horrific as Umberger has been

I'd say 90% here could rationalize the trade based on Hartnell's lengthy contract, most said on the ice it was not even.

Bill, being kind and politically correct called it a lateral move at best.
- Marc D

BC4 lost all credibility that day.

Streit still has decent mobility, can carry the puck, and can move up on the play.
- MJL

that is fine

but why scratch the one dynamic puck mover they have???

See, that's where I am

When you're a bad team, or playing poorly, and you are telling people that conditioning is important, and accountability is important, and no one cares who you are if you don't play the right way, then that's fine. You can do those things. I actually believe in those things.

But it's just empty words when guys get extended looks for no other reason than "who they are" and because they are "proven veterans" who fill a role

You can't preach accountability when you are scratching people who are not playing worse than other people -- I said that about scratching Schenn a week ago, and I'm saying it now

Because the players know. Nobody's blind out there -- Del Zotto's been the worst defenseman? Since when? When he was playing 25 minutes a night and playing well as of 10 days ago? He slipped from No. 1 defenseman to healthy scratch in 10 days?

No, he didn't -- and the players know that
- AllInForFlyers

Do you know what this tells the players? That every player on the team is in danger of getting scratched. Del Zotto's play has fallen off just like everybody else's has in the last two weeks. It's his turn tonight. Next game it might be somebody ease's turn. With the way this team has played, only Giroux and Voracek should feel safe.

BC4 lost all credibility that day.
- mayorofangrytown

what was his take, I forget

Losing the last two years of that contract was, and is, a good idea -- the final returns on that deal aren't in yet, and last time I checked, Columbus was still behind the Flyers, even with as horrific as Umberger has been
- AllInForFlyers

CBS is decimated with injuries this season. If any owner can look at his GM and Coach and all of them shrug it's in Ohio this year.

Do you know what this tells the players? That every player on the team is in danger of getting scratched. Del Zotto's play has fallen off just like everybody else's has in the last two weeks. It's his turn tonight. Next game it might be somebody ease's turn. With the way this team has played, only Giroux and Voracek should feel safe.
- MJL

We can agree to disagree on the message sent

See, that's the thing -- you can't have it both ways. That's how you lose players

You cannot preach accountability and have that (frank)ing sign up and not back it up
- AllInForFlyers

Seems like he is backing it up. He's given a lot of players plenty of games. Now it seems as though he's going to start sitting people. Umberger should be next.

CBS is decimated with injuries this season. If any owner can look at his GM and Coach and all of them shrug it's in Ohio this year.
- mayorofangrytown

I agree, but at the same time, results are results and the Flyers haven't been the healthiest of teams, either

Timonen, Coburn in the first game, MacDonald for a stretch didn't do the Flyers any favors

what was his take, I forget
- Marc D

Me too. I just like to question his credibility when I can.

Bundy is being under utilized
- mayorofangrytown

(frank)ing Berube

Do you know what this tells the players? That every player on the team is in danger of getting scratched. Del Zotto's play has fallen off just like everybody else's has in the last two weeks. It's his turn tonight. Next game it might be somebody ease's turn. With the way this team has played, only Giroux and Voracek should feel safe.
- MJL

I agree, but at the same time, results are results and the Flyers haven't been the healthiest of teams, either

Timonen, Coburn in the first game, MacDonald for a stretch didn't do the Flyers any favors
- AllInForFlyers

We had Del Zotto, Schultz and Caliocoviacovo

I'd say 90% here could rationalize the trade based on Hartnell's lengthy contract, most said on the ice it was not even.

Bill, being kind and politically correct called it a lateral move at best.
- Marc D

It's a bold move Cotton, let's see if it works out for them.

I promise, I understand that, and I agree. But there are moves they could make that don't involve that pick that could help them

I mean, just say you don't want Del Zotto anymore. Not saying that's how they feel, or should feel. Just say that's what the deal is.

Then you could probably flip him, with maybe, what, a fourth or fifth rounder and get a third-line winger at the right age, size and productivity level. Throw in Alderson or Gordon if you have to

Right there, you have improved your depth, for (in theory) a player you aren't using. You can substitute Luke Schenn in there. Or Coburn, and adjust your return.

But Hextall could help this roster today, if he chose
- AllInForFlyers

Need to have a willing trade partner, and a deal that is acceptable. Can't just make a trade anytime you want. Most likely teams right now are trying to get over on the Flyers.

Me too. I just like to question his credibility when I can.
- mayorofangrytown

Seems like he is backing it up. He's given a lot of players plenty of games. Now it seems as though he's going to start sitting people. Umberger should be next.
- MJL

OK, let me get this straight. You're quoting me because, what again?

Because I realize that you like to argue just to argue, but if you're saying that Michael Del Zotto is playing the worst out of all the available defensemen and deserves to sit tonight, you're not being very clear

Because I am saying that Del Zotto hasn't played the worst and therefore, doesn't deserve to sit before anyone else other than maybe Streit

Caliocoviacovo
- mayorofangrytown

I'm never going to be able to get the spelling of his name right w/o looking it up. Ever.

that is fine

but why scratch the one dynamic puck mover they have???
- Marc D

Because he hasn't been that dynamic lately.

Need to have a willing trade partner, and a deal that is acceptable. Can't just make a trade anytime you want. Most likely teams right now are trying to get over on the Flyers.
- MJL

Really? It takes two team to make a trade? I wasn't sure

But since trades are getting made, Hextall can make them, too -- which is his job, as Ed Snider said 24 hours ago

I'd say 90% here could rationalize the trade based on Hartnell's lengthy contract, most said on the ice it was not even.

Bill, being kind and politically correct called it a lateral move at best.
- Marc D

Several of us did, mainly because of the contract help it provides in a few seasons.

Unfortunately, Umberger's decline continued...maybe accelerated.

Several of us did, mainly because of the contract help it provides in a few seasons.

Unfortunately, Umberger's decline continued...maybe accelerated.
- Jsaquella

I hated the deal. Still do. The idea that Hartnell couldn't have been moved without eating a huge contract in return is preposterous. Preposterous!

OK, let me get this straight. You're quoting me because, what again?

Because I realize that you like to argue just to argue, but if you're saying that Michael Del Zotto is playing the worst out of all the available defensemen and deserves to sit tonight, you're not being very clear

Because I am saying that Del Zotto hasn't played the worst and therefore, doesn't deserve to sit before anyone else other than maybe Streit
- AllInForFlyers

I'm not saying that he's been the worst. But he also hasn't clearly been better or been good during this stretch. Who has? I'm saying that Del Zotto's play during this stretch is not good enough to put him on the "protected" list along with Giroux and Voracek. Del Zotto is not undeserving of being scratched. Everyone deserves to sit except Giroux and Voracek with the way this team has been playing.

I'm never going to be able to get the spelling of his name right w/o looking it up. Ever.
- Tomahawk

Steve. Just call him Steve