The Flyers will probably remain a bubble team for awhile, IMO.

To me, they are a bonafide top-pairing defenseman and a stabilizing second-line center away from being a much better club than a lot of people seem to think. Unfortunately, those things are not all that easy to obtain.

They need to do some reshaping around the cap, but that is also easier said than done.
- bmeltzer

After the loss of Pronger this organization has shown that they realize the need for a top pairing defenseman
( offering Weber and Suter as of late)
I hope they make a pitch for someone like OEL at the draft or in the summer. If it takes a package involving #14 plus plus.... Get it done

Nope he's right, time to trade Voracek now, before the NHL realizes he needs Giroux.

The one game Giroux missed-against NJ- after his ankle got cut, Voracek has an assist. The entire team was pretty bad, especially Ray Emery.
- Jsaquella

There wasn't a point in his entire post that suggested that Voracek should be traded or isn't a good player, if he was separated from Giroux. What he is basically saying is that he think's Voracek would be less effective away from Giroux, and I agree with him.

The Flyers will probably remain a bubble team for awhile, IMO.

To me, they are a bonafide top-pairing defenseman and a stabilizing second-line center away from being a much better club than a lot of people seem to think. Unfortunately, those things are not all that easy to obtain.

They need to do some reshaping around the cap, but that is also easier said than done.
- bmeltzer

You know, I'm fine with being a bubble team for another year or two of it means they are building towards something. I don't want to be a bubble team with umberger's and lecavalier's. I want to see some more youth injected into this team and if the trade off is another year or two of being a bubble team, so be it. As long as the team is moving forward in terms of development, I'm ok with beig patient.

Agree, I can take this for a year especially since the draft is loaded. This would be hard to take next year. I know it may happen but let's hope they are at least much closer to playoff contention
- 3flyerkids

Watch yourself, agreeing with me can be dangerous

I honestly believe that Couturier can be that center. I think they absolutely need to add a catalyst for the 2nd line to play with Simmonds. A good puck carrying, playmaking LW, along with Couturier and Simmonds, could form that 2nd option for them. Getting a bona fide top pairing defenseman is the biggest challenge that faces this team. The cap issues can be dealt with.
- MJL

I want to believe couturier can be that guy, but he's taking a lot longer to develop than I hoped or thought. I didn't expect him to dominate the league by now, but I was hoping for a little more offensive punch at this point.

Is Berube back behind the bench next year? Does whether or not they make the playoffs play into it? Is he even the problem or the answer?

The Flyers will probably remain a bubble team for awhile, IMO.

To me, they are a bonafide top-pairing defenseman and a stabilizing second-line center away from being a much better club than a lot of people seem to think. Unfortunately, those things are not all that easy to obtain.

They need to do some reshaping around the cap, but that is also easier said than done.
- bmeltzer

Especially with the cap uncertainty moving forward. It's going to be difficult to move some of the bad and questionable contracts out. Various forecasts say the Canadian dollar could continue to slide, which could impact the cap beyond next season, as well.

I think in 2016-17, or 2017-18, the will have turned a corner and rounded into a more solid playoff team or even contender. But I feel next season will see them hover on the bubble yet again.

They have so much money and term invested in mediocre players it's hard to see it being fixed in one season.

I want to believe couturier can be that guy, but he's taking a lot longer to develop than I hoped or thought. I didn't expect him to dominate the league by now, but I was hoping for a little more offensive punch at this point.
- funmaster18

God... I am agreeing with you again. I really better be careful
I was hoping for more from Couturier. He has been very " streaky" for lack of better term. If he was a key piece wanted in a package for a top Dman, I wouldn't hesitate to make a deal. Isn't B Schenn supposed to be a Centre? He could fill a roll of a 2nd Centre. I would only move 14 if it was for quality D help

I want to believe couturier can be that guy, but he's taking a lot longer to develop than I hoped or thought. I didn't expect him to dominate the league by now, but I was hoping for a little more offensive punch at this point.
- funmaster18

He's played pretty much the entire season with an ineffective Matt Read, who has scored all of 3 goals this season, and Umberger who only in the last month or so has been playing better hockey. Past seasons even with his usage and deployment, he has been putting up 2nd line center scoring numbers at ES.

Especially with the cap uncertainty moving forward. It's going to be difficult to move some of the bad and questionable contracts out. Various forecasts say the Canadian dollar could continue to slide, which could impact the cap beyond next season, as well.

I think in 2016-17, or 2017-18, the will have turned a corner and rounded into a more solid playoff team or even contender. But I feel next season will see them hover on the bubble yet again.

They have so much money and term invested in mediocre players it's hard to see it being fixed in one season.
- Jsaquella

Really the only two players they have significant money and term with, that is an issue, is Umberger and Lecavalier.

Is Berube back behind the bench next year? Does whether or not they make the playoffs play into it? Is he even the problem or the answer?
- funmaster18

I don't think he's THE problem, but I think he is one of the problems. I just don't feel he's a very good coach.

Especially with the cap uncertainty moving forward. It's going to be difficult to move some of the bad and questionable contracts out. Various forecasts say the Canadian dollar could continue to slide, which could impact the cap beyond next season, as well.

I think in 2016-17, or 2017-18, the will have turned a corner and rounded into a more solid playoff team or even contender. But I feel next season will see them hover on the bubble yet again.

They have so much money and term invested in mediocre players it's hard to see it being fixed in one season.
- Jsaquella

Do you believe they could get 2 first round picks from top teams for Coburn and Streit,and maybe a 3rd or 2 nd for Grossman? Hey I really like Streit but he is older and if those 3 were traded that would free up 13M or so. I think they could either trade or sign a couple solid guys with that money

Is Berube back behind the bench next year? Does whether or not they make the playoffs play into it? Is he even the problem or the answer?
- funmaster18

They're not making the playoffs. In my view, Berube coming back hinges on how the team finishes. I need to see significant improvement down the stretch. If the same issues continue without progress, then I think they need to move in a different direction.

I honestly believe that Couturier can be that center. I think they absolutely need to add a catalyst for the 2nd line to play with Simmonds. A good puck carrying, playmaking LW, along with Couturier and Simmonds, could form that 2nd option for them. Getting a bona fide top pairing defenseman is the biggest challenge that faces this team. The cap issues can be dealt with.
- MJL

I agree 100%.

If this team is going to make a big acquisition I think it should be for that 2nd line LW. That line has got to start producing consistently at 5 on 5 for this team to be successful. Eberle, Bodker and Oshie are a few names that come to mind. Bodker could probably be had the cheapest.

If we could move Coburn for Bodker and Arizona's 2nd(likely no later than 35th overall) I would be very happy with the trade.

He's played pretty much the entire season with an ineffective Matt Read, who has scored all of 3 goals this season, and Umberger who only in the last month or so has been playing better hockey. Past seasons even with his usage and deployment, he has been putting up 2nd line center scoring numbers at ES.
- MJL

That doesn't change what he looks like when the puck is on his stick. I've been and still am a huge couturier supporter. Loved what I saw from him from the start. If all it comes down to is line mates, then I will jump for joy because I thought we hit a home run his rookie year. Doubt is starting to creep in for me, is all. I'd love for him to shove that doubt back in my face.

Is Berube back behind the bench next year? Does whether or not they make the playoffs play into it? Is he even the problem or the answer?
- funmaster18

I could see him being back but I think Lappy is almost guaranteed to have the PK taken away from him, if not just let go entirely.

I don't think he's THE problem, but I think he is one of the problems. I just don't feel he's a very good coach.
- Jsaquella

Same. I don't want to see him back, but I also don't want to throw poop at a wall and see what sticks when it comes to coaches. If "the right guy" is out there, please part ways with chief and get him.

He's played pretty much the entire season with an ineffective Matt Read, who has scored all of 3 goals this season, and Umberger who only in the last month or so has been playing better hockey. Past seasons even with his usage and deployment, he has been putting up 2nd line center scoring numbers at ES.
- MJL

Maybe he's part of the reason they have been so ineffective?

That doesn't change what he looks like when the puck is on his stick. I've been and still am a huge couturier supporter. Loved what I saw from him from the start. If all it comes down to is line mates, then I will jump for joy because I thought we hit a home run his rookie year. Doubt is starting to creep in for me, is all. I'd love for him to shove that doubt back in my face.
- funmaster18

I don't see an issue with the puck on his stick. Couturier is never going to be a player that can carry a line offensively, let along raise up a player that is having a season like Read is. I think the numbers in past seasons support that Couturier is a better offensive player then many think.

I want to believe couturier can be that guy, but he's taking a lot longer to develop than I hoped or thought. I didn't expect him to dominate the league by now, but I was hoping for a little more offensive punch at this point.
- funmaster18

I'd like to see Couturier freed from the shackles of such heavy defensive usage. I had hoped that Laughton, with his two way ability from juniors and the AHL, would take some of that load off his plate. It hasn't really happened. Berube has continued to give the heavy lifting to Couturier's line.

Maybe he's part of the reason they have been so ineffective?
- Dkos

I don't think so. Read has clearly been hurt, and hasn't been the same player he has been in the past, all season. Umberger got off to a horrible start, and has only recently began to play better hockey.

I could see him being back but I think Lappy is almost guaranteed to have the PK taken away from him, if not just let go entirely.
- hereticpride

I don't know enough about what he does as a coach, but could be an example of being a great player on the PK doesn't mean it will translate to coaching.

I don't see an issue with the puck on his stick. Couturier is never going to be a player that can carry a line offensively, let along raise up a player that is having a season like Read is. I think the numbers in past seasons support that Couturier is a better offensive player then many think.
- MJL

Is that the type of player we want as the number 2 punch after Giroux? A guy that can't raise his line mate's game or carry a line offensively? I guess if he has the right support around him, it's not a bad thing, but I think Id want a little more offensively out of a second line center.

I'd like to see Couturier freed from the shackles of such heavy defensive usage. I had hoped that Laughton, with his two way ability from juniors and the AHL, would take some of that load off his plate. It hasn't really happened. Berube has continued to give the heavy lifting to Couturier's line.
- Jsaquella

To be fair, Laughton may have taken on more by now if he hadn't been injured. Let's see how it plays out down the stretch because i was hoping to see the same.

Is that the type of player we want as the number 2 punch after Giroux? A guy that can't raise his line mate's game or carry a line offensively? I guess if he has the right support around him, it's not a bad thing, but I thinn Id want a little more offensively out of a second line center.
- funmaster18

Absolutely. A player that can play shutdown defense and put up points, while playing a quality two way game in all situations. That is the perfect compliment to Giroux in my opinion.